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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Our Talk with Melissa Rountree

Last Tuesday night, Circle Seven Five members gathered together for some serious life motivation with Melissa Rountree. Simply put, she is the definition of #GOALS in pretty much every way possible.

Dare we say, we want to be her “when we grow up.” A well-known name in the fashion, business, and realty worlds, she is a highly respected woman for her uncanny business making abilities reaching far beyond the Dallas city limits - not to mention she is a total babe with an impeccable sense of humor... and did we mention she is also one heck of a momma? (She does the carpool on Mondays for her daughter and their friends!) As a bar instructor, and now owner of a fast growing online fitness boutique, you can add master of the fitness world to her resume, too, while you’re at it.

Melissa Rountree is who a lot of us aspire to be: the kind of woman who is not defined by just one aspect of her life. She pushes forward and pursues her interests with passion and grace.

To walk into her beautiful home is to feel instantly at ease, greeted by tall ceilings, luxurious white walls, and -best of all- a welcoming smile. Melissa, though a powerful business woman, is a warm, humble hostess constantly looking for ways to help you feel even more at home in her space. We were there to know all about her, to take note of every nugget of advice she could possibly give, but made it a point to ask questions about everyone else. After a bit of mingling and munching on a fabulous spread of food (and vodka lemonade, I meeeeean come on), the group gathered around in front of the fireplace to listen to Melissa share her story of humble beginnings- from life on a farm in Nebraska- to becoming a respected and well-known women of business. Frankly, you could have heard a pin drop the entire time she spoke as we all sat speechless and inspired, completely focused on every word. Melissa worked for Chanel + Dior just to mention a couple of achievements... hello career envy!

In case you couldn’t make it, Melissa gave advice on how to be successful, and we have some of those tips up for you:

1. Confidence- Melissa said she has never been turned down for a job she has interviewed for, and truly prepared for every interview researching the company, its employees, and using any connection there to her advantage. She said she is most complimented on how confidently she carries herself and how well she knows the businesses she is meeting about. Even if you aren’t 100% about the job, carry yourself with a humble confidence.

2. Do your research- Study everything about a company you are looking to work with or for. Impress them, study their board, know everything you can about them so that it’s silly for them NOT to hire you.

3. Learn to Say No- Nobody can be a successful business leader if they spread themselves thin. Melissa has a strict schedule she follows, and that means that if she has to say no then she has to say no. She is intentional with her friendships, but sometimes that means saying, “Yes I can get lunch for an hour with you in two weeks!” Because, she knows she will be fully present and there is no possibility of having to cancel.

If it’s business related, here’s her line- Trust me, you are all about to jot this down in your phone so you don’t forget:

“I am so flattered you thought of me to do this for/with you, but due to time I will not be able to do this as well as I would like to for you. If in the future there is another opportunity, please do think of me again.”

BOOM.

4. Network, Network, Network- Networking is EVERYTHING in business, but it isn’t just the person you gave your business cards to or how many people follow you on social media or how many likes or comments you give or receive. It’s about creating lasting relationships with people who you meet, creating a network of people who will actually advocate for you. Then, when five years down the road you want to start your own online boutique, you can call your old friend from Neimans who now happens to be a head decision within the company to ask what athleisure brands sell the best. *Insert the girl emoji with her hand out presenting something here*

[To check out Melissa’s new Athleisure line, Level 3 Active, click here].

5. Turn Passions into Careers- This idea is basically what the entire night circled around. No matter what your passion, you can make a career out of it. You have to work hard, but it can be done. The ultimate goal in life is to do a “job” that doesn’t always feel like work. They are two separate ideas, and once you are doing this, your success increases simply because you are excited about what you are creating.

We believe in you and know you are confident, strong-willed, and capable of anything you put your mind to. What are your career goals? What dreams do you hope to accomplish this year? What about in 5 years? 10 years? Make a list and make it happen!

xoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #csfpartyfavors #dallasblog #dallasblogger #melissarountree #girlboss #entrepreneur #dallasentrepreneur

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Partay Ova HEEERE

Alright ladies, the 18th of the month just came and went which means two things:

1. The events sold out quicker than a stack of flapjacks on a hungry man’s dining room table (like 14 hours fast!). (That’s an analogy, right?)

Fret not, we have more events coming to the site (tonight)!

2. THE NEW PARTY FAVORS HAVE ARRIVED + They are GOOOOO-OOOD.

Remember that taking advantage of your CSF Party Favors is worth hundreds of dollars! (And you pay only $35 a month for them. Holla!) Even if life gets busy -we get it!- and you can’t make any of the events a certain month, redeeming your party favors is worth your membership--- not to mention the FAB network of friends you are creating! AAAAND....This month we are introducing some fun, new long-term partnerships.

You can basically say we are in a serious relationship with...

Bellacures- This is THE salon to go to in Dallas. Located in Preston Center (hello, Sprinkles Cupcakes), Bellacures staff is fantastic at what they do. If you have been looking to try out Nexgen, this is the spot to do it. They have a massive list of services, including all kinds of specialized manis and pedis- not to mention a high-end monthly special that is sure to satisfy like the ‘Berry You’ where the customer receives a massage with Blackberry Vanilla Seasalt scrub and cream. SIGN. US. UP.

Pure Barre (McKinney + Allen (+ Preston Hollow coming soon!)- It’s no secret that CSF is pretty uhh-bsessed with Pure Barre. So, to let the whole world know, we have teamed up with Pure Barre in Allen and McKinney to offer Circle Seven Five members exclusive deals that NOBODY else is getting (Shhhh, we won’t tell if you won't!)

Orange Theory Fitness- While rocking your new fitness attire from Level 3 (see below). Simply show your member card and you can get a discounted monthly membership!

We’re excited to be developing more-long term partnerships this year!

1-6 month party favors....

Level 3 Active- If you didn’t get to attend the CSF event with #girlboss Melissa Rountree, then A. You REALLY missed out and B. You didn’t get to see her awesome line of activewear that was just the cherry on top of her inspiring presentation. Fear not, though! We are offering 20% off her online store all month long! HOLLAAAAA, because everyone knows that working out is way more fun when we are dressed cute!

Katy Trail Dental- Uhh, who DOESN’T want whiter teeth? For scheduling a new patient exam at Katy Trail Dental, you receive two weeks worth of whitening trays and gel to majorly boost your pearly whites. This is HUNDREDS of dollars worth of product for free simply for being a CSF Party Girl AND a reward for being a good girl who gets your teeth checked. It’s a win-win!

StudioHop- Have a hard time nailing down just ONE place to commit to for your workouts? Say, you love barre but enjoy a good, high intensity sesh every once and a while? Then StudioHop is for you, and lucky you- it’s $25 off for being a member of CSF!

SiennaCharles- Want a great vacation? (Us, too). Want a great vacation that you didn’t have to meticulously plan? Lucky for you we’ve partnered with luxury travelers SiennaCharles who will meet with you and your travel companion(s) for FREE and completely book and organize your vaca. Yes, please.

Kaleigh Walker Nutrition and Yoga- Kaleigh led a CSF event back in December at WeYogis and it was so much fun! Because we loved her so much, we have teamed up with Kaleigh for some special packages including discounts on private yoga training and nutritional coaching!

Art of Styling Image Consulting- Ashley Boucher and her team at Art of Style are some fashionable ladies, and they want to help you get the closet of your dreams! They will assist in organizing, cleaning out and restocking, and even do personal shopping for you.

(Hey Ashley- Can this include our groceries, please? Just keeeeding!)

Ladies- at MINIMUM, your Party Favors for this month save you just over $200! (That’s the min-i-muuuummm.) Take advantage of them and then share with the Facebook group about your experience! Even better- if you take advantage of any of your Party Favors, email us at [email protected] for the chance to be on our blog.

Keep on living the good life!!

Want in on the goods? Sign up to join Circle Seven Five today. Its as easy as 1-2-3. :)

xoxo- The CSF Team

#dallasblog #dallasblogger #circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #partygirls #dallas #socialclub #partyfavors #csfpartyfavor

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Member Spotlight: Anna Pilling

She is strong, beautiful, and sweet as a button. We love Anna of Equipping Strength! This #girlboss is a CSF member and we can’t wait to share her with you- if you don’t already know her. We had the opportunity to chat with Anna recently, and she answered some questions for us as well as included a quick and easy workout! (Yes, please.)

1. Tell us about you! Anything is helpful, we want to know you better. :)

Well, I graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a B.S. in Kinesiology/Exercise Science and a minor in Management. I fell in love with health and fitness my senior year in High School and knew I wanted to own my own personal training business one day. I have a huge passion for women’s health/fitness and want to encourage other women to find their strength and beauty in a world that is constantly telling them they have to look a certain way.

