Fashion
July 30, 2016

INSTAGRAM ROUNDUP

Happy Saturday! Since the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has been the focus lately, I thought I would play a little catch up with my roundups! I started back where I left off before my Instagram Roundup: Anniversary Sale Edition post last weekend. I added a couple of my recent Instagram posts at the end of this week’s roundup, both of which have Anniversary Sale finds that are still available (but going fast, so hurry and shop them). For more of my favorites from the sale, check out this link where all of my tabs have been updated with in stock sale items! And in case you missed it, I also rounded up a ton of complete fall looks that are on sale.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Roundup 7.16.16 - 1STRIPED SHIRT DRESS | BLACK BAG | WEDGES | SUNGLASSES | LEATHER WATCH

Tons of you asked about this dress when I posted it on Instagram. I think it caught everyone off guard because it’s technically a maternity dress, but you wouldn’t even know it! The material is basically the only reason it’s maternity. It’s a knit with some stretch to it, so it’s very comfortable. I’m wearing a size small and it comes right to my knees. It’s one of those dresses you can live in all day, every day. It’s great for a casual date night, but you could definitely dress it down for a day of running errands. This bag works well with the black and white stripes because it’s bold, plus it holds a ton of stuff for days when toting your diaper bag around just doesn’t cut it!

 

Roundup 7.16.16 - 2GINGHAM TOP | SKIRT (made myself) SIMILAR IN BLUE HERE | BLACK HEELS | LADDER CUFF BRACELET | LEATHER WATCH | BANGLES | INITIAL NECKLACE

There’s something so perfect about gingham and pops of color. The combo immediately catches your eye, adds some contrast, and makes your outfit stand apart. I made my skirt myself, but I found a really pretty blue skirt with a big bow on it that’s very similar (and long!). You can add a solid color top to it, or go for a patterned top that works with the color in the skirt. It’s a great Sunday outfit for church, or just something fun to wear to a birthday, shower, or summer get together.

 

Roundup 7.16.16 - 3LILAC BLOUSE | DISTRESSED JEANS | GOLD WRAP SANDALS | REBECCA MINKOFF BAG (SOLD OUT, SIMILAR IN BLACK HERE AND BROWN HERE) | INITIAL NECKLACE | LADDER CUFF

You guys know how much I love this lilac top. It’s the perfect color and length, and it can easily be dressed up or dressed down in some jeans and sandals. But they are also selling this top in chartreuse now (they call it “solar glow”), and it’s amazing. I love that color too, and I think it has a lot of potential for a fun pop of color for a date night look. My bag is sold out, but I linked a black Rebecca Minkoff that is very similar, and the same one in brown that is actually $50 less than the black!

 

Roundup 7.16.16 - 4WHITE ROMPER (SIMILAR HERE AND LONG SLEEVE HERE) | BATHING SUIT | SUNGLASSES | SHARK SWIM TRUNKS | BABY WHALE SHIRT

This white romper is the perfect addition to any beach day. It’s light weight, loose fitting, and very versatile. You can wear it as a cover up, or just wear it casually around the beach on those super hot days. I tagged Eli’s outfit for all you moms out there looking for some cute beach wear for your babies. Both the top (it says “CALI”) and swim bottoms are currently on sale!

 

Roundup 7.30.16 - 1

TIE NECK BLOUSE | WHITE DISTRESSED PANTS | NUDE HEELS | GOLD WATCH | INITIAL NECKLACE | LADDER CUFF

This tie neck top is one you can easily transition into fall. I love it with white pants, but it would also work with jeans or black distressed pants with some booties for more of a casual look for fall. It’s hard to tell, but it’s actually a white blouse with blue stripes. And it also comes in a black with white stripes.

 

Roundup 7.30.16 - 2

WHITE DISTRESSED PANTS | NAVY BLAZER | WHITE TOP | NUDE HEELS | SIMILAR KATE SPADE BAG | GOLD WATCH | INITIAL NECKLACE | LADDER CUFF

I love a clean, tailored look. This one is simple, and easy to pull together for a date night. My navy blazer comes in three other colors, and the fit is really classic looking. These heels are one of my favorites. They have a great cut to them, and even though they are on the taller side, they are still really comfortable. They are a great staple and go with so many outfits.

 

Roundup 7.30.16 - 4

DISTRESSED JEANS | LEATHER JACKET | GREY TOP | SIMILAR BOOTIES HERE, HERE AND HERE | INITIAL NECKLACE

This leather jacket is in stock and such a necessary fall staple. I promise, you’ll love it. It’s not too bulky, really comfortable, and has a great cut to it. My booties are sold out, but I linked to three other pairs that are similar in color and style (all three are still available and on sale!). My grey top is also still available and it’s a must if you need a go-with-everything staple tee. It’s so soft and easy to wear under sweaters or on it’s own.

 

Roundup 7.30.16 - 5DISTRESSED JEANS | DRAPE FRONT CARDIGAN | GREY TOP | SIMILAR BOOTIES HERE, HERE AND HERE | INITIAL NECKLACE

This cardigan is so comfortable! And it has the perfect fall look to it. I love the colors in it. If you haven’t started thinking about sweaters for fall (I get it, it’s hard with this heat!) you really should. The Anniversary sale is the perfect chance to grab all the sweaters that will be appearing this fall at a great price. Come fall, this sweater and all the others you’re eyeing, will be much higher in price. I highly recommend finding a sweater staple like this one that you can wear with lots of different looks.

 

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Dressy
July 19, 2016

ELLE APPAREL REDESIGN REVEAL + MY FAVORITE’S GIVEAWAY!

Its finally here! Welcome to the fresh new look of Elle Apparel! I am so excited to share this bright new space with you. My site has needed a face lift for…years. But manufacturing and selling my clothing line, the launch of The Modern Girls Guide to Sewing, and the birth of my 3rd baby boy all took center stage throughout the past four years. After the dust settled, I really took my time in making my blog a reflection of me and my personal style. I am so thrilled with the outcome and I hope you love it too! I figured my birthday week was the perfect time to roll out all the changes!

