Category Archives: Style

I mentioned last week how it is really hard for me to pick outfits for myself.  I also have to confess I am a “subscription box” junkie – Stitch Fix, Birchbox, Rocksbox, Fabletics – you name it, I have tried it.  I needed a party dress and I had read good reviews about Rent the Runway. After finding out one of my most favorite designers, Monique Lhuillier, had several dresses available in this site I was sold!

The search tools are very user friendly and I was able to find a dress I liked quickly. Interestingly, the cost of rental for the dress I chose was slightly higher than their Unlimited Package. In the Unlimited Package you can rent up to three products at any time – and you do not need to return all three at the same time, you can return one a time to receive a new product.  I, of course, immediately upgraded (remember I said I was a subscription junkie?).  After signing up I realized the dress I wanted was not included in the Unlimited inventory. ERRRRR.  If you decide to sign up for Unlimited RTR, please note the inventory is not the same as regular RTR.  I contacted Customer Service and explained the misunderstanding.  The total cost was reimbursed to me within minutes.

I was overwhelmed and decided to hold on my rental for a couple of days…BIG mistake.  My beloved dress was no longer available for the time frame needed when I checked a couple of days later.  The reviews are best part of RTR – real users post pictures and comments on fit, material, and/or experience.  These comments are easy accessible when you are looking at each dress.  I looked for alternatives and found a couple that would work – for ease of this post we will call the dress I chose, Dress X.    Most commentators had issues with Dress X’s length – it was super long…and I am super short.  I called customer service and they offered sending me a second dress for half of the rental price.  I told you their customer service is amazing!  WELL – there is more.  Four days before the event, I get an email from RTR to let me know that my back up dress was returned damaged and was not going to be ready for shipment.   As an apology they were asking me to pick another dress with up to twice the rental value, at no additional cost.  At that point I had found a pair of shoes that were making me look super tall and this would solve the length issue.   I decided to receive only Dress X.  RTR will also send you another size of the same dress at no additional cost.  They also assured me that if I had any problems with the dress, they would overnight me another.  I am happy to report that Dress X fit like a glove, and I felt like a princess!

I accessorized with my last Rocksbox shipment.  This is one of the few subscriptions I have actually kept…and am planning to keep.  I love their statement jewelry and how they try to match the items shipped to your wish list – as much as possible.  The mother of pearl earrings from Kendra Scott were just perfect for my blue dress.  Having my hair up was also different and made me feel extra fancy – dressing up is so fun!    Talking about hair – that almost did not happen.  I was forty five minutes late to my appointment because a major accident in I-40.  I was stuck in between exits for one hour.  When the cars started moving and drove by the accident – I felt terrible for complaining.  For me it was a hair appointment, for others it was something much more important.  Counting my blessings!

While I would love to make this post all about me – it really is not.  Ethan also dressed up for me.  He wore and ah-dorable suit that complemented my dress.  I have to add the colors are perfect for Easter and the fabric is super soft and very comfortable.  He did NOT want to change back to his regular clothes. He wanted to play “daddy at work” with his sister instead.  He is the hardest to cooperate, so the fact that he loved his momma’s styling makes me very happy.   I may be biased but he is just the cutest! *heart melts*

If you decide you want to give RTR or Rocksbox I can share some discounts with you.  For $20 of your RTR order click here. If you want to try Rocksbox for free for one month just click here  and sign up using the code ‘erickabff1’

Article by Ericka of Little Apple Styles

What to Wear Wednesday | Rebecca Keller Photography
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Dress | Shoes | Earrings (Kendra Scott Carey Earrings in Ivory Mother of Pearl) | Makeup | Hair | Ethan’s Blazer | Ethan’s Pants | Ethan’s Shirt | Ethan’s Shoes

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Ericka Jimmerson is a busy mom of two who runs Little Apple Styles, photography + event styling. Contact her at littleapplestyles@gmail.com if you need help making your event picture perfect!

Rebecca Keller is a family photographer featured in People Magazine who spends her time sipping iced coffee, chasing after her two little ones, reading, running, and editing. Because we chat a lot about our personal lives on the blog, we may receive commissions on affiliate links in articles. Contact Rebecca Keller Photography for more information about What to Wear Wednesdays and Raleigh family photography.

Gala season for the Little Apple family! I am a good example of “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.”  I have the hardest time picking outfits for myself.  Maybe because I just had a baby….three years ago….if you know what I mean!

There were a couple of things I wanted to make sure were considered when looking for the perfect dress.  I wanted a long dress and I wanted to stay away from black.

My first instinct was to look for dresses in the Pantone color of the year – Rose Quartz or Serenity.  I know what you are thinking – what color is Serenity?!  To me it looks like if a beautiful light blue and a light purple had a baby.   I went shopping with a palette in mind and found several options.  This one below would be perfect for Spring Wedding or a styled Mommy and Me session *hint,hint*!!!

Article by Ericka of Little Apple Styles

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dress | shoes | earrings | purse

Ericka Jimmerson is a busy mom of two who runs Little Apple Styles, photography + event styling. Contact her at littleapplestyles@gmail.com if you need help making your event picture perfect!

