Not A LSU Fan...

But, love this dress!

 You see, my blood runs orange.

And not Texas Longhorns orange, TENNESSEE VOLS orange:)

 And, so does my little one's. This was taken Sept 2010.

36 more days til it's Football Time in Tennessee!

Oh, and we're wearing - 

Me: Anthropologie Serengeti Sundress, Banana Republic cardi, & Dolce Vita sandals

My little: Tea Collection dress (and very proud of her "underwears")

Happy Friday!

{Golden Rays}

Golden rays=sun in Seattle. 

It also=this little beauty. 

I snagged this skirt when it went on sale. I just love it. And, I'm equally in love with the Loosened Shelby Blouse - so in love that I called my mom in Memphis, TN to browse her store for it as it was gone in the Seattle stores. She found it; she's the best! I think the two make a pefect pair:)

 

Anthropologie Golden Rays skirt, Loosened Shelby Blouse, & Dearie Me wedges

July Birchbox

I am really happy with this month's birchbox. It had so many great samples to try and of those I've tried, I love them!

What I received:

Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist  - I am a huge fan of lightweight hairspray. I have super thin hair and these bangs of mine need a little hold so I don't have a bang butt cut. I have only tried this once thus far, but like it. Lightweight but still hefty enough to hold those flyaways all day. I currently use BigSexyHair volumizing hairspray available at Target and Amazon for roughly $14. Downside to the Redken product is it's only available at Redken salons and you have to purchase in-store. No thanks for me unless I fall in love. I'm an online shopper and expect free shipping, preferably 2 day (thanks, Amazon for creating this new expectation of mine across all retail:)).

Nuxe Huile Dry Oil - Love, love, love this stuff! I don't wear foundation so didn't take advice from the video link below, but dab a little of this stuff over my blush for a sheer, dewy look. This dry oil smells amazing!

How to Get Dewy Skin 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser  - I haven't tried this product yet but I love all the other Philosophy products I have bought so I'm sure this one won't disappoint.

Zoya Touch Collection  - I'm not a big fan of painting my fingernails; I never have. I always have my toes painted but like my fingernails au naturel. I did play around with this neutral polish and was pleasantly surprised. It's actually still on my nails. I received a gray polish from this brand several Birchboxes ago, but gray? blah, so I never tried it. It's not OPI but still a good polish. I received the Pandora color.

Kind Bar - Oh my goodness! These.things.are.amazing!!!! If you're a fruit and nut chewy granola bar lover like I am, you will love these. I didn't get a picture of what I received in the Birchbox because my little one had already eaten most of it. Thank goodness she left me some because I about died and went to heaven after tasting it. The saturated fat is a little higher than the other granola bars I like (Lara Bars), but I don't think I really care because these are so good. I just checked them out on Amazon and there are tons of flavors (15 to be exact). I had the Almond & Apricot flavor but some others are:

(click for better view)

190 calories. 5 grams of fiber. 13g sugar. 4g protein. They are gluten free, too! I just placed an order. They'll be here Saturday:)

My favorites from June:

 Laura Geller Baked Blush n Brighten

 Pangea Organics Facial Toner

I have used both of these every day since I received them. LOVE and will be ordering full sized bottles once these run out.

That's the rundown for the July Birchbox!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary! Wowzers! My hubby and I have known each other since we were 17! He actually showed up at my surprise 18th birthday party my sweet friends threw me. I can promise you it hasn't been a bed of roses but we've been through it all together and I wouldn't know what do to without him:)

I showed up to work today with a Markman's jewelry box on my desk (we both work for Amazon in the same building -  so convenient). It took me a minute or so to realize it was Markman's and that is the jewelry store in Knoxville, TN my wedding ring and band came from. I opened it and there was the other half of my wedding bands. Yippee!

 Isn't it perty!

And, this is what I wore to work today.

