Weekly Review / Weekend Happenings

This beautiful girl is my little sister who has such a big heart and it an amazing person inside and out. This past weekend she went to the senior prom as a freshman at her high school with a senior who has autism. She wanted to make sure that he had the most amazing time at his prom because he deserved it. Although she is only 15 she is one of the most amazing people I know and I could not be more proud of the person she is becoming. (Had to give her, her moment I just love her so much)

This week:
This week was pretty usual we weren't too busy which is nice because with this weekend coming up and the beginning of next week we are going to be overwhelmingly busy. The good thing is that it is all going to be fun. This week Kyle and I went to one of his best friends grad party which was really nice and fun because it was also like a going away party. Kyle has really good friends and the ones that have girlfriends, have really good girlfriends which is nice for me.

This weekend:
Today I am heading up to the Adirondacks to spend some much-needed family time and some much-needed lake time. I think we are planning on going on a hike or chilling out on the lake for the day, either way, I will be enjoying myself and hopeful a glass of wine as well.

Current Favorite finds:
All the memorial day sales that are going on this weekend are amazing.
Some places with great deals:
~ Jcrew - 30% off your entire purchase.
~ Banana Republic - 40% off your entire purchase.
~ Nordstrom - They are having their half year sale and you can get up to 40% off on their sale items.

           Here are a few of my picks from the Nordstrom sale:

Favorite Things on the Internet: 

- This mom who earned an honorary MBA degree, this mom went to every class with her son who is paralyzed and she went to help him through. The school gave her an honorary degree due to her attendance of every class. It is definitely worth a read. 

- The cast of Roseanne now, I mentioned it in a post last week about how excited I am for the new season of Roseanne that is coming out next year with the original cast. The today show put out an article showing what they all look like now and they all look pretty good!

Currently Loving: Statement Earrings

Bauble bar tassel earrings: These I think have become the most popular style of earrings this year and I am completely on board. There are so many places that you can find earrings that look like this such as charming charlie's, Etsy, I even found a pair at Jcrew. 

Patriotic pop studded earrings: I think these are so cute and so fun from charming Charlie's. They are perfect for the holidays that are coming up this summer. They scream summer time to me but also make me want a bomb pop so bad. 

 Francesca's bauble drop earrings: These may be my all time favorite earrings. I recently wore a pink pair in my Easter dress outfit post. These really stand out in any outfit and I think they are such a fun accessory.

Cactus earrings by Kate Spade: If you have been reading pretty much any post that I have written within the last couple of weeks you will know that I am obsessing over cactuses and succulents. I stumbled upon these amazing Kate Spade earrings and I need them in my life, 

Garden party statement earrings: Kate Spade is killing the earring game this year. I am obsessed with these statement earrings. I'm already coming up with endless outfits that these would look amazing with. 

Eyelet-sleeve T-shirt

 When I saw this top in the store I knew that I had to have it. I loved how unique and different it was and the detailing on the sleeves is just darling. The fit of this shirt really surprised me actually. I was in a rush and didn't try it on so I was a little nervous about the fit but I could not be happier with it.

Outfit: Jcrew: Eyelet t-shirt | Old Navy: White jeans | Target: Gladiator sandals | Kate Spade: Glasses | Dogeared: pearl necklace

I just purchased these heeled gladiator sandals from Target and I am loving them. They do run a little big so I would size down a half a size or a full size. I wanted a heel that would be perfect for spring and summer to wear with pants or a cute dress. I loved these because they are the perfect dupe for the BP Decker lace up sandals that are sold at Nordstrom for twenty dollars more. Target is the perfect place to find dupes for expensive shoes.

