AFC Championship

Hello hello! I'm writing this post during halftime 😬😬 My previous post was reminiscing our ski trip just a couple of weeks ago in CO. Now I'm cheering on my Broncos in Columbus, OH (from the comfort of my couch). The AFC Championship always comes down to the same two teams: Patriots and Broncos. Well, LET'S GO BRONCOS!!!!! 

This game surely snuck up on me, as far as preparing snacks go. I ended up just throwing a pizza in the oven and calling it a day. I figured it was better to focus on a game day outfit rather than game day food (which really only matters when it's a super bowl party!)

This full circle skirt from New York and Company was a favorite of mine this summer and fall. The sunset orange color is the perfect transition piece from the neon summer palette to the jewel tones in the fall. During this time of year,

It help me be United In Orange with the rest of the Broncos fans out there. 

My graphic tee from Junk Food clothing is a high-lo fit that's soft and comfortable. I can wear it with leggings, jeans, or dress it up with this skirt. 

These suede BCBG's have been my second skin for the last two years. They're at the point where they have formed to fit my feet perfectly and I never want to take them off. 

Here's to hoping the Broncos make it to the Super Bowl!! Looking forward to having two weeks to plan outfits and food for the Big Game 🏈👠

NY Resolutions!

 

I've enjoyed reflecting on 2015 {with the help of social media - time hop, instagram, etc} and looking forward to what 2016 will bring! Every year, I try to set a new year resolution - something that can reinvent me!  I already work out in the mornings and read at night so things like 'going to the gym' or 'reading more' isn't really an accurate way to better myself. 

 

A New Year's Resolution can be fun and motivating at the same time.  I've been feeling inspired to get back into blogging after my long hiatus in 2015.  I miss the blogging world, so I'm challenging myself to get back into it in 2016!  According to Instagram, my best 9 (aka the pics with the most likes) captured 5 pics used for blogging, 2 pics from my boyfriend and I's 'band, 1 {vacation} selfie, and the trip of a lifetime to the American Music Awards in LA!  These are three hobbies that I want to strengthen in 2016: blogging, playing music, and traveling.

 

I need to hold myself accountable for these goals but will also look to the support and feedback from all of you!

 

What are your new year's resolutions?  I want to know!

 

 

Collaboration

 

 

I'm so, sooo happy to talk about my collaboration with one of my best friends!  This isn't the first time that I've blogged about Amber - she was also the main event of my very first post from March last year!  She had just accepted the proposal of marriage to her ol' ball and chain, Danny ;) Their wedding was March of this year and I wish we could relive that night over and over again!  Amber and I basically did relive her wedding night over because we went through their 4,000 camera roll of pics from their photographer, Martin Digital. Amaaaazing photos, by the way!

 

Anyway!  Amber just started a blog of her own and I couldn't be more proud of her!  She is an art teacher in Cincinnati and is so creative! Whenever I have the urge to be crafty, she's my go to person for advice!  One of her blog posts is about Bucket Lists, which really inspired me to make a bucket list of my own.  I have so many things that I want to do or accomplish in my lifetime - everything is just milling around in my head.  Might as well get it down on paper so I have a constant reminder of my goals.  We had a lot of fun making our lists - and we looked cute doing it :)

 

Having a bucket list reminds me that there are no limits.  A bucket list isn't someone else telling me what I should do or how to live my life - my list contains my own thoughts (...and maybe a couple from Amber's list that I copied....).  There are already a number of things that I've accomplished I never thought possible - recording a song, moving to another state by myself, and conquering my fear of heights with the slip n fly (http://www.ohiodreams.com/photos/slip-n-fly).  Now that I've created a list, I'm looking forward to checking each item off and who knows what else I will add to the list?!

 

My outfit:

Shirt - Marshall's

Necklace - Shop Hope's

Leggings - H&M

Shoes - DSW

 

Amber's outfit:

Shirt - H&M

Necklace - Francesca's

Leggings - Marshall's

 

Notebooks - Kate Spade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



To Mom, WIth Love

....And then my mom decided to change so she didn't clash with the prints!

Our new family dog, Ben!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!! She is such a beautiful person inside and out so it was time to get her out from behind the camera!  She's taught me to be the person that I am today.  She's my rock, my role model, my best friend.  We talk for hours on the phone every week - sharing recipes, decorating tips, accomplishments, embarrassing moments, updates, gossip, etc.  I can't imagine my life without her.  From her big smile to her big heart, if I become half of the woman that she is, it would be my biggest accomplishment in life.

My mom and I like the same type of fashion, but we feel comfortable in different types of clothes.  To show off our own style, we started with the same pair of shoes and worked our way up. These Franco Sarto dress sandals are a great neutral color and extremely comfortable!  I would highly suggest any type of shoe that's Franco Sarto - great price point and quality that doesn't break the bank.

