Checks and Espadrilles

 J. Crew Factory Top || Michael Kors White Jeans || Soludos Espadrilles ||

Kendra Scott Earrings || Free People Sunnies || MK Watch || Kendra Scott Cuff ||

Similar Flower Cuff || Louis Vuitton Speedy || Essie Polish (Find Me An Oasis) ||

I've been eyeing this cute gingham top at J. Crew Factory for quite a while! I was waiting until Memorial Day weekend sales to hit and my trip to San Antonio to buy it. The day after I got here I ran over to their new location in the Quarry Market and grabbed my size! (It's still on sale online!) I am so glad that I picked it up. Partly because I ran out of time to pack and needed one extra top once I was in Texas and also because it's so cute! I love the way it looked with these white jeans, which I finally found at Nordstrom Rack. I also think it will look great with a summer skirt and even just denim shorts.

I received these espadrilles from my parents for my birthday and I think they'll be on the blog quite a bit! They're the perfect summer shoe! You can throw them on with just about anything. Unfortunately, I had to wait a little while to wear them because I had to exchange for a larger size. The Nordstrom website says that they run small, but they REALLY run small. If you love them I highly recommend adding a pair to your closet just make sure you order I size up! The platinum metallic color is also really cute and selling out everywhere really fast!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend. I'm so sorry for the spotty posting this week, traveling has really thrown things off, but I'm having so much fun spending time with my family. Sometimes you have to step back and evaluate what's most important and this week my priority is family time!

Love you lots,

Villa America by Liza Klaussmann

*Psst* Click the picture to find a copy

I picked up this book months and months ago at Strand in New York. I've been reading a lot of historical fiction, mostly surrounding the early 1900s, and I've enjoyed them all quite a bit. So it only seemed natural to pick this one up next! 

When I decided to read Villa America, I thought it sounded like a beautiful story – and the writing is fabulous, as well. I'd never heard of the real-life Gerald and Sara Murphy before this book, but now I can't wait to read everything out there about their lives. Plus, the end flaps mention appearances from Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald and the Hemingways so I knew I wanted to read it. As soon as I began the book I spent all week Googling pictures of the real Villa America and the parties the Murphys hosted! 

This book was very well researched, but is definitely a historical fiction. There's a character that Klaussmann created named Owen. He's a pilot who becomes very intertwined in all of the characters' lives. I really enjoyed reading his POV, peering into the glamorous and fascinating lives of the Murphys and all their guests. It reminded me of Nick Carraway's character in the Great Gatsby – the outlier and observer of the Lost Generation and all its players.

This book has strong LGBT plot lines for multiple characters and some very trying marriages. It's an interesting look into the social orders of the time: divorce and homosexuality were frowned upon, while sending women to mental clinics for acting out was commonplace. Klaussmann presents all of these scenarios in this intricately woven story. 

Pro Tip: Read the Author's note! It really shows how much research went into this story and gives some awesome recommendations for other books you can read to learn about the Murphys and their friends. I've added a ton of them to my Amazon Wish List!

Love you lots,

JUNE AB CHALLENGE!

Start June with a goal in mind. I've always wanted to have a great midsection, but it's one area that I've always had a hard time toning. Everyone's bodies are different and it's totally ok if you have problem areas. Knowing where they are and how do handle those love handles is key! Set a goal for yourself and join the ab challenge with us!

Before I hit the beach in July I want to make sure I do everything I can to reach my goals! I hope you guys participate and I'd love to hear about your progress! This plan won't guarantee you a perfect six pack, but these movements will help strengthen your abs and get some nice tone. Abs are strengthened in the gym, but they're made in the kitchen! Eating clean and drinking lots of water is key. 

Love you lots, 

Summer TOBI Lookbook!

Wrapped In Love Surplice Top  || Keepin' It Casual Crewneck Sweater || Ellen Floral Swing Dress 

I've had the best time collaborating with Tobi! I can't wait to wear all of these pieces all summer long! Let me know which pieces are your favorite and be sure to check out Tobi's website! You can get 50% off your first order! I am definitely going to take advantage of that!!

Love you lots,

P.S. These are some of my other favorite categories on the website! So great for summer traveling: Bikinis, Pants,Jewelry, Tank Tops, Casual Dresses, Long Sleeve Dresses, Club Dresses, White Dresses!

Birthday Recap!

So yesterday I turned 24! OH my god... I feel old. 

Basically I am starting my quarter-life crisis a few years early!

