I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day! I’m so sorry I’ve been M.I.A. on the blog recently. Things have been a little crazy at my day job and then my dog developed a boo-boo on one of his paws. It was a difficult couple of weeks for my four-legged-child, but he’s feeling much better with relaxation and the medicine his vet prescribed.

For today’s post I’m rounding up some outfits I’ve recently shared on Instagram. You’ll notice I’m beginning to work in some fall colors : camel, navy, burgundy, mustard yellow and olive green are a few of my favorite summer to fall transitional colors.

I’m currently working on a fall favorites post, so stay  tuned!

Happy Saturday, everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve shared beauty products I’m loving on the blog, so I hope I can redeem myself by sharing some great ones!  Some of you may have seen these products on my Instagram over the past month, but I wanted to take the time to link them for you and share with those of you who may not use Instagram.

I received the Flawless Fusion Ulta-Longwear Foundation and Translucent Loose Setting Powder by Laura Mercier complementary from Influenster for testing purposes and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The foundations I love and use the most are oil free, light weight and provide full coverage. This foundation is all of those things. If you have naturally oily skin (like I do) and are looking for a full coverage foundation, these products are definitely worth a try .

The day before my collaboration photo shoot with Lizzie Harrell, I made a trip to Ulta for under eye concealer. I’ve used under eye concealers in the past, but none of them really impressed me. One of the Ulta beauty reps suggested I try Tarte under eye concealer with the shape tape for optimum results. Since I love trying new products, I took her advice without hesitation and purchased both products.  Guys, when I say these products are amazing.. I mean AMAZING. Not only do these products eliminate pesky under eye circles, they also brighten to give you that well rested glow. Also, I recommend using a complexion sponge for blending. Lastly, the thing I love most about the shape tape is it can be used as a foundation too. Who doesn’t love a good multipurpose product, right?!

I went to World Market a few weeks ago for another box of floral bouquet soaps ( yes, these rose buds you’ve been seeing throughout on this post are soaps) and these make up brushes totally caught my eye. Right now they’re on sale for under $10 and would make the perfect gift for the beauty lover in your life.  I honestly haven’t decided if I’m actually going to use them, or just use them for decoration… same goes for the soaps, because they’re just so pretty.

Since National Lipstick day wasn’t that long ago, I thought  it would be appropriate to share my favorite lipsticks in this post. I am obsessed with this line by Revlon!  These shades are budget friendly and beautiful. I get so many complements on the Spark shade of pink and people are always surprised when I tell them its Revlon. I’ve tried lipsticks at all price points and these are the only ones I continuously rebuy.

If there are any beauty products you’re currently loving, I’d love to know!

Last week, my best friend from North Carolina came to visit. We talk everyday and usually see each other once or twice a year. If any of you also have a long distance bestie, you understand how important actually being together is.

While she was on the West Coast, we spent some time in Seattle and Vancouver B.C. prior to returning to Portland for more exploring.  A normal day, for my bestie and I, always starts with coffee. We usually don’t plan too much, simply  because we both appreciate spontaneity.

This particular day we ended up at Cornell Farm  & Cafe. After ordering iced coffees, we wandered around the grounds admiring the beautiful plants, flowers and fountains that are all available for purchase.

When it comes to exploring on warm days, I’ll choose a flowy dress and flip-flops over a tee shirt, shorts and sneakers any day! I’m loving this off the shoulder maxi dress from Shein. After reading the size reviews online, I decided to order an extra small and it fits perfectly. If you ask me, black and white is always appropriate.

I hope you’re all having a great weekend. I went to spin class yesterday and today, so hopefully I’ll be able to walk tomorrow!

I’ve been talking about having a picnic in the park all summer and I’ve probably been planning it just as long.With fall around corner and my best friend coming to town, I decided now would be the perfect time to make this summer picnic happen.

When I have an idea I tend go a little overboard (for example, my summer picnic inspiration board on Pinterest). My love for pink, white and feminine details was the primary  inspiration for this picnic. Yes, this spread is over the top and slightly  unnecessary but it brought me joy. I’m all about doing things that make me happy and including those who appreciate my affinity for beautiful  details.