Weekly Review/Weekend Happenings and Favorite Summer Shoes

'Mere' Flat Sandal | Castaways slip on's | Swizzle Gladiator Sandals | Lace-up Sandals | Jack Rodgers Slip-on Sandals | Lace-up Espadrilles | Tassel-Faux leather sandals | Pom Pom Lace-up sandals | Embellished leather sandals

Weekly Review:

This week went by so fast it was my first full week out of school, so getting into a new routine can sometimes be a hard transition for me. Today is the senior prom at the high school that I attended and it is super exciting because my little sister is going.  She is taking a senior/long time family friend of ours who has autism to his senior prom. My sister has the biggest heart and is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. It's been so fun to watch her grow and I'm so proud of her. Anyone who knows my sister wouldn't be surprised but what she is doing because this literally describes her as a person. Knowing Kara they will have the best time at prom and I really hope that they do. 

Along with her going to prom and doing her hair and makeup, I am also doing two other girls hair and makeup that are going to the same prom. So today I am going to be a busy person running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  

Weekend Happenings:

This is Kyles first weekend home for good so I am super excited to finally have him home. I think we are just going to hang out and maybe see some friends. He brought a lot of stuff home so we will probably try to sort all of that out.

Current Favorite Finds: 

Cactus print shirt - I am on such a cactus and succulent craze right now I can't stop.

Cactus ring from Kate Spade - I am dying over this ring it is amazing!!!

The Shine Project - This is a company that uses the money that they make to help kids go to college. It is an amazing company that is doing truly amazing things. 

Favorite Things on The Internet: 

• I wouldn't say that this is a good thing per say but it is something on the internet that I think we all saw coming. Ben and Lauren from the bachelor have split up. I do feel sorry for the two but I never saw any chemistry between the two of them. Even they've said it's been a long time coming in this article on the today show facebook.
•  The cast of 'This is Us' surprises fans whose lives have been touched by the show - This show is groundbreaking. I know I've talked about it before on the blog but it is among the few shows that I think is making a difference int the world. The cast plays their characters so well and you really feel something through their acting. It was so amazing to watch how this show affected these people's lives and how surprised and happy they were to see these actors. 
• To save the best for last ROSANNE IS COMING BACK FOR SEASON 8. I am so thrilled I used to watch this show every night while falling asleep when I am younger. I am so excited to see the whole cast back together again. 

Mini Drug Store Haul

These few products are somethings that I have found over the last month that I am really loving at the moment.

Products: Milani foundation | Essie nail polish | Milani eyeshadow primer | Elf mascara | Maybelline BB cream

Milani Foundation: Out of all of these products this one is the one I am most unsure about. It has a yellow tint to it which is not too bad but I could notice it, but it does have good coverage. This is kind of weird but it did have a weird scent to it.

Essie Nail Polish: This color is called watermelon, I was a little disappointed when I tried because I was expecting it to be pinker but it comes out more red than pink. Even though it was almost red it was still really pretty.

Elf volumizing mascara: I would almost say that this is a dupe for the better than sex mascara. It is like the cheaper cousin to the better than sex mascara. I did find that it didn't leave the eyelashes to be as full but it still works great and you can't beat the price.

Milani eyeshadow primer: I love this primer, this is my second bottle but it lasts for a long time. It keeps your eyeshadow on all day and it is a nude color so it blends in perfectly.

BB Fresh cream: This is the perfect BB cream if you want something super light. The coverage is medium but is perfect for days when you don't want to do a full face.

Friday's Weekly Review/ Weekend Happenings (long sleeve mermaid dress)

This is going to be a new series to the blog kind of to replace my Friday Fives, I am going to talk about my weekend plans, current obsessions such as this Long sleeve mermaid dress and this blue dress shirt. So I hope you like it and let me know what you think and if you have any ideas on what you want me to add in!

After this very stressful week, I am so wishing I was at the Taconic hotel in this gorgeous lounge sipping a glass of wine. Some day soon I will be there I am determined.

