Currently Craving

It's Friday, I'm in love! This week I'm currently craving some spring items!  

1) I love this reversible tote from Old Navy.  The inside is navy blue and I can see myself adding a cute little gold monogram to it! 

2) I love these embellished sandals. They are j. crew-esqe but at a fraction on the price!

3) I love this hustle cuff. Like it says on the Furbish website-- "This chic cuff serves as a daily reminder that good things come to those who hustle." 

4) I'm still in love with graphics. And this graphic tank is just what it says!

5) I'm travelling out of the country for the first time and I'd love for my passport to travel in style :)

6) I just purchased the Champagne Lime New Balances from J. Crew but I'm also liking the gold ones! Should I get these too?

7) I need a cute cross body I can take when I go out. I love this Kate Spade-ish bow adorned cross body from Target. 

What are you currently craving this Friday? 

Currently craving 

Guest Post on Positively Oakes : Baby Must-Haves

Today, I was invited to be a guest blogger on Positively Oakes!  I'm excited to pull from my personal experience as a mom of two beautiful girls to provide you some baby must-haves!

Starting a baby registry can be overwhelming for new parents. You want the best for your precious bundle of joy, but there is so much out there it can be hard to choose. Just because something is the most expensive item doesn't mean it's the best. I know the first time I was starting a registry I gave myself anxiety over reading all the ratings, getting advice from other parents, doing loads of research, watching videos. It was exhausting!

I remember never using certain items I registered for. I don't want that to happen to you.  Also included in this list are items I wished I had as well. Things have changed in the 3 years since having my youngest.

1) Diaper Sacks: I didn't care for the diaper genie at all. I registered for one and it was not fun to empty. Not only was it heavy, but the fact that you go through long periods before emptying it was disgusting to me. I came across these diaper sacks and I highly recommend them. After changing a soiled diaper I'd use these sacks and could throw them in our regular trash can without worrying about an odor. I packed them in my baby bag so in public it would be easy to dispose of dirty diapers. You can find this pack of 200 for $9 on Amazon.

2) Cloth Diapers: I used cloth diapers as burp clothes. I had them everywhere around my house. A great gift idea, they have lots of uses, from diapering and changing to nursing and burping. These Gerber ones come in a 10 pk from Target.

3) Swaddler: I love these swaddlers from Ergobaby. Newborns enjoy the comfort of being swaddled. They sleep better, which means, parents get more sleep :) These swaddlers are soft and made of breathable material promoting longer, safer and more comfortable sleep for your little one. I like this one because its easy to use and has a great option for easy diaper changes.

4) Lounger: Both of my girls loved their lounger. The one I had was closer to the ground, but I like how this has an easy  put-away option. It was great for me because I could get little things around the house done.  It is a great option to put in your bedroom too. The baby will not be sleeping in the nursery for a few months so this is a great item to have in your room. It comes with a projector and soothing vibrating unit. With a mom's gentle push, the lounger will rock too! Get it here.

5) Video Monitor. This is the best! It was so comforting to know I could check on the baby without having to go into the nursery for every little of sound. Sometimes the baby makes sounds in their sleep that don't need you rushing into the room. It was also helpful at the toddler stage when they like to try and escape the crib!

6) Moby Wrap : This baby carrier is ideal because it distributes the baby's weight evenly across mommy's body. This wrap is super soft and babies love it because it makes the transition from the womb to the outside world easier. The fabric is breathable and machine washable.

7) Convertible Stroller: I love this option for a stroller. As your baby grows, your stroller grows. I love the versatility of this one from GB. It's not too bulky and provides so many options for mommy and baby. Not sure if this brand provides additional bases so when stroller/car seat  shopping be sure to check! It makes transporting the baby so much easier if there is a base in multiple cars! Get it here!

8) Baby Moccasins from Freshly Picked: Baby shoes are adorable but let me tell you, they don't stay on at all! Don't waste your time on shoes unless you purchase these adorable moccasins. Not only are they super comfortable, uber cute, and easy to put  on/ take off but they stay on your baby's feet! These gorgeous moccs have been featured in Parenting Magazine, IN TOUCH, US weekly, People.com, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kourtney and Kim Take New York.

Other baby items I would suggest:

• Infant's Acetaminophen drops
• formula divider-- this came in handy because once formula is mixed it is only good for one hour. So to make trips out of the house handy, I would prefill the bottles with water and when it was time for a bottle I'd use the formula divider and dump the exact amount into the bottles and give it a little swirl/shake.
• manicure kit
• hylands homeopathic baby teething tablets
• onesies
• baby thermometer
• baby vicks vapor rub
• nasal aspirator
• Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo/wash
• oxiclean versatile stain remover
• pampers swaddlers
• baby blankets
• diaper changing pad
• Baby Einstein's take along tunes (baby toy)-- both of my girls loved this little toy. It plays music and has moving lights which helped when we rode in the car at night.
• changing stations for each room (basket to carry diapers, wipes, rash cream, baby powder, changing pad)-- This is helpful to have in every room because let's face it, you aren't going to want to walk into the nursery for every diaper change.
• extra crib sheets-- for those messy nights that involve throw up, diaper explosions, etc.

