Thursday, February 26, 2015

Videos I'm Loving


This is about the cutest video I've seen. I'm not a crier, but it brought a tear to my eye and I only hope I can find a love like this. Hallmark's creative team, you get a major thumbs up in my book. 
  • This video. You must watch this. It is not only touching, but after this insanely cold winter we have had, I think everyone can sympathize with being cold.. but there are people who are actually freezing. To donate in the Pittsburgh area, click here
  • Kid creates rap song- this is hilarious and kind of catchy, too. 
  • Blank Swift// Style Mashup- If there's one TSwift cover/mashup to listen to, it's for sure this one. On. Repeat. 
  • Zoella- My sister, Callie, watches a lot of YouTubers and she shared Zoella with me and I am hooked! She has the cutest British accent and her videos are too fun!
Check out my favorite videos from last month, here. What videos are you loving lately? Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Candle Under $20



I always love sharing my favorite scents and I know a lot of you always e-mail me asking what my favorite candles are! 

This candle has to be my new favorite scent. For a while, I was burning the Holiday candle, before that, I went to my basic Figuier and before that it was the super inexpensive candle from Target

I usually only burn a candle while I blog, and always make sure that I do not leave the room without blowing it out first, but there is just something so soothing about a fabulous scent and the flickering light that comes from a candle! What is your favorite? I always love trying new options! Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Perfect Spring Flat: Vara


I'm really hoping spring still exists... because this weather has practically sucked out all of my warm weather hopes. If warm weather should ever arrive.. or even anything above 30 (beggars can't be choosers, right?), then I will jump for joy because I can ditch boots and socks and go for cute flats and pumps once again. 


I'm a big believer in investing in well made, classic pairs of shoes. When it comes to shoes, I'm definitely a quality over quantity person. For spring, I ordered the Ferragamo Vara's. I have a few pair of the varinas, but thought I'd go for the cute 1 1/2" heel. Plus the nude color I got them in will go with everything! They're definitely an investment, but I wear my varinas almost 24/7 and they are a timeless, preppy classic that never truly goes out of style. What is your go-to flat for spring? Have a fabulous day! 

Yours,

Ramaina Cowan: Stunning LBD





Elegant and sexy is exactly how I would classify Raimana Cowan's Gloria Dress. Raimana and I connected on Instagram and I immediately fell in love with his pieces. He is a Tahitian designer who studied at Parson's and interned with designers like Zac Posen. Woah

First of all, Raimana sent me this gorgeous dress and I was blown away by the construction. It is so lightweight and effortless to slip on. And secondly, the draping is stunning and completely sets it apart from any other little black dresses I own. I slipped this on to shoot one day and felt so glamorous. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear it this spring and summer #WeddingSeason. Please tell me you're just as excited about ditching the tights as I am!?

The Gloria dress also comes in white. This would make for an incredible rehearsal dinner outfit for those getting married! I actually foresee myself wearing this as a top, too... the fabric is so light and airy, that it could easily be tucked in for a very glam pants ensemble... I'll have to try it out and report back! 

A big thanks to Raimana for the gorgeous cocktail dress! It's so much fun to connect with such a talented designer! Can't wait to see more from Raimana Cowan! Have a fabulous day! 

Yours,

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Dresses for a Special Occasion




My month of April is going to be insane. I have Easter, my best friend Dana's wedding, then I am going to visit my sister Callie at Kentucky to go to Keeneland, then Dallas for a long weekend and then my best friend Alyssa's wedding in North Carolina which brings us right into May. Phew. Needless to say, I am scouring the internet for some great dress choices. I'm looking for cocktail dresses and day dresses. Not much has caught my eye lately, but I thought I would share the few that have! Hopefully I'll be back with even more great options later this month. Have you found any beautiful dresses lately? Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Lately


photos via
I'm obsessed with Katie Ermilio

If you aren't familiar with her eponymous label, then I'm sure you recognize this blush crop top and skirt combo from Taylor Swift's Blank Spaces video. Guess who made it? Yep, Katie Ermilio. Anyway, her F/W 15 show was incredible. The two looks above were my absolute favorites. You can't tell in the photo, but the red down has a completely open back. It's truly stunning. 


Stubbs and Wootton just collaborated with Happy Menocal to launch a small collection of slippers. I am in love. It's honestly hard to choose which is my favorite, but I love a good custom initialed slipper! If you aren't familiar with Happy Menocal, she is a NYC based illustrator and creates beautiful illustrations and watercolors. I first learned about her last year when she created custom menu cards for an event hosted by Aerin Lauder. They were stunning and I've had them in the back of my mind ever since! 



My friend Eugenia who lives in Manhattan was in town for the weekend, so we took the opportunity to get together with our friend Dana and all of our moms for brunch this Saturday! It was so much fun to spend time with my mom and my friends!

I was shopping a few weeks ago and spotted the cutest ruffled top! It's now available online. I think this would look so cute with white skinnies and Jacks in the summer! 

