Warm Weather Christmas Outfits: Day and Night

My oh my, it's been such a long time since I last did this! But here I am with a Christmas post. I loved my day outfit for this year. It was another warm weather Christmas this year, so I wore my custom-made, off-the-shoulder plaid top by local designer Alice Marie. I paired it with all the red I could find in my closet, including my favorite Sephora lip stain, my gorgeous Melissa flats, and my good ol' red sunnies. I added my new bag that my mom gifted me for Christmas-- she got this beautiful Michael Kors bag for just $15 at Macy's after a 30% coupon and her Thanks for Sharing money was applied. Amazing!! I learned from the best. Then I finished it off with simple jewelry, including my Alex and Ani emerald birthstone ring and a black jewel choker necklace. 

------------ WHAT I WORE ------------

TOP: Alice Marie // PANTS: Forever 21 // FLATS: Melissa Shoes // BAG: Michael Kors // SUNGLASSES: Free People // CHOKER: Macy's // LIP: Sephora // RING: Alex and Ani

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Then for the nighttime I wore my $9 velvet crop top from Shein, green suede pants, and my chunky glitter Steve Madden heels. I kept my same red lipstick from the day, and added a crystal necklace and bracelet. I loved how daring and out there this outfit was. My friends kept calling me a mermaid. Thanks, friends!! If I could be a professional mermaid, I would. :)

------------ WHAT I WORE ------------

TOP: Shein ($9) // PANTS: Macy's // NECKLACE: Francesca's // BRACELET: Benevolent Jewels // HEELS: Steve Madden via Macy's // LIP: Sephora

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Merry Christmas!!

Rose Gold Beauties

Well, clearly I don't blog anymore, but something about these rose gold beauties I encountered today made me want to head on over to Polyvore and make this little collection. Then I came over here and published this post, for old times' sake!

Minnie ears // mermaid brushes
makeup storage // travel mug // wall clock
watch // headphones

People don't really read blogs like they used to anymore-- it's all about the 'gram nowadays. Apparently not even Snapchat is as much of a thing for bloggers anymore? Idk, I've been out of it for a few months, which is apparently equal to about 5 years, ha. These days all I do is work, and between the never-ending demands of my job and the crippling perfectionism that made me edit photos like a sloth, I realized I just couldn't blog anymore.

I do want to create an end-of-year post, just for me and any future kids/grandkids who might encounter this little blog of mine one day. :)

Because so much shit went down this year. It has been absolutely insane, and has forever changed who I am. So dramatic, but I kid you not, 2017 really was that transformative for me.

In case I don't quite get to it, let's have a proper sign off:

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Kotor, Montenegro Photo Diary

Yesterday marked ONE YEAR since I was in this wondrous, magical land known as Kotor, Montenegro.

TANK: Borrowed from bestie // LEGGINGS: Target // SNEAKERS: Nike // AVIATORS: LOFT // BACKPACK: Target // FITBIT: Target // LIPSTICK: Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

I've had this blog post ready to go for months, but hadn't found chance to post it. Now's as good a time as any.  Open the full blog post to see and read more about our visit (me and the bestie) to Kotor Bay.

Birthday at the Beach

Hi, all! I am so excited to be posting again!! 🌊 🌞 💙 🎉

Yesterday was my birthday and I was able to spend it at the beach! I had the best birthday I've had in years, celebrating all weekend long with my friends and family, good food, and excellent conversation. 

The day was beautiful yesterday-- just take a look at this water! Crystal clear, blue waters against a sunny, cerulean sky. I wore this flounce swim crop top from Victoria's Secret, which I bought last year immediately after seeing it on Raina of The Embellished Closet. It's not available anymore, but I linked a similar one from Target at the end of the post. And of course I paired it with my favorite black high waist bottom, also from VS.  I really like how conservatively sexy this combo is, not to mention comfortable.

  

------------ WHAT I WORE ------------

SWIM: Victoria's Secret (flounce top from last year, no longer available; bottom from 2 years ago, similar mesh detailed bottom here) // SUNNIES: Free People // CHOKER NECKLACE: from a random mall cart; similar evil eye choker here // LIPS: Revlon Colorburst lip butter in Candy Apple (I think it's been discontinued and I'm so upset!)

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Looking forward to posting more soon! I have several blog posts planned for the next few weeks. :)

Muted Primary Colors

------------ WHAT I WORE ------------

DRESS: TJ Maxx // CARDIGAN: ModCloth // BAG: Deux Lux via Shopbop // FLATS: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack // SUNGLASSES: Loft // NECKLACE: J. Crew // CHOKER: Francesca's Collections // BRACELETS: Kate Spade, Maria Shireen hair tie bracelet

  

  

This outfit is from President's Day weekend in February. I was going for something patriotic (because I love coordinating my outfits with even the smallest of holidays) but nothing too obvious. I added my all-time favorite cardigan since it was very windy that day. 

Charter School Cardigan in "Honey" from ModCloth

I've worn this little cardigan so many times on the blog, and even more in real life. It's the perfect little cardigan to complement an office look or casual weekend outfit. 

  

Because I've worn it so much over the years, it started to get a little worn so I recently ordered a new one because I love it so much! ModCloth always restocks this basic cardigan in every color-- it's one of their staples. Speaking of ModCloth, I had all kinds of feelings earlier today when I learned that Walmart bought it out. Really? Of all companies, Walmart has to buy this favorite online store of mine? I sure hope they don't cheapen it and destroy the brand. 😞

A Day in Captiva and Fort Myers

Hello after another unintentional hiatus! I've been busy with work and studying for the NCMHCE, but here I am today with a blog post from a gorgeous February day in Captiva and Fort Myers. 

Beach Formal Wedding in Paradise

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 💕

So I spent my weekend at a therapist friend's destination wedding in Captiva Island, FL. The weather could not have been any more perfect-- there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and it was nice and cool all weekend. All the wedding celebrations took place in the South Seas Island Resort. It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to, and not just because it was in paradise. But paradise it was! Just look below!

This shot above was taken by the wedding photographer (@setfreebrandon on Instagram).

Fun Stuff Friday: A Kate Spade Valentine's Day

No one does Valentine's Day like Kate Spade does. Kate Spade herself has actually changed her name to Kate Valentine! (Though it wasn't for her love of Valentine's Day but we can pretend it was.) I've loved the heart purse since I first saw it last year, and I own the nude and rose gold mother-of-pearl heart watch (so cute and goes with everything). But the biggest winner of these V-Day beauties has to be the red bow heels! They are so freaking cute! Just look at them on Julia-- these photos below are from her "Double Bows" post in December.

  

Thanks for reading! 

Happy weekend to you all!

Rainy Cold Front