Tips – The Blush Diaries | A Dubai Based Fashion and Beauty Blog by Rania Esper

Best Black Friday Sales for the Online Shopper

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating, my loves. I hope you all had a great evening with family and/or friends and you are ready for all the best Black Friday Sales. I was never a fan of waking up at the early hours of the morning and heading to the mall, but it was a fun tradition and was more about enjoying the experience with my cousins and girl friends. Now that I’m living in Dubai, and can’t spend this day carrying on that tradition, I’ve become more excited about all the online sales going on. I’ve rounded up the best black Friday Sales from my personal favorite brands, and selected a few must-have pieces for the coming season. Happy Shopping, and if you have good sales of your own you’d like to share with me, leave me a comment below!

xo Rania

Pull and Bear: 20% Off Everything and Free Shipping.

Chicwish: Extra 25% Off Everything with code BLK25.

ASOS: 20% Everything with Code GOGOGO.

River Island: Up to 50% Off.

Stradivarius: 20% Off Everything.

House of Fraser: Up to 50% Off.

Shopbop: 25% Site-wide with code GOBIG16

Urban Outfitters: Buy one Get one 50% Off All Apparel.

Express: 50% Off Everything & Free Shipping.

Baublebar: 35% Everything with code VIP35.

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Photography by Natelee.

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Essential Dresses for Your Summer Travels

When packing for your summer vacation, or any other vacation for that matter, your list probably consists of a variety of separates to supply you an endless number of outfit combinations. However, no holiday capsule wardrobe is complete without your essential dresses. No fuss, lightweight garments that can be styled from day to night, your trips this season are the perfect time to be showing off your dress collection. But like any other time you’re filling up your suitcase, the ability to edit is crucial. The specific items to bring will depend on your destination. So if you’re having trouble narrowing down your options, below is a guide on packing according to your holiday getaway.

If you’re going on a city break:
Look fabulously chic in a shirt dress. One of the best features of this classic piece is that it can be adjusted to suit any weather condition. Wear it with a cardigan in case you’re going somewhere cooler, or on its own if the temperatures are at an all-time high. As Marie Claire states, “It’s such a key piece that can be brought out time and time again.”

If you’re headed for the tropics:
Go for maxi dresses. Style experts from Lyst suggest saving easy jersey maxis and bold prints for the weekend. But when you’re on holiday, you can take full advantage of these summer staples for that laidback feel that’s hard to pull off when you’re in the city.

If you’re traveling to a cultural destination:
Veer towards the conservative side. Places such as Istanbul and other religious spots have stricter dress codes embedded in their cultural norms, so t-shirt dresses that are of modest length are your safest best for destinations like these. Although a long, cotton item might feel a bit restrained compared to the rest of their dresses, The Travel Hack reminds women that it’s possible to look and feel sexy in this travel must-have, without showing any flesh.

What essential dresses will you be bringing on your trip this summer?

xo Rania

Black Friday Sales

I want to start by wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for and I hope you enjoyed a beautiful meal surrounded by your loved ones.

I’ve been working on this new design for quite some time and I’m really excited to finally be able to share it with you. My style and personality continue to evolve and I wanted that to show through my aesthetic.

Now let’s move on to the good stuff. The best part of Black Friday sales for me was waking up at the crack of dawn and heading to the mall with my best friends and cousins. It’s exhausting and gets quite crazy but it’s such a fun experience to share with your girls. Since I don’t get to do that this year, I’m going to have to make do with online shopping. There are some spectacular black Friday sales going on that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch or bed. Here are some of my top picks at my favorite stores.

40% at BCBGMAXAZRIA:

Extra 25% off at Kate Spade with code MERCI:

Take 15% off at Kohl’s with code NOV15:

Up to 25% at Shopbop with code GOBIG15:

Photography by Enchante Portrait Couture.
*Affiliate links are used in this post.

My Holiday Glam List

With a wedding coming up in December then Christmas and New Year’s Eve following shortly I’ve been knee-deep into fancy dress shopping, and all the accessories that inadvertently go along with it. I’ve created this Glam List of some of my favorite glitzy pieces that are perfect for all the upcoming occasions and celebrations.

A wispy lace dress is an obvious choice because its both delicate formal, while a sparkly dress just screams ‘holiday glamor’. My favorite piece has to be this Kate Spade bow back dress that is at the top of my lust list. When it comes to shoes, I absolutely adore velvet pumps in deep shades. Finally, I like gold accents on my accessories, especially with pearl or marble detailing.

I hope you like these picks as much as I do! it’s never too early to start shopping for a special evening especially with all the sales going on right now, and hopefully my glam list checks all the boxes.

xo Rania

Step into Fall Effortlessly

At the start of a new season it can seem a little overwhelming to switch into a new wardrobe. Between pulling out the cute things we already have and deciding what we need to keep up with this year’s trends, it makes me want to throw everything out and start fresh. I will not be doing that and neither should you, here are my tips to help you step into fall smoothly.

