New Books and Essie

Happy Sunday!

After finishing one of my favorite summer reads, Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, I decided to go on a hunt for new books! I've been doing a lot of browsing online and reading different reviews, so when I came across Light Between Oceans and The Chaperone I knew I had to pick them up. While I was out I also stopped at Ulta (a dangerous decision), and decided on three new Essie polishes. I'm excited to try them and will definitely review the books/polishes in future posts!

Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Essie Too Too Hot, Bachelorette Bash, and Status Symbol,

yes they are all different colors (even thought it doesn't look like it)!

How did you spend your Sunday?

Play Date

Yesterday evening I went downtown to the Playhouse District to see Guys & Dolls with my lovely mother! Every once in awhile we have a "play date" and head to the city to see a show. It was lots of fun, we stopped in a cute bistro down the street before hand and had some time to enjoy the city. The weather was also great so I got to break out one of my favorite sundresses.

Here is a breakdown of what I wore, it was perfect for a night downtown! 

What do you think of this look?
Thanks for reading!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday! This week has been a long one, but once 5 o'clock hits it's time for a weekend filled with birthday celebrations and road trips. I can't wait to shower my best friend with confetti and champagne for her 21st! Saturday I'm wiping my calendar clean and not doing anything. I've been so busy these last couple weekends that I can't wait to have a day to sleep in and lounge around the house. My goal is to stay in my pajamas all day :)

Here are some of my favorite picks of the week-

1. Cat-Eye Sunglasses
I freakin' love cat eye sunglasses. They're classy and sophisticated and make me feel like Marilyn Monroe. Love love love them.

2. Essie Pinks
Essie pinks are perfect for summer. Normally I'm more of a red girl, but I've really been loving pink. Bottle Service and Camera are two of my favorites, you really can't go wrong!

3. Breakfast Pinning
Pinterest has a way of making breakfast foods look so delicious. Of course when I try to make them they don't come out as pretty, but it's still fun to try new recipes! Enjoying a good breakfast is one of my favorite things since it's hard to make time for it during the week. Who wouldn't love a meal filled with blueberries, syrup, lots of carbs, and powered sugar!? I have a breakfast board of my own if you'd like to take a look, and I've been dying to try these vanilla bean scones!

4. Patriotic (monogrammed) Hair Bows
My love of hair bows combined with the 4th of July sparks my obsession with Marley Lilly's Monogrammed 'Merica Hair Bow and Monogrammed Nautical Stripe Hair Bow, or really any patriotic hair bow (check out all of these on Etsy!). Although I would probably wear these at any time of the year, they get extra love around the 4th!

Not pictured above, but I couldn't leave out Marley Lilly's
Patriotic Stars and Stripes Hair Bow! So big and fun!!!

5. Nude Bags
I'm slowing beginning to realize that I need to add a nude bag to my wardrobe. It would work so much better with summery outfits than my boring Longchamp. Definitely on my wishlist. I love how Carly at The College Prep styled her Kate Spade Minka.

6. Road Trips
This has definitely been the summer of road trips. Between driving to Chicago to visit my boyfriend, Sandusky for a day at Cedar Point, Mansfield to visit my best friend, and back to Dayton to spend a weekend at school, I've been all over the great state of Ohio and spending tons of time in the car. I enjoy traveling, and I think it's time to venture somewhere new!

What are some of your Friday Faves?

Factory Shopping

Even though my closet is literally overflowing, I feel like I never have anything to wear. But really, what girl doesn't have this problem? I've especially been having a hard time with work clothes because I actually need real business casual outfits, not the "business casual" outfits I wear to formal chapter (i.e. leggings, riding boots, and a blouse). That doesn't cut it in the real world, unfortunately. So, I headed to J.Crew Factory and they're having a sale!

Here's what I ordered-

1 | Sleeveless Popover, white (back ordered and no long available online!)
2 | Wide-Stripe Mini, navy ivory
3 | 3" Chino Short, neon azalea

I can't wait for them to arrive! Unfortunately the popover is sold out and back ordered until sometime in July. But the skirt and shorts are on their way! I think the skirt will be perfect for the business casual looks I've been working on. I also couldn't resist the hot pink chinos :)

Have you made any recent online purchases? What did you buy?
Let me know in a comment!

Kate Spade Home

I absolutely LOVE the fact that Kate Spade designs accessories for pretty much every aspect of life. From clothes, to shoes, to bags, to even accessories for the home. I know that I'm jumping ahead a bit, but in less than a year I will be a college grad and (hopefully) on my way to owning my own space. Believe me, it will be as girly as can be, and I can't wait!

