3 Dresses You Need for 3 Different Brunching Situations

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly. I have said it before and I will say it again - brunch is way more than just a meal. In recent years, it’s become a way to break the ice, bond with new and old friends and is even a date activity. Seriously, I just had a friend go on a date to brunch at Estrella with a guy she recently met.

You know what this all means? You can’t just wear the same dress to brunch all the time. Just because it’s a daytime look doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate. I’m always talking about that you have to match the vibe of a spot. But have you thought of matching the situation you’re in?

Considering that there’s so many possible brunching situations, preparing for the occasion is a must. If you follow along frequently, you obviously know I love and adore Ali & Jay because they make the best dresses that are so versatile and that you can wear over and over by just switching up a few minor things, like adding a jacket or wearing heels instead of flats.

Here are 3 Ali & Jay dresses I recommend having in your wardrobe for all those fun brunching occasions you’ve got planned!

THE BRUNCH DATE

Bodycon and hugs in all the right places! The I Got You Sheath Dress is super flattering and the colors are everything for the holiday season. Throw a leather jacket on over it and watch your date swoon.

THE BIZ BRUNCH

Networking and going over business deals over bellinis? It doesn’t get any better. I am obsessed with this So Much to Give Mini dress because it’s a gorgeous green stand out (and memorable) emerald color. It’s flirty and trendy but still professional. This one is actually sold out but this Party Dress Mini is a similar and very flattering style.

BRUNCH WITH THE BESTIES

There’s just something about a flowy sundress that gets you pumped for brunching with your friends, especially if the brunch is going to be alfresco! This is definitely one of my favorite dresses from earlier this fall from Ali & Jay, but thankfully they are all about the flow and always have new and swoon-worthy designs that come out frequently. This Wanna Dance Maxi is similar in fit and makes you want to spin in circles and take a billion boomerangs with a mimosa your hand!

Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso

5 Hot Brunch Spots in LA Right Now to Wear This Two-Piece Set

One of my favorite things about brunching is putting together the perfect outfit of course. The one that you're going to feel most comfortable in, but one that's chic and matches the vibe of the restaurant as well. Not to mention, I always keep in mind whichever one is going to look best in photos... I can't be the only one who saves the best outfit for brunch! Brunch + natural lighting + cute outfit = one happy girl.

I fell in love with this two-piece set by Ali & Jay because it is all of these things! It's beyond comfy (good for not needing to suck in your stomach while eating) and the off the shoulder crop top is like a two-for-one steal for me. I love a great crop top or off-the-shoulder moment and this combo is super flattering. The skirt is a great length too for any height because you're able to lift up the skirt a little bit if you're on the shorter side like me, and the skirt can be pulled down a bit as well if you're tall. 

I love the criss-cross detail of the top and the outfit all together has a very Spanish-style, vacation type feel. Personally, this really matches with the vibe of different brunch spots with a lot of natural lighting, air spaces and fresh, beautiful meals.

To put it simply, it's a total "hotspot look" as I like to call it. It's an outfit that you want to be see in, at a place that you want to be seen at.... because it's GORG! 

Where is the perfect place in LA to wear this little number? Here's a few places in LA that I think would be the ultimate fit: 

1. Sawyer 

2. All Time 

3. Rosaliné

4. Little Prince 

5. Lunetta All Day

Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso

Getting to Brunch on Time with JORD Wood Watches

I'm a total watch-wearing girl - I have a little bit of a knack for taking my time while getting ready and then looking at the clock going "OMG I'm LATE." Having a watch on my wrist is that super easy, friendly reminder to hurry up - I've got a brunch to head to!

I am loving JORD Wood Watches, luxury hand-crafted watches modeled after a modern lifestyle. The company makes its watches for people who don't just have somewhere to be, but for people who have somewhere to go. 

And, that's me! As a blogger, I've got an incredibly busy schedule because my own original content creation is one of my top priorities. I review different brunches around Los Angeles very frequently. When I'm not brunching, I'm off to private media tastings, covering events, heading to meetings, networking... the list goes on! It's imperative that I'm always on time. Of course, I love to do it stylishly because.. #armcandy.

I love the Frankie 35 series model in Dark Sandalwood and Mint. It's such a statement piece because the dark color of the wood and the cooling color of the mint combine to create something that truly stands out. The mint color brings an unexpected, eye-catching and visually stunning characteristic to the face of the watch. It's hard not to notice!

I am not only obsessed with stacking it with some of my favorite For Keyps and Riccova Circle Cuff bracelets (because it is such a cool focal point on my wrist), but I love capturing it in my photos because it brings such an outstanding, unique color into the scene.

I became so much more aware of aesthetics, food styling, and how to creatively photograph an every day moment. It's a lot more challenging than it looks, but it's where the fun comes in. It'll be nice to look back one day and remember different random components of a certain day all graciously organized into one photo.

My Frankie 35 series watch makes the perfect watch to include in my brunch flatlays! At my recent brunch venture to Lulu's Creperie Cafe in Laguna Hills, I indulged in some yummy breakfast crepes and (of course) needed to document how pretty the dishes and my watch were together!

This is what a typical brunch with me looks like - endless photos being taken at every angle so I could make sure to get all the details of what's in front of me into something beautiful!

A typical day for me is having a bunch of things going on at several different times during the day, and with my Frankie 35 series watch, I am constantly reminded that I've got places to go and that I need to be on time! It's the most fabulous reminder on my wrist to make sure I'll be where I need to be on the dot... and while I am there, I just might be sneaking in some pictures of it too!

Want to snag one of these gorgeous JORD Wood Watches? Head to woodwatches.com/g/thegildedbellini to sign up for a contest so you could rock your own! There's a $75 e-voucher for the winner, and everyone who enters gets a $20 e-gift card excluding the winner. The contest ends 11/27/16! Good luck!

Photography by: Elijah Saldana