Happy Weekend!

 

Hi there friends! Hope you all had a great week! What are you up to this weekend? Mine is filled with wedding festivities for my sister's wedding {I actually get an extra day since I left yesterday!} First up is a couple days at the lake and then a shower by the Blake side of the family and then off to Georgia on Sunday for the groom's side! It will be busy, but tons of fun seeing family I haven't seen in a while and celebrating the bride-to-be. Have a relaxing weekend and visit these fun links from around the web . . .

 

A song for your weekend.

 

What's the most famous brand in your state? - I have to disagree on this one. I mean, what about Milo's or Blue Bell ice cream?! And I'm pretty sure Saks is best known in New York.

 

Art on toast.

 

14 books to read before they hit the big screen.

 

Making this summer inspired cake this weekend.

 

Having a frumpy day? Try this trick.

 

Anthropologie has hit the jackpot. I am so in love with this, this, and this.

 

Natalie Deayala Collection is the best -love her high neck mini!

 

How bubbly can boost your brain power.

 

The best SNL skits.

 

Humans of New York. 

 

Now this is cool Urban Outfitters.

Friends That Travel | Cati

 

My family and I are spending a week in California. We will start in Los Angeles - explore Sunset Boulevard, Grauman's Chinese Theater, spend an evening at Santa Monica Pier, and the most exciting to me . . . We got tickets to the Conan O'Brien Show! Next we will head to San Diego, hit up Six Flags along the way, but spend our next couple days at the zoo and enjoy this city's notoriously delicious food. We will end our trip in Anaheim, spending our last 2 days in Disneyland ;) 

  Each outing deserves a fun outfit that is both comfortable and functional. I love maxi skirts, because they are dressier than jeans but are so comfy! But most importantly, I packed a good amount of flats due to all of the walking and added in a lot of fun accessories to spruce up my outfits. My birthday dinner will be in LA, of which I picked something a little fancier. Who doesn't like getting all dolled up for their birthday? For our amusement park days, I chose a comfy cute outfit - I adore Keds/Converse, anything fun that shows off my personality! 

California Dreaming

Santa Monica Pier

Birthday Dinner

Exploring San Diego

Theme Park

Friends That Travel | Mallory

 

Few things are as lovely as going on a new adventure in the summer! As a teacher, I take every single travel opportunity I can over my summer break. First stop: Stamford, CT to visit a best friend from college. As I've traveled more often, I've realized that relying on a carry-on and not checking baggage is the way to go. I've also learned that summer travel requires a few essentials. 

 

 

 1) A maxi dress | I have a maxi dress obsession. A good basic dress like the one pictured is my too essential travel item. It's easy to throw a cute cardigan or an airy sweater over it for flying or casual roaming around your new surroundings. For a night out on the own, grab some wedges to dress is up!

2) A sheer top | This is a close second to my obsession with maxi dresses. A sheer, flowy shirt is the perfect summer travel option. It can go from a precious beach cover up, a casual shirt to pair with shorts for a lunch date, or with white jeans and a great statement necklace for dinner.

3) A colorful necklace | I am loving long necklaces this season. A bright and colorful one is perfect to dress up that maxi for a night out, or over a plain tee and jeans to pull an outfit together.

4) A great book | Kisses from Katie is what I'm currently burying my nose in (for the 3rd time). It's a wonderful story of a 20-something who found herself in Uganda, adopting children, and starting a non-profit by the grace of God. No matter where I'm going, a great book for the airplane or the beach to read is lovely.

5) A camera | Last, but not least, my camera is with me at all times. My big purchase last summer was a Nikon D3000 and I am still in love. I love the quality of the photos and capturing every moment of a new adventure.

Happy traveling!

 

- Mallory

P.S. Mallory is about to go on a twelve day mission trip to Ghana. Please pray for her and the team she is going with for safe travels and that God would be glorified in everything that happens in the duration of their trip!

The LWD

One of my favorite colors to wear year round is white, although I am prone to spill something within the first five minutes I put it on. Anyone else out there with this issue? A little white dress has become a recent favorite in place of the classic little black dress. It's versatile for almost all occasions {refrain from wearing to weddings and bridal showers} and you'll stand out from the black sea of LBD. I love pairing a LWD with cognac leather sandals and adding color with other accessories like a coral clutch or turquoise bauble necklace.

Donna Karan // Karen Millen // Calypso St. Barth // A.L.C. // Monsoon // The Row

The Weekend

 

Happy Monday friends! Whoa, that weekend went by too fast. How was your first weekend of the summer? I was in desperate need of some social time with friends. I loved visiting with college friends I haven't seen in a couple weeks and planning for some fun adventures this upcoming week! Want to know a secret? One of the keys to my heart is a good cup of coffee that has a pretty swirl on top. Combine that with catching up with some friends I haven't seen since high school {crazy right?!}. Talk about a good night spent reminiscing on old times and talking about the future! Let's pray that this week goes a little slower so I can savor some of these fun summer nights!

 



Happy Weekend!

I feel like I've been in the summer state of mind for the past few weeks, but now it is official: happy first day of summer! Have any fun plans for the weekend? Other than a few work related things, I am so excited to be spending the weekend with friends and celebrating birthdays! I have been a hermit for a couple weeks now and I need some social-ness in my life. Ever get in those ruts too? Have a great weekend and enjoy these fun posts from around the web . . .

