July 12, 2019

#NSALE: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale … Is it worth it?

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#NSALE: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

It is #NSALE time! Hard to believe the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here. I will be honest, this is my least favorite time of year to follow a ton of bloggers on Instagram. Why? Because I feel like the coverage goes on and on and on …. and on! But I would be lying if I told you I don’t shop the #nsale each year.

I am not someone that shops just to shop (anymore). I have enough clothes and shoes in my closet, so if I’m going to pull the trigger and buy something new, it has be a piece that I love and will become a staple in my closet.

#NSALE: What’s included in the sale

There were a lot of great shoes and fall clothing options in the sale. Even beauty, kids, mens and home categories are a part of the #nsale. I browsed every page! But I knew that I didn’t really “need” anything, so I’ll show you what really caught my eye in terms of women’s fashion! I’ll have to do a separate post for the other categories.

#nsale: Is it Worth It?

In terms of if the #nsale is worth your time, I would say this … If you need fall basics or want great deals on beauty and home, then YES, absolutely! This also applies if you are shopping for women’s fashion and need to build your wardrobe. It’s always the worst feeling when a new season comes and you feel as though you have nothing to wear.

If you are someone that shops year round and doesn’t need much, then you might be like me and only find a few things.

#nsale: What I am shopping for

I dress up for work every day now, which is a new thing for me. Working in retail, I’ve usually always had to wear something specific to the brand. With this in mind, everything that I bought, I can also wear to work. When I’m not working in stores, I’m working from home, so I also picked out a couple loungewear sets that are super cute. All in all I spent about $300. I’ll forewarn you … my picks are far from exciting! It’s all very practical.

Another thing – Do NOT feel pressured to shop the #nsale. I know there is so much hype, but just make sure that everything you buy are things that you’ll actually use. Unless you just have it like that and can blow money without a care in the world 🙂 Shop needs, not wants and your dollar will go far!

#NSale: My women’s fall fashion Picks:

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Are you shopping the #nsale? Let me know what you find. I will probably keep shopping for my boys and my husband this weekend, so if I see anything I can’t live without for them, then I will definitely update this post or get a new post up shortly after!

Have a great weekend!

XO – Steph

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July 12, 2019

How To Travel Like A Pro: Top 5 Airport Tips

what to pack how to pack beauty products for travel black skincare products travel essentials

How To Travel Like a Pro.

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or someone who rarely travels, today on the blog I am sharing 5 tips and tricks to get through the security line with ease, without stopping the flow of the line for other travelers.

As someone who flies quite often, sometimes 2-3 times a month, I can always tell when I am behind someone in the security line who does not travel. I’ve been there, so I wanted to share what I do to get through security fast.

How To Travel Like a Pro: Tip #1

Start at home. The best thing you can do for yourself when traveling is to adhere to all TSA guidelines. Pack smart. If you’re unsure about what is or what is not allowed on an aircraft, double check online before heading to the airport. Here is the link to the TSA website. It never fails, someone is in a rush for their flight, they pack haphazardly, and forget to take out that 5 oz bottle of shampoo from their last trip. Or that 8 oz bottle of water. I see it all the time. Traveling like a pro starts at home first. Make sure your carryon suitcase is red flag free! Also, don’t forget to check-in 24 hours before your flight. If you forget, it’s not the end of the world, but definitely helpful to have one less thing to worry about on travel day.

How To Travel Like a Pro: Tip #2

Make sure you have your state issued ID or passport PLUS your boarding pass ready to go! I often check-in online either the night before or in my long Lyft/Uber ride to the airport. I live 45 minutes to an hour away so, I usually have plenty of time to take care of these things. When I check-in online, I always get a mobile boarding pass. Rarely do I print a boarding pass anymore, not only is it wasteful, it’s one more thing to keep up with. If you have an iPhone, the “Wallet” app on your phone will store your boarding pass for you if you save it there. It knows when it is time to board and will pop up on your screen, bright and ready to be scanned once you unlock your phone. You can also take a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass, so that you do not have to worry about logging in to find it each time you need it.

How To Travel Like a Pro: Tip #3

Once you’ve made it to the airport, keep your ID and boarding pass handy as you’ll need it to enter the security line. Once you make it through the security line, put your ID back into your wallet (you’ll be searching for it later during your trip if you don’t) then put your boarding pass where you can easily find it in your bag. You’ll need it again when you board your plane. Don’t put it in your pocket. If you do, when you go through the scanner, it will flag and you’ll have to be pat down.

