Tassel Garlands Are The Bomb

I must say, when I began seeing tassel garlands all over my Instagram feed and Pinterest I thought people were crazy. Hanging tied tissue paper on their walls? But I have definitely grown to love the idea of it, and now that I have one of my own thanks to Studio Mucci I could not be more obsessed! I purchased it to take to college as part of my dorm decor (read more about that here) but I loved it so much I had to display it in my room immediately. My desk made for the perfect location.

It looks so perfect with the sequin letter "C" that I made for my dorm room, it too is being displayed on my desk until I leave for college!

I can't wait to see how it looks in my dorm, I am sure it will really add a lot of color and personality to the bare white walls! I was also surprised at how much larger it is in life that I imagined it would be. 

Overall my experience working with Studio Mucci was amazing and I plan to buy many more tassel garlands from them for events and decor in the future. I especially loved that their wonderful staff were contacting me every step of the way through the process of creating my custom order! The customer service was unbeatable.

Be sure to grab your own tassel garland from the Studio Mucci Etsy shop.

Hope y'all enjoyed this little post of some fancy tassels and have a fab hump day!

XO,

Crystal Faye: Monogrammed & Adorable

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

Today I'm chatting about one of my FAVE brands! If you have never heard of Crystal Faye you are really missing out! I have a several of her wonderful products and I was so excited to be able to be part of her Spring pre-sale so that I could show y'all all of the cute things she has coming out this season! Yesterday I received the whale monogram pocket t-shirt in the mail and I am obsessed! 

I got a size up so it would be loose for wearing with Nike shorts with it and I love how it looks with my monogrammed Nike shorts and sparkly monogram necklace! The shirt is super comfortable so it will be perfect for exercising, lounging around, or even running errands.

I also loved how it looks with my Lilly shorts for a more dressed-up look! I styled it with my Lilly Pulitzer bow belt from last season and Callahan shorts in the print "Pretty Pink Tootie." I also added a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, a Michael Kors watch, David Yurman cable bracelet, and my monogram bracelet! 

I love the versatility of this shirt and it is BEYOND cute with the appliqué whale, complete with my monogram! Does it get better?!

Be sure to pick up some Crystal Faye of your own and follow her on Instagram for updates on all her new items and sales!

XO,

Confessions Of A {New} Bookworm

Confession time y'all. I hate reading {or so I thought}. I'm not sure if it was the boring assigned reading books all through high school, the busy schedule, or just disinterest, but reading has never been something I enjoyed. About a year ago I began reading Joan Rivers' Book, I Hate Everyone, Starting With Me, and I immediately knew I had to buy myself a copy. It was so hilarious, and was honestly the perfect thing to read when I was stressed out.

After that, I decided to read The Help because I had heard so many great things about it and somehow I still hadn't seen the movie. It took me awhile to read, but I really loved it. 

Then more recently, I have really picked up speed in the reading department and I have completed White Girl Problems, Mating Rituals of the North American WASP, It's About Your Husband, and The Fault In Our Stars. Somehow, I keep going through the books very quickly and totally loving them! I already have a very long list of all the books I want to read before this summer ends. 

I think the key to why I suddenly enjoy reading is mostly because I am doing it on my own time. In school, I was always rushed to complete a book very quickly, so I rarely had the chance to enjoy it. Also, I could never choose the book myself, so I was always often stuck reading something I really had no interest in. 

I would recommend to any of you that either have not been reading much lately, or feel that you dislike reading to get into a book and see what happens! Talk to some friends for recommendations and choose a book that will capture your attention. You'll be glad that you did!

Do any of you have suggestions of books that I should read? 

XO,

Getting Social

I have some very exciting news today!

For those of you that have been following my blog since it began, you probably are following me on my personal Instagram account. But, as my blog has grown, I felt that it was necessary to have a separate account just for my blog. I love posting outfits, products, and giveaways for y'all to see but I also didn't like posting all of that to all of my sweet friends that may not have been as interested in those things. So, as of about three weeks ago I launched the new account, and you can all go follow it now! Use THIS LINK to go to the new blog account, and follow along.

I'm so excited about everything that has been going on, and I am so blessed to have so much support from all of my sweet readers. Also, thank you to everyone who has been emailing me with post ideas of things that y'all would like to see, I love the suggestions and I will try to do them all at some point!

