Patchy

I've always had a crush on elbow patches. I currently have a sweater and a blazer with patches and I wear them biweekly, at least. If you haven't seen it already, Refinery29 has an awesome DIY to make your own patchy favorites. Check it out here!

xoxo

Brick.

I'm always amazed at how roughly textured cold brick can bring such warmth to a room. 

Can't get enough.

Inspiration via anthropologie.com. It never fails.

xoxo

Stuck on Sneaks.

I'm searching for the perfect sneaks.

Leaning towards Jack Purcell - I love that they're already broken in.
Which would you choose?

photos via

xoxo

Para.Para.Paradise.

If you don't know what song I'm referring to in my title, listen below because you.are.missing.out.

In exactly one month, Michael and I will be heading to Paradise in Naples, FL.

Paradise, meaning the following weather report:

His grandparents have amazing condos just off the beach, so we're fortunate enough to escape there for the third year in a row. We were planning to wait until next winter, but I couldn't handle hearing all of the spring break stories while facing another week in my office cubicle. I'm still not used to this big kid world! So until that day in May, I'll be drooling in anticipation of the following:

 

 

 

"get us off this plane and onto the beach!!"

I love traveling with my partner in crime, isn't he cute!? 

Are you waiting for a vacation?

Let the countdown begin! 

xoxo,

Running in Color

Doesn't this look like a riot?! My friends and I are getting a team together for an event in May and I could not be more excited! 

It's a small 5k - perfect for all to run or walk. Is The Color Run is coming to your city!? Check it out! 

xoxo

firsts.

So...I get awkward when we get to this topic. That is, the topic of fashion blogging. But so many of you make it look so fun and glamorous that its landed on my blogging bucket list. Didn't know there was a blogging bucket list? Looks like I just made one.

Michael and I went to dinner with my parents on Saturday night, and upon meeting them my mom handed me a shopping bag. "I bought a blue pair of jeans and they don't fit."

Aw, really? I was bummed for her, but not for long. So I tried them on when I got home, Michael was conveniently taking pictures with his iPhone, and before I knew it I was fashion blogging...

Don't make fun, it's my first rodeo :)

Blouse: T.J. Maxx | Blue denim: Gap | Heels: Ivanka Trump via heels.com | Necklace: J.Crew

Watch: XoXo | Bracelets: World Market

I like to dress like a crayon box but even this color combination is bright for me. I might wear it again with a plain nude or gray pump, with the colors downplayed by a black leather jacket or a khaki trench.

Are you wondering why there are no pictures of my face, smiling into the camera? When I attempt this feat, my eyes close unexpectedly, causing a sometimes frightening sight. Some people call this epilepsy, I call it my life.

Here's to firsts, and here's to fashion blogging :)

xoxo

this just in

H&M now has online shopping (!)

Unfortunately (for me) it is only available to select locations, and little Milwaukee, WI is not one of them.

My mom engrained it into my mind that I must build my wardrobe with staple pieces that are higher price, higher quality providing a longer wear. But amidst those staples, we all need fillers. And H&M is a fantastic filler!

Even if I can't purchase immediately, I love being able to browse their current line. I would fill my cart with the following:

innocently sweet blouse - perfect for work or play

white blazer!

the flirty summer dress

a staple cardigan - I could wear these daily

silky blouse in orange and white

soft feminine blouse with mint shorts

white jeans! and even the out-of-character snakeskin blouse is calling my name

the perfect beach cover

soft pink lace pencil skirt - again, work or play

I'm not typically one to purchase jeans with holes in them, but these look too soft to pass up

a gorgeous spring print

Is your area able to order online?! If so, lucky you.

What are you buying - which are your favorites?

As for the rest of us...I'm now concerned that an H&M store is located minutes from my office.

Smart marketing, H&M. You've planted the seed. Now please cue my self control!

xoxo

tulips.

via

I love tulips. They are slowly creeping up my favorite flower list. Aren't they beautiful? There is a little courtyard of tulips just outside of my apartment and sometimes it's tempting to go lay in them like some hippie wild child...or pick them all for a beautiful bouquet of my own ;)

It was supposed to be a rainy weekend but now the sun is shining and the temps are comfortable, so it's far too nice out to be inside blogging!

