Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started as a fashion and lifestyle influencer based in South Carolina, and what inspired you to share your personal style online?

Emily wears the Rosanna Mini Dress in Burgundy Arbor

Was there a moment when you realized your fashion content could become a career instead of just a passion project?

It’s always been about connection for me. Over time, I realized how many women related to the same stage of life I was sharing — motherhood, family, and finding your sense of style again. What began as a creative outlet slowly became a way to build community and celebrate the beauty of everyday moments, which has been the most rewarding part.

You recently designed a Christmas card with Over The Moon Gifts, another Southern-based brand. Can you tell us about the creative process and what made this collaboration special?

I’m so excited to collaborate again with Over the Moon Gifts this season on our holiday card design. They’re a Southern, female-founded business started by three sisters in Birmingham, Alabama, and I love supporting other small, creative brands. The owner first reached out a few years ago, and since then we’ve had so much fun brainstorming designs that reflect my personal style and complement our family’s holiday outfits. Each year, the finished designs are made available on their website for others to customize — and they’ve been such a hit! I think every mom can relate to the chaos and joy of coordinating family Christmas photos. It’s always a bit of a production, but in the end, it’s so special to have that moment in time when everyone’s smiling and pulled together. 

Shop the Holiday Cards here!

How did you get into designing? Tell us more about this!

I’m actually not a designer by trade, but I love the creative process. For this collaboration, I get to bring my ideas to the table — everything from color palettes and patterns to how the design complements what our family will be wearing in our holiday photos. The talented team at Over the Moon Gifts takes those ideas and brings them to life beautifully. It’s such a fun, collaborative process that lets me be part of the design story without actually being the designer.

What are some of your favorite Christmas and holiday traditions, and how are you preparing for them this year?

I have two daughters, ages ten and six, so Christmas is such a magical time of year for our family. We have so many festive traditions we look forward to each season — from picking out our tree and decorating the house the day after Thanksgiving, to our girls’ day seeing The Nutcracker performed by the Columbia City Ballet, and hosting our family for a fancy Christmas Eve dinner. It’s a joyful, busy, and beautiful time in our home.

How do you approach planning your holiday wardrobe? Do you lean more toward practical, versatile pieces, or do you go for festive, whimsical statement looks?

Having a chance to dress up is always fun for me! I love a statement look depending on the occasion. I’ve always been a “dress girl,” and Mestiza has such beautiful options that can be styled and accessorized in different ways. Their pieces make it easy to feel elegant without overthinking it.

Walk us through how you’re styling the Rosanna Mini Dress this season. Where are you wearing it, and how are you accessorizing it for holiday parties?

I’m so excited to wear the Rosanna Mini Dress for Christmas cocktails — it’s festive and chic. I’ll pair it with silver slingbacks, a statement earring, and a simple clutch. It’s the perfect mix of polished and playful.

Follow along on Instagram @emilybbedenbaugh

Do you have any holiday outfit tips, styling hacks, or gifting ideas you swear by for the season?

Coordinating with family is always a sweet touch — I like to find a solid-color dress that complements what my daughters are wearing, especially if they’re in a print from the same color family.

When it comes to gifting, I think it’s lovely to carry over your personal style. I always try to support local businesses, selecting something thoughtful like a pretty ornament or holiday decorative piece wrapped beautifully with custom tags.

What do you love most about the Mestiza brand?

It’s really about the women who wear the brand. Mestiza is a female-founded line that understands how women want to feel — elegant and confident. I love that so many of their designs are convertible and versatile. One of my favorites is the Lorena Bow Dress — the bow can be worn in the front or the back, which makes it timeless and fun to style. 

Emily wears Mestiza's Lorena Convertible™ Bow Dress in Gold /pink Metallic Jacquard

Shop the Lorena Convertible™ Bow Dress

How do you feel when you wear Mestiza?

The best part of Mestiza is how you feel when you wear it — unique, beautiful, and polished. The pieces are timeless, and I’ve worn them for some of life’s most special occasions. They always make me feel like the best version of myself.