XO,

College Decisions

I am so excited to announce to all of my blog readers that I have finally made my college decision. I will be going to Furman University in the fall! I visited for the first time in the Spring of my junior year and immediately felt like it was home. The campus is beautiful, and the students all seemed very kind and welcoming. I visited a second time during the fall of my senior year, and I could not have been more sure that it is where I'm meant to be. People often talk about that feeling that you get when you find the college that's right for you, and that's exactly how it happened for me.

Y'all have probably noticed by now that I love flowers, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pick up some purple flowers in honor of my new school's colors! Overall, I am just thrilled that I have finally made a decision, and I can't wait for all of the adventures, experiences, and challenges that may lie ahead!

XO,

Travel Purse Essentials

With my trip to Europe quickly approaching, I have started thinking about what I will be bringing along. I believe that a huge key to a successful trip {especially abroad} is a well-packed and selected purse. Depending on where you are going and what you'll be doing, you should choose your purse for the trip accordingly. But more importantly, you need to be prepared for many "what-ifs" so a well-packed purse is just as vital as the bag itself. Here's what I'll be using, and what I'll be filling it with:

The bag: I'll be using an older style Dooney & Bourke Florentine Vachetta leather satchel. You can see me carrying the bag in this post. If you're looking to purchase it, this is the newer version of the same bag. 

I chose my bag very carefully. First and foremost, due to the reality of pick pocketing over in Europe, I knew that I needed a bag that zipped entirely with no outside pockets to worry about. In addition, I knew that a backpack was a poor option because it leaves all my possessions out of my sight and more vulnerable. I decided that this satchel-style bag is best because I can carry it on my arm, or on my shoulder using the strap if I need to free my hands. That way I can keep the bag close to my body where I can make sure all of my belongings are secure. Secondly, I have owned the bag for several years and it has lasted wonderfully so I know that it will not give me any trouble. The worst is trying to deal with a malfunctioning bag while traveling. 

Another great option for traveling abroad is a crossbody bag because you can wear it on the front of your body for security but you can still be handsfree! Due to the fact that I am bringing my large nikon camera, I needed the roomier bag so a crossbody wouldn't work. However, I would highly suggest a crossbody for anyone who can fit all their essentials in it. When I lived in Spain studying abroad I used a crossbody the entire time and it was perfect. 

What I'm filling it with:

-Sanitizer

-Wet Wipes

-Tweezers

-Safety pins

-Band aids

-Wallet 

-Camera

-Bobby Pins/Hairties/Hair Clips 

-Umbrella (small foldable)

-Tide To-Go

-Lip Balm/Stick/Gloss (whatever you prefer)

-Face Powder (to keep you looking fresh all day for all those trip photos!)

-Aleve/Imodium/Pepto (incase the walking or local foods don't agree with you) 

-Nail Clipper/File

-Mini Perfume or Deodorant (to stay fresh if you'll be away from the hotel all day) 

Now to explain all these strange items. Most of this list has been complied from experience. When I was in Spain two summers ago, I really learned how much these little essentials can go a long way to easing your trip and making you more comfortable. Sometimes it's expensive or difficult to find these essential items in a foreign country, so it's much easier to keep it with you! I suggest getting a zip-top bag to stow all your items in that won't make it through the airport security {like nail clipper and safety pins}. You can stow the bag in the front of your suitcase, and after landing just transfer to your purse! Super easy! All these items are pretty self-explanatory, but I thought I'd mention how vital I feel the nail file, nail clipper, and tweezers are. My concern is not that you may need some grooming while on the go, but rather that these items are EXTREMELY VERSATILE. You would not believe how many times I used these things while in Spain for purposes that were so strange. But most importantly, they are super small so if you never use them, they are taking up minimal space so it's not that big of a deal. It's definitely better safe than sorry with these items however! Also, some people may think it is silly to have both sanitizer and wet wipes, but it is most definitely not! Sanitizer is great for your hands, but I love having wet wipes for disinfecting less than sanitary surfaces that you may encounter {think the fold-down tray in airplane, the table area where you're eating at an outdoors restaurant, etc}. Safety pins are great for fixing little clothing issues, since you'll probably be walking around all day without time to go back to the hotel to change if you have a mishap. 