Before it’s your turn to grab a bin, go ahead and prep your shoes to be easily removed. Unzip the part of your bag where your laptop is and take off your jacket if you have one.

How To Travel Like a Pro: Tip #4

The security line is where you can always tell the travelers from the non-travelers! I’m here to help LOL! When you get to the security line, grab 3 bins – especially if you are traveling with an iPad or laptop. The TSA agent will tell you if you do not need to take something out of your bag or if you can leave your shoes on. It varies from airport to airport. I always plan to grab THREE and adjust based on what the TSA agent says.

Once you grab your bins, do not stop the line and start loading them up right when you get them. Especially if there is room to move forward. Keep the line moving so that other travelers can start grabbing their bins too. As the line moves down, you’ll have an opportunity to unload all of your belongings.

Bin #1 – Purse (I travel with a large tote that takes up the whole bin, if your purse is small you’ll likely only need two bins)

Bin #2 – Laptop/iPad

Bin #3 – Shoes, Jacket, misc.

Put your rolling carryon or duffle directly onto the rollers if you are comfortable doing so. And stay with your bags until they enter into the area to be scanned.

If you take nothing else from Tip #4, I stress the fact that you should keep the line moving. This is where the lines get backed up the most. Imagine every traveler stopping at the bins and loading all of their things up before moving the line forward. Can you tell it drives me crazy? Haha!

How To Travel Like a Pro: Tip #5

If you forget to take something out of your bag or get stopped by security for a random search, I recommend keeping your cool and complying with what they ask. Of course, as long as they are within the scope of their role and respecting your rights. No one cares that your flight is boarding or that you are running late. These people hear this all day long. I try to always be gracious and kind. In doing so, I was able to keep a 5 oz Peter Thomas Roth 24K gold face mask that somehow ended up in my son’s backpack when we were traveling home from a trip! Ooops! It happens to the best of us.

This won’t work in all situations but even still, it’s the right thing to do to be kind. Afterall, the airport staff are all human beings just like you and me.

I hope some of my tips help you in your travels! Would love to hear some of your airport tips!

Thank you for reading!

XO – Steph

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June 28, 2019

Walmart Fashion Finds Under $100

I am so excited to be teaming up with Walmart for today’s blog post! This is a sponsored post, however, as always, all thoughts and views are my own!

Lately, every time I scroll on Instagram, I see someone posting about something they found at Walmart. Curiosity got the best of me and I did a little investigating to figure out what was happening at this retail giant to get the attention of fashion bloggers across the world.

Much to my surprise, I discovered that not only had the fashion selections at Walmart received a serious upgrade … there were also things I found within the home department that I couldn’t help but order! I love the fact that so many of the fashion finds at Walmart are pieces that you can wear every day. Little to no effort required, just comfortable pieces that will transition well through every season.

I found this red dress online and instantly knew that it would look so chic in the streets of New York City. The best part is that no one expects it to be from Walmart! I love this dress because you can wear it to so many different places. A wedding, girls’ night out, date night or even work (when paired with a jacket) depending upon your office environment.

I paired my dress with a pair of simple black heels and a faux leather jacket. While I love the dress by itself, it looks even more elevated when you add a jacket.

My entire look, head to toe is under $100. I linked everything within this post! I am so excited to continue discovering more fashion pieces at Walmart this season! Shop my favorites throughout this post!

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June 27, 2019

Stylish Home Decor On A Budget

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As many of you know, we bought a new house earlier this year! It has been so exciting to be in a new space and finally be able to decor how we want. For those that don’t know, we’ve been renting for the past two years! I shared on my Instagram how much I love budget friendly home decor. It makes me happy when I can bargain shop, without sacrificing style.

We’re taking it slow with this house, and will be doing one room at a time. I want to make sure I love the decor decisions I’m making, because I have zero interest in doing any projects over again! I don’t know about you, but sometimes after looking at something and analyzing it for so long … I change my mind! LOL #aintnobodygotime(ormoney)forthat!

