Friday Fails and Finds

Let's start off with some fails.

1. The amount that I blogged this week is a big, fat fail. I thought about it. I had some ideas. I even sat down and worked on a collage for a "Things I Love" post. Then it just didn't happen. Fail.

2. My plans to stick to my pre-best-friends-wedding diet ended up being a fail this week. I ate a whole bag of chef-mix for lunch yesterday, ate my weight in chips and queso TWO nights in a row, and had fried chicken with red beans and rice for dinner on Tuesday at the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts. Diet fail.

3. My attempt to cook a "simple" dinner last night was a huge fail! I was cooking at my boyfriends house which happens to have a stove that was installed in the 1760's. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but it was definitely installed in the 1960's and we don't have a very good relationship. After crisping the roasted potatoes to crunchy chips (fail), I set the smoke alarm off while making salad dressing. Yes, you read that right. Salad dressing! Fail. I actually salvaged the meal and I really liked the chicken salad  and will definitely make it again, but there was lots of smoke and a few tears during the process. Not to mention a stray cat that snuck in while the doors were open in an attempt to air out the whole house. FAIL.

source

Let's turn all these fails around and just make cupcakes, because somehow cupcakes make everything better.

Let's talk about some finds.

1. A new favorite DIY blog that I found one night when I couldn't sleep. I looked at every single DIY she had posted and their were 60+ pages of posts. Some seem a little over my head (any project that involves a sewing machine is over my head and beyond my skill level) but others looked pretty simple.

2. Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler at JC Penney! I am so excited about this find where it is possible for me to buy JA at a lower price point. 

3. The Spring 2013 To and From Gift Guide came out a couple of weeks ago. Check it out for ideas for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation gifts!

4. Fashion find, a fun bag for the warm weather months. 

5. My favorite nail color for summer, Essie's lilacism.

6. And lastly, one of my favorite weekly features from The Glitter Guide, 5 Things to Try This Weekend

source

It's the weekend, eat whatever you want!

If It Isn't Neon (It Shouldn't Be On)

So much neon popping up all over the fashion world and I am loving it. Nothing says warm weather and Spring like dashes of these hot colors. Now if only the weather would cooperate....

Neon Love by tuck9073 featuring j crew


Until next time.
That romper- swoon!

Oh My Gold!

Oh My Gold! and Embrace the Lace Essie Sleek Sticks

I know that nail-art stickers are old news, but I have been waiting for Essie to introduce their own designs for a long time. I find that most nail stickers are over the top but (no surprise) Essie has designs that are chic, classic, and quite perfect.

They are available online but I decided to search all over the state of Oklahoma to find a Target store that carried them. It was worth the drive! I was tempted to buy up all of the different patterns but I limited myself to just two this time (that goes with my New Years Resolution of being smarter with my money).

I am embarrassed by how terrible my nails look- this cold, winter weather is killing my skin!

This fun and different manicure took longer than I usually spend on my nails for a day, but the fact that I can't stop looking at my hands proves that it is worth it.

I'm obsessed!

Things I Love

I have been wanting to post about these lovely items for days (even weeks!) but I used my small amount of self control so that I could actually post on a Thursday. 

(It was by no means an excuse not to blog until Thursday...)

I love that today is Thursday, meaning that tomorrow is Friday, and then a long weekend. The thought of three full days of catching up on sleep, meals that don't require a microwave, and outfits that don't involve a cardigan (gotta love working at an elementary school) make this day so much sweeter and full of anticipation.

Speaking of sweet things and items that I am constantly day dream about--

{May Books}

 Customizable Notebooks and Planners (and so much more)! What I love most about this, other than the quirky designs and personal touches, is that the website shows you exactly what your order would look like before you purchase it. That way you won't be disappointed when it arrives and it supplies me at least an hour of distraction while I try out every combination.

{Loren Hope}

Every piece of her fall 2012 jewelry collection is swoon-worthy. These earrings are just one thing that I am particularly coveting this week.

{Essie Mirror Metallics}

I had been searching for a good metallic gold nail polish for months and Essie delivered with their newest collection. I added "Good as Gold" and "Nothing Else Metals" to my collection of nail polishes last week, only to have to end up throwing out 7 other nail polishes that had dried up. I'm five short now and can't wait for fall colors to start hitting the shelves. See ya "Cajun Shrimp", bring on "Russian Navy"!

