Dress Haute Wishlist

Not sure what to put on your Christmas list this year? Don’t worry, Dress Haute has tons of gift ideas that are perfect for you or a family member. We created a list featuring some of our favorite gifts, available right here at Dress Haute. Check them out below, we hope you enjoy! 

1. Princess Club 

 The Princess Club is about encouraging young girls and women to learn self-expression, confidence, and self-love through life lessons, experience, and creativity. Ages from 2-18 can sign up to become a part of the Princess Club and receive our subscription boxes! These boxes are filled with goodies and exclusive perks for everyone to enjoy! 

2. Dress Haute’s 2021 Calendar 

Order our new Dress Haute Calendar now! You can order this by December 14th, just in time for Christmas. This is a great way to not only get a gift for your friend or family member but also give back to your community. A portion of proceeds will be benefiting Project Prom of Allegheny County! 

3.     Dress Haute Magazine 

Our first ever magazine is finally here! Our magazine will encourage young girls to accept and embrace diversity. We hope that this magazine will start the ongoing conversation of self-love. There are articles for inspiration, activities, DIY’s, and so much more!

4.     Custom mask or gown 

Do you have a friend or family member that loves to dress up? Stop in or email us about creating a custom mask or gown. This can be for an event or occasion, we’re ready to make your imagination a reality.  Make your loved one the dress of their dreams, unique just for them.

Staying Positive During the Winter

Winter is here and you know what that means, lack of daylight, snowstorms, and freezing temperatures. All of these things make it difficult for people to remain positive during this time, easily slipping into winter depression. It’s important to not sit around, hopelessly waiting for summertime to come around. If you’re looking to beat those winter blues, keep reading to check out tips on how to increase positivity. 

1. Be productive!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can I possibly want to do anything when it’s freezing and dark out? It may be a struggle to find the right motivation but once you get up and moving, it’s all worth it. Being productive can boost your mood, ultimately increasing your outlook on the day. It’s time to start that project you never got around to finishing!

2. Try not to hibernate 

During the winter, staying home with a big cozy blanket sounds ideal. However, being social has proven to actually make us healthier. Socialization has psychological and physiological effects overall make us feel better. Make an effort to get out of the house this winter, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. This is a perfect time to spend a little extra time with family or friends. 

3. Don’t forget about self-care 

Taking care of yourself is so important, especially during the winter months. Even if its just for a few minutes a day, take “me-time” to do something for yourself. This doesn’t have to be extravagant; it can be as simple as taking a hot bath. It’s okay to be selfish here! Giving your body time to relax will reduce stress, helping you feel happier. 

4. Keep a regular sleep schedule 

Getting out of bed in the morning is especially hard when its cold outside. However, keeping a regular sleep schedule is important in keeping your mind and body feeling focused. Getting a good night’s rest will leave you feeling energized and ready for the day. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try eliminating all distractions. An easy way to do this is to put your phone away an hour before bed or turning off the TV.

These next few months can be tough, but don’t be so hard on yourself this year! It’s okay to not feel your best. Take the steps above at your own pace! You got this! 

Giving Back This Christmas

The Holidays are all about giving back to those less fortunate. Here at Dress Haute, giving back to our community is very important to us. This year has been a difficult year for all of us and we wanted to do something special for those who are struggling during the holidays.

We have partnered up with Holiday Project this holiday season! Holiday Project is a fundraiser for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. This project provides meaningful gifts to children in families who need support. Children that receive these gifts can range from newborn to young adults. There are many children out there who are in need of extra love and kindness during this time!

You can now adopt one of our angles to start spreading love this Christmas! Dress Haute is working as a drop off location where you can send a gift to one of our angels. If you are looking to make a difference this year, please join us in our mission of spreading love and joy.

For more information stop by our shop! If you are able to stop by and want to help, give us a call at (412)-398-7662. We would love to answer any questions you may have.

The Importance of Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! As this time of year rolls around, everyone is thinking about the perfect side dish to bring to dinner. Sometimes we forget to take the time to stop and remember why we do all of this in the first place. Thanksgiving is all about being surrounded by family and friends. Most importantly, it’s about giving thanks. But why is giving thanks so important? 

Gratitude, or giving thanks, is an appreciation for what we receive, tangible and intangible. It’s important to recognize all that we are grateful for as it improves our lives in many different ways. It can deepen our relationships, boost joy, reduce depression, and provides us with a sense of peace. 

As the craziness begins today, we at Dress Haute challenge you to slow down and practice gratitude. Before you start Thanksgiving dinner or even at the end of the night, think of three things that you are grateful for today. These can be simple things such as being grateful to wake up this morning. Go around the table or room and ask your family to participate! 

Dress Haute wishes you a Happy Holidays! We are grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for supporting Dress Haute! 