I rounded up several budget friendly home decor finds that I think you all will really enjoy. The “save” button on every home decor website has become my best friend. This way I can come back when I’m ready to buy and find what I’m looking for with ease. It also helps to have everything ready to show my husband, so that I’m ready should I catch him when he’s in the mood to do a little shopping 🙂

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Everything I found is under $300! And the best part … it’s all from Walmart! Shop my favorites throughout this post. The above widget will update as I find new things on the Walmart website. Thank you so much for reading!

XO – Steph

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June 18, 2019

New Job Day 1

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Time to treat yourself to a Summer Nordstrom shopping spree!
I’ve teamed up with a group of bloggers to give you
a chance to win a $750 Nordstrom Gift Card!

To enter: complete the steps in the rafflecopter below. The more steps you complete,
the more entries you receive, and the better your chance at winning!
This giveaway runs ‪until Tuesday, July 2nd at 12am‬ PST

Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!
*this giveaway is in no way sponsored by Nordstrom.

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What a whirlwind week it has been and it’s literally only Tuesday! I had my first day at my new job yesterday and I can honestly say this has been the greatest onboarding experience I’ve ever had.

For those that don’t know, I work in luxury retail and have recently moved into corporate retail with a major fashion house. To say it’s a dream job would be an understatement. But I feel so incredibly blessed and grateful. I keep having to pause with gratitude because I prayed for this exact moment for over 2 years.

I thought long and hard about how I wanted to share my testimony, because I think that many of us go through seasons of waiting, and hoping for something that never comes. Or at least doesn’t come in the timing that we invisioned for ourselves. I can absolutely relate to that in so many ways.

I will share my journey soon and I will dive more into what I’m doing and all of that as I get acclimated to the brand. But I did want to say THANK YOU for your support and kindness to me as I’ve been in a season of transition with both the new house and starting a new job.

For those asking, all of my NYC looks will be linked to LTK. Be sure to download the app or swing by my shop page. I have yet another giveaway launching today on the blog. I’m doing this in partnership with several amazing bloggers! Make sure to enter!

I’ll get my full recap up at the end of the week and if you’re wondering where I’m working, you can catch it for a few more hours on Instagram stories!

XO – Steph

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June 12, 2019

Have you entered? $400 Amazon Giveaway!

Time to treat yourself to some of your Amazon favorites this Spring!
I’ve teamed up with a group of bloggers to give TWO of you
a chance to win a $400 Amazon Gift Card!

To enter: complete the steps in the rafflecopter below. The more steps you complete,
the more entries you receive, and the better your chance at winning!
This giveaway runs until Tuesday, June 18th at 12am PST

Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!
*this giveaway is in no way sponsored by Amazon.

In case you missed last weeks post, here’s another chance to enter the giveaway! There will be TWO winners and it’s the perfect way to kick off Summer shopping and vacations!

I’ve been crazy busy getting the house together before I start my new job next week. I can’t wait to show you what we do!

New content will go live this week!

XO – Steph

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June 4, 2019

Where To Travel On A Budget + $400 Amazon Giveaway!

It’s almost time for summer vacations to start! If you are wondering where to travel on a budget, then I’ve got you covered! After setting a goal to take a girls’ trip annually, my girlfriends and I take pride in choosing great places to travel on a budget! The important thing for us is that we can enjoy a beautiful destination, without breaking the bank. If you’ve followed my Instagram stories at all, then you know that this year has been a busy one with travel! So I wanted to share with you my top places to travel for a girls’ trip – especially if you need to travel on a budget!

In compiling my list of the best places to travel on a budget, I wanted to include two places I’ve been, as well as a couple wishlist destinations that are on my bucket list.

Girls’ Trip Recap

This year we went to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Mexico is probably one of my favorite places to travel on a budget. You can really have a good time, without spending a lot of money. We set our budget early and started looking on sites like Booking.com and Expedia to monitor prices and find the best deal. We stayed at a gorgeous resort and made a point to just relax and enjoy.

