What To Wear: Al Fresco Lunch Date

Bucket Bag / Linen Tee (only $35) / Bar Earring Set (love these) / Key Fob / Gold Band Set / Slight Cat Eye Sunglasses (great sunglasses) / Sandals / Shorts
I am going to admit that spring and summer are not my favorite seasons. I much prefer fall and winter, however, I do love the perk of dining outside during the warmer months. Dining al fresco is something I try to do as much as possible even if it is just making myself a quick meal for brunch on the weekend and eating on my deck. I think these shorts and this linen tee (love the scallop details) would be the perfect combination for a causal date or meeting with friends for an al fresco lunch. I have earrings similar to these and they are one of my favorite go to pieces of jewelry.

3 Favorite Dresses For Spring

Green Cove Two Piece Dress / Pink Silk Dress / Stripe Tank Dress
I avoid dresses for most of winter. The cold weather simply convinces me that pants are a must. As soon as spring arrives I am excited to slip into dresses. Having some pretty dresses to wear makes getting ready in the morning so much easier. Above are three of my current favorites including this one. I couldn't love the color more.

Spring Essential: Rain Boots

Until a couple years ago I had never owned a pair of rain boots even as a child. It wasn't until I got my first pair of rain boots (a floral print by Joules similar to these) that I realized how much of a game changer they are. Rain boots may not be the most worn shoes in my closet but they are definitely one of the most appreciated. Now I don't think twice about keeping my feet dry while splashing around town.

A few of my favorite pairs:

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Beauty Products To Try This Spring

A few of my favorite beauty products that you should try this spring:

1 Bold Red Lipstick // Classic red is the go to shade this spring. I love Poppy Red.

2 NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 // This tinted moisturizer is amazing and the lightweight formula is great for spring. Plus it has SPF.

3 Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art // Not an everyday item for me but I love sparkle so I couldn't be happier that a glitter is on trend for special party nights this spring.

4 Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion // Soft beach inspired waves are one of my favorite easy hair styles during warmer months.

5 Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask // This stuff is amazing. One of the best masks I have ever used.

6 Urban Decay Mascara Resurrection // Mascara is my favorite beauty product. I was so excited when I first tried this product. It softens, separates, and defines your lashes prepping them for a fresh coat of mascara.

7 Pink Nail Polish // So your nails are pretty in pink.

8 Estee Laude Re-Nutriv Creme // This has became my favorite moisturizer.

8 Lorac POREfection Concealer // This oil-free concealer infused with anti-aging antioxidants brightens and nourishes your skin.

Stylish for Less: Spring Dresses Under $100

Striped Bodycon Dress $18 - Palm Springs Dress $50 - White Sporty Bodycon Dress $64 - Yellow Pencil Skirt Dress $76 - Crepe Skater Dress $100 - Light Pink Dress $35 - Striped Skate Dress $20 - Blue Floral Dress $23 - Tropical Sundress $29 - Patterned Gypsy Dress $40 - Yellow Floral Dress $100 - Floral Shift Dress $30

Let's just face it, dresses are a must-have item for Spring. Everyone should have a few (and by few I mean a dozen or so) good Spring dresses. These dress should be pretty, cool, and easy to wear. Spring is about breaking out of thick layers we had to wear all Winter and finally getting out to have some fun. Whether you are meeting friends for lunch, running errands, going to work, or spending the day out and about you need some great dresses. I love this dress for lunch with friends. It has a great color and cute print. This $20 option would be the perfect dress from for me to wear while spending the day outside enjoying the good weather. It would be perfect for a picnic or a wear to the park. Which dress would you wear where?

I love all of the options above. They are mainly under $100 with only two of them being exactly $100. These dresses would all go great with sandals, flats, or heels depending on your preference or where you are going in it. Add a couple of accessories like a pendant necklace or a few bangles and grab your tote and you are ready to go. So simple, right?

Spring Furnished Wish List

Acapulco Chair (fun!) / Starfish / Table Topper / Striped Candles / Lettuce Ware Salad Plate / Throw Pillow (only $25!) / Tortoise Decorative Dish / Bamboo Accent Table / Faux Blue Coral / Round Pink Box / Baskets (chic storage!)
The temperatures have finally warmed up and that has me embracing spring. With spring comes spring cleaning. I hope to tackle my closet next week. I am also ready to do a little sprucing up at home. Right now I am loving bright pinks, blues, and greens. My wish list is way larger than my budget but I thought I would share a few of my favorite finds with you today like this incredibly fun pink chair, these useful striped candles, and this gold bamboo accent table.