Rebecca Keller is a family photographer featured in People Magazine who spends her time sipping iced coffee, chasing after her two little ones, reading, running, and editing. Contact Rebecca Keller Photography for more information about Cary Family Photography.

                                     All you need in life is the perfect pair of shoes!
                                                                                        – Cinderella
Article by Ericka of Little Apple Styles
Shoes for Boys | Spring Favorites
     Four years ago (and some more days) I found out my belly was housing a baby boy.  I had convinced myself it was a girl. Honestly, I knew the whole time I would be buying blue and not pink in the near future, something was just “different” from my first pregnancy.  When we found out the gender, I was obviously excited – but SO scared.  I had NO idea what to do with a boy.  I had finally figured out the girl thing (and by figured out I mean where to find the cutest outfits and accessories!) — What was I supposed to do with a boy?!?!?!?!
     My boy is stubborn, mischievous and messy.  I can’t take my eyes away from him or he will figure out a way to destroy the cleanest room in the house, unfold all the laundry, change the heads of all his sister’s Lego princesses and overfeed his fish.  All within 2 minutes. My boys is also kind, sweet, and loving. And most importantly, he knows how to melt my heart with one word, one look, or one gesture.  His non-conforming ways made me re-evaluate my priorities.  Thanks to him I can enjoy my life as a mommy more than I ever did.  He has my heart!
    I have a slight obsession with kid’s shoes.  To my surprise, shoes for boys can also be adorable!  And several brands are very accommodating to chunky little feet.  Livie & Luca’s Elephants have been a favorite for quite some time (we may or may not own them in every size and color).  I think it’s because they are not only super cute but also because Ethan can easily put them on and take them off without my help.  One less thing to argue about with Mr. Independent?  Sign me up for a baker’s dozen of the same kind!
Here I leave you with my favorite shoes for boys for this spring – Happy ‘Feet’ing!
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Ericka Jimmerson is a busy mom of two who runs Little Apple Styles, photography + event styling. Contact her at littleapplestyles@gmail.com if you need help making your event picture perfect!

Rebecca Keller is a family photographer featured in People Magazine who spends her time sipping iced coffee, chasing after her two little ones, reading, running, and editing. I may receive commissions on affiliate links in articles. Contact Rebecca Keller Photography for more information about Raleigh Styled Food Photography.

 

How do you spell love? -Piglet
You don’t spell it, you feel it – Pooh

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2016 Valentine’s Minis | Rebecca Keller Photography

Article by Ericka of Little Apple Styles

    January surely flew by – and we are now 7 days away from Valentine’s day. Love, hearts, mushy cards… all the cheesy things I completely adore! I am ashamed to admit Valentine’s day was more important in my calendar back in the day, ahem, when I was single. I surely hope Mr. Little Apple is not reading this post! I think it is because back then, this day was the validation of the relationship – Will he remember it is Valentine’s day? Would I get flowers? Would he sign the card with ‘love’? Now I know the answer to each question. I am one lucky lady!
This year I have decided to shake up things a little. Love should be celebrated! The kids are also older and are really enjoying being part of all the preparations. Especially the littlest – who keeps finding my ‘Sweethearts’ stash.
Both kids are having Valentine’s parties at school and will be exchanging valentines. We scouted the Dollar Store and found several non-candy options, against their will of course! For the first time in years I did not wait until the day before to work on their cards (thanks to the RKP Valentine’s client event!) and we will be assembling together this week . Who wants to bet I will be waiting until Thursday night? – some things just never change… haha.
My little apples will be wearing their photo session outfits on V-Day. I love dressing them up for the occasion. Normally Eva’s outfit is picked out weeks in advance and my poor little boy just gets to wear something that compliments her. The order is a reflection of picture cooperation – one loves the camera, and the other loves to …eat the snacks offered. Surprisingly all his proofs are normally adorable. I just LOVE how Becky is able to capture him being his sassy little self – even when he is not looking straight to the camera!

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T-Shirt: Gymboree | Shoes: Converse | Pants & Cardigan: Gymboree |

    I normally start with something I know I definitely want him to wear – and this time it was his red converse – pretty appropriate I thought! I also knew I did not want to for him to wear jeans…and found the perfect set at Gymboree. It was a mix of several collections, but the colors were just perfect! Bonus, they were all from the sale rack. Accessories can make or break an outfit – and here I leave you with my most favorite Valentine’s Day accessories for kids!

sunglasses (we used these for our Valentine minis – so much fun!)  hat    necklace (do you have a shopkins fan?)   shoes

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Valentine’s Day Outfits for Kids

Ericka Jimmerson is a busy mom of two who runs Little Apple Styles, photography + event styling. Contact her at littleapplestyles@gmail.com if you need help making your event picture perfect!

Rebecca Keller is a Raleigh Cary Styled Family Photographer featured in People Magazine who spends her time sipping iced coffee, chasing after her two little ones, reading, running, and editing. Because I chat alot about my personal life, books i’ve read, and other style recommendations – I may receive commissions on affiliate links in articles.