Happy Saturday - Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

thankful thursdays

Extra reasons to smile this week:

1. A sun-kiss from the big guy above.
2. My new favorite nail polish: Essie Raspberry. Can't get enough.

3-4. Fresh tulips from the super market. Well, as fresh as they can get from Pick 'N Save. It's amazing the impact a few flowers can make.
5. Impromptu dinner with my aunt and uncle at Buckley's. Best lobster sandwiches and carrot cake...ever. Plus, it's adorable. and I love living close to family!
6. Psychology Today magazine. A supportive surprise from Michael as I figure out a plan for my next decade in life. It's the little things :)
7. Cinnamon toast crunch with berries....fabulous. Who says cereal isn't healthy?!
8. A mid-day phone call from my mom, "I just found the cutest flats for you!" Mom, you are awesome. And the shoes are too.
9. DIY for my apartment. It involved sawing. I felt like a lumberjack, and I was proud. Stay tuned.
10. Milk duds and popcorn from finally seeing Hunger Games. My favorite sweet and salty combo. And the movie? Can't get it off my mind.

11 - 12. Happy Easter! Two varying Easter outfits. We battle through ridiculous photos but sadly my bunny ears did not win. My oldest sister and her boyfriend dressed up as chickens and took a video of them clucking...winners.
13 - 14. I've been sick this week. I'm not a fan of feeling awful, but I do love an excuse to lay in bed all day surrounded by books and blogs and warm coziness. My saving grace was Silver Spray - it's the underdog for immune systems. Stay healthy, homies!

And of course, tomorrow's Friday :)

xoxo

like a fairytale

Most of us spent our childhood wishing we were Cinderella.

I liked to clean, so I especially did. Demented, I know.

Now Marc Jacobs is making your girlish dreams come true.

Except it's not quite glass, it's PVC. (!!!) Not sure which sounds more comfortable.

They're definitely stunning, but will you pay the $595 to reunite with your prince??

xoxo

the Bobbi way

My oldest sister works as a make-up artist for Bobbi Brown as a fun side job. I think we were all surprised to discover this new venture of hers, but she's come a long way and I love reaping the benefits! (Thanks, Col!) This past month she was in town working at our local mall and I was able to stop by for a little makeover.

I don't wear very much makeup - and that's not a humble brag. I've had problem skin my whole life so I've always spent more time worrying about concealer and foundation than any of the other fancies. Now I'm not used to it, so sometimes wearing eye-liner, eye shadow and mascara at the same time can make me feel like a floozy! So I told Colleen to go light on my makeup, and I was SO happy with what she did that it caused me to change me daily routine.

Here's what she used:

1. Foundation Stick: I have fair Irish skin that is politely called "problem skin," complete with the redness and imperfections. This foundation stick is amazing. It takes my skin from Irish-splotchy-red to one even natural tone. You can use it for overall coverage or just for small areas. It's light and portable and I think it's best applied with this brush.
2. Corrector: I never thought I had under-eye darkness until I started using the Corrector. My eyes had never looked so bright. It's a simple easy lift. Now even if I feel like a zombie walking into work in the morning, at least I won't look like one!
3. Sheer Finish Loose Powder: I have oily skin and I'm shining all the time. I go to the bathroom sometimes just to blot my cheeks, but this powder is a game-changer. It's light and provides the perfect finishing touch. This powder gave me a smooth matte look all night and that has never happened to me before! Needless to say, I was pumped, anddd ready to have my photo taken without orbs appearing across my face.
4. Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Pale Pink: This is a miracle worker. First of all, it's small enough to fit in your pocket, but it lasts forever! I just lost mine (heartbreaking) but I had it for about 6 months, using it almost daily and I barely made a dent in it. It's perfect for a quick touch up throughout the day and is so convenient to use on both lips and cheeks. I was amazed at how much a little cheek rouge could brighten my face.
5. Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner: I've just started incorporating eyeliner into my routine, and my pet peeve is how it smudges on my eyelids and melts away throughout the day. This eyeliner stayed intact and did not smudge at all! I was thrilled. She pushed me to do a slightly thicker line (so now you might actually be able to see it), and I loved how it highlighted my eyes.
6. Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Sandy Gold: I loved this color! It's so versatile and is perfect for both day and night. I really felt like it brightened my eyes and would be great for daily use. She did my makeup in the early evening, so I can't fully attest to the "long-wear," but after a few hours it was still shimmering back at me!
7. No Smudge Mascara: I have long eyelashes so I'm OCD about my eyelash curler but I've always been shy about using mascara, as it sometimes looks overwhelming if I cover the entire lash. I've used other Bobbi mascaras before and they smudge really easily on my oily skin. I would definitely recommend the No Smudge, because the others....well, they're smudgey, and this one is not!!

My makeup world was rocked. And I love this mantra:

1. Spread Beauty.

2. Do what you love.

3. Love what you do.

4. Keep it simple.

5. Laugh out loud.

6. Go with the flow.

7. Be real.

8. Focus on the positive.

9. Do your best.

10. Just breathe.

-Bobbi Brown

*this is not a sponsored post. I'm simply the enthusiastic sister that is still discovering makeup at age 23 :)

xoxo