White_Lace_dress_elle_apparel_leanne_barlow_blog_office_decor-7520ON ME: WHITE LACE DRESS | PATENT LEATHER NUDE PUMPS | LIPS: BOLDLY BARE AND LOVELORN

ELSEWHERE: WHITE RUFFLED LACE TOP | BLUSH TOP | B/W CHECKED TOP | WHITE RUFFLE TOP | BLUSH BLAZER | GOLD TASSEL NECKLACE | BLUE JEWEL FLATS 

First things first, I put together a HUGE GIVEAWAY to celebrate Elle Apparel’s redesign!! It’s all of my very favorite things wrapped up into a giant giveaway with EIGHT lucky winners! I’ve included all of the prizes and entry details at the bottom of this post. It’s my way of saying thank you to all of you for being so kind and supportive of my work over the years. I have made such good virtual friends with many of you through instagram, snapchat (especially those accidental video snaps your kiddos send me!), and blog post comments. You are real genuine friends and I am so grateful for you!

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There are some really amazing features that I have implemented in my blog now that make it so much easier for you to find specific posts, clothing items, and gain inspiration. Here is a quick little guide for exploring my site…

 

  • First things first, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has its own tab (temporarily). ha ha! I keep that tab up to date with all the best finds for Women, Beauty, Baby/Kids, and Men. Check that one frequently because I’m always adding new items when other ones sell out.
  • Under the SHOP tab, you can view all of my latest outfit posts on instagram and shop each look easily.
  • The SHOP tab also links to my Currently Loving page, which holds all of the styles and items I am loving right now. These items are updated frequently as the styles and seasons change, so make sure you check back to see which things I have on my wishlist. I also link to my favorite styles for Men, Baby/Kids, and Home Decor as well.it’s a one stop shopping spot, and I only include items that I really love.
  • I separated the CATEGORIES  tab into all the different types of posts I do on Elle Apparel. It is divided up by Fashion, Beauty, Family, Interiors, Pregnancy, Health, Travel, and Holiday posts. It’s a quick way to search through what really interests you.
  • With a fresh new site comes the addition of a newsletter that will keep you updated on my latest style tips, tutorials, and new trends I’m excited to try! I have a lot of fun things in store for my newsletter so make sure you subscribe.
  • I am working on answering a lot of your frequently asked questions over on my FAQ page. If there is something you would like me to include, email me! I love hearing from you!
  • Now this is one of the features I am most excited about. I have categorized all of my outfit posts by Casual, Dressy, Momiform, and Maternity looks under the LOOKBOOK tab. So if you just found out that you are expecting and have no idea how to dress that growing bump in the first trimester, its easy to find my “Dressing the Bump” series for lots of first trimester style ideas. Or, if you have a fancy office party coming up next month, you can get lots of dress inspiration easily. I tailored this feature specifically for you.
  • My sewing tutorials are all like my little babies (..girl babies!) and they needed their own personal space. Check out my TUTORIALS tab to see all of the dozens and dozens of clothing tutorials I have done.
  • If you are a business interested in collaborating with Elle Apparel, you can check out my Collaborate page. It shows you exactly what Elle Apparel is about, links to past collaborations I have done, and the correct contact email so that we can start working together!

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********************* GIVEAWAY CLOSED**********************

all the giveaway winners are posted at the bottom of this post

 

 

Here it is! This is a giveaway I have been excitedly planning for months and months. When I first put together this giveaway, I sat down and listed out all of my favorite things and then figured out how I could share them with you! I am giving away EIGHT separate prizes, so there will be EIGHT winners total (each winner gets one of the eight prizes). Here is what you can win…

 

Elle Apparel Giveaway 2-01

1. $100 BAUBLEBAR GIFT CARD: My favorite statement jewelry. Their pieces are unique and beautiful! I have my eye on this necklace and this ring.

2. $100 SOLE SOCIETY GIFT CARD: Most of my shoes are from here and they are great quality at a great price point. I got these wedges for summer and I love them.

3. VANITY PLANET’S SPIN FOR PERFECT SKIN BRUSH ($100 value – U.S. entries only): I am obsessed with this and take it everywhere with me. It has smoothed and cleared my complexion and everyone needs one. If you don’t win, I can get you one for 70% off with this link (or use code LBSpin at checkout).

4. $100 NORDSTROM GIFT CARD: Grab those perfect fall booties or this flattering pair of distressed denim over at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale! (you can find my round-up post here)

5. DERMSTORE’S TEXTURE TAME TREATMENT ($199 value- U.S. entries only): This treatment completely transformed my hair and eliminated any frizz, leaving it smooth and glossy. I was so impressed by the results! (you can view my review post on it here)

6. $100 ZAPPOS GIFT CARD: I’m all about Zappos’s 1 day free shipping. There are the only place I’ve been able to find my favorite jeans ever.

7. PETUNIA PICKLEBOTTOM CITY SPECIAL EDITION BOXY BACKPACK ($215 value- U.S. entries only): I have used this bag from Petunia Picklebottom as my main diaper bag for 11 months now, and it is still in amazing condition! The limited edition has the gold hardware, and I love this bag to death!

8. MODERN GIRLS GUIDE TO SEWING COURSE ($99 value): I am so thrilled to be able to give one winner access to either the Beginner’s course or the Intermediate course to our Modern Girls Guide to Sewing online videos. Sewing and designing clothing is such a passion for me and I can’t wait to share it with one of you!

 

TO ENTER:

MANDATORY ENTRY: Subscribe to my new newsletter by entering your name and email in the box below, and leave me a comment on this post listing the email you used to subscribe with and list the prize numbers you would like to win (starting with the one you want most). This will ensure that if you win, it’s a prize that you want! You can list as many giveaway numbers as you would like, just make sure it is only on one comment.

(For example: “Jane@gmail.com. I would love giveaway 6, 1, 5, or 2”)

FOR A SECOND ENTRY: Follow me over on Instagram (@leannebarlow) and then leave me a second comment on this post that says “following!” If you already follow me on Insta, it’s an easy second entry! Just make sure you comment below letting me know.

I will select 8 winners randomly and announce them on this post on August 7th. We will check to make sure all winners have fulfilled the giveaway requirements.

Good luck everyone!

Elle Apparel Giveaway-01

THE GIVEAWAY WINNERS ARE….

IF YOU WON, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL WITHIN 48 HOURS TO ADVERTISE@LEANNEBARLOW.COM TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE! (any unclaimed prizes after 48 hours will be redrawn and announced here)

Thank you thank you to everyone who entered! I read each and everyone of your comments and some of them had me in tears! You guys are the best!

I used Blush Creative Studio to create my new site and I couldn’t be happier! I would highly recommend them!

