Pearls and Lace

Dress: Anthro, Necklace: Charming Charlie
Shoes: Anthro

What a fun dress!  I flippin' adore this dress times a million!  I think I had been eyeing this dress for, oh, maybe more than three months?  But I finally got a great deal on it and knew I had to wear it for my brother's wedding!  I got so many compliments and it is way comfy and classy.  Definitely one of my new favorites.  Oh and that special surprise I was talking about?  I got a promotion at work!  So unexpected but aren't those the best surprises?

Trend Alert - Arm Candy

Wow!  So I am not much of a bracelet/watch person, but I am really loving this look right now!  It's the new summer staple to your accessory wardrobe and I think throwing a little arm candy on can definitely change and switch up a look you already have going!  It's pretty much the friendship bracelet all grown up! How cool right?  I plan on collecting a few of these myself, but here are a few of my favs that you can nab for yourself!

Lila Stone Bracelet (Anthro -$58)

Pinta Cuff (Anthropologie - $28)

Gold and Coral Bamboo Bracelet (Target -$16.99)

Bangle Bracelets with Stones (Target - $14.39)

Roasted Brussel Sprouts: A True Treat

Ingredients: Brussel Sprouts.  Sea Salt. Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Pepper

Rinse Brussel Sprouts Under Water and preheat oven to 375.

Cut bottoms off.  Slice in half.

In a medium sized bowl, drizzle olive oil, then add sea salt and pepper to taste.  Toss to evenly distribute the ingredients.

On baking sheet, lay flat side down.  Then place in oven, baking for 30 min or until dark brown on bottom.

Take out of oven then place back into medium sized bowl.  Serve and enjoy!

I love roasted Brussel Sprouts!  I learned this recipe from a friend while I was living in New York!  Before then, I had never had Brussel Sprouts and I had only associated them with something you're "forced to eat" as a small kid.  Hopefully, if you're one of those tortured kids, this recipe will change your mind, it certainly did mine and I could probably eat the entire bag of them!

Wishlist Essentials

Elevenses: Anthropologie

Jason Wu for Target

Citizens of Humanity: The Dylan; Anthropologie

Jason Wu For Target

Wilton Flat Sandal: Target

These five items are going to be my goal!  There's always so many things I want and working in a retail environment is so hard, so tempting!  So, I figured I'll make a list of some items, I'll call "My Essentials", once a week and then try to get at least one of those items from that list.  While I may not be able to obtain the exact item, I'll grab a knock-off any day!  I think I'm going to go for the shoes or the boyfriend fit denim first...hmm...decisions! 

Just Can't Get Enough...

Shirt: Thrifted
Skirt: Goodwill
Belt: Anthro
Shoes: Payless

Day two of a gorgeous day and me being retro with my outfitting!  Ha!  This morning I ripped up a pair of Chris's old pj pants and made this cute little bandana ;)  Then I made pancakes, eggs and coffee...what a great morning!  By the way, if I could sing in a band dressed like this for a living, I'd be the happiest...hmm...  I blame this huge creative juice flowing through me lately, whatever it is, it has me wanting to do EVERYTHING!   In college and after, I was really into photography, I took classes etc and learned basics, like how to develop my own film, actually work my camera on manual and all in between.  I really really miss those days and I really wanna get my hands on a great DSLR....I've also been craving a broccoli/spinach quiche lately, grr...so much to do and so little time!

Here Comes The Sun

Dress: Goodwill
Belt: Anthro
Shoes: Anthro

I love Arizona, absolutely love it!  Everyday its so beautiful out, the sun is always shining and it is just so happy!  This is one of the dresses I got at Goodwill on Saturday!  Don't you love it?  The pattern is a white floral and it's the perfect sun dress.  Absolutely transports me back to a time of relaxation and drinking sweet tea! Oh how I would have given anything to be 26 in the year 1947, but that's what Thrift stores are for right?  Which I think I am going to make a weekly or bi-weekly thing, shopping for these items.  I need more of these quaint pieces in my life.