Weekend plans:

This weekend is Mothers day weekend as all of you know so it is going to be a busy one. Friday night we are taking my Fathers parents out to dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants for an early celebration. Then Saturday my parents are going out on an awesome date night to see the musical cabaret (which I am super jealous of). So I am going to take my sister shopping for last minute mothers day gifts, and probably go out to dinner with her. And then on Sunday, my mom's parents are coming for lunch at one of their favorite spots. I think we're going to make my mom breakfast in bed so that she has her special time dedicated to her. If you missed it check out my post all about my mom here that I posted on Wednesday.

This past week happenings:
This past week a lot has happened, I finished my junior year of college, my sister picked up her prom dress, and my car is finally getting fixed. If you have been reading for awhile then you may remember my post from October where I talked about getting into a car accident. My car is finally getting fixed from that accident.

Current favorite findings:

• plunge ruffle striped top with the belt from zaful. I love this top I think that it is so unique and I am loving ruffles lately!
• Off the shoulder laser cut top also from zaful. I am loving the off the shoulder look and the color of this one is just darling. 
• Cold shoulder high collar blouse I love the look of a built-in collar and this one with the cold shoulders is so cute I love it. 
• Turtleneck bodycon dress This dress from zaful is so cute I love the color!

Favorite things on the internet:

• The tone it up challenge. I have always loved the tone it up videos on youtube and now I am doing their bikini challenge and so far it is going well. I am going to do a full post on this with my thoughts once it is over.
• Alex Garza videos on youtube. I have really loved Alex for a long time on youtube, her videos are amazing and so fun. Her bestie Mallory is also so amazing and hysterical online. 
• I finally finished the Gilmore girls and the Gilmore girls a year in the life. I am actually not sure how I feel about it. I loved the actual show but I have to say that the Netflix four-part series was a little off to me. I liked it but it didn't feel like the show. I am sad it is over though, you get so invested into characters as weird as that sounds it is true. 

My Mom.

I know a lot of people always say that their mom is their best friend, but when I say it I mean it with my whole heart. My mom is someone that I can go to with anything and she will help me out no matter what. I can talk to her like a friend but she gives advice like a mother. My mom is an amazing person inside and out, she deserves the world and so much more.

My mom is a lover of cooking and trying new recipes and having food network dinner nights (which we haven't done in forever momma!). She loves to travel and try out new things. She loves her two pups who are her world. She loves her job where she helps kids in need and does amazing things to better the lives of children, she's a hard worker. But most importantly my mom loves her kids and her husband. She is an amazing person.

My favorite thing to do with my mom is to go out to dinner and then come home and watch a movie. She usually picks a sad movie which drives me insane because I get so invested into it but it's what she likes and they're usually good movies.

I love to go shopping with my mom and spend quality time with her, we could talk for hours and hours about anything and everything. I love our yearly trips to Vermont which she always does such an amazing job making sure that everyone is having a fun time.

Happy Mothers Day momma. 

Here is a template that you can use to give mom a special message this Mothers day. It is from the website ftd and they have a bunch of different messages to all the moms in your life. 

Graduation Gift Guide

Dogeared: Pocket wisdom | Longchamp: Le Pliage large | Bath and Body works: Rosé all day gift set | Kate Spade: scallop metro watch | Hallmark: 2017 frame | Dogeared: necklace | Mantra band: Bracelet

When I think of getting someone a graduation gift I think of something that is sentimental or something that will be very useful to them.  Sentimental would be something such as the enjoy the journey mantra band bracelet which has such a sweet saying on the box and is so relevant to the situation of a graduate. I also love the dogeared necklaces which also have amazing sayings on them that are so relatable to graduation. I think I received 3 or 4 of them when I graduated from high school and they all have such great sayings on them that related to going to the step in my life and the future is bright.