I hope that this list helps you prepare for your travel! This is what works best for me, and I think it will be great for you too. Feel free to comment and share your experiences and travel necessities, I'd love to hear it before my trip! 

XO,

Adventures In Delray

Often I talk about how much I love where I live, and it is so true. But, I am definitely guilty of always going to the same places over and over again.

Last weekend I finally took some time to go down to Atlantic Avenue in Delray, which is a very popular spot for both locals and tourists alike! It is packed with restaraunts, adorable boutiques, and delightful little dessert spots. We ate at a to die for Italian restaraunt then got far too much candy from It's Sugar. 

One of my best friends lives nearby and knows the area well because her mother works nearby, so she agreed to be my tourguide for the evening! We had so much fun getting dressed up and enjoying a girls night out. 

As an added bonus I finally had an excuse to wear my vintage sequin shorts that I bought from my favorite local store, Groovy Palm Beach Vintage. You can't get better than some sequin shorts and glitter Lilly Pulitzer wedges for a night out, you know what I mean? 

Overall, we had way too much fun and I have decided that I need to explore new places in my hometown more often! I encourage all of you to spend some time appreciating all that the area where you live has to offer. Try a new restaraunt, visit a museum, or do something "touristy," no matter what, you'll be glad that you did!

XO, 

Life Through A Clearer Lens

I am so excited that I finally splurged on a nice camera! I always had small digital cameras when I was in middle school (back before the iPhone took great photos) and loved them, but I felt it was time for an upgrade. I have so many important things ahead of me in these next few years, and I thought that it was wise to purchase a camera that will capture it all! From my last days of senior year, to my trip to Europe, graduation, senior prom, my freshman year of college, and so much more, I really will be taking a large number of photos in the near future.

After a lot of research into the best camera for my needs, I finally decided on the Nikon D3200! I absolutely love it and with a little practice I think I'm getting the hang of it. It takes beautiful quality photos, and I am already so glad that I invested in it. 

Any tips from you camera pros? Can't wait to start sharing even better photos with y'all!

XO,

Pom Pom Party

Happy Hump Day!

So what does a girl like myself do when she is early for work one day? Hmm well I should just sit patiently waiting in the car, but clearly because I do not know my own weaknesses, I decide to "just go look around" in Charming Charlie's next door. I have never really found jewelry that I liked there for some reason {despite the fact that there's tons to choose from} but this time I began looking at their clothing! Wow, I wish I had done that sooner! I found an adorable dress for under $40 and when I saw it I immediately knew that it would be perfect to add pom poms to. 

I have been so obsessed with pom pom details for this spring and summer. They are fun, playful, and are the perfect add-on to any outfit meant for having a good time!

Here is my creation! I hope y'all love it as much as I do. It is so comfy and it will be beyond perfect for spring and summer.

The original dress looked like this. The back is soo adorable, it's one of the main reasons that I bought it!

It is so easy to just sew on the pom pom trim, I suggest adding it to a scarf, shorts, a top, or a dress! It will be so cute and fun to wear during these warmer months! I recently also added ric rac to a dress which was adorable {post coming soon about that one!}

Have a fab rest of your week!

XO,

Product Review: Organix Moisturizing Treatment

For as long as I can remember I have fought with my hair in hopes of achieving volume. I gave up on that about a week ago. I came to realize that perhaps my hair was just not meant to be voluminous, and that I should focus instead on the strengths of my hair type. One thing I have always loved about my hair is that it will dry straight, grows extremely fast, and that it virtually never gets split ends. I'm not here to brag about my hair, just to be real about it. I could also list about a million things I hate about my hair, but this post is about being positive.

I decided that since my hair is naturally straight, I should focusing on moisturizing it in hopes of making it as silky soft as possible. Since I know I can't have volume, I can at least achieve what women with volume often can't... richly hydrated and soft locks.

As most of my adventures in self-help beauty begin, I went to Pinterest for guidance. In my board about beauty tips, I found this pin with a review about the Organix Moisturizing Mask. I went to several stores looking for the product mention in the post, but could not find it anywhere, so I decided to try a similar product by the same brand.