When you travel with great friends, there’s always tons of laughter, a few too many margaritas and lots of pool/beach time to catch up. I wrote a blog post about how to plan the perfect girls trip last year, so this year we’ll dive into where to go on a budget.

where to travel on a budget – stop 1

My all-time favorite country to visit is Jamaica. The people, the culture, the food, the drinks … I could go on and on! I love being surrounded by such good energy everywhere you go. I have no cares in the world when I’m in Jamaica. I have visited Montego Bay and Ochos Rios, however, Forbes recently listed Kingston as one of the top budget friendly places to travel, so I’m adding this to my list. It’s a bit of an untapped destination. If you plan ahead and shop early, flights to Jamaica are really affordable. Once you get there, you can stay on budget and experience all that Jamaica has to offer. If you’re looking to splurge, we’ve stayed at The Tryall Club and The Jamaica Inn as well!

where to travel on a budget – stop 2

Cancun, Mexico. I feel like this is a no brainer, but I’m sharing anyway! I live in Texas, so a flight to Cancun is quick and can get you just about anywhere within driving or boating distance in less than an hour. We have stayed many places in Mexico, however, beautiful Cancun will never disappoint.

Last year my girlfriends and I visited Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We had a wonderful time, and found an amazing deal online for an all-inclusive resort. We stayed at the Pueblo Bonito and we were blown away at the quality of the service, food, and just overall beauty of it all. The water is a little bit rougher, so depending on your resort, it’s not necessarily a swimmable beach destination. However, there are several resorts that have sister properties with beaches you can swim in.

Where to travel on a budget – stop 3

Thailand. I have never been here but the more I read, the more I want to get here as soon as possible. I have always been someone that struggles with trying new places. It drives my husband crazy, but I am definitely working on this. My sister wen to Thailand a few years ago and had an amazing time. She said it was not only beautiful, but the cheapest vacation that she’s ever been on. Have you been to Thailand? I am so intrigued about the food and the culture. This is on my wishlist for places to visit. If you’ve been, I want to hear from you!

where to travel on a budget – stop 4

Cuba. Oh my goodness, if I could get to Cuba, I would be so happy. This destination seems like such an amazing cultural experience. I want to experience the people, the food and everything that Cuba has to offer. Considering tourism only recently opened up in this part of the world, I love how many aspects of the culture have remained in tact. Have you seen the Keeping up with the Kardashians episode when they visit Cuba? (Don’t hate me if you’re not a fan of the show!) This is how I envision myself experiencing this beautiful destination. I hope to get there one day soon!

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If you’re planning and wondering what the best places to travel are on a budget, then definitely check out the options I’ve listed above! There are so many destinations around the world that I’d love to highlight, so I’ll probably do a follow-up post too.

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Time to treat yourself to some of your Amazon favorites this Spring!
I’ve teamed up with a group of bloggers to give TWO of you
a chance to win a $400 Amazon Gift Card!

Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!
*this giveaway is in no way sponsored by Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway [/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.21.4″]

Thank you so much for visiting stephtaylorjackson.com today! I appreciate your support!

One more thing! To help you kick off your summer travel plans, I’ve teamed up with a group of bloggers to GIVEAWAY $400 to Amazon! Get excited! Details are linked above!!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

XO – Stephanie

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May 6, 2019

What To Buy Yourself This Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, Treat Yo Self!

Ever heard the saying, “love yourself, girl, or nobody will?” That’s my motto and anthem right before I swipe my debit card … just about every time. This Mother’s Day will be no different! I am a huge fan of treating yourself. My husband knows this, and actually probably thanks me deep down for taking the stress away from him during any holiday. I usually just show him what I bought myself and say … THANK YOU! He then rolls his eyes. It’s healthy pattern. Haha!

In all seriousness though, mamas, we work hard! So this year, instead of putting together a gift guide for you to buy something for someone else, we’re gonna chat about all the things I’m loving right now that you should totally give to yourself. Now, don’t get me wrong, you can still gift some of the special moms in your life, but I encourage you to … “treat yo self” too! 🙂

Here’s What I’m Buying Myself This Mother’s Day

I’m a huge fan of fashion, interiors, travel and beauty, so I am going to cover all my bases today and hopefully spark a little inspiration for you. A few of these are wishlist items that I’ll buy for the house, and the rest are items that I got recently or that will be on my doorstep in the coming days. Just in time for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Fashion

It is no secret that fashion is my thing. As the weather starts to get warmer, I start thinking more and more about my wardrobe. I don’t really need to buy anything, but I’m adding a couple of staples to get me through the season.

Fabulous Sunglasses Chain

First up, this sunglasses chain by Veronica DeOre. She gifted this to me last month and it is my latest obsession. I added it to my $10 sunnies from Target and it completely changed the look. A few of you have asked about it too, so I’m adding it to this list.

