Walmart Beauty Box Review

About 9 months ago I came across the Walmart Beauty Box, maybe I was living under a rock but I really had not heard about it. The cost is low, "free" but you pay $5 shipping and it ships quarterly so just $20 per year. These boxes tend to be more practical items but there is always at least one item that is worth more than the $5. I have also found that there is always one item I really like and others that I will definitely use!

The Spring box just arrived, I believe there are usually 2 or possibly 3 different boxes and you don't know what you will get, but here is mine…

The box comes with some travel size items, usually at least one full size product, a variety of samples, and some coupons. Way more than a $5 value! (can you tell I think this is a good deal?)

This is my 4th box and in 3 of them I received travel size shampoo and conditioner sets. I definitely welcome this because those items add up and I am always the one running around the travel aisle right before a trip to gather those last minute necessities! I also like to keep a little jar/drawer of toiletries in the guest bath so this helps keep that fully stocked! 

Each of my boxes has also come with a perfume sample in the typical sample size.

In this box, for me, these are the best items...

The shampoo and conditioner set paired with the body wash are perfect for our vacation! This one also came with some Neutrogena facial cleanser which is also a product I will use.

And the full size product from this box is this Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara. I actually needed some new mascara so I was happy to see this show up! I have never tried this product but I do love Rimmel (I wish they carried more of their products in the US drugstores!) so I am very excited to test this out, it claims to grow your lashes as well! Has anyone tried this product?? So far I have noticed that it does not clump which is wonderful.

In other boxes I have received Revlon lipstick, gloss sticks, and my all time favorite full size Secret deodorant (my all time favorite, thanks to the box).

What do you think of the Walmart Beauty Box, will you give it a try? What other subscription boxes are you loving?

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Friday Favorites!

Woo! Friday is here!! I feel like I am constantly working for the weekend which may not be a good thing but we are two weeks out from our vacation and the anticipation is building! I hope you all have a great weekend, lets get right into it….

Linking up with Amanda today!

Favorite Purchase: Travalo

I realize I'm late to the game on the perfume atomizer situation but I am obsessed with this. I am always wanting to travel with my favorite scent but clearly am not going to buy duplicate bottles so typically I throw in a tester from Sephora and call it a day. I purchased the gold Travalo (that gold metallic obsession again) and it is seriously so easy to use, so convenient and something I now must have! Have you tried these?

Favorite Recipe: Twice Baked Cauliflower Casserole

How good does that look? I love twice baked potatoes and we are on a  big cauliflower substitution kick. I can't wait to try this out. Seems like a definite weekend tester.

Favorite Workout: Beach Walking

Unfortunately I have been having some serious back pain and discovered that I have a bulging disc. So while that heals (itself, hopefully) I am limited to walking and some ab routines. Fortunately for me this beach is right across the street and it is now light outside after work so I can get in a few miles each night.

Favorite Beauty Product: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

I got this as a deluxe sample and never even opened it until a few weeks ago. I am not typically a liquid eyeliner girl, but as the Florida humidity sets in I need a product that will stay put and this is it! I like to blend it out with a brush or some crayon liner on top but this pen is easy to apply and I will certainly purchase one when this runs out!

Check back next week for some beauty box reviews, bucket list items and the usual Thursday Trend!

Thursday Trend: One Piece Swimwear

This week I'm talking about the one piece swimwear trend. I have noticed these suits all over magazines, stores, and of course blogs. I think the great thing about the one piece suit is the combination of comfort and chic. This is something that arguably never goes out of style but is not always at the forefront. These suits are great for water activities, playing paddle ball on the beach etc. I am all for the bandeau to avoid unsightly tan lines but once in a while fashion and function are nice to have on hand. Here are some of my top picks for summer. I picked up the blouson style J.Crew suit in black and if you read yesterday's post you know that Trina Turk Kon Tiki is my new favorite! (I hope you are not sick of seeing it yet!)


What do you think about this trend?

Wishlist Wednesday!

