Sisterhood of the Traveling Wedding Dress | Hallie and Caroline's Story

There are very few bonds that have the ability to mold our lives in the way sisterhood does. Having a sister, in many ways, is a lot like living with a mirror in your hands. You see life as both yours but also there’s and eventually you can’t really tell where you begin and your sister ends. Sisters are predictable, but also never a stranger to surprises. If you’ve ever experienced growing up with a sister, you probably know that it’s almost impossible to remember what habit originated where. “You said that first?” “Was that my phrase or yours?” “No, I definitely liked that band WAY before you did!”

If all else fails, one thing is for absolute certain—you ALWAYS knew what belonged in your closet and if something ever was to come up missing, the culprit was only a quick walk down the hallway.

While sisterhood can be one of the most heated relationships you’ll experience, they are often the ones we run to the most. This bond is vulnerable—beautifully honest to a fault. This is a loyalty that will surpass time and space. Every secret, inside joke, every look, even the octave of their laugh has a special meaning that only you share. 

In today’s blog we are sharing the beautiful story of sisters and fellow Bustle brides, Hallie and Caroline, and how they shared one of the most significant moments two brides could ever experience. 

While Hallie is seven years older than her sister, Caroline, their difference in age has never hindered their timeless bond.

““Caroline is one of my very best friends and I often forget our age difference. We can talk about anything with each other and have walked through both good and hard times together. Even though she is younger, I look up to her and want to be like her in so many ways.””

— Hallie

““Hallie and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. She is my role model and I look up to her so much. Even though we are seven years apart, we have always had a special connection.””

— Caroline

Hallie tied the knot with her sweet husband, Leighton, six years before her sister Caroline said, “I do.” 

““We initially met when I was a freshman at Auburn and he was a sophomore. One of my best friends was dating one of his best friends at the time, which is how we began spending more time together! Funny enough, we ended up both being a bridesmaid and groomsman in the wedding of those friends!””

— Hallie

Hallie knew early on in their relationship that he was the one and that he would be who she chose for the rest of her life.

““Leighton has the biggest servant’s heart and that was one of the things that attracted me to him the most. He is so supportive, selfless, caring, and also makes me laugh like no one else can!” ”

— Hallie

““Hallie got married when I was in high school and I remember being blown away by her wedding dress. She looked so elegant and timeless in it, and I asked her after her wedding if she would let me wear it one day. She said of course!””

— Caroline

Fast forward six years later and coincidentally the SAME wedding date, August 20th, Caroline married the love of her life, Hank. 

Caroline first met Hank at his friend's apartment when they were both in town for Labor Day Weekend. She was a senior at Auburn and Hank was getting his masters at UGA. The pair immediately hit it off the first night they met. So much so, that Hank drove into town the next weekend to take Caroline on their first date. The rest is history!

““I told my mom after just a few weeks of knowing Hank that I was going to marry him. She hadn’t even met him yet and I told her I was confident he was the one and that she would probably think I was crazy for knowing so early, but she said she knew early on with my dad, too. Hank is the most genuine person I’ve ever met and even early on I felt like I could completely be myself around him.””

— Caroline

When it came time for Caroline to have her moment as a bride, she knew exactly what she wanted to wear on one of the most special days of her life. 

Caroline’s wedding day is pictured in the top two photos and her older sister, Hallie’s wedding day is pictured in the bottom two photos. We love how even their beautiful church venues match.

““I remember sometime after my wedding, Caroline asked if she could wear my dress for her wedding one day. I was so honored and of course said yes. What is so neat about this is that Caroline got married 6 years after me! So a good bit of time went by and she never changed her mind. And even more amazing, it literally fit her perfectly. I added a blush satin belt to mine, and we wanted for Caroline to have a detail to make the dress unique for her too. She chose a beautiful ivory rhinestone belt from Bustle, and I got to go with her to have a Bustle experience to try on different belts with the dress! It’s a memory that I will cherish forever!””

— Hallie

““We have very similar personalities and think the same way, so whenever I need advice I go to her.””

— Caroline

““She is one of my biggest fans and is always there for me.””

— Hallie

Photography:

Hallie’s Wedding Photography - Brittany Sturdivant

Caroline’s Wedding Photography - Jana Musselwhite

To Veil or Not to Veil? | Why We Love Them!

