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Date Night Style

April 19, 2016

Thanks for the love on Little Miss’s closet post yesterday….it sounds like many of us are doing some Spring cleaning and organizing! But after a day of purging and projects, I love getting cleaned-up and heading out for a Date Night. Lucky we now have a built-in babysitter! #teenagerperks

With the weather finally warming up, Mr. SP and I headed to one of our favorite spots with a patio…and I didn’t waste any time pulling a Spring dress out!

I seem to gravitate to this swingy style for dinner dates (see another favorite here)…the exposed shoulders make it flattering, but the flowy fit allows room for dinner and dessert! It’s also easy to dress up or down a bit, and appropriate for most evening parties. I was really surprised by the quality and extra touches, given the price tag! It comes in a lovely black and white floral, but I thought the navy and coral was a fun combo for Spring.

Fit Tip: The dress runs a tad big, but mostly true-to-size…I’m wearing an XS and it hits just above the knee. Since it’s a little big for me up-top #noboobs, I wore this strapless bra so it wouldn’t show in the armholes.

Twist Shift Dress | Nude Sandals (similar for under $60!) | Clutch

Sunglasses | Watch | Bracelet

Clutch | Watch | Bracelet | Ring | Similar Cuff

Don’t let Mr. SP’s sweetness fool you…he tells the dirtiest jokes!

But he also has the power to make my entire body relax, just by holding my hand.

Clutch | Watch | Bracelet | Ring | Similar Cuff

Twist Shift Dress | Clutch | Sunglasses | Watch | Bracelet

Twist Shift Dress | Nude Sandals (similar for under $60!) | Clutch

Sunglasses | Watch | Bracelet | Similar Cuff

Mr. SP almost-always opts for jeans and gingham shirt…in fact, his gingham collection rivals mine! One of the great things about Dallas, is pretty much anything goes at most places.

{Where We Ate}

// Ziziki’s //

This cozy neighborhood bistro is our go-to date night spot when we want to stay close to home,

and eat a consistently-good dinner. The ambiance is perfect for dates, but also

inviting for families.

{What’s Good}

I’d like to tell you everything on the menu is great, but truthfully we order the exact

same thing every time we go. Literally, every single time. We split a greek salad

with the most-amazing feta, followed by the chicken souvlaki plate. Make sure you ask for

a side of the basil-mint sauce…and leave room for baklava ice cream cake!! #hencetheflowydress

{How I Curl My Hair post}

Twist Shift Dress | Nude Sandals (similar for under $60!) | Clutch

Sunglasses | Watch | Bracelet | Similar Cuff

I’m so excited Spring is finally here to stay, and can’t wait for more patio dates! To see more of our {Date Night Style}, click here. And check out my Big D link for more of our favorite spots & eats. I get so many emails about the area, so I hope to continue adding great local spots as another source for those of you visiting! Who else is busting out Spring dresses for a night out?

{More Darling Spring Date Night Styles}

{Men’s Spring Shirts}

Thank you for the lovely photos, Stephanie Drenka!

*This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all clothing, ideas, and shoulder-shimmying are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*

{Date Night Style} Valentine Edition

February 8, 2016

Happy day after chips and queso binging! Or Super Bowl, whichever it is for you. I think I ate my body weight in chips and dips, so I’m seeing things through puffy eyes today…but that fancy halftime show (and Gaga’s version of the National Anthem!) made it all worth it!

Mr. SP and I aren’t fancy people, and our dates are rarely fancy either (except this one and this one…they were pretty fancy!). Even Valentine’s Day is a fairly casual affair, and usually celebrated early to avoid crowds and fixed-price menus.

This year is no different…we’ve already snuck out for a brunch and shopping date, and since we were considering it our Valentine’s Day, I put together a more festive look to celebrate. Still comfy and casual in jeans, but acknowledging the holiday with a more passionate color combo of pink and red.

Pink Coat (similar) | Red Sweater (on sale!) | Jeans | Leopard Heels (love these too)

Pendant Necklace | Pom Pom Clutch | Rose Gold Sunglasses

The key to wearing pink and red together is to make sure one hue is a much lighter intensity from the other…you need the contrast or else it just looks like you got dressed in the dark.

