Sassy Southern Blonde

A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog by Kelsie Bynum

Must Have Products For A Glamorous Summer

When I’m not working, I love spending my days at the beach during the summer! (Or the pool for a closer alternative lol) I always make sure to pack the essentials (wine is absolutely necessary, right?!), so today I am partnering with BaubleBoxx to take a look at my beach/pool must haves!

1: Pure Leaf Tea House Collection (Strawberry & Garden Mint and Spiced Chai)– I usually prefer coffee over tea, but this brand is definitely the exception! The Strawberry & Garden Mint is an organic iced tea that has a really refreshing taste which I loved! The Spiced Chai is more of a mixture of spices. I have never tried Pure Leaf before, but I am searching my local grocery store for more the next time I go! If you want to learn more about Pure Leaf, visit their website HERE for extra info 🙂

2: Cavit Rosè– I was super excited to try Cavit Rosè because it’s from the makers of America’s #1 Italian wine! (Isn’t that so funny?! haha) Needless to say, I was not disappointed. I prefer sweet wines, and this Rosè is fresh, light, and crisp! I love enjoying a glass after a long day. The quality really is amazing at its affordable price point!

3: My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream- I have THE biggest sweet tooth, so I could not wait to taste Mochi ice cream! Mochi is a melt-in-your-mouth, chewy dough! Inside the sweet rice dough exterior is premium ice cream that’s equally delicious. There are eight flavors, but my favorite one was Cookies & Cream! I’m a huge chocolate fanatic. 🙂 You can receive $1 off any My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream purchase HERE!

4: Coobie (Lace Back Scoopneck & Lace Bralette)- Lace bralettes are the best because they’re cute, so it’s okay if the straps show with your outfit! It actually adds to the look if you ask me! I have been wearing my Coobie Lace Back Scoopneck and Lace Bralette for a more comfortable everyday option. Both bras are soft and stretchy with a great fit! You can receive 30% off any order through June 2019 with code “BAB30”

5: Colleen Rothschild Beauty (Beauty Water & Sheer Renewal Cream)- I have heard amazing things about Colleen Rothschild Beauty, so I knew the products would live up to the hype! Using a makeup primer is a must for me, so I liked that the Sheer Renewal Cream doubled as it and a moisturizer. And don’t get me started on the Beauty Water. LOVE! (Perfect for hydration and plumping skin) Both will be added to my daily routine 🙂 Use code “BOXX20” for 20% off all regularly priced items!

With another beach trip coming up, I know what I’ll be packing! I’m excited to take these products along to make my vacation that much more fun. I mean, who doesn’t like a glass of rosè by the pool or an ice cream snack after a long day?! I definitely do! (Probably a little too much haha)

XOXO

Kels

*Special thank you to BabbleBoxx for sponsoring today’s post*

Polka Dot Dress + 5 Things My Mom Taught Me

DRESS | HEELS | EARRINGS

 I truly cannot put into words how much my mom means to me even though I struggle with showing it! She deserves the absolute best, so I am dedicating my post to her today to show a little appreciation. But seriously, I have never met someone so selfless! My mom still makes sacrifices for me on a daily basis, so I am able to pursue my dreams. THAT is a special person! I’m sharing my 5 favorite things my mom taught me in honor of Mother’s Day 🙂

Chase Your Dreams

When it comes to blogging, my mom has been my #1 supporter! Besides the constant encouragement, she takes all my photos. (It’s truly a miracle she hasn’t quit yet LOL) She has ALWAYS been there to encourage me to pursue my dreams even before I knew what my dreams were! Without that support in my life, I probably never would have started Sassy Southern Blonde!

Have Confidence in Yourself 

One thing I have never truly struggled with is confidence thanks to my mom! (Even when I had brown hair and braces in high school haha) I know being around her was the reason I always thought I was good enough, pretty enough, and smart enough! Sure, I had my moments like every girl does, but it was never because I didn’t believe in myself!

Never Rely on Someone Else

Any time I had boy problems, my mom reminded me that I didn’t need a guy to make me happy or support me! For that, I am forever grateful. It makes me sad to see how dependent women are on men, whether they admit it or not. At the end of the day, the ONLY person that can make you happy is YOU. Don’t get me wrong, guys are great! Especially the good ones. 🙂 But you have to love yourself before anyone else can!