Did you know that wedding veils go back to ancient Greek and Roman times? While the symbolism of this timeless accessory has absolutely evolved over the last couple-thousand years, we are still swooning over the beauty of this tradition. But, let’s get real—WHY should you consider wearing one? Are they worth the extra money and effort? We happen to think so for several reasons, and here’s why!

But FIRST, did you know that veils come in just about any length AND that every length has a special name? We love how no matter the details of your day, there is a veil for every bride.

Birdcage 12-18″

This veil is a vintage calling card—STUNNING yet understated. You can wear it by covering the face down to the chin or swept to the side for a more striking look.

Blusher 30″

This veil is probably what most would picture when you talk about a “traditional” wedding veil. Dawning a short, single layer worn over a bride’s face as she walks down the aisle, later pulled back by her betrothed—simple and romantic.

Shoulder-Length 20″

Maybe your gown has a PHENOMENAL back that you don’t want to cover up, but you also don’t want to sacrifice the drama of a veil—then a shoulder-length veil is for YOU. This length is perfect for laying gently over your shoulders without covering one of your favorite parts of your gown.

Elbow-Length 32″

Since this veil falls at your elbows, it is the perfect style to complement a ball gown (or any gown with a voluminous skirt) because of where the veil ends and the skirt begins. We love the silhouette of this look.

Fingertip 38-40″

This veil is ideal for those who really want to dip their toes (or fingers, lol) into dramatic territory without the fuss. While this veil is a bit longer, it doesn’t hide your dress—universally being one of the most beloved styles.

Knee-Length 48″

Knee-length veils are your “it girl” if you want to wear a long veil, but also keep it on throughout your reception. The length screams “I AM THE MOMENT” while still being short enough that you aren’t tripping over it through your reception—no dancing will be harmed at the hands of this veil.

Floor-Length 72″

Our stylists love floor-length veils! They really love the idea of this veil for brides that maybe don’t have a long train on their gown. That way, the veil can gently graze the floor in place of a train—giving you the wow-factor in the back.

Chapel 90″

This veil is DRAMA in all the best ways. While this length is not for those who want a no-fuss situation, it is absolutely perfect for brides who want to feel like the main character in a fairytale (major royal wedding vibes).

Cathedral 108-120″

The Cathedral veil is the veil of ALL veils. This theatrical wonder is both traditional and awe-inspiring. Perfect for those with grand venues or long wedding aisles—be prepared for audible gasps from your guests in this type of veil!

Veils are GORGEOUS in photos!

It’s pretty hard to deny that veils are a sure-fire way to look editorial in your wedding photos. You cannot replace the drama of a beautiful veil gently blowing in the wind while you are kissing the love of your life.

Veils are a beautiful way to incorporate an Heirloom

This sentimental accessory can easily be passed down through generations. We love the idea that you could wear a piece of your history in such an effortless way—No need for costly alterations and reconstructions!

A veil can TRANSFORM your look—giving you two look options for your big day!

The best part about fashion is there are NO rules. Just because you want a veil for dramatic gasps at the ceremony and cinematic pictures, doesn’t mean you have to be tied down to it all night. Make your fashion choices work for you! So many brides dawn a veil during their ceremony and then switch up their look by removing it for their reception.

This may be the only time in your life when you get the opportunity to wear a veil!

We think it’s important to consider that for a lot of people, this may be the only instance in your life where you can wear a veil. For so many of our brides, the veil is the crowning jewel of a perfect gown. This moment is one you have romanticized for most of your life—why not do it big and live out your dreams?

Did you know we specifically offer veil appointments at Bustle? We can help guide you into the perfect veil whether you’ve sad “YES!” to your dress or not—You can visit this link here to schedule an appointment!

What NOT To Do Before Your Bridal Appointment

We recently watched one of our FAVORITE romcoms of all time, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and if there is ANYTHING to be learned from that emotional circus, it’s the fact that knowing what NOT to do in any given situation speaks volumes. There are few things that sting worse than reflecting back on a moment where you went into something blind and wish that you could go back and try again—WHY can’t we all just have a pretty little do-over button?

This blog is here for you so you don’t have to mentally rewind your bridal appointment, wishing you could do things different.