In the warmer months, I tend to wear a lot of skirts and dresses while my mom said she's more likely to be found in capris and a flowy shirt.  My favorite accessory is anything that shines.  My mom's favorite accessory is hoop earrings - gold, silver, bronze, she has a pair in every color.  I guess she's still an 80's girl at heart :)

Here's a couple other questions I asked my mom throughout our discussion over some mimosas:

What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
Kids.  Watching you and your brother grow up and becoming so smart.  You're both good kids.  So, enjoying my kids is the best thing about being a mom.

What would be your advice to new moms?
Enjoy your kids at every age because they grow up too quick.  Even when they're going through their terrible two's, enjoy your kids.

Can you think of any favorite memories about being a mom?
To you?  Or you and your brother?

Mmmm....me :)
Reading all of your Disney and Minnie Mouse books.  We read all of the time so we had them memorized.  On the way to preschool, I would have to tell you the story of the Little Mermaid.  Every time I would skip a part to make the story end faster, I always got caught.  You would tell me, "mom, that's not right!  You forgot...." And I would have to go back and add in the part that I skipped over.


Dress - NY&CO
Necklace - Shop Hope's
Shoes - DSW

Sunday Best

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! I was home and celebrating Easter with my family. As a kid, I loved having an Easter egg hunt! Now, I love wearing my Sunday best. The brighter the colors the better! I chose this neon coral midi dress from the Eva Mendes collection at New York and Company. The midi length is something I'm still getting used to. I'm 5'3" so when the length of the skirt/dress hits my calf, I look a lot shorter than I am! Throwing on a pair of heels adds height to my look. To make this outfit more modern, I threw on a gold turban headband. These headbands are my new favorite thing! I love how they jazz up any outfit. 

Stay tuned for more looks that incorporate turbans and bright colors! Here's to hoping that spring is here to stay!

Lady in Red

Valentine's Day is almost here...  You either love it or you hate it!  I, myself, love this "holiday" I love wearing pink and red, wearing hearts, and eating chocolates!  I also have big plans to raid every nearby grocery store on Sunday when the candy is 50%... I need enough reese's to last until the Halloween candy sale...

Anyway, I digress....Red is a daring color.  I decided to be bold and wear all red - lips, nails, dress, shoes.. I mean, go big or go home, right?!  I wore a 'tiffany blue' heart necklace for a pop of color against all of the red. 

We had beautiful weather last weekend!  It was warm enough for me to take pics outside in the sun.  Valentine's Day is going to be a high of 7, so my boyfriend and I are staying in and making sushi.. Hiding from the crowd and the cold!

Next weekend I'm headed to Nashville for a bachelorette party!  Stay tuned for some honky tonk fun....

Dress - Charming Charlie
Shoes - Shop Hope's
Necklace - Tiffany & Co
Planner - Kate Spade New York

My Best Bargain Yet!

Would you believe me if I told you my dress cost less than these shoes??!  Well, that's a fact, believe it or not!

Thanks to Francesca's and their amazing FLASH SALE, I scored this dress for only $29.99! I couldn't wait to receive it in the mail, and it came just in time to wear to a friend's wedding.  It was an outdoor wedding, but the dress was a little heavier so I wasn't cold like I anticipated - oh, listen to me, "Cold" in August?? I know it's 93 degrees this weekend, but a few weekends ago, it was down in the 50's.... are other states feeling these temps??

Moving on.....

I loved the fit and flare of this dress! Not to mention, it was easy to dance in - I was the one who requested B.Spears ten times, you're welcome, wedding guests!  Because of the floral texture and the beaded waistband, jewelry wasn't really an option with this.  Sometimes, less is more and that was the case for this dress.  If I wore silver jewelry, I would have paired it he dress with some silver bracelets for some extra Bling!  But these BCBG suede dorry heels took care of that extra Bling for me!  Talk about "W-O-W" Best part is they were soft suede so I was actually comfortable all night for my first time wearing them.

DId I mention the best part?! Francesca's is having 30% off right now on dresses.  Score this Jun and Ivy Embellished Floral dress for 30% off (Regular $118).  I have to say that buying this dress during their flash sale was one of my best bargains yet..... Ain't that the truth!!!

Dress - Francesca's

A Birthday Collection

When it comes to my birthday, I don't mess around! It only comes once a year so I start celebrating the first of July (I mean, America is already celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving.... why should my birthday be any different?). 

In 2014, I've now been living in Columbus for a year now.  I moved back from Minneapolis because I missed my friends, my family.... I was professionally happy, but I was still missing something to complete my personal happiness.  I can honestly say that now I am personally happy being so close to my family, living in the same city as my best friends, and being swept off my feet every time I'm with my boyfriend.