2. You and your husband own a business together, what is that like? How do you separate work/life?

Yes, we do! We actually met working at a gym. We were coworkers and friends first and then started dating. So, it would be really weird if we didn’t work together anymore! We have always worked really well together and it’s been a blessing to be able to start and own our own business together. I train and work from home most of the day and he trains all his clients at a strength and conditioning style gym down in Deep Ellum. Some days we are both so busy and our schedules different so we may only see each other in the evening. However, most days we can eat lunch together or hang out a couple hours in the afternoon in between clients. We are pretty good at separating work and life and we love that we can set our own schedules and take days off if we want to travel.

3. Before Equipping Strength, what were you doing? Have you always been into fitness?

We both worked at a gym in Uptown Dallas. I was there for almost 3 years and trained, led group fitness classes, and was the Assistant Fitness Director for our personal training department. Before training at the gym, I led a women’s boot camp on my college campus for 3 years and trained part time. Like I said before, I fell in love with fitness my senior year in high school. I got my first gym membership and started going almost everyday. Working out became my hobby and I fell in love with running and lifting weights and the endorphins you get after a challenging workout.

4. What was the process of starting your own business like?

When I started working at the gym, my goal was that I eventually wanted to start my own business, a women’s fitness studio to be exact. I definitely needed more experience and to grow as a personal trainer. Working at the gym is where I learned so much about exercise and how to help people reach their goals, prevent injuries, and feel better overall. I continued to further my education by taking workshops, going to seminars, and reading/studying. It took several months to build up my clientele and over the 3 years I had some clients come and go and many clients stay with me, and are still training with me today. We had created a blog called Equipping Strength and decided to make it our business. We told our clients and they said they would follow us wherever we went. So we took a leap of faith and slowly made the transition and it’s the best decision we ever made!

5. Working in fitness, how do you maintain a positive body image when your job IS being fit?

I’ll be honest, I still struggle with body image just like any other woman out there! However, over the past two years I have really learned how to maintain a healthy balance in my life when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and how I treat my body. My mantra is that this is my lifestyle! I believe in fueling my body properly and giving it what it needs. I believe in focusing on getting stronger and reaching goals instead of focusing solely on the number on the scale. Girls, you are MORE than a number! Love your body and treat it that way!

6. What is your ideal client? What services do you offer?

My ideal client would be someone who shows up to each session and works hard. She would take my advice and be open to learning more about how to improve her health, fitness, and nutrition. She would understand that consistency is key and that results do not happen overnight. We offer one on one personal training, nutrition coaching, and a combination of different online services both training and nutrition. We work with people of all ages and fitness levels as well as athletes and those looking to improve their athletic performance for sports or an event.

7. With it being the New Year, what advice do you have for anyone who is trying to change their lifestyle? What is the process of changing what we eat, how often we work out, etc.?

Set attainable goals for yourself. Instead of saying, this year I want to lose weight or I want to start eating better/working out, etc. Write down your goals and the specific steps you are going to take to reach those goals. If you feel lost, don’t go at it alone! Hire somebody to help you and learn from them. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your life. Your health should be number one. You have to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others and be a good wife, mother, girlfriend, daughter, etc. Get started on a plan and make sure you have accountability! And I would be happy to help.

8. What is your absolute favorite workout gear? Do you have a favorite outfit?

Currently, I have these Alo Yoga leggings that I’m obsessed with. They fit like a glove and are so comfy! Anything that is comfy, soft, and makes me feel good is my go-to!

9. What shoes do you have in your closet right now? (Fitness and day to day)

NIKES! They are my favorite! I’ve tried so many other tennis shoes and nothing else compares. I have the new Nike free flyknit in bright colors and I’m obsessed! I love a pop of color! I basically wear tennis shoes everyday. If it’s the weekend or I’m getting dressed up I typically go for wedges, a pair of booties, or riding boots. Again, comfort is key!

10. Where is your favorite place to eat out when it’s date night?

Well, we LOVE HG Suply Co. It’s where we had our rehearsal dinner, up on the rooftop! I love the atmosphere there and the food is just amazing. We also love pizza so if going out we like Fireside Pies, but I also love making homemade pizza at home. Oh, and I can’t forget our other top favorite is Mediterranean food and we LOVE this place called Souk over in Trinity Groves! We love to eat, can you tell? ;)

11. What is your favorite splurge meal? What does an average dinner at home look like?

Any of the above! For example, if we go to Souk, I love the chicken kabobs that come with veggies and saffron rice. We order the hummus for an appetizer and I love their Sangria there! I also love a good chocolate chip cookie with ice cream. I am gluten free, so I have to be choosy when going out to eat. We eat pretty much all our meals from home during the week, which makes it easy! We are big into food prepping so that we can whip up our meals in 10 minutes or less. We always have protein made and then make whatever else we want to eat with it. For example, I love making roasted veggies (brussel sprouts, zucchini, or even sweet potatoes) or making Zoodles (zucchini noodles) and having spaghetti. I love to cook and bake! It’s nice to know what you are putting in your body. You also save a lot of money and tons of calories when cooking yourself.

ON THE GO CIRCUIT & HIIT WORKOUT (High Intensity Interval Training)

This total body workout will work each major muscle group while keeping that heart rate up the whole time! Perfect if you need a quick, intense workout so that you’re done in less than 45 min!

CIRCUIT ONE: PYRAMID- Perform 20, 15, and then 10 reps of each exercise (so, 3 sets total)

• Goblet Squats

• Push-ups

• Kettlebell Deadlifts

• 1 arm Dumbbell rows

• Kettlebell swings

CIRCUIT TWO: SPRINT WORK

• 30 second “sprint” on treadmill, elliptical, or outside

• 30 second rest either walking or standing

Repeat for 5 total sprints then 2-3 minute recovery walk

• 20 second “sprint on treadmill, elliptical, or outside (increase that speed!!!)

• 40 second rest either walking or standing

Repeat for 5 total sprints then COOLDOWN walk for 5-10

minutes

We hope you enjoyed ‘meeting’ our member, Anna, and let us know if you try this workout! We want to hear what you think!

xo - The CSF Team

#fitness #circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #workout #equippingstrength #dallasfitness #aloyoga #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Porter Magazine

Have you been looking for a great new magazine to dive into? About the only time I ever get in a true magazine read is when I am getting a pedicure or getting my roots touched up at the salon.

These are moments I am in complete and utter relaxation, or at least that is what I aim for. ;) When I am in the midst of these rare tidbits of time, I am not looking for another “how-to” mag and definitely not Seventeen. I want something challenging, something that sheds light on areas of our society that need it. Something that reveals the intelligence of women, both our resilience and strength. Though I have found hope in magazines such as Darling and Kinfolk, fantastic magazines where women are highlighted as both beautiful AND strong, I have been quite disappointed to see the majority of magazines lining grocery store lines and salon tables alike go no deeper than what hair color is best for your skin tone. How in the world are women meant to find an equal space in this world alongside men if all we are asked is what our favorite brands of shoes are? (Holler at our girl Reese Witherspoon for the #AskHerMore campaign!)

I was recently given a copy of Porter Magazine by my sister to read through if I got the chance. The cover had Emma Watson on it, so I figured it must be decent. As soon as I got just a few pages in, I immediately thought about my #CSFpartygirls. You are women leading the way. Young professionals who own their own businesses, are working mothers, or even ladies who work a desk job by day with their own side business any other moments they get. You ladies are WOMEN and we are just simply honored to know you. Porter is a great magazine for you with true long form pieces about more than what shoes to buy or how to get the perfect bod in 10 days.

I particularly love Porter’s current issue as it features the 100 Incredible Women List. There was everything from the creative director at Tiffany’s & Co. to Taylor Swift and Oprah. The best part about reading about each of these 100 women was that I knew any of those 100 could be one of you, one of any of us. Being a woman, one who believes in herself and has confidence, simply means surrounding ourselves with other strong women. It takes all of us taking a stand against being materialized or sexualized. Do you believe you are more than what most magazines are portraying us as a whole? I sure do. I am thankful Circle Seven Five immediately puts me around strong women who believe they are more than just a pretty face.

I know this is a bit of a different piece than we might usually post, but it is something we strongly believe in here at CSF HQ. We are here to encourage + push you, and to tell you about anything new we find. Thus, we give you Porter. You are your own #GIRLBOSS. You are worth so much, you are capable of so much. Believe it. Surround yourself with people who believe it with you.

You are strong. You are worth more. You can change the world.

Go pick up Porter Magazine and be inspired. We believe in you.

xoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #portermagazine #iamporter #strongwomen #csfsays #dallasblogger #blogger #styleblogger #lifestyleblog #lifestyleblogger #darling #thatsdarling #100incrediblewomen #askhermore #reesewitherspoon #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Eating Out Healthy, Dallas

You did it! You’ve made it straight through the first days of January, and that’s worth celebrating. The first couple weeks of the new year, post-Christmas, can be long, grueling, and can have you feeling a little lethargic. So, how are your resolutions holding up? Have you been intentional and begun the push/pull process changing old habits?

