Summer – S T E P H A N Y ' S C H O I C E

Summer Category Archives

In the Garden // Saint Paul De Vence, France

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Angelina, Annabelle, Children, Family, Fashion, Kids, Mom Life, Motherhood, Season, Summer, Summer in France, Travel / September 08, 2017

Stephany Bowman wearing a MANGO gingham Bardot dress, straw boat hat . Annabelle Bowman wearing Dolce and Gabana dress, Alexander Bowman wearing DISNEY pajamas in Star Trek print

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Stephany’s Choice: DRESS || HAT

Annabelle’s Choice: DRESS SIMILAR

Alexander’s Choice: Star Trek PJS

Sometimes the best times are when we stay around the house, especially if it’s as gorgeous as the one we stayed in at Saint Paul De Vence ! How dreamy are these gardens though?!

We loved smelling all the roses and lavender in the garden. The children even gathered some lavender and put them into little cloth pouches to keep under their pillows to make them smell good. It’s so grounding to keep things simple sometimes and just play with the kids out doors.

Most days we would go out and explore, but since the grounds here were so lovely we found ourselves really enjoying staying close to home.

It also feels like the focus is 100% on the kids and they just love that. Looking at what they want to show me, and carrying them around. Annabelle loved smelling the pretty roses, Alexander enjoyed riding on my back and little Angelina running with her toes in the grass. Playing little games and laughing at their jokes. It’s so simple and quiet, and I think kids need that everyone in a while. I know I do!

Don’t get me wrong, shortly after “decompressing” and our little “exploration” we were once agin ready to hit the town and find a new adventure in France 🙂 ?? We ended the night with some tasty gelato and a walk through Nice.. ahhhhh, love the South of France..

Thanks for reading along,

XO,

♥ Stephany

Cannes on the beach

Written by Stephany Bowman / Alexander, Angelina, Annabelle, Children, Family, Fashion, Kids, Mom Life, Motherhood, Season, Summer, Summer, Summer in France, Travel / July 31, 2017

Stephany Bowman wearing a lime green lace shift dress from H&M, Angelina wearing pjs from Hanna Anderson, Annabelle Bowman wearing Monsoon sequins dress, Alexander Bowman wearing Ralph Lauren

We spent the afternoon walking around Cannes (it moved up to one of my favorite destinations in the South of France)- but you had to see the happiness of the children when they kicked off their little shoes and started to DANCE IN THE SAND !!!

It was like the sand was magic dust and they rolled in it, played in it, danced in it-sprinkled it all over their legs and each other. They were running and laughing, digging out the sand, putting their toes in the water.

I love to see my kids so happy and enjoying the beauty of nature. It made me want to live somewhere close to the beach.

We strolled through Cannes- so fun for shopping by the way. Beautiful shops and boutiques.

I bought a pair of gold flat shoes, a pair of pink Mary Jane flats, and a couple of little gifts for the kids.

The vibe is laid back but preppy. People look really nice but not over done. There is an easy going atmosphere in the air. Everyone seems happy, and always has a sweet and kind word for the kids.

We had absolutely no difficulty making our way through the town. I love how you can go from pretty little shopping streets and boutiques to being right on the beach with sand in your toes.

It also feels so good to stroll, and walk. People watching is also fun, the crowds are stylish and cosmopolitan. It’s also such an international community, a sea of accents and cultures.

This is definitely one of the things I miss most about Europe, being in a place where there is a mix of different people from different places.

I can’t wait to go back to Cannes, and I think the children feel the same. Unlike other years in the past, this year doesn’t feel as congested as year’s past, and not as hot either.

Can’t wait for our day to kick in tomorrow 🙂

XO,

Stephany

Bikinis before breakfast

Written by Stephany Bowman / Angelina, Baby, Children, Family, Fashion, Kids, Mom Life, Motherhood, Season, Summer, Summer, Summer in France, Travel / July 25, 2017

Stephany Bowman in Pak Pak swimwear and Angelina Bowman in Mothercare swimsuit

Angelina fighting against wearing her little summer bonnet at the pool 🙂 We finally compromised on total body sunblock coverage 🙂

First coffee of the day, poolside!! ??????

Stephany’s Choice: Swim suit : The PAK PAK || Sunglasses similar

Angelina’s Choice: Swim suit : Similar here and here

Why can’t wearing a bikini for breakfast be a way of life?!!