I am thrilled that it is Wednesday again! I feel like when Wednesday hits the week is on the downhill and it seems much more bearable! Just me? Lets get right into this Wishlist Wednesday… some of these items are on their way to me thanks to the Bloomingdales sale (friends and family sale until 3/29/15!)…

That NARS multiple has been tempting me for months now. I just can't decide if I would use it enough to justify the purchase..what do you guys think??

 The Trina Turk one piece is on its way to me! I ordered it in white originally and love love the fit, this is one flattering suit but I am going to swap it out for the black. However, I will say you must size up, which is a big downfall for the vanity factor. I typically am a 4/6 and I needed the 10 in this.

 Because I love that one piece so much I suddenly feel like I need to be sporting a sarong. Which is so not typical of me but it seems very island chic?!

 I love the colors on that Lilly shell, perfect year round.

 That watch. I have been eyeing it ever since I saw a woman wearing it on a plane last year. This sale was just what I had been waiting for!

I stopped by JCrew factory last week to snag those sandals but our store did not have them yet. The perfect hint of leopard. I love it.

What is on your radar this week?

Sephora Treats

I hope everyone is having a good week so far! On Friday I had a particularly fun mail day. I needed to get some skin care items and decided a little Sephora order was just what needed to happen. Here is what I picked up

 I had heard great things about the Benefit Cosmetics It's Potent eye cream. It is supposed to reduce fine lines and eliminate those ever present dark circles. I can use all the help I can get in that department. I'll let you know how that goes!

I also got this Origins a Perfect World White Tea Moisturizer this has SPF 25 and is  an "age delay" formula. As my twenties draw to and end I am determined to take better care of my skin and my body in general and this is one of the simple ways I am trying to start.

The fun and completely non-essential purchase was this Josie Maran Coconut Water Color Eyeshadow. I purchased the Rio de Rose Gold color. I tested this out this weekend and really love it. I am loving that bronzed glow look for spring/summer and this is so fun. If you apply with your finger it dilutes the formula quite a bit, for a more dramatic/metallic look you can use the applicator that comes with the bottle.

I was super excited to snag a deluxe sample of Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation. I have been eager to try this and I think I will be able to get a few uses out of this sample to see if I want/need to add the full size to my rotation.

What products do you love? What should I try next?

Kendra Scott Haul

I have been loving Kendra Scott lately. I have a few pairs of her large earrings that I love for fun occasions but I was itching for some of the more practical pieces for me to wear everyday. They recently had a too-good-to-pass-up coupon code on Instagram so I finally took the plunge and purchased two every day pieces and got one gorgeous, fancy bracelet as an added bonus. 

Elisa Pendant Necklace // Tessa Stud Earrings // Cassie Bracelet

The Elisa Pendant is perfect to spice up my usual solid color work shift or plain black suit. The Tessa Studs are a little more funky than the traditional pieces I typically opt for and I love that they jazz up my  generally conservative wardrobe in just the right way. The Cassie was a gift with purchase and I had a really hard time choosing from all the color options. I ultimately went with the clear iridescent because I think it will look great dressed up with other baubles and will still be a nice addition to my typical weekend wardrobe of leggings and a long t-shirt/tank top.

Each piece comes in a cloth bag for safe storage and it also doubles as a polishing cloth. They were individually bubble wrapped and shipped (very quickly!) without any damage.

This ring, these earrings, and this bracelet are also on my list! Do you have some of her pieces? How do you style them?

Friday Favorites!

TGIF! I am sure we are all ready for the weekend! We don't have too many plans except for polo with friends for the last time before the season ends and soaking up as much time outside as possible! I turn into a pumpkin once those Florida summer temps really set in.

Linking up with Amanda!

Favorite Beauty Product:

This Real Techniques Sponge is amazing. I know everyone is in love with the beauty blender and to be fair, I cannot compare them because I cannot bring myself to pay $20 for a makeup sponge. This little gem is $5.99, supposed to be the equivalent of the beauty blender, goes on BOGO at Ulta and works wonders for your application routine. The major bonus here is you don't cringe when after a few too many washes it is time to dispose of the sponge. I insist that you try it!

