Moving Day

Today's the day.  Today's the day I move to a new apartment.  I'm literally only moving a few blocks but it's still nostalgic.  This was the apartment where I lived during my senior year of college and where I graduated in May.  This was the apartment where I watched the most beautiful sunrises from my bedroom window.  It was where I learned to play guitar and actually started to learn how to cook.  This was where I slept in on weekends and stayed up late on weeknights.  Most importantly this apartment was where I started my blog.  This apartment was where I dreamed and planned my future and changed my mind and planned it all over again.  It was where I lived with two of my very best friends from college.  I love this little apartment but it's time to move on. It's time for new adventures and new dreams.  And guess what?  You're going to hear all about them right here. Thanks so much for following along as I continue to grow in my life and on this blog.  I appreciate it more than you know.  

Oh...and Happy Friday!

Wish List: NYFW

I have another particular item on my wish list as of late.  It's not a piece of clothing or jewelry, but rather a trip.  A trip to New York.  A trip to New York for Fashion Week. 

 These past few days, I've been seeing fellow bloggers tweeting/instagramming/blogging/using any and every social media platform that they have to discuss their upcoming trips to Fashion Week.  I don't blame anyone for posting so much about it.  If it were me who were going, you can be guaranteed that I would be using every social media platform to discuss my trip.  I would probably also  be stopping strangers on the street to tell them how excited I was.  I am oh so happy for those that are going.  And I am oh so happy that I now have another goal to work toward.  New York Fashion Week 2013, anyone?  I think it has a lovely ring to it. 

One of these days I'll write out my entire list of goals and dreams and wishes.  It's long.  And it's constantly changing.  And it keeps me focused.  I love goals, can you tell?

P.S.  I have really exciting news to share soon.  Like I-couldn't-breathe-when-I-found-out kind of exciting.  Stay tuned!

Image via

Dreaming of Fall

Oh hey there favorite season in the entire world.  I can't wait for you to get here.  And I hope you stay awhile.

That's the conversation I'm having in my head with fall right now.  Fall is right around the corner, I can feel it.  And I can not wait.  Crisp air, pretty leaves, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, boots, jeans, peacoats, apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes.  I literally just got all warm and cozy inside thinking about it.

Images via

Seriously, how can you not love fall?  In the meantime I have to make it through a few more days of summer heat.  On Thursday there is supposed to be an excessive heat advisory from morning until night.  I should have known.  Why wouldn't there be an excessive heat advisory on the day that I'm moving everything out of my apartment?  It's just the way moving days work.

So when I'm moving during that excessive heat advisory, I'll think of the fact that fall is coming soon and everything will be okay.   Right?  Right.  

I'm in the Market

I'm in the market for a handbag.  I've been in the market for a handbag for about a year.  It's ridiculous, I know.  My mom thinks I'm crazy because it takes me so long to pick these things out.  But for a girl like myself who's on a budget and who's extremely picky, it takes time.  So today I'm enlisting your help.  Which of these is your favorite?

Modalu London // Danielle Nicole // J. Crew // Zara

  If I went with the rules of eeny meeny miny moe like I used to when I was 5, the Danielle Nicole bag would be the winner.  But I am torn.  I kind of love them all.  I realize they're all really simple and neutral, but that's just how I roll when it comes to handbags.  Also, the first bag is literally half off.  It's insanely tempting.  Thoughts?  Opinions?  I would love to hear them.

Weekend Snapshots

Happy Monday everyone!  Did any of you just hate me for saying that?  Well, I'm sorry, but I'm trying to be optimistic as this is going to be the busiest week ever for me.  I'm currently bracing myself before the craziness sets in.  Why is it going to be busy?  Let me tell you.

I'm starting a new job today (my internship turned in to a real person job. Yay!).  I'm also moving this week. Have I started packing yet?  Yes.  Well, kind of.  Okay fine, not really.  But I did do some organizing last night until I got distracted by the New Girl episode that I had put on as "background noise."  I love that show.

