Packing Up!

My boyfriend and I are off to Chicago on Thursday and then making our way to Milwaukee for a wedding on Saturday. So in order to cut back on the added cost of checking our bags, we've decided to carry-on for the flight. This is going to be a bit of a struggle for me. Okay...a lot of a struggle. It's only Tuesday, and I'm very nervous about how I'm going to make this happen. Here is what I'm thinking in terms of how I'll decide on what to bring:

Category #1: Daywear: comfortable and easy to wear and pack!

from right to left: Forever 21 layers tank, Hudson Jeggings, Allsaints.com wrap shawl, Madewell pink henley tank, Cosia beige top, Aubin and Willis Stripe Tank, JBrand Shorts

Category #2: Dresses for day and night- cotton day dresses and dressier options for night time out on the town as well as for the wedding

Tucker Linen dress, Milly one shoulder, See by Chloe bow dress, Vanessa Bruno grey racerback, Maurie and Eve Teal dress

Category #3: Shoes and Accessories- Messenger bags for easy access and comfort and clutches for night. Simple jewelry. Flats for the day and heels at night. Sticking with neutrals make it easy to wear with several outfits.

Helena de Natilios Black Clutch, See by Chloe Tan bag, Steve Madden pumps, Sam edelman flats, Alex Monroe Swallow Necklace, Hayden Harnett Messenger

Happy Packing...for the next few days!

best friends

I'm sure that everyone thinks that they have the best friends; but I'd be willing to bet that my friends really are the very best. A birthday is one of those holidays that I anticipate for several weeks before hand, and I put alot of pressure {mostly on myself} on having a fun birthday. After all; it only comes once a year. So I want to thank all of my friends for helping me celebrate and have the best birthday celebration that I could have asked for. My friends definitely know me far too well, considering I came home with lots of fun stuff and some great "princess" cards and party attire! Thank you thank you thank you.

Happy Monday friends!

with 2 of my best friends from high school- and the strapless birthday dress with embroidered cutouts that I decided on!!

All of the fun goodies I returned home with!

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”

Birthday begins....

Now!

Well, I guess it's technically been going on since July 1st, since I prefer to celebrate for an entire month {as most girls do!}. But today is the official beginning of celebrations with great friends and family. Today will be spent with friends out at the pool, then getting my makeup done with my roomate, and then...time to party! I'm so looking forward to it and will update you on the details of the party next week.

Happy Saturday!

Cutouts

Last night my roomate and I were on a mad dash for last minute birthday celebration options! I was on the search for a second dress option (as I've slowly lost interest in my original "birthday" dress) and she was searching for shoes. Unfortunately I found nothing, but she found some amazing black cutout heels! I just love the way that cutout shoes look and so happy that atleast one of us was successful in finding something fabulous for the weekend! Maybe I'll give it one last shot again this afternoon =)

Happy Weekend!!

from top left to right

-Belle by Sigerson Morrison

-Picque Cire

-Guess

-Chinese Laundry

-Corso Como

-Pelle Moda

Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself. ~Elbert Hubbard

Watermelon Fizz

Last week I went to a cooking demonstration with my Mom. I was a little intimidated, considering I don't really cook. At all. I do want to learn to cook; but a cooking demonstration didn't seem like the best place to start. We sat in a classroom type setting and got to watch the chef prepare a salad, chicken with marinade and then the drink- Watermelon Fizz!

When I noticed that the Watermelon Fizz only had about 3 ingredients and 2 steps; I was sold. After the demonstration, we got to taste everything that was made and it was even better than I expected. Watermelon is by far my favorite fruit and this makes the best summer-time drink. Might even take this out by the pool on Saturday! With one minor ingredient of course.

Happy Tuesday!

Watermelon Fizz

-5 cups diced watermelon
-1/2 cups Fresh lime juice
-1 1/2 cups Ginger ale soda
-4 lime wedges (for garnish)

1) Puree watermelon and strain, discarding chunks
2) Blend juice with remaining ingredients and serve in a tall glass over ice
3) Enjoy!

Simplicity

Monday's always seem to be the hardest day of the week to find something to wear for some reason. After the weekend, and being able to wear anything you want- it can be difficult to pick out something fitting for a work day. Finding something simple is key; especially on a Monday. I love all of these choices for simplicity! From anything with buttons, zips and slip-ons or pull-overs. Simple is best.
Happy Monday!

Buttons:
1- Tory Burch Boyfriend Cardigan
2- Miu Miu Dress
3- Ritten house Skirt
4- Madison Marcus Layer Tank
5- See by Chloe Woven Top

Slip-on
1- Phillip Lim Navy/Cream Dress
2- DVF ankle pants
3- Steven Alan
4- Maje Dress
5- See by Chloe Shorts

I grew up going to the North Carolina mountains and visiting my grandparents; but this weekend I saw an entirely different perespective of where I spent several summers and holidays. We visited Brevard, NC which is also known as "the land of waterfalls". All of Saturday was spent in the Pisgah National Forest and we got a chance to see several different waterfalls. Some were tourist attractions and others were found on accident {those being my very favorite}. We also went tubing down the Davidson River, which was so much fun! It was amazing and it was so hard to come back to the "city". I'm already ready to get back there.

