Welcome Back! (Feat. Life Updates, New Blogging Schedule, and Clothing by Make Me Chic)

Hi, everybody! It's been awhile hasn't it? First off, I would like to apologize for taking a much longer than anticipated hiatus, however if you read my last post, I'm sure many of you have assumed that I simply needed some extra time to heal and focus on myself, which you would be correct in assuming. But now I am back, feeling rejuvenated, and more ambitious than ever! I suppose the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" holds true to me, even if in this case it's in regards to my blog. 

With that being said (and I'm sure you've guessed by the title), I do have some life updates for you all which means I will also be on a new blogging schedule. But first, let's dive into today's outfit of the day, featuring a comfy, yet chic maxi dress from my sponsor, Make Me Chic.

Underestimated Earth Tones

Firstly, I just have to say, though I've been gone the past few months, I was surprised and grateful for the outpouring of kindness and support that I still continued to receive. (I promise I will answer all of your comments everyone, and thanks again!!) But though I will answer your comments individually, I know a lot of you lovely people have been wondering what exactly I've been up too, as well as if I've been alright.

As I stated earlier, I am doing much better than the last time you guys heard from me. And though my life did change rather abruptly, it was totally for the better. Though at the time I did not see it as a positive change, now looking back on the situation with a new set of eyes and a whole lot of clarity, it was most definitely more toxic than I would like to admit. But on the bright side, I most definitely grew from the experience and I'm excited to start this new chapter in my life.  

So, what have I been up too? Well, for starters, I have been spending gobs of time with my family and friends, and have even made some new ones along the way. I have also been extremely busy in order to return to my classes at Point Park University this fall, which is actually why I am implementing a new blogging schedule, but more on that later. I am also happy to say that I am back to my sarcastic, but cheery, self and have been enjoying styling some of my favorite trends this summer (though, I still need to desperately detox my wardrobe--I guess that'll come in due time). So on that last note, lets talk about this cool, casual maxi dress from my sponsor Make Me Chic.

As my long time readers know, one thing I am an absolute sucker for is maxi dresses. The reason I love them so much is because not only do they flatter my tall frame, they are also incredibly comfortable and generally have a nice bohemian vibe. This dress is no different, which it was why my first pick to wear on a nice summer stroll through Sewickley, and to stop and poke around the local flower shop.

The first thing I noticed about this dress wasn't just the fun tie-dyed pattern, but the fact that it was made up of earth tones, which are admittedly some of my favorites to wear. I just absolutely loved that though this dress is whimsical, it is also practical in its colors meaning its perfect for many different summer activities. This dress is also incredibly soft and just feels like you're wearing an oversized tee, meaning it isn't too hot for some of those 90 degree days we will be having in our near future.

Makeup: Face, BareMinerals Original Foundation and Blush. Eyes, City Minis Palette by Maybelline, Plumpify Mascara by Covergirl. Lips, Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner and Covergirl Oh Sugar Lipstick.

**All eye and lip makeup for this post was provided by Influenster.

Finally, to style this dress, I chose to pair it with a basic, straw hat, these Gorjana, Ryder Ear Climbers, along with this darling beaded necklace by Nakamol and my SLATE Moonlight Daydream cuff. The reason I chose these pieces is because I felt each of them complemented this dress' whimsical nature nicely, without being too over the top, which would take away from this dress' down to earth vibe. 

New Blogging Schedule

Now that I got the fun stuff out of the way, here is some important information regarding my posts in the upcoming future! As I stated above, I have been incredibly busy getting ready to head back to school this fall and will be caring a full course load. Meaning, I won't have as much time to dedicate to my blog as I did in years past. However, don't worry, I'm not quitting altogether! 