Image adapted from here

Viola! Organix Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Intense Moisturizing Treatment. This stuff has changed my hair dramatically. It is very simple to use, and my hair has already become much softer after only two treatments. An unpredicted effect as well was that it actually helped with my oily hair. I have always struggled to keep my oily hair under control and I can rarely go more than a second day without a wash. The first time I used this I went three whole days without a wash and my hair still looked great, and I only had to use a very small amount of dry shampoo spray {much less than I typically use}. Another plus is also that according to the ingredient list on the back of the jar, it is sulfate-free which is a HUGE plus!

Needless to say, I am obsessed with this product and I suggest that anyone searching for a conditioning treatment should try it! You can buy it at walgreens or online here.

XO,

Five On Friday: Spring For Spring

On this fancy Friday I thought I'd share with y'all the top five reasons I love spring!

  

Living in Florida, spring doesn't exactly mean the same thing to me as it does many people. Temperatures don't really get warmer and plants that were once dead aren't bursting into colorful life. Despite this, I still always enjoy springtime and look forward to various things...

1. Bright Colors
I always wear exciting, bright clothing but spring gives me even more of an excuse! Bright, bold colors are the uniform of the season and I will be pulling out all of my vibrant Lilly prints for sure!

2. School Is Ending
While I love to learn, school becomes very draining {especially toward the end!} It is wonderful to know that I am almost done. No matter where you are though, everyone who is in school can relate to the joy that hits when spring arrives because you know that you don't have too much time left in the school year!

3. Spring Flings
This is the time of year when love is in the air! Right around now I always start to see more couples appearing around school and who knows what is to come this season. For those of you who are in a "spring fling" I suggest that you go on a springtime inspired date - perhaps a picnic in a garden or a brunch that gives you a reason to get dressed up {in spring colors, duh!}

4. Easter Egg Decorating
One of my favorite springtime traditions is decorating Easter eggs! I have already been collecting some ideas on my Easter Pinterest Board, but I can't wait to see how my little creations turn out.

5. It's A Fresh Start
If you live up where the leaves change, than this takes on literal meaning for you as well. However, regardless of where you call home, spring can be a time for new beginnings. In a more literal way, all of the plants start new by finally blossoming after a long winter. On a more personal level, spring is an excellent time for you to bloom personally! With summer approaching it is the perfect time to focus on improving yourself in some way. Personally, I am trying to focus on becoming more toned this spring. I already do a lot of exercising but I think it would be wonderful to train with weights a bit more and gain some strength! Whatever it may be, use spring as a time to become a better version of yourself!

Why do you love spring??

XO,

Can't Stop!

I am really such a strange individual in so many ways. One of those ways is the fact that I cannot stand being at home! It's nothing against my parents or even my house, I just simply love getting out of the house. Unless I have overworked myself and I need a rest day {which don't happen frequently enough!} I refuse to be at my house for more than 3 hours on a weekend {unless I'm sleeping of course}.

Some people consider themselves to be "homebodies" but that's just not me. Even if it's just to go pick up some groceries, I'll gladly take any excuse to get out of the house. But lately, I have been far too busy to be running around like that and I've actually come to enjoy spending a little time at home here & there. 

My schedule has been wild lately due to taking on some changes at work, so for the past two weeks I've been going straight from school to work and staying until 10pm or even later sometimes! The longer shifts at work have been wearing me out more too. I completely love all of it though and wouldn't change it for the world, so I have to sacrifice somewhere else. Instead of doing things all weekend long, the past two weekends I've been looking toward afternoons spent at home. 

I thought I'd share with y'all this photo that I recently posted to my instagram. It perfectly highlights what I've been trying to do lately. Even though I'd much rather go out and do something, I have been trying to relax and pamper myself in my free time. So, last Sunday I snapped this photo while I was spending an afternoon snacking on berries, sipping a cappuccino, painting my nails, and looking through the J. Crew catalog that had arrived during the week but I had been to busy to read.

I think sometimes you need to force yourself to do something out of character, but it can be good especially if it's something in your best interest. Some of you may need to focus on the complete opposite issue, trying to get out of the house more. As for me and my outings, I simply feel like I "can't stop!" but I'm slowly learning to. Over time I'm becoming more thankful for the opportunity to rest.

XO,