Lately 6/15/2017

Woah. What an INSANE week you guys!!! Sunday night the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup!! Monday, I got a new car, Tuesday I spent all day behind my computer, Wednesday was the Penguins parade to celebrate another year with Lord Stanley in Pittsburgh and I got fresh blonde highlights and date night, and today quarterly taxes are due (ick) and I finally get to pick up one of my camera's from the repair shop tonight (read more about that below). Tomorrow I have a 6am flight to somewhere very fun, so definitely stay tuned for where I am headed on Instagram and Snapchat (@SummerWind41490).

In other news, I've had some bad luck, too. I don't want to dwell on the bad, but I'm sharing more so that you know life is not always perfect! I broke BOTH of my DSLR's in the same week and major repairs had to be done- luckily one camera was done in time for my trip tomorrow, but holy cow was that a bump in the road (and in my wallet, woof). My computer also decided to die, too, so I've spent a large chunk of time obsessively making sure everything is backed up and my back up is backed up.

Reading: The wonderful ladies of Emily McCarthy featured me in their Signature Style Series. I'd love for your to check it out! It was so much fun answering their questions and sharing some of my favorite images!

Wanting: How cute is this neutral drapey cardigan and these blush linen shorts? I think it would make the absolute cutest casual outfit (and comfortable, too)! I am also loving this gorgeous a-line dress in the most unexpected color combos- so fun and so ladylike! Scroll through to see some more things I am eyeing.. there's a lot this week!

Wanting II: OMG. I have this bag in all-gray with gold hardware and use it all the time. It's the best size-not too big, not too small. However, this combo of colors and textures with the updated shoulder strap is to die for. Wow.

Drinking: I've been reading a lot about the benefits of collagen and so many people have been recommending Vital Protein Collagen Peptide powder. I just ordered it and tried it for the first time yesterday morning (you'll know this if you follow along on Snapchat: SummerWind41490). The benefits are enhanced hair, skin, and nails as well as a boost of protein and it also says it will help with digestion and joint pain.

It says it is 'flavorless' so I got it to put in my coffee every morning. However, I can 100% taste it. I drink my coffee black and really love the flavor of coffee and this just gives it an 'off', almost 'plasticy' aftertaste. SO many of you reached out to me via Snapchat and let me know you use it and you have really noticed it working on your body and that really makes me want to keep up with to see if I see improvements. I think I'm just going to try and choke it down each morning in a cup of hot water with lemon (I don't really make smoothies, but maybe I should start?). I'll definitely be able to taste it, but if the benefits are really what they say they are, I figure why not... and no more putting it in my coffee because I don't want it to ruin it for me!!!

Eating: I've had a lot of people ask me to share more of my meals from Hello Fresh that I talked about last week. This one was an Asian style tenderloin with quick pickled veggies and jasmine rice. It was phenomenal and SO easy (and the portions are huge). I skipped this week because I was too busy, but scheduled a delivery for next week and the following week already because it saves me so much time and money. If you sign up using my referral link, you get $40 off your first week (3 meals for 2 people which is 6 meals total for just $20). I mentioned something like this in last week's post, but it's really great because I am making a lot of delicious, decently healthy food but most of it I would never have prepared the way Hello Fresh instructs or they throw in some 'different' ingredients that I probably would not have picked up on my own. It also teaches me different ways to cook and feel more comfortable in the kitchen. I definitely recommend it!

Beauty-ing: Has anyone heard about this Hanacure face mask? Well, I guess that's a dumb question, it seems like everyone has heard about it/tried it since it is always selling out! It gets rave reviews 5/5 stars and celebrities are swearing by it. The before and afters are also shocking, especially after only one use. I'm so intrigued so I ordered just the starter set. It's back ordered until August... hopefully, it is worth the wait!

Earrings (come in white, too)

Loving: So when it comes to earrings, I am pretty standard. 90% of the time I stick to pearl or diamond studs. They're simple and classic and don't take anything away from anything else I may be wearing. The other 10% of the time I will wear something fun like the ever popular les bon bons (or the million different lookalikes available right now). I saw these earrings (they also come in white) and was SO drawn to them. I can't explain why, but I am seriously obsessed.

Earrings// Striped Dress (under $100)// Jacket Rogers Sandals 

Wearing: With that said about the earrings, you can see how I wore them to a family friend's graduation party (he is off to GW in the fall!). This is the only photo I took (with my gorgeous mom!!) but you can see the earrings in action and this dress I am packing for my trip tomorrow that is under $100! This dress is SO great for super hot days. It was 95 in this photo and I wanted nothing more than to jump in a pool, but this dress was so easy to just throw on and walk out the door. Very minimal clothing needed, ha!