Twinkle Toes

This summer I'm loving metallic shoes!  They add some sparkle and pop of color to an outfit; it's a really special touch that can jazz up any ol' OOTD. Metallic shoes are bright and shiny, reflect lots of light on sunny days and sparkle when it's cloudy. You seriously can't go wrong. 

So I've rounded up some faves...and they're under $50! 

What do you guys think of metallic shoes for summer?

Grown Up Barbie Dress + WIWW Link Up

Guys, I'm gushing over my new dress from eShakti.  I've done a few collaborations with them in the past (check 'em out here & here).  The cut, the colors, the shape!  I'm loving it all!  It's the perfect dress for summer.  Depending on the occasion and the accessories you can dress this up or down.

Colorblock Stripe poplin dress

My sister calls this dress the "Barbie dress" (I think it reminds her of retro Barbie, and I'm totally fine with that!) and I think it's gonna stick. But it's not typical Barbie, it's grown up, sophisticated but still super fun Barbie.

I feel great in this dress; it's easy to wear and it's super flattering on my figure!

I love the big, bold stripe pattern for summer (and it looks great with my early summer tan!).

I'm beyond in love with these retro sunnies I recently picked up at one of my favorite local vintage shops, Paper Doll Vintage Boutique (if you're ever on Long Island and love all things vintage and retro, definitely, check them out!  If you can't make it out to the Island, check out their Etsy page, here).

I love layering my Bip and Bop initials necklace that Richie got me for my birthday a few months ago. It's delicate and the perfect shade of gold (and rose gold!) to layer with pretty much anything (which is great because I never take this necklace off).

Does anyone else love mixing their lipsticks to make new shades?  This MAC 'Fusion Pink' with this NYX 'Shocking Pink' layered on top makes the perfect shade of Barbie pink without being too over-the-top or babyish. 

One of my favorite things about this dress?  It has pockets!  I repeat, it has pockets!!!  eShakti knows how important pockets in a dress are to a girl (seriously, how do people wear dresses without pockets?!).

You can shop my look (and similar pieces) here!

P.S.: Blogger Bloopers!!!

I always love looking through all the pics my sister takes for my blog posts and seeing the blooper shots. Pretty much all of them are me mid-conversation, looking super confused, lol.

Don't forget to join the fun and link up!

Check out the fabulous hosts!

Book of Leisure

Chic Street Style

Gracefully Made

Summer Bucket List

I have a little bucket list for this summer that I'm determined to conquer!  I think bucket lists are are great way to get you out of your comfort zone and experience more in the world (plus, there's something about completing each thing on your list that makes you feel so accomplished!).

Pic from Pinterest

Try lobster.
Like whole lobster, smothered in butter, bib around my neck, kind of an experience.  I might even try a lobster roll first, to get my feet wet (I hear they're uh-mazing!).

Pic from Pinterest

Whistle with my fingers.
I've been trying to figure this out for years!!!  Ever since I was a kid.

 

Pic from Pinterest 

Pic from Pinterest 

Day trip it to Coney Island. 
Growing up my parents used to tell my sister and I all about their trips to Coney Island when they were both kids living in Brooklyn.

I'm all about fair foods, boardwalks, carnival rides and games!  I especially want to try one of those famous Coney Island chili dogs (YUM)!

Pic from Pinterest 

Shoot a 50s inspired blog post.
I'm convinced I was born in the wrong era.  As both a history major and fashion blogger I'm obsessed with the history of fashion, and there's definitely a lot of looks we should bring back.  I especially love the fashion of the 40s, 50s, and early 60s.

I just got this, Brooklyn dress (on sale right meow!), c/o eShakti and I can't wait to style it (stay tuned for the collaboration!)!  When I ordered it, it definitely inspired me to go vintage for a photo shoot!

What do you guys trying to cross off your bucket lists this summer?

Lazy Girl Lunch: Avocado & Cheese sandwich

Fourth of July festivities are officially over, it's Monday, and that means it's back to trying to eating healthy (...and possibly going to the gym).  There's one guilt-free meal I love eating that doesn't make me feel guilty after I gobble it down: an avocado and cheese sandwich.  It takes about 2 minutes to make and is actually filling!

Here's what you'll need:

-2 slices of bread (I prefer whole wheat or whole grain)

-shredded cheese (either regular cheddar or taco/Mexican blend is my favorite!)

-1 avocado

-optional: garlic powder and/or yeast flakes

I usually toast my bread for sandwiches first, because I like a little crispiness to my bread.  Then just sprinkle on some shredded cheese (a mound of cheese isn't the healthiest, but who doesn't love cheese?!), and pop it in the microwave for just a couple of seconds, until the cheese melts.