My weekend was quite lovely overall.  I had a very relaxing Friday night.  On Saturday I did some work, downloaded about 20 new fonts (thanks to Lauren from LA in the Bay for recommending these) and started designing a new blog header which should be showing up here pretty soon.  I spent Saturday night with good friends and on Sunday I made a big dent in my to do list and went to a favorite restaurant with my mom. Good stuff.

Iced mocha on a hot summer day. // Arm candy.

Veggie burger & tater tots.  I have an obsession with tots. // Dining al fresco.

Afternoon sun. // Gelato. 

Intentions

Have any of you ever read Jess Lively's blog?  If you haven't, you should definitely check it out.  And if you have then you probably know all about her Design Your Life Series, which I am all over the place in love with.  The series is a collection of features in which bloggers list the intentions they have for their lives.  It's fascinating to see what drives fellow bloggers, what inspires them and what their personal goals are.  These are the intentions I currently have for my own life.

I've come to realize that when I focus on the things that I have to be thankful for instead of the things that are lacking in my life, I end up receiving more things to be thankful for in the end.  So when I'm feeling stressed or just need to brighten my day a bit, I will make a mental list of the things I am thankful for.  The length shocks me every time.

I've always been a dreamer.  I constantly have these larger than life ideas and goals and have since I was a little kid.  I think it's important to dream and to believe in yourself.  If you can't visualize your dreams coming true, how are they ever going to happen?

When I am working out regularly, drinking tons of water, eating well and getting enough sleep, I am about a million times happier and feel a million times better than when I'm not consciously focusing on my health.  Being healthy is a constant work in progress but for me personally, making the effort to focus on my health is definitely worth it.

Traveling to new places has always been high on my list of priorities.  My family didn't travel very often when I was growing up so I've always found my own opportunities to travel.  There is so much to learn and to experience beyond my own city.  And I feel like I would be doing a disservice to myself if I didn't try to learn about other cultures and places.

I think it's so important to make an effort to be kind to others and to spread positivity.  If I'm having a bad day or if I'm running late or am in a stressful situation I'm still going to put in the effort to be kind to others.  It's not anyone else's fault that my day isn't going perfectly.  Being kind not only benefits those around me but it benefits me as well.  And I can definitely attest to the fact that you do not have to be ruthless to get ahead in life.  

Dreaming of Rome

I spent one day and two nights in Rome last summer.  I had just been in Madrid for four weeks doing urban design research thanks to the amazing Metropolitan Design Center in Minneapolis.  I decided that after my research was over, I wanted to visit at least one more place as long as I was already in Europe anyway. When I thought of where I would want to go, only one country continually came to mind.

Italy.

Images via

Upon arrival in the city I was completely enchanted.  Well first I was lost.  But when I finally found my hostel I was enchanted.  Everything about Rome was magical.  As an architecture student, I was just blown away by all of the history in the city.  I can vividly remember turning a corner and seeing the Pantheon right in front of me for the first time.  It may seem ridiculous, but it literally took my breath away and I could not stop smiling.  There were so many buildings and plazas that I had studied in class after class and in lecture after lecture and now I was finally seeing them face to face.  I can't wait to go back again someday.

Wish List: My New Apartment

Yesterday The Everygirl posted a feature on their Ten Favorite Ikea Finds.  The feature inspired me to make a wish list of home decor pieces.  I will be moving soon (in 9 days to be exact), and there are most definitely a few things I would like to add to my new apartment.

I tried very hard to make sure that the vast majority of these pieces were under $100.  When I'm blogging it's oh so much fun to dream and to put items on my wish lists that may or may not be anywhere near what I can actually afford.  But in reality, I need to keep things in a more reasonable price range, and under $100 is just right.  So here are my home decor musings for the day.

1. Area Rug $199.99-$399.99 // 2. Ottoman Bench $69.00 sale // 3. Mirror $129 

4. Accent Table $79.98 sale // 5. Table Lamp $99.99 sale // 6. Coffee Table $99.99

7. Window Panel $19.99-$29.99 // 8. Area Rug $99.99-299.99 // 9. Floor Lamp $59.99

10. Floral Pillow $54.99 // 11. Blue Stripes Pillow $49.99 

12. Patio Furniture Set $87.00 sale // 13. Ikat Pillow $54.99

What do you think?  I would love to hear your opinions or advice on where to shop for affordable items!  And if you would like you can check out what my bedroom currently looks like here.  I promise I'll post pictures of my new apartment when it's all lovely and finished!