Whatever your goals and resolutions might be for 2016, I think we can all agree, AT LEAST for the month of January, eating clean is on the to-do list to feel slightly better about the ridiculous amounts of Christmas cookies and casseroles we ate... (just us?). It’s been just over 7 days since the new year and I have found myself invited to multiple dinners with friends and family, making it quite difficult to hold true to the resolutions I have made. It’s always an awkward conversation, telling people you would rather not go out for fried foods or pizza, you just don’t want to be that person (even if we know we are kidding ourselves by saying so.) OF COURSE we are pizza people, but our body is begging us for some greens and whole foods throughout the month of January. When asked out to dinner, do not allow yourself to feel shame about wanting to eat healthy. Stand your ground by suggesting a couple of restaurants to your gal pals or date where you know you can find some healthy choices. If they don’t seem up for it, rather than getting dinner suggest an afternoon get together where you can easily grab juices or acai bowls, or even the ubiquitous coffee date is a great no-fail option! Another great trick is to suggest catching up over a walk on a local trail. Physical activity and friend time = check and check!

...But for all the foodies out there, we have found our favorite spots around the Big D with healthy options, and we found it our duty to help whoever may be stuck between a rock and a hard place ... or between pizza and chips with queso, if you will.

There is ALWAYS a healthy option.

1. Nekter- Go here for a good acai bowl. They are a CSF HQ fave.

2. The Juice Supply- WE LOVE JUICE + it’s next door to Zyn22. Nuff said! If you follow our snap chat (username: circlesevenfive) then you know we’re at Zynn all. the. time. The photo above is of our very own Kami Blease who is a big fan (obvs) of The Juice Supply!

3. Crisp- Great Salads (We suggest the Super Food Salad - its delicious and leaves you feeling full, refreshed, and light!)

4. HG Sply Co.- This place literally doesn’t own butter, it’s a fact. They cook with local, natural, and delicious ingredients. Their bowls are an easy way to eat well, but keeping it fresh and healthy.

5. Mod Market- This place is delicious for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The calorie counts are on display for every item, the ingredients are fresh, they cater to any allergy, AND their pizza crusts are VEGAN! If you are gluten free, they have a gluten free crust, too (and trust, its delish).

6. Mi Cocina- Yes, this is actually on the list! You can order any fajita plate here without oil. They steam the veggies, and you can eat two corn tortillas for a great, low-cal option. (They have a skinny marg, too!)

7. True Food Kitchen- They have a killer hummus plate and GLUTEN FREE lasagna. As someone with a gluten allergy, eating lasagna out has been written off in my mind until now!

8. Snap Kitchen- From juices to pre-made meals for you to grab and go with, we are massive fans of Snap!

9. Rise No.1- This is a fancy French restaurant in Inwood Village with an expertise in souffles. Sounds fattening, right? Wrong. Their souffles range from hearty to sweet and just 200-420 calories. YES. PLEASE. We are so there.

10. Seasons 52- This is the fanciest spot on the list, and your check will show it. But, this fancy (and oh so tasty) Dallas restaurant is proud to present a menu where nothing tops over 500 Calories. This means, yes, dessert too. Seasons 52 is a great choice for a date night while sticking to your resolutions!

So there you have it! No need to make up excuses going out to avoid tempting entrees. You have a list of options to take your gal pals or boo to.

No matter where you’re at on the globe, you can make going out to eat healthy. It simply takes thinking outside the box! You can order a la carte just about anywhere meaning you can ask for a side of chicken and veggies just about anywhere. Any Mexican restaurant can get you a side of guac and veggies! Don’t be afraid to ask the chef to hold the oil or butter- I promise you, they can. Ask for no bun on any sandwich you might order. BJ’s Brewhouse has a fabulous bison burger! Order the patty in a lettuce bun and a side salad. It’s so yum! Make healthy eating a game with yourself, it takes some creativity but it is possible.

We hope this helps (at least if you’re in Dallas!) for finding some yummy and healthy places to dine-out. Have any favorite healthy spots? Tell us about them!! Leave a comment on our Instagram (@circlesevenfive) or snap chat us!

xoxo - The CSF Team

(Photos Provided by: HG Sply Co. and The Juice Supply)

#dallasblog #dallasblogger #newyear #healthyeating #eatingout #lifestyleblog #dallas #dallasfood #dallasrestaurants

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Member Spotlight: Julie McKinney

Alright you guys, if your dreams happen to include traveling to Europe, going to grad school, and -oh- did we mention going to grad school at OXFORD... then Julie McKinney, our CSF member spotlight this month, is your girl.

Julie found out in December that she was accepted into the highly prestigious Oxford University graduate program. Yes, THE Oxford in England. You could say we were basically drooling over the idea of getting to study somewhere with such history. Walking where the greats such as CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien once did. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to be on Oxford campus for a brief period while on a dance troupe trip in London, and it was overwhelming how gorgeous the campus was. It was even more so overwhelming to think about how many of the greats studied or taught there. (THE LIGHT POST USED IN CHRONICLES OF NARNIA WAS SHOT AT OXFORD!) Geeking out moment, done. Julie, kiss the lamp for us, please?

We are so proud of Julie and love to call her a CSF Party Girl (P.S. she is the one in the middle of the photo above, in the red and blue scarf!)

She embodies all the things CSF believes in wholeheartedly, aiming high and being your own #girlboss. We interviewed Julie about her upcoming adventures, and it is all below for you to catch her golden nuggets of truth and advice. Julie is extremely wise (I mean, hello, she just got into Oxford), and is also just really fun to know. Enjoy reading about Julie and her upcoming move across the pond.

1. Okay, so what's the deal? You just got into Oxford! What are your plans? What will you be studying?

I’m going to University of Oxford’s Said Business School to get my MBA. The program is full time, starting in September, 8:30am-5pm every day Monday-Friday, and I’ll have my degree completed in 13 months.

2. Why Oxford?

Going to Oxford has been my dream for as long as I can remember. Even early elementary school when I was asked where I wanted to go to college, my answer was Oxford. So when the time came to apply to grad school, I thought why not, I’ll at least try. Went through the screening process, applied, got an interview, and then got in! My dream came true!

3. Uhhh, Hello England. Have you been before? What allures you about it?

I absolutely love England. I’ve visited three times (four, this month!). My first trip was to London to do independent research on parks and gardens, my second trip was the next summer-- I just loved the city so much, it felt like “home”, so I went back. I explored London again, but also Oxford and Brighton. Then Spring of 2015 my mom and I visited London and the surrounding area. I love that there is so much history everywhere, and yet people are busy, living amidst it all. It’s fast-paced, and yet doesn’t seem as crazy as the United States. I think it’s because people will go for a “short walk” aka walk a mile to the closest train or tube station! I’m a huge fan of their mass transit system! I love that they spend time outdoors, in the parks and gardens, they aren’t just there to pass by--they are there for meeting with people, studying, relaxing, and sport. You can go to a park in the middle of a city, and if you get to the center of the park, you may not even hear the traffic around you. My trip this January I’m in Oxford, and then getting out to new cities and small towns that I’ve never visited before.

4. What are your biggest fears? Is it simply moving across the globe? Or does the idea of being at Oxford intimidate you?

Not so much a fear, as something I know that will be difficult. I’m really close with my parents, so this will be the longest time I will have spent apart from them. They’ll still get to visit, just not as often.

If I were heading someplace I’d never been before, I’d definitely be intimidated, but everywhere I’ve visited in the UK has been very much like “home,” so I’m excited to actually get to live there.

I was reading a blog post from one of the students currently a part of the business school and they were talking about the intimidation factor- how they felt everyone in the class was super smart and it’s amazing they were a part of it too. But in reality, they were just as awesome in their own unique way. I’ll be one of the youngest in my class, which means the least experienced in the workforce, and I didn’t study business in college, so it’s definitely intimidating knowing I’m going into something that is mostly an unknown for me. I’m doing my best to prep for it--learning what I can at work, and some self study on finance and world business happenings. When I was at Rice I decided to major in History and English, two things that I hadn’t focused on as much in grade school. I remember sitting at lunch with a group of friends who talked in depth about literary works or languages that I had never studied, and I remember being intimidated by their knowledge. But then something random would come up and I got to bring in a science or math thing that they didn’t know about, and they were happy to learn. I think Oxford will be a lot like Rice in that regard, we will all be from different backgrounds and learn from one another. I’m excited for that, it encourages me to never stop learning.

5. What are you most excited about?

That’s such a hard question! I’m excited to be back in school, especially Oxford! To learn! To live in England! And to meet people and make friends from all over the world!

6. What are your long-term goals?

My plan is to work my way up into upper management, hopefully someday being C-suite level. Right now I’m thinking in the management consulting world, but I know that my path has been so winding and I never planned to be where I am now, which means I may end up in something else completely different from my current plans. I’m sure Oxford will show me a multitude of other options. I know I want to continue to be a part of the education world. There are so many non-profits for reading, girls in technology, STEM, underprivileged kids, anything you can think of it seems like. I know I want to work with some of them and hopefully be on a board. I’ve always been a workaholic, and a learner, but *fingers crossed* I get married and have a family too.