{Bond No. 9}

I have been wanting to blog about this perfume since I was in New York in late June. I was already a huge lover of Bond perfumes and received some samples from their store in NY. Usually I just throw them in the bottom of my purse for them to sit for all eternity, but my sample of Sag Harbor is now my daily perfume. I can only use one spray a day to savor this sweet, summer, Hamptons aroma, until I am absolutely forced to buy the full-sized bottle. 

{J. Crew Leopard Belt}

I have been looking, trying on, touching this belt every time I walk into J. Crew.

Then I found one half the price at Ann Taylor Loft, then one for free in my mom's closet.

I still love, love, love this one from J. Crew.

{ASOS}

Chevron rings. 

I am still obsessed. I loved the original rings that ASOS did in sweet, spring colors, but these neutrals and metallics are just asking to be worn all fall and winter. 

Even if they have to stay hidden under mittens sometimes, I still know they are there and they make me feel like an absolute rock star.

Love your long weekend.

Rainbow Sherbet

I typically turn to black and other dark colors during the colder months of the winter, but when I saw this Parker dress I realized I wouldn't mind wearing lighter colors for a change.

It inspired me to embrace the colors of my favorite summer ice cream treat and I think I'll start with my nails.

Source: Shopbop

Source: Essie

Source: Vetements

Source: Atlantic-Pacific

Source: Wedding Favors and You

Source: Elle

Until next time.

Pastel princess.

Something to Talk About

Oh the joys of being at home and being able to watch the Today Show. It really is the little things in life. 

This morning on the Today Show, iVillage released the "Most Talked About" topics of the year. Most of the events and people on the list aren't things I would normally blog about but I promise there is a reason for exposing this list.

8. Kardashians...

7. High-profile infidelity 

6. The Royal Wedding

5. Amanda Knox verdict

4. Steve Jobs

3. Casey Anthony trial and verdict

2. Penn State scandal 

1. The economy 

After hearing this list I started thinking about the things I have talked about the most on this blog. I went back through the past year's posts and did some research on my most popular rants and raves. I wasn't too surprised by what I found, I know what I love and I love sharing those things with you.

10. Holidays

9. Cupcakes

8. Weddings

7. Shoes

6. Coffee/Starbucks

5. Kate Spade

4. J. Crew

3. Essie

2. Fall

1. Nail Polish

Surprising? Not one bit. I like my list much more than the one from iVillage; a little most positive. There is too much crummy stuff in the world to let it leak into my blog. I would much rather continue believing in true love and the goodness in people. 

Until next time.

Some things in life are too sweet not to be shared.  

An Affair to Remember

Oh how excited I am for the fall collection from Essie? I am almost willing to skip over the rest of August and this heat and go straight into September and dark nail colors again. As much as I love Cajun Shrimp and Tart Deco, I am missing Russian Navy and Wicked.

And now I'm longing for this new love of Power Clutch, Very Structured, Lady Like, Carry On. With names like those, it's like Essie is giving us women vital tips on life. 

First Dance, Borrowed and Blue, Made of Honor, Better Together

Also with a very special wedding coming up this weekend (wow, not mine!), I am swooning over all things pertaining to the big day, especially this Essie four-pack.

Until next time.

I have a love affair with a square bottles with white lids. 

Things I Love

For some reason I have been looking forward to this post all week long (well more than usual). Could it be that there are so many things to love this week or just because one of my summer school classes ends today and I am on cloud nine?

I love new Essie nail polish colors

Nice is Nice and Jamaica Me Crazy

I knew it would be a problem when Target started carrying Essie in their beauty department because now I can't even go in to buy a bag of coffee without picking up a new shade of polish as well. Speaking of coffee, I just remembered that I am completely out... I guess that means breakfast at Starbucks.
Add a grande extra hot triple non-fat latte and a perfect oatmeal to the things I love today.

I love the new July Matchbook Magazine Edition! It's not quite July yet but who likes waiting anyway?

This months edition is so patriotic which only makes me that much more excited for the Fourth of July weekend. Still debating between making the traditional family Flag Cake or branching out and trying a new version.

