Spring Time Floral

I made a stop by Target today and am so glad I did a quick peek at the clothing section because I ended up coming home with FOUR of the dresses. Isn't it always when you least expect it that you end up finding something you really love?

I had to get multiples of this first dress (I also bought the second pattern shown) because I LOVED it. It was very similar to another dress I have from Target that I have absolutely worn out. The fit is really flattering, so I felt justified buying three of them. Not to mention the fabric patterns were all so different that they practically look like different dresses as it is.

I bought this one, but I'm still thinking about it. I love the overall fit and the feather pattern on the dress, but it definitely accentuates your back side because of the gathering and I'm not sure my butt needs any more accentuation. Haha. We'll see, but I'm guessing I'll end up keeping it.

These next two are dresses that I tried on but didn't end up getting. The first one was just a bit too tight in the chest and the second is probably better for those of you who don't have much of a butt. I did love the details on both of them though. The back of the first one is SO cute and it's more of a turquoise color in person.

I skimmed through the Jason Wu collection and there were definitely some cute items embracing the spring florals, but nothing really stuck out at the fit of dress I was looking for. Have you bought any of the Jason Wu or current Mossimo dresses? I'm looking forward to giving my daily wear a little dose of spring!

TOMS Ballet Flats

At one point I practically lived in ballet flats, but I have found that it's hard to find a good pair that is totally comfortable without requiring much "breaking in". I was really excited to hear that TOMS would be rolling out a line of their own ballet flats! I have yet to own a pair of TOMS, mainly due to not being able to decide which pair I would want, and was curious to see what styles would be available for this new line.

The ballet flats, which were debuted this week, range from $74 to $84 and are available in 13 colors/patterns. I'm interested to hear feedback from anyone who has purchased a pair. With pricing so high for a pair of flats, I'm hesitant to even consider it without knowing the quality and comfort is worth it.

Has anyone already ordered a pair? Do you plan on doing so? I would certainly love to hear any feedback about them. I think for now I may try to narrow it down to a pair of the classics for Spring.

You can check out the new line of TOMS ballet flats for yourself here. Which style would you pick?

Love: Lana Del Rey "Born to Die"

This album has been a MUCH ANTICIPATED release for me. Even more so with the fact that the few tracks available on Spotify mysteriously disappeared a few weeks ago, leaving me with YouTube as the only source for any of her music.

Lana Del Rey first came onto my radar with a feature of the song Video Games in an episode of Gossip Girl, but a lot of people are now familiar with her due to her not-so-inspiring performance on Saturday Night Live. I certainly don't think it was TERRIBLE, but for anyone who already knew her music it was clear she was nervous and not performing as well as her other live performances available on YouTube. For those who didn't, many brushed her off and criticism spread like wild fire.


I don't know why everyone has such a strong opinion about her, be it positive or negative, but believe me when I say the album is ABSOLUTELY worth buying. Her vocals are hauntingly beautiful, and I'm quickly finding that each song is more addicting than the last. I have half of the new songs already saved as favorites just after a first listen on Spotify and am now on my way out the door to buy a physical copy. My only complaint might be that some of the songs I have come to love from her YouTube releases didn't make the album. This, however, is easily overcome by the new material.

You can pick the 12 track album up at Best Buy, currently on sale as a new release for $8.99 with a normal list price of $10.99. A deluxe 16 track version is available on iTunes for $11.99. If you're not ready to fully commit yet, check her out on Spotify by searching "Born to Die". I have a feeling that if you like it, you'll love it.

Steve Madden Spring Picks

I don't let myself wander to the Steve Madden website often, but it has been a while so I decided to take a peak and see what was in the works for Spring. Here are a few that caught my eye:

CHIEEFF in Coral Suede
$89.95
The perfect simple & cute spring/summer wedge!

TASSAL in Cognac Leather
$69.95
One of my favorite colors in shoes because it goes with everything.

IROQUOIS in Cognac Leather
$179.95
These wild little things caught my eye pretty quickly... if only I had the money laying around!

RIOTTT in Pink Multi

$99.95
I love this eye catching color combination.

And of course the sale/clearance section:

My MADIEEs in Stone Leather!

ONLY $59.99
This shoe in the Cognac Leather has been a wardrobe staple of mine, and you can currently get them for nearly a THIRD of the original price in the Stone Leather. Jump on it!

TEXXIE in Cognac Leather
$64.95
Also on sale from an original $159.95, this was another one of my top picks back when I bought my pair of MADIEEs, with just a little extra detail on the side.