Your wedding season is TOO SHORT to be stressed over every tiny detail!

TIP #1 - Don’t schedule too many appointments in one day

You shouldn’t feel pressured to attend more than one bridal appointment in one day. Over the years, scheduling 2-3 appointments in a single day became standard practice and we have seen the stressful effects that has had on our brides—talk about DECISION FATIGUE. Scheduling multiple bridal appointments in one day is a lot like trying to navigate that mile-long menu at Cheesecake Factory. TOO MANY CHOICES is a real thing. When you are able to give yourself more breathing room, this allows you to make clear decisions that aren’t filled with overwhelmed confusion. By limiting the amount of appointments you attend in one day, we promise you will feel empowered to make the decision that is right for you in an unclouded state of mind.

Tip #2 - Don’t come to your appointment in the wrong undergarments

What you’re wearing underneath the gown in your appointment matters. We recommend wearing skin colored undergarments with a smooth texture. That way, the gowns you try-on will look seamless and will give you the best foundation to make a decision that you are confident with. Avoid undergarments that are not your skin tone with a lot of lace.

Tip #3 - Don’t let ANYONE pressure you into a gown that isn’t you

While it should be a given that what you choose to wear on your wedding day should be YOUR CHOICE, for many brides it doesn’t always feel that way. It’s not a foreign feeling to have pressure from your family or friends to pick a dress that just isn’t you. We ESPECIALLY don’t want that pressure to ever come from your bridal consultant. At Bustle, we solidify a commitment to always being there to guide you into a gown that brings every bit of the magic that you deserve. As hard as it can be to fight the feeling to please everyone else on such a big day, please remember all these people are here to celebrate YOU finding one of the most beautiful opportunities life has to offer—love.

For more in-depth tips on managing good mental health during the wedding planning process, you can visit our blog here—we sat down with local therapists, McKinley and Melanie, and they gave us some much needed tips on keeping up the mindfulness.

To book your bridal appointment with us, you can visit this link here. We can’t wait to meet you!

Bustle's Top 10 Wellness Splurges for 2023!

What we aren’t going to do in this blog is reiterate an outdated idea that everyone has to adopt a strict set of goals to adhere to in the coming year. Most of the New Year’s resolutions of days old are often left in the unpopulated corners of our minds, living with forgotten phone numbers and high school history lessons. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the unnecessary guilt of everything we didn’t do last year, instead of reminding ourselves of all the little victories. Your value isn’t determined by how long you stuck to your exercise routine or your daily journaling practice.

This year, let’s prioritize the celebration of self! Everyday you woke up and chose to greet the day is a beautiful accomplishment, worthy of indulgence. YOU are worth it! I recently read a poem by Hollis Johnson that resonated with me and I’d like to share it with you,

The number of hours we have together is actually not so large.
Please linger near the door uncomfortably instead of just leaving.
Please forget your scarf in my life and come back later for it. 

In this blog we are gushing over our favorite wellness items. Life is too short not to romanticize every inch of it. Let these things be a reminder that the time we have together is not so large, drink out of the pretty glass, ordain your planner with all your favorite stickers instead of saving them for “the perfect moment.” Happy New Year to all our beautiful friends! Let’s celebrate living while also being kind to the bodies that are carrying us on the expedition.

Our Top 10 Wellness Favorites for 2023!

1.) Headspace

Headspace was started with one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world. Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, the Headspace app helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you. Headspace is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. It can also help you relax your mind in minutes, improve focus, and get the best sleep ever. Personally, we SWEAR BY their “sleep casts” and “sleep sounds.” For anyone who has trouble dozing off, this is for YOU. They have a mindful meditation for truly EVERYTHING. From general anxiety, to anxiousness over starting a new job, travel, or dealing with different types of grief, they have something for everyone. 10/10 recommend!

2.) Bando Planner

Joy comes in many forms—color, music, confetti, great conversation—and Bando believes it sparks creativity, connects people, and makes us more resilient. Bando creates and curates products to inspire it. Gone are the days of cool meaning exclusive and elusive. We think it’s defined by championing others and supporting individuality. We love that this brand is consistently teaming up with independent artists and companies to celebrate you and your unique brand of cool. There are very few things that give us the same kind of serotonin as a fresh planner. ESPECIALLY when they look like this!