 

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Casual
July 15, 2016

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE SNAPCHAT OUTFITS

I had so much fun shopping the Nordstrom sale yesterday bright and early. I did most of my shopping for this sale online, but I knew I needed to get into the actual store to really let you know the look/feel of my favorite items. If you follow me on snapchat, I took you along with me while I tried everything on 😉 I got lots of questions about the pieces, so I loaded all of my snaps below, as well as  sizes I’m wearing and my personal thoughts on a lot of the items so that you can get an idea of how things fit.
These are kind of just thrown together in a big post, unfiltered. I started getting a little snap happy after only 3 hours of sleep…and snap chat is where I let it all hang out!
 DISTRESSED JEANS | GREY SWEATER

DISTRESSED JEANS | GREY TOP | BLAZER

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BROWN TASSEL CROSSBODY

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Fashion
July 14, 2016

THE BEST OF THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

The BEST sale of the year is here! It’s time to stock up on the newest fall items at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I wrote about all my insider trick for shopping the sale here. If you don’t already have a Nordstrom card, you can sign up for one here so you can start shopping before it opens to the public.

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CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES ABOVE TO SEE THE DISCOUNT!

I have to be honest..last year I was a little bit disappointed in the selection of sale items. But that is not the case this year! I was blown away by how great the selection of booties, larger bags, leather jackets, and distressed jeans they have this year!

I’ve rounded up all of my favorites by category below:

 

 

  • These open toe booties are such a closet staple and can be worn year-round. Booties almost identical to these sold out within a week last year, so jump on them this year!

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Sell out alert! This bag is on sale for only $30 and it comes in cognac! One just like this sold out within days last year!

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  • I am so excited about this leather jacket. It’s exactly the style I’ve been searching for and I think I might make this my Birthday present!

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

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  • I am completely in love with the detailing of this top.
  • Sell out alert! At only $15, this top will sell out fast (especially in the black and white stripe)

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  • It’s hard to tell from the picture, but these boot go just over the knee and are super flattering.

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  • Sell out alert! These jeans have the best distressing and are a steal for $55!

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

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  • This wallet is a great price for such good quality.

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  • I’ve had my eye out for a good pair of leopard lace up flats, and these are just what I had in mind. For less than $60, they are a great buy!

 

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  • I love the cut and color of this dress. Emerald is going to be so pretty for fall!



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Fashion
July 11, 2016

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO SHOP THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE THIS YEAR

*The Nordstrom Anniversary 2017 sale will run from July 21-August 6. Find out how you can get $20 to spend during the Nordstrom sale here. 
Today I’m going to get you all prepped and ready for one of the biggest and best sales of the year – the Nordstrom Anniversary sale! Like you, I love a good sale, and this one is my very favorite. I’ve been shopping and studying 😉 this sale for a few years, and I wanted to share a few insider tips so that you can be prepared later this week when the sale starts!
(a round up of my favorite buys from last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale)

WHAT IS THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE?
This sale is different than most of the big sales, because instead of marking down clothing items that have been available for a while or are past season, all of the Norstrom Aniversary Sale items are brand new for the upcoming Fall season! This is your first look at the upcoming trends, and a rare chance to get brand new seasonal items at a deeply discounted rate. Once the sale is over, the items that are not sold out remain available, but the prices all increase to their normal price.


WHEN IS THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY 2017 SALE?
Early access to the sale is July 13th-20th (available to Nordstrom card holders only), and it opens up to the general public July 21st-Aug 6th. Prices go up August 7th.


HOW CAN I SHOP THE NORDSTROM SALE EARLY?
In order to get the sale price during the early access from July 13th-20th, you have to have a Nordstom card. You can sign up for one online here.Get first dibs on the sale by applying for a Nordstrom debit or credit card! If you are approved before July 9th, you will receive a $20 Nordstrom Note toward your first purchase during the sale! Plus, as a cardholder, you will receive Early Access to shop the best arrivals at their Anniversary Sale discounted prices!

If the card isn’t for you, you can join Nordstrom Rewards here without applying for the credit card and you will still receive a $10 Nordstrom Note to spend at the Anniversary Sale!

A few years ago, I signed up for my Nordstrom card the night before the sale started, and I had no problem using my brand new membership number to order online.

 

WHAT IS THE SMARTEST WAY TO SHOP THE SALE?
Online, online, online! I cannot stress this enough! I always post all of my top picks from the sale by 6 am the morning the sale starts. Then, in order to give you a detailed description of which items are good quality, flattering on, and cuter in person, I always brave the crowds to find the best stuff in person, and I do a dressing room round-up the day after the sale goes live so you can get a good feel for the cut/sizing/fit of the best items. Then I also do a post with all of the full fall looks I end up taking home with me. I do all the legwork for you, so all you have all the info you need to get the best items of the sale.

My advice to you is to get yourself a Nordstrom card if you don’t already have one, and check out my blog first thing the morning of July 13th. I usually pull an all-nighter the night before the sale, narrowing down the items online, to select the best stuff. Then, place your order online first thing! If you aren’t sure about sizing, order 2 sizes! Nordstrom’s free shipping/return policy makes shopping so painless.  Your order will come with a return label, so if there is anything you don’t want, just stick it on your box and set it outside for the mailman to pick up. You don’t even need to make a separate trip to the Post Office!



IS IT WORTH IT TO GET A NORDSTROM CARD JUST FOR THIS SALE?
I sure think so! The pieces with the best discounts usually are sold out by the third day if the Early Access portion of the sale. That means that if you don’t have a Nordstrom card, you won’t even get the chance to purchase the item before it sells out.

A few years ago I didn’t have a Nordstrom card, so I had to wait until it opened to the public to shop. I was so disappointed to find that a lot of the items on my wish list were sold out or out of my size. It’s absolutely crazy how fast some of the items go. If you don’t have a card yet, it isn’t too late to register for one and be able to jump on that cute new Kate Spade bag, or booties right when they go on sale.



WHICH ITEMS SELL OUT THE FASTEST?
In the past years, the items that sold out the fastest were:



CAN I GET A PREVIEW OF WHAT ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE?
Yes! You can get a sneak peek of the Anniversary sale online soon. Just scroll down to where it says Woman’s Catalog | Men’s Catalog

Make sure you check out my blog all throughout the day July 13th. I always do my best to keep you guys updated, starting that morning, and I will do a Nordstrom sale round-up of all of the best items from the sale as well. You can see the ones I did for 2015 and 2014 and 2016.  I pour through pages and pages of sale items (so you don’t have to) and only pick out the good stuff. Throughout the sale, I post about all my favorite buys (and why they are my favorites), I give dressing room peaks of multiple items and talk about the fit/style of each one, and I give fall styling tips to get your mind working on how you will want to style your sale buys.