Dinner and A Movie: Friday Fun

Blazer: Anthro
Sweater: Target
Dress: Walmart
Shoes: Anthro
Bag: Anthro
Ring: Forever 21
Earrings: Gift

Happy Friday my dears!  Tonight Chris and I indulged ourselves with a dinner at Carabba's and a Movie, Chronicle.  Which was okay, except the fact that it was filmed primarily in first person kind of like Cloverfield and it made me completely nauseous.  Overall fun night!  I love date nights! Especially date nights where we get to dress up and look super cute!!  Have a great weekend ;)

Things I Love Thursday: My Little Black Dress

Dress: Anthro
Sweater: Thrifted
Belt: Anthro
Shoes: Charlotte Russe

You know that little black dress you have that you love and throw on for a day when you just don't know what else to wear?  This is mine!  It is also the exact dress I wore when Chris's sister got married back in October.  I remember seeing it, there it was, love at first site and after I tried it on, it was like Cinderella putting the perfect slipper back on her foot.  Ahh...those magical moments.  I love my little black dress!!

My friend Loralei Bailey took these photos during our quick lunch break at work!  Thanks girl!

Things I Love Thursday: Organization

 

This time around I am loving....Organization!! I've actually been meaning to show off some of my "organization skills" for a couple weeks now.  Everything I use was either thrifted or was bought at some point and nothing is above four dollars!  I love being organized because it is easier to find what I am looking for and keeps any space from looking messy.  Tip for organizing not just in your bathroom but anywhere in your house:  place things that you randomly put down in a jar or plastic bin to keep it tidy.  If you're naturally placing something somewhere, put it in something and it'll be easier to organize!

Queen of Hearts

Today, I started making my Valentine's Day cards!  Silly thing was I made two of them and lost my inspiration.  So, I'll have to do some research to get some ideas.  I love making these though, it is so much fun!  I really got into card making last year at Christmas and it has been something I try to keep up with.  I mostly make cards at holidays, but I am going to start trying my hand at different occasions.  Hmm...I'd love to find a letterpress!

Happy Wednesday!

My Nighttime Beauty Ritual

 

Okay, so every night, or so I try, I have my own beauty regiment.  It is beyond important to wash your face every night.  Not only does it give your skin a chance to repair and breathe while you rest, it is also important to wash away the pollution and impurities your skin collects throughout the day!  This is, from start to finish the products I use every night before getting my beauty rest ;)

1.  Removing eye makeup.  I do this first, so that I don't have mascara and eyeshadow running down my face while washing.  I use Almay's Oil Free Eye Makeup remover.  I love it because it doesn't leave my eyes oily like some others I have tried before.  Plus it has aloe, cucumber and green tea to help soothe the sensitive skin on my eyelids!

2. Washing and exfoliating.  Okay, so I know that you're supposed to "exfoliate 3 times per week", but I found this Tea Tree Oil Exfoliating Facial Cleanser and it is not harsh at all on my skin!  I do use a much stronger type of exfoliating wash every once in awhile, but this stuff is awesome.  It smells great and takes care of keeping my skin blemish free and soothes red spots!

3. Toner.  I never really understood the idea of what toner was all about.  But I knew it was an important step.  So I decided to buy this stuff, mostly because I was using witch hazel at the time (which isn't a bad thing to use as an astringent).  I love LOVE this stuff! I got the Seaweed Clarifying Toner.  I use it to remove what my face wash didn't, plus, I love how it tingles on my face for a bit and how clean it leaves my skin feeling.


4.  Moisturize.  Now I know pretty much everything I've talked about is from the Body Shop, but these are products I stand by and love!  The last one is my Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream.  I happen to use this day and night.  It balances the ph on my skin so I don't end up having overly oily skin nor dry skin for that matter.  It smells great, it isn't greasy and keeps my skin hydrated!  I also try and have a glass of water about 2 hours before going to bed! 

There you have it!  Hopefully some of these products will inspire you to create your own night time ritual!  Not everyone uses the same products or does the same things, but find what works for you and try to stay at it.  It is all about trial and error, so keep it up and sweet dreams!