Mango Salon

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend! I had the pleasure of receiving a FreshDry blowout at Mango Salon at Libbie and Grove, and it was quite a treat after a long week. Not only was my stylist, Lauren, so sweet and fun, but she has a magic pair of hands that made my head and hands melt like butter. I'm feeling relaxed just writing about it.

Mango is an Aveda salon, carrying the highest quality products that are good for both your hair and the world. Lauren and I chatted about how purchasing environmentally-friendly products doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the most functional product, and that is why the products they carry blend the best of both worlds. She used a shampoo that cleansed my scalp and removed build-up, then sprayed a light detangler that left my hair feeling so soft and healthy. (My style lasted three days, and I'm a devout wash-my-hair-every-day kinda gal)

I love how modern and clean the space feels, with an open-concept main styling area lit by skylights which create the illusion of sitting under a canopy of tropical trees in the rain forest. I didn't realize before visiting that, in addition to hair styling, Mango offers mani+pedis,  makeup application, waxing and threading. You could spend all day at the salon being pampered before heading out on the town. 

Don't mind me, just sleeping in public | Lauren and I both had on our Maslo Jewels

This Friday, June 3, I'll be giving away 2 FREE FreshDry blowouts! Treat yourself to both, or share one with your bestie. How fun (and stress relieving) would it be to have your hair professionally done before an event or night out? Mango has three salon locations, so you can choose whichever is most convenient to you. To enter all you have to do is like @mangorva and me @toutingmywears on Instagram.

Best of luck!!!!

(All entries must be submitted by 6/3 at 12pm EST. We ask that PRIVATE accounts are made PUBLIC during the giveaway in order to be entered. The winner will be announced on 6/3 by 4:30PM, we appreciate your patience while we verify all the entries. The winner will need to be in the Richmond, VA area for their FreshDry appointment, or if out of town, they may give their appointments to others. Good luck! Per Instagram rules, we must mention this is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram's term of use.)

Stay tuned for details on an exclusive event I will be co-hosting at Sephora on June 26th!

Wearing:

Shift Dress in Mango (I had to) | Clementine

Chock A Block Necklace | Maslo

Crossbody Bag in mint | Zara

Gold Platform Sandals | Last season Target, but Scarpa is bringing its airstream boutique to Verdalina this weekend, and they have some very similar sandals!

A Love Affair with Culottes

You may have noticed that I am quickly and lastingly becoming obsessed with culottes and other wide-legged varietals of pants. I don't know where they've been all my life, but it's as if we've known each other always. When pants and skirts began getting tighter and skinnier, we subjected ourselves to painful restriction and revealed much more than most anyone should. Thanks to the inevitable pendulum swing, we are now, once again, in an age of liberated femora and tibiae with flowing fabric dusting our legs and blowing in the breeze. I don't know how I could ever say goodbye. Don't get me wrong, I still love the look of my tight pants and skinny jeans, but on those days where comfort is a necessity, I am thankful for my culottes. 

I've chosen some favorites, pictured below, for you to play with. Try out different silhouettes. I wear them with very high heels, lower mules or minimal flat sandals. A half-tucked T-shirt or chambray is enough for a casual look. To dress it up, pair with a fitted, cashmere sweater, a tucked in button-up or a tissue turtle-neck. You can wear these for a night out with a crop top and chunky block heels or stilettos. Full disclosure: I am not a huge fan of the culotte denim trend. But that is just me; you do you!

See some outfit inspiration on my Pinterest board Culottes Love, and check out how I've styled my culottes and wide legs: Stripes on Stripes, Cool | Lots, Silk Armour, 4th of July, Architectural Geometry.