It might be safe to say that I want any shoe that's available in Cognac Leather- it's just such a great color that goes so well with black, patterns, or just about anything else you can mix up. Are you dying to have any of these or any other Steve Maddens this season? Or is there another pair of shoes out there making your mouth water?

If you just can't resist, use the code SMFREESHIP on any purchase over $75 to get free shipping from SteveMadden.com!

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone! I wanted to pop in and say Merry (belated) Christmas to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with family, friends, or whoever it may have been spent with.

I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend with family and was apparently a VERY good girl this year. I'd say the highlight as far as gifts were concerned is my NEW DUVET AND ALTERNATIVE DOWN COMFORTER! I listed both on my "wish list" but kind of just hoped for the duvet, and was actually shocked when I saw my parents had gotten both. It's definitely even harder to drag me out of bed in the mornings now.

My brother apparently ALSO loves my new bed spread and took a nice little nap on it Christmas Day. He then tried to convince me that I wanted to sleep on the couch that night so he could sleep in my bed. I don't think so!

We also went and saw Girl with the Dragon Tattoo yesterday for our usual movie & Chinese Christmas tradition. I usually just go along to whatever movie is picked, and to be honest I had not read the book and had no clue what this was really about. It ended up being really good, although REALLY sexual. I guess if you did read the book you would know that but it was a little unexpected for me. I would definitely recommend it, though!

I hope you're all easing back into the daily routine or still enjoying time off!

Christmas Wish List

You know you're getting old when any given wishlist consists mostly of things for the kitchen. I'm really trying to think ahead here and stock up on things I don't have for when I have another apartment. I'll sneak some DVDs and music on the list so I'm not totally lame. If only that Lana Del Rey album was already out...

It Might Get Loud on DVD
(Amazon)

Documentary about the electric guitar from the viewpoints of The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White

Immersion Blender
(Target)

Preferably with detachable end

Full Sized Coffee Maker with Custom Brew Strength
(Target)

4 Piece Glass Cylinder Canister Set
(Target)

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
(Amazon)

Florence & The Machine- Ceremonials
(Amazon)

Christy Fringe Moccasin Slippers
(Target)
Chestnut, Size 9

Melio Frosted & Mirror Finish 20 Piece Flatware Set
(Target)

Set of Plain Black or White Dishes

Bridesmaids
(Amazon)

Mossimo Kloe Wedge Booties
(Target)
Black, Size 9? I guess I'll need to wander in and try these on

Wamsutta Down Alternative Comforter
(Bed Bath & Beyond)
Full/Queen

Binx Faux Fur Duvet Cover Set
(Bed Bath & Beyond)

Black, Full/Queen
(This might be a bad idea... I don't know that I'll ever get out of bed. But I think now that I've seen it I am going to have to have it one way or another. I'm sorry, savings account.)

(Most pictures linked to specific website)

Wow, that was a terrible idea. Every time I make a Christmas List I always find so many things that I never thought of and end up falling in love with them. (Cough... duvet cover, you will be mine.) Looks like my savings account might be taking a pretty big hit post Christmas with all this home shopping!

I also feel the need to disclose that I ridiculously contemplated registering for a "wedding" to myself at Target just to get some organized list of everything I'll need for a new apartment. I thought that might be taking advantage of the system though. That wedding I went to last weekend had me so excited about EVERYTHING on their list... and also a little sad that someone already bought them the waffle maker. Isn't it just so much more fun to buy presents for people that you would also love getting? Now I'm in the mood to start making my lists for what to buy everyone else!

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Photo Booth Fun

Saturday I went to my friend's brother's wedding, and much to my delight they had a photo booth at the reception. These are my FAVORITE and this was the first time I've been in one at an event like this. Even more fun was the little scrap book station they had set up next to the photo booth so you could make a page with one set of the picture print outs for a book the bride and groom got to keep.

I couldn't resist sharing these with you as soon as they were all posted on the photographer's Facebook page.

And last but certainly not least, my favorite picture of the bride and the groom:

Tulle Time

Yes, you're welcome for that cheesy Home Improvement reference.

We have less than two weeks left in the Chicago apartment and are trying to make the most of it (though I'll be gone this weekend for a wedding), so last night we went to dinner at one of our favorites: Sullivan's Steakhouse. Long Island Martinis, Filet Trio, and White Cheddar Au Gratin Potatoes? Check, check, and check. Yum.