3. Stanley Tumbler

As if tiktok hasn’t already added gasoline to the flame of our obsession with these, we’re here to remind you once again. Our entire team has matching Stanleys—comfort water bottle club right here! From commuting, studio workouts, day trips or your front porch—you’ll want this tumbler to tag along. Thanks to Stanley’s vacuum insulation, your water will stay ice-cold, hour after hour. We LOVE how the advanced FlowState™ lid features a rotating cover with THREE positions: a straw opening designed to resist splashes while holding the reusable straw in place, a drink opening, and a full-cover top. The ergonomic handle includes comfort-grip inserts for easy carrying, and the narrow base fits just about any car cup holder. One thing we’re NOT gonna do in 2023 is be dehydrated!

4.) Ilia Skin Tint with SPF

I’m convinced that I could dominate pretty much any part of my day when my skin looks like I just came out of the womb— supple and dewy please! ILIA skin tint is THE perfect light, dewy coverage, mineral SPF for 2023. Your tinted SPF will never be the same. This first-of-its-kind formula fuses skincare, makeup, and sun protection into one easy step: a lightweight skin tint that leaves your skin looking like skin. ILIA Skin Tint features SPF 40 coverage with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide to help shield skin from UVA, UVB, UVC, blue light, and pollution. Cute skin AND protection? Put me down for two!

5.) Waterpik

If you’re like me, entering your thirties means you are probably realizing how much you want to prioritize oral health. Hot girls care about their gum health, you know? Waterpik® is the #1 recommended water flosser brand, clinically proven and accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA). This little hero removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas and is up to 50% more effective for improving gum health vs. string floss. This is the kind of luxury we want in the new year!

6.) Lululemon Align Sets!

You’ve probably caught on by now that a good set of spandex is for way more than your workout. To be honest, we want to LIVE in the Lulu align leggings— comfort and cute? Yes please! Whether you’re a neutrals girl or you die for color, the align collection has something for everyone. While these are an absolute splurge, our pros are that they ward off odor better than any other and look seamless, with the upmost quality! If you needed a nudge to invest in an athleisure set this year, this is it!

7.) Square Wine Glasses

Okay, okay, here me out… WHY do we exclusively use these type of glasses for special occasions and wine only? Let’s normalize drinking from elegant glasses just because. The way I feel like the main character when I pour my favorite bev into these glasses and binge my favorite show. These beauties have a cylindrical bowl with a flat base—the dramatic, contemporary look that lends an elegant edge to the enjoyment of red wine..or Dr. Pepper (I’ll let you decide).

8.) Oura Ring

Listen, we know this one is a pretty significant splurge, but when it comes down to the benefits of this little wonder, we HAD to include them in this favorites list. When you go to sleep, the Oura ring goes to work. Sleep is foundational to improving your mental and physical health. That's why Oura started sleep tracking in 2013 and has been the category leader ever since. Oura learns about your individual sleep patterns and shares personalized guidance on when to start winding down to improve your sleep quality. Oura also tracks your overall health with the finest detail, including: Activity, Readiness, and even Menstrual Tracking. I’m sorry, MENSTRUAL TRACKING? This tiny beauty will help you stay regulated with it’s easy-to-maneuver app— all while looking elegant and sleek. That’s what I call wellness in 2023!

9.) Better Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black tea drink commonly consumed for its purported health benefits. Advocates say it helps your digestion, rids your body of toxins, and boosts your energy— all that on top of the fact that it’s absolutely delicious. Every IBS girly can say “yes please!” to prioritizing gut health in 2023. As Birmingham’s first commercial kombucha brewery, Better Kombucha believes that an integral part of being better physically, mentally, and spiritually is related to what we put into our bodies, and that taking better care of ourselves makes us better people and better people make better community. We couldn’t talk about our favorite square wine glasses without giving you a beverage suggestion that IMPROVES your gut health.

10.) Local Library Card

In this economy, it’s sometimes hard to stay up-to-speed on buying all the books on your wishlist. Your local library is for way more than childhood story-times and middle school book clubs. Libraries are for us, too! I’m a firm believer that local libraries are one of the most beautiful hidden gems in society. Not only are these places an avenue of mindful escape, they keep our communities strong. Investing in ourselves means investing in our minds, our imagination, our wonder—the parts of us that we often leave behind deserve to be embraced sensationally, That is self-care in 2023, friends!