Be Kind

The number of times my mom has told me to be kind or have some compassion is endless. She has always been so much better at this than me! I can be super impatient, which is such a bad quality! (Patience really is a virtue!) She’s also amazing at being the bigger person when someone has wronged her… Another thing I struggle with!

Choose Happiness

If you have ever met my mom, you know she’s just so happy and fun to be around! (And I hope people think that about me too!) Growing up, I never once wished I had a different mom because being around other kids’ mothers made me realize how lucky I was to have such a positive, encouraging one! Even though I don’t always act like it, I am SO blessed for my mom and I could not live without her!

PS: I would LOVE to hear the positive impact your mom made on you whether it be a life lesson or fun story! Let me know in the comments below 🙂

XOXO

Kels

Lauren James Two Piece + Appropriate Wedding Guest Attire

TWO PIECE SET | HEELS | BAG | NECKLACE

I am so excited about today’s post mainly because I’m wearing Lauren James AND I’m dishing on appropriate wedding guest attire! (Lauren James has the BEST special occasion dresses. They are so classic, yet trendy!) With wedding season almost in full swing, I wanted to share some helpful tips on being a respectful attendee. If yall have been here since the beginning, you might remember that my very first blog post was on this exact topic in 2016! (Almost two years ago, crazy right?!) It’s always fun to reflect on how far you’ve come, so don’t laugh too hard 😉 As far as fashion goes, I LOVE breaking the rules and experimenting with daring trends. BUT, I am a stickler when it comes to guest dress code! I think this day should be all about the bride and groom, not the person who showed up in a white dress or revealing outfit. Below are 5 tips I always follow when dressing for a wedding!

1: Do NOT Wear White

Let me say it louder for the people in the back, do NOT wear white. This is the most obvious rule in the history of weddings, yet people STILL break it! Although I’m not getting married for a while, I have actually considered adding “Do not wear ANY form of white” to my invitations! Lol.

2: Turn Your Phone Off

This isn’t exactly a dress code rule, but more about proper etiquette. Nothing is worse than someone’s phone ringing in the middle of a ceremony. The bride also didn’t pay thousands of dollars for your iPhone camera, so don’t interfere with the professional photographer she hired! There’s an entire reception for photos and Snapchats! 🙂

3: Wear Appropriate Clothing

You might not be wearing white, but people will still notice if your dress is too short or too low! I’m all for an outfit you feel confident in, but remember there’s a fine line between sexy and slutty. If you’re second guessing it, then just play it safe and wearing something else!

4: Leave the Tall Heels At Home

I love high heels because I am really short, but weddings are not the place to wear shoes you can barely walk in, especially if there’s dancing involved! You also shouldn’t wear new shoes that you *think* are comfortable! Break them in or choose a pair you know will be comfy and cute! PS: I wore the heels above to a wedding this weekend, and they were perfect! Never hurt my feet or rubbed blisters. Praise!

5: Follow the Dress Code on the Invitation

My last tip might be the most important! Before you ever decide what outfit to wear, check the invitation for guidance. Normally, it will say “formal” or “semi-formal” and some brides might even ask you to dress “black tie” appropriate! Whatever it may be, remember that this is someone’s special day and it’s important to be respectful of their choices! 🙂

XOXO

Kels

**Thanks to Lauren James for sponsoring today’s post**

All White Outfit + My 10 Favorite Netflix Shows

TOP | JEANS | WEDGES | BELT | EARRINGS | SUNNIES (Similar) | BRACELETS

I know I’m not alone when I say I spend a crazy amount of time watching Netflix! I think it happens in waves, though. I start a series, and I binge watch it until the very last episode. Then, I go through the mourning period because of course I got extremely invested in fictional characters’ lives. (Oops!) It’s a vicious cycle that constantly repeats itself, but hey, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Lol. I thought it would be fun to do a post on my top 10 favorite Netflix shows that I’m slightly *majorly* obsessed with and definitely recommend if you haven’t seen them already!

1: GOSSIP GIRL

This takes the spot as my #1 favorite show. I’ve seen it at least 4 times through, and I rewatch the series finale probably once every few months. Also, my cat is named after Blair Waldorf… Case closed!