Here are some of my wish list’s from years past…

2016 WISH LIST

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CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES ABOVE TO SEE THE DISCOUNT!

 

 

2015 WISH LIST

ONE / TWO / THREE / FOUR / FIVE / SIX / SEVEN / EIGHT / NINE / TEN / ELEVEN2014 WISH LIST

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

If you have any questions or have specific items you will be looking for in the sale, just let me know in the comments

 

 

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Fashion
July 9, 2016

INSTAGRAM ROUNDUP + NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE DETAILS

*Shop all my picks for the 2016 Nordstrom Anniversary sale in this post
 
WHITE DRESS | COGNAC WEDGES | STRAW TOTE BAG
Summer is for cute straw beach totes like this one. It’s so fun! I love it. But definitely don’t feel limited to just pulling it out for beach days. Totes like this work well for running errands, or even adding them to your summer date night look. I love how the straw in the bag looks with the cognac in my wedges and my white dress. It’s just so summery.

 

WHITE TOP | DISTRESSED JEANS | WHITE CONVERSE | KATE SPADE BAG | DODGERS HAT | INITIAL NECKLACE | TURQUOISE NECKLACE | BANGLE BRACELETS | LADDER CUFF | GOLD RING | GOLD STUD EARRINGS | MANNEQUIN DRESS FORM | GOLD PENDANT HANGING LAMP
Summer nights at a baseball game are so magical. This is the easiest comfy outfit for a game, or just running errands on days that you won’t be in the sun too much. Converse are comfortable for long days, and they work well with any casual look. If you wanted to be cute and casual on a warmer day, you could switch out your jeans for a summer dress with your Chucks too. I linked to my gold hanging light because I love it and think it’s adorable. But I also linked to my mannequin dress form for all of you girls interested! It’s a great thing to have when you start sewing, so if you signed up for the Modern Girl Sewing courses and you’ve found a new love for sewing, this may be something worth purchasing.

 

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WHITE PANTS | WHITE EYELET TOP (sold out) SIMILAR HERE | DENIM JACKET | COGNAC WEDGES | LADDER CUFF | SCREW CUFF BRACELET | INITIAL NECKLACE | TURQUOISE NECKLACE
You can never have too many summer days of white and denim. White on white, as you may know, is a favorite of mine. I love the simplicity and elegance in an all white look that adds just a touch of color. My denim jacket and cognac wedges give your eyes just a little bit of contrast to look at. But the all white look still keeps your focus and draws attention. My eyelet top is sold out, but I linked to a similar one that is currently on sale!
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DISTRESSED JEANS | WHITE TOP (sold out) SIMILAR HERE AND HERE AND HERE (all $25 and under!) | BLUE HEELS | GOLD NECKLACE | LADDER CUFF | BANGLE BRACELETS | SCREW CUFF | BROWN LEATHER WATCH | KATE SPADE BAG | GOLD STUD EARRINGS
Okay, you guys. These blue heels are one my favorite pairs right now! I love them so much. They are fun and flirty, and have the cutest details. They work with a dressier look, but they are also the perfect addition to a more casual look with distressed jeans and your favorite solid colored top. I’m so bummed that my top is sold out because it is seriously amazing. But I found some other great white tops that have similar features, like elbow sleeves. This one has a twisted (bunching) detail in the front that is so pretty, and it’s only $15. And this one has scallop details on the sleeves and bottom, plus it’s $25!
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Happy Saturday! I hope you guys are enjoying these roundups of some of my weekly Instagram outfit posts. Let me know if there are other types of posts that you would be interested in seeing (outside of my usual posts). I’d love to hear what you guys are interested in seeing and reading about on here!
I also wanted to remind everyone that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (the biggest and best sale of the year) starts next week! Pre-sale for all cardholders starts on July 14th, which is next Thursday! For everyone else, the sale starts July 22nd and goes through August 7th. Oh my goodness you guys, it’s time to mentally prepare yourselves for what’s to come. This is the sale to save up for so that you can stock up on some key fall pieces to add to your wardrobe. I’m going to have a huge post for the sale next week, but I wanted to get you thinking about what’s to come.
Have a great weekend!

 


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Dressy
July 9, 2016

RED SWING TASSEL DRESS TUTORIAL

DRESS: MADE BY ME, TUTORIAL BELOW (SIMILAR DRESS HERE AND HERE both dresses less than $12!) | SIMILAR COGNAC SANDALS |  WHITE CLUTCH | SIMILAR TASSEL NECKLACE (on sale) | LADDER CUFF | SUNGLASSES | LIPSTICK IN “SO CHAUD” (my favorite orange/red color!)

 

 Every year for the 4th of July I like to make myself a patriotic dress to wear to church, to our cute little city parade. I was super pregnant with Eli last year and made this red and blue ruched dress (that I wish I could still wear!). This year I went with some lightweight fabric that is my absolute favorite shade of red. It’s one of the few shades of red that I feel compliments the pink undertones in my skin. Red is tricky for me to wear, but I really do love the color of this dress (and my lipstick matches it perfectly in “so chaud’). If you follow me on Instagram you saw that I wore this dress to church on Sunday, and if you follow me on snapchat, you saw that I also wore this dress on the 4th to the parade! 😉 You can view my Snapchat story from the 4th of July and see a bit of the dress in action here. Can you even handle how our night ended?! The boys were such good sports about everything!

 

I’ve listed all the instructions on how to make the dress below after the jump, but if you aren’t a sewer and are interested in learning, I have a whole online video sewing course that teaches you every single thing I know! You can check out the courses at moderngirlsewing.com. If you don’t sew but you’re looking for a similar dress, I found this dress and this dress that are both less than $12! I freaked out when I saw the price. And it would be super simple to attach some cute white or navy tassel or pom pom trim to the sleeves to achieve a similar dress.

 

Also make sure to check back next week when I break down everything you need to know about the most amazing sale of the year!

 

SHOP MY LOOK:

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL…

 

MATERIALS:

 

  • 3 yards of lightweight poly/cotton blend fabric
  • trim (long enough to fit around each arm. (mine measured 30″)

I added all the measurements to my dress in the image above for reference.

STEP 1:  Lay one of your side panels on top of the front of your dress, rt sides together with the extra material of the panel pointing toward the middle. Serge them together along the edge. (if you don’t have a serger, you can always stitch with 1/2″ s.a. and zigzag the seam allowance to keep from fraying)

STEP 2: Open up your front and back pieces that you just stitched together and lay your second panel piece rt. sides together with the extra fabric pointing toward the center and stitch up the opposite side.

