Any Occasion Summer Style

Work, play, weekend, week day - this ensemble could get you through the entire summer! A flirty, flattering frock in a can't-fail color, it's a Stella & Dot newcomer! Paired with accessories that are simple and fun, including some trendy pom-poms. Take or leave the hat and sunnies as necessary; keep the wedges and hoops- they're the bomb. (Do people say that anymore?... no?....) Don't spend your mornings in a fashion brainstorm. Call this your go-to summer uniform.

dress | hat | sunnies | earrings | bag | shoes

INDULDGE

With summer coming soon and camping season kicking off here in the Midwest, no better time to up your s'more game. While the classics will always be delish, it's so much fun to try something new. Which of these combinations would you most like to try? And how about those flavored marshmallows?! I'm definitely going to  give those a whirl.

CURRENTLY

Every few months I like to do an update on the things currently going on in my life. Here's an update since my last CURRENTLY, in February.

Reading...
I feel remorse to admit my reading has drastically gone downhill after our vacation in March. There's been zero desire to listen to audiobooks and even less desire to actually crack open a book. Here are the ones I did manage to read before and during our vacation... (and now looking at the list I'm realizing this is pretty good considering I read all of these in about 8 weeks time)

Paris for one and other stories by Jojo Moyes
Secrets in the Summer by Nancy Thayer
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Watts
Capital Gains by Chip Gains
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Gailbraith
The Selection Series: The Selection, The Elite, and The One by Kiera Cass

Doing...
Since our last update, I finished my semester of teaching - which was quite draining and labor intensive this semester. I've taken some time to relax and now I'm ready to start my next adventure. Another designer and I plan to study for the interior design registration exam. Really this should have been done several years ago, but I never found myself with the strong desire to sit down and do it. The prep will likely take a year, so you can see why the motivation hasn't been there. But I'd really like to get it done, and have another achievement to add to my resume.

I've also started a project on my dressing room but it's not finished yet. One more trip to Ikea and then I'll share my updates here!

Watching...
My TV watching has been quite ridiculous lately. This is probably why I haven't picked up a book in so many weeks. We are slowly continuing our way through the NCIS serious (on season 8 as of last night). I've also started re-watching Friends while doing things around the house. Of course Survivor is one of my favorite shows, so I've been watching that with my Nannie every week. Literally love that show.

Wearing...
Since I started my dressing room update, I'm able to access my jewelry SO. MUCH. BETTER. Which is great because it means I'm rotating pieces a lot better. One item I'm really loving and find super versatile is the Stella & Dot Ulani pendant. The weight is great and the chain is so nice. The pendant has a fun geometric yet somehow organic shape to it.

Raspberries for Everyone!

A fresh raspberry drink sounds nice and refreshing for spring. It's so common to find great cocktail recipes, but not quite as easy to find non-alcoholic versions for us mocktail fans. So I came up with a tasty options for everyone!

Option 1 version
4 shots of raspberry pomegranate vodka
1 ginger beer
*a handful of raspberries
*1/2 a lime, juiced
*mint leaves

*These ingredients get muddled then top with lots of ice, then  the vodka and beer. Garnish with lime and mint


Option 2 version
2 cups of raspberries (I like frozen)
1.5 cups of water
1/4 cup cane sugar
mint springs (6-8)
1 cup of lime juice
3 cups soda water

Simmer the raspberries and water in a saucepan over med/high heat. Once the berries are soft and nearly dissolved, stir in the mint spring and remove from the heat. Let it cool completely and remove the mint. Strain the solids and discard and add the lime juice to the liquid. Divide it into 6 glasses and top with soda water. Garnish with mint leaves. (I will make this as a batch and keep it in the fridge for a treat throughout the week.)

Look for Less

Recently browsing through the summer CB2 catalog, I fell in lust with this outdoor space. It's so Palm Springs and who doesn't want a Palm Springs vibe in their backyard?! When adding up the total cost of all the items in the picture, I was actually not blown away by an absurd price. Especially when it comes to the smaller accessories, I find them to be extremely reasonable. Still though, I thought it would be interesting to pull together a similar look from less expensive retailers.

A couple of things about the look for less items. In all honesty, I'm not super thrilled with the selection of tables at a lower price point. I went with these for a couple of reasons - the price was great and the color scheme was on point. Another thing I considered was doing a DIY mosaic on the top surface, to get closer to the look of the inspiration pieces. I think the coffee table would especially be an easy project.

Speaking of tables, the total cost of the look for less gets you two side tables at two different sizes, which I love versatility of. The hurricane lamp also comes in a set of three - double bonus!

Putting together this look for less was so fun. Let me know if I should keep doing them! Oh, and can you spot the item I duplicated in both looks?!

shop the look
shop the look for less: sofa | cushions | side tables | coffee table | pillows | bowl | coasters | tumblers | decanter | hurricane

You'll See Them Everywhere!

Feeling like showing some skin? The shoulder is classy, go give it a spin. With or without straps, off the shoulder is here to stay. All summer long it's the sassy way to play. They have them everywhere, all the shops and boutiques. Every pattern in color can't help but make you chic!

red floral | striped dress | patterned tank | smocked floral | tropical bell sleeve | mint gingham

FIESTA like there's no MANANA

Go on party people! Fiesta, siesta, tequila, repeat. Cinco things you need for a BOMB.COM Cinco de Mayo party...

1. Churro flavored cupcakes because I don't even know how hard it is to make real churros but it seems hard so cupcakes it is.

2. A colorful but easy photo backdrop. This is a DIY anyone could do. Seriously. If you can use scissors and tape, you got this.

3. Sombreros for the photobooth. Forget about that package of paper, cut-out photobooth accessories. Go with the sombrero.

4. A pinata is a no-brainer. They add color, are a fun activity for all ages, and are classic party decor. Want to make your own? I have a tutorial here. Or go the easy route and pick one up at the party store.

5. What's a party without balloons? I would opt for some metallic letters or a cactus (or two) but I've seen tacos, margaritas, sombreros - so many good options.

cupcake recipe | pinata | background diy | foil balloons & cactus balloon | sombrero

Bonus Points if You Know this Song

Think late 2000's. Think TV to Movie. Think pop star. If you still don't have it, we can't be friends. Sometimes this silly little tune enters my brain and won't. go. away. So I used it as inspiration. Popsockets are currently my obsession and the main thing I consider when choosing a phone case.

Lock that gorgeous makeup into place with a few of my favorite setting options. I use all three of these on a daily basis, which is how I get my poor face through a full day's work and evening meetings/activities. Makeup Forever on top of my foundation, Bare Minerals over my concealer, and a facial spray after everything is applied. These beauties work wonders.

Polka dots are the IT pattern of the season. End of story :)


popsockets
makeup forever | skindinavia | bare minerals
polka dot dress polka dot top polka dot denim