#LUVYOURSELF

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Happy Holidays! Black Friday is right around the corner and it may look a little different this year. Shoppers are no longer camping outside of stores, waiting to bust down the doors in order to get the best deal. This year, many sales have moved online in hopes to have less crowds and maintain safe social distancing. If you are shopping online, here are a few tips to make sure your Black Friday experience goes smoothly! 

1. Start looking now!

Many stores have started the Black Friday deals early, some are even available now. Get a head start by looking at your favorite stores to see what deals they are offering. If the deals you’re looking for hasn’t started yet, make sure to research what time they will be available. 

2. Make a list 

Things can get crazy this time of year, even online. Make a list of the products and stores you want to buy from. This will keep you organized and help keep a clear head when it’s time to start shopping. 

3. Bookmark pages 

After you have made your list, bookmark each stores website on your computer. This will make it easier to shop and switch to different websites without searching each one. 

 Best of luck this year! Dress Haute hopes you get everything on your list! Most importantly, stay safe and healthy. 

How to Deal with Holiday Stress

It’s officially the holiday season! All though this season is might to spread love and cheer, we understand that it can be quite stressful. With all the shopping, gift-giving, and holiday activities, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed. To help relieve some of that stress, we came up with a list of 5 important tips for the holidays. Keep reading to check them out! 

1. Do less, enjoy more 

The holiday season can become extremely busy. You may be trying to jungle work, family, and even school all while trying to prepare for the holidays. Remember to take some time to yourself. Instead of going overboard to please your loved ones, make a note to slow down and enjoy those little moments. 

2. Forget perfection 

Everyone has felt the pressure of finding the perfect gift or hosting the perfect party. Don’t stress about doing it all, this can make the holiday season so much enjoyable. If you can’t find that perfect plate set or wrapping paper, pick something else. The small details do not define “the perfect” Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

3. Don’t overschedule 

We all want to make time to see every friend or family member during the holidays. This can become overwhelming as you can over schedule by squeezing everything in. Don’t spread yourself too thin. If you can’t make it to a friend’s holiday party because of other obligations, pick a time after the holidays to catch up.  

4. Try new traditions 

Family traditions are a huge part of the holiday season. It may be a special cookie recipe your grandma used to make, or a fun game everyone plays after dinner. Sometimes it can be hard to get certain family traditions right. If you are feeling pressure to make sure everything is perfect, try starting a new tradition to relive stress and have fun. 

5. Laugh! 

Overall, the holiday season is meant to enjoy time with family and friends. It brings a sense of togetherness, making us free loved and grateful. Make sure you soak in every moment, always laughing and being present. 

COMING SOON: DRESS HAUTE MAGAZINE

Do you want more Dress Haute? Be on the look out for our first magazine “Love Yourself” available this January! 

Dress Haute was created on the idea that love conquers all. Loving yourself and who you are is the most important thing to teach children at a very young age. Expressing oneself through fashion can lead to the innermost beauty of a young woman. 

Our mission with this magazine is to encourage young girls to embrace and accept diversity. We hope to inspire our audience to celebrate their flaws and live life unapologetically. Through every article, this magazine will start the ongoing conversation of self-love! 

Don’t forget, the holidays are fast approaching! This magazine is a great gift and will also be a part of our Princess Club boxes. The Princess Club is a monthly subscription box for kids ages 4-18. Each box is filled with accessories, clothing, and more! You don’t want to miss out of this great deal for the holidays, sign up today! 

#LUVYOURSELF

Wedding Dress Trends You’ll See in 2021

The new year is fast approaching and we’ve got all your wedding dress inspiration right here! Weddings may have looked a little different this year, but we are looking forward to what 2021 will bring us. If you’re planning on getting married sometime in 2021, take a look at the top trends you’ll be seeing all year long. 

1. Capes

BHLDN

Looking to turn heads? The contemporary fashion choice of wearing a cape will create a gorgeous look while surprising your guests with this unexpected style. Capes offer a classic and traditional feel while still remaining modern and elegant. 

2. Bishop Sleeves 

L. Wells

Sleeves have been making a huge comeback in the bridal world. Bishop sleeves are loose but fitted at the wrists, giving off a bohemian or fairytale look. Again, this trend is perfect if you’re looking to make a statement and try something new. 

3. Short Dresses

Morilee

Due to the recent events, short dresses are becoming quite popular. Many brides are deciding to wait for the big ceremony and to get eloped instead, choosing to go with a shorter dress. Short dresses are also great for bridal showers or wedding rehearsals! 

4. Minimalistic Styles 

Romona Keveza

Don’t let the word “minimalistic” fool you, minimalistic does not mean boring. Dresses without excess beading, lace, or tulle offer a sophisticated and modern feel. Minimalistic styles allows the bride to be more creative in her accessories, playing around with gloves, necklaces, and hair pins. 