I love this dress because it's comfortable, cute, and so easy to accessorize with a million different things. I like to keep a little edge on the tulle so it doesn't look too frilly, and these boots did just that.




Oh! And you'll have to excuse me because it does have a little bit of product in it, but for the most part my hair is still pretty silky and shiny from the olive oil treatment the other day- even after a coloring! I'm thinking I might start doing these at least once or twice a week.

Now you'll have to excuse me, I'm off to pack for my second of three moves in less than 6 months. Let's cross our fingers that by the end of January I'll be settled in Denver and won't have to worry about moving for a while!

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

Last night I found myself on some crazy kick looking up all sorts of homemade beauty treatments. I may just have to start a new feature and regularly post some of these, because I found so many I wanted to try. The first one I knew I wanted to do was a basic olive oil hair treatment.

My hair is pretty dry. I don't know where I got it from, because most of the women in my family insist on washing their hair every single morning so it doesn't get oily. I've always found that mine is way better if I go a few days without washing it, but that rarely happens and it sometimes can get TOO dry. On a daily basis I usually put a little bit of Moroccan Oil in it, but I tried this treatment and I'm hoping it will eliminate the need for that at least for a few days at a time!

It's really simple- no specific ingredient amounts, no official way to go about it. Here's what I did:

Put about 1/4 cup of olive oil in a small bowl, little mug, or anything that can be microwaved. Microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it up a little bit.

Make sure it's not too hot (for your fingers or your scalp) and just start scooping small amounts into the palm of your hands, rub it around to coat your hand, and then work your fingers through your hair. I also took the ends of my hair and dipped them full on in the olive oil, squeezing the extra out.

Your hair does not have to be dripping wet with olive oil. In fact, it's better if it's not. Just make sure you've coated it all and there aren't any dry spots. Some sites recommend trying to avoid your scalp so it doesn't get oily, but I didn't have any issues with that, particularly since it's been a little chilly and my skin has started to get a little bit more dry.

Put it up in a bun to keep it out of the way and leave it in for 1-2 hours. I was just hanging around the apartment looking at some blogs/watching Tuesday night TV, but if you're doing something where you're worried the oil might get on something you can cover your hair with a plastic bag or saran wrap.

Shampoo hair thoroughly to remove all oil and condition as you usually do.

(Several recommendations stated they left the treatment on overnight, but others said they tried both versions and leaving it overnight didn't make much of a difference. You can also add a few drops of essential oil in the scent of your choice to the olive oil before heating it to give it a more specific smell, but if you don't have any don't worry... your hair is not going to smell like olives.)

I definitely started noticing my hair felt softer and shinier immediately as it began to dry, and the next day this still applies! It even looks better than when just using the Moroccan oil, with a more consistent shine throughout.

Let me know if you try this or have any other suggestions to add! I don't think I'd recommend it for anyone who has oily hair naturally, but if you have dry hair this should work wonders. I'll be sure to update with how long the extra shine lasts.

I Just Can't Get Enough

Have you heard of Spotify yet? If the answer is yes and you still don't have it, believe me when I tell you that you want it immediately. I heard about it what must have been two months ago but I don't think I really understood what it was and only downloaded it a few weeks ago.

Basically it's an online streaming service FOR FREE. At least for the first six months. With a minimal amount of ads per hour the artists still get paid without you even subscribing, but after six months of your use restrictions on play time and number of plays are put into effect. I've only had the service for a few weeks but I am already totally willing to subscribe: for $10 a month (yes, the price of one album on iTunes) you not only don't face these restrictions but are able to stream the music offline and download it to devices such as your phone or iPod.

I understand any issues this brings up in the music industry, but I do think it is a great middle ground that still allows artists to benefit while working with the changes technology has brought about. I know that I certainly will continue to buy the albums I really like, because sometimes it's just nice to have that physical copy, and I do believe in supporting artists you like. This is just a great option to explore and sample new music, especially with the collaboration with Facebook that allows you to share playlists or albums with friends and even directly send music suggestions. Besides, how many times have you wanted to buy music from iTunes only to get sick of it a week or two later and not ever listen to it again?

Here are a few of the albums that I REALLY can't get enough of on Spotify, some that I have already bought and others that I have every intention of buying:


Cold War Kids: Mine is Yours


Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials


Pistol Annies: Hell on Heels


the bird and the bee: Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates


Two Door Cinema Club: Tourist History


Is Tropical: Native To



Interested in any of those, or any other albums you have been thinking about lately? What are you waiting for? Go get it!