7. What advice do you have for our #CSFpartygirls, or any girls, who are figuring out what is next for them? (post-school, next job, anything)

1. Things don’t usually turn out the way we plan.

2. Find what you’re interested in and chase after those things.

3. Put yourself out there if there is an opportunity to try something that you may be interested in pursuing.

My anecdote of the above:

If you asked me what I was going to do my senior year of high school, I would have told you I was going to be a doctor. I interned with an OB/GYN and was fascinated by it. However, I decided to take a history class in college because I hated history in high school and thought, I can’t dislike this forever. I had an amazing professor first semester that inspired me to continue my studies in history and became a history major. Then I had another professor encourage me to add English as a second major because I loved to read and she thought I might like to become an editor someday. So I added a second major and interned with a publishing company. When my senior year came around I decided that publishing wasn’t for me, that I had always wanted to make a difference in student’s lives like my teachers did in mine, I decided to teach. I substituted my senior year, and remembered my passion for math, so after graduation I taught middle school math. I always knew I wanted to go obtain a graduate degree, but at this point wasn’t sure. I decided that with my background, law would be a good option. I started prepping for that, and then found a position that allowed me to teach teachers, and work with technology. I was still in education, but in a different way. I thought, okay, I’ll do an instructional technology master's degree. As I started researching this degree, a position opened up in our department that focused less on instruction and more on funding and contracts. This wasn’t something I had experience in per se, but I love numbers, I’ve worked with words, why not put myself out there and see if I could take that role. I told my boss I was interested, and she was surprised to hear that I was interested in the business world, but happy that I wanted to learn it. If I hadn’t put myself out there and said anything, I probably never would have decided to get my MBA and wouldn’t be going to Oxford. I love what I do, I’ve followed a path that doesn’t really seem to make sense to most people, but it made sense to me. I followed my interests, I kept learning, and I put myself out there.

8. Do you like Harry Potter? They filmed a lot of the movie at Oxford... It's a natural question ;)

YES! Love Harry Potter! I’ve read each of the books numerous times, and of course seen the movies. :) I even took a class on young adult literature, and chose to write a paper on race and class in Harry Potter. It was fun to delve deeper into the series. I’ve also visited the set located right outside of London twice. It was so cool to see the statue that I had written about, also, I shed a few happy tears while walking through the real Diagon Alley.

9. Where will you be living? On campus or off?

Oxford has 38 colleges, kind of like Harry Potter houses. They’re usually made up of undergraduates and graduates from all different study programs, although some are just one or the other. They are spread throughout the city of Oxford. You eat at your college, they have their own sports teams and compete against each other, they have parties, or “bops” as they call them, and all sorts of other activities. Some colleges have housing on their property, others have housing in surrounding areas. Most of them are a dorm like set up, others for families have little apartments. Being that it is just me, I’ll most likely be in a dorm setting. Whether it is on or off the college, I don’t know yet. I’m in the business school, but I don’t know what college I’m a part of yet. I’m in the process of that application. So when I find out my college, I’ll find out accommodation options.

10. This one is open-ended. If there is anything else you feel like saying, say it!

My parents taught me to make the most of what you are given. Everyone has different circumstances, but if you push to be your own personal best, continue to learn things, and work to reach your goals, you can overcome obstacles and reach your goals. It’s hard to do that without inner motivation. If you don’t have a passion for what you are working towards, it’s difficult to want to pursue it. But if you follow your own passions and goals, dreams really can come true.

Also, I’m currently loving the song “Nothing Ever Happens” by Rachel Platten. It’s a great reminder that you can’t just dream, you have to work for it, try new things, and get outside your comfort zone and and as the song says “get out of your own way.”

Don’t you love Julie even more after reading all this? We will desperately miss her when she leaves us, but we are so proud and cannot wait to keep up with her while she is away! Way to chase your dreams, Julie!!

Don’t stop believing, just hold onto that feeeeeeling. (mmmmhmmmm)

xoxoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #inspiredlikeyou #dallasblogger #lifestyleblog #blog #dallasblog #oxford #oxforduniversity #gradschool #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Commitment to our 2016 goals

Now that we are all stuffed full of food, family, and happiness, it is time to start thinking about the new year. First word, of course, that we all think of with the new year is ‘resolutions’. Whether you want to make this your year to finally find a favorite workout or maybe say sorry to a few people and make amends, we at CSF are making our lists just like you.

What we have realized is that emotional health affects all other areas of our lives, so rather than focusing heavily on “get fit” in the physical sense this year, we are looking a little more into “me” time, focused more so on getting emotionally fit. Having healthy friendships, relationships, and a good work-life balance are what can make or break our physical health. It’s true, we promise! The two are connected, but it all begins with mental health. The minute you can learn to rest and balance life well, the easier it will be for you to get motivated in all other areas you desire to.

Here’s our list of resolutions from CSF HQ:

1. Work on the whole work life balance thing and invest more intentional time into my close friends

2. Have more date nights with my husband. We've so busy going out to dinner is the norm so putting more care and thought into actually "dating" my husband. :)

3. Do more yoga! I always want to be the person who loves yoga, but I think incorporating some time for mindfulness in my workout routine would be a healthy move!

4. Send thank you notes and letters! Even for the little things! It's such a kind gesture and everyone loves getting cute snail mail. It really does feel good to sit down and write out your thoughts, even if it’s thanking someone else for meeting you for coffee.

5. Come to work each day full of purpose and drive and challenge myself to get better each day. Working for yourself is full of perks, but it’s also a HUGE challenge to be self motivated and diligent every. single. day, just like anyone else. It’s also easy to get comfortable in your routine, so challenging myself more is a definite goal.

6. Forgive people who I have had a hard time forgiving in the past.

7. BETTER AT BUDGETING. I want to do a lot better at saving and even begin looking into investments for the future.

8. Call mom + dad. I hate how little I call my parents right now, and I vow to call a lot more in the coming year. Their whole lives were devoted to raising me, and I never want them to think I forget about that or take it for granted.

9. (Other than event nights, of course) I want to put work away at 5 and be in my pajamas by 9 PM every night. I have to force myself to rest sometimes or it will never happen!

10. Invest time in friendships better! I want to set aside time every week to intentionally meet with someone, have a gal pal over for dinner, meet a friend for drinks... anything. I just want the people I love to know how much I truly do love them.

These are easy peasy resolutions that make a massive difference in lives. ‘New year, new you’ means a lot more than simply dropping a few pounds. It means the things you wish you did in 2015, make up your mind to do them in 2016. If your resolutions are anything like ours, we are glad you are a part of the Circle Seven Five community, whether you’re reading this as one of our members or as someone who is apart of our online community. We’re so lucky that CSF helps us be intentional and gives everyone involved purpose. The options CSF presents you with are pretty endless. If your resolution is like our #10, hosting member events is perfect for you! Have over 10 girls for dinner and a movie if that is your desire for 2016. If it’s a better work-life balance, exchange those heels for an event at 7 PM once or twice a month.

This year commitment to our goals is so important. Committing to better yourself and invest in yourself is doubly important. If our resolution list resonates with you and you aren’t a member of Circle Seven Five yet, maybe this is the answer you are looking for! Do something good for you this year. Whatever the new year is asking of you, we hope we can be a part of it. Thank you for reading, and thank you for being YOU.

We love you all!

xoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #resolutions #newyear #2016 #dallasblog #blog #blogger #lifestyleblog #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Wedding Planning

Hi, Everyone! Cassidy, here. I’m the founder of Circle Seven Five, and today I’m sharing a personal post. :) You see, it was just this day last year that I was walking down the aisle to marry my high school sweetheart, Ford.

As I’m sure you can imagine, the typical hustle and bustle of the holidays was compounded by the frantic last minute details of throwing a ‘big Dallas wedding,’ but I loved every minute of it!

With it being my one year wedding anniversary, coupled with the fact that my Facebook news-feed is FULL of recent engagements, today I’m sharing my top 5 pieces of advice to any future bride to be, so take some wisdom from my mistakes, and glean some tips and tricks that I learned along the way!

1. Get a wedding planner!

(Yes, that’s my wedding planner in the red skirt above!)

Its for your own sanity, promise. I have some shocking news for you: weddings are expensive (bet you’d never guess that one, right?). So since you’re putting so much of your (or your parents’) hard earned money on the table, you definitely want it to be the best day it can be. You also want to be able to ENJOY the day and have as little stress as possible. If your budget is tight and you can’t hire a planner for the entire process, many planners offer options to take things over for you whenever you like. Most have options from 6 months out, to one week before the day day. Many will even offer day of services. At the very least have someone ELSE be in charge on the day of; you don’t want your mom or sister to be worried about logistics and why the the cake isn’t on time when they should be enjoying time with you and getting ready. Be sure to collect every contract with your vendors and every document that pertains to your wedding day. Organize it, put it in a binder, and have it ready to hand off to your planner if they’re coming in after you’ve already started planning.