Favorite workout:

As I mentioned last week my schedule has been hectic and getting in a workout at all is a big win in my book. T-25 gets you moving and you certainly feel the workout in just 25 short minutes. I particularly like the ab interval DVDs and will often pop those in for a solid ab routine. I know Shaun T is a bit much for some people but I am not particularly bothered by his method and he seems to really get results!

Favorite Purchase(s):

As anticipated, Loft had their typical 40% off everything sale and I snatched up the scalloped shorts and this cute top. I also snagged this double tassel necklace from Prep Obsessed which I love. I am so excited to wear this combo and all the pieces separately as well.

Favorite Recipe:

Via

This blueberry moscow mule recipe sounds delicious. I have not put it to use yet but I having been loving the mule lately and can't wait to make these!

Random Favorite:

Via

I spend a lot of time writing notes, calendaring, doing client intake etc. We are only allowed to use blue pens in our office which gets pretty mundane. I also like to color code my calendar so that when I see something in red I know its a bigger deal or that I really can't forget it. I ordered these cute Stabilo pens and they have really been spicing up my office (there are about 4 shades of blue in this set) and the other colors have been sprucing up the blog notebook. I also love that they come in this container that looks like a giant pen. It sort of brings me back to the days of gel pens!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Thursday Trend- Coordinate Sets

This Thursday Trend topic brings us to the ever growing presence of the crop top coordinate sets.  I have been seeing these for a few seasons now I think and they are just starting to pop onto my shopping radar. I saw this really gorgeous Mara Hoffman set on Mallory's blog and it is just my style. Unfortunately it seems to be sold out.

I love the chic simplicity of the matching set but the added intrigue of it being two pieces. These sets come in all pant, short, skirt combinations for all occasions.  I love that they transcend all genres as well. There are full floral skirts for the more conservative woman and fierce and fun animal prints for the more adventurous. Here are some I rounded up for you…

I really like the white pom pom set and the middle black and white set. What do you think of this trend? Are you sporting a coordinates set this summer?

Wanderlust Wednesday: Cruise Edition

With spring break here, or nearly here, and our own cruise vacation right around the corner, I thought this week's Wanderlust Wednesday would focus on some cruise tips. I have been on just a few cruises and absolutely love it. I know it tends to be a love or hate situation. What I love about it is the carefree and stress free vacation. There is very little planning once you are on the boat, we book our excursions in advance and the rest of the time just go with the flow. You don't have to decide where to eat, how to get there, what hotels to stay in etc. The other great thing is that with beachy destinations, there typically is not a large agenda that must be fulfilled.  In my opinion, cruises are especially great for group vacations. While I am not an expert and I am sure many have cruised much more frequently than I, here is a list of tips  I have learned or wish I knew before boarding!

 I mean who doesn't love these views? (St. Thomas, USVI).