  And stuff for moms!

• extra long iphone charger
• hair ties
• dry shampoo
• always unscented pads with wings
• extra underwear (the ones you don't really care about)-- Word of advice: Before leaving the hospital, ask for extra mesh panties and pads!

Thanks for reading along. This list is not a complete list but it should help to get your registry started. Making this list brings back lot of memories and it isn't helping the baby fever I'm starting to feel. Before I know it I'll be starting another registry here soon :)

If you have any questions about any of the items I've listed you are more than welcome to email me and I'll try to help as much as possible. You can reach me at glitterandjuls@gmail.com.

Also, if you have not already, swing by my blog, glitterandjuls.com, for a visit. Follow me while you're there!
 
 A huge thanks to Positively Oakes for letting me guest post today! It was so much fun!

Sole Serum: Fall in Love With Your Heels Again

Heels can be a girl's best friend and enemy. We ladies can pay a heavy price for looking cute. But I've found the perfect solution for you ladies who can't part with your heels.

I was recently given the opportunity to try out Sole Serum and I had no idea how much this would change my world! Comfort is very important to me. Sometimes it wins over looking cute I'm afraid. But after trying sole serum I may be sway my decision when picking my shoes out.

Sole Serum contains a blend of natural and active ingredients to relieve minor foot pain for up to two hours. It contains lidocaine which blocks the foot's pain signals from reaching the brain and helps with achy inflammation. It also contains natural ingredients to help soothe your skin and leave your feet feeling refreshed.

I just applied a couple of pumps to the area of my foot in pain when I was first starting to feel the pain. I let it dry for about 60 seconds. It has a nice cooling effect and then I slipped my heels back on and was off again. The discomfort was relieved within minutes.

I think the key thing to remember with this product is to not wait until your foot is already throbbing in pain, but to apply at the first sign of discomfort.

I definitely recommend keeping this product handy in your purse when wearing heels.

You can shop Sole Serum products here. For a limited time only purchase a 15ml bottle and receive a sample size for free. It's the perfect travel size! Or get two bottles for $39.50.

Check out Sole Serum on Instagram!

Not Your Average Bridal Show

Wedding season is fast approaching and I've already received save-the-dates for five! It's an exciting time because I get to witness some awesome couples tie the knot!

Even though I am no longer a bride-to-be, I enjoy all things weddings. I love seeing every little detail  put into one special day!

I was very excited when I was invited to attend a bridal show like no other... A bridal show alternative in the form of a Big Fake Wedding-- complete with a ceremony and a reception! "Wedding guests" get to experience tons of wedding vendors in action.

The fake wedding I'll be attending is on Thursday, March 5th at the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah. What a fun venue!

I love this idea. Not only does it make planning a wedding fun, but it really pumps you up for what your special day will be! My favorite part about the big fake wedding is they ask real married couples to be the fake brides and grooms. How cool is that? The whole evening is filled with love, fun, and laughter.

I can't wait to take my friends, Mandy and Hannah, who both have weddings coming up later this year! 

Are you a bride-to-be or know of any? Tickets are on sale now! Use code, "HalfOffTheBFW", for 50% off-- making tickets $15! Get tickets for The Big Fake Wedding Savannah here!

Even better, want to win a pair of free tickets to the show? Winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 25th and will receive the golden tickets via email. ** At least one of the guests must be a bride or a groom** 

To enter:

1) Follow @glitterandjuls and @thebigfakewedding on Instagram

2) follow me on bloglovin' or through Google Connect. 

3) comment below with your email address

Find details about the event their website: thebigfakewedding.com

I'll be covering the event here on the blog, via Instagram, and Twitter so be sure to follow along! It's going to be a fun evening!

Shop My Instagram - Made Easy

So  I'll let you in on the next best tool for shopping my Instagram posts!

You have probably seen this little diddy  recently >>>#liketkit liketk.it/XXXX @liketkit <<< at the end of my posts on Instagram. These are generated through a program called LIKEtoKNOW:IT that allows you to shop my Instagram straight from your email inbox.

No longer will you have to wonder or ask "Where did you get that?" and wait for a response again! 

Simply sign up with LIKEtoKNOW:IT  with these easy instructions: 

STEP 1. Submit your email to register on LIKEtoKNOW:IT's website.

STEP 2. 'LIKE'  my Instagram photos that include the threesome >>> "#liketkit liketk.it/XXXX @liketkit"

[The URL will be different for every photo generated through LIKEtoKNOW:IT]

STEP 3. Open your email to view ready-to-shop product links, like this:

I know what some of you are thinking... "I don't need all these extra emails bombarding my inbox!" I completely understand that. You actually have the option to change your setting so you can receive the emails Daily or Weekly, depending on your own personal preference.  

Also, instead of letting you know just the brand in my posts, the emails you receive will send you exactly to the desired (or in some instances, similar) item link and you can shop that item right away.  That's really why I like this program. Instead of searching for the product, this saves you the time! And if the item is not available anymore I can link similar items. 