Anthropologie Darting Dragonfly Dress

Seychelles Chirp Open-toe Pump

Our little family celebrated the night at nearby Latin (I call it Mexican) restaurant, Mission. Tomorrow we're headed to the beach all day (it's going to be 80!!!) and then I got us a babysitter so Brian and I can go out:)

Should be a great weekend!

And, a Happy Birthday to Anthroholic blog! Kim's blog is celebrating it's 2nd birthday! If you don't follow it, you should. She's super sweet, has a great sense of style, and she's in the know of all things Anthropologie.

What I Wore - Double Blues

This week has been a tough one due to the nasty cold I've been fighting for weeks flaring up so I had about 10% desire to get out of bed, much less get dressed! I guess I was feeling "the blues" because I drug out this cardigan several times:)

 

 GAP Laser-cut floral bib top

Target belt

Banana Republic jeans and wedges

Merona Sea Cascade cardigan

I'm a little embarrassed to say I've had this dress for 7+ months and this is the first time I've worn it. Part of the reason is that it's a little big and the other, I think it's more of a fall/winter dress and I pretty much wear nothing but jeans during that time of year due to rain. I'm going to try to be better and diversify a bit more this year after finding all sorts of inspiration from your blogs!! But I thought the nude shoes and blue cardigan brightened and lightened things up a bit so I could wear it now.

 Anthropologie Lapulla dress - on Ebay

Anthropologie Media Via Belt - on sale now

Merona Sea Cascade cardigan - Target

Seychelles Chirp sandals

 I get in a "rain rut" here in Seattle and it really affects my mood. I love clothes, have a closet full of so many things I adore and find I don't wear a lot of them during the fall/winter rainy months. Do you get in these kinds of ruts? What do you do to snap out of them?

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What A Weekend - Summer Fest Edition

We were so busy this weekend! Our neighborhood had it's 3 day Summer Fest. It is so nice to be 1 block away from all the festivities, especially carnival food (hehe). I'll share with you my weekend attire through this Summer Fest edition.

On Saturday after running errands, including my favorite place Tarjay, we headed to the festival. Ella enjoyed the Kids Area which included riding the saucer ride (what is this darn thing called? I just think of Disneyland's teacups), the bouncy house, chair swing, and eating ice cream and cotton candy. We actually hit up the fair twice - 1 mid afternoon run through and then for dinner. Did I mention the philly cheesesteak was delic?!

 Riding the saucer thing with her Dad

 Dancing to the local band's tunes

What I'm wearing:

GAP tee

Free People skirt

Banana Republic sandals

 A little bouncy house action

She loves my new wristlet. I bragged about how I was lusting this puppy here. Well, I finally bought it and love it! Etsy buy from lireca - visit store here.

 And, of course, ice cream....oh, we're on to Sunday now (hence the outfit change). Yes, we went back again!

  This was her favorite!

 I finally got that corn dog and mango lemonade I wanted (not pictured:)).

What I'm wearing:

Anthropologie Brickwork Tee

GAP jeans
Diana Warner earrings, David Yurman bracelet, Steve Madden shades

Can't see but have on red skinny belt and Anthro sandals:)

I snagged these cute earrings from a local artist. I've bought earrings from him in the past and was so glad he was back this year.

I also planted some flowers. I LOVE flowers!! If I had the patience I would plant tons more in our tiny flower beds...maybe next month.

And, lost but not least, I made the mallows! Yep! 

Was it easy? No.  

Why, you ask? Too many drawn out steps like "let mixture mix for 15 minutes," "let mixture sit for 2 hours," "make sure each marshmallow square is covered in the cornstarch/powdered sugar mixture on all sides," and "sit on a cake rack overnight". What is a cake rack? I used the rack in our micowave! Sure did, took that baby out, washed it, and put every single marshmallow on there to dry...overnight!

Are they good? YES!!! Very sweet though. I can only have 2 and feel sick and we all know, I can usually handle my sugar.

Would you do it again? Haven't decided yet. It's not a complicated process but it takes too long!

Ok, I'm done talking now. How was your weekend? Was it eventful?

For the Culinary Challenged - Oh My Mallow!

