It's no lie that I like sparkly things... (um hello, even my blog's name is Gelie Beans & Sparkly Things!). So when there is a chance to custom design something that sparkles, I'm so in. And who doesn't love something custom? That no one else has? 

This is where Anjolee comes in!

Anjolee is a fabulous site where all their pieces can be customized according to metal type, diamond size, diamond or gemstone quality, and size! They offer a great selection of gemstone jewelry with choices of birthstones too! 

Since I just celebrated my 30th birthday, it was the perfect time to design a new pair of diamond studs!

I L O V E my Romanced by Diamonds Stud Earrings C/O Anjolee 

The website is so easy to play around on and create just about anything- including dream engagement rings! Navigate to your piece of choice (wedding & anniversary, earrings, bracelets, necklaces & pendants) and you're ready to customize once you choose a piece! For me it was the Romanced by Diamonds Stud Earrings. They are a similar shape to my engagement ring and the perfect size for every day or dress wear. They have screw backs so there's no worry about losing them, which for a Mom with a toddler is pretty awesome. 

Once you've made your selection you can play with and change the metal type, view the piece in 3D, visualize the piece on a 3D model and you have the option to download a HD image of what you're looking at. In my case it was the earrings. This was so helpful seeing the earrings on the 3D model- you get a really great visual of what they would look like on you!

On this page is where you have all your custom options. Every time you make a selection, it populates on the right side of the screen so you know exactly what you are choosing! You have options to choose your metal (10, 14 18 Yellow or White Gold or Platinum!), the size (total carat weight), then you get to choose your center stones!

You have the opportunity to choose the color, clarity, cut, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, and of course price! They offer certified (GIA and IGI) or Anjolee Diamond™. An Anjolee Diamond™is a signature diamond that is handpicked by their expert gemologists to ensure the highest quality. The Anjolee Diamond™ Standard offers excellent cut, and very good – excellent polish and symmetry and five color/clarity combinations to choose from. Anjolee issues its own Certificate of Authenticity which guarantees the quality of the diamonds and that they are natural, authentic and genuine. Anjolee never sells treated, enhanced, or lab-created diamonds!

Once you choose your diamonds, you're all set! Pay (they have tons of options!) and sit back while Anjolee makes & packages your jewelry and sends you a beautiful box full of sparkling diamonds and/or gemstones! Easy peasy! 

Anjolee offers free shipping and 30 day returns in case you aren't totally in love with your creation! You will have to sign for your jewelry, so make sure you send it somewhere will you will be able to get it! Or guys, keep it a secret by having your jewels send to the office so your significant other doesn't accidentally open up a surprise!

The process is so easy and simple you'll want to order 2nds and 3rds! I mean, I'm already ready to pick out something fun! Our 5th wedding anniversary is only a couple years away.. I can't help but check out and look at all their gorgeous diamond eternity bands! I mean, can we celebrate early? Or a future (NOT pregnant, or planning on it any time soon, FYI) push present? Valentines? Christmas? I can come up with just about any excuse for a beautiful diamond ring!

And did I mention there's an app? It's free on iTunes and gives you all the same capabilities you have on a computer! And I know if you're about to get engaged, or just like looking at pretty things, this is a great way to pass your time!

Be sure to check out their website, like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube! 

I love my earrings, and know you'll love whatever you design too! Have fun!

Thank you to Anjolee for Sponsoring this post. 

Cato Fashions.

Let's preface this post with a little disclaimer.. I'm not a fashion blogger, I don't claim to be, and it was painfully awkward to walk around the resort in Mexico taking 'fashion blogger' photos, but I think CL and I pulled it off!

I had never shopped at Cato Fashions. I'd seen the stores, and never walked in.. and now I literally don't know why I waited so long! With a brand spankin' new store location in Dallas and one right by my house, Cato will definitely be on my list now! Now, I know you probably had some preconceived notions about this brand, as did I, but seriously, don't judge a book by it's cover. They tend to be in shopping centers near a Wal-Mart, but seriously. This experience made me a believer! I always thought this was a store for older ladies and it was a cheesey place to shop, and I'm so happy that this idea I had made up in my head was completely untrue! I'm always looking for a new place to shop and i've definitely added Cato to the list. I'm even still thinking about this chic green dress that I seriously need to go back and get!

Cato Fashions is a leading retailer of women's fashions and accessories. At Cato you’ll find the latest fashion styles for any occasion, work or play, dressy or casual in junior/misses and plus sizes at exceptional prices.