A Great Hat For Summer

Next up, you need a great wide brim hat for summer. I could show you every dress in the world, but if you don’t accessorize yourself appropriately, you’ll blend in with everyone else! Have some fun, mama! I’ve been eyeing hats at Lack of Color, but if I’m being honest, I’ll probably save my money and buy one of these from Urban Outfitters or Asos.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Home/Interiors

You guys know we just bought a house (more on that in the link), so I’ve been flipping through home magazines, Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. I want to change the lighting in every room in the house. This is an expensive project, so I’m taking it one room at a time.

First up, is the office. I found a light fixture on Wayfair that I LOVE! But my husband didn’t love the price. So I found a dupe on Amazon with great reviews. I can buy round bulbs so that it looks the same, and the arms can be moved to point different directions. Overall, the body is pretty spot on!

Buying yourself a light fixture for Mother’s Day is super sexy, right? If that’s not adulting, then I just don’t know what is!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Beauty

Having the right beauty products is important for any woman’s skincare + makeup routine. Thankfully, through my line of work, I have the opportunity to try a plethora of products. I’ve run out of a few items for my face, and will be replenishing for Mother’s Day!

Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil –

I’ve raved about this in several other blog posts, but it’s time to restock! I love what this product does for my skin. It gives such a clean feeling and finish, without drying me out.

Uncle Bud’s Hemp Body Wash –

I received this in a PR package, and loved it! It smells amazing and is super nourishing for your skin. The only problem … my kids love it too and have absolutely NO concept of how much to use at one time. The bottle lasted a week in my shower. Thankfully it’s not expensive. Why my kids are using my shower and not their own is a whole separate issue! #sendhelp

Beauty Blender –

I rebuy this product every few months or so. I am so bad about cleaning them on a regular basis, and usually end up just buying a new one. I do have the cleanser and when I remember to use it, it works wonders. I’ll link both. The beauty blender is a wonderful alternative to brushes (or your hands) if you want a smooth makeup finish on your face. It’s my preferred makeup application method.

Body Oils –

I love using oils after my shower. It’s a great way to lock in moisture. You can also mix it with your lotion for an even deep hydrating effect! I have a few that I love, including Advanced Clinicals and Ahava. I am running low on both of these, so I’ll be rebuying this year for Mother’s Day!

Fenty Beauty –

It’s time to restock my foundation. I like using this foundation in the summer time because of how matte my face stays with it on. In this Texas heat, this is important. Of course you can use setting powders, etc., but I do enjoy using Fenty in the summertime.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Travel

As a frequent traveler, there are a few things on my wishlist to make my next flight more comfortable. I am a bobblehead sleeper (LOL) and I have a love/hate relationship with sleeping on a plane. I love getting my rest, but I hate when I fall into a deep sleep and then my head jerks! It’s embarrassing! So I’m going to try this pillow and see what I think.

This Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask could technically fall under beauty, but I’m excited to use this on my next flight. I learned recently that it’s not good travel fly with makeup on, so I’m going to give it a go and see what I think!

I hope you enjoyed the preview of what I’m getting for Mother’s Day! Don’t forget to treat yourself this year. All photos are from my trip to Jamaica with Draper James. Photography by Maggie Armstrong!

Have a great weekend!

XO – Steph

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May 1, 2019

Draper James X The Tryall Club

Draper James X The Tryall Club: How I Got Involved

A few weeks ago, I had the most incredible opportunity come through my email. A brand that I have worked with (and love) asked me to join them in Jamaica for a photoshoot to capture their newest collection! If you’ve followed my social media channels for awhile, then you’ve probably seen me in Draper James a few times over the last couple years. I love the style of the clothes and I am always excited to see their new collections. It also doesn’t hurt that my birthday twin (aka Reese Witherspoon) is the mastermind behind the brand!

I of course responded with a resounding YES after working through a few details with the PR company and couldn’t wait to get started on this new project.

I shared a bit about what each day looked like on Instagram stories, but I wanted to dive in and give you a full recap of the trip in today’s blog post. I also wanted to share with you a few pieces from the collection that I can’t wait to wear again!

draper james summer collection

We arrived to Jamaica on a Monday afternoon to shoot the Summer Collection for Draper James. This is the first collection for the brands new designer, and I was very excited to see what the pieces would look like. Needless to say, I loved everything I got to wear during the trip. The clothing is super stylish, yet easy going for every day wear. I could totally see myself at church, basketball games, work and even girls night out in the pieces from this collection! I am saving a few photos for upcoming blog posts, but here’s a look at a few of my favorite looks from the shoot with Draper James!