1. Bring a water bottle- this may seem basic but water and other drinks are not available all over the boat and it can be a pain to run back to the buffet area to get a glass of water. This is also helpful to fill up before you head out of the boat at a port of call. We waited in line for about 30 minutes in Starbucks to get a bottle of water on our last cruise, which could have been easily avoided by the water bottle. This one will be joining me on our trip. I believe you are also permitted to bring cases of water on board with you but depending on the amount/means of travel you have before arriving at the ship that may not be the most convenient option.
2. Bring small bills. We heard from friends that it is best to leave a few dollars each day for your room steward as a token of appreciation. You want to have small bills on hand to leave tips at the end of your vacation as well. You can do this on your onboard account as well but everyone likes a little cash.
3. Bring sunscreen, SPF lip-balm, a hat, and all other sun essentials. You can always get these onboard but there will certainly be an up charge and you won't want to waste your vacation running around the ports of call trying to gather these items. I always forget the SPF lip balm and my lips always burn.
4. Board the ship early or very late. I know there are two schools of thought on this. I abide by the first, board the boat as early as possible, eat lunch, sneak in a pre-sailaway nap, and enjoy yourself. Otherwise you will wait in line for hours on end and you will be agitated when you finally board. Or choose to board late, not too late that you miss the boat, but late enough that you have missed all the traffic of families and groups boarding.
5. If you are going to do excursions, book them before you board. We have done this every time and it makes it so easy. By the time you are onboard you have a rough agenda and no issues with excursions being full, not having any plans (unless you prefer that) and not waiting in lines or stressing out when your relaxing trip is underway. The line at the excursion counter on our last cruise was about a mile long the first morning of the cruise. No. thank. you. (I guess I may as well add that I hate waiting in line).
6. Bring a bottle of wine or champagne. On most cruise lines adults are allowed to bring one standard 750ml bottle of wine or champagne. If you drink this at dinner they will charge you a corking fee (assuming you bring the bottle with you, even if they do not open it), if you drink it in your room or around the ship (not at a dining location), no one will care.  Carry this on the ship with you and you will have no problems. I cant wait to be sipping some non-cruise line priced mimosas from our balcony!
7. Make friends. Especially if you are seated with strangers at dinner, enjoy the company and chit chat. This can sometimes be awkward but in my experience, everyone is on vacation and up for some fun. It is amazing what you will learn from the variety of cruisers and it is fun to see each other throughout the ship and in port and borrow each other's tips and tricks for the week. Embrace it.
8. Carry your luggage off the ship. If you can, do this. It will eliminate so much of that dreaded wait time. We decided to carry our own luggage and originally had planned to sleep in but we were up early and then just jumped off the ship early with no waiting, no traffic, and we were so happy. Added bonus: zero chance of lost or confused baggage.
9.  Bring hand sanitizer. This probably doesn't need a lot of explanation but bring some. Keep it in your beach bag.
10. Check the daily itinerary the night before. On most cruises this is delivered to your state room at night with the turn down service. Make sure to plan dinner around the shows etc. The comedy shows are usually hysterical and often have a few show times. The itinerary also has things you may miss, dance lessons, rock climbing times etc. A lot of activities have time restrictions so this helps make sure you get to fit in everything you want with no disappointment!

Needless to say, I am counting down the days to crystal clear waters, relaxation, and being completely unplugged!

Do you avid cruisers agree with these tips? What are some of your own?

Whitening Lightning Review

I recently purchased this Dial A Smile Professional Teeth Whitening Kit from Whitening Lightning. I had seen a few other reviews of these kits and it was on sale for around $40 so I figured I would give it a shot. I am totally guilty of drinking too much coffee, tea, and other "staining agents" and had some very high hopes for this kit.

When you first open the box this is what it looks like….

Then you empty the rest of the contents and you have all of this…

This kit comes with pretty clear instructions but there are a few steps. Initially you want to use the dial to determine the yellowness of your teeth. Honestly, I found this difficult to do on my own and it probably would help to enlist a second opinion so you can see what results you obtain. This is important so you can tell if your teeth are legitimately whiter when the 20 minute treatment is up.

When you are ready to start, you use the teeth wipes to dry your teeth, followed by the vitamin-E swabs to protect your gums. At that point you put some of the whitening gel in the provided cap and brush it on your teeth. Then its time for the blue light, 20 minutes and you are good to go.

A word of absolute caution, when you are ready to remove the light you definitely want to be over the sink. A lot of saliva generates during those 20 minutes! TMI I'm sure but seriously.

In all honesty I was not sure if this kit actually worked or not on the first go. They say it brings you up 3-4 shades on the dial but I would say more like 1-2. I used it again 7 days later and think that in total my teeth are probably 4.5 shades whiter than before I used the kit. You get 3 treatments out of the gel so I would say this kit is worth a try! There is no sensitivity like you have with white strips and it is an easy process. If you follow Whitening Lightning on Instagram they are constantly posting coupon codes so be sure to check there before purchasing!

