I’m totally losing my mind, you guys. If you didn’t read my last post, do it. It’s a quick iminapsychopanic kind of post. Easy read. I’m talking all about the home buying process and how much of a crazy stress it is. People don’t warn you about it. Nope. They just all go on, buying houses, keeping their panic to themselves. Not me. No way. I’m spreading that panic everywhere. Sharing it with the world. AHHHHHHH.

Ok, I’ll calm the hell down. But let me explain how I’m losing my mind. I keep forgetting everything. I keep forgetting to send emails, or sign something, or pick up something. Memory = gone. Just the other day, when I was unpacking my suitcase from my Portland trip, I noticed that I was missing a shirt and a leather jacket, both of which I had just purchased a week earlier and hadn’t worn yet. Since I hadn’t ended up wearing them in Portland, I started wondering if I had thrown them in the wash. When the wash showed up empty, I started jumping to conclusions thinking someone had stolen it out of our room. Or out of my bag while traveling. I started thinking everyone was a bad person. I started getting hella pissed. So I called the hotel questioning them. Like a real assh*le.

I left the clothes in the hotel closet. Like a real assh*le. They had the clothes in their Lost and Found. Like good people. Ugh. I hate myself right now.

But back to fashion fridays, because that seems to be the only calm I have at the moment. Shopping is so fun when you’re stressed. All I’ve been looking at online is anything french bulldog related that I can put in our new house. Pillows, drawings, decals. Everything. I need to get it together. I’m becoming a cat lady. But with a dog. And a soon to be husband. Anywho, here are some of the pieces I found while shopping in Portland. I tried shopping at some boutiques downtown, but they were a bit out of my price range. Once we ventured out to Lake Oswego, I found some cute boutiques that I could afford!

This sweater. Comfy, casual and lightweight for the non-snow Colorado days.

IMG_3871IMG_3875IMG_3883

White Quilted Sweater found at Mapel Boutique on sale for $39 | Grey Flying Monkey Jeans from Hailee Grace Boutique for $54 – similar pair here and here | Dolce Vita Leopard Print Flats for $40 (now sold out) – similar pair one, two and threeEarrings from Nasty Gal for $18 | Pink Bead Necklace from Inspyre Boutique for $15 – similar one and two }

This tshirt. I don’t really like tshirts. I don’t own many. I’d just much rather expose the shoulders. Expose, haha. But this tshirt is flowy and has sweater material on the back. So I just went for it, ok??

IMG_3951IMG_3931

{ Riley Mocha Tee from Mapel Boutique for $62 | Black and White Striped Cardigan from Modcloth (now not sold) – similar one here and here | Maroon Distressed Jeans from Hailee Grace Boutique for $54 – similar pair here | MZWallace Julie Cocoa Bedford bag | Miranda Frye Solar Necklace for $79 }

These booties. They are just divine. So comfortable, so sleek, and I feel like cat woman. Or a dominatrix. Either way, I love them so damn much. And they were on sale. Nothing is better than shoes on sale. Nothing. Except for Jackson.

IMG_3886IMG_3894IMG_3911IMG_3912

{ World Market Silver Coin Statement Necklace for $37 | Trouve Faux Leather Leggings for $55 (now sold out) – similar pair one, two, three and four | Coral Top from Twirl Boutiquesimilar top for $37 | Yellow Zipper Clutch from Common Threads Consignment for $20 – similar clutch one and two | Diba Femma Bootie on sale at DSW for $45 }

Wedding dress shopping!! I was lucky enough to try on dresses at the beautiful boutique, The English Department. They were so sweet and helpful. This was my first time trying on dresses and only one really gave me the “wow” moment. I started tearing up wearing it. Of course, I’m not sharing the picture of that dress. I plan on going to one more store to try more on and see if anything can beat that feeling I had.

I forget how many dresses I tried on but I think it was around 8-9. This was one of the first dresses. This Nicole Miller lace, strapless look was pretty much what I was thinking I would wear. I loved it. The lace is called a coral lace and it’s pretty light weight so it would be perfect for a beach wedding. AND it pushed up my boobs, which I’m always a fan of. Just being honest here.

IMG_3542IMG_3522

This was the same exact Nicole Miller dress but without the lace. I wanted to try that on because I had some ideas about dressing up the dress a bit and making it pop in other ways. Again, loved that it pushed up my boobs. And loved the shape. It’s one of those dresses that pulled and moved in all the right places, which I love.

