Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty has started, and this is such an amazing time to try some of those products you’ve been hearing about! Some of my favorite makeup items are included in the sale, so I’m excited to tell give you my input and why it’s worth taking the plunge.
This and this are two of my favorite mascaras. I use this one during the week for a soft, natural lash and this onewhen I want to really amp it up for date night or in photos. I read once that Jessica Alba uses this eyelash curler, and since she is #beautygoals, I bought it myself. It’s amazing and I’ll never go back to a drugstore curler!
This is one of my favorite blushes (I have it in Rapture and Score), and we all know this one is an OG (I have it in Blissful). Dermalogica has been one of my favorite skincare brands since an esthetician recommended it when I was in jr. high – I’ve been using it ever since!
I discovered this tanner (I know I’m late to the game), and it’s everything everyone says it is. Don’t forget to use a mitt!
Have you guys been shopping the sale? I love that Ulta does this every year – such an amazing time to try some of their best-selling products! Thanks so much for reading – XO
– some new brow products that are seriously amazing, this pomade is my new addiction –
– a new batch of pink tulips after the last bouquet did so well –
– when the rumba runs and the animals follow me from room to room trying to escape it –
– Valentino rockstud dupes that I’m going to live in this summer –
Happy Friday! We are spending this weekend in California and enjoying the sunshine before I head back to New York next week. This time I’ll be sans Christian and traveling for CBL, so I can’t wait to share more details soon!
I’ve been trying to eat clean this week after living my best life for a long weekend – eating pasta, drinking wine and waiting in line to get Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. #NoRegrets. When it’s cold outside I seem to think all of my clothes are yoga pants and bring. it. on. When I’m feeling puffy, one of my favorite (and fastest) healthy way to de-bloat quick is to make a big batch of green smoothies each morning. I’ll sip on it all day and snack on veggies, unsalted almonds or if I’m craving something more savory I’ll make guacamole with sweet bell peppers or have a few boiled eggs with truffle salt. As long as I don’t have events or travel, I can easily be healthy – but I’m all about that YOLO life when I’m traveling!
I also am heading to Mexico in less than two weeks so there’s some motivation. Swimsuit season is upon us… can you believe it!?
I will be working this weekend and Christian is on call, so nothing too exciting happening over here but I hope you have some fancier plans! Thanks so much for reading and entering the Votivo giveaway! I plan to announce a winner next week so stay tuned. XO –
It’s officially spring you guys, so it’s time to show a little leg! With that comes some self tanner and a comfortable pair of neutral heels to elongate your legs and bring them out of their winter hiding place.
You might remember me sharing my love of block heels in this post, but I love them because they give me some height but feel comfortable enough for all day wear. This strappy pair is so versatile, and while they aren’t available online just yet (but will be in April!), you can shop all kinds of block heel styles from Aerosoles here.
Some of my classic spring staples I definitely want in my closet are a neutral block heel, cotton maxi dress (if it’s got a low back or scoop back all the better) and denim jacket. You can wear these pieces so many different ways (like this jacket styled here or this dress styled here), and they are breathable, comfortable and flattering.
I don’t know a girl who doesn’t love a good candle. When the sun is setting, there are two things I always do when I’m home – turn on our patio bistro lights and light a candle. I’ve gone as far as to bring a small candle and matches with me when I travel. And I’m always glad that I have them when I remember to bring them!
Today is actually National Fragrance Day and I’ve teamed up with Votivo to share some of the ways I like to incorporate candles and diffusers in our home. I first noticed Votivo at Nordstrom, and when I ventured over to their website to see their vast collection of fragrances, I saw this gorgeous mercury glass candle in red currant. I had to have it. It smells so luxurious and the aroma literally fills the entire downstairs of our townhouse. It is heavenly!
I have linked every candle and diffuser I have of theirs below, but I have to chat about the Fragrance Mist in Honeysuckle. It smells so fresh, and I love to spray it in our room at night after we’ve showered. Climbing into fresh sheets in a room that smells like honeysuckle? All I need is for Southern Charm to start back already and I’m back in the South.