Yes....that's right....HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS! Check out this recipe The Pioneer Woman posted today (another one of my fave blogs!!).

 For those of you not familiar with my marshmallow obsession, you can learn more here and here. 

And the recipe - see here.

I think I just added making these to my weekend to-do list!

Awkward & Awesome Thursday

I along with many other bloggers are jumping on the Awkward & Awesome Thursday bandwagon! If you haven't visited Sydney's blog, The Daybook, it's a must. I've been following her blog for quite some time now and the girl is hilarious! I look forward to her daily posts, whether it be about fashion (she has a super adorable style) to her funny updates about going through her first pregnancy. And, her hubby takes great pics of her:) Check out her blog, she will keep you coming back for more! 

Anyway, even though I don't have a ton of awkwards and awesomes this week, I'm going to participate:)

Awkward:

- So I was in a meeting with my legs stretched out under the table, feet crossed, and rubbing them together. Well, my boss was sitting across from me and after several foot rubbings, he looked at me funny. Come to find out, that table leg I thought I was rubbing against was actually his foot! I about died! A-W-K-W-A-R-D!!!

- In another meeting (yes, this is all I do these days), I was sitting next to one of our Finance guys and he had a snap button shirt on. As he leaned back stretching his arms, his button pops open across his chest in the man boob region. I mean, he doesn't have man boobs but I thought that was funnier than "chest." Anyway, I happened to be looking right at him, saw this in action, and started cracking up laughing. This kind of thing isn't supposed to happen to a dude! He now reminds me to keep my eyes where they belong.

 Awesome:

- The McDonald's Rolo McFlurry sitting in the freezer right now waiting for me to devour!

- The picture I took today of a colleague planking on our Director's desk while he was out of his office. If you're not familiar with this craze, view this video. And, no I can't share the image because he would probably kill me.

- My neighborhood's annual Summer Fest starts tomorrow! Even though it means I have to park 2 blocks from my house because they block off our street, we're 1 block away from 20+ local bands playing, vendor stands of all sorts of goodies including candles, pottery, jewelry, and baked goods, a kids area for Ella to play in, the farmer's market, a beer garden, and so much more - like funnel cakes, and good carnival food.

Below are some other fellow bloggers participating in this A&A Thursday:

Anthroholic

Respect the Shoes

The Savvy Speechie

What do you find awkward or awesome in your life? You know you have it in you!

Happy Belated 4th & Amhara Day

Good evening ladies! I'm back to the blogging world. It was kind of nice taking a week off as I find myself getting caught up in all things "blog" more frequently than not.

I hope everyone had a great 4th! We headed about 3 hours east of Seattle to a small town called Chelan. The town is built around an enormous lake called...you got it...Lake Chelan. We love it there! It's a short distance from rainy Seattle and very warm. Plus, it's one of those places that reminds me of Pickwick lake, a place I sometimes visited back in the Southeast growing up - small, quaint, not a whole lot to do, and you can enjoy the sun and water!! So without further ado, I will leave you with our mini vaca via pictures...

 

 About 10 minutes outside of Chelan...almost there!

 Pitstop at park until our condo was ready

View from our room. Cool thing is boats can park right there at the railing.

 

Water was literally crystal clear. I didn't get in though because it was rather chilly.

My cutie patootie

She's always stylin'

It's nearly impossible for Brian to get a good picture of us. She won't smile.

On our way back to Seattle

Last drag before we're back to our house. Check out Mt. Rainier in the distance. Those of you not from here, we don't see this mountain often.

And a Happy 4th!

Now, on to an OOTD (combining posts here:))

 Anthropologie top, Amhara skirt, and Dearie Me wedges

The saying around here is that summer starts on the 4th...and yep, it's finally here. Yay! Time to break out my summer clothes. Today, I pulled out my comfy Amhara skirt. I love this thing! It has a smocked elastic back making it super cozy. Throw that on with a purple top and my Dearie Me wedges, and I was out the door!

2 more days until the weekend. Gotta love short work weeks!