I absolutely love being outdoors so much. We eat outside, read outside, hang out, I even caught up on some work outdoors. It’s so pretty and liberating. Makes you really reflect on how much time we spend indoors on a typical day…

How cute is this bikini though?!

I was searching high and low for something that was all tucked in. No need to be spilling out of my bikini while chasing kids around the pool-if you know what I mean. The last couple of years I’ve worn one pieces but they always seem sort of prudish and matronly. Although Target now has some cute ones, and I think one pieces are back in style-luckily.

I would dare to say that the swimsuit style of the season is the high waist bottoms. Two pieces but the bottoms are boy cut and cover the belly button.

I think that this is such a cute look. It hides enough and covers enough. I’d also say that this is such a flattering look for all shapes and body sizes.

The Pak Pak has some sales going on and they have these cute little ruffles right on the waist line.

I loved it so much I bought it in two colors. I’ve seen girls mix and match the tops and bottoms too which is also a fun idea.

I may not wear this style forever but right now, I still am not in my happiest body shape so this a God send till I am back where I want to be.

XO,

Stephany

Cream + Layered Cocktail Summer Dress

Written by Stephany Bowman / Fashion, Season, Summer, Summer / July 06, 2017

Stephany Bowman in a layered white with black detail H&M dress, Steve Madden heels and Sarahs Bags Clutch

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Stephany’s Choice: DRESS || HEELS || SIMILAR SILVER CLUTCH (under $25!)

Summer has definitely arrived here in Dallas this week. After some delayed sunshine in May and early June I can finally say summer is in full swing. It is hot hot hot!!!

Personally when it’s this hot the only thing I want to put on my body is something light weight, soft and fresh.

Last week I went to the pool for 2 hours (11-1:00 pm) and I got FRIED! It was horrible. Today several days later my skin is still store, blistering and peeling 🙁 It’s itchy and very uncomfortable. Luckily I didn’t stay at the pool one second longer. Also lucky that I wore a hat, or my face would be destroyed. Lesson learned! I guess thats the punishment you deserve the first day at the pool where you are over eager to be sun kissed, and under estimate the power of the sun.

The funny thing is, I would never let this happen to the kids. I’m so protective of them and the swimsuits they wear are basically a full body cover up.

They even have cuter bathing suits, hats and flip flops than I do…I don’t even mind it. I actually prefer shopping for them more than I do myself. I like dressing them up and they look so cute in everything. Can’t say the same is true for me. My size fluctuates all the time, most days I feel tired and it shows. More often than not my hair is tied up in a messy top knot and I’m wearing the same outfit several days in a row.

I guess it’s all part of the “mom life”. I still wouldn’t trade it, and it beats having to look “corporate” all the time anyway…

This cute dress is under $100, easy to move around in, pretty and flattering. I love it!! Need more items like this in my closet!! Fits like a dream-if you’re hesitating on size, size up 😉

XO,

Stephany

Date night Gold Dress

Written by Stephany Bowman / Fashion, Season, Summer / June 30, 2017

Stephany Bowman wearing You and Me Mini Dress" from Free People and heels from Aldo

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Stephany’s Choice: GOLD DRESS || SIMILAR HEELS || SIMILAR GOLD CLUTCH || GOLD CHOKER

Friday Night = Date night right?! Nope, not always. But sometimes! And when it does come around I like to dig around my closet for something that I typically would NOT wear when we had the kids with us!!- at least I try to 🙂

I picked up this cute gold little dress on the sale rack at my one of my favorite shops, Free People. I love the metallic vibe, feels very retro disco, which is fun.

One of our favorite things to do on a date night is go out to eat somewhere. We almost never go out to the movies because we feel like we can watch a movie at home anytime and at the movies you can’t really chat and catch up.

Back in the old “dating” days, we’d go catch a movie whenever something came out that we wanted to see, but then we could still do dinner before or after… Now it’s more like one thing or the other so for right now, dinner dates it is.

Once we find a spot that we like and it ticks all the boxes we tend to usually stick to that same spot. What’s on our check list for a great date night location?

good food

close by

nice atmosphere

outdoor patio

That’s pretty much it! Simple right?! Our favorite kinds of food to eat out are:

sushi

Mexican

steak + salad

Here in Dallas, that means we like to go to Deep Sushi, Mi Cosina, and Toulouse Cafe. All close to home, all have out door space, and all have tasty food.

What places or things do you like to do on a date night? I’m thinking maybe I’ll kick off tonight with a frozen margarita with salt! Yum! Happy Friday Friend!