Some more fun finds:

Stylish For Less: Sandals Under $50

Damask Sandals / Madden Girl Embellished White Sandals (love these in brown too!) / Wide Band Sandals / Color Block Sandals / Two Part Espadrilles / Fringe Espadrille Sandals (fringe!)
Now that the temperatures finally warming up I am excited for cute sandals and pretty pedicures. I was evaluating my shoe collection the other day and I was surprised by the lack of sandals. I have resolved to pick up a few new pairs before heading to the beach this summer. This pair in brown is at the top of my list but I am also think these color block sandals would be very versatile.

P.S. Jessica shared some great flats under $50 last week.

A few more sandals under $50:

20 Fun Things Everyone Should Do This Spring

In Spring, so much is happening outside that you just have to get out and enjoy life. Enjoy the flowers blooming, the sunny skies, and even the pop-up rain showers. Have fun outside. Here is my to do this list this Spring. What's on yours? What do you think everyone should do this Spring?

1. Picnic in the Park

2. Plant a Flower Garden

3. Take a Hike

4. Sit Outside at a Cafe

5. Walk on the Beach

6. Fly a Kite

7. Go Strawberry Picking

8. Feed the Ducks at a Pond

9. Bake Cupcakes with Pastel Frosting

10. Mix a Pitcher of Margaritas

11. Buy or Pick Fresh Flowers

12. Buy a Fun New Umbrella

13. Get Caught in the Rain without that Umbrella

14. Make and Wear a Flower Crown

15. Get a New Hairdo

16. Go on a Weekend Getaway

17. Shop at a Farmer's Market

18. Go to an Outdoor Concert

19. Attend a Carnival

20. Invite Friends Over for Brunch Out on the Patio


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Spring Gingham

Gingham Dress / Gingham Top / Gingham Black Skirt / Gingham Swimsuit / Gingham Headband / Gingham Pink Skirt / Gingham Heels / Gingham Bralette
Gingham isn't just for picnics. I expect to see fresh takes on classic gingham popping up everywhere this spring. I love this preppy print and think that it is a great alternative to floral prints. I have rounded up a few of my favorite gingham items including this bralette and this pretty pink and white dress.

Here are a few more gingham items for spring:

What to Wear: Sunny Spring Day

Navy Cardigan - Marc Jacobs Sunnies shiny! - Gold Bar Stud Earrings - Alexander Wang Striped Dress beautiful - Stone Pendant Necklace - Kate Spade "Heart of Gold" Bangle adorable - Nails INC Belsize Road Nail Polish - Kate Spade Crossbody Bag love the color - Michael Kors Sandals

Spring is officially here now. Aren't you excited for the sunny days and the sudden rain showers? I'm definitely ready for. I'm done with the snow and the bitter cold winds. I'm ready for lunches on the patio, going on nice walks, and relaxing on a bench with a good book. On a nice, sunny, Spring day I would want to wear something like the above. A cute, comfortable dress is a must. I'm loving the colors in this Alexander Wang striped dress. I love the colors and play off of them for the rest of the look. Add in sandals and a few accessories and you are ready for whatever the day brings. Right? What's your ideal sunny Spring day look?

Spring Break Beach Bag Essentials

Stripe Beach Towel / Sunhat (pompoms!) / Family Pictures / Elephant Bag Charm (adorable!) / Tassel Dress / Scallop Bikini / Face Sunscreen / Body Sunscreen / Lip Balm (with SPF) / Hair Ties / KIND Bars / Sunglasses / Tote / Sandals (love these) / Water Bottle / Evian Mineral Water Spray

If you are lucky enough to be heading to a sunny beach somewhere soon on spring break I am so envious of you. After winter days filled with so much snow that have turned into gloomy days where it refuses to stop raining I could definitely use a little time in the sun. Although I am only left dreaming of a beach vacation for the time being I have rounded up a collection of my favorite beach bag essentials that include the perfect beach towel, a a coverup that can also be worn to casual lunches, a pretty beach tote that is roomy enough to hold everything to get you through the day, and sandals that have just the right amount sparkle.

What items do you include in your beach bag essentials?

Pretty In Pastels

Light Blue Cotton Chambray Shirt / Espadrilles (2 other pretty colors available too) / Tassel Earrings (on sale) / Jumpsuit / Clutch / Cashmere Sweater / Ice Cream Sequin Sweater (adorable!) / Kate Spade Necklace / Bracelet / Kate Spade Watch
Are you counting down the days until spring like me? I really do not know how much more snow I can handle. Every year around this time of the year I become slightly obsessed with pretty pastels. They can be overly girly and extremely sweet but I think part of the fun is in embracing that. I have rounded up a few of my favorite finds including this extremely adorable sweater and these great Oscar de la Renta tassel earrings that I have been dying to own and are currently on sale.