Though the next few months maybe trial and error of getting my schedule down pat (mainly so I'm not a stressed out mess between studying, homework, and this) I am first going to start off with doing biweekly posts. These posts will go live sometime during the first week of each month, and the third week of each month. That way it gives me more time to write worthwhile articles (as I'm sure you can recall me addressing a few months back) as well as keeping up on my schooling! And though I'm sure you are already aware, I will still be posting within my main categories (and come September there will even be a new travel post!) so though I'm scaling back on my posts, I am not scaling back on the variety that you guys find here. So everyone wins right?!

One Last Look

What are some of your favorite trends you've been styling this summer? And to my fellow college bloggers, what's your strategy to keep your sanity while juggling school work and your blog? Let's chat about both these topics in the comments below, or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have a cute summer look you'd just love to show off? Feel free to tag me on your Instagram story at  @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. I just want to say thank you again to the out pouring of support that I received from all of you while I was feeling so down. It's truly ever so kind of all of you and I am so thankful for all of you and your kind words. ❤️

P.P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!

Blogging Hiatus: 2017

Hi everybody! Though I really was not planning on taking a hiatus this year (And don't worry, I won't be gone for months on end like my last hiatus, I'll just be away for 10 days!)  but due to some recent emotional trauma, I feel that it is best to take a short break and regroup. Though this is a hard time for me, I assure you all that I will be okay, and am trying to remain positive though I am currently devastated and heartbroken. I just need sometime to heal and get my head back in the game. So I'll see you all in a little over a week. Later babes, I can't wait to get back on track!

Xx, Bree

#OOTD: Bunnies & Bows (Feat. SheIn)

As I have said time and time again, I am not an overly religious person. Though I was raised Russian Orthodox, my family rarely went to church or followed certain traditions (e.g. not eating red meat on Fridays, giving things up for lent, etc.) while I was growing up. Aside from all of this though, every year we go all out for Easter Sunday. As I have addressed in past posts, though we generally do not go to church (aside from Easter Sunday) we do have a huge family brunch after mass, and considering this is the one day we are actually coming from church, we are usually in our Sunday best. So today, in light of the holiday, I thought it would be fun to share my Easter Sunday outfit of the day with all of you!

Easter Sunday Best

Even though I enjoy dressing up for occasions, year after year, I always find it slightly challenging to pick the perfect outfit for Easter Sunday. I mean there are so many things to factor in for Easter, at least where my family is concerned. So in my case I generally have to find an outfit that I can wear for all of the activities that we partake in on Easter, from church, or brunch, to Easter egg hunts with my baby cousins, there is no chance that I will have time for a wardrobe change due to our jam packed holiday schedule. So this year, I chose to wear this adorably chic sheath dress which is from my long time sponsor, SheIn.

Before I get into how I styled this lovely piece, first I would like to take a minute to talk about this dress' darling details. Aside from this dress becoming one of my new spring favorites due to its perfect fit and shape, I also just adore the craftsmanship of this piece's details. As you can see in the photo above, the material itself has some adorable cross-stitching detail, but aside from that, I absolutely love the fringe detailing on the collar, sleeves, hem, and center seam. I just think that these details, along with the neat and tidy bow at the neckline, add some extra polish and depth to this piece.

To style this adorable, little number, I chose to keep my Easter Sunday look simple, sleek, and classically chic. In order to maintain this outfit's polished appearance I chose to pair it with some simple accessories. First, for my jewelry choices, I chose to style this dress with these gorgeous Kendra Scott earrings (compliments of Rocksbox), along with my plain gold cuff. The reason I chose these pieces is because they are plain but pretty, complementing the dress' sophisticated look. Lastly, I chose to wear some basic, matte black pumps, and pair them with my plain, black leather tote.

One Last Look

For those of you who celebrate the holiday, how are you styling for Easter? I'd love to hear about your holiday looks, so let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have an adorable Easter Sunday look that you just need to show off? Feel free to tag me in a post or on your Instagram story at @StarkRavingChic. Now if you excuse me, I am about to go eat my weight in lamb, kielbasa, and pierogies!! Later babes, and happy Easter to my Christian readers!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!