Dresses are my thing, especially in Texas during the hot summer months. There are so many dresses in this collection that I love. The brand asked me to select a few pieces that I wanted to have now that we are back home and I had such a hard time narrowing it down!

Where we stayed: All about the Tryall Club

During our stay in Jamaica for the photoshoot, we stayed in a GORGEOUS house at The Tryall Club. The entire property spans over 2000 acres and is absolutely breathtaking. There are over 90 villas, we were lucky enough to stay in one. The view from our balconies (yes, plural) was better than anything I could ever begin to describe. When I arrived to the house, I was greeted by the sweetest team and a rum punch! There was a chef onsite, a laundress, a several other hosts who made sure that we had everything we needed. I immediately texted my husband and told him that we absolutely will be returning to The Tryall Club!

Over 90 Villas at the tryall club…

You guys know I love Jamaica! Last year we were here twice! Trying new places and experiencing all that the country has to offer is a true joy of mine. The Tryall Club had so much to offer. I wish we could have stayed longer. We took photos inside 3 different villas at The Tryall Club and I asked Emily (our lovely organizer) if it was a requirement for the homes to look like they are straight out of a magazine! I say this because every home we saw was out of this world. I learned that each villa is individually owned and the goal of many of the owners is to rent the villa throughout the year, so it made perfect sense for the homes to be immaculate!

Congrats Draper James!!

The experience was definitely one to remember. Congratulations to Draper James on their amazing Summer Collection launch! And a huge THANK YOU to The Tryall Club for such an incredible stay. Your property is a dream! I hope to return one day soon.

There were 3 additional influencers on this trip with me, you’ll see them in my upcoming posts, but for now, please do check out their blogs!

Sydney Carver of Summer Wind Blog

Sarah Tucker of Sarah Tucker Blog

Krychele of Carnations and Lace Blog

Enjoy the photos friends! I’ll be sharing more of these looks in upcoming blog posts!

The photography during the photoshoot was done by the talented Maggie Armstrong! She did such a great job capturing everything.

As always, thank you for reading!

XO – Steph

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Style

April 30, 2019

How To Use The LIKEtoKNOW.it App To Shop My Outfits

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SHOP MY LOOK BY CLICKING ON ANY OF THE ITEMS BELOW!

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HOW DO BLOGGERS MAKE MONEY?

If you’ve ever wondered … What is LIKEtoKNOW.it? Or how in the world do bloggers make money?? Then this post is for you. People ask all the time, “how do bloggers make money?” and utilizing platforms like LTK is one of the many ways blogs and businesses bring in an income. While this is a very small portion of my income (less than 5%), it is still a lucrative way to build your residual income as a blogger. Make money while you sleep, that’s goal … right??

I did a post on this topic a little over 3 years ago, but since so much has changed, I felt like it was time to update you all.

There are many ways that you can shop looks like I post on stephtaylorjackson.com or social media. I have a dedicated “SHOP” page that includes all looks posted from Instagram, as well as several extras that are just for my readers. I also have an account with LTK, and if you download the app + follow @stephtaylorjackson, you’ll be able to shop my looks!

I’m going to break down the top TWO ways you can shop with me in today’s post, and I hope that it will answer any and all of your questions. Owning a blog is just like running a business. I am here to serve you all and want to make sure that I am meeting your needs, while also generating an income. Any sale or clicks on links on my blog, may generate a commission for me. As I stated earlier, this is one of the ways I make an income from blogging! So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your support thus far. I look forward to finding new ways to serve you moving forward! Let’s dive right in.

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How To Use The LIKEtoKNOW.it APP

The first way to shop with me is via the LTK app. You can find the application in the app store. After you download it, you’ll be able to follow your favorite influencers to shop their posts. To find me, when in the app, search for my name (@stephtaylorjackson). From there, if you follow me, you’ll be able to see everything that I share and link. Often times I will share exclusive content to the LTK app. I like it because it’s un-curated and just me sharing items that I love with you all. If you have the app, you can also screenshot your favorite looks on Instagram, and if it is LTK enabled, you’ll be notified when the looks is ready to shop in the app. It is a very cool function and I’m so excited to see how LTK continues to evolve and innovate.