Since JM's new single was just released{and his album is out August 13 - eeekk!}, enjoy this song for your weekend!

6 habits of successful women.

It's official: I secretly {well, not anymore} hope this blog continues to share the years of marriage and cute kiddos like Naomi and Sydney. Seriously, how cute are these families?!

Everyone loves a little comfort food, here's a version of grown up mac and cheese.

Note to self, don't piss off a truck driver.

A cool water project in Peru.

Two of my favorite men.

I am loving Leo's sweet dance moves.

A simple wine + cheese pairing.

Watermelon is now in season, which means fresh watermelon mojitos!

I am getting so excited about this collaboration.

10 snacks for a mid-day boost.

Are you a camper or glamper?

Are you on the video band wagon?

Trying this guacamole recipe this weekend.

Adding Vancouver to the must-visit list.

Find more inspiration over at The Blake Collection's tumblr.

the perfect bit of fancy

Zara Leather Sandal // Loeffler Randall Dahlia Platform // Vince Camuto Padrita // Kate Spade Ila // Michael Kors Plate Mid Heel // Rebecca Minkoff Ragini Slide // Chinese Laundry // Shoemint Carol

 

Last week we talked about swoon-worthy summer flats. Today, I bring you my favorite heels. I don't wear them as often as I used to or as much as I'd like to now {note to self: adding this to the summer must list}. Mr. Louboutin smartly states the stiletto is a feminine weapon that men just don't have. They make you feel confident, powerful, and sexy. Not to mention they complete every outfit with a little sparkle, shine, and sophistication. What's your go-to heel this summer?

Monday Muse

I know it's Monday, but man do I feel refreshed! I had a great weekend celebrating my dad and catching up on my reading and laughing my head off with cousins via FaceTime - it was good for the soul. Sometimes pictures are not only worth a thousand words, but a thousand inspirations. These are a few pins I've gotten a weeks worth of ideas that range from travelling to the city of love to fresh ingredients that rock your eyes and your stomachs to killer style taken from a toddler. Hope y'all are ready for a productive week because it's go time! Happy Monday friends!

Happy Weekend

We're in the start of summer {at least on my calendar, ha!} and I am loving it! I spotted this dress about a week ago and have been lusting ever since. It's by Flynn Skye and I'm dying to get my hands on one - the first cut quickly sold out, but lucky us the reorders just went out yesterday! Have any fun plans this weekend? I'm on the hunt for a fun summer read. I love it all - biographies, romance, adventure, and mystery. Any suggestions? Have a good one and til Monday, enjoy these fun links from around the web!

A fun song for your weekend.

Are you going to watch Miss USA on Sunday? I'll be rooting for a friend and UA alum!

12 things you didn't know about Breakfast At Tiffany's.

Watermelon & blackberry margaritas. Could I have that?

How to fake your way in NYC.

What's in a dress?

Have you seen the subway ballet?!

Dreaming of a dinner party catered by the incredible Chef Roblé.

20 things we learn from dad.

How to make sense of a wine list.

My Father's Day Gift Guide.

Rock concert audience evolution.

Meet the chef behind the cronut.

The prettiest romper for summer.

Fig + Brown Sugar Ice Cream - yum!

The coolest dinner party table set-up.

summer flats

ASOS LINK Pointed Ballet Flat // Zara Basic Thong Sandal // Madison Harding Arty Flat Sandal {on sale!} // Loeffler Randall Luella Sandal // Superga Woven Cotu Sneaker // Topshop FLASH 2 Sandal // Soludos Classic Stripe // Rachel Zoe Gladys Sandal 

I love a good summer flat. In fact, I'd wear a sandal everyday of the year if I could. Espadrilles, thong sandals, sneakers, fancy flats. You name it, I love it. Now don't get me wrong, I love a pretty high heel {more on my favorites next week}. They're fun to pair with shorts and a button down or sneakers and a dress. Either way, you'll look ultra chic and your feet will thank you at the end of the day. One thing I found when both visiting and living in the city, you have to have some pretty darn good walking shoes. I learned my lesson after a day walking around lower Manhattan and coming home with broken skin and welts on my heels.  The best part of all these fun flats . . . they come in all different colors and patterns!

Father's Day Gift Guide

Can you believe it's almost Father's Day? Nope, me neither. Ha! Well, I never fret over this holiday since my dad makes it clear that he doesn't need another shirt, tie, mug or any other traditional gift you give your dad each year. You know what he wants for every birthday, Christmas, or gift-giving holiday? Either iTunes or Starbucks gift cards. Boring right? But that's what he loves and actually uses. Easy enough for me, but sometimes I wish he would like one of these unique gifts . . .

Moonshine - A Gentleman's Cologne

Portable battery for dad-on-the-go

To make sure he's always on time

 

 How to be a modern gentleman

 

 

Beer making kit

 

Handmade Leather iPhone Case

 

 

rainy days

As the weather man predicted, it's been raining all weekend and  plans to stay that way through the week. Darn you Tropical Storm Andrea. On the bright side, I've brought out the wellies - which I love! And since wearing them non-stop can be a bit tiresome, here are some outfits to swap out those heavy boots and still look chic in the rain . . .