STEP 3: Open up all three of these pieces now sewn together (side panel, front, and 2nd side panel). Lay you back piece on top of it with rt sides together (this will be the exact same measurements and pattern piece as your front piece). Match up the side seams of the back piece with the unsewn sides of each panel piece and sew up either side. With the dress currently inside out, stitch up the front and back pieces along the top of the sleeves.

STEP 4: Turn your dress rt. side out, and prep and insert your sleeves.

STEP 5: Serge/finish the raw edges of the bottom of your sleeves and attach the trim along the bottom. Serge along your neckline and bottom of the dress, fold under twice, and stitch with a wide straight stitch all around the neckline and hem.

 

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Fashion
July 2, 2016

INSTAGRAM ROUNDUP

SIMILAR WHITE TOP | PINK PLEATED SKIRT AND SAME SKIRT IN HOT PINK | SIMILAR HEELS HERE AND HERE |  KATE SPADE BAG | SIMILAR PEARL EARRINGS |  LADDER CUFF BRACELET | INITIAL NECKLACE
This skirt is so pretty! I linked to the same skirt in hot pink because it’s $20 less and under $50! So worth it. Both colors are great for summer, and they are easy to pair with solid color tops. The white blouse I have on is sold out, but this one is similar (also high/low) and would look great tucked in to this skirt. I added heels that were just a few shades lighter than my skirt to keep my look very feminine and classic. I linked to a couple color options above.

 

BATHING SUIT | SUNGLASSES | PANAMA HAT
This bathing suit is just so pretty. Florals are so in right now, especially in bathing suits. In case you missed my post with all the suits I wore in Hawaii, you can see that here. I share details on all the suits I’m wearing (how they fit, why I love them, and what size I’m wearing) to help answer any questions you may have before purchasing one. And I did another post on swimsuit trends that I’m loving this summer. One of those is florals, so I linked to lots of pretty suits there too (and a couple below).

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OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS | GOLD WRAP SANDALS | PANAMA HAT | RED BAG | SIMILAR PHONE CASE
If you have a spare weekend this summer to get away with your girlfriends, do it. I had a blast, and I got to unwind and just relax which was so nice. This was the perfect weekend getaway look. I love an easy summer dress that you can throw on for the day. And my bag (on the bed, in case you missed it!) is currently on sale. I love how bright it is. And it’s a great tote for when you travel because it holds a ton of stuff.

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DISTRESSED JEANS | WHITE TOP | SIMILAR VEST HERE AND HERE | SANDALS | TASSEL NECKLACE | INITIAL NECKLACE | LEATHER CROSSBODY BAG | BANGLE BRACELETS | LADDER CUFF | LEATHER WATCH
This is one of my favorite casual looks. Layering is somehow possible, even in hot weather! But really, I do love to layer, and adding a long vest is the perfect addition to a casual look. It adds both dimension and style to your basic jeans and top look. I kept my outfit pretty neutral, so adding a bag that tied in the brown leather from my sandals was an easy choice. I love this bag. It’s not just your typical brown crossbody. It has a unique style that differentiates it from the rest, with pretty stud details that give it a modern look. And these jeans… I forgot how much I love them. So comfortable.

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WHITE DRESS | SANDALS (SIMILAR IN BLACK HERE) | PANAMA HAT | BANGLE BRACELETS | LADDER CUFF | LEATHER WATCH
I love the details in this dress. It’s another dress you can wear all day long. It’s casual, but definitely sophisticated and stylish enough to dress up for a summer dinner with friends. These sandals are some of my favorites this summer, but these are very similar if you are looking for something a little less expensive. My hat is also one of my favorites this summer. It is easy to put on with just about anything, and it’s not too big or bulky. I love how it looks with dresses for causal summer days.

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Happy holiday weekend everyone! I hope that this 4th of July you are able to enjoy some quality time off with your families! In case you missed my 4th of July outfit post, I rounded up 20 (yes, 20!) outfit inspirations to help you decide what to wear to all the events you have planned this weekend. You can view the post here.
I pulled from recent posts, as well as some older outfits (I’m talking maternity old!), so if something was sold out I linked to similar items that are currently available. Most of all, I hope you are able to use it as a guide for you to get some ideas from for whatever it is you have planned this weekend. There are outfits for just about any event you might be going to (parades, BBQs, parks, firework shows, parties, church, farmers markets, etc.), so be sure to check it out for some inspiration! And let me know what you guys have planned this weekend. I always love to hear what everyone is up to, and what your favorite traditions are for the 4th!

 



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Fashion
June 25, 2016

INSTAGRAM ROUNDUP

WHITE PANTS | SIMILAR STRIPED TOP | SIMILAR VEST HERE | BROWN SANDALS | RED BAG | SIMILAR PANAMA HAT | LADDER CUFF | SCREW CUFF | BANGLE BRACELETS | SUNGLASSES
This is the ultimate way to layer for the summer. Find a vest that you love, and add it to a comfortable longer tee (stripes are always good) over your favorite jeans or white pants. With long vests, I always make sure they are adding to my outfit without being too distracting. Look for neutral colors and lighter weight fabrics and you’ll be good. When wearing hats in the summer, the key is looking put together with minimal effort so don’t overthink your outfit too much or stress about perfect hair. Think casual. My hat is currently on sale under $20!

LILAC TOP | SKIRT (MADE MYSELF, SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK HEELS | INITIAL NECKLACE | LADDER CUFF | BANGLE BRACELETS
I’m so glad I got this lilac top. It’s seriously so versatile, and the color is amazing. I wore it here with white pants and wedges, and look how perfectly it works tucked into a polka dot skirt. Solid tops are always a great investment for that reason; you can literally add them to any kind of look (especially patterns with the right color combos), and it turns something basic into a unique, tailored look.
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SIMILAR LACE TOP HERE, HERE, HERE, AND HERE | DISTRESSED JEANS | OPEN-TOE BOOTIES | FAUX LEATHER JACKET | KATE SPADE BAG | LEATHER WATCH | LADDER CUFF | BANGLE BRACELETS
Lace tops are perfect for summer. They easily dress up your outfit, and they are lightweight and airy. I linked to three that are really pretty and detailed (but all a little different). Because lace is naturally so feminine, adding a distressed pair of jeans gives your look a little more edge, which I like for nights that are more casual. You could just as easily add your favorite lace top to white pants and heels for a dressier look.
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WHITE PUMPS
I love the shape to these white pumps. They are so stylish and unique, and they are a great investment because they can be paired with just about any look you’ll be wearing this summer. 
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Casual
June 24, 2016