Our Favorite Christmas Memories!

““Christmas is the day that holds all time together.””

— Alexander Smith

Christmas is a kind of magic that is almost impossible to replicate in any other way. You find yourself looking forward to the season of candy canes and carols way past childhood. In fact, sometimes the genuine appreciation of love means more as the years move forward.

This year we had local photography angel, Jana Musselwhite, over at the shop during our Christmas Sweater party! Our team had the best time fawning over each-other’s sweaters as we arrived. From 90’s kid snowmen to hand-beaded poinsettias, each sweater was absolute serotonin. What a fun surprise to watch your best girls walk through the door in their jolliest attire. 10/10 recommend!

In this blog, our team spent some time reflecting on our favorite Christmas traditions and memories. We hope you enjoy reading through each person’s holiday highlight reel. Maybe some of our traditions are your traditions too. However you are spending the Christmas season, we hope you find warmth through sincere love. Whatever that looks like. There is no wrong way to be with the people you love most. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year <3

Meredith - Shop Owner

My favorite Christmas memories were waking up at my grandparents' house and walking with my grandmother to the living room where a fire would be roaring in the fireplace and stockings would be stuffed with goodies. We would spend the day with the whole family playing with new toys, talking and listening to Christmas music by the fire. My Christmas memories are probably my favorite memories of all.

Cherry - Bridal Consultant

I’m so thankful the celebration of Christ is seen and heard everywhere this time of year. A tradition in our family is going to my brother’s hunting camp before Christmas. My brother loves to decorate for Christmas so the camp is very festive! We really enjoy the hay rides, skeet shooting, looking for arrow heads, and the Saturday night gingerbread house competition. 

On Christmas Day our family gets together for dinner and our kids and grandkids enjoy getting a stocking filled with goodies. We cherish our time together and for that I’m grateful!

Jessica - Bridal Consultant

My family and I have a tradition of picking out a real Christmas tree the day after thanksgiving every year. The tradition began when I was a little girl. We went shopping for our tree together and my Dad would go to the front door with the tree and ring the doorbell as if he were delivering it to us. My husband and I have continued this tradition, and our boys love going and picking out our tree. They get so excited when Daddy rings the doorbell and asks, "Did someone order a Christmas tree?"

Laine - Creative Director

Every year, my Grandmother makes a BIG production out of Christmas. There’s a theme, a story to tell, puppets for the little ones, and my favorite part: costumes! My eccentric Grama and my usually very serious grandfather (we call him Podges) don the most ridiculous costumes they can find that fits the theme of the year, and show up with a car full of presents to put on the Christmas show. She has dressed up as a giant Apple, The Eqyptian Queen Cleopatra, a Wild West Saloon Girl (yep, you heard me) and this year, a big brown bear. It’s always something, and we never leave Christmas without a few good belly laughs! 

Lily - Bridal Consultant

One of my favorite Christmas memories was watching my mom make homemade Christmas wreaths. It was a small touch, but it elevated our home and looked better than anything you would find in the store! Although I didn’t always partake in putting together the wreaths growing up, it’s something I want to start incorporating into my own Christmas traditions.

Jillian - Blog Strategist

What I love most about the holiday season is how traditions that mean so much as a child grow with you and become part of your life as an adult. Growing up, my grandmother always gave each grandchild a special ornament to open on Christmas Eve. I love remembering how excited me and my siblings would get over what our ornament would be. My grandmother always made sure the ornaments reflected our lives that year and represented things that were significant to us. I carried this tradition into my marriage. Now every year, my wife and I pick out an ornament that represents a memory of the year before and it makes decorating our tree each Christmas season sweet and a little teary.

Mckinley - Bridal Consultant

Every Christmas my husband’s grandma makes homemade gingerbread houses from scratch. Every year during the Christmas season all the grandkids get-together to decorate and it’s so much fun! She makes all the gingerbread, icing, and extras all herself!

Elizabeth - Bridal Consultant

My favorite Christmas tradition is making and decorating homemade sugar cookies with my two sisters and grandmother. I now have three nephews who are a part of the tradition and we look forward to it every Christmas Eve! 