I also love that the candles are a soy-blend wax, and Votivo is offering a fun giveaway to two CBL readers, so scroll down to see how you can enter!
Update 3/31: The winners are… Nichole and Rachel!! They have been contacted and will be claiming their prize. Thank you so much to everyone who entered – more fun giveaways soon! XO –
This navy jumpsuit from Banana Republic is such a versatile spring piece for day to night wear. It is perfectly appropriate for most work offices, but add a bold lip and the right clutch, and you can definitely take it to a date night level!
Spring is such an energizing shift from winter, both emotionally and environmentally. The extra hour of daylight (!!), sunshine, flowers, pastels – it’s such a fresh change. With that comes spring cleaning, and some of the spring staples I like to always have in my closet are great pants (both skinny and wide leg), dresses, light sweaters and classic outwear pieces (like a trench coat and denim jacket).
Banana Republic is a great place to stock up on crisp classics and their spring selection is serving some major seasonal inspo!
– trying a new eye product from one of my favorite skincare brands, Dermalogica –
– a sparkly new tea kettle that makes me want to drink more tea –
– happy hour on the patio –
– the smell of a fresh basil plant –
– packing for NYC –
Happy Friday! This week has breezed by all too quickly, and I’m writing this update from chilly New York. It’s been in the 70s/80s all week in California, so here’s to hoping we don’t get sick from the intense weather/time change. Whenever I come to NY I usually get sick… I don’t know what that’s about! It’s worth it though, who doesn’t love this city!?
I spent most of the week working ahead so I could unplug with C during this long weekend trip for his work. With the delightful time change, I spent most late afternoons taking walks with Bailey and then finishing up blog posts with John Mayer‘s latest cd and a glass of pinot grigio under the bistro lights on our patio. We ate dinner outside every night this week, and our little patio remains one of my favorite spots of our house.
I am STOKED that S-Town is finally being released and we got to hear a preview this week! I think I have withdrawals from Sarah Koenig’s voice. I know it will be amazing, and the days are numbered until I can binge the series (and listen to those amazing Alabama accents, that’s one of my favorite things about the Up and Vanished podcast!).
This is only Christian’s third time in NYC, so I’m hoping to show him a good time. He’s definitely more of a beach boy/outdoorsy guy, so city life is not really his thing. He is most excited to walk around in Central Park because he didn’t get around to it during his first two visits. If it was warmer I would rent bikes so we could bike but regardless, I’m determined to show him why I love this place so much!
Anyone have any plans this weekend? I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
Something about this dress is giving me major 90’s vibes, and I’m digging it. Christian (and probably every other guy out there) loves when I opt for a bodycon dress, but I’m really particular about the style because it’s not worth being self-conscious. The most important thing to remember when putting together every outfit is, “do I feel good in this?” Confidence is everything and what pulls off any look!
This LBD from Nordstrom is the perfect bodycon dress for me because of the ruching in the front. It adds a little camouflage, and the length and fit allows for smoothing undergarments if you really don’t want to worry about anything being out of place. Not into bodycon? No worries, I linked several other fab midi dress choices from Nordstrom below!
Or you can add a black vest if you don’t want to show off too much…
I really recommend this slinky LBD if you’re looking for something bodycon, but I think the other options I linked above from Nordstrom are great options too!
Thanks so much for reading, and if you have a favorite LBD I’d love to hear what makes it so special! XO –
Is there anything fresher than a crisp white dress!? I love the combo of fabric, length and bell sleeves (!!!) on this Venus maxi dress, and I know I’ll be packing it for an upcoming girls trip to Cabo.
When packing for a tropical vacation, I try to bring solid pieces. That way I can accessorize and wear them differently throughout the trip to minimize the weight of my suitcase. I think this dress would look so great with lace-up flat sandals and a big beach hat for daytime or you can dress it up like I did in these photos for a night out.
But I can already tell I’ll only be able to wear this dress once during my vacation because I know one of the girls is going to want to borrow it! No worries, I’m linking two more vacation-ready styles below –
This feels like the perfect spring combo – a blush maxi dress with a suede moto jacket to balance out the feminine lace. Spring is a time when we all can’t wait to change up some of the pieces in our closet but still need an extra layer because it’s not fully warm yet.
