Is everybody getting ready for the 4th?! I'm personally excited for this holiday weekend because I have a few fun activities already scheduled including a girls night, lots of pool time, Palm Springs, LA and of course, a family get together.  With so many fun things happening, I wanted to take time to find something fun I can take to my weekend events...you know, to not show up empty handed haha.  A quick Pinterest search did the trick and when I found these super cute fruit skewers, I went straight to the store and found all that I needed in about ten minutes.  I call this, Pin It and Make It!  Seriously, who doesn't like themed skewers that basically serve as party decorations?

You'll Need

1 Watermelon - I bought mine at Trader Joes

1 Pack of Blueberries - I bought mine at Whole Foods

Skewer Sticks - You can find these at any grocery or craft store

1 Star Shaped Cookie Cutter - You can find this at a craft store

How To

1. Cut a 1.5" slice of watermelon.  The size will really depend on how thick you want the stars to be, but keep in mind you'll need them to be thick enough to stay on the skewer

2. Take your cookie cutter and carve into the watermelon slice.  If your cookie cutter doesn't cut all the way through, simply cut the star out with a knife.

3. After you rinse a handful of blueberries, start slipping a few through a skewer

4. Finally, top the skewer with a watermelon star and you're done.

I'm feeling 26!

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Dress: HM (Shop here) // Shoes: Christian Louboutin (Shop here) 

Today I officially turn 26!  Seriously you guys, I could cry out of crazy happiness.  I literally have every basic necessity and I simply feel so blessed.  I'm SO rich with love, I have an amazing set of parents, I have a super cool sister, I have a pitbull of a boyfriend, my friends are to die for, my family is so wonderful, I have an awesome career and most of all, I'm healthy. My entire life has been full of happiness even throughout the rough edges and it's not because of me, it's because of all of you that are part of my life.  There is something special about every single person I've met in my life and I can't be anymore grateful to know or to have known you guys.  At 26, I've accomplished more than what I thought I would and you bet your bananas I'm not done setting goals.  If there's something I pride myself on, it's the drive and wit to do what I want and go full throttle.  Stepping into my 26th year, I already have a list of things to do!  I'm literally unstoppable - this brain of mine is always thinking of my next move.  A few things to look out for this year are the launch of my baby project Shop Brocade Closet, more blogging of course and professional growth.  I can't wait to accomplish my 26th year plans and I'm even more thrilled to share it all with you guys!

Every year, I buy myself a special birthday dress to wear on my day and I feel like THIS was THE dress.  I have this crazy obsession with the salsa dancing, red dress wearing emoji so when I saw this dress at my local HM store, I felt SO compelled to become that emoji (lol).  I usually wear some kind of jewelry piece, but this dress is so stunning, I thought it simply did all the talking without any additions.  For the first time in my styled life, I felt like I was wearing the dress instead of the dress wearing me...you know what I mean?! Pairing it up with my brand new Christian Louboutin pumps topped my outfit and if I could describe to you guys how I felt on my 26th birthday, I would tell you I simply felt like the woman I've always dreamt of being.

Seriously guys, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!  Thank you for letting me be part of your lives and for allowing me to share bits and pieces of my own life with you all.  I really couldn't ask for a more blessed life!

Love,

Melissa Victoria

Never Say Never | The Avery Pant

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Pants: Banana Republic (shop here + same print as my last style post here) // Top: HM - old (shop similar here + here) // Shoes: old (shop similar here)

I have to admit, baby blue has never been the color I'd first choose to wear.  These pants seriously gave a huge 'never say never' slap to my face, but at the same time, they really boosted my self confidence (lol).  But seriously! These pants are to die for in the sense that they're so easy to wear, pull off and make for the perfect pant during the warmer season.  At my last job, I hated wearing pants because I'd soon become too warm and now that I've tried these out, I only wish I could have used them sooner!  The Avery pant comes in several fun colors and prints, and I highly recommend them.  The cut is perfect and I love that I don't have to fold the bottom of my pants to reveal my shoes.  This is something I struggled with with other slacks I previously used and really learned to appreciate a perfect cut.  Even if I don't use slacks at work anymore, I still don't feel like these pants will be hanging more than being used because I can totally still roll them up and wear laced sandals for a more laid back look.  Anyway, to shop these pants and the other same cut selections, follow the link above.  Have a great rest of your weekend, I'll talk to you guys soon!

xo..Brocade Closet

*Banana Republic provided free product in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Currently Coveting - Bathing Suits!

Summer Bathing Suits by brocadecloset featuring swim suits

I have bathing suits to wear for the whole year and I still can't get enough!  It's such a bad habit to WANT something new, but I seriously can't help getting excited for a new summer suit.  Clearly, I'm really into blue and pink suits since it's all my eye was really drawn to when I was putting this collage together haha. In my defense, I'm currently on the hunt for a perfect hot pink/magenta suit so that's why I couldn't help but pull pink suits in to share with you all! Some of these pieces are currently on sale at Victoria's Secret and Target and you can shop them by clicking on them :) Let me know if you find any other fun bathing suit sales, I would love to shop them!  Check in with you guys later, have a great rest of your weekend.

Xo...Brocade Closet