20 OUTFIT IDEAS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO WEAR ON THE 4TH OF JULY

I’ve rounded up all of my favorite red, white, and blue looks today to give you a little inspiration for planning your 4th of July outfit! So whether you need something to wear to a BBQ at a friends house, the fireworks show on the football field, or a church outfit the Sunday before the 4th of July, I’ve got you covered for any occasion that requires a patriotic color combo! I’ll be posting my current 4th of July looks over on my Instagram as well, so make sure you follow along with me there!
Since some of these looks are older, I’ve linked to the same, or similar, items beneath each photo if you want to know the sources. However, this post is mostly to help you get a little inspiration for your looks! It’s probably a good idea to pin this main image so you can come back to it easily later!
STRIPED DRESS | SIMILAR DENIM VEST | SIMILAR TOTE | SIMILAR SANDALS | SUNGLASSES
I love that this look has some tried and true Fourth of July staples like a jean vest, stripes, and pops of red in this bag. This dress comes in both navy and red or navy and white stripes, and either option would work great for the Fourth.

 

If you like to keep your red, white, and blue a little more casual and subdued, adding some pops of red or blue florals and a matching bag works really well. It’s easy to pull together and doesn’t require overdoing the patriotic look if that’s not your thing. Both my top and bag are older, so I linked to a few other floral options (including a dress and a romper if want to forego the jeans), and a cute blue Kate Spade bag that I love.
I love the look of red with black and white stripes. It’s so classic looking, and it ends up working out really well for the Fourth. If you’re looking for the perfect look for church the weekend before the Fourth, this would be a great option. Any red midi skirt will work, but I love the look of a full high waisted skirt that comes up over your striped top. This skirt is one I made, but I linked to this one that is similar.
This look is casual, comfortable, and patriotic all in one. You can’t go wrong with a chambray top for the Fourth. And these white linen pants are not only ridiculously comfortable, they work well with lots of different top options and do well with bright pops of color.

DRESS (MADE BY ME, SEE TUTORIAL HERE) SIMILAR HERE AND HERE | SIMILAR CLUTCH | SIMILAR SHOES

If you have a dressier Fourth of July event to go to, there is nothing quite like an all red look! Add some simple nude sandals and a statement clutch and you’re set. My floral clutch is sold out, but I linked to one of my favorite red clutches (that also comes in light blue).

 

SIMILAR RED TOP | BLUE AND WHITE STRIPED SKIRT | SIMILAR GOLD CLUTCH | WATCH
Here is another outfit that combines red, white, and blue effortlessly. Again, you can’t go wring with a classic stripe look, especially one that has really bold white and navy stripes. It makes everything else stand out so well, like this red top and gold clutch.

 BASEBALL TEE (MADE BY ME, SIMILAR HERE) | SIMILAR JEANS | SIMILAR BAG | SIMILAR PLAID TOP | SIMILAR HAT | SIMILAR PHOSE CASE

Fourth of July is usually filled with picnics, parks, and running around with the family, so this sporty look works well for those types of things. It’s a little edgy, but still cute and feminine. I easily added some blue to my look with a cute baseball hat and a pop of red with a flannel tied around my waist. Simple, cute, and practical (you’ve got an extra layer when it cools off).

SIMILAR DRESS | GOLD FLATS (SIMILAR PAIR) | SIMILAR SUNGLASSES

I love finding non-traditional ways to incorporate reds, whites, and blues for the Fourth. Finding patterns, like the one in my dress, that adds these colors is not only stylish but it’s unique. I also love the way these gold flats go with the blues and reds.
GREY PLEATED TOP (SOLD OUT, SIMILAR HERE) | BLUE KNIT PENCIL SKIRT | COGNAC FLATS | BAG | SUNGLASSES
 
This blue midi skirt stands out so well. I love how good it looks with a simple top tucked in. You can add a basic white top and a pop of red in a clutch if you want to make this look a little more patriotic. But it also works well for the Fourth with this grey top and some brown sandals, making it just a bit more subtle. 
 

WHITE TOP | DISTRESSED JEANS | HAT | SIMILAR RED FLATS | GOLD WATCH | INITIAL NECKLACE 

To me, this is the all-American look everyone loves for the Fourth. It’s easy to wear your jeans and a basic white tee all day, to BBQ’s, picnics, fireworks shows, and just about anywhere your Fourth of July plans take you. Adding some key pieces of color in a cute baseball hat or some red flats is super easy, but there are lots of other ways you can add color to this look too.

TOP MADE BY ME (TUTORIAL HERE) SIMILAR TOP HERE AND HERE | WHITE SHORTS | SUNGLASSES | PANAMA HAT

Gingham in blue is perfect for the Fourth. It’s stylish and classic, and when paired with white shorts it guarantees a polished look that isn’t over done. If you’re expecting hot weather, this is always an outfit that will keep you cool all day long.
 
SIMILAR WHITE DRESS HERE AND HERE | SIMILAR GOLD SANDALS HERE AND HERE | SIMILAR NECKLACE | SIMILAR BRACELET | STRAW HAT
White dresses are such a summer staple. They go with so many things, and they are comfortable and lightweight in the heat. This dress is detailed with an eyelet pattern, while this one is a bit more basic. Add some reds and blues in your jewelry, or keep it a little more neutral and add some gold sandals, like this pair of gladiators. Adding a hat is another way to keep cool and also adds a little more depth to your look.

 

 

This look is all about function. If you’re planning on being on the go this Fourth of July, plan to be comfortable. You don’t have to sacrifice style to achieve comfort like so many people think. Adding a basic, but cute and colorful, plaid shirt to your favorite jeans is a sure way to feel yourself wherever you end up celebrating the Fourth. You can make your outfit stand out a little more by adding some statement shoes like these metallic flats.

 

SIMILAR NAVY DRESS HERE AND HERE AND HERE | NAVY HEELS | CREAM BAG | BEE CUFF
I love this dress for so many reasons. It has amazing details, and it’s the perfect shade of blue. Plus, these navy heels match perfectly. Since it sold out, I tried to link to as many similar dresses as I could find. This one sold out in the navy, but it comes in burgundy, which is just as perfect for the Fourth!

