Wednesday, February 19, 2014

What to Wear: Dreaming of Spring

It has snowed here no less than 3 times in the past month. I'm over it. This is the coldest winter since the 80s. I'm over it. I've been wearing flannel shirts and puffer vests like it's my job. I'm.over.it.

But, there is good news. The forecast this week includes 3 days in the mid 60s. I'm so excited about the possibility of being warm(ish) that I can't contain myself. I've looked through the L&L archives to find some of my favorite warm weather outfits.


This look is one my favorites. It combines my love for layering with my love for pastels.


This look is may be my favorite L&L look of all time. I'm a sucker for polka dots and hot pink.


This look makes me think about how awesome it is to wear skirts and sandals. Ah, to dream.


This look I love because I love sheer, flowy tops. It's my MO for spring.

What are you dying to wear this spring? Do you have a go to look? I'd love to hear about it! Until then, keep warm! I'm linking up for What I Wore Wednesday here.

Monday, February 17, 2014

How To: Modern Thanks

A true southern belle knows the importance of a expressing a proper thank you and my birthday was last week, so sending thank you notes is on my priority list. That being said, I want to say my thanks in a modern way without sacrificing significance.

I've teamed up with Tiny Prints to provide some tips on how to say a modern thank you.



Handwritten notes tend to make the best impression, but only if they're heartfelt. I can't even begin to say how important it is to write from the heart. You can click here to see Tiny Prints' selection of thank you notes.

Be sure to express what it is you loved most about the gift, gesture, etc., and specifically mention it. A generic "I really loved it" won't do. Go with something like "I loved the blender. I have a margarita recipe I've been dying to try. Now, I can!"

Unless you're super fancy (or just really like it), skip formalities like spelling out "Doctor" or "Avenue", for example. It's perfectly appropriate these days. For my closest friends, I use first names. That brings me to my next point...

Know your audience. A note to your best friend thanking her for a gift will look, feel, and sound totally different than a thank you note to your boss's wife for hosting the office dinner party.

Thank you notes should be within a week to two weeks. However, the sooner the better, in my opinion. So sit down with a cup of coffee and get to writing!






Monday, February 3, 2014

30 Before 30 Update

Wednesday is my 29th birthday. It makes me a little depressed; my last 20s birthday. Cue the dramatic music... Spare me the "you're still young" bullshit and just let me be a little bit sad. It's my birthday (almost) and I'll cry if I want to.

Last year, I made a 30 Before 30 list, and I updated it in August. Well now, I'm updating it again. I'm finding that the more I think about things I want to do, the more I want to adapt my list. But that's ok, because it's my list. So here we go, new items are bolded.

1. Travel to Europe
2. Take a cooking or baking class
3. Go back to Napa 4/26/13-4/30/13
4. Fill my house with items I love
5. Do a spending freeze for a month Done January 2014
6. Organize my closets UPDATE: Cleaned out master bedroom closet, linen closet
7. Go without television for a week
8. Call people instead of text or email for 2 weeks Done 6/4/13-6/18/13
9. Invest in a LV bag
10. See a show on Broadway
11. Print and organize my wedding photographs
12. Buy coffee for the person behind me in the Starbucks drive thru
13. Lose these dang 10 lbs I've put on
14. Attend a beyond fabulous event Dry Creek Valley Passport Festival 4/27/13-4/28/13
15. Go on a 'blate' Done 7/1/13
16. Grow an olive tree
17. DIY an ottoman DIYed a coffee table 5/12/13
18. Take a risk
19. Do canine good citizenship certification with Five
20. Commit to exercising at least 3 times a week for one year UPDATE: Started August 2013
21. Organize our wine collection UPDATE: Hung wine racks in November 2013
22. Send a card to a friend just because Done in September 2013
23. Do something I don't feel like doing just because it's good for me Gave up sodas on 5/30/13
24. Do a blog redesign Done 8/3/13
25. Go on a spur of the moment trip
26. Make my own laundry detergent Done 6/1/13
27. Send flowers to someone anonymously
28.Write a letter to myself to open when I'm 40.
29. Surprise my husband with something fabulous
30. Skinny dip (can you believe that I have never done this?)

Not tons of changes, I'm just trying to be a little more focused so I actually make myself do more of these. I've completed 10 of these and 3 more are in the works. I'm a little behind schedule.

What about you? What items are on your "to-do" list?