How to Use My Shop Page

My shop page is another very easy way to shop my looks from social media or the LTK app. The great thing about this page is that will show you literally everything that I post in the app. So if you don’t want an app on your phone, you still have access to great content! The page updates real time and I try to post daily. If something is out of stock or from a store that does not sync up with LTK, I always try to link similar items for you guys. Below is an example of what an LTK feed looks like. You’ll see my beauty favorites on my homepage is also from this company!

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If you have been unsure of how LIKEtoKNOW.it or affiliate linking works, I hope that this clarifies it a little for you! It’s a powerful tool and such a great resource for me as a content creator. I love being able to see shopping trends so that I can serve you better! I’ll be diving into other ways that bloggers make money in future posts, because I know that so many people want to know.

Please don’t ever hesitate to DM me if you need something or can’t figure out how to find something I posted. I am always happy to help. Again, thank you so much for your support, today and every day!

XO – Steph

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Wealth

April 29, 2019

Buying vs. Renting: Why We Decided To Buy A House

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We Decided To Buy A House

We decided to buy a house! Ah I can’t believe I can finally say that. We closed on April 15. I am so excited to finally have a place of our own. We have rented the last two years in the North Dallas area. And while that has been great (we love the house we’re renting), it’s time to move on. When we moved from Houston originally, we still owned our home there. Once we sold it, we weren’t sure where we wanted to move. Because of being unsure about where to move, we waited and decided to rent.

The only downside about renting for us is that we are not building equity or paying towards ownership. While having somewhere to live is a necessity, the money we pay in rent goes to your landlord and not toward building wealth for you and your family. With my husband being a finance guy, I knew renting would be a very temporary solution until we could figure out our next move.

When we moved to Dallas, the housing market was leaning more in favor of sellers not buyers. Meaning there was a demand and prices reflected that. We didn’t want to make any mistakes or overpay for a home, so we waited and monitored the market, researched schools, toured neighborhoods and tried to be as patient as we could.

180 Days On The Market

The house we bought had been on the market for over 180 days, the original buyers could not secure financing timely and the deal fell through. It was the perfect scenario for us. We came in with a low offer because we knew the sellers no longer lived in the home and after 180 days were probably more than ready to sell. It was a gamble and our realtor said it may not work, but we wanted to give it a go.

They accepted our offer immediately! We got a great deal on a beautiful home. Needless to say, it pays to wait! I’m so happy that we found a property that we love. We can’t wait to move in!

Where We Decided To Buy A House

We went back and forth on where we wanted to buy a house for a long time. Ideally, we would buy a house within the same school zone that we are in currently. They’d go to the same school and stay with their friends. However, the housing prices, age of the homes and overall amenities within the communities were not aligned with what we wanted for our family. We’d be paying a premium based on location. As a result, we went a little further north. We actually have lived close to this area before. The boys were much younger and it was our first house that we bought together! Moving back to the area brings back so many memories. I love seeing how much it has developed over the years.

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All About The New House

The new house is just a few years old and beautiful on the inside and out. There are things I want to change/upgrade, but nothing that needs to be done immediately. I’ll give you guys a little home tour and show you why I love the space and some of our future plans.

I love to decorate and style spaces, so having a new house will inevitably get my creative juices flowing. I want our home to be beautiful and modern, with eye catching accents throughout. I have been a pinning machine on Pinterest, trying to find inspiration for each room in the house. I want to try new things design wise! We’ve done a lot of DIY projects together (my husband and I) so we’ll see what I can talk him into for project #1. I’m thinking the downstairs half bath, but that is to be determined.

We also might let the boys have their own room. They have always shared but I think it’s a good time to allow them to split up and enjoy their own space. Someone please tell me that it will also cut down on the non-stop arguing. Don’t get me wrong, they love for each other, but they also love to drive each other crazy.

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Tell me what you would like to see from me for our new house! I will be sharing each room as I complete them. Of course, this will be a process … likely a slow one, but good things take time! So I’ll be patient! But I am so excited to share my design process with you.

Stay tuned for more posts about our new home!