 

DISTRESSED JEANS | SIMILAR WHITE TOP | BLACK BAG | SILVER FLATS | WATCH | LADDER CUFF | SUNGLASSES

To dress up your jeans just enough, add a top with some details (like the eyelet detail in this top) and shoes that add some flare. You’re sure to remain comfortable in this look, but you’ll also add an element of distinctive style that is a couple steps up from your basics look. Add some red lipstick and you’re Fourth of July ready!
DRESS | HEELS | SIMILAR EARRINGS | LADDER CUFF | INITIAL NECKLACE
This is another great outfit for church the weekend before the Fourth of July. Bodycon dresses are bold and classic, and there’s no better time to pull out your blue dresses than the Fourth!

SIMILAR TOP | SIMILAR WHITE JEANS | SIMILAR TAUPE BAG | WATCH | LADDER CUFF

If you’re looking to dress up your Fourth of July look this year, I’m a huge fan of lace tops. They’re delicate, and they look so pretty with just about anything. I love this light blue lace top with white pants. I linked to a similar lace top that would be perfect with jeans and some wedges.

 

STRIPED TOP | BLACK SUEDE HAT | BEEK SANDALS | WHITE PANTS | JEAN JACKET | BAG
White pants and jean jackets are always a summer favorite of mine. You can add some more red and blue to this look with a different bag or hat, but the black and white stripes aren’t too far fetched for the Fourth, so don’t think you have to change this up too much.
SIMILAR RED TOP | DISTRESSED JEANS | SIMILAR BOOTIES | SUNGLASSES
Red tops look so good with jeans for the Fourth. You can be dressy or casual with this look. I like how the booties keep it casual. You can even add your favorite open-toed booties to dress it up a little more. Or throw on some converse for an even more relaxed feel.

 

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June 22, 2016

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE TRICKS FOR TRAVELING WITH KIDS (+ OUR HAWAII FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT)

thank you to Zappos for sponsoring this post


 

ON ME: BEADED SWIM COVER KAFTAN | WHITE CROCHETED ONE PIECE (I’m wearing a size S/D. The fit/support with this suit is amazing! And the bow detail on the back is my favorite)

When Garrett and I decided that we wanted to take everyone on our trip to Hawaii, I sat down and made a list of things I thought we could do to make the trip a little easier on us, but still fun and memorable for this kids. After the trip, I reworked my list a bit to include things I discovered while we were on vacation, and I removed a few ideas I had that didn’t quite pan out.

A few days after we got home, Garrett and I jumped on Periscope (I’m @leannebarlow over there, make sure to follow along if you don’t already!) I uploaded our scope at the bottom of this post, but I thought I would break it down for you here as well…

INVOLVE THE KIDS EARLY ON
Shortly after we booked our trip, Garrett and I decided we wanted to get the boys super pumped about our vacation. So before telling them, we randomly talked about traveling and fun places we would like to travel as a family. We casually mentioned Hawaii and how beautiful and fun it would be to go there. We got them excited about Hawaii before they even knew we were going.

To tell them, we were big gigantic dorks and put on leis and grass skirts, and hula’d into the family room in pure unadulterated embarrassing-parent fashion. (lucky for us, the kids are too young to know that they should have been royally embarrassed by this). We made telling them about our trip fun and memorable before we even left for vacation.

SET REALISTIC SIGHTSEEING EXPECTATIONS
We really limited the placed we planned on physically traveling to on our trip. We’ve learned from past vacations that the boys have the most fun when they get to just play at the hotel pool all they want. So we put our focus on booking some really great hotels rather than spending the money on the excursions we could take that would be away from the hotels. (I talked more about the hotels we stayed at here and here)

MAKE PACKING KID FRIENDLY
We tried to keep our packing as light as we could, and thought about things we would actually use. We knew we really wanted phones and electronics to capture our memories on the trip, so we ordered waterproof cases for our phones, and a good backpack to store our camera in. (I wrote about how to create a family travel video in this post).

I looked through new bathing suits for our trip on Zappos.com with the boys, and let them pick out the style of the suit they wanted and the color of their shoes. I was grateful their free one-day-shipping made it super easy to get everything on time. (or exchange it for free if needed)

I let them pick out a few inexpensive things to pack in their own backpacks on the flight. We got tiny notebooks, a small thing of crayons, and one little toy that they couldn’t play with until we were actually on the plane. That made them excited to fly and helped keep them entertained on the long flight.

GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY…REALLY EARLY
Most airports are extra crowded during summer/travel months. We were stressed enough trying to get everything ready for the trip, we didn’t want the added stress of possibly missing our flight. We ended up getting to the airport 3 1/2 hours before our flight and we were calm because we knew we had plenty of time. We let the boys run around at the airport to get out their energy. It’s always better to try and find things to do with the kids because you have extra time at the airport than being stressed and rushing through the airport with kids!

SOMETIMES EASE OUTWEIGHS PRICE
We did a few things throughout our trip that cost us a little more, but were well worth the hassle of trying to save a few bucks. For example, one of the nights we ordered pizza and paid to have it delivered right to our room, rather than try to go drive to pick it up. We were all wiped out from a long day at the beach and that gave us time to bathe the boys and enjoy a simple dinner delivered right to us.

EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE FIRST
Of course we wanted the boys to realize how lucky they are to be on vacation. But instead of telling them “Do you realize how lucky you are?” or “Aren’t you so thankful that we are in Hawaii on vacation?!” we talked about how grateful we were instead. “I am so lucky that I get to have all my boys with me here on vacation!” This accomplishes 2 things: it shows your kids how much you love having them part of your family, and it teaches them that this is something they should be grateful for too! And it worked!

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE MEMORIES YOU WANT TO COME HOME WITH
I knew that I wanted to get some shots of our whole family on the beach, so I did some research on local photographers in the area and contacted one whose work I loved. We scheduled our shooting date in advance and it was so worth it to have these memories from our trip captured professionally!

Here is our periscope….

pin it for later….
 

 

in collaboration with Zappos  |  photography by Kenna Reed Photo

 

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June 20, 2016

11 TIPS ON HOW TO SHOOT A FAMILY VACATION VIDEO LIKE A PRO + OUR HAWAII TRIP (PART 2)

For the last 2 days of our trip, we stayed at the Aston Waikiki Beach Tower. It is directly across the street from the amazing beach we went surfing at. Our room had the most amazing view of Waikiki with a balcony we ate our breakfast, lunch, and dinner on. On the last day of our trip we spend the morning in our suit and just relaxed. It rained a bit that day, so the boys watched cartoons in their room, Eli napped in our room, and Garrett and I relaxed on the couch watching the rain on the ocean. It was so calm and peaceful, and will be one of my favorite memories from the trip.
I posted the first video from our trip in this post, and you can watch the video from the second part of our trip below. I’ve gotten a ton of questions about how I captured our footage during our trip and I listed 11 tips and answers to all the questions I have had at the bottom of this post.