XO,

?Stephany

Cherry RED and the power of color

Written by Stephany Bowman / Fashion, Season, Summer / June 27, 2017

Stephany Bowman, Editor of Stephany's Choice, wearing a red H&M off the shoulder dress, Aldo beige buckle high heels, and a red Dolce and Gabana bag

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Stephany’s Choice: DRESS || SHOES (Similar here) || BAG ( Similar here) || Earrings ( Similar here)

The power of Color! This dress is less than $35, but the cherry red color packs a huge punch!

Make a statement in this cherry red color or keep it light and airy. This same dress comes in this baby blue color, and the vibe could not be more different.

This is a summer look, but I also wore this red dress in the fall. So, color doesn’t have to be season specific.

The downside to wearing such a bright dress is that you probably can’t wear it in heavy rotation. It’s more “noticeable” than your “everyday” color.

But if you want an easy way to make a splash or punch up an occasion or just feel festive for the day-this is a super easy way to do it!

My mom also picked up some chunky statement earrings like these that I matched with the cherry red outfit. They are fun, and very trendy this season too. Right now I would say the bigger the statement earring the better. Earrings are the new “necklace” for summer-for sure!

Don’t even worry about matching the earrings to the dress like I did here, pairing them with a more casual blue jean and a t-shirt would also be really cute and flirty. In fact, they would probably pop out more and be a fun twist to an otherwise more basic everyday outfit.

Have a fab day, and don’t forget to have a little fun with your color in your wardrobe this season. It doesn’t have to be a big expense either. A bright color is not high maintenance, in fact just the opposite. Get a bright color and boom! Outfit complete, just like that!!

XO,

Stephany

Off the shoulder + ruffle dress

Written by Stephany Bowman / Fashion, Season, Shop, Summer / June 26, 2017

Stephany Bowman Editor of Stephany's Choice wearing a navy blue, ruffled, off the shoulder, H&M dress, Steve Madden high heels and Louis Vuitton messenger bag

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Stephany’s Choice: Dress || Shoes || Sunnies (similar here) || Bag

Ruffles,ruffles, ruffles!!!

This is a style post focusing on this exact dress! When I zipped it up it fit like a glove and hugged my curves in all the right places. It’s so cute for day time because it’s gingham which gives it a picnicy feel. You can also dress it up a little like I did today with a pair of high heels like these.

I love multi functional pieces that you can carry for day or night.

Now that our summer holiday is fast approaching I feel like I have packing on the brain and I need to take things with me that can “cross function” so I don’t have to over stuff my luggage.

Ill take my fav summer things that I’ve been wearing the most, or think will look cutest in pictures. Then I’ll check to see if I can wear them in multiple locations, and events.

This one ticks the boxes.

I LOVE the ruffle trend for summer too. It’s so fun a flirty without being to “out there”.

What are your favorite things to pack for Summer vacation?!!

Happy Monday!!

This Little Black Dress

Written by Stephany Bowman / Fashion, Season, Summer / June 19, 2017

Stephany Bowman wearing A Victoria Beckham for Target dress and TOPSHOP black patent Mary Jane shoes

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Stephany’s Choice: Little Black Dress (UNDER $11!!!)|| Similar shoes || Similar Bag

This cute little black dress is currently on CLEARANCE for UNDER $11!! I absolutely love a great bargin. Getting something discounted is like winning the lottery!!- well, kind of 🙂 Even though a black dress can seem boring I think it’s one of the most important items that everyone should have in their closet.

It’s also designed by Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and international superstar. I think it’s really cool that’s she’s started her own fashion label. What I love more is when Target collaborates with big designers to bring them to the masses.

Most of the time when Target reveals that they are working together with a designer I get all excited and rush to the stores to see what they have. At great prices and a variety that covers home to kids, I never walk away disappointed. I’ve won towels, bathings suits, kids clothes, crafts, etc…

Needless to say, I’ll be waiting with excitement for the next Target collaboration to be announced! Last year I scored this cute number!!

Today the kids have camp, Alexander has a Rookie sports camp and Annabelle has an Art camp. She absolutely loves to craft and this is the first time in a long time that we’ve set something up for her. Alexander says, “I get to have fun and Annabelle has to color”. Haha. We all laughed-even Annabelle. I guess art doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to everyone.

Happy Monday, however you choose to spend it, I hope you include something fun in your day-even if someone else may not appreciate the joy!!

XO,

Stephany