Thursday, January 30, 2014

How to: Budget Beauty Products

I'm all about saving money. Not really saving money, but saving money on things so I can buy more things. That makes sense, right? So when it comes to beauty products, if I can get a quality item at the drugstore you can bet your biscuit I'm going to snatch that sucker up and pocket the money I saved by not shopping at Sephora. What budget drugstore items do I love? Well I'm glad you asked...
Best Drugstore Finds
Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Ointment is a gross word, but this is some good stuff, y'all. It moisturizes in a way that I desperately need during these winter months.

Garnier BB Cream - I have mentioned my love for Garnier BB Cream before, but it is worth mentioning again. It seriously changed my life. It has way better coverage than most BB creams, but it still gives me a natural look.

Vaseline Rosy Lips - How you not love this? Extra points for it being in the teeny tiny tub that is so darn cute. I sadly could not find a link to purchase this product, except for Amazon. I hope that doesn't mean it has been discontinued!

Neutrogena Naturals Facial Cleanser - There is something about the Neutrogena brand that I trust without question. I have never once had an issue with any Neutrogena product irritating my skin. I love the Naturals line because it feels like I'm putting less chemicals on skin and eliminating their absorption into my body.

Suave Keratin Dry Shampoo - This is another product that single handedly changed my life. I swear  it works better than any "high dollar" dry shampoo those girls that Sephora push. Excuse me, ma'am, but I've got a $3 bottle that works just fine, honey.

Maybelline The Rocket Mascara - Love this mascara. It gives great volume without the clump. However, I will say I cannot use it on my lower lashes. The pigments fall under my eyes, and I look like I serious dark circles. But it is absolutely perfect on my upper lashes!

Loreal Colour Riche Balm - My mom bought  me a tube of this in December, and it is seriously almost gone. It feels like a balm, gives shine like a gloss, and comes in colors of lipstick. I'm using Nourishing Nude right now, but I definitely plan on getting other colors.

Yes to Blueberries Eye Treatment - The Yes To line has tons of great products. I like this eye treatment because it's rich in antioxidants. It smells great, too. Not at all chemically like some eye products I've used in the past.

Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Wash - I started using this body wash a couple of months ago, and I really like it a lot. It smells great, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft. I always think baby products are so much gentler on the skin and tend to lean towards them for products that go all over my body.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish - The $1.99 price tag on this polish caught my eye a few years ago. I've never really turned back. I've mentioned them on here before, and everything I said them still stands. The colors are great and last just as long as more expensive polishes.

There you have it. My favorite budget items at the drugstore. And no one paid me to say this. I really do love these products! What are your favorite drugstore finds?

Monday, January 27, 2014

Valentine's Gift Guide: For Him

What on earth do you get your guy for Valentine's Day? I ask myself this question every.single.year. Kris and I normally do a "cheesy" Valentine's Day, but still I wish that just once I could think of something to get him that he would really really like. Here are a few of my ideas...

For Him

 
Burberry Watch - perfect if you're a big spender or if your guy is a labels man

New Balance Shoes - I love these. I think they're super cute, and I'm always telling Kris he needs new tennies

Spring Training Tickets - Weekend Trip + Warm Weather + A Happy Man = Win Win

Manly Soap - Something about these scream man's man to me. I kind of dig it.

Heart Socks - Get into the holiday and give him heart socks. Why not?

"I Love You" Collar Stays - Kris loses the plastic collar stays constantly, or maybe I accidentally throw them away? Surely these metal ones wouldn't get lost.

Velvet Devil Merlot - Y'all this is some good wine. We went to the tasting room on our WA trip.

Cupid Boxers - You already got the socks, go ahead and spring for the boxers.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Beauty

Yes, friends and neighbors, Valentine's Day is just 3 weeks from tomorrow! But don't fret, I've got you covered. For the next few days, I'll be posting gift guides that are sure to check everyone off your list.


Beauty Gift Guide

Clinique Happy Heart, Tory Burch Cosmetic Bag, Benefit Benetint in Rose, OPI in Heart Throb, VS Makeup Mirror, Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Exfoliator, Forever 21 Candy Heart Nail Kit, Too Faced Sweethearts Blush

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Let's talk hair - my hair

While looking through old photos, it dawned on me that I may have hair issues. Photos are below. You be the judge.

College: 2006ish. The first time I was a blonde.



Pre-Law School: Late 2007ish. The chop.



Law School 1L: 2008-2009. The other time I was a blonde.



Law School 2L: 2009-2010. Awkwardly growing out, otherwise known as wedding prep.



Law School 3L: 2010-2011. The bangs.



Workin' Hard for the Money: 2012. Awkwardly growing out the bangs.



Still Workin' Hard for the Money: 2013. The ombre.



Workin' Even Harder for the Money: 2014. Present Day Middle Part.



So what do you think? Which hairstyle do you like the best?



 
SITE DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS