Summer Wedding Wear

If you are like me, you are starting to get to the age where your calendar is quickly filling up with summer weddings! It’s weird that I am finally at this age!

I always feel pressure (specially owning a fashion boutique) to find the perfect dress to wear. I also feel like I cannot wear the same dress in the same wedding season (too much overlap!!). So if you’re like me–check out these super cute dress options for Summer weddings.

Maxi’s

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I love this maxi for a more casual wedding! Add a statement necklace & you are set!

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This sweet maxi is PERFECT for a casual wedding! I love how light, feminine, and pretty this maxi is!

Sexy Dresses

Hey Single guys go to weddings too! Don’t be afraid to rock the sexy dresses below & maybe catch the eye of a cute groomsmen!

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Fit & Flare– Fit and Flare dresses are extremely flattering! If you aren’t feeling a tight bodycon dress, this is a great and super flattering option!

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All of these looks will be available on the website NEXT WEEK 🙂 WOOOO!!

Check out the sale section for some really great dresses for amazing prices!

Have fun at all the summer weddings & don’t forget to tag @garishgal in all your posts ❤

xo-

M

 

Mother’s Day Must Haves

Mother’s Day is RIGHT around the corner & it’s time to find the perfect present for our “No I don’t need anything” mothers!

Let me tell you about my momma!

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She’s my best friend, my twin, my biggest supporter, and my sounding board. She is a strong leader and extremely driven. Whenever I need advice about Garish Gal, she is the first person I call. Her faith is silent and strong, which I love. Her job takes her out of the country quiet a bit and it has made me realize JUST how much I lean on her! She somehow always finds a way to skip sleep and calm my fears even when she’s half way across the globe! She is humble and an introvert–so she’s going to HATE that I posted about her! Needless to say, she is everything I hope to be someday.

I’ve been blessed to have multiple STRONG women in my life. The older I get, the more I realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by such amazing, talented, & loving women.

My mom is the HARDEST person to shop for because if she wants something she purchases it herself! It drives me nuts. Fortunately for me, she wears A LOT of Garish Gal, so I have a few ideas in mind for this years!

Hopefully this guide will help you make your gift giving seamless & easy!

  1. Gift Card– This is the EASIEST gift. Gift your mom a Garish Gal eGift Card by going online and purchasing one! It’s literally that easy. This one is great for dads & sons–the mothers in your life will love it!
  2. Cocoon Cardigan– This is a great gift because it is very easy to wear! Wear to work, over a Summer dress, or with a tank & jeans for a casual look! This cardigan is super versatile and can be worn all year long!

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3. Chevron Fair Trade Necklace– This is the best selling item for Garish Gal. My own mom has it in both colors and wears them at least twice a week! I even steal her gold one from time to time! This necklace is made by female artisans at a fair trade co-op in India! What an awesome way to celebrate women!

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4. Classic Cool Cuff– This is a fun option. Your mom already has the above necklaces in both colors, so check out these really cool (fair trade) adjustable cuffs! These are great because they fit wrists of all sizes!

5. Small-Town Indiana Love– Most of my readers are from Indiana like me! I love this small town Indiana shirt specially after tragedy hit my small town a month ago & I was reminded of just how much I really do LOVE my small Indiana town.  This top is the perfect way to show your small town pride! **These are locally made in Kokomo,Indiana!

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P.S–If you want a direct link to buy these products, just click on the picture! Easy as that!

Happy Shopping & Happy Mother’s Day, Mommas!

xo-

M

 

Derby Looks To Love

Being in the Midwest, the Kentucky Derby is a HUGE event! I went last year for the first time and had an absolute blast! Needless to say, I will be going back again this year! The hardest part is coming up with a cute, fun, and unique outfit to wear with a matching hat!

Here are some great looks to love  +  fun hats that can complete your ensemble!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my look from last year <3…the Mint Julep & Oaks Lily signature Derby drinks are a must have! (If you are of age!!)

My dress was Clover Canyon that my mom had surprised me with a year earlier. I loveeeeed this dress! So comfortable, beautiful colors, and perfect for Spring at the Derby!

One of my best friends (and her husband) helped me make my fascinator! I had a specific example I wanted to emulate, but couldn’t find it to purchase. My friend convinced me that we could easily make it and I must say we did a good job! It was HUGE and kept falling off my small head, but it fit in at the Derby.

I decided to wear sandals because I knew I would be walking around and socializing more than sitting! We started our day at 7am and it didn’t end until around 10pm! I must say wearing sandals was honestly the best choice I made! Some girls that rocked heels were dying by midday!

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I went with some of my girls I played college golf with! It was a blast reuniting away from the golf course and getting dressed up together!

If you don’t get to go, here are some fun Kentucky Derby Party ideas!

Shop Garish Gal for super fun Kentucky Derby looks!

All of the dresses above are on sale! 😉

 

xo-

M

No Fail Fashion Formulas

Sometimes putting an outfit together can be the last thing you want to do when you wake up in the morning! Don’t worry–I have a few easy no fail fashion formulas for the perfect outfit! Check out how these celebs and fashion icons rock these looks! Then Shop Garish Gal to stock up on these great pieces to build your no fail formula looks!

Edgy Jacket, Skinny Jeans, & Ankle Booties or Heels

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Pleated Midi Skirt, Cute Top, & Heels or Sandals

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** Check out the Garish Gal Instagram (@garishgal) for a few more pleated midi skirt looks I posted for Easter!

A-Line Skirt, Cute Top, & Heels (add a cropped jacket for the chilly days!)

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Track Pants, Cute Top, & Heels or Athletic Shoes

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Loving these looks? Shop the links by clicking on the pictures and it will take you to similar products on the Garish Gal website!

xo-

Maggie

5 Spring Trends to Try

Thankfully, Spring is right around the corner! It’s time to test the trends and see what works best for your lifestyle! Check out the fun new trends for Spring/Summer 2016!

Pastel Plaids– I love that the plaid trend has carried over from fall! I love plaid and am obsessing over the pastel version of plaids that I am seeing. The super cute, flirty version Garish Gal has is great for Spring & Summer! This dress that is coming in May is another super fun pastel plaid!

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Chambray– One of the most comfortable fabrics around, Chambray has quickly become a highly transitional trend! We saw a little of this last fall, but you will see EVEN MORE Chambray for Spring/Summer. This jacket is a perfect way to carry the trend from Spring, to chilly Summer nights, and even into Fall! I also really love the Chambray dress coming in May–it is for sure another great transitional piece!

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Off the Shoulder- Whether it is done in a super cute top or a flirty dress, off the shoulder is going to be everywhere this Spring & Summer! Garish Gal has two versions in a top that has really sold amazingly! The floral version is a great way to bring pattern and color into your wardrobe, whereas, the striped version is tried and true black and white! I really love both! Garish Gal will also have an all white dress hitting the website and the truck in May! It is STUNNING & I can’t wait of you all to see it! Off the shoulder always comes off as subtly sexy to me–which is always fun 😉

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Fine Lines– If you are like me, you struggle to wear stripes! So the thought of stripes being a big trend for the Spring/Summer is less than thrilling. However, I have found that smaller “fine” stripes and/or stripes that are elongating rather than around are much more flattering! Currently, GG has an amazing striped black and white blouse that is great for work or a night out! There is also a super cute Summer style coming in May that is a great way to rock this trend. This sweater with fine lines in french terry fabric is a great layering piece that I have been living in lately as well!

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Pajama Dressing– Not going to lie–If I could I would wear PJs alllllll day everyday! So the idea of Pajama dressing is slinky, comfortable, yet fashionable looks! A good example of this is this super comfortable and feminine lingerie like dress that is coming in May. A current top selling dress that also embodies the sexy PJ all day look is this emerald green Embeth dress with a small cut out in the bust (The picture is the red version as I just received this piece in and haven’t posted on the site yet! It is the same color as the Nanna Dress)! If you are like me and tend to wear giant t-shirts to bed, Jolene is the perfect way to embody this trend!

