a few matters to discuss

Did you know that Martha Stewart has been struck by lightening three times?

Is that not just the craziest thing you've ever heard?

via

You must know you have terrible luck if you've been struck by lightening, not once, not twice,

but three times!!

I find this very odd & just had to share with you. 

I picked up "Ladylike" by Essie on Monday night.

Once I saw all of the colors of the Fall 2011 collection in person, I had no clue which one to get!

I'm very pleased with "Ladylike."

It's a mauve-nude with the slightest hint of plum you can imagine. 

Now that I've worn the polish for a couple days, I've noticed that sometimes it looks more tan, sometimes more pink, sometimes more purple.

Either way, I love it and will be going back for "Glamour Purse" next  ;)

I used this new top coat by Sally Hansen, which I'm obsessed with.

I've heard awesome reviews on it and it has definitely lived up to the hype!  In my opinion, it's way better than Essie, OPI, and Seche Vite.

It allowed my nails to dry in about a minute or two, which is HUGE for me.  (I always lose my patience when waiting for nails to dry ..end up touching something & get a giant smudge across my nails.)  With this new top coat, this issue won't happen anymore because it hardens your polish so quickly.

Also, won't you take a look at my handsome man?

I'll let him rock the mustache wine opener, as long as he keeps giving me these...

Hey, I'm easy to please :)

XO.

Who Says You Can't...

...wear black and brown together?



I LOVE to mix brown boots with a black dress ...or a brown belt with a black dress, etc. 

The "fashion rule" that says you can't is a thing of the past!

Also, don't be afraid to...

(gasp)

...wear white after Labor Day!

(especially if you live in a seasonless climate)

Sure, put away your linens & lightweight cottons, then pull out white clothing in heavier fabrics.

It's completely a fashion "do!"

XO.

all photos via pinterest.

Essie for Fall 2011

 I'm crazy for the colors in Essie's "Brand New Bag" collection, which was inspired by handbags.

(hello, did you say handbags? double love!)



 

case study

 

glamour purse

 

lady like

 

power clutch

 

carry on

 

very structured

Based on the photo below, my favorites are "Lady Like" and "Glamour Purse."

Very Structured, Lady Like, Glamour Purse, Case Study



They are all gorgy colors for Fall. 

Tough decision, yes?

What is your favorite polish from this collection?

XO.

Makeup Organization

I've taken this post from the blog, Everything Fabulous. 

I've had makeup organization on the brain, so I just had to share these photos with you! I love seeing how other people organize their beauty items.

I keep my makeup in a large professional train case (which I love), but keep my everyday items in my makeup vanity drawer.

My vanity makeup is organized with cheap-o plastic trays, which are begging to be replaced ASAP.

Perhaps I'll do a "What's in my vanity" post soon! 

How do keep your makeup organized?

XO. 

I'm loving...

...this J. Crew Double Cloth Townhouse Trench.
It is gorgeous!

I'm torn between the "Vibrant Flame" and "Golden Mustard" color.

$350

I'm loving my new coffee table book, Chanel: Collections and Creations.

I'm loving this idea for an old dresser...

via

How pretty is this Bulova watch?

Bulova

I have to say, I love my Michael Kors watch ...but they are everywhere now! I got mine a few years ago & got picked on for wearing such a big watch because they weren't "in style" then.  While I absolutely love that oversized watches have been on trend over the past year or two, I'm definitely looking into an oversized one that is away from the MK name brand.  Of course, while still keeping my love for MK watches deep in my heart!

any-hoo...

Last, but not least, I'm just loving the moisturizing goodness of my CO Bigelow Spearment Mentha Lip Shine!

via

It has spearmint oil in it & gives the most refreshing cooling sensation.
Plus, it makes your lips super shiny!
(I especially love it on top of my MAC Creme Cup lip stick)


That's all for today, loves.
Happy Hump Day!

XO. 

I was featured! ...plus random weekend thoughts.

Good morning, bloggies!  Mondays are always so hard.  Was just getting used to this relaxing thing by Sunday night, then bam!, you have to wake up super early & get back into work-mode the very next morning.  Cruel!

Anyway,  I've been meaning to tell you that I was featured on a blog called Pocket Change.  They do a "Best of the Web" feature each week & they chose to highlight my blog.  Check it out here. 

On Friday night, Brandon and I went to dinner & had planned on going out downtown with our friends afterwards.

Dress: Francesca's, Belt: Banana Republic,  Shoes: Restricted (from small boutique, too)
My dress looks black, but it's actually navy!

But then, after we had full bellies, we decided to stay in with white-chocolate croissants and

...of course, the movie was Brandon's choice & I just went along with it.  

Saturday's plan was to get up early to go to the Farmer's Market, but sleeping in is just so much more fun, no?

Later that afternoon, we went to the beach with some friends.  This was my second time at the beach (not to ride bikes) all year long ...and I live 10 minutes away.  How sad is that? 

In my defense, we tend to go out on the boat when we want a day in the sun.  But, I always forget how fun beach days are.

It was so hot & humid that my phone's camera was taking the most hazy pictures!

We took full advantage of this beach day & stayed until midnight. 

Yes, that's right.

We had dinner at Rita's & decided to hop around Folly's "night life" ...still in bathing suits.

Sunday was all about relaxing.

I laid on the sofa and watched a chick-flick marathon on FX, which, by the way, was absolutely glorious.

 

Later on, Brandon and I rode our bikes to the grocery store (I have mentioned that he lives across the street from me, right?) and then I spent close to two hours ironing.

Side note:

Isn't this VBH handbag gorgeous?

For a measly $3,250.00, it, too, can be yours!

How random is this post?

...about as random as the contents of my beach bag on Saturday.

XO.

The Lust List

How perfect are these Tory Burch Classic Cat Eye sunglasses?

$150



I'm completely in love with anything lucite. 

via pinterest

I'm dying for a lucite tray with a chevron print on the bottom!

Aren't these illustrations by Inslee Holmes just to die for?

She does custom illustrations that are simply FABULOUS!

Visit her website/blog here.

...and finally, I'm lusting over this red Zara blazer.

(Someone remind me when Zara is going to be made available online in the US?)

I'm basically in love with this girl's entire wardrobe. 

Visit her blog, Atlantic Pacific, to view more fantastic outfits!

Happy Friday, my loves!

XO.