It is also a very good idea to give someone a gift that will be so useful to them. Such as the large Longchamp bag. I have one of these and I have used it for so many different things and it is my go-to bag. It is the perfect weekend getaway bag, work bag, carry-on, purse even. It's a great staple piece and so useful, it would make the perfect gift. Also, it comes in so many colors and you can get them monogrammed so it can because really personalize to the person you're giving it to. I also think that a gift from bath and body works is such a good idea because the time after graduation can be very stressful and it is important to have time for yourself and to relax. Bath and body works has so many great gift sets that are perfect for the graduate.

Some other gift ideas

• Gas cards - who wouldn't love this gift?
• gift card to their college store- my boyfriends, grandfather gave him a duffle bag with a ton of gift cards inside to his college campus store. This is such a perfect gift because you can buy books, college apparel, school supplies (mine even has some makeup).
• A day at the spa - Like I said before this can be such a stressful time that a graduate would be so appreciative of this.
• Money- money is always a good idea especially if you don't really know the person or the person has everything. You can be so creative with this also, like make a money tree or a photo album filled with ones. (Pinterest) 

Peplum Perfection

Peplum sleeves are so in this year and I am completely on board. I am totally in love with this JCrew top. I really love tops that you can easily throw on with very minimal effort to make the outfit look fabulous, and this top is perfect for that. 

Outfit: Top: SOLD OUT (similar) | White Jeans: Old Navy | Nude flats: Target (my absolute favorites they are so comfortable) | Sunglasses: Fossil | Watch: Fossil | Bag: Kate Spade (same, different color)

These pics are from my recent trip to Manchester. We spent the entire day shopping at the outlets and got so many good finds. The outlets at Manchester are my favorite places to shop. Some of the stores look like little houses such as the kate spade store and JCrew. It is so gorgeous in Manchester, if you have never been you have to go. I already can't wait to go back.

Mothers Day Gift Guide

Bar necklace | Giraffe at home throw blanket | I love you mom mini potted succulent | You da mom trinket tray | Coco Mademoiselle perfume | I love you mom mug | sun safety kit | Kate Spade lemon recipe book | Tablet recipe holder | scalloped faux leather tote | Le Creuset oval casserole

Bar necklace | I love the simplicity of the necklace, my mom loves small and dainty necklaces and this one would be perfect to layer with other necklaces.

Giraffe at home throw blanket | My mother has been obsessed with April the giraffe. If you don't know who April the giraffe is, it is a pregnant giraffe that you can watch live on youtube. My mother wants to watch this giraffe give birth more than anything. I thought this throw would be so cute and kinda funny because of how into this giraffe she is.

I love you mom mini potted succulent | I am loving succulents lately they are so cute and I love this one for mothers day. I recently did a post on my succulent set up and you can see that here. This is the perfect low-maintenance gift for moms.

You da mom trinket tray | As I said before my mom is really into small petite jewelry and this trinket tray would be perfect for her to put her everyday jewelry on. And I love the saying on the tray I think it is so cute and a good daily reminder.

Coco mademoiselle perfume | This is the scent of perfume that my mom wears but any perfume that your mom likes would be a perfect gift. Even a gift set of perfume, lotion, and body wash would be the perfect gift that any mom would love.

I love you mom mug | My mom is a huge coffee drinker and has definitely collected her share of mom mugs over the years. But she loves the next just as much as the last and this one is so cute!

Sun safety kit | With summer coming up this kit would be so perfect for any mom to get ready and to look her best. This kit comes with so many different items that it's like a gift inside a gift.

Kate spade lemon recipe book | My mom loves to cook and she loves Kate Spade, put those two things together and you have the perfect gift. I love the lemon design it is so fresh and so darling.

tablet recipe holder | My mom also keeps a ton of recipes on her tablet and sometimes it gets buried under all the ingredients or almost get spilled on, with this, it could be propped up and easier to read.

Scalloped faux leather tote | I love love love this bag I think it is so perfect for spring time and what mom wouldn't love a new bag for mothers day.

Le Creuset oval casserole | Le Creuset is so amazing and this casserole dish is perfect and it comes in so many amazing colors and is the perfect mother's day gift.