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Check out the “Find The Boutique” calendar to come try out these looks and update your wardrobe!

Happy Shopping!

xo-

Maggie

 

 

Shopping and Splurging

Hey Garish Gal’s! It’s Allie!

With National Margarita Day last week and National Tortilla Day this Wednesday, I thought it would be nothing less than appropriate to celebrate the day in between: Taco Tuesday!!!!

That’s right: Tacos! Who doesn’t love tacos!?! I know what all of you are probably thinking,…”This is a fashion blog; Why are we talking about food?” or “Quit, you’re making me hungry!”but the truth is, every girl has those splurge days when all they want to do is snack on some of their favorite foods! I figured that I mine as well share what some of the Garish Gal girls love to eat the most, and the top two items on the list: Tacos and Donuts!  (not together, of course… also, donut blog to potentially come in the future)

Tacos and clothes are somewhat alike if you think about it in a really weird way. Some outfits are similar to another, yet none are the same. Tacos bring many flavors to the table, as do each item of clothing we put on. Some are colorful, bold, tasteful, spicy, or bland. Garish Gal isn’t about the “bland tacos”, Garish means to be lurid, so just like clothes, tacos should also be original, unique, and stand out. Which is why posted below are some of Garish Gal’s newest arrivals that will satisfy your hunger in the fashion world, along with three amazingly unique but easy taco recipes to match your spicy outfits.

 

Baked Queso Tacos – from: Shay Shull

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos – from: Shay Shull

 

EASY APPLE PIE TACOS RECIPE – from: A Spark of Creativity
 Happy Eating and Happy Shopping,
Much Love,
     Allie<3

5 Things To Do For Galentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I am accepting the fact that I am single yet once again. The only valentines I need are some cute clothes, fun friends, and credit cards to go buy more cute clothes with my fun friends. As every girls number one motto should be, I live by the words “Clothes Over Bros”, which is why I’ve made a list of the top 5 things you should do with your girlfriends this weekend while rocking some amazing Garish Gal looks. Its better than cliche roses, its “Gal”entine’s Day!!!!

1.) Galentine’s Weekend

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, take a weekend getaway with your girls to escape from all of our hectic lives!! Ideas can range anywhere from a fun weekend in a big city, going skiing (I would break myself), or gambling your fortunes away at a casino! Anything to take a break from reality and enjoy yourself with friends.

2.) No Date, No Problem

If you can’t afford to skip out on a whole weekend in reality (bummer), make a date night with your girlfriends. Throw on a stunning dress like one of the ones below, go out with your girls, and make the guys out and about, wish they were on a date with you;)

3.) “Build-A…Cuddle Buddy?”

Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I am SO OBSESSED with Build-A-Bear!!! Some of the best advice heard all the time is “Never Grow Up” so, why not take a fun day with a BFF or two and build your very own valentine!! Laughs with your girls, and a buddy to cuddle up with when the night ends!

4.) “Boxed Wine and The Bachelor”

Not everyone wants to go out on Valentine’s Day, so invite the gals over, go buy a box of wine, and fall in love with this years Indiana Bachelor: Ben Higgins!!! Love Him, who else do you want to dream over on valentines day with some wine!!

5.) “Celebrate with the #1 Girl in your life: Yourself!!”

Though you now have some ideas on how to celebrate Galentine’s Day, a nice bubble bath can be just as satisfying as all of the above options! Do whatever brings YOU happiness, because the day is meant for love…So Love Yourself<3

And to all the other girls who do have dates with their significant others, kill the night in a Garish Gal look or anything that makes you feel like you are Beyoncè!!! Garish Gal Black Dress YA!

Happy Galentine’s Day and Happy Shopping!

much love, Allie<3

Garish Gal Family Photos

I wanted to share some of my family photos that were take by local Indiana Photographer Halee Betzner! She is insanely talented!

My sister, mom, and I wore Garish Gal clothing for the pictures-kind of by force, kind of not! I loved that each of us could find something that we felt comfortable & looked good in! That is what my aim is for Garish Gal-any age, any style, & any body type can find something they love!