The Lace Dress

Today I am in the mood to discuss a little trend that I am in love with for summer, fall, or really any time of the year.  Lace.  Lace dresses in particular.  I have Elle Magazine to blame for this recent obsession.  They featured a page of lace dresses in their September issue and I couldn't stop drooling over all of them.

Zara // Shoshanna via Piperlime // Anthropologie // Dorothy Perkins

How do you all feel about lace dresses?  Too feminine?  Too trendy?  Too easy to rip (it would shock you all to your core if I told you how many pairs of tights I have ripped in my lifetime)?  Or just right?

Chicago Snapshots

Reading material on the trip down.  I want them all! // First view of pretty, lovely Chicago. 

First shot of downtown. // I love this dress. via Piperlime

Pumpkin Pie Latte on a rainy morning. // Lincoln Park.

The Bourgeois Pig. // Pretty flower petals.

I love the bright blue door.  // More beautiful Lincoln Park homes.

Mosaic at the Subway. // I visited Red Frog Events' amazing offices, where my friend interns.

Mixed Greens deliciousness. // Silver coffered ceilings.  Love love love.

A pink staircase. // Christian Lacroix makes notebooks?!

These bridges always remind me of Road To Perdition.  Love that movie.  // Downtown views.

Cloudy day in the city. // I love maxi dresses.

There you have it.  Snapshots from my very short, very lovely trip to Chicago.  I tried my best not to look like a tourist but the constant picture taking probably wasn't helping my case very much.  I am crossing my fingers that I'll get to go again soon!  Perhaps in the fall, because how amazing would Chicago be in the fall?  I can only imagine.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I spent some time working, but mostly I was with friends.  I also welcomed my roommate back from Toronto yesterday, where she had been nannying for the past month.  It's lovely to have her home again and to celebrate I made homemade pizza using this pizza dough recipe.  It. Was. So. Good.

Happy Monday everyone!

Ten Little Things (that i love about Chicago)

I'm back from Chicago!  I told you it was a short trip!  But I still had an absolutely amazing time.  Pictures will be coming on Monday but for now here is a list of ten wonderful little things about Chicago.

1. The Architecture.  As an architecture student, I was internally freaking out over every old charming building and after every single corner I turned.  The architectural history is amazing there.  I also got to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House which I have been studying in school for years and it is just as impressive in person.

2. The walkability and all of the great outdoor spaces.  That is one of my favorite qualities of living in absolutely any city, although Chicago is definitely a much better example of walkability than Minneapolis. The public transportation system is amazing, and there are other people all around walking from place to place.  Minneapolis has a downtown skyway system, which is wonderful in the winter, but which takes all of the energy off of the streets.  (I studied urban design and walkability a lot in college, can you tell?)

3.  Having a friend who lives in Chicago is just wonderful.  It's the one good thing about having friends who move away and live all over the country.  You have someone to stay with and to be your tour guide while you're there.

4. Lake Michigan.  It's amazing to be in the middle of a city and still be right next to an enormous body of water.  It makes for such a pretty location and for so many more things to do in the summer.

5. The Bourgeois Pig.  I went to this lovely, lovely coffee shop with Alaina of Live Creating Yourself and The Everygirl while I was there to talk and to ask her some questions about her businesses. She is just as amazing and kind and intelligent as she seems online.  It's so strange meeting fellow bloggers because you feel like you already know them, but I love being able to put a personality and a voice behind the blogs that I read every day.

6. I loved visiting the northern neighborhood of Lincoln Park.  The amount of charm in that area is just unbelievable.  It's crazy to think that if I had gone to DePaul University (which I was very close to doing!) four years ago, I would have probably been living there right now.  But I can't think about that for too long, because I also loved living in Minneapolis throughout college.