I've learned to realize what I love about life, what makes me happy, and that the future can change focus.  I've accomplished professional goals and personal (débuting a pop song, starting this blog....).

This year, I had my nearest and dearest meet me out for martinis and dinner, a fantastic seafood dinner with my parents (I absolutely recommend the Lobster and Shrimp stuffed cod !!  My mouth is watering now just thinking about dinner - OMG), and to end my birthday month, a romantic dinner with the boyfriend.

I'm happy, grateful, and lucky to live another year!  I'm also freaking out that 3-0 is just that much closer......

I had bigger things to worry about than turning 30 right now, with all of my birthday plans comes several birthday outfits:

 

 

Colored Pumps

June 27, 2014

 

 

So, who’s ready to ROCK their wardrobe this summer? Wearing colorful pumps can give an instant boost of confidence and add flair to any outfit. But with SO many colors to choose from, a little outfit guidance is key. Lucky for us, our Style Expert Abby has some great advice!

Be honest. How many pairs of colored pumps are in your closet?
A lot…a LOT! I’m actually a huge fan of colored pumps because they make any outfit pop. I think I’ve got at least one in every shade.

Any favorite colors?
A bright coral goes with everything, especially in the summer. And it makes my skin look tan! I’m always a fan of blue, too. Depending on your skin tone, anything from a teal to a royal blue can work wonders. But turquoise might be my personal favorite right now!

So blue shades are a must-have for summer. Any other summer colors we need to have?
I love tangerine and apricot shades. Fuchsia is fun, too. Which reminds me: it’s also a great idea to bring some bright color into your tote bags or clutches. The brighter, the better—why not? 

What about as we transition into fall?
Jewel tones make for great transition colors, like a nice emerald green. Aubergine is also perfect for summer-to-fall.

I’m going to throw some colors out there and you tell me what you would wear with it. Ready?
Go for it!

Red?
Oooh, red. A little lacy black dress! Or for a more casual look, some boyfriend jeans and a white tee.

Navy?
I’m really into the navy/orange combination. Oh, and navy pumps with white jeans—so cute!

Yellow?
I’d probably pair heels with a floral midi dress. Summer to the max.        

Thanks for the awesome color inspiration, Abby! Any final advice?
Actually, yes! Don’t forget about your toenail color. Sometimes, especially in an office setting, you might want to play it safe with your fingernails—but with your toes, anything goes!

 

Photos by Courtney Mason, DSW

 

 Photos by Courtney Mason, DSW

Photos by Courtney Mason, DSW 

 

 

Look 1:

Shirt - Francesca's

Skirt - Love Culture

Fuscia heels - Jessica Simpson, DSW

Watch - Michael Kors

Look 2:

Dress - Peter Pilotto, Target

Heels - Steve Madden, DSW

 

Look 3:

Top - NY&Co

Skirt - NY&Co

Watch - Michael Kors
Necklace/Bracelet - One Wink Jewelry, DSW

DSW. Style Experts Speak: Colored Pumps. Do You Speak Shoe Lover, June 27, 2014. http://blog.dsw.com/fashion-style/style-experts-speak-colored-pumps

 

 

 

 

"Man Repelling" Outfit for Girls Night!

Amber made me a Hello Kitty bracelet!

 

 

 

 

A group of 4 friends and I met up on Friday night in Cincinnati.  A road trip with friends doesn't happen too often now that we're in our mid 20's.  Not to mention that three of the girls are engaged and one is expecting her first baby.  We all have our own lives, so it's nice when we make time for a night out with the girls - no boys!!

Since one of my best friends moved to Cinci, I enjoy any time that I get to spend with her.  But, a night away from the boo-thing and a night out with the girls means I over think what to wear.  I wanted something girly, something feminine, something "man repelling" but still had to look fashionable in front of my friends (can't grab drinks in yoga pants - or can you?!).  One glance at this maxi dress from Target and I knew it was a no brainer!  I loved the way it mixed patterns so I could effortlessly put this outfit together. I felt conservative, although, there was a space in the back that showed a midriff. People thought it was two separates pieces!

Being that it was Friday, the 13th and we were in Newport, we were not disappointed in the entertainment of other bar hoppers.  From the unknown girl booty popping on us to the blonde with cornrows, thanks for coming out!  To the UC student who told us that we "probably wake  up at 5am and eat a 'senior breakfast'", I hope you don't kiss your mother with that mouth!

Our entire night reminded me of Jenna Marbles' "How to Avoid Talking to People You Don't Want To Talk to" skit - "Can't you see? We're having a girls night!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wRXa971Xw0

Dress - Target
Clutch - DSW
Flip flops - Michael Kors