The new store is beautiful and has great light and the women that work there want you to have a great experience. I tend to like to shop without anyone bothering me, and they let me run around and pull 90,000 different pieces with no question. They even let me take all my selections into the dressing room! It was a blissful experience!

Cato has junior and misses and plus sizes, so it's really a great place for everyone to shop. The clothes are a great quality (think Forever 21 prices with department store quality!) I was shocked at how cute and on trend all the clothing was-- maxi dresses, kimonos, rompers, statement necklaces, shoes, accessories, jeans and tops galore. 

And the best thing? THE PRICES. Y'all. I can't talk enough about how budget friendly these clothes are! I usually start in the clearance or sale section because i'm cheap frugal smart on a budget, and I didn't even have to. I didn't see many regular priced items over $30 (excluding denim and some dresses) I'm talking $8 shorts, $12 kimonos, and a $13 romper in the clearance section.. $13!! 

I was looking for some fun items to take with me on my trip to Mexico and Cato didn't disappoint. 

This romper has quickly become my favorite summer piece. Not only was it super cute, but it fit nicely and had the cutest button detailing on the back. It was the perfect find! 

 Romper: C/O Cato Shop Rompers here! // Sandals: Tory Burch // Bag: Louis Vuitton Similar Here // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Earrings: Kate Spade Similar Here

This skirt is seriously one of my favorite new items in my closet. The color is great for the summer and fall, and the crochet is so on trend for the summer. The best part? It fit, it was on clearance, and it made me feel chic and beautiful. I can't wait to wear it again.. maybe with a denim jacket? The possibilities are endless!

 Skirt: C/O Cato Shop Skirts Here! // Tank: Halogen at Nordstrom // Wedges: Steve Madden Similar Here Here and Here // Necklace: Kate Spade // Earrings: C/O Cato Shop Earrings Here! // Bracelets: C/O Cato Shop Bracelets Here!

I also picked up this stack of bracelets and earrings- all for under $10! The bangles are a larger size too so you don't have to squish your hands to get them on! I love how versatile they are too- I pulled the blue ones out and wore just the gold one night and they were perfect!

Bracelets: C/O Cato Shop Bracelets Here! // Earrings: C/O Cato Shop Earrings Here! // Necklace: Kate Spade

Also, out of no where i'm a super fan of any type of casual, cotton pajama bottoms shorts for summer.. I  have no less than 4 pairs, and I was so happy to add these to the mix! Perfect for running errands, hanging out with Beckett or out on the lake. Plus they have pockets! Holla! All you need is a tank and your set!

Shorts: C/O Cato Shop Shorts Here! // Tank: Halogen at Nordstrom // Flip Flops: Havaianas at Kohl's // Watch: Michele Similar Here // Earrings: C/O Cato Shop Earrings Here!

Be sure to pop in next time you walk by a Cato Fashions- I promise you won't be disappointed! Hell, go now!! Also check them out and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for updated info, sales and more! Happy Shopping!

A huge THANK YOU to Cato Fashions for sponsoring this post! And for my husband for taking these totally awkward pics! Thanks CL!

Fashion Police! 2014 VMA and Emmy Edition

This last Sunday/ Monday were the MTV VMA's and on Monday night the Emmy's leaving me feeling old (who are all these Pop Stars?!) and excited for some good fashion (Gwen Stefani? Man I still want to be her when I grow up!) Here are some of my Favorites from The Emmys!

via
Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a custom Carolina Herrera . She looks amazing, seriously. 

via
Julia Roberts in Elie Saab Couture. I mean, I kinda love this.. its fresh, formal, and that color?! Divine! I mean, how much fun does it look like she's having?!

via
Gwen Stefani in Versace. I mean she can do no wrong in my eyes. Classy but fresh. Who's to say I wouldn't mess up saying COL-BERT on live tv?

via
Viola Davis in Escada. If I had a shape like hers, i'd totally rock this figure hugging dress. The color and embellishment are perfection.

Faves from the VMA's

via
Kesha in Johanna Johnson. The color and sparkle were perfect for August and it's just sexy enough for the VMAs without being, well, slutty. She really looks amazing since her stint in rehab for her eating disorder.

via
Jamie Chung in Versace. Age appropriate, fun, just enough sparkle and that red is perfect on her.

via
Gwen Stefani is L.A.M.B. Couture. The color, the embellishment the way it's styled? I love everything about this. And it's her own design. LOVE!