2. Choose your wedding party carefully!

I had 10 bridesmaids and 5 girls in my house party. (If you’re not from the south, a house party is basically like having more bridesmaids). It’s best to stick with friends that are in your life on the reg, friends you’ve had for years and years vs. an old friend you recently re-connected with or your new-found bff. You want to be able to look back at your pictures and know those people by your sides will always be there. A friend of mine recently got married, and her and her fiancé chose their wedding party based on if they had known that person the entire time they were dating. They were dating for ~4 years. So if you came into their life after that time, you were an honored guest. Now I know this isn’t for everyone and certainly wasn’t for me since me and my fiancé had been dating for 7+ years by the time we tied the knot, but I think this is a really cool solution for to how to pick who should stand by you on your big day!

3. Money Matters

Ew. No one likes talking about money. Its awkward, really uncomfortable, and in my experience (and from what I’ve seen my friends experience), figuring out the wedding budget is just a pain. Who pays for what. Are his parents chipping in? Is anyone uncomfortable? And some times people will have huge expectations for what your wedding should “be” even if they aren’t footing the bill (but that’s a topic for another day!). Just remember, whoever pays gets a say. If its super important to you to have an outdoor wedding and your in-laws are set on a chapel ceremony and they’re paying for half ... well ... just keep that in mind. Figuring out the budget before you do anything else (dress shopping, venue browsing, vendor perusing) is key. And trust many a bride-to-be, you don’t want to try on a dress and fall in l o v e when there is no way you can pay for it. Getting the $$ part down at the get-go will set you up for success and make the planning process MUCH more enjoyable and painless!

4. Vendors

Vendors can make or brake your guest’s experience at your wedding. Before choosing a vendor, always ask to speak to former clients, and if you can speak to their most recent few clients that is even better. A friend of mine recently got scammed by a DJ who had YEARS of great reviews online, but come to find out he actually had pulled this scam on his most recent clients! You NEVER know!!! You also want your guests to have a great time, so figuring out what is most important to you and your future husband is key: is it a band, a DJ, a Photo Booth, etc... Having a wedding planner can also help in this regard, since they work in the biz and know who is reliable and dependable, and what is worth investing in vs. things people won’t notice or remember. References, references, references. Like ‘location, location, location,’ but for who is going to be making your wedding dreams come to life. Choosing great vendors is half the battle. ;)

5. Delegate

I didn’t do this as much as I should have when I was wedding planning! Most of my bridesmaids were up in NYC and I was in the first six months of starting Circle Seven Five. I was trying to build a company and plan my dream wedding at the same time, and needless to say that got pretty stressful at times. That said, my mom was truly a super star and I couldn’t have done it without her. Whether its your mom, a sister, or your trusty maid of honor or best friend, find one or two people who can help pick up the slack when you can’t even look at another blush table linen or wedding invite without going insane. Sometimes saying “just pick one of these” is the most magical phrase you can utter, especially when it comes to allllllll the little details.

I hope that some of this was helpful to you! :) You can share this post with any one you know who is (or is about to be) a bride-to-be! If you’d like to see more posts on wedding planning or weddings in general, please let me know and you can email me if you have any specific questions or just want to say hello! :) [email protected].

Happy New Year!

xo - Cassidy

#wedding #dallasweddings #weddingplanning #weddingadvice #5tips #budget #weddingvendors #bridesofnorthtx #dweddings #delegate #meetthefischers #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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December Wrap-Up: Part 2

There was a part 1, so obviously there is a part 2! December was packed so full of fun events and member gatherings. We certainly kept busy the first two weeks of December, wouldn’t you agree?

Our #CSFpartygirls made this holiday season oh-so-fun, and we couldn’t imagine doing Christmas without them. We count ourselves lucky we got to spend it with our members!

Check out the incredible events we had the second half of our #CSFchristmasbash!

First up....

CEO Roundtable

One of the best parts about Circle Seven Five is the amount of #girlbosses we have. It’s truly incredible how many of you are business owners and entrepreneurs, and we enjoy connecting you with one another. Owning your own business is awesome, but it certainly can be a bumpy road. (HOLLAA!) Sometimes you just need a few other boss ladies to chat with and be encouraged by. This CEO Roundtable was hosted by Kasie Ricart at Lyfe Kitchen where members related to the life of being a business owner and shared ideas over a yummy dinner. If you are a business owner and are looking to connect with other women in your shoes, this is where you want to be.

CSF Party Girls don’t compete, we empower.

[photo via pinterest]

Bubbles + Baubles + Holiday Sweaters

In case it hasn’t already been established, we will gladly clear up the air now: we love champagne. SERIOUSLY. (We may or may not have just bought some Christmas jams with bottles of bubbly all over them.) So what could be better than a Christmas party full of our favorite gals, ugly Christmas sweaters, pretty jewels, and some good ole bubbly? Psssst, the answer is nothing! Party girls gathered together at Gemma Collection in Snider Plaza for a night of fun and shopping.

Gingerbread House Decorating

Party girls went to Whole Foods in Uptown last week (our favorite location) for a night on the patio decorating the CAAAYUTEST gingerbread houses. Girls assembled and “glued” marshmallows, peppermints, gummies, and more all over glasses of champagne. Our gingerbread house still smells DELISH and is currently the centerpiece on our dining room table.

Book Club + The Holiday

Member, Lauren Sears, hosted an empowering girl’s night in at her place discussing the book, “You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness & Start Living an Awesome Life”, followed by the movie The Holiday. Can you say LADY’S NIGHT?! We love that these women gathered together to chat about how to be the leading lady of your own life, over pizza and wine of course...!

Wine Glass Decorating

Our final event of the month was hosted at Khloe’s place! Party girls came to hang out, listen to good Christmas tunes, and decorate wine glasses together. These glasses make for the perfect gift either to friends or to yourself. ;)

This concludes party II of our #CSFchristmasbash December wrap up! This year was so much fun and we can’t wait to grow, challenge, and network in 2016!

Merry Christmas, party girls!!��

xoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #dallasblog #blog #dallasblogger #dallasevents #wineglassdecorating #girlboss #bosslady #christmas #merrychristmas #csfchristmasbash

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Merry Everything!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! WHERE in the world did 2015 go?!

I don’t know about you, but with every year that passes it seems I am somehow more stunned than the one before at how quickly time went by. Though unintentional, it takes me until the last month of the year to realize I regretfully let time pass by... again. Then, every year, I make my mind up that I will be less busy and more intentional in the coming one. A new year, a new you! (Right?) I convince myself I will soak in more and forget less. Reality is, though, just about every year that comes and goes... nothing really changes. Every single year I am left stunned that it is the end of December and I can hardly remember the past year.

Do you know what I mean? Does anyone else get stuck in this cycle?

I moved to Dallas a little over five years ago. Seeing that in writing is MIND.BLOWING. It feels like yesterday I packed up life, barely 18, and moved to the Big D. But what I have come to realize as I grow older is that five years is becoming a much smaller fraction of my life. When we were ten, five years was half of our life span! Of course five years felt like an eternity. Now that five years is nearly a fifth of my life... it has a greater affect on me. (I can hear Grandma telling me to hush as I write this. She is saying, “You are so young. Stop it.”) Regardless of what Grandma says, though, this is reality and it does a few things to me. (Currently, it mostly just freaks me out.) It also wells up within me a desire to seriously start being intentional. I don’t want five more years to fly by, and I am left speechless saying, “How did this happen?” It makes me book an extra flight a year to visit family that is getting older and friends that are scattered across the country. If anything, realizing time is not slowing down has changed the way I view my life this year.

See, the last thing I want in life is to wake up at 45 years old and realize my friendships have been on the back burner for the last two decades while trying to build up my career. Or, worse, wake up at 45 to a harsh reality that in the midst of being an adult I lost everyone who mattered the most to me. I don’t mean to sound so cynical and dramatic during the “most wonderful time of the year”, and perhaps this stems from having watched It’s a Wonderful Life two nights ago... but, none the less, in addition to the celebrations during this time of year, I hope you can also think about how you are being intentional. What are you doing with your time? I don’t mean tomorrow, but what you are doing with your life.

DUN DUN DUN. I know, that’s the worst question of all. Where is my life going? We hated it when we were 18, headed off to college to study God knows what, and we hate it still.

As painful as it may be, try to think big picture with me for just a second. What are you doing to change the world? That really is what this time of year is about, right? Doing good for others, giving back, being kind, and taking time to tell people you love them.

See, realistically, we can make the world a better place by impacting our sphere of influence. Have you defined your sphere? Is it co-workers? Friends? Family? The guy who sits next to you at Starbucks everyday? With this as our definition of changing the world -loving our sphere well- how can we do it if we are so busy every year that we are shocked when December rolls back around?

Ahhhhh, see where I am going with this?