When entertaining, wine is my beverage  of choice, today our basket was filled with roses’ from Lila Wines and 90 + Cellars. For snacks we opted for French bread, almonds, artisan crackers, buttery cheese and fresh fruits. With the record breaking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, this sparkling rose’ with notes of strawberries, passion fruit and rose petals was the perfect beverage for warm day.

Thank you to Lila Wines and 90 + Cellars for partnering on this post.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.” – Audrey Hepburn

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend. I met Lizzie Harrell for brunch and some vintage shopping today. I found the cutest (circa 1960) straw handbag, it was the one find I couldn’t pass up. Speaking of Lizzie…she so graciously wrote this weeks collaboration post, so I’m gonna let her take over from here!

We’re back for week two of the iconic women collaboration with S.J. over at All Glam No Filter! Hope you enjoyed last week’s feature on Marilyn Monroe. This week is all about the lovely, charismatic, and courageous, Audrey Hepburn.

Before Audrey Hepburn became a fashion icon and one of the most celebrated actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age, she was a teenage activist during WWII. Although her parents were Nazi sympathizers, Audrey supported the resistance by donating money she earned from ballet recitals and serving as an underground courier.

After the war, Audrey began modeling and acting in minor roles in film. Her career began to take off when she was cast as the lead in Gigi on Broadway with a successful six month run. Shortly after she was chosen for Roman Holiday, her first Hollywood film starring opposite Gregory Peck, and catapulted into stardom. Ironically, Truman Capote originally wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the role that became Hepburn’s most iconic.

She was a fashion maven and the muse of her close friend Hubert de Givenchy: “His are the only clothes in which I am myself.” Starting with Funny Face, Audrey requested he design all her future costumes for film, and he designed much of her personal wardrobe as well. Shortly before her death, Hepburn gave Givenchy more than 25 dresses he designed for her.

Audrey died of cancer at the early age of 63, but not before spending the final years of her life as an ambassador for UNICEF. She raised awareness in the media, worked on nutrition projects and literacy programs, provided drinking water, and more around the globe. As a child she had received food and medical relief after WWII and approached her work with UNICEF as an expression of gratitude.

For our photo project, we recreated two Audrey Hepburn looks: Audrey in her big black hat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the balloon scene at the Arc de Triomphe from Funny Face.

Hope you enjoyed this tribute to the amazing Audrey Hepburn! We have more incredible, iconic women to bring you in the weeks ahead.

Happy weekend, everyone!! Today is super exciting because we have a guest writer on the blog…(and she’s been my partner in this collaboration) photographer, Lizzie Harrell! I just have to start by saying this collaboration was a dream come true. A lot of my style inspiration is drawn from women of the past that I admire for their style and grace. When I first approached Lizzie with this idea, she believed in it immediately.  It was in that moment I knew this collaboration was going to be something special.  Be sure to check her her out on Instagram. Lizzie, take it from here….!

I’m excited to share a recent collaboration I’ve been working on with S.J. over at All Glam No Filter! For the next several weeks we’ll be featuring recreated photographs of iconic women we admire. These women are not only beautiful, they have left a lasting legacy in fashion, popular culture, feminism, and beyond. Enjoy!

About Marilyn

Before she was Marilyn Monroe she was Norma Jean Baker, a young girl who overcame a tumultuous childhood with a mentally ill mother and a string of foster homes to become one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood.

Although she was well-known for playing the “dumb blonde”, Marilyn rose above that stereotype proving she could deliver strong performances in serious dramatic roles and was one of the first women to start her own production company.

Marilyn passed before the modern women’s movement and throughout her career she was objectified as sex symbol, but many consider her a proto-feminist or a martyr for modern feminism. Possessing a quality that was at the same time innocent and sensual, Marilyn’s comfort in her own skin and casualness towards nudity helped make it more culturally acceptable for women to embrace their sensuality. She also used her influence to support other women. When Ella Fitzgerald wasn’t allowed to perform at Mocambo because of her race, Marilyn called the venue’s owner and told him that she wanted Ella booked immediately and she would be at the front table every night.

It’s no secret that Marilyn lead a troubled life, exploited by Hollywood, unable to have a child she desperately wanted, and struggling with relationships and drug abuse. Long after her untimely death, Marilyn is still a paradox. A tragic figure, yet as inspiring and alluring today as ever.

