Monday, January 30

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.
  • This weekend, I got to see my favorite singer-songwriter, Marc Broussard, perform live for the first time in a decade (more about that in my next entertainment update). One of the opening acts was the Jamie McLean Band - here's my favorite song from their set, which blended genres from country to rock to blues and back again.


SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Sunday, January 29

Monday, January 23

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
WATCH.
  • I wish this magical commercial featuring dancer Lil Buck (remember him as a judge on SYTYCD?) was more than one minute long.

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Sunday, January 22

sunday.

from Ellie Shechet's Jezebel article

There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which 
lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which 
kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. 
- Washington Irving

more Women's March content on my Tumblr blog.

Friday, January 20

Style: On Pointe Athleisure

One thing about me that I'm not sure I've ever actually talked about on this blog is that I was a dancer throughout my childhood. By high school, I had multiple classes at my local dance studio every night, and when I wasn't in class I was also one of the office assistants there and taught several classes. Dance was my first hobby and my first job, and I love things that remind me of the ladylike and magical culture of ballet. Blush pink was one of the most popular colors in virtually every aspect of design in 2016, and this past fall, I started to notice that swans had become the latest "critter" to gain popularity in home decor and fashion. Now, Target had unveiled a whole ballet-inspired collection from Mossimo. Here's a winter and spring gym-to-street wardrobe for the inner Sugar Plum Fairy in each of us.


On Pointe Athleisure
1. Athleta crossback sweatshirt  2. Target ruched leggings  3. J. Crew Factory collector tee  4. Essie Gel Couture nail polish in "Lace Me Up"  5. Target wrap bodysuit 6. Target tulle midi skirt 7. Kate Spade swan stud earrings (set is actually 1 black and 1 white swan) 8. MAC Lipglass in "Signs of Spring"  9. Kate Spade Ridge Street Lance yoga bag

(Ballerina inspiration photo by Taylor and Porter via Wedding Sparrow)

What do you think of the ballet-inspired athleisure trend?

Monday, January 16

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.
  • I've been listening to the Hamilton Mixtape nonstop since my mom gifted it to me for Christmas - my current favorite track is Usher's version of "Wait for It." I need this on a poster in my classroom: "I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original."

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.
What are you loving this week? Share your favorites
or link to your most recent blog post in the comments!

Sunday, January 15

sunday simplicity.


  • “Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder ― no matter how old you became and how much you'd seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.” ― Candace Bushnell

Wednesday, January 11

Style: My December Stitch Fix (#9)


Is it just me, or did the holidays go by really fast this year? I decided to give myself a little treat this holiday season and order a winter Stitch Fix box. My stylist, Heather, picked cozy items based on the sweaters and tops I had added to my Pinterest board. If you're looking for some comfy, warm items to pin for your stylist, read on!


This is not a sponsored post. I signed up for Stitch Fix and purchase each of my Fixes myself. My opinions on this blog are always 100% honest. This post does contain affiliate links - for each new sign-up I will receive a commission towards my next Stitch Fix.


As usual, I was psyched when I saw the colors and textures in my box - stylist Heather does a great job of basically creating little capsule wardrobes for me each season. This box included a pullover sweater with elbow patches, a cozy funnel-neck sweatshirt, a plaid button-down, a crossover top, and and a warm blanket scarf.



The first item I tried on was the Skies are Blue Forest Two Pocket Top, which I paired with the Kut From The Kloth Dayna Skinny Jeans from my November Fix and my Franco Sarto booties. I'm pretty sure my stylist Heather has some crazy plan to get me into a maroon and navy plaid, because this top reminded me a lot of the plaid sweatshirt I returned last month. I don't wear shirts that button all the way down because they gap at the bust on me, so this top didn't have much of a chance. Plaid collared shirts aren't really my style anymore. Status: Returned.



I was so excited to unbox the Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt - I've seen this top in other bloggers' Fixes and thought it looked so comfortable. Not only did stylist Heather send me one of the coziest pieces StitchFix has to offer, she sent it in my absolute favorite color - royal purple! I love the marled texture of the top - it's more like a thick knit sweater than a typical jersey sweatshirt. Status: Kept! I wore this on numerous holiday outings!


Okay, let's talk about the RetroD Morrison Elbow Patch Pullover. The marled brown knit and elbow patches are beautiful, and scoop neck is really flattering. Unfortunately, there's a contrast-knit triangle under each arm that creates a really frumpy look on my already petite frame. Mr. Q did not like the way this looked on me at all, and looking at the pictures, I wasn't a fan either. Status: Returned. Goodbye, my beautiful elbow patches.



Up next was the Market & Spruce Henri Ruche Sides Knit Top. I'd pinned a lot of tops and sweaters with crossover details, but this piece was not flattering on my body at all - the  v-neck was nice, but the thin fabric and ruching clung to my tummy in a really unattractive way. Status: Returned. I also received the Accessory Collective Calla Striped Oblong Scarf. I love the idea of blanket scarves, but I very rarely wear the one I already have. Status: Returned - for kind of a strange reason. I'm a science nerd, and the pattern on this scarf reminds me of a Scarlet King Snake's markings. I couldn't unsee it once the idea popped into my head. 



Check out this cute Christmas card I received from the Stitch Fix Influencer team! They've been great to work with this past year and I look forward to learning more about fashion and continuing to refine my personal style in 2017.