We don’t just affect ourselves when we live busy lives, although we do definitely wear ourselves thin. We hurt others, we cheapen relationships, and -ultimately- we are failing at making peace in our world. This could sound dramatic, but think about it. If we are too busy to love on the people in our sphere, we are doing zero good for greater humanity. There are millions of us running around with our heads cut off and stuck in our own little worlds, too busy to toss love around. No matter how successful your business, no matter how much money you made or what business deal you nailed this year, if you have not loved then you have not lived. Loving people means sacrificing time. It means putting down your phone and emails for a night of intentionality. I know it’s hard to believe, but the email that just came through- it can wait. The world will not crumble and you will not lose everything you have worked for if you do not answer it right away.

This Christmas Eve, I challenge you to slow down and think about your next five years. Think about who is in your grasp that you can love well. Change someone’s perspective today, help someone, be overwhelmingly loving, or forgive someone. Whatever you choose to do today for your sphere, know it is making a difference.

Merry Christmas, party girls. Have a happy holiday with family and friends. We love you deep and are grateful for you.

xoxo - The CSF Team

(top photo via pinterest)

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #dallas #dallasblog #blog #dallasblogger #merrychristmas #christmastime #happyholidays

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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#CSFtopten - December Edition!

It’s that time of the month again! We are sharing with you our top 10 favorite items for the month of December. We can’t get enough of these (seriously) and you can guarantee they are all around CSF HQ.

These are a few of our favorite (10!!) things...

From the perfect scents to keep your home festive to our quick and easy way to looking chic instantly, this list is perfect for the season. Not to mention, we are down to just FOUR days until Christmas. Have you found all your gifts? These are great options!

1. Gemma Collection- We couldn’t pick just one, so we gave you a plethora of ideas. We love the amount of personalization available to you at Gemma. You can monogram just about anything, and they have a wide range of prices perfect for any budget. We even got our sister this Texas necklace for Christmas during our event at Gemma last week (Shhhh!). You can order online or drop in the store located at Snider Plaza!

Shop Gemma Collection Here

2. Betty Crocker Gingerbread Mix- We are serious. Last week as we prepped for the cookie decorating event held by two of our members, we spent two days baking this stuff. It’s so easy and so tasty. We may have suffered from a couple of sick bellies after consuming way too much cookie dough (Oops...). If you have any Christmas parties coming up that you need to whip together something, this is your answer! Get a few holiday shaped cookie cutters from your local grocery story (we actually got ours at Michael’s!) and you’re GOOD. TO. GO.

3. Crate & Barrel Potpourri- This is the best potpourri you could ever get, and it’s only $14! Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Full of pinecones, mini logs and red berries, the aroma fills your entire home and makes the perfect centerpiece.

Buy Here

4. Nate Berkus File Folders- We are uhhhb-sessed. Nothing makes a work day better than cute office supplies, and these top the list. If you’ve been to any of our meetings... you will recognize these. They are the perfect glam addition to your office space.

Buy Here

5. Rebecca Minkhoff Quilted Mini Affair Bag- This is classy perfection. Quilted and perfect for any night out on the town whether it’s with your boo or your girls. This thing has served us well since our college glory days and is still going strong. Find it on Shopbop for under $200!!

Buy Here

6. Trench Coats- Nothing takes us from a 0 to 10 in seconds like a trench coat. It is the most simple way to feel insta-chic. We found a range of trench coats ranging from high end to steals for you all found at Nordstrom.

Halogen, London Fog, Burberry Brit, Michael Kors

7. Neutral Bootie- There are few things we would say are “necessary”... a neutral bootie is absolutely one of those. A girl is set if she owns a pair of cognac booties and a classic black pair. Everything else in your closet is just frosting on the cake, but these are the staples. If you’ve seen us out and about or at a CSF event, you know we’re bootie-obsessed.

B.P., Frye, Jeffrey Campbell, Koraa Steve Madden, Austin Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, Glorius Steve Madden

8. Holiday Dog Bowl- But seriously, does it get any cuter than this? (No.) Your doggy needs this. Find it at PetSmart!

Buy Here

9. Mulled Wine- Frankly, we just can’t do it justice in words. We have this in supply at all times at our place during the holidays. Imagine apple cider for grownups. Make apple cider as you would, we are talking the real deal on the stove top with mulling spices and apple juice. Then, you add in your favorite red wine the last 5-10 minutes (let it simmer). We use a merlot or malbec, but a good cab would work just fine. You can make it as strong as you want, but we suggest half and half (but you can’t really overdo the wine.)

Our Favorite Mulling Spices Here

THIS IS THE BEST BEST DRINK ON A COLD DAY.

10. Live Love Pop- With a simple philosophy that snacking should be healthy, easy, and extra delicious, this snack is the perfect one for you when you’ve got the munchies. Find it in Dallas at The Green Grocer and Royal Blue Grocery. Recently we’ve taken to binge-watching Gilmore Girl re-runs on Netflix, and popcorn has become our favorite viewing accessory. :)

Buy Here

And that’s a wrap for our December #CSFtopten! Do you love any of these items? Let us know - the party is over on our Instagram @circlesevenfive!

xo - The CSF Team

(top photo via Pinterest).

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #CSFtopten #dallasblog #dallasblogger #blogger #dallas #blog #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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December Wrap-Up: Part 1

This month has been PACKED FULL of events (and we are only barely half way through December!?). In fact, it has been SO full of parties that we are splitting our December highlights into two parts, so stay tuned for round 2.

Kicking off the month of December, we had our THRID round of macaron baking workshops, totaling NINE in all. You can basically call us pros at this point. :)

Since then, we have been non-stop with the #CSFchristmasbash celebrations!

Macaron Baking Classes: Round 3

This time we made holiday flavors, perfect for kicking off the Christmas season. We are talking peppermint and cranberry galore. These events are always a hit, and we have so much fun baking and drinking wine together. P.S. did you see our previous post on our member Kelli who is the best at teaching you how to make mac’s?

Kate Spade X CSF Christmas

What is better than dressing up in as many sparkles as possible and heading over to Kate Spade with your favorite gal pals? Errrr nothing. We had so much fun hanging out at Kate Spade decorating ornaments and drinking champagne. Not to mention the fab discount we all ... and someone most definitely went home with those sparkly heels!

The Gift of Hot Cocoa

What a fun member hosted event this one was! Hostess and CSF member, Kate Jolliffe, had over her #CSFPartyGirls for a night in decorating mason jars full of cocoa, the perfect gift for friends and colleagues. The girls drank signature cocktails and chatted the night away, making for a festive holiday party.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

CSF member, Amanda Miller, hosted party girls at her house for a night donating + wrapping gifts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Even if unable to attend the gift wrapping party, members had the option to donate $10 in order to help pitch in funds for the group to purchase gifts.

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Co-hosting with CSF, Austin and Jessica had over the #CSFpartygirls for a night of ‘jingle juice’ and christmas cookie decorating. We believe there to be no quicker way to a party girl’s heart than through frosting and cocktails. Are we right or are we right?

Part II of our December events is coming soon! Want to join in on the party? Kick off your new year right, invest in yourself and grow your network (and clearly, have a lot of fun!) by joining Circle Seven Five. :)

#christmaspartyideas #christmascookies #jinglejuice #dallassocialclub #investinyourself #giftideas #salvationarmy #angeltree #circlesevenfive #themilleraffect #meganweaverphotography #theeverydayhostess #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Fashion Emergency Must-Haves

Remember our fashion advice column we started last month, #CSFstyle? Ashley from Art of Style Image Consulting is back with us again for December! She’s talking about the KEY items every fashion girl should have in her closet in case of emergencies (and no, in this case, we’re not talking shoes). ;)

As someone who spends most of her time in closets, shopping for clients or dreaming about all of the above, you begin to pick up a trick or two for just about every fashion and beauty 911 imaginable! These are my top tips and tricks to keeping you and your wardrobe on point!

1. Compact Travel Steamer

Our Choice: Salav Portable Steamer

Ladies leave the ironing to your Mama’s. Steaming is what really makes our clothes look their best. Steam is less destructive than direct heat and helps eliminate odor, a win win! I personally own a travel steamer as well as an industrial steamer, but for those new to the concept, first purchase a travel steamer so you never go a day without!

2. White Vinegar

We are serious!

Designer denim I love you, but your steep price tag is not my favorite. Once you enter the world of high dollar denim it is hard to turn back. We love the way they make the booty smile, the feel of the fabric, and the flattering fit. I only wash my denim about every 4 wears, but to ensure the color sets and stays for countless washes, wash them in white vinegar the first few times. The vinegar acts as a natural antibacterial, killing any germs, so be sure to leave the detergent out for best results.

3. Woolite

Buy here.

Hand-washing your delicate blouses is a MUST! There is nothing worse than something being ruined in the washer or at the dry cleaners. I keep dry cleaning and hand-wash clothing in a separate dirty hamper so there are no slip ups. Fill the sink with warm water and a quarter size of Woolite and soak garments individually for 15 minutes. Swish and kneed the garment in the water and then rinse with warm water. Depending on the garment either lay flat to dry or hang to drip dry.

4. Cashmere Brush

This one!

‘Tis the season for cashmere, it is great until it pills and goes from luxurious to cheap and tired. I have tried COUNTLESS cashmere brushes, some have even ruined my sweaters, so let's just skip to the best. This electric cashmere brush is a game changer!

