One shoulder dress

June 27, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

dresses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

It’s wedding season, indeed! We’ve been back to Memphis twice since our wedding for friends’ weddings, and it’s been a blast. Honestly, Henry and I are little glad to be out of the planning process and enjoying other people’s weddings. Unfortunately, this dress is out of stock, but I linked a few other dresses by the same designer. I love the combination of architectural and feminine details in each of their pieces! I hope this dress inspires you to step out of the box and choose something a little different for your next event.

Thanks for stopping by, friends!

XO, Mary Sanford

Hawaii Look #4

June 13, 2021June 13, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

Hello from Hawaii again! Today, I’m sharing my fourth look of the trip and what might be my favorite. It’s hard for me to resist a puffy sleeve, as you can tell from my last three honeymoon looks. I love this dress for many reasons, but I really appreciate when a piece can be worn a variety of ways. I can wear this with a dressy heel and clutch for a summer wedding or dress it down with a pair of sneakers and my hair in a ponytail. Your options are endless with a piece like this! Check out the other dresses I love from this brand that I linked above.

These shoes have been another favorite spring/summer purchase of mine, and they’ve clearly been a favorite of y’alls. I love seeing how many of you have purchased them! Aren’t they comfortable?! And they for sure go with everything! If you haven’t tried these, you should.

Thanks for stopping by and for supporting this little side gig of mine! When you purchase through my links, I make a small commission. Much appreciated! XO, MS

Hawaii Look #2

June 2, 2021June 1, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

Oh, Hawaii, you were a dream. These photos were taken on my “perch” – where I sat everyday of our honeymoon, read my book and ate delicious food. There were umbrellas, comfy lounge chairs and endless amounts of sunshine to get the tan you desired. If only we could go back right now!

I wore this white jeweled set one night for dinner, and it was a big hit. Not only did I feel like a bride, but I was also super comfy in it. I would recommend it if you’re headed anywhere warm because it’s super lightweight too. I love that this top and pant combo look fabulous together but can also be worn separately to create totally different looks. Dress down the top with a pair of distressed jeans, and dress up the pants with a fun silk blouse. Your options are endless!

Do you like matching sets?!

XO, MS

Bridesmaids Luncheon

June 1, 2021June 2, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

I am loving reliving our wedding weekend through the pictures family, friends and our photographer took. I got to wear my great grandmother’s wedding dress for my bridesmaids luncheon – an heirloom piece that was purchased in Paris in the 1890s. It has now been worn by my aunt and cousin too, and I can’t wait to see who wears it next. It was extra special for me because I was named after my great grandmother, Mary Sanford Myatt, who wore this in September of 1934. I made this dress my own by adding a blue velvet ribbon and of course, a headband. Light blue was a theme throughout the wedding, so I loved tying it in here too.

I wish I could get this group of girls together every weekend – love them!

Sharing more soon. XO, MS

Wedding Guest Dresses

May 2, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

Wedding season is back, hallelujah! I feel for all the covid brides and grooms that had to alter or move their weddings over the last year. I’m hoping we are moving forward and can return to weddings of limited restrictions and lots of fun! Because I have quite a few weddings over the next few months, I thought I would share some of my favorite wedding guest dress options I’ve found. I love these happy colors and whimsical silhouettes – perfect for a celebration!

Let me know what yall think!

XO, MS

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Bride Inspiration: white lace dress

April 21, 2021April 20, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

| other white dresses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |

Y’all are probably tired of seeing me in white dresses by now, but don’t worry, in 25 days I’ll add a little more variety to my wardrobe! Hint hint wedding day is fast approaching! I found this dress on sale when Henry and I visited Chicago back in January, and I had to pounce. I have dreamed of wearing something by this designer during our engagement season, so I couldn’t pass this dress up. An extra special dress for an extra special season.

I wore this outfit on my bachelorette trip this weekend, and I definitely felt like a bride. Of course, the “soon-to-be bride” sash and veil helped – shout out to my moh, Margaret, for all the gear! Although this dress is almost sold out, I linked some other white dresses by this designer for you to check out. I hope you find something you love!

XO, MS

White Spring Dresses

April 8, 2021April 7, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

Like I’ve mentioned before, white dresses have been on my mind. With our wedding fast approaching, I’ve purchased a few for different events we’ve had throughout our engagement. I wore this one last weekend to a tea in Memphis with sweet friends and family. I love the detailing and the way it fits, and although it’s sold out, I found a few similar options for you.

I am also wearing two pieces that were made by friends! How cool is it that I get to share some of their creations!! The headband was handmade by a friend I went to high school with. She has started her own hairstyling and hair accessory company that you must check out – click here. I’m also wearing earrings designed by a dear friend who started her jewelry company as a young girl. What a business she has built. Shop her beautiful pieces here.

Of course, you don’t have to be a bride to incorporate a beautiful white dress to your spring and summer wardrobe! I plan on wearing this to church and even on our honeymoon.

I hope you have a great rest of your week! XO, MS

White dresses, accessories and shoes for the bride-to-be

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

| heels | headband | earrings |

For all you brides-to-be or just anyone who loves to wear white all spring and summer long, I’ve got the round up for you! Since getting engaged, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect white pieces for showers, parties, the bachelorette trip and the list goes on. I wanted to take a little of that off your hands by rounding up some of my favorites I’ve found along the way. Of course, you don’t have to be a bride to enjoy these pieces too!

This pearl headband, these gold and pearl earrings and these gold heels have all been staples for me!

I hope this helps you!

XO, MS

I hope you enjoy!

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Lavender Lady

February 3, 2021February 2, 2021 ~ sanfordstandard ~ Leave a comment

| curling iron | lipstick |

Henry and I celebrated the marriage of one of his longtime friends this past weekend, and we had the best time! I have loved getting to know his hometown friends, the people that know him the best and the longest. It made me even more excited for our wedding and all of our favorite people getting together in one place, my favorite place to be exact! Memphis.

Dressing up made this weekend fun too. One of the reasons I love using Rent the Runway is getting to try something new or something I would not have purchased at full price. This dress is a great example of that. It retails for almost $500, but I rented it for $65. In fact, it came with the tags still on!

I’ve linked this dress plus a few others I love and my accessories! Check them out.

XO, MS

Engagement Photos + Outfit Details

December 17, 2020December 16, 2020 ~ sanfordstandard ~ 2 Comments

Henry and I took our engagement photos in early November at SMU and Lakeside Park – both places we love and have spent a lot of time. We used Perez Photography, and we are so glad that we did. These photos turned out beautifully, and you would have never known Henry and I felt super awkward half the time! I don’t know about you, but I’m not used to being lovey-dovey in front of a camera.

I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to wear for these photos, and I purchased this dress with them in mind. On a typical day, I probably would’ve worn big earrings, a headband and maybe even layered a fur vest on top, but I knew I wanted something a bit more classic and clean for photos we would have forever. This dress felt feminine without being too overwhelming or detailed, and I love how the boots added texture.

I knew we would have two outfits each, and I wanted one set to be a little more casual than the other. Here I chose to go with an all white theme, but I didn’t want to look summery. This ivory sweater with the lace sleeves was the perfect piece for the occasion, and I found a simple short to match. I completed the fall appropriate look with these suede booties I wear all the time.

If you are taking professional photos soon, whether they are engagement or for something else, choose an outfit that isn’t too busy and that complements you, not distracts. You will be the focus, not the clothes!

Thanks for stopping by! You can recreate our outfits by shopping the links above! XO, MS

photos: Perez Photography