Jenny & Jesse Styled

Over the past couple of years I've looked forward to fall not only because of the cooler weather, but because that I get to style love birds for their engagement sessions almost every week. I had the pleasure of working with Jenny and Jesse, clients of Gina Meola's, for their photo session last month. They were dream clients who flew all of the way from San Francisco to Scottsdale to have their love captured among the gorgeous desert. After a VERY successful shopping trip with Jenny we found not one, not two, but THREE outfits for her to wear. That's my kind of client right there - a gal that loves to show off her style.

Check out some photos of Jenny and Jesse below, and make sure to head on over to Gina Meola's blog to see more.

Photography by Gina Meola Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel Wardrobe styling by AVE Styles

Scarf Twist DIY

How many times have you looked through the beautiful pages of the J.Crew catalog and wondered how they style every page so effortlessly? I know I wonder that every time I look at it and I'm a fashion stylist. haha.

One of the styling details that stood out in the latest J.Crew catalog was the way they tied their scarves. Scarves are a beautiful and functional accessory  to wear as we approach the cooler months. I put together a simple little DIY on how you can get the twisted scarf look. If you're tired of simply wrapping the scarf around your neck or always having to rely on infinity scarves to look good try this trick.

1. Pick a scarf that is pretty long. I used a light-weight cotton scarf, but a thick wool scarf or even a silk scarf would be great with this technique.

2. Tie the scarf to a handle. In this case I just used a door knob.

3. Twist the entire scarf tightly until you can't twist it anymore.

4. Take the end off the door holding tightly to each end to make sure it doesn't unravel. Bring the two ends together and you'll notice the scarf wrap around itself until it looks like below. (Don't let go).

5. Hold the ends tightly so it doesn't unravel, and wrap it around your neck. Put one of the ends through the loop at the other end of the scarf and secure by tying a knot.

Voila! You can keep the knot in the front or place it in the back. I think scarves are a great way to dress up a casual t-shirt like I am wearing.

Comment below if you have any questions.

Hair Whip

Happy Wednesday! If you're lacking in the inspiration department maybe these photos will bring something out of you. The wild movement of the hair is so inspiring to me. It brings out the feeling of freedom. What is inspiring you lately? 

Images: Tiefgang, unknown, StyleCaster

Want vs. Need

I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately in regards to AVE Styles. If you read the Desert Rendezvous post you probably could deduce that. I value honesty and transparency, and when people take off their masks usually the best conversations come about. So, in light of that truth I'd like to be honest with you. Being known is something that has always driven me since I was a kid. The desire for someone to notice me. I think it drives a lot of us, actually. I suppose that's why social media is so successful. In my heart I know, however, that the desire to be known is a greater and deeper longing that can never be satisfied by success in the fashion industry or even marriage and motherhood. And yet time and time again I find myself down in the dumps because the numbers aren't what I want them to be or that my project didn't get published or someone didn't pick me to be a part of a collaboration...blah blah blah.

Here's a quote I read from this amazing book about radical stories of love. "I've learned that God sometimes allows us to find ourselves in a place where we want something so bad we can't see past it. Sometimes we can't even see God because of it. When we want something that bad, it's easy to mistake what we truly need for the thing we really want." - Bob Goff, Love Does

When I start to think what I really want vs what I really need it puts things in perspective. What I really need is purpose in this life, and I know that it's only found in God. Everything that I do (wife, mom, stylist, friend, daughter...) is all for a greater purpose. And sadly, what I have been wanting is just recognition. If you're wrestling with the same thing, let me pose a question. What if you get the recognition you dream of? Then what happens? I promise you that you'll only want more and it will never satisfy. Pinky promise. Seriously, you'd think almost a million followers on Pinterest would be enough wouldn't  you.

It's a daily battle, but I know that I will win the war with God's help.

Photos by Jasmine Star

Weekend Style

It's not too often that you see pictures of me sportin' my favorite outfits, so I'm going to try to start posting more. Here are a couple photos from my weekend captured with my iPhone. I chopped my very long hair off into a mid-length bob. I was inspired by Alexa Chung's amazing hair. Also, earlier last week ZARA opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square, so I had a lot of fun wearing my new boots and hat. I also fell in love with this blouse from Ross Dress for Less. Boy, I sure love a good bargain.