Did you get a hold of the Lisa Perry x Estee Lauder GWP? I got one and think it's too fun! I love Lisa Perry and her 60's vibe and cannot wait to see what they come up with this summer! 

Casetify sent me this really cool case that looks like marble. It's super thin, which is great for everyday use. On the weekends, I like to use my Casemate 'tough rugged protection'

What have you been loving lately? Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Monday, February 23, 2015

Striped Draped Blouse

I love a good draped blouse. There is something so elegant and ladylike about this style. I have several and find that they are some of the most worn pieces in my closet. They're very flattering and are also appropriate for a variety of occasions. Not to mention, they look great tucked into a skirt or left loose with a pair of skinny jeans. I've had my eye on this draped blouse. I love stripes and this looks like it would be a great piece to move seamlessly from winter to spring. Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Nikes on my feet





Sweater (old, similar, similar, similar)// Pixie Pant 

Blog post title brought to you by this song ;) If you know me, then you know I'm usually 'dressed up'... but I've really been working on being more casual when it comes to running errands, seeing a movie, going out for coffee, etc. Especially, while it's still so cold, it's nice to be comfortable and cozy.

I was in J. Crew a few months ago and was just browsing when I spotted these sneakers. They're something totally different than anything I own so I tried them on. I didn't fall in love immediately... but as I walked around in the store in them, I decided I was going to go for it (I'm such a wild child, aren't I.. ha). Anyway, I didn't wear them for a week or so but now wear them almost every weekend. I usually wear them with my pixie pants and some sort of sweater/sweatshirt on top.

Do you ever try new styles? I know these high top sneakers are nothing ground breaking, but it broke me out of my typical style shell! Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

2015 Oscars: Strike a Smile

When Crest Whitestrips reached out and asked me to share how I get 'red carpet ready' for important moments, I thought it'd be a fun prompt to share.  They're doing a Twitter chat on the topic, too, using the hashtag #StrikeASmile. 
Tonight are the Oscars, and while I'm not too up-to-date on my who's-who in Hollywood, I always love to watch the E! Live from the Red Carpet segment to see all of the gorgeous gowns. Although I'll probably never go to the Oscars, we all have important events throughout the year that we spend a little more time getting ready for than others. 
For me, at my stage in life, my important events have become weddings. Luckily with weddings, I know well in advance so it gives me plenty of time to find a new dress, get highlights, a manicure, etc. 
Part of my 'getting ready' routine includes Crest Whitestrips. You can read all about my two week challenge, here and here. If you have a special event coming up, try out the 3D Whitestrips and you will not be disappointed! Crest sent me a box of their whitestrips and since I just whitened my teeth in late October, my mom is going to take the challenge. She's super excited! Thanks to Crest for the strips! Are you watching the Oscars and have you tried Crest 3D White Supreme Flexfit Whitestrips? Have a fabulous day! 
Yours,

Friday, February 20, 2015

Lunch at the William Penn




I went for lunch at the William Penn a few weeks ago. The William Penn Hotel is an elegant hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. It's very old school but that's exactly why I love it. They have amazing espresso martinis, I love their Speakeasy bar and their Terrace dinning room is fabulous. Not to mention, it's a gorgeous venue for weddings and events. 



It was freezing (per usual) so this cashmere wrap was the perfect thing to bring along. Like you haven't seen this in about a million posts already... this cashmere wrap goes everywhere with me! I've also worn this feather trimmed top about 5 times since I got it two weeks ago. It's just so much fun to wear and I always get compliments. This weekend I am going to another new hotel that just opened in downtown Pittsburgh to try out their lunch. I'll report back! Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Snapchat: SummerWind41490


I've been on Snapchat forever and love it. I just recently switched over to being public, so feel free to follow along. I post random things from throughout my day. My username is: SummerWind41490. Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

Lilly Pulitzer Cashmere + Travel Pants






Cashmere Sweater// White Blouse
Black Leggings// Leopard Pumps (similar)
Mansur Gavirel Tote// Ray Ban Aviators
Pearl Studs// Turquoise Necklace
Monogram Necklace 
If you're like me and living in a cold (errr... make that frigid) climate, then leggings and oversized cashmere sweaters are your best friends. These are snaps from after work one day (you can see my building in the back of the last photo!). 
I had asked you all about the Lilly Pulitzer travel pant in a post back in early December and you gave me some great feedback (thank you!!). I took everyone's advice and ordered a pair and love them! A lot of feedback I received said that they are dressier than the J. Crew Pixie pant and I could not agree more. I can wear these to work in a corporate office setting and they actually almost look like dress pants. If you are looking into ordering a pair, they run pretty true to size, maybe a touch big. They're not tight around the ankles like the Pixie pant which makes tucking them into short booties a bit awkward. The bottom line: They don't replace my beloved Pixie pants, but are a great, dressier alternative. 
What kind of ensembles have you been putting together to wear to the office in these freezing cold temperatures to stay warm? Have a fabulous day! 
Yours, 
 

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