I remember growing up waiting months and months for it to be my birthday. It meant the start of summer vacation, an end-of-year/birthday party and to be honest, being the center of attention for the day. I am so not the type to be in the spotlight and I always remember getting really excited about going to school on my birthday and then I'd hide all day so people wouldn't sing to me. The social anxiety was too much and the spotlight always far too bright. Haha!

This year, I awaited my birthday with excitement because I am heading home to Texas, but also dread because I'm another year older, but here's how yesterday went: 

This year with my birthday being on a Friday I did unfortunately have to go to work, but I dressed up in a cute outfit, rocked my favorite heels and finished packing for my trip!

I skipped breakfast to pack so by lunchtime I was on the verge of hangry. Since we're leaving town I asked KB to forgo the cake and flowers because I was worried they'd go to waste. So instead of a cake I got a cupcake and a coffee at lunch! (There are a lot of sweets in this post, don't judge.)

Top || Skirt || Watch || Earrings || Cuff || Shoes ||

I totally forgot to take a picture of my outfit yesterday, but I've recreated it with newer pieces for you to see! These were all things I already had in my closet! I changed out of the heels into sandals to walk to lunch :) 

Model Bakery's coconut  cupcakes are phenomenal!!

After work was over we jumped in the car and headed to San Francisco! We stopped at the hotel, I did a quick change (kept on the same shoes and jewelry and changed my dress) and we hopped in an Uber to dinner. We met some friends at Jardinére! It was such a great venue. We ordered some champagne and I had the salmon! Then they brought out a candle, a card, and some mini desserts!

After dinner we grabbed another Uber and went to a bar that I've wanted to go to for so long. Novela is a library-themed bar with books lining the walls, tin tiled ceilings and drinks named after popular fictional characters. And they make a variety of punches that can be ordered in a pitcher for your whole party. I chose to get the Leopold Bloom!

Then after a long day it was time for bed. However, the celebrating isn't over! I got to go today and pick up my birthday present from the mall! KB got me a new suitcase! Most of mine are duct taped together and have been completely destroyed by baggage handlers. So after taking them all over the world (literally) it was time to get a new one. Plus, he's tired of me stealing his large suitcase before he can pack it! It's navy so it won't show dirt and it's monogrammed!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! I'm heading home for birthday 2.0 with my family! Hope you all have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend!!

Love you lots,

Packing Tips!

I'm headed out on a ten day trip in a few days to see my family and friends in Texas. I'm spending my birthday weekend with everyone that I love and I couldn't be more excited! Plus, to top it all of I get to attend and be a part of my best friend's wedding and my brother's high school graduation. So it's an understatement when I say that it's gonna be a BUSY week and that I have soooo much to pack!

I've been traveling a ton in the last few years and I think I've finally got my suitcase system down! So I wanted to share some of the packing tips that I live by! I hate packing, but I love to travel so it's an inevitable chore that I have to do. These 8 tips usually help make the whole process easier!

Are you traveling anywhere this summer? What are you tips and tricks for packing?

Love you lots,

Memorial Day Weekend!

1. BP. Sunnies || 2. Karen Walker Sunnies || 3. Kate Spade Bikini Top & Bottoms ||

4. RHYTHM Blue Bikini Top & Bottoms || 5. RHYTHM Coral Bikini Top & Bottoms ||

6. Kate Spade Phone Case || 7. BP. Fringe Necklace || 8. Matt & Nat Backpack ||

9. Nordstrom Cuffs || 10. Matt & Nat Crossbody || 11. Sun & Shadow Shorts || 

12. ASTR Dress || 13. Thread & Supply Shirt || 14. Jack Rogers Sandals || 15. BP. Wedges ||

My birthday has always been on or around Memorial Day. That always means awesome sales just in time for some birthday shopping! Growing up it meant stretching my gift cards much further than on a normal weekend, but nowadays it means spending my birthday weekend shopping with my mom and finding some amazing deals!

I tend to do most of my shopping at Nordstrom or rather on their website. I love the quality and the great return policies — you know, in case my online ordering gets a little crazy! Every Memorial Day weekend they host their Half Yearly Sale and if you really want to shop until you drop check out the Clear the Rack sale. I will definitely be hitting up both this weekend! I might even do a little online shopping beforehand. I mean there's nothing wrong with getting yourself a little birthday gift, right? 

These are a few of my favorite things from the sale! They're all on sale and great for Memorial Day weekend! Sitting by the pool or hitting the sales? All of these pieces are great for a relaxed and fun weekend!

What sales are you most excited about this weekend? I'd love to hear where you plan to shop over the long weekend.

Love you lots,