Here are some home accessories from Kate Spade that I'm totally loving:

Say The Word Seize the Day Mug
Polka Dot Vase (similar)
Two of a Kind Hiball
Ivy Stripe Towels
Market Street Dinnerware 
Flatiron Flatware 

Many of them are available at Bed Bath & Beyond which makes life that much easier. I have a feeling there is going to be a pink and/or polka dot theme throughout my apartment!

What are your favorite accessories to make your home special?

Weekend Overview

Wow it feels like so long since I've posted! This weekend has been SO busy but full of lots of fun things. First, HAPPY SUMMER! The longest day of the year was on Friday and, like I mentioned in my last post, I threw a summer solstice party! Here are some pictures:

The table - complete with fresh flowers, sparklers, and lots of yellow!

The centerpiece - Vase with flowers and lemons and sparklers

Sparklers tied with gold ribbon

Sitting area - Mason jars with candles

Everything all together!

Yay lights and balloons!

It was lots of fun! We had lots of different appetizers and ended the night with a bonfire, s'mores, and sparklers. Definitely the perfect way to kick off summer. If you want to see more of my party planning, check out my board on Pinterest!

How did you celebrate the first day of summer?

J.Crew Pineapple Print

I'm not sure why I'm really liking J.Crew's pineapple prints, but I am. It's really different but I like the colors and the summery-ness. Looks like vacation to me!

What do you think about this print?

Summer Solstice Party

Any reason to have a party is a good reason to me! This Friday I decided to invite some friends over for a Summer Solstice Party. What better day to celebrate than the longest day of the year? It will be an outside get-together complete with candles in mason jars and maybe even some glitter. I'm planning everything around the theme of "light" which is so much fun!

As much as party planning tends to stress me out because I want everything to be perfect, I'm having fun with this one. Of course I headed to Pinterest to give me some ideas. Check out my board to see everything I'm planning!

Here are some things I think would be really fun

Glittery mason jars with candles for around the deck

Sparklers for when it gets dark, tied in bunches with yellow ribbon

Sparkling Cherry Lemonade

Yellow upside balloons and white lights hanging from the awning

Lemon vases with white flowers for centerpieces 

S'mores over the fire pit! 

Bacon wrapped pineapple with brown sugar, yummm

Lots of fruit!

Now all I have to do is find a yellow dress! Corn hole will definitely be happening too. I can always use help thinking of fun ideas so let me know if you have any advice/inspiration/words of encouragement, etc. :) 

Currently Loving: Design Darling New Arrivals

I'm currently loving Design Darling new arrivals! My love of Design Darling originally bloomed when I was looking for cute ways to organize my desk. They have lots of fun and unique items that give your space some personality. They also have lots of cute decorations and knick-knacks for your home or apartment, and even jewelry!

Here's what I'm loving from their new arrivals -

1 | Miami Necklace
2 | "Hustle" Gold Foil Print
3 | Nautical Map Coasters
4 | Ric Rac Serving Set

Those coasters would look so great on a coffee table, don't you think? And I would love to hang that hustle print in my apartment, great motivation to get things done!

Here's how I would style the statement necklace, dressed up or down!

For work I would pair it with a simple but sleek striped skirt and black accessories, and for a more casual look I'd pair it with pops of light blue and maybe a monogram or two :)

Which is your favorite? Thanks for reading!

Pinterest Recipes: Egg Stuffed Avocados

I pinned the recipe for a Bacon and Egg Stuffed Avocado a few months ago and have been anxious to try it! I loove avocado, and breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so this recipe was right up my alley. I followed Anna Nimmity's recipe and it came out tasting delicious! I've included her recipe at the bottom of this post.

I decided to leave out the bacon because I don't really like the taste, and it's fattening. But mine came out very tasty and creamy, the consistency was almost mashed potato-like! I topped the eggs off with a little garlic salt and pepper and it was all it needed.

They were very quick and easy to make, I'd definitely make these again.

Avocado Bacon and Eggs

1 Avocado
2 eggs
2 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado so the hole matches the size of your eggs. I didn’t do this the first time and the eggs were too big and oozed all over the pan.

Crack an egg into each half of the avocado, resting the edge of the avocado on the side of the cookie sheet. This helps keep it stable so the avocado doesn’t roll and spill the egg. Add the pieces of bacon to the top and place in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. You can adjust this based on how you like your eggs cooked. Then add salt and pepper to taste.