On Mr. SP: Gingham Shirt | Pullover Sweater | Sunglasses

Sidenote: This cute ‘XOXO’ reusable cup is only $2 at Starbucks! I discovered it when I picked up cups for last week’s Valentine project…so if you’re looking for a sweet gift without crafting, substitute this cup.

Pink Coat (similar) | Red Sweater (on sale!) | Jeans | Pendant Necklace | Pom Pom Clutch

Crystal Bracelet | Watch | Pink Coat (similar) | Red Sweater

Pink Coat (similar) | Red Sweater | Jeans | Leopard Heels (love these too)

Pendant Necklace | Pom Pom Clutch | Rose Gold Sunglasses

This pom-pom clutch has been a favorite of mine for awhile…it always adds so much personality and pizzazz to an outfit. And you’re in luck, it’s finally restocked, and with code HSPCLUTCH, it’s 20% off! That means you can own this delicious mix of pom-poms and embroidery for only $28!! It’s honestly darling with everything from jeans to dresses.

Jeans | Leopard Heels (love these too) | Pom Pom Clutch

#myvalentine

Fit Tip: This sweater has been a favorite this season (see another color styled 3 Ways here)…so soft and easy to wear. It’s cut more like a tunic, so I sized down to XXS for this post, but have my usual XS in the ivory one I wear with leggings. Update: Sweater just marked down!!

{Where We Ate}

// The Grape //
Since 1972, The Grape has been a Dallas institution for it’s superb classic American fare and excellent wine pairings. It’s a completely unassuming spot from the outside, but inside is dark, cozy and romantic (and in true Dallas form, pretty much any style goes).

{What’s Good}

In a word…the burger! It’s only available during Sunday brunch, and since being voted Texas’ best burger, and Top 10 Burger in the nation, the few tables book fast and early. Everything we tried was delicious, but the burger is something to behold!

And excuse me, but when did our photographer get so big!!?? All of a sudden, he’s a young man…and I couldn’t be more proud, or love him more.

He’s been teaching himself how to shoot in manual setting, and I love watching his affinity for photography grow, and seeing what he captures. I discovered this shot he snuck after we thought he was done…I love it not just for the tenderness, but because our son liked seeing his parents genuine affection so much he wanted to photograph it. #gulp

What are your Valentine plans? Do you go all out, or keep it casual? And don’t forget to use HSPCLUTCH for 20% off the pom-pom clutch…code ends Thursday!

To see more of our {Date Night Style}, click here. And check out my Big D link for more of our favorite spots & eats. I get so many emails about the area, so I hope to continue adding great local spots as another source for those of you visiting!

{Shop My Outfit}

{Best of 2015} Style Series

December 30, 2015

Well, North Texas is having a seasonal crisis….we went from sunny and 75 Christmas day, to horrific rains and tornadoes, and now it’s freezing with snow!? No wonder I’m coughing my fool-head off! I hoped to take the kids to the movie today, but I’m afraid someone might try to smother me just to make the coughing stop. Guess I’m forced to stay home in this snuggly wrap. #twistmyarm

Fashion has been a big part of this blog from the very beginning…in fact, I had an {Outfit Inspiration} post in my first week of blogging…but I beg you not to go back and look at it! Let’s just say I’ve learned a little in the past almost-six years!

I’m equally passionate about design and fashion, but the number of style posts have grown over the years as my interests evolved, and time restraints grew. Let’s face it, it’s a lot easier, quicker, and less expensive to get dressed, than to make over an entire room, or DIY a project!

More new style series have popped up over the years as I prefer my fashion posts to be helpful, as well as inspirational. Here’s a round-up of many of those from 2015…click the link under each image for all the posts in that category.

Good style doesn’t have to cost a fortune, so I scour the internet to find less expensive options for many of the current high-end trends.

{Look-for-Less}

Models on retailer’s websites and catalogs don’t really give a true depiction of an item, so I started trying on and sharing my top picks from my favorite stores…giving honest reviews and opinions, along with sizing tips and options for styling. With an occasional sidekick photobomb.

