Lately 2/23/2017

Sneak peek of tomorrow's post!

White Dress (also here and in blue, here)// Raffia Tote// Jack Rogers Sandals

Thursday, already?! This week FLEW by. I feel like I have a lot going on this weekend, yet I have no set plans. Some friends in town, some friends having some get-togethers, but I've decided not to commit to anything so I can just go with the flow. Sometimes that is the best kind of weekend, right?!

This week, my goal was to do a little spring cleaning. I started with my coat closet and then my hanging clothes in my closet. Next up are my shoes/accessories/handbags and folded clothes. I hope to have everything in perfect order in the next few weeks... spring cleaning at its best! 

I also decided to go through all of my workout clothes/athleisure pieces and do a major purge and then stock up on some new things. I do tennis twice a week and workout about 3-5 days a week on top of that, so I really need some new things. If anyone is a fan of Nike Tempo shorts (can't shake my college uniform, ha!), I found a great price on those on 6pm.com. A website I don't think I've ever used before, but some of the pairs were just $17.99! They also had a great selection of tennis skirts at really inexpensive prices (we're talking like TJ Maxx/Marshall prices!!). 

Eating: On Monday, two of my best girlfriends got together for dinner and drinks at a new restaurant, Union Standard in the Union Trust building downtown. It's a restaurant by Derek Stevens and to me, the menu seems American, but creative and somewhat 'farm to table' style in ingredients. There are also a bunch of oysters and appetizers available besides the entrees. 

I had SUPER high hopes for this restaurant. It's really close to me and very walkable, plus the atmosphere is pretty cool. However, it was good, but I think for what you get, it is overpriced. I also think that the service wasn't 'high-end' enough/attentive for the prices. Everything we ordered was good, but I felt like a lot of other restaurants do the same type of thing only better and less pricey. It's nice to have some variety, but I don't think I'll go back anytime too soon. I will, however, note that it would be a great spot for happy hour for cocktails and oysters. I LOVE that they had Wolffer Estate Rose on their wine list (which is one of my favorites and near impossible to find in Pittsburgh) and they also had a really unique and diversified cocktail list. Oysters and cocktails, what more could you want?! 

Reading: Have you all heard of This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen? Apparently, it's a YA book and it's been around for a while, but I've recently heard multiple people rave about it. I just ordered it, so we'll see! I'm assuming it will be a super quick and easy read which is really all I was looking for right now! 

Smelling: Have you heard of this perfume that apparently smells very similar to Le Labo's Santal 33? I'm really intrigued. I got this perfume for Christmas (I'm obsessed), so whenever I run out, I'm going to get Santal 33, but would really love to smell the less pricey version before I buy! 

Watching: You all must watch Big Little Lies on HBO. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley and it is so addicting. It is based off a novel, but I haven't read it... but now want to! It's a mystery-type story line but with a lot of character's story lines that will (or at least I assume) add up in the end! Definitely worth a watch but it's one of those shows you really have to focus and pay attention to! 

Listening: Continuing with the topic of Big Little Lies, the soundtrack is SO good. Seriously, whoever put it together deserves a promotion because they killed it. I absolutely love River by Leon Bridges. It is by far one of my favorite songs of all time so I really love that that is included! And Casmir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens is on it, too... does that remind anyone of The OC?! 

Pittsburgh-ing: On Tuesday morning I headed over to the North Shore T station to check out a really cool installation that Sunkist created just for Pittsburgh! If you are in the city, it’s definitely worth checking out. As you are entering or exiting the T (Pittsburgh’s metro/subway, if you are not familiar), you are greeted with a panoramic, larger-than-life video of a citrus grove in California. It really appeals to all the senses as you can actually hear the birds chirping and smell the oranges. I love the tagline, too: The T doesn’t go to California, so we’re bringing it to you. Such a cool thing to have in Pittsburgh! It’s going on now through Saturday from 6am-8pm. Thanks to Sunkist for sponsoring this!

Wanting: I wore my first one piece while in the Bahamas. I've always been weird about one-pieces since one of my favorite parts of my body is my stomach and I've always thought 'why hide that'? But since there is a resurgence in the trend, there are SO many options and I've started to really like them! I stumbled across this one. It's rather plain, but there is something so chic about its simplicity. I think it would look so cute when worth with these shorts for a nautical/patriotic look. Both pieces are under $100, too!

Wanting II: This sweater is SO cute. It's too pricey for what it is, in my opinion, but I'm still absolutely loving it. It'd look so chic and put-together with just slim black pants and a black pump. On a much more affordable note, this little camisole is under $40 and comes in a bunch of colors. It's cute and is a great basic to have on hand. I like to wear these kinds of tops on their own with white jeans in the summer, but right now they work beautifully under waterfall/shawl-style sweaters! See more of my favorites in the widget above.

Loving: So 'loving' is a bit of a strong word for this, I guess. Juicy Couture is back... yes, you heard that right. I still have old Juicy zip ups from my freshman year of high school. Part of me loves it because #nostalgia, and then another part of me is like 'no'. What are your thoughts of the comeback?!

Loving II: If this isn't the cutest take on a classic white, long-sleeve tee, I don't know what is. Totally need this.

Recommending: I just love getting these FabFitFun boxes (use code SYDC for $10 off your first box). They have so many products and brands that I would have never known about. I always find at least one new product that I absolutely love. This time around, I am obsessed with the Milly bathing suit pouch that says 'Beach Please' on it! I lost my bathing suit bag and have been looking for a new one, so this was such great timing! I'm also obsessed with the Deborah Lippmann shade that they sent called Shape of My Heart- it seems similar to Essie's Fiji but is a little pinker, which I prefer!

Look for Less: I've shared a few looks for less in regards to the Gucci Princetown loafers. I have the Gucci ones (they come in brown, too, and now I want those....), but this suede version is almost an exact dupe for under $60. I wear mine all the time- they're beyond comfortable and so easy to just slip on and go!

Trying: I really want to try this Dior lip balm 'stuff'. One of my friends was telling me about this earlier this week and apparently, it's amazing. During the week, I like to wear a very natural lip color and really prefer lip balm to anything else. So I'm really down to try this!

Quoting: 'Always be the better person.'