Bits & Pieces

Today, I thought I'd share some bits and pieces of what I've been loving lately. Odds and ends if you will. Sometimes it's easier to lump things into one post than do them separately. Let me know if you enjoy this! I always love feedback from you guys, good and bad.

First up, wedding season: It has been in full-swing for me this year. Four of our close friends got married, one couple in April and the other last weekend. It's been a whirlwind for sure, but I've had the best time. If I could attend one wedding per month, or become a wedding crasher perhaps, I would be one happy lady.

These photos are from Saturday. Nate was once again in the wedding, while I looked on like a giddy schoolgirl. By chance, I wore a MAC lipstick by the same name.

I also wore a ten year old Express dress. Yup! After all the stressing about "what am I gonna wear", it turned out that the answer was already in my closet. Well, my mother's closet but that's another story. I love the neckline, and the jersey type fabric was very cooling in the hot sun. Take note of Nate's converse sneakers. He looked like a skater kid. Loved it!

The grounds were beautiful, a veritable garden with lush flowers, greenery, and a pond. My brother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law are getting married at the same venue next year. Oh, and I'm actually a bridesmaid in that one ;)

Their color scheme was grey and mustard, the bride's favorite colors. The decor had a very rustic feel, and it was gorgeous once the sun went down and all the little tea lights glimmered in the background. 

The newlyweds 

I'm sad that our wedding attendance is done for the year. Maybe some baby showers are next?

Another thing I'm loving - neutrals: They just feel fresh this Summer. I can't stop gravitating towards white and nude. 

Wearing //

Nordstrom jacket (old) but similar here

Express knot tee (underneath)

Loft jeans

Asos pumps

Halogen bag

Beauty //

Nails Inc. polish in "bamboo white"

Stand-Out Products: 

I wasn't crazy about this mascara by Maybelline, so I asked my best girl what she recommended for ultra voluminous lashes and she suggested one I've heard great things about. Better Than Sex by Too Faced may very well live up to its name. The brush is nice and substantial, and the bristles coat every lash.  Only con - It is really difficult to take off. You need a ton of wipes and a good cleanser! But the ultimate payoff is worth the extra hassle at the end of the day. 

I'm also pretty addicted to this NARS blush duo in Craving. One side is the perfect shade of bronze, and the other is a light champagne. I swirl my blush into both and slap it on my cheeks. This stuff is amazing. I'm very tempted to try another duo, but I love this one so much that I don't need more. 

What are you loving lately?

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Maxi Moment

Wearing //

Loft maxi dress

Nordstrom reversible tote

Roxy rose gold sandals

Beauty //

NYX butter gloss in Sugar Cookie

I almost named this post "50 shades of grey" for obvious reasons. However, even though my mother-in-law recommended the book (insert jokes here), and I still have it sitting in a box somewhere up in my closet, I couldn't for the life of me get through that damn thing. I wanted to like it, I really did. But I found the writing to be so lackluster that I couldn't bring myself to get past page 50. Am I the only woman who didn't get it?

Anyway, I digress.

In other news, I am still using any hot days as an excuse to pull out my maxi dresses. This one was recently added, and I completely forgot to include it in my last post. I do love the shape and light-weight fabric. It's very forgiving in certain areas! My only gripe is that it's grey, and not in some bright, tropical color or print. Still looking for one of those! In my never ending quest to dress like I'm still back in Hawaii, I am going to try my best to wear clothing I would pack for a getaway so I can always feel like I'm on vacation. Clever, right?!

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Purchases of 2015 #2

Is it really June? Come on, someone has to be pulling my leg because I don't believe it. In late February, I did my first post about my purchases thus far in 2015. Since then, I've definitely added a few more things to my closet. I've even added basics I've had on my wishlist for years, which is great because I am making the effort to stick to a budget and a plan. Keeping a list of things I need (or okay, things I want) is absolutely the best way to hold myself accountable while shopping. It's easy to get caught up in trends, but unless you have a ton of disposable income, that isn't realistic and is usually followed by regret. So, with this all in mind, here are my purchases from March through now.

I linked to everything that is still available online. 

Asos pumps

Express white dress

Express floral barcelona cami

Express knot front tee (I also just got another in white)

Express lace kimono, Sole Society flats

Target peplum jacket

Olivaceous dress worn as tunic

Nordstrom dress and (nude clutch - wishlist item)

LOFT white jeans

(LOFT denim jacket - wishlist item), White House/Black Market sandals

I also got these flats from Forever 21, but am exchanging them for a 7 instead of 6.5. They were too snug so I'm hoping the 7's do the trick!

It's safe to say I am a total Express addict. I knew it before so this isn't some sort of revelation, but I was chuckling as I was compiling these pictures. Hey, their sales are great and I rarely buy anything full price. You shouldn't either. 

Next on my list? Well, not much really! I always have my eyes on new handbags and shoes, and I actually just got this one.

I also wouldn't mind adding a couple more basic tees and a colorful maxi dress to my Summer wardrobe. But I'm going to stay on my best behavior and stick to classic pieces I can wear often. 

What have you added lately? Any bad purchases you regret?

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