Marilyn may be the most photographed person of the 20th century and with so many photographs of her it was really hard to choose which one to recreate! Ultimately we picked two Marilyn looks for this collaboration: Marilyn Monroe Ballerina photographed by Milton H. Greene and Marilyn photographed on the patio outside her Hollywood, CA home by Alfred Eisenstaedt.

Hope you enjoyed this look a Marilyn’s influence and the photographs we recreated to celebrate her. Stay tuned for another iconic woman next week!

For the past couple months, I have been using a line of skin care products curated by Dermatologist’s Choice to meet my skin care needs. I received these products complimentary for testing purposes and I have been extremely satisfied with the results. Dermatologist’s Choice Skincare Products were created by a dermatologist with 35 years of experience treating patients with skin issues. When trying new facial products, I always look for a dermatologist’s stamp of approval. Some of the best skin care advice I’ve ever received came from dermatologists!

If you’re new to the blog, you’ll quickly realize skin care is topic I’m extremely passionate about. I love trying new products and incorporating them in to my existing skin care routine. When I was in middle and high school, controlling breakouts was a constant battle for me. Now that I’m older, it’s less of an issue but I still experience the occasional breakout. I firmly believe, the key to healthy, beautiful skin is effective products and sticking to a regimen that works for you. I’m currently loving this pH Balanced Cleanser and Deep Cleaning Facial Mask, both of these products leave my face feeling refreshed and oil free. Another thing I love about this product line, is it’s extremely affordable and great for any budget. Having great skin doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune, simply  use products created for proven results.

Thank you to Dermatologist’s Choice for sponsoring this post.

Hello friends, I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday so far. I just finished watching the HBO mockumentary “Tour De Pharmacy” and it was hilarious. I don’t watch a lot a television, mainly because I have a hard  time sitting still, but I was glued to this sports comedy. No joke, my chest still hurts from laughing.

Anyway, I decided to do something a little different on the blog. This post for readers who don’t use Instagram and haven’t seen my recent posts. I’ll probably do more of these posts since I post to Instagram daily.

crew-neck tee dress //red bandana  (similar)

My palm sweater is from Old Navy.  It’s unavailable online, but I’m still seeing it in stores// drop earrings

Steve Madden wedges

Sugarfix leaf drop earrings //Sugarfix statement necklace (thank you to Sugarfix by Bauble bar for sponsoring this post)

Steve Madden wedges // palm pillows (similar)  // tropical journal

mascara & coffee tee  (on sale)//  black chino shorts// Ilymix sunglasses

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start. I can’t believe it’s the last week of June and the 4th of July is next week! Is it just me, or is summer already flying by?!

I saw this skirt and top on Shein and knew I had to have them. I’m looking forward to styling them individually, but together they make the perfect 4th of July outfit! Okay… you may have noticed I’m not wearing this skirt as pictured on their website, I decided to wear it as a high low skirt. The zipper is quite concealed so really you have the freedom (no pun intended) to wear however you’d like. This seersucker top (also available in black and white) can be worn on or off the shoulder. Also, the fabric is extremely light weight which makes it perfect for a warm summer day.

Happy weekend, everyone! I’m sorry I’ve been M.I.A. on the blog for over a week . I caught a bug that was going around the office and was forced to take it easy for awhile. Lying in bed jealous of everyone enjoying the sunshine had me planning a weekend by the pool and a blog post!

Today on the blog, I’m sharing my poolside essentials:

1. Sunscreen: I enjoy soaking up the sun, but I’m a huge advocate of safe tanning. Not only does sunscreen help prevent sunburns, it also decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.

2. Water: staying hydrated is so important when you’re outside in the heat, so I make sure to have plenty of water on hand.

3. Reading material: last summer was a total smut fest, I’m not even gonna lie about it. If you’re looking for literature similar to Fifty Shades of Grey just let me know. I’ll probably stick to magazines and non-fiction this summer.

4. My iPhone and headphones: I can’t go anywhere without my phone, so of course it’s in my pool bag. If I’m not reading by the pool, I’m listening to music by the pool. I just find it extremely relaxing.

5. Sunglasses:  I have an old pair of aviators from Express that have become my designated pool sunnies. They’re cute, but I don’t mind if they get wet or scratched.

If you have any summer reading suggestions or songs I should add to my poolside play list let me know!