Have you tried this kit or any other great whitening products?

Weekend Recap!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I feel like this weekend was so well spent. We got in some trips to the beach, time with family, all our errands and some afternoon naps. What else can you ask for!?

Friday night was very low key. Ross and I had some frozen pizza for dinner, watched a movie and called it a night. Saturday we slept in and then headed to the beach.  With spring break upon us, you can count on your trip anywhere in town to take twice as long. Tons and tons of traffic!

 There is always some serious sand sculpting and this guy made a leprechaun taking a nap on a four leaf clover. How cute is that? I forgot my phone so this is the only photo evidence of the beach trip. Saturday night we went to dinner at my sister's house and enjoyed some family time.

 As with any good weekend there is brunch. I had some serious fails this weekend with remembering to take photos and this is the only one from brunch. We went to the cutest little rustic place on the water that has amazing fish tacos. Snapper, guac, feta, cole slaw, and some secret house sauce. My mom and I are obsessed. This place even has a semi-authentic gondolier and you can take a ride on the water right out the back of the restaurant. 

I apologize about the photo but you can sort of see the cute patio atmosphere.

After brunch we made some rounds to Marshalls and the grocery store. We were hunting for some baby gifts, easter basket items, and birthday gifts, so Marshalls was just the post. I loved these blue and white pieces on clearance but since we don't have a set home yet I am trying to refrain from investing in too many decor items (who knows what nooks and crannies we will actually need to fill later on!) We managed to snatch up something for everyone on our list and headed home for the much deserved Sunday nap. I love when weekend errands are productive!

What were your weekend highlights?? I am already looking forward to Friday!

Don't forget to follow me on Instragram @lifeaskatel

Friday Favorites!

We made it to Friday! I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am excited to relax and soak up some sun!

Linking up with Amanda today!

Favorite Purchase:

My mom and I stopped by Lilly Pulitzer this week to do a little resort chic shopping. I picked up a cover-up ( I can't find this one online anymore but here is a similar one) and some shorts for our April cruise. I love the beaded detail on the coverup and its great to throw on for a day on the island. They were out of my size at our store but this jumpsuit was on sale, promptly located in my size and will be making a happy home in my closet soon! I am super excited to wear these on our cruise and when my besties come to visit me at the beach next month!

Favorite Workout:

I have been swamped at work so the at-home workout is my go to these days. I picked up this Pure Barre DVD set after Christmas and while I much prefer to visit the studio for the music and motivation, these get the job done just as well.

Favorite Recipe:

Cauliflower Bites. These are delicious and perfect when you are craving something bad for you but don't want to overindulge. I make up a Greek yogurt based ranch dip and call it a day. Even Ross loves these and says they taste just like wings!

Favorite Current TV Show Binge:

Nashville.

I watched this a lot in seasons past but had gotten away from it. I recently rediscovered by love for this show and have been binging on abc.com. I am not quite caught up so no spoilers please!  If you don't watch it check it out, the love triangles and relationship twists will suck you in.

Have a great weekend!!

The Backpack Comeback

Another trend I have been noticing resurfacing is the backpack. Practical and these days, stylish. I can remember the days of the mini backpack, I think I bought mine at Ross and it was a flannel Navajo print. Unfortunately I couldn't find any photo evidence of that.

I know in college and law school there was always the debate of fashion over function and I opted for the tote bag unless serious studying was going to take place and then a North Face backpack it was.

Some of these leather backpacks are adorable and I think they would be great for travel. There is nothing worse than having to go back to the hotel because you forgot something or, even worse, getting rained on because your cute crossbody could not hold your umbrella.

What do you all think of this trend? Are you sporting a trendy backpack these days? Check out some of my favorites below.

Wish List Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a great week, we are rounding the corner toward the weekend! Here are some items on my radar this week...