{Dressing Room Diaries}

This monthly series has been going strong for a couple of years, with quick snaps of my everyday outfits I share on Facebook and Instagram using #SugarplumStyle.

{Sugarplum Style}

I rarely, if ever, buy something for a specific event, with no plans of ever wearing it again. In order for something to come home with me, it needs to play double and triple duty…at least! This series shows how I make items work for both Day and Night.

{Day to Night}

It’s not always easy, but Mr. SP and I try to get out for occasional Date Nights…some fancy, but mostly casual. I’ve been sharing these posts for a few years, with our son behind the camera, but this year we ventured out with a professional photographer on occasion. It became a fun part of our Date Nights, and gave us a chance to share more of our city under the Big D and Dallas Eats categories.

{Date Night Styles}

{Family Dates}

In effort to stretch my closet even further, I love making many items work for multiple seasons.

{Now & Later}

Same is true for making clothes adapt for both work and casual weekends. Many of you have asked for more work-appropriate fashion, so I’m planning more of these in the new year.

{Work to Weekend}

Building a stylish outfit every time is simple when you follow this basic Rule of Three principle.

{The Rule of Three}

The goal isn’t to have more clothes, but to create more options with the items you do have! And when you do shop, to add items that stretch your wardrobe even further! Do you enjoy the various style series? Which are your favorites? Anything you’d like to see more of in 2016?

Family Fun Day

November 25, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Are you prepping your waistband for the feast that lies ahead? I’ve already planned on these leggings with this wrap…cozy, comfy, and lots of room for pie! #priorities But more than anything, I’m just thrilled to be back home with my people, and celebrating the holiday.

We recently had a mini photo session with one of our favorite people (who also happens to be a knockout photographer), and I was shocked at just how much our little family has changed in the two years since our last shoot!!

It seems our son grows and changes more everyday, but seeing photographic proof that he’s almost as big as dad makes me weep just a little! It seems only yesterday they were placing that baby boy in my nervous, overwhelmed, shaking, ecstatic arms…and now he’s a smart, kind-hearted young man! #gulp #holdme

Sweater | Scarf (love this one, too)

Hooded Shirt (similar favorite) | Jeans | Shoes (on sale!) | Skateboard (similar)

Shoes (on sale!) | Skateboard (similar)

And Little Miss is the firecracker that keeps us laughing, and on our toes, every single day! Where oh where does she get her spunk?!

Mr. SP: Shirt (similar on sale!) | Jeans // Little Miss: Tunic | Jeggings

We try to do something as a family at least once a week, even if it’s a simple game of Uno after dinner. Klyde Warren Park, one of Dallas’ coolest outdoor urban areas, is a favorite of ours when the weather is nice. There’s always something fun going on like live music or performers, and the rotating food trucks are a bonus. (See other Big D favorite spots here and Dallas Eats here.)

Me: Sweater | Scarf | Jeans | Boots (on sale!)

Little Miss: Tunic | Jeggings | Tennies

Shoes: His | Hers

Ya’ll know I’m a fan of the jumping picture…but obviously, it’s a lot harder to capture with four people instead of one (like here and here). So just how many attempts does it take?

Nope.

Not quite.

Almost.

Um, no. But how about my son’s hops?!

Oh geez. #momfail

Success! Kind of.

Looking back to the early days, it feels like Mr. SP and I were just kids ourselves…certainly not wise or responsible enough to raise our own kids! And now these people are my whole world, and I thank God every day for them. #mycuprunnethover

I’m thankful for each one of you, as well, and wish you the very happiest of Thanksgivings. I’ll see you back here early Friday for a major line-up of all the best Black Friday sales, and my top picks!

Until then, I had my kids round up some of their favorite toy gift ideas…including the always fun, Elf on a Shelf! (See 20 of our best Elf ideas here.) With free shipping and unmarked boxes, the Nordstrom Toy Shop has become my new secret weapon for smuggling toys in the house undetected!

{Top Toy Picks for Her}

{Top Toy Picks for Him}

{Top Toy Picks for Toddler & Baby}

{Shop Our Outfits}

*Thank you, Mary Summers, for the fabulous pictures. This post was written in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all clothes, ideas, and hormonal mom sentiments are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!