Sunday Best

Wearing: American Eagle dress, old (similar), (love this)

Loft cardigan, check stores

Sole Society sandals, Love this and this

Stella & Dot necklace

Mango bag, similar

Express Studs

I hope you all had a beautiful blessed Easter yesterday! For us, it really was the quintessential Spring day and I was more than excited to put on my best Sunday dress. Happy Monday!

Continue the post

Spring Break

I don't know about you girls, but I am in serious need of a vacation! As I get older, I realize how much I took for granted those two weeks during college where I did absolutely nothing but go to the beach, spend time with friends, and blog as often as I wanted. I miss those days.

Hubby and I are grateful to be going away for a few days during the first week of May. Vegas is the destination of choice for our first real trip since Maui. It holds a special place in my heart now, as silly as that may sound. Aside from lounging by the pool, walking the strip, and retail therapy (Topshop is a must this time!), we are staying in the same hotel where he proposed to me over three years ago. That was the last time we were in Las Vegas, and it was such a whirlwind experience that I cannot wait to do it all over again. Just a four hour drive from where we live, we are looking forward to a roadtrip across the desert.

In thinking about my previous Vegas hurrah, I started looking through some old blog posts from way back when. Lord. Some are actually cringe-worthy. Check this one out! I still have the same pieces, just a better camera and photographer. Anyway, back to Vegas though.

Once again, we are staying at Vdara

I love the modern feel of it, and the fact that it doesn't have a casino. It's very different for Vegas.

One thing I won't be bringing this time around is my Chanel. Last time, Nate joked that he felt like my bag was the third wheel. It was my first time showing her off.

Here are some of the things I am packing:

Loft tee & skirt, Target hat, Stella&Dot necklace

 Bikini from Target

Kate Spade bag, although bringing a clutch and a crossbody as well.

 So maybe this looks more New England than Las Vegas but oh well...I'll throw in my gold sequin Zara skirt for good measure. 

Now can it be May 1st already?

Continue the post

Watercolor

Wearing: Express dress, old (loving this and this for Spring)

Olivia Moon blazer, similar

Zara pumps

Kate Spade bag, similar here and here

Anthropologie necklace, similar here and here

Fossil watch, here in rose gold!

Just another date night look for you girls! Lately instead of going out on Friday, the hubs and I like to delegate Thursday nights for doing something special together. And by special, I mean stuffing our faces with delicious food and having a couple beverages of the adult kind. We recently started doing this because by the time Thursday rolled around, we were both so tired and mentally depleted by work that we just couldn't wait until Friday. On this particular evening, my sister-in-law worked her magic on my hair and it was another good excuse to go out. I never waste a good hair moment, no matter what day of the week it is ;)

How was your weekend?!

Continue the post

The Midi Skirt

Wearing: Express skirt

Express blouse (love the sleeveless for Summer!)

Zara pumps

Kate Spade bag (so pretty and similar by Rebecca Minkoff)

Michael Kors Watch

Essie polish in "Find me an oasis" (obsessed)

I've always loved the 1950's. I still religiously watch re-runs of "I Love Lucy" and not so secretly can mouth the lines of practically every single episode. When mid-length or midi skirts started popping up everywhere, it instantly reminded me of that time period. I wanted to get in on the trend, but let's face it: at 5 foot 2 inches, they aren't exactly flattering on me. I resisted, telling myself that I would look absolutely ridiculous in one. Then the Express skirt came out, and after reading Courtney's take on it, I decided to just go for it. See, fashion isn't always about how something makes you look. Rather, sometimes it's about how something makes you feel. And this twirly, insanely voluminous skirt, perhaps too much for my petite frame - makes me feel fabulous. Isn't that the whole point?

Quick note ladies: I was featured yesterday on a great website called Pumps and Push Ups. I had a wonderful experience working with Brooke, and I would love for you to read the interview! 

Link!

Continue the post

Lip Service

Two beauty posts in one week? Pretty good! I'm on a roll it seems, and my favorite product to blog about is definitely pictured below. When it comes to excess, my handbags, nightstand, and vanity are filled to the brim with lipsticks, stains, balms, and glosses. Once only interested in nudes and baby pinks, these days I'm all about a bright bold lip.

Quick note: The tray is from Target. I actually keep it on a ledge between our kitchen and living room, and I change the decor out depending on my mood or the season. I love trays for displaying my lip treats though, and am thinking of getting another for my vanity. The random crystal button at the bottom? It went in the center of our wedding cake's bow :)

I grouped my new Spring lip colors according to color, and the bottom two are glosses. 

Right now, orange is my shade du jour. Yes it's trendy, all over the runways and magazines. But it's also surprisingly flattering! I never thought I'd be brave enough to pull off such a vibrant color, but I'm telling you that it works! I find that it lifts the complexion and brighten up the entire face. I like to go for more of a true mandarin shade, and avoid anything that's too peach or watered down. The M.A.C. lipstick shown was limited edition, but it's called Fashion Force if you're interested in locating it. However, the orange I highly recommend was actually one I saw on Ella and Carylee. It's the Revlon Lacquer Balm in Tease. Glossy and the perfect shade of orange, it's got just enough red in it to keep it classic, and it's what I've been wearing a lot lately. The Maybelline elixir gloss is in "Mandarin Rapture", and I like to dot just a bit on top of Tease for added shine. 

Of course, you can't think Spring without a bright pop of pink on the lips. My favorites are also by Revlon. The original Balm Stain in "Lovesick" is the best fuchsia ever (last worn here), and "Flirtatious" is equally gorgeous. I like the formula of the lacquer balms better because they offer some shine and they are much more moisturizing. My Chanel glossimer in "Glaze" is the perfect topping to any pink lip. 

I think I've covered all six, but if you have any questions feel free to ask!

What is your favorite lip shade?

Continue the post

Camel & Cobalt

Wearing: Frenchi blazer (old) (similar here & here)

Loft sunwashed tee (must-have)

Loft jeans

J. Crew pumps (love these & dream option)

Nordstrom necklace (similar)

Stella & Dot bracelet

Revlon balm stain in "Lovesick"

If it's one thing I love, it's a great blazer. Truth be told, I don't like showing my arms very often because they aren't as toned as I'd like for them to be. I affectionately refer to them as my little sausages, a term that makes hubby roll his eyes and smirk, giving me that "what are you talking about" look. He probably doesn't know whether to laugh along or reassure me. But you know, even if I did have amazingly toned Madonna arms, I think I'd still prefer to cover them with a blazer! They instantly give you that polished look, and you can throw one on over anything for immediate chic. I decided to pair my neutral blazer with shades of blue for a fun date night look.

Continue the post