7. For lunch yesterday my friend and I went to a place in River North called Mixed Greens.  I know, I know, I know.  I sound like the most boring person in the world if I went to Chicago and ate a salad.  But this salad was something else.  There was literally an explosion of happiness in my mouth when I ate it.  Someday, if and when I live in Chicago, Mixed Greens will be getting a ton of business from me.

8. My computer did not come with me to Chicago, and it was so nice having a computer break.  Granted I was on my phone constantly checking e-mails and doing blog related things, (I need to settle down with the constant technology!) but it was still very nice to get away for a little while without as much temptation to work.

9. Maybe this is an unfounded perspective, but to me Chicago seems like a place where there is a wealth of opportunity.  Besides the fact that the city is amazing on it's own, this opportunity is probably the main reason I would love to move there someday.  There are so many design firms and businesses and so many talented bloggers in Chicago, and I would love to be a part of such a vibrant community.

10. The energy of the city is palpable.  There are people everywhere and there is always something going on and I love that kind of an atmosphere.

If you just read all of those little details, I applaud you.  Have an incredible weekend, everyone!

A Brand New Job

You guys.  I have big news.  This may only be exciting to approximately two people, but I'm going to share it anyway.  I got a job.  Now this job is a retail job, which may not seem that exciting, but for a girl who has been job hunting since graduating in May, this is good stuff.  It's especially good stuff since the job I got is at my favorite retail store.  Oh, yes.  It's at J. Crew.  This may not be my dream job, and it won't be a job that I'll have forever, but it will make ends meet and I have a feeling it will be a lot of fun.

Last week Kendi discussed a new top that she found at the Crew.  She said that when she found it her mind exploded.  I have a feeling that my mind will be exploding whenever new shipments come in.  So if y'all are ever in Minneapolis visiting the famed Mall of America, feel free to stop in and pay me a visit.

In honor of my new job with a company that I actually highly respect and whose style I absolutely adore, here are a few of my favorite J. Crew picks.

1. Floral Capri // 2. Maxi Skirt // 3. Saddlebag

4. Colorblock Ballet Flats // 5. Woven Necklace // 6. Polka-dot Scarf

7. Pleat Top // 8. A-line Dress // 9. Sequin Dress

P.S. Just as a disclaimer, I promise I won't be bias toward J. Crew in the future.  They will definitely make an impact on my blog, but let's be real, I've always posted J. Crew items in my wish lists and style ramblings.  I am not looking to show any favoritism or any lack of variety around here, I can assure you!

Off to the Windy City

Image via

I'm off to the windy city today for a (very quick) break from Minneapolis.  I will be visiting a friend for a few days and I could not be more excited.  I haven't been to Chicago in six years.  That's basically an eternity.  Last time I was in Chicago I was touring colleges and this time I'm graduated from college.  Even typing that sentence just made me have to think twice about how incredibly quickly time has been passing by.  I hope to catch up with my friend and enjoy all the amazingness of the windy city.  I have been contemplating the idea of moving there permanently every since graduating from school in May so hopefully this little trip will help me remember what I love so much about the city.  

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

Crossover

I love how designers have such versatile tastes that cross over from what they wear to how they design their homes to little details like what their Christmas cards look like every year.  Design is a passion, and designers can't help but transfer that passion in to all forms of their lives.  Recently I looked at images of homes of three different fashion designers, and it is amazing how many similarities can be found between their fashion collections and the places in which they live.

I see the Tory Burch line everywhere I look in her home decor.  Her home is classic and timeless with patterns and color everywhere.  It is exactly the same description I would use to describe the her clothing line.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

Full of unique patterns, color and structural elements (like the incredible glass room in which she sleeps at night!), Diane von Furstenberg's New York City penthouse is also extremely similar to her clothing designs.

Images: Home, Runway

Classic, light, airy, and romantic.  Those are the words I would use to describe Erin Fetherston's home and fashion collections.  It's like stepping in to a fairytale in the middle of New York.