Winter Hair Care

Between the cold weather and indoor heat, the winter months can cause damage to your hair. Split ends and breakage can happen all winter long. If you are looking to keep your hair healthy, there are some steps you should take. Check them out! 

1. Moisturize with hair oil  

Available on Sephora

Winter can dry out your hair, causing a flaky scalp. Try picking up a leave-in conditioner or hair oil. Put a few drops of oil at the ends of your hair to help replenish moisture. This will prevent breakage and leave your hair feeling soft. 

2. Shampoo less 

Available at Target

Washing your hair every day can cause more harm than good. It can strip your hair of its natural oils, which is needed for winter protection. Dry shampoo is your new best friend! Apply dry shampoo at the root of your hair between washes to keep your hair looking fresh. 

3. Avoid using heat when styling 

Available at Sephora

Before straightening or curling your hair, try hairstyles like braids, buns, and ponytails. If you are going to be using heat, make sure to be spraying a heat protectant throughout the ends of your hair. 

4. Weekly treatments 

Available at Ulta

As you are putting on your favorite face mask, put on a hair mask as well! Hair masks has many benefits such as hydrating, softening, and boosting hair growth. Leave a deep conditioning mask on your hair for 20 minutes to get the best results. 

5. Go dark!

Photo by Pan Xiaozhen

Winter may not be the best time to want platinum blonde hair. This is extremely damaging. If you are already blonde, try leaving your roots a little darker. If you want a full transformation, try embracing all the darker hues to get in the winter spirit! 

What To Do After Getting Engaged

Congrats to all the newly engaged couples! You may be feeling tons of emotions, mostly excitement but maybe some anxiety too. It’s surreal, but it’s happening! There are many things to think about, but don’t be overwhelmed. You have plenty of time to plan. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at these tips. 

Take time to just be happy together. 

This may be the best thing for newly engaged couples to do. Before planning the rest of your life together, stop to take everything in. Live in the excitement and make it last forever. This is an incredibly special time, make it memorable. 

Get the word out. 

You may want to scream from the rooftops about your recent news, however, there’s no rush. Take your time and when you’re ready to tell people, start with your family. You don’t want the whole world knowing before close family and friends. Once your close inner circle knows, make that long awaited social media post. 

Go to get your ring sized and insured. 

Your partner may have picked out a ring that fits perfectly, but sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way. The last thing you want to risk is your ring falling off and losing it. Many brides take the extra step to get it insured. If your ring gets lost or stolen, insurance will replace it without having to buy a new one.   

Get inspired for your future wedding. 

Last but not least, start thinking about your future wedding. You don’t need to have a venue booked or your bridal party decided just yet. Give yourself some time before setting any plans in stone. Start by looking at some inspiration images that you like. Once you have many different ideas, you can narrow things down and start planning.  

The Importance of Self-Love

Society puts a lot of pressure on us to look, act, and be a certain way. This then leads us to set unrealistic standards for ourselves. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and has their own set of flaws. Practicing self-love and self-acceptance is not easy but it’s important in maintaining our mental health and overall well-being.

Self-love is not only about how you treat yourself but your thoughts and feelings about yourself as well. Self-acceptance is all about embracing our positive and negative flaws. In order to love ourselves, we need to start exploring every aspect of ourselves. Loving yourself means accepting yourself. It’s time for us women to stop feeling the pressure of society and comparing ourselves to everyone else. The moment we stop judging and being so hard on ourselves, is the moment we feel confident and empowered. 

Loving ourselves allows us to become more assertive, set boundaries, create healthier relationships and become motivated to accomplish our goals. We are all unique and powerful, and by accepting ourselves we can do or become anything we set our minds to. 

Self-love doesn’t mean feeling positive about yourself all the time. It’s okay to have bad days, we all do. Sometimes you may feel upset with yourself, but still love yourself and that’s okay. Think of self-love as a continuous journey, your journey. It may not always be easy, but remember you are not alone. Nothing in the world can stop you from achieving your goals, keep working on yourself and your dreams! 

Top Winter Wedding Flowers

Flower arrangements are an easy way to make your winter wedding stand out. Winter weddings are unique because you can play around with frosty whites, greens, and soft or bright colors. To help you get inspired for your winter wedding, we’ve come up with the top flowers for the perfect wedding. Continue reading to check them out! 

1. Roses

Photo by Annie Spratt

You can never go wrong with roses; they make any flower arrangement look elegant! If you are staying away from a white, try focusing on brighter shades of pink or red roses. 

2. Orchids

Photo by Jessica Knowlden

Orchids are one of our favorites for winter weddings. These flowers suggest a more formal and classic feel. Orchids could be also be used as a wedding cake decoration, a hair decoration, and more. 

