have a happy weekend

Continuing in the birthday festivities I am so excited to hit the town in SF and dance the night away :) Not sure how many more years I can get away with rocking a short dress and dancing in a nightclub so I am going all out this year. Here are some things I've been reading this week...

Wow these are some horrible tattoos. Really makes you think twice! lol

Sadly, women still have a long way to go in film.

Interesting article about why American parents may have it all wrong when it comes to parenting.

This list is definitely making me feel my age. 

Clearly, May 16th is the greatest birthday ever ;)  

Looking to stock up your bar? Here are some super chic bottles to get you started. 

This puts all my jump roping attempts to shame. One word, wow!

What an amazing and brave little boy! 


Have a happy weekend everyone!


Image via Apostrophe 9

birthday

So today is my 27th birthday. I'm a big proponent of enjoying and embracing the occassion, so I've got a nice relaxing day off planned with a mani/pedi, massage and a fancy blowout at Drybar plus whatever my husband has prepared for the evening :) And it's also a fabulous excuse to eat & drink anything you like with no guilt (hello chocolate cake!) Needless to say I'm pretty excited.

I have to say I am really looking forward to this year. Twenty-six was amazing with the whole getting-married-thing being by far the best thing that happened, but this year promises to be a whole new adventure. I'll be starting graduate school in the fall and I couldn't be more excited about this next step in my life.

So far, my late 20s are treating me pretty well. I so love being older and wiser. Though it's a bit scary to think how quickly time is passing by, I wouldn't trade it in for the world. Growing older and gaining perspective is one of the best things in life.

Do you like celebrating your birthday or do you prefer to keep it low-key?


Image via Luis Monteiro

see this: dusty rose lake in british columbia, canada

I've seen these images floating around on Pinterest and I was completely floored. I mean, who knew such an amazing place like this existed? Luckily I stumbled on a blog with even more beautiful photos. Apparently there a few of these in the world but this one in particular is said to get its color from minerals in the surrounding environment as opposed to salt or algae. I can't help but think how surreal it would be to see this in person. Maybe I will get a chance one day. Who wouldn't love to experience seeing a sight like this?

Images via Melissa Mercier

wear this: neon striped sweater

I have always been leery of stripes. For some reason I always thought they weren't flattering but in recent years I've had a change of heart. Now I love the look! From striped dresses to shirts and now sweaters, I've definitely embraced it. After seeing the latest IFB project with a tagline that read "show us your stripes" I knew exactly which look I wanted to highlight.

A few weeks ago, J.Crew had an amazing sale where everything in the store was 25 percent off. I am a sucker for a sale and snagged this sweater for a great price. It's lightweight, comfortable and the perfect sweater to throw on during chilly summer nights. 

Get the look:
twisted stitch open-neck sweater in neon stripe/j.crew | blank denim spray on jeans/shopbop | perfect chambray ex-boyfriend shirt in ferrous wash/madewell | sam edelman felicia ballet flats/shopbop | carrie sunglasses/fred flare

read this: 65 books you should read in your 20s

Image via girlwithasatchel.blogspot.com

Since reading and writing go hand-in-hand, it makes sense that as a writer I love to read. I used to be an avid reader. I'm talking two books a week, to the point where in 8th grade I'd read something like 140 books that year. Unfortunately, over the years I find myself reading less and less. There's always something more important to do, and though I definitely still enjoy reading it sometimes takes me weeks to finish a book! (My 14-year-old self would shudder in horror.)

I haven't lost that longing for reading though and still think there's nothing better than curling up with a good book that sucks you in and lets your imagination soar. I've been known to sacrifice sleeping and eating all in the name of finishing a great read. Yet it sadly seems to happen less often nowadays.

That is why I was so excited when I saw this great list from Buzzfeed about 65 books you should read in your 20s. After glancing through the list I was happy that I'd at least read some of them (ok ok only 5 eek!) but I am determined to change that this year. Here are a few that will get me started on my reading quest.

Image via coreysbook.wordpress.com

Image via invite.cl

Image via Women's Prize for Fiction

Image via npr.org

Do you find yourself reading less or more as you get older? And do you agree with the picks from Buzzfeed? I'd love to know...

wear this: peplum top and shorts

When my husband and I were getting ready to have lunch with his mom for Mother's Day I couldn't decide what to wear. It was a warm day but I still wanted to look polished. At the last minute I grabbed my peplum top and decided to pair it with shorts. I wasn't sure if this look would work so I did a quick Google search and came across these beauties that served as my inspiration:

Is Fashion My Passion                                                            Fashion Agony

I wish I had mile-long legs like these fashionable ladies but since that isn't likely to happen anytime soon, a girl's gotta work with what she's got. I'm not usually a fan of shorts because I don't find them very flattering, but the fun print on these made me get over my doubts.

I was surprised that I had never thought of putting these two things together. I'd always assumed a peplum top should be worn with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans. Clearly I was wrong! Looking forward to creating more fun combinations with these two items.

Outfit inspired by: Is Fashion My Passion | Fashion Agony

Get the look:
peplum top/nordstrom | tripp nyc rose embroidery printed high waist shorts/asos | jeffrey campbell regina wedge/nordstrom | long statement bib necklace/wet seal

happy mother's day

Me and my mama :)

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! Of course this post is dedicated to my mom, who is amazing and someone I look up to in every way. She raised five children and pours her heart and soul into everything she does. I'm so grateful for everything she did and continues to do for me and my siblings. I hope to one day be the kind of mom she is — strong, caring, kind, loving and at the end of the day the biggest supporter of all her kids.

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!