Images: Home, Collection

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend included drinks with friends, interviews, yoga, Olympic watching, grocery shopping and guitar playing.  I learned how to play a new song on the guitar, which means I (almost) get to check an item off of my list of things to do before the end of the summer!  The song was Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran.  If you have never listened to his music, you should probably get on it today.  His lyrics are amazing and he is just such an incredibly talented musician.  There, that's my plug for this Monday.

1. A brand new Elle came in the mail on Friday! // 2. Delicious veggie wrap.

3. An afternoon in the park.  // 4. Minnehappiness.

5. Olympic watching.  6. Saturday afternoon.

P.S.  Is anyone else having Olympic withdrawal?  I am usually the last person you would find sitting on my couch watching sports of all things, but the Olympics are my one exception.  There's just something so inspiring about them.  I suppose I can wait until Russia in 2014...

In the meantime, I hope you all have a lovely start to your week!

Fashion & Beauty Essentials

The title of this post might make you think that I've got it all figured out already.  I do not.  Not at all.  But I've been alive for 22 years, and for 22 years I've been learning what works for me and what doesn't.

Wouldn't it be amazing if, at birth, you were given a handbook that stated the best clothes for you to wear and the best products for you to use?  Everyone would look so amazing all the time and there would be no awkward middle school years.  But alas, such a handbook doesn't exist, and have to figure things out along the way for ourselves.  This is what I've figured out so far.

The LBD // The Clutch // The Trench Coat // The Blazer

The Jean // The Boot // The Blouse // The Statement Jewelry

I'm starting to realize that what works best for me (and what I feel most confident in) are classic silhouettes and pieces that are still a bit edgy and fun.  These eight pieces represent the essentials that make the base of my personal wardrobe.  I highly respect people who can pull off clothing that is more high fashion, like the Beckerman Girls, whose amazing, daring style I just discovered this week.  But for me this is what I love to wear right now.

The Blotter // The Perfume // The Hair Remedy // The Nail Color
The Body Wash // The Hair Product // The Liner // The Foundation

I have been using most of the items on this list for years.  I am particularly obsessed with Aveda products, and have been using them for almost 10 years. And Parisienne by Yves Saint Laurant has been my signature scent since the beginning of college.  I absolutely love it.

What are your fashion and beauty essentials?  I would love to hear them!  Happy Friday everyone!

Ten Little Things

I've made a habit lately of trying harder to enjoy the little things in life, and to notice them when they happen.  It's so easy to only see the negatives and to only notice the good things when they are on a grand scale.  So here is my third list of the little things that make me happy.  (list 1, list 2)

1. Watching the sunrise or sunset.

2.  Making a delicious meal from scratch.

3.  Painting your nails and having none of the dreaded nail bubbles pop up.  (This might just be me)

4. Sleeping with the windows open.

5. Watching hilarious videos on YouTube.  Dear reader, anyone?  (The first time I watched dear reader was during finals week.  I was incredibly sleep deprived and I ended up watching almost the entire movie with friends until my throat and stomach hurt from laughing so hard.)

6. Catching up with old friends over brunch and not realizing how long you've been talking.

7. Wearing a new piece of clothing or jewelry for the very first time.

8. Finishing a great book. (I finally finished Pillars of the Earth)

9. Being inspired by a good quote.  Or a movie.  Or a person.

10. Olympics moments.  When Gabby won.  The Pistorius - James bib exchange.  When Phelps won his 22nd Olympic medal.

Olympic image via

What do you think are life's most priceless moments?

Dream Wedding Wednesday

Is it premature to already have every single detail of my wedding planned out when I don't have a boyfriend or more importantly, a fiance?  I am going to say maybe, but then I am going to deem an exception to that statement because every girl I know already has every little detail of her wedding planned out as well.

Let's call today Wedding Wednesday.  Mainly because it rhymes, but also because Style Me Pretty has Wedding Wednesday, and I for one love me some Style Me Pretty.  Fun Fact for y'all, Style Me Pretty was the first blog I ever read.  Ever.  So they've left an imprint in my heart.