Other things in the mag that I love!

bikini- page 23

color chip mug- page 49

peach and blueberry shortbread bars- page 110

and Rebecca Minkoff on the front cover!

(remember this post?)

A Rebecca Minkoff girl "is a downtown romantic. She's not into logos and labels... She's confident and sexy. She likes to be classic with a twist."

Until next time. 

A matchbook girl always remembers sunscreen. 45 SPF!

All-American

I have a new obsession when it comes to the world of nail polish.

American Apparel.

Who knew?

Not only does their nail polish come in a great looking bottle, but the color goes on smooth and thick(but not too thick) where you could get away with one coat if necessary. And please raise your hand if you are tired of the best nail polishes costing $28. Ya me too. Well these are an easy $6.

My favorite colors are Dynasty, Mouse, and Mount Royal but I also purchased Neon Red and it is too perfect for summer.

Until next time.

Don't tell Essie that I'm cheating.

Essentials

If you were escaping for the weekend what are the essentials that you would take with you?

via. The Coveteur X Vogue

Dry shampoo + the B-52's

Cut offs + Round frame sunnies

Essie + Ballet flats

Sweet and simple

Racquet + Hot beverages 

Or my take of a lace cover-up + salmon shorts + sunscreen + Jergens + lip stain + a feather earring + gellies + casablanca blue swim suit + nepali bracelets + fedora + sunnies

That would all fit in a carry-on right?

Until next time.

Gotta getaway.

Ombre Nails

There are so many great things about going and getting your hair done, especially when you are long overdue. Yesterday I got to visit my favorite hair dresser and spend a few hours catching up on life, but mostly celebrity gossip. "Did you see Kim Kardashian's engagement ring!?!?" "What did you think about Miranda Lambert's wedding cake?" And then of course we have to pull out all the tabloids and scan the pages together, it's a guilty pleasure.

While under the dryer I was reading a mag and came across a new nail trend that I am super stoked about. I was never a big fan of the ombre hair trend, but what about ombre nails. Yes please.

LC started the trend but I am following in the footsteps of my second favorite Laguna Beach star (I was a big Lo fan). A different color on each nail might seem a little juvenile but the key is to keep all the colors within the same family.

I chose all Essie colors with Russian Roulette on my thumb and then Rose Bowl, Peach Daiquiri, Tart Deco, and finally Shop til I Drop on my pinky. 

So ombre nails, are you a fan? I am.

Until next time.

3 day weekend.

Style Sisters

More than anyone, I pull style inspiration from my two sisters. While our styles are infinitely different, when we are all together we somehow find a way to steal each others clothes and make them our own. Ranging six years and 1,500 miles the three of us have formed our own styles while staying true to the fashion rules our mother ingrained in our minds at a young age.

Little Sis

Steven Alan dress
Max & Chloe stackable rings
Zara belt
Longchamp backpack

She rocks the stripes like a sailor but never swears like one and loves her florals like she loves a good cupcake.

Barneys polka dot umbrella
French Connection floral dress
Topshop blazer
Essie nail polish in Watermelon

The Oldest

Topshop necklace
Topshop maxi skirt
Topshop denim shirt
Marc Jacobs cross body bag

The hot pink maxi skirt is her newest favorite and wears black like it's going out of style (which it never will). NYC has done great things for her closet.

Zara clutch
By the Stones earrings
Theyskens' Theory top
Asos turquoise earrings

Until next time. 

Peace out girl scout.

Things I Love

Summer.

It is officially less than one month away but I think my mind is already there. Rather than scheduling study groups my friends plan sunbathing sessions and sundress shopping trips.

Strawberry Suede by Revlon- the best summer Coral
Cream Crochet Dress

I love summer and everything it entails because it means dresses and flip flops, warm weather walks, and never having to straighten your hair because mermaid hair is the summer trend.

Yellow Dress
Trophy Wife- my newest addition to the collection

I love summer because it means living in my own house and decorating it to perfection all summer with my roommates. Summer means floating the river, summer playlists, Arnold Palmers, and possibly a new pair of Ray Ban wayfarers.

If you aren't quite excited enough for summer yet then I highly recommend browsing through Anthropologie's bathing suits. One glance at their one-pieces, bikinis, and high waisted suits will have you singing the Beach Boys in no time.

Until next time.

Summer Girl