Pisgah National Forest

the deer we saw on the golf course! All 14 of them...

on our hike to the waterfall

outdoorsy

I'm headed to the mountains this weekend and although the weather forecast is calling for thunderstorms, I plan on trying to be a little "outdoorsy" and taking it all in. I love the mountains. From the fresh air, lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails and the relaxing atmosphere. I just can't wait to get there.

Of course being "outdoorsy" also involves picking out the appropriate attire and being prepared with several choices, including rain gear for those scattered thunderstorms in the forecast. Luckily, the color olive and military green have really grown on me and I am on the hunt for cute things to take with me for the weekend. Enjoy and happy weekend!

from left to right:

1) Box Rucksack Bag from Barneys

2) Ella Doran umbrella

3) Milly one shoulder top

4) Bathing Suit Halter top from Vanessa Bruno

5) Carrera Sunglasses

6) AE woven belt

7) Shine Jane giraffe top

8) Maxmara Dress

2 weeks!!

My birthday is exactly 2 weeks from today!!
I'm very enthusiastic about birthdays and I believe that everyone deserves one filled with the people and the things they love. I also believe that everyone deserves a great birthday party. This might seem a little bit juvenile (considering I'll be 26 this year), but I don't think it will ever get old. Not only is it an excuse to celebrate, but it's reason to be with friends and family (and maybe even to get a few presents). Here are the makings of a fabulous birthday party:

1) Invitations: This year I decided to make my birthday a little bit more official than just an evite; so I picked out cute invitations that I mailed out to everyone! Although they are a little pricier than the whole online invite deal; they are much cuter and much more personable. Plus everyone loves getting something other than bills in their mailbox!

2) Cake: I'm not usually the biggest fan of cakes. I prefer candy and gum over any sort of cakes or pies most days. However, when it comes to birthdays; you almost have to go with a cake! Last year, I had a delicious yellow lemon cake (surprise!), which I loved. Something different and unique...not the typical vanilla or chocolate cake!

3) A Dinner or Get Together: Last week two of my girlfriends celebrated their birthdays. A bunch of us got together and had a fabulous dinner party with wine and cakes for both of them! I love getting together for dinner with friends anyways, but when their is something to celebrate it's even better. Plus you get dessert!!

4) Props/Party Favors: to go along with the birthday party...you always need great props!! I can't say that my birthday last year would have been quite the same without them By this, I mean anything from fun additions to your party such as party hats (or I prefer birthday tiara's), to balloons, to noise makers (or I also prefer microphones for personal singing entertainment) or anything else you might like! But this can also include cute decorations depending on where your party is being held.

5) Party Dress: Having something new always makes you feel better than just pulling out something from the back of the closet. that you've worn several times already. Buy something new for the occasion. It can be a bday present to yourself!

5) Friends & Family: Without your family and friends you wouldn't be where you are today! They are the ones that make any birthday complete and happy =)

Invite them all and just celebrate!

Nautical Attire!

I usually spend the 4th of July {and most other sunny holidays} at the beach with my best friend Lindsey and her husband Gray. This weekend she was working and I decided it would be a nice time to enjoy Charlotte for a long weekend. But when I found out that she spent the day on an amazing boat {or shall we say yacht}.... I couldn't help but think about the perfect boat attire for such the occasion. I can dream...

I came across this adorable nautical inspired top by See by Chloe. Here are two ways you could wear this top! With white skinny denim or cute paperbag shorts. Love

Happy Tuesday and Happy July!

why July?

Why I love July...

1- the 4th of July: I love celebrating the 4th of July! Well I really love celebrating anything. But I love the cookouts {mostly the watermelon}, the mini American flags, sparklers and the fireworks that come along with this holiday! So patriotic.

2- It's a full month of Summer!! July is usually the month that everyone heads to the beach and enjoys the nice {or extremely hot and humid} weather. This means suntans and sunglasses!

3- Cookouts: I love cookouts in the evenings

4- Summer hours- This means a few Friday's in the summer, we get to leave work at noon. Hooray!! {Yes, I know that New Yorker's typically have "summer hours" so they leave work EVERY friday at noon, but I'll take what I can get}

5- My Birthday!!!: So I'm a little dramatic when it comes to my birthday. And I like to wear tiaras and maybe carry around a microphone for spontaneous karaoke moments. But I only get to once a year and I highly recommend that everyone girl celcbrate their bday this way! I figure the age that this is unacceptable, is coming shortly. (or maybe it has and I fail to accept it). Anyways, my bday month officialy starts today!!

Happy July!!

photos