IMG_3525IMG_3524

This was not a style I thought I would like at all. I thought it would look trashy with boobs my side (sorry I keep talking about boobs) but it didn’t at all! This Elizabeth Dye dress was super light weight, comfortable, and I loved the back (can you believe how many moles I have? unreal) and the lace detail on the stop was beautiful. But I just didn’t really feel like a bride for some reason.

IMG_3541

I don’t have a picture of the front of this dress but it was very short lived. As much as I absolutely LOVE the back, I could barely walk in the dress since it was so snug at the knees. And I don’t really want that much sleeve. But love the low back. I can’t wait to try on more dressed with low backs!

IMG_3519

NOW THIS, I absolutely, positively freaking love this Elizabeth Dye dress. Since getting engaged, I’ve dreamed about doing a different colored dress and having my bridesmaids in white or cream. I just love that idea. I walked in the store and about squealed when I saw this dress. You can tell in my face in this picture how much I love the dress. Problem was, it was waaaay too much dress and weight for a beach wedding. But this color just blows me away. I love it so damn much. Alas, I don’t want to have a sweaty butt on my beach wedding day.

IMG_3515

Which one is your favorite? Do you have any favorite designers?

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

101 Comments

  1. Brittany says:

    You look amazing in all of them!! I would say the first pic is my favorite though. Based on your budget, take a look at Augusta Jones she has similar designs to what you tried on but a little different. Piece of advice, don’t be afraid to mix and match or change things that you don’t like. I had that wow feeling in my dress but felt there was just a little something missing. We added a belt from a different gown, buttons along the zipper and lengthened the train and then BAM!!! Perfection, I had MY dress. Make your dress your own. Have fun planning the wedding and dress shopping 🙂 It will be the best day of your life and you will make a gorgeous bride.

  2. Rebecca says:

    You look amazing!!! I love the first two dresses! They bring out your curves so well!!

  3. Amy says:

    Juli, you look so amazing! Your body has transformed since you changed up your fitness routine! I am still doing strictly crossfit but you make me think it’s time for a change! You will rock any dress with that figure! I am so happy for you!

  4. Lindsay Waddell says:

    You will look great in everything you try, but I love that first one on you! I remember you mentioning that you envision “something different,” and that one definitely isn’t ‘different.” (but it’s gorgeous). Look for Leanne Marshall or Sarah Seven dresses. BHLDN is awesome, but they don’t have that many locations. Go with your gut (that’s what I did – I went to two places and ended up going with a dress I tried on at the first place that I couldn’t stop thinking about.) You almost just have to stop looking so you can make a decision. Good luck and have fun! 🙂

  5. Di says:

    You look amazing in all of the dresses but I have to say I love the last one. Something about it! It’s like romantic and modern and flowy but not over the top. IDK!!!! I have a feeling you will look great in anything though! Lucky girl! 🙂

  6. Dianne says:

    The Nicole Miller is definitely the best! And I love the statement necklace you’re wearing in the other pics! You look great!
    Dianne, Your Favorite Jewelry Stylist http://Diannefussaro.mypremierdesigns.com

  7. Jen says:

    Im 100% for “alternatives” to the basic white wedding dress, and I love that blue one on you, however, the first lace one, nearly made me tear it, its so beautiful!

  8. She Rocks Fitness says:

    The last one is my favorite…Who says your wedding dress has to be white? All the dresses look great on you and accentuate you in all the right spots. 🙂 Good luck making a decision!

  9. Shebli says:

    I love love love the color of that last dress! It looks so gorgeous on you. I love the idea of having a dress with color and then bridesmaids in white/off white! It just makes me want to photograph your wedding!

    1. juli says:

      the pictures would be so cool looking!!

  10. Amy says:

    The blue dress is amazing, but I think it looks a teeny bit like a prom dress. The lace Nicole Miller on the other hand is PERFECT on you. i love it. My dress for my June (!) wedding is Hayley Paige, and I’m obsessed with her + her designs. I recommend following her on insta @misshayleypaige. Enjoy dress shopping!!

    1. juli says:

      obsessed with hayley paige! i found one of her dresses that I want to try on so badly, but it’s $4500 and that’s a bit out of my budget haha. my friend just got one of her dresses for her own wedding. her stuff is so beautiful! which dress did you go for?

      1. Amy says:

        I got the guindon! Stripesssssss. At first I was afraid I looked like a comforter, but whatever, I love it. 🙂 Yes, it’s too bad her dresses can get kind of pricey, but the Blush line is more affordable! And if you really love one style, it’s always worth keeping an eye on pre-owned wedding dresses or tradesy. Or wedding bee forums, if you dare to dive into the crazy there…

        1. juli says:

          that’s the one my friend got too! so fun! i’m going to try some of her dresses on soon, just for fun!!