5. Tailor

If you don’t have a tailor you are proud of, let’s add that to your list of 2016 to-do’s. A good tailor can take an "ok” garment and make it “custom” fit for you! Fun Fact: Jennifer Aniston has all of her t-shirts altered to skim her little waist perfectly. The number one perk of working in the industry in Dallas was very quickly learning who the top (affordable) seamstress in Dallas are and guess what…. here are their digits! You are welcome!!

Park Cities Tailor: 972-693-21714351 Lovers Lane Dallas, TX 75225

The best in Dallas, owners Julie and Kathy are so sweet and always willing to do an AoS client a favor, so if you are in a sticky situation and need something done quickly just give them my name and a smile! I love these ladies and their passion for the Dallas community oh-so-much!

Colleen Roderick: 214-649-4190

If you have more than 5 things that need altering Colleen is your girl! She will come to your home for a small fee, and her work is insanely beautiful and affordable. Be sure to schedule a delivery date for your items because this gal loves to travel.

6. Proper Hangers

Our Choices: Wooden Hangers or Felt Hangers

Nice hangers are a fashionistas’ right of passage. When all of your hangers coordinate and are used for the right purpose, it just feels right. For jackets, blazers and dresses use wood hangers. Heavier garments need the extra support. For everything else I suggest felt space saver hangers, they are practical and friendly on the fabrics. *Bonus Tip* spend some time finding a rhythm for your closet. I love to categorize by shirts, dresses, skirts, denim, etc. and then within the categories I color coordinate.

7. Shoe Cleaner

Our Choice: Pink Miracle Bottle

This is the number one thing I find my clients do not own but is SO necessary. A night out in the rain can take years off your shoe’s shelf life. The faster you can clean them, the better! This product is best for leathers and tennis shoes.

8. Signature Scent

Our Choices: Hypotic Poison or Maison Louis Marie No. 4

The sense of smell triggers vivid memories and stimulates a connection within our brains. I have been wearing the same perfume, Hypnotic Poison by Christian Dior since I was 16. Recently I ran into an Ex, and within the first five minutes he commented on that familiar smell with a grin. Talk about an instant confidence boost! Since that sweet 16 I have added daytime and summer scents to my collection, keeping the hypnotism for evenings. Spend some time testing out samples and start building a collection of a few different signature scents for various occasions and moods. One spritz of that Hypnotic Poison before I go out is the final touch to my look; the scent puts me in a mood that exuberates confidence.

9. Lingerie Bag

Like this one!

Bras are not the most exciting thing to shop for, but once you have been properly fitted (HINT HINT: you all should be properly fitted if you have not yet, Nordstrom at Northpark is my Dallas go-to) and have invested in great bras, keep them alive by respecting their delicate fabrics and washing them in a proper lingerie bag. These bags are also great for delicate shirts that require hand-washing

10. Coconut Oil

Our Choice Here

If you have not been introduced to this gift from Mother Nature, please immediately introduce yourself. I use coconut oil for an unbelievable amount of things. Not only is it healthy to cook with, I also use it to shave with, moisturizer nightly and deep condition my hair once a week. It also has been proven to heal scars and stretch marks, and make your hair grow faster, so I put a thin layer on my face at night for eyelash growth. There are countless brands, but the consistency of Nature’s Way Coconut oil has been most successful for all my uses.

11. Magic Eraser

Buy Here

I keep one of these in my bathroom and in my car for any 911 moments. The magic eraser is great to use for getting dry deodorant marks off of clothing, or slightly wet the eraser to get makeup smudges out of clothing. It also works great to remove minimal shoe dirt or scuffs. The more you know!

12. Scotchgard

Buy Here

There is nothing more decadent than suede shoes and handbags but the fabric is notoriously fragile. Pretreated or not, before taking my shoes or bags for a spin I spray them with this scotch guard and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Try to spray the garments outside and let them dry in natural sunlight. It will not prevent stains from happening -- aka on a rainy night leave the suede indoors --but it helps with dirt and stain removal if an incident does happen. *Shopping Find* The new Ann Mashburn store off Knox has the most YUMMY chocolate brown suede shoes!

14. Self Tanner

Tanning beds are so 2009, but I can not help the fact that I look better sun kissed. These are my top three go-tos to save you in any skin baring situation:

St. Tropez: Plan ahead, 24 hours in advance, and this spray will make you look fresh off the beach in a “natural” way. Use the foam glove to get an all over even tan and to keep cuticles and hands from turning orange.

Sally Hansen: Last minute plans, this spray is the bomb! I started using it for dance competitions so I did not have to wear tights with my costumes, but now I use it before going out for a smooth finish. Spray a thin layer on and it will make your skin look like velvet! I highly recommend applying it in your shower, as it is not the tidiest of applications. Also, rinse off before bed! I have lost a white duvet cover, or two to this process. You’re welcome!

Jergens Natural Glow: Year round glow, Jergens Natural Glow is my favorite. I have fallen out of the habit with this because of my current coconut oil obsession, but when I was religious about my usage clients were always commenting on my tan. It takes about two weeks to truly notice the difference, but people will definitely be wondering where your glow came from!

15. Flash Tape

Our Choice Here

Always great to have on hand, this miracle tape not only holds your slinky tops in all the right places, it can also hold two pieces of fabric together which is THE BOMB! Last minute hem, no problem, need to reinforce a button up blouse, done! This tape really is a miracle worker.

16. Lint Roller

Steal Here

If you are going to take the time to have your clothes tailored, hand-washed, and steamed do not let a layer of fuzz stand in the way of looking pristine. A lint roller is a must. I keep my main lint roller in my kitchen for a last minute swipe as I finish my morning coffee, and a mini one in my car and desk for mid day encounters.

17. Power Lip Color

Our Choice Here

Every women needs their power lip color. A swipe of MAC Russian Red turns my frown upside down on the days I am feeling blue, takes a white t-shirt and denim to a whole new level and gives me a feeling of sensual, yet untouchable power for a first date. No matter your color, be sure to use a primer and liner to keep it clean.

18. Needle and Thread Kit

Our Choice Here

This kit may seem a little over the top, but once you have these tools in your house you will not believe how handy they can become! Don’t let a button falling off ruin your day. If this is a new skill to you, have no fear, the hardest part is threading the needle. It may not be perfect, but atleast it will make do until you can squeeze in a visit to the tailor.

#fashionmusthaves #dallastailor #fashionemergency #fashion911 #CSFstyle #sttropez #mrclean #fashiontape #woolite #northpark #artofstyle #circlesevenfive

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Christmas Style for Every Occasion

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!

And we still have to buy at least three more outfits for all the events left on our to-do list. Anyone else still in need of all their holiday attire? With more Christmas parties to make appearances at, Christmas Eve events, and Christmas Day itself.... we are in serious need of some Christmas outfit inspo.

No worries! We are covering ALL. THE. BASES. Fancy Christmas party? Nailed. Casual Christmas Day? No prob. Christmas morning with your man’s fam? (EEEK!) We’ve got you. Though stressful, all of these can be fun and are more enjoyable if you feel confident in your outfit.

1. First up to bat is our favorite: A Fancy Christmas. Not because we prefer feeling uncomfortable over being in sweatpants (#realtalk), but because dressing up in sparkles happens only once a year. Chic Wish is where these fun a-line skirts are from AND both are for under $60. WHAT?

Vince Camuto Heel, Kate Spade Heel, Beaded Top, Blouse

2. Second is a casual Christmas. This is for the girl whose family doesn’t dress up, but perhaps does have people over throughout the day. Madewell’s jeans are a must have (the hi-riser will suck you in - yes please!) and J. Crew Factory has unbeatable prices. That vest is only $49!

Vest, Plaid, Red Blouse, Coat, Denim, Shoes

3. Last up is Christmas morning attire. Whether it’s your first holiday hanging with the new in-laws or your boyfriend’s parents... bottom line is that you can’t roll out of bed with just anything on. You have to be covered and classy, yet Christmas morning comfy. This whole group is from Aerie. They have such cute, cozy items perfect for snuggling up with a cup of coffee next to a fire. (And for any cameras that might be out!) Not to mention, we’re crushing major on Aerie’s no photoshop campaign.

Long Fringe Cardigan, Turtle Neck Sweater, Tee Shirt, Duster, Plaid Jogger, Burgundy Jogger, Blue Pant

Enjoy every minute of the next week! Have a happy holiday season.

xoxo - The CSF Team

#circlesevenfive #christmas #merrychristmas #christmasclothing #christmasmorning #christmaseve #christmasday #shopping #dallas #blog #dallasblog #fashionblog #cfspartygirls

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Kelli Watts of Savor Patisserie

We’ll just say it: Savor Patisserie’s macarons have Circle Seven Five under its spell. They are cute, bite sized, delish, and did we mention cute? Great news is that we’re just as obsessed with Kelli, the owner of Savor.

P.S. She’s a member of Circle Seven Five, and we are so excited to feature her on the blog today!