The Dress

Okay so fine, I don't know exactly what kind of dress I want.  And I suppose that's fine, since marriage is nowhere in my near future.  But I know what I don't want.  Sparkles.  Gemstones.  Glitter.  Taffeta.  I love dresses in which all of the detail comes from the fabric itself.  I also love sweetheart necklines.  And as you can see, the rest of what I love is a bit of a mix.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The Details

Here's what I need in the details.  Killer shoes and accessories, naturally.  A candy bar.  A classy cute photo booth.  Insane amounts of flowers.  Candles.  Dim lighting.  And other cute details that stay very far away from the line that is tacky.  Because tacky is a very fine line, and I do not want to approach it.  I want to stay with adjectives such as vintage, chic, pretty, etherial and classic.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The Location

If I didn't know exactly what I wanted in the dress and the details, I most certainly know what I want for the reception design.  And I had no idea I knew so much until I started picking out photos for this collage. Reception requirements include: outdoor location, (with heating lamps because it will, without a doubt, be in the fall) dim romantic lighting with greenery/trees overhead, wooden tables, soft colors, and chandeliers.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Let's collectively hope that whoever my future husband is agrees with all of these decisions that I've just made without him.  What would your dream wedding include?

Reese

Who doesn't love Reese Witherspoon?  I don't mean to start off with such a bold, assuming question, but really, I can't quite think of anyone off the top of my head who doesn't.  And yesterday I found something else about her to love: her warm, charming, cozy, rustic, beautiful home.  Was that enough adjectives?  Elle Decor recently posted gorgeous photos of her home.  I will indulge you with them now.

All images via

And if you're looking to shop the warm, charming, cozy, rustic, beautiful style...

1. Crate & Barrel Sofa // 2. Pottery Barn Lantern // 3. Jayson Home Desk 

4. Crate & Barrel Coffee Table // 5. Jayson Home Chair // 6. Jayson Home Stool

7. Target Sconce // 8. Pottery Barn Chandelier Shade // 9. Pottery Barn Wingback Chair

10. Worlds Away Shelf // 11. Ethan Allen Side Chair // 12. West Elm Pillow Cover

13. Jayson Home Table

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I explored Minneapolis a bit and got cultured.  Okay so that's not really a phrase but I'm using it anyway.  My mom was here on Saturday and we tried a new restaurant in St. Paul called the Colossal Cafe.  The meal couldn't have been more delicious and the restaurant design couldn't have been more adorable.  We also checked out the Uptown Art Fair and went out for frozen yogurt in the afternoon.  It was a lovely day.

On Sunday I tried a coconut oil moisture treatment for my hair.  From what I can tell it definitely made it a bit more smooth and shiny.  I think I'll start doing it regularly and see what happens in the long term. After all, who doesn't want more shine in their hair (and bonus - it smells incredible)?  I also made made a homemade veggie pizza using this recipe.  For my very first homemade pizza ever I would say it turned out pretty well!

1. Saturday brunch. // 2. Colossal Cafe in St. Paul.  

3. Trying on my bridesmaid dress for my brother's wedding! // 4. Photographs of Italy. 

5. Abstract painting at the Uptown Art Fair. // 6. Coconut oil/hair treatment.

7. Homemade pizza (pre baking) by yours truly. // 8. St. Anthony Main.

I hope you all had an amazing weekend!  Happy Monday!  Let's all have wonderful weeks, okay? Okay, awesome.

Dreaming of Paris

I went to Paris when I was 17.  It was my first time overseas, my first time on a plane and my first time seeing the ocean.  The entire trip was two weeks long and we traveled all over Northern France.  We went to Paris, Versailles, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Mont Saint Michel, Chartre, Bayeux, Colleville-sur-Mer, Sant-Malo and Rennes, where I stayed for five days with a French family.  At the time I went I know I was grateful for the experience, although I know I would appreciate it so much more if I went again now.

So in the spirit of nostalgia and reminiscing, here are some of my favorite portraits of the City of Lights.

Paris in the fall.  A girl can dream...

It's hard to believe how enchanting and charming European cities are until you actually go.  The narrow streets, beautiful architecture, and amazing cuisine have made me fall in love with them time and time again.