Decorating for Sping

Well, the weather may be horrible here but it is March now. To me March means Spring is just around the corner. Even though we still have some snow on the ground and there is no Spring like weather outside, I have been thinking about ways to bring Spring inside the house. With all of the Christmas and Winter decorations gone now is the time to add touches Spring to your decor. Spring decor must include flowers and bring colors.

Pinterest is a great place to look for decorating ideas. Above are some of my favorite ideas that I found for Spring. The little bunny picture frame would be such an easy DIY to complete. I love the addition of the pom pom to create a cute little bunny tail. The rain boots with flowers is such a fun idea too. You would definitely need some pretty and colorful rain boots like those pictured to have a beautiful display. Will you decorate for Spring?


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Eva Franco For Lover.ly

Almost everyone who has ever been a bridesmaid has dealt with shilling out a lot of money for an unflattering dress that will never be worn more than once. Enter Lover.ly to the rescue. Lover.ly (think Pinterest for wedding planning) has become the ultimate source for all things wedding related including finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses. Lover.ly has partnered up with Eva Franco to launch a collection of vintage inspired dresses, separates, and jumpsuits for brides and their bridesmaids. The collection launched last week and would be perfect for upcoming spring and summer weddings.

Lover.ly knows what brides are searching for and struggling to find so their new collection Eva Franco for Lover.ly fills in all of those gaps. The soft color palette, romantic fabrics, classic silhouettes, and special touches such as pockets and scallop hems made me instantly fall in love with every piece of this collection.

Best thing about this collection is that these items will not be pushed to the back of a bridesmaid's closet and forgotten after the wedding. Bridesmaids will reach for these items over and over including for romantic dinners, cocktail parties, and when they are guests at other weddings. Four of my favorites from the collection are pictured above.

Not forgetting about the bride Eva Franco for Lover.ly also has several options for the bride who is not looking for the typical ballgown dress or wants something extra special for the rehearsal dinner or to change into for the reception. The ivory, halter jumpsuit pictured below is ideal for the fashion-forward bride.

I would love to know your thoughts on this new collection Lover.ly.

Stylish For Less Post: 4 Easy Dresses Under $50

Striped Midi Dress (adorable back cutout!) / Pink Swing Dress / Crepe Woven Midi Dress (has pockets!) / Botanic Print Ruched Cami Dress
These four dresses have caught my eye recently. There are few things better in the spring and summer than slipping into an easy, cool dress for the day. Another bonus is that each of these dresses are under $50. This dress has pockets (I always love dresses with pockets) and this dress is in a beautiful floral pattern. Extra bonus is this fifth striped swing dress for only $29.

Picnics in the Spring

A few days ago, Tracy shared her Spring goals with you. One of her goals that I am in definite agreement with is to get outside more often. Winter has been harsh this year. We have had more snow, ice, and bad weather conditions this year than we have in the previous several years. This resulted in staying inside out of the cold and road conditions did not permit any travel. Being cooped up at home also kept us from spending a lot of time with our family and friends. This Spring we plan to make up for being stuck inside all Winter.
What better way to do this than to have get-togethers outside? Every gathering of friends and family needs good food. It doesn’t matter if you have a few of your absolute best and closest friends or a dozen family members; a picnic is always a great idea on a nice, sunny day.
After you have the friends invited and the menu decided on for the picnic, make sure you have all the other picnic necessities. You need to plan foods that travel well in containers and will hold up outside. Don’t forget plates and the necessary silverware. Also, a cute basket is a must for carrying your goods. You can find wonderful picnic necessities and beautiful picnic blankets at Urbanara. A great picnic blanket is an essential item if you are going out in search of a pretty spot. After all, it is kind of hard to carry a picnic table with you. Remember to have that iPod charged, so that you can play some tunes. If you plan to be out past sunset, some flameless tea lights would provide instant light in a breeze.
I hope I get the chance to go on a picnic with my best friends soon. I’m planning delicious food, pretty drinks, and time to relax with some nail polish and good chit chat.

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Chit Chat: Spring To Do List

I feel like a broken record who keeps complaining about being exhausted and all of the responsibilities I have on my plate. I find myself focusing on the bleak aspects of my life entirely too much which makes for a very pessimistic outlook on the world. This spring I am really going to buckle down and put forth the effort to focus more attention on the parts of life I enjoy and improving parts that are easily in my control (I might not be able to find that dream job that is eluding me but I can work on creating a healthier lifestyle).