2: THE OFFICE

If you need a good laugh, watch The Office. Not to mention, it’s 2018 and you should have seen this by now?! (Not going to judge, though)

3: STRANGER THINGS

I bet you’re shocked this made the list! Oddly enough, Stranger Things has become an obsession. Especially Season 2! (I will say the first few episodes of Season 1 are hard to get into but keep watching!!) Between the cute kids and Dad Steve, I just can’t get enough. Oh, and Mike + Eleven = Forever 🙂

4: HART OF DIXIE

I don’t know what else to say other than I just love Dr. Zoe Hart. She’s from New York City and moves to a little town in Alabama to become a general doctor. It’s THE cutest show! Also, let me know if you are Team Wade or Team George!

5: THE MINDY PROJECT

Mindy Kaling left The Office to star in her own show and thank goodness she did! She will keep you laughing until the very end. I 100% believe Dr. Mindy Lahiri is my spirit animal!

6: THE CARRIE DIARIES

If you are a SATC fan, The Carrie Diaries is for you! It stars teenage Carrie Bradshaw in the 80s, and it’s sure to bring you all the feels. I love that it’s a prequel to SATC, but all the dialog is not entirely accurate. Just a warning!

7: NEW GIRL

The final season of New Girl is about to start, but I actually prefer binge-watching this on Netflix! Each episode is only 30 minutes, so I hate having to wait an entire week for the next one! The show itself is SO funny, though. A girl moves into an apartment with 3 guys, and I’m sure you can imagine how hilarious things go from there!

8: SCANDAL

Scandal is also in its final season, and my heart is absolutely breaking! There are SO many shows about fictional presidents, but I promise this one is THE best. The storylines were a little crazy in the last few seasons, but I think it will end exactly like it’s supposed to. (Aka I will be livid if Fitz and Olivia aren’t making jam in Vermont!)

9: RIVERDALE

I originally thought this was a Netflix show, but it’s actually on The CW! Lol. I like that Riverdale is such a mystery, yet it still has some love story factors! (Jughead&Betty > Archie&Veronica)

10: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Even though it’s no longer on Netflix… Eyeroll.)

Where do I even start?! This show is everything! Tim Riggins has my heart. Lila Garrity is the cutest human. I wish Coach Taylor was my dad. The list goes on.. I seriously cannot believe Netflix removed FNL! BIG mistake. But even Netflix can’t put the Dillon Panthers down for long! Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose!

XOXO

Kels

5 Tips For Maintaining A Successful Blog

Over the past few weeks, several people have asked me to share tips on how I started my fashion blog! I feel like there are already so many articles about how to start a blog, but not as many teach you how to maintain it. Although creating a blog is not easy, the hardest part (to me) is growing your website. (I know many will agree lol!) I still have SO much room for improvement before I will ever feel truly accomplished with Sassy Southern Blonde, but I am going to tell you how I plan on achieving this goal with these five important tips.

1: CREATE AMAZING CONTENT ON ALL PLATFORMS (Not just Instagram!!)

2: BE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR BLOG (The ultimate labor of love)

3: BE WILLING TO WORK HARD (I promise it pays off)

4: BE RELATABLE AND APPROACHABLE (Take time to answer questions/DMs)

5: UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA (This is a no-brainer)

BONUS TIP: Remember that the ONLY thing you OWN is your blog. Put twice as much time into it as you do your social media accounts!

I also want to add something that might sound a little crazy at first, but hear me out! I absolutely love when I hit small goals that I set for myself, and of course, I celebrate those victories. BUT I always start working hard toward my next goal soon after, so I keep pushing forward! I try not to ever feel content with my fashion blog because I believe that’s when you stop working as hard and start settling for mediocrity. I could be content with 10k or I could be strategizing how to hit 20k in the next six months!

Even as a child, I was a perfectionist when it came to anything I was passionate about, and that carried over with me to adulthood. I laugh about “never being satisfied” because I know many of you heard your parents tell you that when you wanted something, but you already had plenty! (I definitely did!) I think there are certain aspects of your life that need absolute satisfaction (like your relationships with Jesus and with your family and friends), but building a successful business isn’t one of them! That fire and passion inside of you are there to drive you toward the goals you never thought you could accomplish! That is what will turn those big dreams into actual reality!

I really wanted to go more in-depth with each of the 5 tips I listed above, so IF you would like me to do a Part 2 on this post, please please please let me know!! 🙂

XOXO

Kels