XO – Steph

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Style

April 14, 2019

What I Wore To #rSthecon + Recap

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What I Wore To #rSthecon

I won’t lie, I didn’t finalize my outfits (or even start shopping really) until a few days before the event. Yes, I have a closet full of clothes, but I wanted everything I wore to be in-stock and shoppable for you guys. So I purchased a few things from Revolve and used pieces from my recent event with J. Crew to create my looks.

This was my first time attending, so I took a look at the #rSthecon hashtag on Instagram to get a vibe for how people dressed in the past. Every day there were meetings, a garden lunch followed by a party in the evening. Based on the schedule, I knew that I needed about 2 looks per day! Sounds crazy I’m sure, but my daytime outfits, were a bit different than my nighttime outfits. Plus, it was fun to play dress up with a huge group of bloggers all weekend, and a capitalized on that!

All of my clothing is under $100, unless it was gifted to me (J. Crew pieces and shoes). I’m all about shopping on a budget! What I love about the looks I wore to #rSthecon is that they will look great all summer long! So let’s dive in! I’ll break each look down by day.

What I Wore To #rsthecon Day One

Day one was a little hectic for me. It was check-in day followed by a pool party! I was coming from work, so I missed check-in and had to do a quick outfit change in the car once I got to the event. I wore a polka dot ruffle skirt with a white crop top that was perfect for the warmer weather!

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#rSthecon Day One Recap

After checking in for the conference, there was a pool party hosted by Sole Society! It was a great way to welcome the attendees. Everyone was mixing and mingling. It felt like a reunion! We all have those bloggers that we’ve followed for forever, but then you finally meet them and it’s like OMG!!! HIIIII! There was a lot of that 🙂

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What I wore to #rsthecon day two

Day two didn’t quite start out like I hoped. I had big plans to wear this gorgeous top from an online boutique that I found, and then of course, it didn’t fit. So I opted for a bright pink Free People dress! I really like wearing it, but I got a little wrinkled by the time lunch was over. I changed into a different dress for the second half of the day because I felt like the wrinkles were so noticeable! My party look was an off-the-shoulder white dress that was SO cute and perfect for summer nights. I danced the night away in it and can’t wait to wear it again!

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#rSthecon Day Two Recap

Day two started with several keynote speakers taking the stage and sharing the state of the influencer business plus great things to look forward to for rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it. I can’t wait to share more about new things that will be launching with you all!

After that, we attended a lunch hosted by Mary Kay. It was dreamy! Such a beautiful set up. One thing I will say, the rewardStyle team spares no expense when putting together events! When lunch was over, it was time for our individual schedules/meetings. I had 2 classes plus a one on one session with my rewardStyle rep. Later that time, eBay threw an epic cocktail party in the Hotel Crescent Court Atrium.

The DJ was EVERYTHING. His name is DJ Sober and he was playing all the hits! We had so much fun!

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What I wore to #rsthecon day three

I got lucky and received the cutest package from Red Dress Boutique the night before the last day of the conference! There was the most gorgeous white dress inside and I knew I needed to wear it for day three of #rSthecon! It is so feminine and a great length. I opted for my Marc Fischer espadrilles because they are super comfortable! For the finale party, I wore a powder blue off the shoulder dress with my nude Ann Taylor heels that I literally wear to every chance I get. I loved this blue dress because it has puff sleeves and makes such a statement! Again, all of my clothing is under $100!

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#rSthecon Day Three Recap

Day three was a busy one! I had 4 brand meetings and 2 classes! Lunch on this day was hosted by JCPenney. The team put together a beautiful setup and I really enjoyed it! After a full day of meetings and classes, my friends and I hosted a live chat on Instagram to answer your questions about the rewardStyle conference. We saw all of you DMs and comments and felt like it was a great way to have a discussion about the elephant in the room! I hope you all caught it, if not, I’m posting it on my IGTV as soon as this post goes live! After the live, we met up with a few Dallas bloggers and had dinner before the finale party!

The finale is supposed to be this big event that everyone always looks forward to each year so we were excited to get there!! Fun times were had by all and I know that I walked away inspired to continue building my brand.

You can shop my looks throughout this post by clicking on the images! Or check out my shop page for full outfit details. Thank you so much for reading and for your support! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter! I select readers at random monthly to receive goodies from my beauty boxes!

XO – Steph

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