And now for the fashion fails!

via
Lena Dunham in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture at the Emmys. I mean, I can't even. I think she does this for attention, but seriously. Stand up straight for crying out loud. Also, I would have totally rocked this skirt with a white tank, good posture, and some big ass earrings.

via
Julianne Hough in D Squared at the Emmys. Ill fitting, heavy material and those white pumps? Ick.

via
Katherine Heigl in vintage John Hayles at the Emmys. UGH. Matronly, bad color... just no.

via
Amber Rose in chain mail Laura Dewitt . To her defense she looks amazing, but this is not a dress. 

via
Taylor Swift in Mary Katrantzou . I love her and her body is amazing, but no. Im loving her recent fashion risks, but this is just bad. maybe in a different print, or something, but this is one of her worst looks in my opinion. 

via
Arianna Grande in Moschino. Should 12 year olds, wear this much leather? JK, She's 21, but this is still awful. And does she seriously only wear her hair like this? Change it up girl.

What were some of your faves? Fails? Im sure I missed some!

Lover.ly

With my bff's wedding just wrapped up (see the recap here!) and my cousin's wedding ramping up (their proposal photo below!), it's no surprise im back in wedding mode again! I could look at wedding sites, blogs, pinterest, etc. for hours again.

no, this isn't staged! isn't this the most gorgeous proposal?! can't wait until November!!

Planning our wedding (which you can read alllll about here!) was so much fun. With sites like Pinterest you can easily get lost in all the fun photos, which is why Lover.ly is such a great tool! Lover.ly is a site (that I wish was around when I was planning! It launched Valentines Day of 2012 after all my planning was done) that personalizes your search to fit your dream wedding! It's a one stop shop for brides (and grooms!) to find wedding ideas, people to hire and things to buy.
Signing up is super easy.
You are then prompted to answer 5 simple questions... 
My dream wedding dress features... (I answered strapless, sweetheart and ball gown)
I'd love to be married at... (I answered Ballroom and Private Estate)
I want my wedding to feel... (I answered Classic and Timeless)
My favorite wedding colors are... (I answered light pink, black and white)
I'm drawn to patterns and textures like.. (I answered stripes and lace)
Lover.ly then personalizes your feed full of inspiration photos that meet your criteria! You can save a photo to a bundle that you can create- like 'Flowers' or 'Dresses' or you can name your own! You can also 'Love' something that will save it to your Loves! 

this is a screen shot of what I see when I log in! lots of pretties!

I was shocked how many images came up that were reminiscent of my actual wedding! It was like they knew!

You can even submit your real wedding (I did! maybe in the near future you'll see me on the site!)

The coolest thing (I mean, there are tons!) is that you can shop directly from the site! You can purchase shoes, jewelry, stationary.. you name it! You can even search by color!
I searched by 'Light Pink' and here are some of my results.. that Badgley Mischka gown?! I DIE.

There is also a really handy Planning tool.. from tips how to plan a wedding in 3 months to Wedding 101 where you can read up on all the latest and greatest wedding info like '10 Conversations to Have with Your Photographer' and '5 Things You Didn't Know About Mailing Your Wedding Invitations'
Lover.ly is seriously a one stop planning tool for your wedding! I wish I would have been able to take advantage of it! Instead, i'll just spend countless hours browsing all the beautiful inspiration photos and plan my next wedding (you know, my 10th, 20th and so on vow renewals have to be equally as fab as our original wedding!)
Check it out! I'm glad I did!

Pantone Color of the Year: 2014 Radiant Orchid

Getting back to some design posts, I am LOVING Pantone's color of the year for 2014, Radiant Orchid. Always a fan of the color of the year, this one speaks to me for many reasons.. I've loved purple for as long as I can remember, I own a ton of amethyst jewelry, purple hues look good on everyone, and to make it even more special, it's the birthstone for February- which is when baby boy is due!

via Pantone

Purple is also the color of royalty and is confident, cool and creative! Here are a few of my fav radiant orchid items that i'm definitely going to integrate into my life this year- if I don't already own them!

1. Tiffany Sparklers Amethyst Cocktail Ring (I got this for my 21st birthday and LOVE IT!) 2. David Yurman Cable Classics Bracelet with Amethyst and Gold (one of my everyday wears!) 3. Brian Atwood Abell Sandals in Byzantinum Suede (I NEED THESE IN MY LIFE.. CL?!) 4. Kate Spade Small Square Studs (I have these in red and flo yellow and adore them!) 5. Armani Collezioni Print Scarf  in Iris (how chic is this?!) 6. Proenza Schouler PS1 Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag (perfect for all 4 seasons!) Have you gotten any radiant orchid in your life?