Sponsor Spotlight: Glamhive

I'm super excited to tell you guys all about Glamhive today on SS.  It's seriously the coolest fashion platform out there so I suggest joining STAT! You can post your own looks AND shop the fab ensembles of others.  There are so many amazing bloggers and fashionistas on there already (myself included obvi, ha)!  I guarantee you'll be addicted within minutes.  Let me tell y'all how it works:

1.  Post your OOTD and tag exact or similar pieces.

2.  Find and follow other stylistas for outfit inspo & info on the latest trends!

3.  Cop any look you love!  Every ensemble posted is shoppable, and it only takes ONE click to get the 411 you need. 

4.  Search for specific pieces with ease, and shop your fave brand through the site to get points!

5.  Get rewarded when your outfits are shopped or you shop through GH.  You can cash in your points for gift cards to your fave stores (!!!!!)

They've partnered with over 600 online retailers including Asos, Nordstrom, and Nastygal.  I totally flipped when I saw Nordstrom listed, ha.  Y'all know it's one of my fave stores!  Anywho, let's talk a bit more about points because, well, everyone likes earning free stuffs!  You earn 'em by...

1.  Shopping stores through GH.

2.  Posting a pic and getting shopped by another GH member.

3.  Sharing your GH pics on social media platforms like pinterest, twitter, and facebook.

4.  Inviting friends to join the network!

Yeah.  It's pretty much a win-win situation so make sure y'all join me ASAP by clicking HERE. Points accrue and are redeemable for gift cards to popular retailers.  2,000 points = a $10 gift card to any store of your liking (!!!!)  Awesome, right?  Here are a few stores you can score GC's from:

What do you guys think of this BAMF site?  Do you already use a site like GH?  I bet this one's better *grins*  

Sponsored by Glamhive, but all opinions are my own.

All About Thigh-Splits

I have been living in maxi dresses as of late.  I'm loving this gorgeous cross strap - I actually didn't cross 'em but that's ok, ha - version, but then again, I pretty much adore any dress/skirt with thigh splits, ha.  This piece is perfect for summer because of its plunging neckline.  It's a little risque though - or maybe I'm just conservative *shrugs* - so I recommend saving it for super casual occasions like beach days.  Here's some info for you guys:

I'm wearing: a size medium, but this dress fits like an x-small

Vibe: casual yet trendy and sexy

Quality comparable to: Charlotte Russe and H&M

Length: on the shorter side so pair with flat sandals

Price:  $27.99 - available HERE at STYLEMOI.

A close-up of my body chain.  As you can see, I'm thoroughly obsessed with this piece.  I'm definitely going to be purchasing more of these! They're just so freakin' cool.

These are my "flats," ha.  They're obviously not flat, but they're the flattest shoes I'd ever wear!  I really just like struttin' in heels. What can I say?  It's my thing *grins*

Dress:  c/o Stylemoi || Body chain:  Amiclubwear || Shoes:  Tahari via TJ Maxx- old

PS.  Make sure you guys check back at 4:30 EST to read all about Glamhive, an awesome shopping platform that rewards you when you shop with gift cards to stores of your choice!

4 Bags Every Girl Must Own

Alright guys, it's time to get serious up in here.  Today's post is all about *drum roll please* bags.  As I'm sure y'all know by now, they're my fave accessory by far.  I pretty much collect 'em.  Now, I'm all about being sensible, that is my name after all.  However, I believe smart shopping's all about knowing when to save and when to splurge.  Bags, in my humble opinion, are worth the moolah. We're going to talk about four pieces EVERY woman must own.

1.  The Investment Bag

Every girl needs a solid version - one that'll last them a lifetime.  Now, I'm gonna ask you to splurge here.  It's called an "investment bag" for a reason.  Don't cut corners here.  Go for the big designers if you can.  They're pricy so start saving now if you haven't already.

Consider three things when you're shopping for an IB:  style, material, and color.  Pick a piece that'll look chic even when you're 80 years old.  I don't know about you guys, but I don't have the funds to purchase 40 different designer bags.  If you have a limited budget like I do, you're not going to want to drop a ton of cash on the current "it" bag - it'll eventually go out of style, and you don't want to be stuck with an expensive bag you don't carry.

Moving on to material.  I recommend purchasing a leather bag because it's easier to take care of.  Pieces made out of suede and fabric can be a pain to upkeep.  Color's also an important factor as mentioned previously.  As much as I love bold hues, I'd stick with a neutral tone like black or brown.  White's also good, but it's a bit limiting because it's more of a summer color - personally, I don't usually like wearing a ton of white in the Fall & Winter.

Some amazing IBs are pictured above:  the Prada Saffiano Tote, the Hermes Birkin, and the Chanel Classic Flap.  Now, if these are too pricey, other brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch carry more affordable versions.  Here's a handy widget for your viewing pleasure:

2.  The Clutch Bag

If I had it my way, I'd buy 20 of these in varying prints, colors, and sizes.  Unfortunately, I don't have the means to do so, ha!  I've acquired 4 over the last few years - none of them were investment buys FYI.  They were all $50 and under *thumbs up*  It's not a huge deal for me though because I usually carry my YSL crossbody because I prefer to be hands-free whenever possible.  

I typically carry these for formal events and fancy dinners.  I recommend purchasing a chic, simple version in gold or silver to start.  If you already have a "standard" clutch, don't be afraid to experiment with different styles! Remember though, you want to make sure you can fit in your basics.  Here are some fab options for you guys (different price points):

3.  The Everyday Tote

I call this my Mary Poppins bag because it fits all my essentials...and non-essentials!  This tote is a must-have for college students and young professionals alike.  I have several different versions in my closet:  brown, black, gold, animal-print, and LV (my Louis Vuitton).  Purchasing the LV tote was a mistake on my part because I did a crappy job taking care of it.  It's all tattered up now, and every time I look at it, I die a little inside, ha.

If you're like me and you fling your everyday tote around, stick with more inexpensive versions because you'll go through them quickly.  I've learned my lesson from my LV though.  I now guard my tote from the rain and keep it OFF the floor - I usually place it behind me when I sit down or set it on a chair next to me.

Here are some awesome options for you guys!  Let's start with $50 & under...

And move onto pieces that are $50-$250...

4.  The Crossbody Bag

The crossbody's arguably my fave bag of the four listed above!  I have a bunch of these because I love being hands-free.  Although this is my go-to when I'm running errands, it's also a fave for a fun night out on the town so if you have the extra cash, I recommend splurging on a designer version in addition to the more affordable options you accumulate over the years!  I bought YSL's Cassandre tassel crossbody, and it's a serious staple for me because of its versatility.

Here are some affordable versions for you guys (under $75)...

...and some splurges to browse...

I hope you all enjoyed this post!  What do you think of my list of must-haves?  What would you add or omit? Also, where do you guys like to shop for bags?