I hope you enjoy our family pictures and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

 

Merry Christmas ❤

I am so looking forward to my favorite time of year with my favorite people! #familyfirst

Shop Garish Gal

xo-

M

The Cliche of Following Your Dreams, What It Means, & What They Never Told You

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Following Your Dreams…

Growing up I would always hear adults talk about following your dreams. However, I never actually saw any of those adults truly following their dreams. I assume they told me to follow my dreams because they never did. Because they all ended up working in jobs that are nowhere near as fulfilling as they would have thought, but they paid the bills.

So as an adult, I did follow my dreams. My dreams have taken me to places I never thought possible. To places I saw in movies and thought were reserved for people that weren’t me. At 20, I moved to New York City to start an internship with a wholesale clothing brand. I loved the city- the feeling every single day walking to work. The hustle of everyone around you. Doing their all to make ends meet on their dreams. To this day, I still have never felt such energy in any other city.

I moved back to the Midwest in order to be closer to my family and to follow a new dream. Well, it wasn’t really all that new. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of opening my own clothing boutique. For my 5th birthday, my only present request was a cash register so I could open my own store in my basement. As I got older, I put that dream on the back burner and chased a career I thought would suffice. When you tell people you are leaving a Division One Golf Scholarship and Pre-Dental Biology Major to move to NYC to work in fashion, you get some really confused looks.

To this day, it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. Garish Gal come to be October 1st, 2015 and I don’t believe I would have had the courage to start if it wasn’t for NYC.

What Following Your Dreams Means….

When you follow your dreams, they don’t tell you what it really means. It means making sacrifices, wearing many hats, stepping out of your comfort zone, and making tough decisions. Its just you. You have to be the one that makes every single decision. You are the one that is taking all the risk. You are the one that has to move back in with your parents in order to be able to afford starting a new business. You are the one that has to work multiple flexible jobs to pay your own bills and still be able to focus wholly on your business. You are the one who has to try out new ideas in hope that they will work out well for the business. Your dreams don’t pay the bills-initially. Your dreams can be overwhelming and scary. But the feeling you get when someone tells you they love your business makes every emotion and stressful moment worth it.

What They Never Told You About Following Your Dreams…

When you follow your dreams, your dreams can take you places you never imagined before. As Garish Gal is still it its’ first year, I counted on slow and steady growth. But every time Garish Gal grows in unexpected ways, I am astonished. I get overwhelmed with humility and graciousness- it usually makes me cry (but don’t tell anyone!). Garish Gal has evolved and expanded my dreams into ideas and ways I had never thought of before. It makes me insanely excited for the future and puts the stresses in their place.

The coolest part of making my dreams come true is being able to give back. Being able to support nonprofits that fund and provide education for children is the most rewarding part of owning a business. Using an insanely materialistic and shallow industry to change the lives of children is my way of bucking the system. Buying clothes changes lives-that is just plain awesome.

So follow your dreams, be prepared for the wildest ride of your life, and soak up every single moment!

xo-

Maggie

Fall Must Haves: Fur Vests

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Fur vests are a great way to add some sass to an outfit. I LOVE to wear fur vests, mainly because I am always cold and they are a cool way to keep warm. All of the fur pieces on ShopGarishgal.com are good quality faux fur.

Pictured are two fun ways to wear faux fur.

The first look is a great way to mix textures and prints. The pastel plaid printed blouse brings color to the ivory vest and solid moto pants. I love this look because it is an easy way to be transitional. You can take this look from day to night by adding a pair of heels or booties.

The second look is a fun 70s mod look. The wine pleather shorts are a great way to add a trendy fall color to your look. The cream blouse works as a neutral between the shorts and the fur vest. Black fur vests are great wardrobe staples because they can be worn in various ways. You can pair them with shorts, leggings, denim, or over a dress as a completer piece.

Add these to your wardrobe by going to Shopgarishgal.com & Save 15% using code Fall15.

xo-

M