Thanks to recommendations from my smart readers, I have been using a muffin tin to stabilize these in the oven. It works like a charm, and even if you misjudge how much avocado to scoop out like I did last time and the egg spills over, the mess is contained in one tiny section. I even ate the spilled egg in this version. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

What do you think of egg stuffed avocados? 

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

From now until midnight tonight Kate Spade is holding a surprise sale! They even have a counter on their page telling you how much time is left... no pressure!

Here's what I'm loving -

1 | Harrison Street Bee, $39
2 | Charlotte Street Fabric Theresa, $109
3 | Cobble Hill Leslie, $169
4 | Checker Place Harmony Baby Bag, $139
5 | Primrose Hill Goldie, $179

6 | Kingsbury Park Elena, $179
7 | Estate Garden Necklace, $119

What items are you loving?

What beats coffee on the porch?

Oh nothing, really. There's something just so lovely about a Sunday morning. I've come to appreciate mornings after sleeping through them in college either because of late classes or too much fun the night before. I'm not talking about 8am mornings, those aren't fun, but more like 10-11am mornings. When I'm home it's early enough where the sun isn't beating down on my porch yet, but late enough that I still wake up and feel refreshed. It's nice to slow down and relax with a cup of coffee (or a latte, in my case) and not worry about about rushing out of the house. There's a calmness and freshness that comes from the start of a new day that's just lovely.

Anyway, yesterday I went to Banana Republic because the whole store was 40% off. I picked up two shirts that I can wear to work (I'm in desperate need of work clothes) but they can also be made more casual. 

I also browsed through Chanel with my momma and came across these amazing sunglasses. They are cat-shaped with pearl detail around the top, and soo adorable. This picture really doesn't even do them justice.

Miranda Kerr was spotted wearing them too. I might have to think of some kind of DIY for these bad boys.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

J.Crew Vacation

Every year one of the highlights of my summer is going down to Sanibel Island, Florida to spend some time at the family's condo. We usually go in August when it's scolding hot and humid, so spending lots of time on the water, at the pool, and on the beach is totally necessary! It's peaceful, relaxing, and so much fun.

Here is me last year with a metal dolphin haha!

I was browsing through jcrew.com and realized they really have everything you could need and more for a vacation. I gathered some things together that would be perfect for a trip to the beach or any time you're traveling!

I clearly have a thing for their stripey accessories :) I had no idea J.Crew carried sunblock, but they do! They also have texturizing spray for your hair to hold those beachy waves. Of course my hair doesn't need any more texture when I'm in Florida, it's a curly mess! But hey, I feel like everyone's hair is like that when it's 95 degrees and 100% humidity! Anyway, sunglasses, a cute pair of wedges, and sundresses are all essential items for your time at the beach. And if you're going somewhere really awesome, they also carry passport covers. I'm especially loving that floppy hat. Keep the sun off that pretty face!

Meetya at the beach! 

Good Morning!

"If grease is the soul of the kitchen, and coffee the drink of the Gods,

routine to perfect to mention, time is a thief I would rob."

On a cold, rainy Thursday morning, coffee and pink lipstick are essentials.

Last night I stayed up wayy too late to watch the first round of the Stanley Cup. Normally I wouldn't even know what that is but my boyfriend is a huge Blackhawks fan, so I got sucked in. Actually it was pretty exciting. The game went into triple overtime and I fell asleep before seeing the winning goal. Sigh. But I guess the beauty sleep was well worth it.

The little outfit is what i'm wearing at work today, I've always loved black and white outfits. I tend to lean more toward simplistic styles because I strongly believe less is more, but I think the touch of pink lipstick and pointed flats gives it something extra. Also, I went with a slicked back pony to make the lipstick pop even more. 

Have a lovely day! 

Sale Away

Yesterday I received a cute little email from J.Crew informing me that their sale items are now 30% off. My favorite kind of email to wake up to. 

I have to buy in-store in order to take advantage of their extra 15% off student discount, but if I happen to stumble in (accidentally, of course), these are some items I would consider picking up.

Tortoise Circle Link Bracelet

Engineered-Stripe Boatneck Top in Ivory Gold

Smocked Top in Seaside Coral

Café Capri in Gilded Dot Brocade

Collection Cece Bow Ballet Flats in Saltwater Grey

Which items are you loving?