No Dream Too Big

February 15, 2018 / Elizabeth Savetsky

My number one goal as a mother is to encourage my girls to feel confident. I want them to know that while there is no easy path to success, the end goal is still possible. The world can be cruel, and the people in it will inevitably try to tear us down. The challenges and failures we face can strengthen character, which is beneficial, as long as the trials don't paralyze us from pushing forward. Often times as we take the journey towards our goals, our dreams change. And that is okay--as long as we keep dreaming. An astronaut/princess hybrid on Monday, a doctor on Tuesday, a movie star on Wednesday...dream big, little girls.

Not only do my husband and I encourage our girls with positive reinforcement, but we always try to lead by example. We are both striving towards our individual career goals as we build the family life we've dreamt about since we met. When I started working in the fashion industry in 2010, I wore exclusively Forever 21 and Steve Madden. I was straight out of grad school and we had no money and no access to nice clothes at the time. My grandma would buy me a nice bag and coat and pair of boots every year, and the rest was all high street fashion. I still wear and love those brands--Zara, ASOS, and TopShop are my favorites! But in the moment back then, I would see the chic "it" girls at fashion week events in their gorgeous designer clothes and long to dress like them. I never thought I would own a couture dress. Slowly with my job in the fashion industry and then with my blog, I hustled hard, made amazing friends, and gained access to borrow and eventually keep clothes I could never have afforded. I also got "in the know" about consignment shopping and sample sales to buy heavily discounted designer pieces.

Which brings me to the gowns I am wearing here. Wearing J. Mendel is a pinch-me moment for me. I have been a fan of the artistry of the designs for many years. My first fashion week as a blogger, I had a standing ticket to the J. Mendel show--I was ecstatic. That day, there was a horrendous blizzard and many of the audience members didn't make it to the venue for the show. They moved little old me to the front row. It was a dream come true in that moment for me to sit elbow to elbow with industry veterans and watch the gorgeous models strut the jaw-dropping garments down the catwalk. My heart was racing. As surreal as that moment was for me, I never thought I'd be wearing a J. Mendel gown one day.

Both of these gowns are from CoutureSamples.com. This is an online sample sale featuring J. Mendel gowns, dresses, and furs for 75%-90% off the retail prices. There will be more luxury designers coming soon as well. The site offers a full range of sizes and many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind! We can now have access to luxury at a fraction of the cost! Here's hoping you find the dress of YOUR dreams!