Buckle Tote  // Sandals // Clutch  //  Jumpsuit //  Foundation  // Brushes 

I am in need of a black leather work tote and I think this one will do just the trick, except I am tempted to get it in the red color. I use my Longchamp Le Pliage most days but a more structured bag would be nice to have. I love the little buckle detail on these straps.

That jumpsuit would be so fun for spring and summer, my only hesitation is that it is clearly a statement piece and at that price a little impractical.

If you have not tried real techniques products yet, you are missing out! I have this eye set and they will change your eye makeup routine permanently.  Who knew you could get that perfect of a crease? Their new bold metals collections is gorgeous and I'd love to decorate my vanity with a few.

I have been hearing rave reviews of this Benefit Cosmetics foundation and I am dying to try it. I use the Hello Flawless Powder and really love the buildable coverage. I think the combination of these two would be great for full coverage. It doesn't hurt that Benefit has the cutest containers and names for all of their products.

And leopard and sparkles are just musts in my life.

Whats on your radar lately?

Follow me on Instagram @Lifeaskatel (button to come soon!)

Weekend Recap!

This weekend was super low key and wonderful. Ross' parents were in town for the previous two weeks and my parents were visiting as well.  So the opportunity to do nothing was much needed. We did a lot of meandering around town, lounging in the courtyard and of course there was brunch.

Friday night looked a little like this. Ross was working late and I made dinner and waited patiently with some vino. We may or may not have gone to bed at 9.

 Saturday morning we got up unusually early and went for a walk on the water. It was  grey and 55 degrees and we had been hoping for a pool day. But that was not in the cards.
I never get tired of living in Florida (remind me about this in July!) these views are amazing and right down the street. 

Saturday actually turned into a really nice day so we headed back downtown with one of my bests for a late brunch at Burch & Vine. This was their signature margarita with orange liqueur and smoked salt on the rim. If you like the smokey flavor, this is your drink. If you don't (like me) I'd go with your standard brunch mimosa!

Sunday was spent in bed with the worst migraine. But luckily it was the weekend and I am on the mend. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and a less than manic Monday! Check back tomorrow for a little wish list Wednesday!

And how about that Bachelor finale??  Do you watch? I can't help myself, reality TV is a total guilty pleasure. Unfortunately so is immediately checking Reality Steve for the winner….
But more importantly….two bachelorettes??

Sail to Sable Spring 2015

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I was a little under the weather yesterday so I will recap the weekend for you tomorrow! Have a great start to your week!


My closet is seriously overflowing. In my attempt to clean out I am trying to mainly focus on work attire and classic, staple fun pieces. The work attire is purely out of necessity. With the Florida heat returning at any moment, I am drawn to cute summer dresses. Sail to Sable recently released their latest spring delivery and I am loving it! They are great quality and perfectly classic.

How cute is this for brunch with the girls or dinner with his parents? I wish this came in a blue combination as I'm not really one for wearing pale pink.

I am eyeing this maxi for summer weekends and our upcoming Caribbean getaway.

I think this navy piece is timeless, perfect for all ages, and a great summer wedding dress. This dress also provides the perfect opportunity for outfit repeating as so many shoe/accessory combinations are possible!

Have you tried Sail to Sable? What pieces catch your eye?

Friday Musings

TGIF! But seriously I am so excited about this weekend....Sunny and 77? I will take it. My least favorite thing about the office job is wasting all the daylight hours trapped inside. I am  eager for daylight savings time so that it will be light outside when I get home from work! Hopefully we can take full advantage of the gorgeous weather this weekend and get some pool time in. Here are some  random musings for your Friday…


Lunchtime shopping trips.

I had a pretty light court calendar on Thursday so I decided to swing by the mall during lunch in pursuit of some spring business wardrobe supplements. Namely I went to Loft in search of this dress. I think it is perfect for court free days in the office but it also lends itself to throwing on a black blazer and heading to a hearing. As anticipated I love it and need it in my life. It is not a clingy jersey stretch, hangs nicely, and is machine washable!  Loft is great for work pieces but they always have sales and everything is usually at least 40% off within a day or two so I refuse to pay full price.

These scallop shorts are also on my must have list. The white ones are cute and I took the picture to show you the detail and length (I am about 5'7") but the black ones are what I am after (they didn't have any in the store)  they seem to come in a thicker fabric so they should not be see through. Please ignore my hiked up mess of a dress. Scallop details are popping up all over the place this spring and I love it (some of my favorites: dress, bag, swimsuit, tee)

Jamberry Nails.

Has anyone tried these nail wraps? I have used the Sally Hansen Salon Effects but I had never heard of Jamberry Nails. Ross' mom was in town and recently hosted a Jamberry party at her house and sweetly brought me these two wraps to try. Ross hates the smell of nail polish and you are always banned to the porch if you insist on painting anything when he is around. The heating and stretching required to apply these sounds a bit ambitious but luckily for me Ross has seen them in action and may be a good helper ;) I will let you know how the application goes and if they stay in place. They are supposed to last 7-10 days so I may have to wait to try them when we go on vacation as neon pink floral nails clearly are not courtroom appropriate but sound really fun for the Caribbean?!


 Batiste.

Ok this is seriously an absolute MUST for me. I used to be a shampoo twice a day kind of girl (crazy right?) but then I studied abroad and lived in a "flat" with 11 other girls and only two showers and necessity trumped all, so I trained my hair to be less of an oily mess to minimize shower time. The added bonus was that my fried, dry hair became super healthy because I was not drying it, straightening and otherwise destroying it as often.

 I used to use the Redken dry shampoo and it is a great product but its pretty pricey. Batiste wasn't available in the US until somewhat recently and it is so so wonderful. I used to dry shampoo and need to employ some sort of updo but now I am sitting here with day three hair, wearing it down and looking better than ever. I even put it on clean hair sometimes just to make it more manageable. I find the best way is to spray it on and let it sit while I shower and put on my makeup and then I brush it through. Run to the store and buy this immediately. Ulta has it on BOGO from time to time and TJ Maxx has it for around $5.99 pretty regularly but the price is very buyer friendly even without any discount at around $8.00. I use the classic/fresh scent but it comes in a variety of options. I ran out last week and had to go a few days without and I did not feel like myself. Yes, these bottles are all mine because I can not risk running out again! Anyone else with me on this??


 Tieks Marketing Calendar

I ordered Tieks right before Christmas and they were supposed to come with a 2015 calendar or maybe they sent one to every customer? I am not exactly sure but they sent an apology on the tardiness and then this adorable little easel calendar arrived in the mail yesterday. How cute???

Birkenstocks, Yay or Nay?

In high school there were two acceptable shoe choices: Dr. Martens or Birkenstock clogs. These days that would horrify me, back in 2002, I had Dr. Martens in brown and black and they looked wonderful horrendous with my private school uniform. I think these days the girls wear Tory Burch flats but those did not exist in my day. Birkenstock sandals are something I had a pair of in purple (remember that purple problem?) circa 1993. 

I realize that Birkenstocks are making a comeback and some would say they never left but I'll be honest, when they started gracing the JCrew catalogue a few season ago, they landed on my distant radar. I have seen them paired with chic maxi dresses for a casual look and the obvious jeans and shorts combinations. I probably wont be fashion-forward enough to pair them with short dresses or skirts but you never know!

Have I mentioned how much I love anything gold metallic??

This Gizeh style is also on my radar.

I mean if Heidi Klum (and a ton of other celebs) are sporting them….why not??

Via

What do you think of this trend? Are they "fashionable" enough for your taste?

Those gold Arizona sandals are a summer must for me!

Wanderlust Wednesday

 The middle of the week always has me daydreaming and this week is no exception. I am craving a vacation and while one is definitely on the books much too far from now right around the corner, I can't help but get lost in memories of studying abroad. I love to travel and am always eager to plan the next trip.

London

I spent the fall of my final year of law school living, studying and interning in London. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and after spending a summer living in Niederkorn, Luxembourg with a host family during my undergraduate studies, I craved a second chance at what I consider one of the best decisions of my life. Fortunately for me my law school offered an even exchange to London and I jumped at the chance to attend (and even more fortunately, I was able to drag convince my best friend to go with me) What I love about living and traveling abroad is the constant opportunity to see amazing, historic sights and to meet such a variety of people, but also the chance to constantly reflect on your own culture.

 After living there for 4 months I can certainly confirm that when you are tired of London you are in fact tired of life. (Samuel Johnson). London has everything to offer and I long for the days of a light class schedule, meandering through the city, sipping cider at the pubs and jet setting to any European city on a whim for the weekend. 

Cliffs of Moher (Ireland)

I think it goes without saying that this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My family came to visit during my semester in London and we set off to Ireland for a long weekend. This picture can in fact be hash tagged "no filter." It takes some effort to get there and if you ask any cab driver in Dublin, they will tell you it is not worth the trip (unless they have a fantastic price to take you there personally) but I wholeheartedly disagree. Go, immediately.

Did you study abroad? What was your experience?

xo

Rose Gold Everything

I am absolutely adoring the rose gold trend. Something about it is so feminine and fun to me. My only hang up on the wearable pieces is that I am a big fan of two-tone (silver and yellow gold) jewelry and I haven't decided how I feel about mixing the rose gold with the other two. I used to be a strictly one metal at a time girl but when my favorite ring happened to be gold and my favorite earrings silver, I learned to love the two-tone variety. I am not sure if I prefer silver and rose gold or yellow gold and rose gold or all three at once.  Here are some rose gold pieces that have been catching my eye...

Michael Kors Watch //Kate Spade Serving Set // Ted Baker Wallet //Druzy Earrings // Kendra Scott Bracelet //Crew Cuts Pull-On Boots // Miansai Bracelet

That Ted Baker wallet is so cute, a bow, metallic elements and an ultra feminine light pink? Yes please.

I absolutely love the purple and rose gold combination of the Michael Kors watch. My friends joke that I have been in a "purple phase" most of my life. You know the one that 5 year olds grow out of? Never happened for me. I once was at the beach and called out on this problem as I had my purple phone case, purple towel and purple bikini, yikes. Oddly enough, my favorite color is blue! Regardless, this watch would be wonderful for casual weekend wear.

I think that this watch might end up being the solution to my mixed metal dilemma. It would definitely eliminate any question of what  to mix when and it is unlikely I would feel the need to wear all purple when sporting it.

Are you loving this trend? What do you think about mixed metals?

Polo Sunday

One of our favorite things to do this time of year is to go to the Sarasota Polo Club for the matches on Sundays. This year the season is from December 14, 2014- April 5, 2015. They play every Sunday at 1:00pm. The first time we went we were vastly underprepared but we quickly learned that this is an occasion for serious tailgating (if you choose). I'm talking tents, tables, chairs, corn hole etc. They even have themed days where there are contests for who has the best tailgate decorations according to the theme.The last two I saw were judged/sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue.

 If tailgating is not for you, they have a concession area with a food truck and some picnic tables (this is where we parked it our first go round). It is a really fun atmosphere and a great way to spend a Sunday funday. Yesterday was especially beautiful and about 80 degrees, which is a big improvement from our weather lately.

The players parade around behind the flag before the national anthem at the beginning of the match.

During the match.

This guy drives his wagon around during halftime and has free rides for the kids!

Our tailgate spot. I didn't manage to snag a picture before we dug in.

I am still trying to figure out the rules of the game but I welcome any opportunity to sport a preppy outfit and sip on mimosas while relaxing with friends before the Monday blues sink in. I am hoping to fit in a few more matches during the cooler months next season although December and January always seem to slip away.

They even have polo lessons at the club for beginners. Which we think could be really fun!

Have you been to a polo match? What are your tailgate specialties?