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

P.S. Can I let you in on a little snippet of my life yesterday?  Okay awesome.  I have been sleep deprived this week.  How sleep deprived, you ask?  So sleep deprived that this is what my sleepy self wrote in my planner on Thursday morning as a reminder for Thursday night.  When I read it later I found it very amusing.  That's all.  So here's to sleeping in this weekend, and here's to anyone who is reading this.  You all are wonderful.  

Happy Weekend!

Dress It On Up

Have you all heard of Dorothy Perkins?  I hadn't until just recently.  The line's dresses kept popping up on blogs and on pinterest so I decided I had to check out the site for myself.  I was hooked immediately.  The site is packed with stylish clothing at completely reasonable prices.  And of course, true to form, I continually found myself browsing the dresses more than anything else.  These are a few of my favorite Dorothy Perkins dresses.

Dress 1 // Dorothy Perkins Peplum Dress // BaubleBar Necklace 

ShoeMint Kathryn Heels // Essie Nail Polish

Dress 2 // Dorothy Perkins Flared Dress // Butter London Nail Polish 

Rebecca Minkoff Clutch // Steve Madden Heels

Dress 3 // Dorothy Perkins Maxi Dress // J. Crew Little Edie Purse

Dolce Vita Sandals via Piperlime // BaubleBar Cuff

Inspiration

Let's talk inspiration.  Why would we do that?  Because it's what gets me through life.  It's what gets me to take a leap of faith when I wouldn't have before.  It's what makes me happy on a day to day basis.  Inspiration can come in the smallest or largest packages.  It can be obvious or it can catch you off guard.  You may or may not relate to some of these, but I hope you'll comment and let me know what you find inspiring, too.

Let's start with the obvious.  And the most recent.

The Olympics.  And more importantly, as of yesterday, the U.S. gymnastics team + Michael Phelps.  Mr. Phelps now has the most Olympic medals of any athlete. Ever.  That's amazing.  And then there was the U.S. gymnastics team who won gold yesterday.  Awesome awesome awesome.  My roommate and I were sitting in our living room just after they had won and I heard her say, "This makes me want to cry!"  To which I of course responded, "I am crying!" To which she responded, "I know, I am, too!".  It was an emotional night in our apartment.

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Music.  How many times have you been having an awful day and then you hear your favorite song and it makes you feel better instantly?

Blogs.  I mean really, let's be serious.  That's the reason I became so intrigued by the blogging world in the first place.  Everything is so darn inspiring!

Entrepreneurs.  I have no idea if entrepreneurship will fit in to my future.  But either way, I can't help but be inspired by the amazing businesses that are built from the smallest inkling of an idea in to something tangible and wonderful.  Want to see some truly awesome entrepreneurs?  Check out The Everygirl (as if you haven't already!).

Quotes.  I have far too many favorite quotes to name them all right here.  But here are a few of my current favorites.

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Every Single Page of Elle Magazine.  I hate to be bias, but I'm just going to do it anyway.  I love me some Elle Magazine.  And as I flip through the pages month by month, I am constantly thinking how I could incorporate what I find in the magazine in to my own wardrobe (on a budget, of course).

Weddings.  Yes, I am a huge sap.  My friends and family know this, so you might as well know it, too. Chick flicks?  Awesome.  Love Stories?  Awesome.  Weddings?  Only the best, most inspring, romantic things ever.

Underdogs.  Anyone who didn't come from wealth and fame and who had to make it all on their own.  They weren't supposed to make it, but they did.  And I applaud them for that.  Steve Prefontaine.  Oprah.  J.K. Rowling.  And SO many more that I can't think of right now.

Traveling.  Doesn't traveling move you?  Doesn't traveling make a profound impact on you and change you forever?  Maybe that's just me.  Either way, I absolutely adore traveling, and I feel insanely blessed to have been to the places I've been so far.  Of course there is a long list of other places I want to go, too.  But being in new places and meeting new people and experiencing new things...it just constantly inspires me to step out of my bubble and grow.

Madrid // Oaxaca // Rome // Florence

What inspires you?