Kathryn - Bridal Consultant

My favorite holiday tradition has always been breakfast on Christmas morning. My family does a big get-together on Christmas Eve, so by Christmas morning after all the presents are unwrapped we are ready to settle in for some calm. My mom cooks a big breakfast and we sit around the table and take time to reflect on the past year and share stories from Christmas’ past. This time of reflection and being together has always been special to me. It’s a time I cherish each and every year 

Bustle's Christmas Gathering at Juniper Bham

“The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays.”

— W. C. Jones

After another year of swooning over our bride’s in their perfect dresses, we love getting together as a team to reflect on all the joy that the past year has brought us. This Christmas season, we decided to gather around Juniper’s glorious table. This eclectic wonderland is the kind of back drop that makes any party feel special. Between the flittering candles and lush botanicals, it’s easy to sink into this space and share a toast with loved ones.

We dawned the night by ordering several rounds of Duck Fat Fries and Edamame Hummus for the table. No evening at Juniper should ever be complete without trying their signature “Buzzword” cocktail. This infectious beverage was the talk of the table and for good reason. Earlier in the year, we spent Galentines Day at Juniper and wrote about the whole experience. You can get all the details on that cocktail from our previous blog post here.

The culinary highlights of the night were the crab cakes and mushroom sandwich. Truly not one small plate left us hoping for something more. Juniper has this way of surprising you in all the right ways. We ended our evening craving something sweet and we were not disappointed. The desserts were indulgent, mirroring the same comfort that can only be found in the holidays. We tried the Blueberry Creme Brulee and the Chocolate Bread Pudding - stunning!

We found ourselves passing around the bread pudding and taking a moment to appreciate the past as we gushed about growing up in the early 2000s. Laughing over who had which flip phone and the perils that were AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Fast forward nearly 20 years and the same girls that shared bedazzled razor phones are now bonding over espresso martinis. Same laughter. Different moments. Time is wonderful thing. So simple in theory, yet beautiful.

It’s our hope that this season treats you well. We are sending you our love and best wishes. Take some time this holiday to reflect on good memories and also understand that memories are being made now. Sometimes the memories that didn’t seem momentous at the time, end up meaning the most. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Crafting with Claire: Holiday Mantle

““May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.””

— Mary Anne Radmacher

Claire Jackson is such a refreshing part of our Bustle family. When she isn’t wowing us with her endearing creativity, she is spending time with her sweet husband, Dan, and their two precious children, Eleanor and Henry.

We all know someone who makes decorating look effortless. Claire is THAT person. Everything she touches turns into a Pinterest ad and we love her for it. While we can’t all be a “Claire", at Bustle we want to make the art of creativity attainable for everyone. That’s why Claire has made it her personal goal to curate crafts that we can all partake in. Every season, she will lead us in a step-by-step guide through the latest diy trends. Whether you’re crafting with kiddos or by yourself with a glass of wine, we hope you enjoy this pretty piece of mindfulness

This season’s Crafts with Claire is a beautiful homage to the warmth of home for the holidays. There is something so heartfelt about a festive mantle with twinkling lights and nostalgic decor. This setting will be the backdrop to your most treasured memories for years to come.

In this blog, Claire will guide us through her process of designing the coziest Holiday Mantle, shopping at one of our favorite places on earth, TARGET.

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It seems like the big box stores ordain their shelfs with holiday merriment earlier and earlier each year. Sometimes the array of stockings and Christmas garland can be quite overwhelming. We’ve all had that moment of standing in the middle of the holiday lights display, trying to figure out what size bulbs would be just perfect for our tree. Claire is helping us get our holly jolly together this season!

She took on the task of using a $50 design budget to create a mantle worthy of all our White Christmas dreams. She frolicked through the aisles of Target to pull this project together and we are NOT disappointed. We hope you can get some inspiration from Claire’s lush display. Keep an eye out for links to shop some of these items for your own decor!

““Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.””

— Freya Stark

Claire’s Tips to Build an Aesthetic Holiday Mantle

1.) When you start designing a new display, it helps to make the key elements of your design symmetrical and then add other things to make it interesting and give balance.

2.) Add lights for that Christmas glow!