3. Hypericum Berries 

Photo by K&K Photography

Looking for the perfect filler for your flower arrangements? Try hypericum berries. These work well with any floral piece and can even double as a boutonniere. 

4. Ranunculus

Photo by Alesia Kazantceva

Ranunculus are similar to roses as they have layers of petals. These have a delicate appearance that make these flowers a great choice for a romantic wedding. 

5. Calla Lilies 

Photo by John Bussell

Along with the orchids, calla lilies are a very timeless flower. These are perfect for boutonnieres. White or red are the most popular calla lily colors for winter weddings. 

Honeymoon Ideas During COVID-19

This year has been an interesting year for all our brides. The pandemic has cancelled many weddings and honeymoons all over the world. Many brides are feeling disappointed as they have to adjust their dream plans. Whether you are choosing to postpone or to come up with new plans, there are plenty of ways to celebrate! Keep scrolling to check out how you can have a honeymoon from home. 

1. Go camping 

Photo by Shamin

This is a great time to step outside, get some fresh air, and explore nature. Look into visiting some famous national parks. Pack your sleeping bags, firewood, and smores for a cozy night. If sleeping in a tent is not for you, find some available cabins or Airbnb’s to stay in! 

2. Have a Staycation 

Photo by Becca Tapert

If you will no longer be traveling for your honeymoon, take this opportunity to get to know your city. Make a list of all the local activities you never got around to doing. Take the week to explore those activities or businesses while staying in your home at the end of the night. This is also a great chance to bond with one another in the comfort of your home. 

3.  Work on a project together 

Photo by Bruce Mars

Wondering when you’ll have to the time to start those home improvements? This is it! As a couple, decide what improvements are most important to finish during your first few months as newlyweds. Marriage is all about teamwork. Taking the time to understand how you work as a team will only make your marriage stronger!

4. Take a road trip 

Photo by Alex Jumper

If you’re looking to travel, consider taking a road trip instead of getting on an airplane. This is another great bonding experience as you will be spending quality time together. Brainstorm different places you’ve always wanted to explore and decide if you guys are up for the drive. Grab a map and create an awesome playlist for the ride! 

If you have decided to postpone all honeymoon plans, don’t be discouraged and continue to plan your dream honeymoon. Planning ahead of time will give you and significant other something fun and exciting to look forward to! This extra time also gives you a chance to continue saving money. That way, you don’t have to sacrifice anything for you long-awaited honeymoon! 

Finding Your Personal Style

Our clothes can say a lot about us. It represents who we are and how we’re feeling. One thing about our style is that it grows and changes as we do. Every day we wake up and pick out something to wear for the day. Without even thinking about it, we are showing the world our own personal style. Finding our own style can be challenging at times, but it’s about having fun and experimenting to find our identity. 

So, what’s your style? If you are having trouble finding it, here are a few tips to define your style and love your wardrobe! 

Get inspiration. First things first, research. Go through different magazines, blogs, and social media accounts to start figuring out what works best for you. Some of the most famous looks were inspired by someone else. By taking a look at the world around us, we can learn even more about ourselves. 

Experiment! This may be the most important tip of them all. Keep trying different styles, even the ones you may think you won’t like. Taking a step out of your comfort zone can lead you to discovering something you really love. If you are not finding anything that speaks to you, don’t get discouraged. You will find it! 

Focus on you. The only person that matters when it comes to finding your style is you, no one else. Focus on finding clothes that make you feel confident and powerful. Always trust your gut and go with what makes you feel your absolute best.  

Winter Wedding Decorations You’ll Fall in Love With

The winter wonderland wedding of your dreams is right around the corner! Who doesn’t love the stunning snowy photos, the holiday spirit, and the overall magical and romantic feeling winter weddings brings? With the cold months fast approaching, there are many last-minute details still to be made. Keep scrolling to check out our favorite winter wedding decorations to help you get inspired! 

Pine Cones

Visual Poetry 

Looking for an easy decoration project you can do on your own? Pick up some pine cones from your local craft store! You add pine cones or even berries to center pieces, flower bouquets, wedding cakes, and more. This is a great way to achieve a rustic look at your wedding! 

Lights and Candles 

Brinton Studios 

Lighting and candles are a perfect way to add a warm, romantic feel to your wedding ceremony or reception. Instead of lining the aisle with flowers, try using tall pillar candles. You could also wrap string lights along the ceiling beams inside your venue. If your wedding is outside, try wrapping lights around a low tree for a perfect photo opportunity!  

Gold Accents 

Onelove Photography

Adding gold into your color scheme will make your winter wedding shine. This festive color is perfect for the holidays. It can be added to any decoration, giving it charm and elegance. One of our favorites are these gold dipped vases with branches and flowers. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

Brinton Studios

Do you want to spice up your cocktail hour? Try adding hot chocolate! Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and some candy canes. This will keep your guests warm and in the holiday spirit all night long!