This is an example of how to get through the season! Find a few great layering pieces like this moto jacket, this faux leather jacket or this denim piece (also love this one). You can pull out all your favorite spring pieces and layer them up to create your own spring style. Dressing for the weather always trumps everything else – no one looks cute when they’re shivering or sweating!
I’m sharing a few more dresses that I think would look great with this moto jacket below –
I think red is a major power color. It makes a statement all on its own, and pair that with a bada$$ culotte jumpsuit, and we are on another level!
This is a piece I would put on when I want to make an impression. If your small up top, it’s a great pick for you because it shows off your waist with the pleat detailing and adds pockets and coverage on the bottom (that’s a win for me!).
– adding a few MacKenzie Childs pieces to our kitchen and falling in love with this classic bowl –
– new blush mules that are going to be spring staples –
– the most gorgeous silk pajamas that almost feel too pretty to wear –
– a successful 30th birthday party for Christian (balloons here) –
I don’t know how it happened exactly, but after C bought me the most beautiful fiddle leaf fig tree for our wedding anniversary several years ago, I slowly morphed into the plant lady. I have numerous succulents, citrus trees and herbs on our patio and three potted plants downstairs that I tend to like extra pets. I water them on Fridays and whenever I travel without C he always wakes up to texts from me on Friday, “don’t forget about the plants!!”
The one above came from Silk Plants Direct, and it’s the first faux potted plant I have had. From the beginning I thought a plant would look so great in our shared office, but the room doesn’t get as much natural light as other rooms in our house so I didn’t think a plant would survive. This one was the perfect choice, and it brings so much color and vibrancy into the space.
I had some catching up to do this week because I spent the weekend celebrating Christian’s birthday and totally unplugged. The poor guy had to take a standardized test for his residency program on his 30th birthday from 7:30 – 4:30, so sad!! He studied the night before, but after his test it was on. We had a huge group go to dinner together and everyone came back to our house for what felt a little more like a 21st birthday party. It was awesome, and it made me so happy to see Christian so happy! He’s a reserved guy but loves a good party. I discovered this when we got engaged and discussed our wedding for the first time. I wanted 25 people in Mexico… he was like, “but I want a big party with all of our friends and family.” It threw me for a real loop!
He had a great night, and it ended with one of the first year residents who is from Hawaii reluctantly teaching everyone how to hula after much begging. It’s actually a lot harder than you would think!
I’m going to be working over the weekend but C is on call and has some work to do himself… so it looks like we’ll be winding down with some laptops and Homeland. I’ll definitely be spending a few hours at the pool if it stays as sunny and warm as the weather report says it’s going to be (insert praise hands).
Any big weekend plans for you guys? And I’m almost done with season 1 of Homeland – and hooked. I know I’m really late to this game, but do you guys watch this show?
Soooo… it’s been a minute since I shared an update on Whole30 and my progress. I shared the first post here and the second post here. Well, that’s because…
I failed this time.
We spent a weekend in February at Terranea Resort and a weekend in Palm Springs. To be frank, it was too challenging to maintain and I fell off the wagon. I thought I could do it, I even called both hotels ahead of time to see if they had mini fridges and brought some of my own fruit and snacks. BUT, a little butter in my potatoes here, a piece of flatbread there and before I knew it, I was still eating pretty healthy but definitely not Whole30-approved.
I knew I would be having the occasional wine during the month but I wanted to be totally honest (as I always try to be on CBL) that by cheating a little during our vacation, it carried into the week once I got home.
SO, this is my final update… my failure! I think some people are able to do Whole30 while traveling and kudos to you – you’re my superhero. For me, I really learned this time that this eating program can only be done when I have 30 days without travel. It adds so much stress to what can be already stressful when it comes to traveling, so I learned my boundaries.
This recipe above can be found here, and I went cheese-free and it was still so good! On to the next! Thanks so much for reading, and if you have any tips for eating well during vacationing, I’d love to hear! XO –