Stitch Fix is doing something really cool this January and February - they're partnering with Goodwill® to deliver a simple way to make a difference via the Give Back Box®. Here's how it works - just package up clothing or household goods you wish to donate in your Stitch Fix box (or any box!) and print a free shipping label. Then, drop it at any post office or UPS drop-off location, or simply leave it at your doorstep for USPS pickup. If you're anything like me and your pile of items to donate tends to sit in a corner forgotten, you know this is an awesome idea. Give Back Box® will email you a receipt for tax deduction purposes after your donation is received.

Have you tried Stitch Fix yet? It's one of my favorite ways to treat myself while still staying within a budget! My stylist, Heather, has really helped me to helped me define my personal style (I call it "preppy bohemian") and invest quality pieces I will actually wear (no more items hanging in the closet with tags still attached!) When you sign up for Stitch Fix, you pay a $20 personal styling fee and fill out a profile with your detailed size, style, and price preferences. Your stylist will choose five items just for you, and the $20 styling fee is applied toward the cost of any items you decide to keep from your shipment (This is my ninth Fix, and I've always fallen in love with at least one item per box!). If you haven't let Stitch Fix style you, what are you waiting for?

Tuesday, January 10

style: favorite 2017 golden globes looks

It's become something of a tradition for me to do a post-award show fashion round-up. I'm no expert, of course, just a regular girl who loves pretty dresses and trying to spot trends. There were definitely some common themes at the Golden Globes this Sunday that can inspire our own spring looks, as well as some fresh looks the likes of wish we haven't seen gracing the red carpet in the last few years. [Image Sources]

The Cutest


The cast of Stranger Things, obviously! Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven on the show, is twelve years old and classier than I have ever been, and I just want to squeeze the little dudes. Their rap/Barb tribute in the show's opener was EVERYTHING.


My Favorite Looks


I'm probably being super predictable with my picks, but I think the two most elegant looks at the Globes took the cake. Emma Stone's star-spangled blush pink Valentino gown was the stuff my fashion dreams are made of, and I've got the Pinterest boards to prove it. I also thought Michelle Williams looked fantastic in her off-the-shoulder lace Louis Vuitton gown. Chokers are a big trend right now and both ladies put their own spin on it.


Honorable Mentions


Plunging necklines were popular on the awards show red carpets last year, and were even more of a Thing this year, with stars like Kristen Bell and Jessica Biel pushing the limits of Hollywood Fashion Tape. My favorite takes on the trend came from Mandy Moore, whose navy dress included a glamorous cape, and Gone Girl's Emily Ratajkowski, who also slayed in the hair and makeup department.


The Hollywood Princesses


Lily Collins could wear a garbage bag and look gorgeous, and her embellished Zuhair Murad Couture dress in a dusty rose hue was one of the most popular looks of the night. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the ruffle on the train, but the gown looked amazing when she spun around on the red carpet. Hailee Steinfeld was also giving off Disney vibes in lavender Vera Wang cut in a trendy cold-shoulder style. Both starlets kept their hair sleek, brows and lips bold, and wore pastel eye makeup to match their gowns (Lily's was actually lip liner and blush, according to E!)


Color Trend: Primrose Yellow



One of Pantone's color trends for this spring, there was a LOT of primrose yellow on the red carpet! Viola Davis shone in bright yellow, Natalie Portman channeled Jackie O, Reese Witherspoon looked every bit the movie star in Versace, and the embroidery on Busy Philipps' black gown was a fun, folk art inspired touch that suited her bohemian style.


The Living Sculptures


Outlander's Caitriona Balfe's Delpozo dress was one of my favorites of the night because it was so unique (maybe a nod to all of her character Claire's amazing dresses in Paris?). I suppose we should expect nothing less from a supermodel, but I thought Naomi Campbell looked especially awesome in metallic lilac Versace.


Yaass!


Sorry for the cheesy category title, but "outfits I love because they are totally true to the personalities of the women wearing them" was too long. I absolutely love Janelle Monae, and her Armani Privé dress was true to her black and white signature style, and her recent string of crafty hairstyles continues with a pearl-pinned beehive. It made me happy, but I'm having a hard time finding a picture of her smiling, so I'm wondering if it was horribly uncomfortable. On the other hand, Evan Rachel Wood looked super comfortable and confident in her Marlene Dietrich inspired Joseph Altuzarra tuxedo. I loved the reason she gave for wearing it - on the red carpet, she explained that she's been to the Golden Globes six times in dresses and wanted to make sure young girls know they don't have to wear dresses if they don't want to.

What was your favorite red carpet look at this year's Golden Globes? 
Are you an awards show addict like me?

If you'd like to add any of these images to your Pinterest boards or blog, please visit my Pinterest board and pin/save from the original source. Thanks!

Monday, January 9

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.
 I'd love to keep in touch - share a link to your favorite recent blog
 or Tumblr post, Tweet, or Instagram pic in the comments!

Sunday, January 8

Tuesday, January 3

Monday, January 2

this week's clicks: 2017!

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.
  • I went to see Moana with my childhood best friend and her mini-me yesterday, and I'm officially in love with the soundtrack (can we just go ahead and give Lin-Manuel Miranda the EGOT?). 

SWOON.

SMILE.

Sunday, January 1