 

TUTORIAL FOR MY TOP HERE
our room at the Aqua Aston was literally across the street from the beach we surfed at! It was the best location!
ORANGE ROMPER
the views from our hotel balcony were incredible!
 this is the view from the master bedroom. we watched the sunrise from our room and the sunset from the balcony.
Cash was up with nightmares the night before we went surfing, but he popped right up and loved it! 
 this shot just melts my heart!
we got to visit our good friends Joy and Drew while we were there and Joy taught us all how to surf! If I can get up on a board, anyone can get up. I have the worst balance and thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to do it!
the Hawaii temple is so pretty!
I had .5 seconds to grab this shot and then run over and save Eli.

After I did my first recap post from our Hawaii trip with Part 1 of our vacation video, I got tons of questions about how I filmed the video. So for this second half of our trip recap, I’m sharing all the tricks I learned in order to get great footage and create a family vacation video like a professional…

1.  Shoot the footage first:

When we would get to the beach or pool, I would always pull out the camera and film the kids first jumping in the pool or running into the beach water. Filming first thing will accomplish a few things- it will capture the pure excitement of your kids as they experience a fresh day by the water or new experience and not trying to cram in some footage after a long exhausting day when everyone is tired. You won’t have to tell them to smile or act for the camera, because they will be already excited about the beginning of a new day. Tell them up front “Let me take some video first, then we can dig for shells and have a water fight!” Set the expectation that if they cooperate in the beginning for a few minutes, you will be able to give them your full attention and play after. If you wait too long to pull out the camera chances are you will be stressing the whole time that you don’t have the footage you had hoped for, the kids will be tired and cranky, you will be covered in sand and worried that you will ruin the camera, etc.
2.  Shoot with multiple devices:
We filmed our vacation videos with my phone, Garrett’s phone, and our DSLR camera. Yes, I had to load all the footage from 3 locations, but it allowed for us to film as the vacation happened with whatever we had at the moment. The quality of iphone video is so amazing anyway, there isn’t too much of a change in the video when it changes to different devices. Plus you can get more natural fun footage from your phone (like Garrett spraying the boys with sunscreen from this video)
3.  Get a waterproof camera case (vs. buying a GoPro):
First off, even if you have a GoPro, I would suggest getting a waterproof case for your phone regardless. If will keep your camera protected from the elements and allow you to have it out, rather than hid away to stay protected. Also, back up your phone before you go! That way if something does happen, you won’t lose precious phone info. I did a ton of research on GoPros before our trip and was pretty sure we would get one. But the more I asked around, I realized that we would get just as goo quality video on our phones. My worry was that the phone would get ruined…but with out covers, that problem was solved. We might eventually get a GoPro for future vacations, but a selfie stick and waterproof cases ended up working GREAT for us! (and I was able to snapchat under water…which was awesome)
4.  Rent a lens:
I’ve been eyeing a few new lenses for a couple months. I decided to rent a 24-105mm lens for our trip rather than buy it at this point. The total to rent the lens came to around $120 for 7 days and that was so worth it to me. I got to really utilize the lens, make sure that I loved it before actually forking over the money for it, and I got amazing quality pictures!
5.  Film things in short clips:
One major trick that I learned was to keep each filming session short. When you are filming it might feel like you need to keep the camera rolling for multiple minutes, but it will be a little slow and boring when you actually sit down and watch the playback. I tended to film in 20-50 second clips. That way it was easy to wade through which clips I wanted to include in the final video and condense those even further as I edited the footage.
6.  Try not to stage your footage too much:
You want the happy smiles and bubbly kids…but you also want it to be genuine. There were a few times when filming where I would call out to the boys “ok, make the biggest splash you can!” but that was about it. When I tell them to smile, they usually make it super goofy and overdone…not authentic. You kind of have to morph into a spy and just wait for the real raw emotions before starting to film. And your kids don’t always have to me smiling and laughing in the footage! In this video I captured Eli pushing his bottle off the table and then looking down like “where did it go?” and its so real and so cute I want to bash my head into a wall. A small snippet of real life that I will look back and bawl into a pillow when he is no longer a baby.
7.  Add music:
You don’t have to add music to you whole video…sometimes it so fun to hear your kid voices or what is really going on in the footage. However, I will say, when you are watching the footage back in your office..it’s a lot less exciting that hearing it all when you were actually on the beach. One thing I am so glad I did was I had Garrett create a Hawaii play list. He loaded 12 songs that we love as a family right now and we played it during out trip. Then I had some of those songs be on our videos, and its just a perfect fit. Also, whenever we hear those songs in the future we are reminded of that particular trip.
8.  Keep it short:
I mentioned it earlier, but keep our clips short. When I edit our videos, I tried to only add about 6 second clips at a time. And I usually keep our videos around 6 minutes. The boys like watching it over and over and you don’t need too long of clips to be able to relive the fun you had. ( I just use imovie for those wondering. There are lots of great tutorials on how to use it and its very user friendly!)
9.  Take turns filming: 
You shouldn’t have to be the one filming the whole time, and neither should your husband. If your husband hates taking pictures/video, then throw on some volumizing mascara and bat those lashes at him and make him get on board with helping to film. Because you will want clips of you playing with your kids and your husband! Especially if you are using phone, you don’t need to be a pro to film. You basically just need to be a warm body behind the camera. Just make sure you tell him these expectations before the trip so he knows the kind of help you would like.
10. Start filming from the beginning:
Like..the very beginning. I didn’t include this in my videos, but we filmed us telling the boys we were going to Hawaii. (we dressed up in ridiculous lei’s and grass skirts and hula’d into the room to tell them where we were going. The ultimate dorky parents and it was amazing.) Film the boys playing at the airport, during the flight, walking into your hotel (usually those reactions were the best from the boys! They loved seeing their bed, bathroom, balcony, etc). If you get in the habit of pulling out your camera from the minute your trip starts, chances are you will keep remembering to pull out the camera. If you wait too long it might be easy to just leave the camera in the bag the whole time. What a shame that would be!
11. Load your video with the highest quality:
When I upload my videos I load them with the highest quality I can. Yes, a 4 minute video takes about 4 hours to render in HD, but now we can watch it on all our devices and the quality is as good as the footage. You won’t go back and upload it in a better quality later because you don’t have the time to do it right now. You just won’t do it. Upload it right the first time and you can be completely done when it’s loaded.

 

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