Goal One // Take care of my health. I discussed exercise here. It is something that has been lacking a lot in my life lately and that has got to change. It may be hard finding the time and energy for it but I know I will feel so much better when I get back into a routine. Jessica and I are jump starting this next week by beginning to walk each evening again. Plus, we have decided to do a semi-detox by eating clean for an entire week (sugar I will miss you), which we plan to try to carry on at least 80% of the time. I have been sick a lot lately. I hope that focusing on eating whole foods and adding more activity into my life will combat this and give me more energy.

Goal Two // Get outside more often. I am not an outdoorsy kind of girl but I do love dining al fresco. This winter kept me mostly inside. Now that it is warming up I am planning on more lunches on the patio, long walks outside, and maybe even a few picnics.

Goal Three // Regularly schedule pedicures. I love getting pedicures but I usually tell myself that I should save my money instead. This spring I am going to accept that it really isn't that expensive and that it is a little luxury that I can easily fit into my budget. Plus, it is amazing how happy some brightly painted toes can make you feel.

Goal Four // Play hooky a few days from work. My job is crazy busy. I have a lot of responsibilities and deadlines. I work long hours and am often stressed out. Part of me feels it is wrong for me to do but this spring I am going to try to accept that I do good work at a job that doesn't make me happy and that if that isn't appreciated I am going to stop adding more work and stress onto myself when I get nothing in return. I almost never take time off from work but this spring I am going sporadically schedule a few vacation days to do something fun or maybe for some additional time to look for correct career path for myself.

Goal Five // Do more of things that are fun. The majority of my days are comprised of work, commuting to and from work, and the small window of time I carve out for this little blog. I need to set more time aside to do things that are fun like reading, baking, crafting (something I've recently started), going to dinner with friends, or getting tickets to a great show.

Do you have any goals for this spring?

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What To Wear: Jumpsuits

A few years ago I would have said no one should ever wear a jumpsuit but since that time I have done a complete 180. I love how easy they are. Toss one on and you are dressed. Looser more draped pieces are wonderful for running errands, a well tailored jumpsuit is the perfect alternative to a cocktail dress, and a jumpsuit paired with a fitted blazer and killer heels is a great look for the office. This light blue jumpsuit will look great this spring. I also came across this chic black jumpsuit that is only $30. Also, if you are looking for a handbag to transition into this new season this is it plus it is extremely affordable.

Jacket / Oversized Cat Eyed Sunglasses / Jumpsuit / Necklace / Tote / Sandals / Earrings / Watch
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Friday Favorites

How fun is this casual take on a short suit? I am ready to start wearing more florals (a springtime favorite of mine) and this blazer and short combo would be perfect weekend go to pieces. I was excited to come across this white rock candy of mine. It has been a favorite of mine since childhood. This spring and summer I think it would be a fun and festival addition to use as swizzle sticks in mixed drinks when hosting friends. Do you agree? Some more of my favorites are below.

Rock Candy / Ban.do Mini Pom Pom Flower in Cantaloupe / Bib Necklace / Ankle Wrap Sandals / Floral Print Blazer and Shorts
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The Beauty Lineup For Spring 2014

It has been a couple seasons since we have posted a beauty lineup post so I thought one was long overdue. Jessica and I have never claimed to be experts on the topic of makeup so instead I am simply sharing a list of products I have tried and love with the exception of orange lipstick which is super trendy this spring and I just may give a try.

Lipstick // This soft berry shade is a favorite of mine for spring but this bright orange would be fun for switching it up. If you are not a fan of lipstick this lip stain is a very pretty color for spring.

Perfume // I love switching up my everyday perfume and the beginning of a new season is the perfect time to make the swap. This perfume is a current favorite.

Eyes // My love of sparkle is transferring itself to metallic eye shadow, especially in particular gold.

Skincare // This light oil absorbs quickly and saves my skin which tends to dry out horribly. I searched for a long time for a sunscreen for my face that I could be happy with and I think I have finally found it. I purchased this lip conditioner on a whim and I am so thankful I did. I only apply it before bed and I have noticed the hugest difference in my lips.

Brows // I recently became obsessed with my brows and while I am still trying to totally figure out a routine for taking care of them this and this are two products I have quickly grown to love.

Glowing Skin // Nothing is a better spring beauty routine to me than glowing, dewy skin. I have found that a combination of this tinted moisturizer and this illuminator give you just that.

via: Barbara Palvin original source unknown