3.) Working vintage items into your scheme will add sentimentality and warmth to your design.

Shop the look here!

Flocked Christmas Trees

Flocked Garland

Alabaster Photo Frame

Mini House #1

Mini House #2

Mini Trees

BUSTLE IS DRESSED FOR CHRISTMAS

It’s no secret that we love the holidays. ESPECIALLY, decorating for the holidays. Let’s be real, some of the most fun we have over the Christmas season is scouring for the perfect scented pinecone. And while we’re busy trying to decide which poinsettia pillow best fits our aesthetic, we are finding simple joy. The feeling of accomplishment as each little corner comes together is a familiar form of serotonin. Decorating Bustle for Christmas was every bit of therapy that we needed it to be. While fun, we’d be lying if we said it didn’t come with a few…. hiccups. If you’d like to see our decorating feats AND blunders, you can watch our recent reel here <3

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

— Washington Irving

We hope you all have a beautifully decorated holiday season. Sending all our love!

Holiday BYOB "Bring Your Own Board" Party!

““I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.””

— Ina Garten

The days of stressing over an overwhelming holiday food spread are OVER. There is a festive trend taking over tiktok called a BYOB “Bring Your Own Board” party and we are obsessed!

We love how this fresh take on holiday hosting takes the pressure off of the hostess to prepare a full feast solo. You invite your loved ones to get a little creative and bring something special to the table. The only rule - the dish must fit on a board. Any board of your choice!

For our holiday party, we hosted a Friendsgiving gathering and used Canva to quickly whip together these precious invites!

With ENDLESS culinary opportunities, you could go “classic” with a inviting charcuterie board, or get a little spicy with something more unconventional.

Our guests WOWED us with what they came up with. Among this little feast, we had timeless options like homemade focaccia pretzels paired with beer cheese and cranberry and brie puff pastries. We also devoured a few wildcard delicacies like a taco (carnitas) board and chicken and waffles board - delish!

We think this idea would be perfect for ANY party you have this holiday season! We love the idea of celebrating Christmas with a beautiful array of charcuterie boards - you could get really festive with a christmas cookie table where you invite guests to each bring a platter of their favorite cookies! Or host a New Years Eve bash with a spread of boards that guests could graze on as they countdown to the new year. However you choose to celebrate, this BYOB will be the perfect backdrop for every occasion.

You can check out ALL the details of these gorgeous boards by watching our instagram reel here!

The Perfect Thanksgiving Day Outfit from a Birmingham Stylist

HOW is it Thanksgiving season already? It feels like we should still be picking out swimsuits and sundresses, but ALAS, fall is upon us - FINALLY. While we’re busy ordering our iced mocha with extra peppermint and greeting chunky knit sweaters like a long-lost friend, it’s time to game-plan what we’ll be wearing around the Thanksgiving table this year. Giving thanks and serving looks, honey!

We asked the help of Birmingham stylist, Emma Freeze, to guide us into the glory of a great outfit. She has styled looks that have us seeing autumnal beauty, while leveling up the intrigue. No boring outfits allowed. Whether you like things clean and classic or high fem chic, Emily has got you covered.

To shop all of these swoon-worthy looks, visit Emma’s link here.

Style 1 - European Street Style

By mixing texture with print, this outfit is sure to make a statement. Add sneakers and remove the coat for warmer gatherings during the day and slip on the loafers and coat to take into the cooler weather evening events.

Style 2 - NYC High Fem

Jackets are the best way to mix and match staple pieces like this knit little black dress. Wear during the day with sneakers and a casual shacket for lunch with the girls or into date night by swapping them with a blazer and chic boots.

Style 3 - Clean Girl Aesthetic

With family gatherings and drinks with friends in mind, this outfit was created to be versatile for it all. This classic jean and tee combo can be taken from day to night by adding an elevated jacket like this leather moto and mixing in some sparkle with a simple yet fun earring.

Emma, also known as The Chic Next Door, graduated with a Fashion Merchandising degree from the University of Alabama and has years of experience in different retail positions. A self-certified shopaholic, Emma’s goal is to create a meaningful relationship with you while helping you create your own style identity. She wants everyone to experience the joy that comes through the expression of your truest self through fashion. If you would like to inquire about all her styling services, visit her website here.