Be sure to sign up so you can always shop my look straight from your email inbox via >> LIKEtoKNOW:IT! Thanks so much for reading and be sure to catch up on & shop my Instagram feed below:

DIY: Donut Shoes

A couple of weekends ago I was feeling super crafty. Lily fell asleep early, which meant I could get uninterrupted painting in! My obsession with sprinkled donuts continues. I decided to paint a pair of plain jane flats and make them fabulous!

Here's a tutorial: Sorry for the bad lighting. Hubby was watching t.v. and the only light I had was the lamp above my kitchen table...I digress....

What you'll need:

Shoes (got mine from Wal-mart)

craft paint

small paint brushes

donut stencil (I used what I had. washi tape and hole punch)

pencil

plate to put the paint on

 

(I stenciled before realizing I should probably take pics)

Step 1: Using a pencil, stencil in the donut shapes on your shoes.

Step 2: Use the beige-y donut color and outline the donut outer circles. 

Step 3: Use the pink icing color to outline the inner donut circle.

Step 4: Use the pink paint to create the icing area of the donut.

Step 5: Use the beige paint to fill in the remainder of the donut.

Step 6: Use multicolor paint to create the sprinkles on the donuts.

Step 7: Let them dry and voila!

This was an easy project and I loved how the shoes turned out! If you are feeling crafty and use this tutorial to create your own pair of donut shoes, post them on Instagram and tag me @glitterandjuls!

Turkish Loop

This weekend I had the opportunity to work with Ltd. again. I collaborated with designer, Lila, last March on a St. Patrick's day giveaway on Instagram. It was so much fun and I love supporting another local Savannahian.

For this collaboration, I was invited to style the Turkish Loop necklace. Isn't she so pretty? Check out how I styled this cobalt beauty! I'm usually not matchy-matchy, but I loved the way the necklace went with my striped top and blue suede heels. I added a pop of color with my pink clutch.

Be sure to follow @ltdjewels on Instagram. Lila will be hosting a giveaway and one lucky person will get the chance to win one of these necklaces!

This necklace comes in over 20 different colors. I kind of want them all :) 

Outfit Details:

Top: Kohl's

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Purse: Target

Necklace: Ltd. (The Turkish Loop Necklace) 

valentine's day gift ideas

Need some last minute gift ideas for your valentine? I'm sharing with you some fun and festive ideas! 

Let's start with some festive conversation hearts socks! I could eat them up! 

I bought two of Revlon's lip lava glosses and I love them. They aren't sticky and they are so vibrant in color! 

I'm a huge fan of macarons and aren't these so much fun? They are shaped like conversation hearts. Find the tutorial to make your own here!

Valentine's day is not complete without hearts. Check out the Ily Couture tee, Aerie swim bottoms, and Rebecca Minkoff sunnies case! 

How adorable is this sprinkled donut pillow! I don't have any use for it, but its just so fun! 

I love a pretty pink or red manicure and this Essie shade is too pretty! Perfect for summer too! 

If you're on the phone as much as I am you'll need this Shop Bando charger and Casetify case! I am obsessed! 

And last but not least-- what is Valentine's day without something to make you feel sexy? Loving these cheekies from Aerie! 

I hope this list is helpful. I kind of want it all. Just sayin'' 

valentine's day gift ideas by glitterandjuls 

RocksBox #4

My latest RocksBox is my favorite so far. I asked my stylist to please send me a Loren Hope small Sarra cuff and she totally delivered! That's awesome customer service right there! I also received another piece from my wishlist!

If you've been under a rock about what RocksBox is, let me fill you in! It's a monthly jewelry subscription ($19). You get three pieces of designer jewelry each month. You can keep it for as long as you want. Once you're ready for another box, just send your current box back. There is no obligation to purchase anything, but if you fall in love with a piece (in my case, the Loren Hope cuff), keep it and send back the rest! You get to purchase the piece for a discounted price too!

Some of these pieces are up to $200 in value! I like to trade out my jewelry and try new things so this subscription is perfect for me! 

Want to try it out and get your first month free? Use code "juliaxoxo" at checkout! You won't regret it! 

** I've had a lot of my followers ask what the $25 validation charge is-- Answer: It's just to ensure your credit/debit card is valid. Once it had been validated, the $25 charge will be dropped immediately**

What I Wore Wednesday {wiww}

Hi guys! Welcome to a new What I Wore Wednesday post! Share with me your outfit posts and let's be inspired! I joined this link-up a few years back and it's so much fun.
Check out what it's all about over at The Pleated Poppy blog! 

Outfit 1 Details:

Shirt: Mindy Mae's Market

Scarf: Forever 21

Pants: Marshall's

Boots: Belk

Vest: J. Crew Factory

Outfit 2 Details:

Top: Marshall's

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Mindy Mae's Market

Bracelet and Earrings: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Etsy

Outfit 3 Details:

Cardigan: Targer

Shirt: Old Navy

Pants: Marshall's

Boots: Rack Room Shoes

Bow Necklace: Mindy Mae's Market

Outfit 4 Details:

Sweater: JcPenney

Skirt: Groopdealz

Necklace: Etsy

Outfit 5 Details:

Top : The Loft

Scarf: Zara

Pants: American Eagle

Shoes: JcPenney