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Printables

Feel-Good Friday and Dove

Like many of you I was touched by the following video put out by Dove earlier this week. I love the way the women's eyes light up when they see the sketch that the strangers described of their faces. Having just one person see her for who she is and recognizing her positive traits completely changed the way she saw herself. I wonder why it is that we are so hard on ourselves. I think maybe it's easier for others to look at us and see the whole package. They don't carry around the insecurities of small flaws somebody pointed out to us once, a long time ago. I am guilty of scowling at the mirror wondering how I am going to cover up my puffy eyes and wishing my features we different. But what I forget when I critique myself in this way is that those puffy eyes come from taking care of a son who I wouldn't trade for all the beauty sleep in the world, and that my nose is the perfect combination of my mom's and my dad's, making people recognize who I belong to long before we have had a conversation. There are things we can do to enhance our natural beauty and play up the characteristics that we love  and obviously I am a fan; but after the finishing touch of lipgloss we should leave the girl in the mirror with the smile we will share with the rest of the world. 
  



Happy Friday!



Chalkboard graphic thanks to Yellow Bliss Road.
Real Beauty Sketches property of Dove.

Some 'Wear' Beyond the Sea

My hope is that each of you get to escape sometime this summer. If your vacation takes you to the seashore, you will want a wardrobe to cover all your bases: beach, dinner, and strolling the boardwalk, all while embracing the notorious ease of the coastline. Packing can be a daunting task, and I'm here to help eliminate the headache so you can focus your energy on the relaxation ahead! 



Swimsuit and coverup- If you find yourself at the beach every day you will want two swimsuits. This will come in handy when one is sandy, or hasn't quite dried out from the previous day. You can wear the same coverup every day.

Mix and match tops- Keep in mind that the first day of travel counts as an additional outfit. Four tops should be plenty, especially considering that on the days you spend all day at the beach, your ensamble will only be on display for a couple of hours in the evening.

Jeans and skirts- You don't need colored jeans, but they add a pop of color, and sure are fun!  Skirts are a great option for warm days and can be paired with a cardigan to take your get-up from day to night.

Sweaters- With the unpredictable coastal weather, you will want to be prepared for it all, and sweaters are the ideal, lightweight option.

Shoes- Flip flops, dressy sandals, and ballerina flats are all you need from the beach to a late-night movie.


Now that we know what to pack, let's watch it all come together with these tips to convey effortless style with minimal wardrobe pieces.


Learn to love mixing and matching. These days, anything goes, so you should be able to get multiple uses out of the same pieces. Try a floral printed top paired with a structured skirt, and for a casual feel, trade the skirt for colored jeans.

floral top, mix & match


Take advantage of the cool coastal weather and layer. Layering is a great way to add panache to any ensemble and usually has to wait for the winter months. Sunny days and crisp nights allow the lucky chance to practice this timeless look. For this look, I traded one of my sweaters for a fitted blazer.
Untitled #9




Accessorize! Changing up a necklace or belt can change the entire attitude of an outfit. This allows you to re-wear a piece of clothing with a completely different look. Accessories are also great for trips because they don't take up much packing space, yet have a big impact on your overall appearance. 
Untitled #9


Happy vacation!

Party People

My son turned one this weekend which of course called for a small gathering. . . and an impromptu family picture.  : ) Who made the rule that kids can grow up anyway? I'm excited for the new memories in his life, but had to shed a few tears that he's not a baby anymore. 1 year old=practically leaving for college. 
 Top-Gap. Skirt-Anthro. Necklace-Vintage.



We had a cookies n' milk themed party. Thanks so much to the lovely Julianna for the inspiration and advice, and Nicole for her baking skills!





Cookies & Milk Subway Art

And what's a first birthday without a baby eating his cake?