Recently this #girlboss left her day job at Neiman Marcus to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. One of the many cool things about our community is the diversity and drive that our members have, going out into the world and fearlessly chasing their goals. Kelli is now baking full time, and her business is booming now more than ever before!

Last week we got to hang out with Kelli in her adorable apartment (read: it’s like walking into a real bakery!) Mixers and trays, chocolate chips and candy on the counters ... you could say its every sweet-tooth’s dream world.

Check out our convo with Kelli, and see Savor’s website - you can place orders to be delivered just in time for Christmas (the deadline is December 16th!) and of course you can order all year round. Circle Seven Five has recently completed its NINTH Macaron Baking workshop with Savor Patisserie, so we consider ourselves expert taste testers by now, and her mac’s won’t disappoint!

1. What was your very first experience like baking macarons?

Actually, it wasn’t bad. I did some extensive research (in several books and online) before I attempted to bake them for the first time, so I had a pretty good idea of what to avoid and how to go about it before I started. I made vanilla macarons from a recipe I found online. They didn’t taste very good, but they looked cute. After that first experience, I experimented a lot trying to create a recipe that I actually liked, and after quite a bit of trial and error, I developed the Vanilla recipe that I still use today and is my all-time best-seller!

2. You just transitioned to pursuing Savor full time. How has that transition been? Do you enjoy being your own #girlboss? ;)

The transition to being fully self-employed has been wild. Some days I am so proud of myself for taking the leap, and other days I wonder if I've made the best choice. I LOVE being my own boss. I'm working harder and longer than I ever have in my life, but it's for me and for my dream so it's worth it every single day. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's how I really feel.

3. Where do you see Savor in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see multiple Savor locations. I'm planning to have my first Savor bakery/baking classroom up and running in 2016 and once that location is thriving, I want to expand the business and open multiple locations in cities all over the country.

4. What advice do you have for girls looking to start their own business?

You’ll never feel like you have all of the details worked out, the perfect plan created, enough money saved up, the exact right timing, etc.. My advice is to be bold and go for it…you just have to begin.

5. How have you developed Savor from a hobby to a job?

Savor grew very organically. When I originally started baking macarons, I just thought it would be another fun baked-good to add to my repertoire. However, I ended up getting a little obsessed with the challenge of perfecting the macarons I was making. I shared them with my friends and family, and it didn’t take long before people were telling me that my macs were better than any of the other ones they had tried and were asking to purchase them. The demand grew steadily, and I was able to secure a couple key retailers to sell my macarons (Tea2Go and Neiman Marcus), and then at that point I couldn't keep up with the all of baking and having a 40+ hours a week day job, so I gave my notice and took the leap to full-time Savor.

6. Tell us all about you, anything you want. What can we know about you that helps us know you better?

Well, one thing you should know is why my macarons are different than all of the other ones out there. I am an artist. My mom is actually an artist, too, so I get it from her. My macarons are different because, not only do they taste different, but they also look different because I want every single macaron that I make to be a work of art. It is important to me that each one is decorated (with sprinkles, nut crumbles, chocolate drizzles, etc.) in some way, but then I also do custom-decorated macarons where I paint them with company logos, bride and groom monograms, etc. My artistic background allows me to collaborate with clients to design macarons that are truly unique and beautiful that they can’t find anywhere else.

7. What is your favorite dessert to eat when you aren't making macarons?

I still have a huge sweet-tooth, despite making desserts all day long. I bake an Italian Creme Cake that is one of my grandmother’s oldest recipes which I really love. But, macarons are my favorite, and there’s nothing quite like one of my coffee or pistachio macarons for dessert…or both. :)

8. Did you always want to own a bakery/baking business?

No, actually. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort, but I thought it would be in either the fashion or cosmetics industry-definitely something creative. I’m so grateful now, though, to have found this love for macarons that perfectly combines my artistic abilities and passion for baking from which I have been able to create a business.

9. Why macarons?

I first tried macarons for the first time when I was living in New York City. I was instantly in love with them, but I've always loved all things French because my mother is from France. I did some research and found out that my mom was actually born in the town where macarons first gained popularity in 1792; Nancy, France! It did not feel like a coincidence. I knew from that day that I wanted to perfect macarons for myself and that they would be a special part of my life.

All photos taken by Ian Harber on behalf of Circle Seven Five.

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #csfpartyfavors #macarons #savor #SavorPatisserie #baking #girlboss #businessowner #smallbusiness #dallas #dallasentrepreneur #startupadvice #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Christmas at Kate Spade

We have 17 more sleeps until Christmas morning, y’all. Time is flying to grab those perfect gifts for friends and family! In honor of our ultra fabulous (and oh-so sparkly) event last night at Kate Spade, we are bringing to you our fave finds from all things Kate.

Purses, and watches, and polar bears -oh my! (But really, polar bears!)

But first, let’s chat a little #aboutlastnight. We had bottles of champagne, Christmas jingles, ornament decorating, glitter and sequins, and a jolly good time. CSF Party Girls delivered on the holiday festive attire, and we were on cloud 9 (we’ll do another post on our party later this week!).

You can’t feel much cuter than standing in Kate Spade with glitter and your favorite party girls all around you, are we right? Kate Spade at North Park absolutely spoiled us, providing the treats, cocoa, and the champagne, of course. Did we mention the whole store was discounted for our party girls? We missed you if you couldn’t make it last night, but there are still a couple events to join in on the holiday fun before we all leave for Christmas!

We hope you find a few goodies below for your gal pals, sisters and moms. We have picked gifts starting at >$100! We love you, Party Girls!

xoxo + Merry Christmas - The CSF Team

Lacey Wallet, Cobble Hill Toddy Bag, Cedar Street Magnolia Bag, Polar Bear Clutch, Polar Bear and Ice Cap Necklace, Polar Bear Necklace, Glitter Is My Favorite Color, Infinite Knot Bracelet, Champagne Key Chain, Live Colorfully Fragrance, Cosetta Too Flat

#circlesevenfive #csfpartygirls #katespade #merrychristmas #christmas #dallas #dallasevent #christmasshopping #giftguide #double_size

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circlesevenfive · 8 years

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Midnight in Paris

A couple Thursdays ago, Circle Seven Five #PartyGirls got the chance to step back in time into the city of lights. In a twinkle light strung home owned by a true Parisian, we drank bottles of French wine and ate a whole lot of cheese and macarons, all while next to a dimly lit fire with Parisian records playing in the background. Dreamy, right?

Owner of OuiPlease, Jessica, was a darling host, prancing around with trays of food while speaking in her beautiful french accent. It truly felt like we were in a different time and place, removing us all from reality for just a couple of hours.

Our party girls did not hold back on coming in character either, delivering fringe, feathers, fur, sparkles and sequin for days. Our winners of the costume party (both former pageant queens) were runner up, Michelle Haye, who arrived in a gorgeous white vintage gown with faux fur, a sparkle head piece and a movie star presence. Winner, Heather Jones, arrived in a deep red overlay with a slip dress, headpiece, faux fur, bright red lips and 100% in character. She was a D-I-V-A straight from a 1920′s movie, and it was basically awesome. Did we mention she sewed her entire outfit?! Heather’s a-list costume won her a OuiPlease box packed full of Parisian goodies from candles to food to skincare. With a total value of $500, her efforts absolutely paid off! After such a successful costume party, I think you can bet there will be more of these to come. (Michelle and Heather already guarantee it!)

Now that you’ve seen what we did, throw your own 1920′s Fete! Tell all your friends to wear a glamorous 1920′s outfit -think fur and sequins. (Wear a jeweled headpiece and you’re on point.) If everyone commits, this sets the mood for the entire party and makes for some great photos! Have a lavish spread of local cheeses and croissants- if you’re in Dallas we HIGHLY suggest Scardello. Lastly, but most importantly, you have to have bottles of French Red Bordeaux wine and Sauvignon Blanc. (In surplus.) Nail these details and you’re sure to have a ball! Set the mood with dim lighting and twinkle lights, streamers and a bar cart with fancy wine glasses, and be sure to brush up on your French!

BONUS TIP: There is even a Spotify playlist called, “A Night in Paris” you can have on in the background if you don’t have a record player like Jessica.

We took the liberty to search for some of the perfect Parisian inspired dresses + accessories from Nordstrom, shown below for you to shop. What a fun Christmas party this could be!

Louise et Cie Heel , Faux Fur Headband , Beaded Headband , Valentino T-Strap , Ivanka Trump Flat , Vincent Camuto Heel , Free People Blush Flapper , Adrianna Papell Blush Mesh , Adrianna Papell Purple

Have a happy Wednesday, party girls! We hope this inspires you to throw your own French-themed party.

xoxo,

CSF Team

(But seriously, how cute is Jessica? OuiPlease delivers luxury items straight from France to your front door!)

#ouiplease #befrnch #dallasevents #dallassocialclub #circlesevenfive #midnightinparis #themedparty #costumeideas #partyoutfit #holidayparty #1920s

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