Time for the main attraction: avocado.  I spread half of an avocado on each slice.

After I  mashed up the avocado (I like to be able to spread it around so that every bite has some avocado goodness in it!), I sprinkled on a little garlic powder and some yeast flakes (they're good for you, and have a little bit of a cheesy taste, and you can get them at your local health food store).

Put the two slices together (or eat them separately as an open-faces sandwich), and voila!

I add some extra veggies on the side to snack on; it makes my meal feel more complete and I end up feeling pleasantly full (not end-of-Thanksgiving-meal-full).

Four Day Weekend: Recap

Who doesn't love a four day weekend?  This past weekend I did a solo road trip upstate (New York).  On Saturday I had an engagement party for one of my sorority sisters (and old college housemate/bestie), so I decided to make a long weekend of it since Richie also lived upstate. 

A quick how-to for "tucking" a shirt or sweater into a jumpsuit.

Either a belt or drawstring:  Tuck part of the bottom of the shirt into the belt/bow of the drawstring. If you're tucking into a drawstring, tie it once, tuck the shirt in, then tighten the drawstring before you tie the bow. 

 Easy-peasey!  Just adjust the shirt a bit so that it falls right, and then, voila, you're ready to go!

Shop my road trip look here!

On Saturday, Richie and I dressed in our best and went to the engagement party!

This scallop dress from J. Crew scallop dress (on sale right meow!!!  And it's under $50!) is the perfect dress for an engagement party (or really any occasion)!

I'm convinced that navy blue is pretty much perfect for any occasion.  It's simple and sophisticated.  It can be casual or fancy-schmancy.  By now if you couldn't tell, I'm #teamnavy all the way.

The pearls say classy girl, and the leopard wedges say "let's have some fun!".  Both are super easy to pack and travel with and really add some extra oomph to a solid outfit. 

Brittany and I have been friends for quite a while now.  We're basically the same person.  Back in college we spent our Friday afternoons, after classes (and sometimes Friday nights too), munching on junk food and having Bride Day marathons (so we're basically wedding planners now).

I can't wait for all of the wedding celebrations to begin!

I think we clean up quite nicely!  ;)

Shop my engagement party look here!

Sunday was a lazy day, spent relaxing and watching movies snuggled under covers while it poured outside.

Monday was adventure time and I was super excited to go explore Howe Caverns!  Upstate NY is a great place to go on an adventure if you love the outdoors.  

I'm still not sure as to why this dress was displayed before the tour, but it was so darling that I had to snap a quick shot of it anyways!

...that's right!  There's a room down in the caverns where cheese is stored an aged.  Our guide told us that because of the constant temperatures down in the caverns (a cool fifty-two degrees all year 'round), it's the perfect place to age cheese!

This stalactite (...or stalagmite?  I can't remember!), is called the Chinese Pagoda.  It was huge (I think it was around nine feet)!

Being down in the caverns (the equivalent of fifteen stories underground), was so amazing!  The whole time we were down there I kept telling Richie that it was so unreal that it felt like I was on the set of the movie because this couldn't possible that this was all naturally occurring!

It's said that if you're of marrying age, and you step on the stone, it's supposed to be good luck, and that you'll be engaged within the year!

Our guide told us that people even get married down there!

#cavernselfies, kinda hard to achieve, but darn it I was going to make it happen!  I think Richie was relieved that it was a little too hard to get a good selfie down there, lol (he's not much of a picture taker).

These dyed geodes from the souvenir shop were so pretty!  I didn't buy any because I have no idea what the heck I'd do with them, but they were definitely so cool to look at that I seriously debated buying a set (damn my tourist-like nature!).

Shop my cavern adventures outfit here!

This four day weekend of fun and relaxation was just what I needed! :)

The Mini Bag

...packs a big punch in only a fraction of the size!  I just recently found one in Target, in the bag clearance section, and guys, it's love.  I hadn't even gone in looking for a bag (isn't that always the story with Target?), but I spotted it (not too hard to miss bright red-orange) and was immediately drawn (I'm also convinced I can spot a sales tag from like a mile away...lol).

And don't be thrown by the size of this pint-sized bag.  You can fit all your essentials, and then some, inside (like your friends' keys when you go out...I'm the designated holder of anything that doesn't fit in my friend's clutches when we go out, lol).

As you can see, this pint-sized bag goes with everything and can go anywhere.  I love it for running errands, hitting the mall (my bigger bag gets in the way sometimes, especially when I'm on a shopping spree), going out; it's a go-anywhere kind of a bag (it also packs great in a suitcase!)!

This bag is all you need for summer.  And it's on sale, right meow (shop it below)!

Who's ready for the mini bag?!  :)