It’s best to always start with the basics: a great pair of jeans, the right shade of lipstick and of course a killer pair of boots.
A stylish cape or blazer is a great investment piece because it can be styled many different ways. A beautiful cashmere waterfall cardigan is another versatile piece that will definitely stand the test of time.
Accessorize with a trendy bag and plush scarf in neutral shades, and add some dainty jewelry for that final touch.

Keep it simple, focus on the necessities and you will certainly be ready to step into fall. I hope you liked my picks, I’d love to hear your wardrobe tips and tricks!

xo Rania

Tips for Online Shopping

A few of my fellow shopaholics are a little skeptical when it comes to online shopping and often ask me for recommendations, so I thought I’d put together a guide on Tips for Online Shopping for you all. I didn’t always turn to online shopping, but it’s become easier for me over time. I still love the physicality of touching the clothes and trying them on, but doing it online gives me access to so many more options. Here’s how I maneuver my way around the mall of the interwebs.

1. Start Easy: If you’re new to the online shopping world then I recommend starting with accessories that can’t be size tricky. Bags, earrings, sunglasses, mugs and shams are all good examples of this. You can even get away with simple basics like tank tops and tees.

2. Do your research: I take reading reviews really seriously and I do it when I’m ordering from an online store for the first time. You might also overlook the size guide but that’s also a very important factor since each brand might size differently. Measure your self and compare those measurements with the store’s size guide, it sounds tedious but you really only have to do it once.

3. Go the extra mile: If I want something really badly and I’m really unsure about the size, I like to see which bloggers or ladies are wearing it on Instagram (check the brand’s tagged photos). Leave a comment on their pictures and ask them because most of them will be sweet enough to help you out! 😉

4. Try it out: In the end, there are no guarantees and if the store has a good return/exchange policy then you don’t have anything to worry about. You’ll learn the fit and quality after your first purchase and be able to choose more easily the next time around.

I hope this guide helps you out, I’d love to hear your tips for online shopping!

xo Rania

Chambray Shirt: Forever21 | Skirt: Namshi, I also love this one by Nasty Gal | Nude Heels: Aldo | Watch: Michael Kors.

Fall Essentials

Transitioning between seasons can be pretty seamless and actually kind of fun. Everyone has their favorite so it can be hard to let go (ahem!) and that’s why today I’m sharing 3 key pieces that can carry you nicely into fall without forcing you to put away your summer wardrobe. These are my favorite fall essentials:

1. Booties: Ankle boots come in handy most of the year, but I find them perfect for adding some autumn pep in your step. Pair them with a swing dress, light jacket or even an off-shoulder top and watch how they transform your whole look.

2.Long cardigan: When it gets a bit chilly I love to throw on a cardigan over my favorite dress or a button down and jeans. Longline cardigans are elegant and add a touch of chic to a simple outfit. If you’re into the whole 70’s look, I love this gorgeous cardigan.

3. Midi dress: A simple body-con midi dress is a great investment piece. It can be dressed up or down, paired with sandals or boots, and looks sexy even under a heavy coat.

What are your fall essentials and necessities? I’d love to hear your tips for transitioning into autumn.

xo Rania

P.S. Pink shades don’t exactly scream ‘I’m ready for fall’ do they?

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

If you’ve been thinking about experimenting with some fun and bold prints, now’s the time to do it. The thing about printed pieces is they may seem limited to a season, so I usually wait for a great sale and invest in a few outfits or accessories I can enjoy all summer long. Nordstrom’s anniversary sale starts on July 17th, but they opened early access to card holders today. I’ve linked my top picks below, happy shopping loves! Xo

*Affiliate links have been used in this post.

Getaway

My birthday is in a couple of days and so my honey and I decided to take a short getaway on the beach. As I plan our little trip and pack my things, I thought I’d share some getaway must haves with you all. From fun and bright tassel bracelets to comfy statement wedges, these pieces combine comfort and chic all at once. I’ll be sharing all the details of our staycation on instagram so make sure you follow along! Xo

Last Chance Rompers

I’m back in Dubai and still recovering from jet lag and such, but I’m excited to share this outfit with you mostly because of the beautiful scenery. It’s pretty much beautiful sunny weather here in Dubai, but during my last week in Michigan I got to witness the essence of fall with pumpkin spice lattes, red and golden leaves and cozy boots. I adore rompers because they’re comfortable and easy to throw on without having to pair different pieces to create an outfit. We may associate rompers more often with summer but they can easily be pulled off during fall, given the weather is still not freezing. Choosing something with long sleeves and dark patterns or bold prints all fit in with the season. Pair them with some cute booties and you’re good to go! I hope you liked this outfit and let me know if you’re up for trying this trend. Xo

Romper: Pitaya | Turban: Etsy | Boots: Express | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters