Trench Dress

Exciting day on the blog! 1) It’s my 31st birthday. 2) I’m debuting my new ‘do! I LOVE birthdays, but do not exactly relish the thought of being another year older! I feel like this year, the first of my 30s, has been full of lessons. Last year, I did a post on 30 fashion lessons you should learn by 30. While all those style lessons still ring true, I’ve been thinking a lot about life lessons and a few that I’ve learned this year. Here are just a few that stand out:

Outfit Details

Choie’s chiffon trench dress, c/o (only $20.99! Make sure you pay close attention to the measurements, I ordered a LARGE.) | Sam & Libby ‘Cheri’ nude snake print tassel lace up bootie (on clearance, limited supply in-stores, THESE would be amazing.) | Nordstrom reversible tote (amazing buy, two bags in one. Only $48!) | Taudrey Autograph Plate III, c/o (ON SALE!! Use code: FALL20 | MyMonogram Necklace gold over silver bar necklace | Clinique Lip Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Passion Pop c/o | Baublebar acid fringe tassel drop earrings in ruby (only $34!)| Baublebar cabochon stud cuff in white | Baublebar pave orb slim cuff (on sale for $12!) | Baublebar crystal mason ring | Kendra Scott grady cuff via Rocksbox (FINALLY back in stock in the white! Also available in magenta and coral!) Get a free month of Rocksbox with code: stephaniexoxo | Kendra Scott elton rose gold bracelet in iridescent druzy | Hair cut and color courtesy of JCPenney

Don’t waste precious time. Learn to say no.

Nothing is guaranteed. Don’t waste your time on worrying about things that won’t matter in the long run, disappointing people who won’t be around longer than a season, staying in relationships that don’t have a future, or committing to projects that don’t benefit you. Your time is precious and valuable and should be treated as such.

You’re only as good as your word.

If you say you’re going to do something, follow through. If you can’t be trusted to do what you say you will, what good is your word? Follow through a sign of integrity.

Be direct and open with people in your life. Don’t let problems fester. Don’t hold grudges.

If you have an issue with someone, go directly to them. Don’t go around complaining to anyone who will listen, make sure that you go to the source. Tell people how you’re feeling, and if they’ve hurt you, be vocal about it. People aren’t mindreaders. Someone may not even realize they’ve offended you. Haven’t you ever heard that saying? “Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.” Forgiveness is for YOU, not for the other person.

Don’t be too proud to apologize when you’re wrong.

Asking for forgiveness is hard. When you’ve done something to hurt someone, it’s hard to admit it sometimes. Acknowledge when you have, and be proactive about making it right.

Now, a quick word about the outfit. I ordered this chiffon trench dress from Choie’s a few weeks ago and was a little nervous about how sheer it would be. (Spoiler alert: it’s sheer and needs something underneath! I’m wearing a SPANX.) Pay close attention to the size! I ordered this in a LARGE. It comes in 4 colors! I kind of love the green!

I felt like it was kind of cool and edgy, but a little bit ethereal, which is what I wanted to wear today on my big bday. I paired it with a lace up bootie and this big reversible tote. I LOVE this tote, it’s a light pink one one side, tan on the other. Very versatile and under $50!

My Hair Makeover

If you follow along on Snapchat, (username: stephaniepernas) you may have been following along on my hair journey yesterday at The Salon by InStyle, JCPenney’s new salon concept.

I hadn’t been to the JCPenney salon in YEARS. I used to go all the time in middle school, but over the years have drifted to other salons in both New York and Miami. When I heard that JCPenney was in the process of overhauling their salons and partnering with InStyle on providing on-trend styling services, I was really excited to give it a try. The Salon by InStyle is currently only in a few test markets; LA, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Houston and Jackson, TN. (Here in Miami, I went to Dadeland Mall.) The stylists are trained in all of the latest hair trends every 6 months, and the prices are really affordable and reasonable.

I decided to kick-off 31 with a complete hair transformation. My hair was really damaged and needed to be chopped. Some of you know I’ve been threatening to chop a lob for AT LEAST a year, but always chickened out. Finally, I decided that a new year needed a new ‘do. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time!

Between October 15-18, all 850 JCPenney Salon locations are participating in their “Cuts for Hope” initiative. During the 15-18th, JCPenney will donate $1 for every haircut done in-salon to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. If you’re interested, you should definitely get involved.

I love the cut, though it’s taking some getting used to! It’s a tad darker than I’ve ever had it, but the ends should lighten in the next week. Overall, I’m happy with my new look and am excited to play with my new hair! (Let me tell you- figuring out how to do my signature beach wave was a bit of a struggle this AM! Oh- and I definitely burned my face with the curling iron. EEK.)