Friday, May 31, 2013

Favorite Things

I'm loving this bright lipstick for summer &
I can't wait to read this book before the movie comes out in August!

Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids Lipstick in Shocking Coral & City of Bones novel}

Close up: look how bright that lipstick is!
Do you wear shockingly bright lipstick during the summer?

I'm so glad I can finally break out my sandals!

{ShoeMint's Elloise {similar}, old J.C. Penney sandals (similar, similar
& old Payless wedges (similar, similar, similar}

Brittany's cat Olive in a box!

A few fun links:
♥ This crazy video of the Oklahoma tornado forming.

Shit Rough Drafts imagines what the first draft of memorable books and movies might've been.

The Thoughts Room = coolest thing ever.

I'm looking forward to watching Veronica Mars this summer since I didn't watch it when it first aired.

♥ How to piss off every New Yorker in 36 seconds.

♥ great article about the true meaning of The Great Gatsby and how it's become warped lately.

♥ Have you check out the A Beautiful Mess app yet? It's awesome!

♥ I've been using the Nike Training Club app & Tone It Up to help me exercise!

♥ 22 things that happy people do differently.

Sponsor love: This necklace from Dreaming Leo Designs is so pretty! (And she's having a sale!) Loving this dress from eFoxCity! And these cool glasses from Bonlook!


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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Inspired By: May's Best Selling Book Covers

Unfortunately, I didn't read as much as I wanted to since it was the end of the semester and I had a 15-page paper due, but I'm slowly but surely getting through A Storm of Swords, and as you saw yesterday, I have quite the summer reading list. And there are four books below that you might want to add to your own list!

The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession
Inspired By: The Bookman's Tale Cover

Written by Charlie Lovett, this novel begins in 1995 when Peter Byerly enters a bookshop. Nine months earlier, the death of his wife, Amanda, left him shattered, so he left North Carolina for the English countryside to rediscover his joy in restoring rare books. When Peter finds an 18th century study of Shakespeare forgeries, he is shocked by a portrait that looks just like Amanda. He knows it isn't her, but becomes obsessed with finding the picture's origins. 

Dress like the pale cover, by wearing a pale yellow dress, black necklace, black bracelet, and black maryjane pumps. Or instead try a black sheer top, lemon-colored jeans, crystal-covered collar necklace, bow earrings, and black sandals. If you're in England, don't forget your umbrella. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Inferno (A Robert Langdon Novel)
Inspired By: Inferno Cover
Written by the New York Times best seller Dan Brown, in the fourth novel featuring Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon, we find him in the heart of Italy as he is drawn into the harrowing world of history's most enduring text, Dante's Inferno. Langdon battles against time and a terrible adversary as he solves an igenious riddle that pulls him into a world of classic art and futuristic science. 

If you're not on the run, why not try a ravishing red dress, a Renaissance-inspired necklace, red stud earrings, and two-toned pumps? Or if you're being chased through Florence, wear a gray faux leather jacket, lacey red blouse, olive jeans, black backpack, and (since I forgot to add shoes) these comfy canvas sneakers

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

The Beautiful & The Cursed (The Dispossessed)
Inspired By: The Beautiful & The Cursed
Written by Page Morgan, this novel is an interpretation of the gargoyle lore. After a bizarre event that no one will speak of, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave 1899 London and all its fancy dresses and balls behind for a boring life in Paris. Her twin brother found her, her mother, and younger sister a creepy abbey with stone gargoyles to live in. Worryingly, her brother is missing and only Luc, the handsome servant, knows where he is. 

Dress like the beautifully colorful cover, by wearing a bright tie dye dress with a purple bracelet, a studded bracelet, an acid wash backpack, and nude sandals. Or wear a sophisticated tie dye dress in black and white, a purple cardigan, a pretty gray necklace, and nude wedges. 

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls

Inspired By: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls Cover
Written by David Sedaris, this is a collection of witty, at times crude, hilarious, and thought-provoking essays. Sedaris writes about a whole slew of subjects, such as his father's dinnertime attire, his first colonoscopy, and the time he considered buying the skeleton of a murdered Pygmy. 

Pair a subtly-patterned black romper with a beige sweater, black cuff, owl ring, and black sandals. Or wear a black owl-adorned tee, distressed jeans, simple necklace, purple owl watch, and (brain fart: again I forgot the shoes!) these cute nude criss-cross sandals

Buy the book: B&N | Amazon

Which look is your favorite?
What books did you read this month?

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

My Summer Reading List & A Blogger Book Swap: Book Reveal

My brother Ben is graduating from Hunter College today! I'll be going to Radio City Music Hall for the first time to see the commencement ceremony, but before that Ben, Leo (my youngest brother), and I are getting sushi, Baked By Melissa mini cupcakes, and an iced coffee from Aroma. Congrats, Ben! 


♥ ♥ 

So far this year I've read 11 books {check out which ones here}, so I'm slowly getting closer to my goal of reading 28 books in 2013! I'm looking forward to reading poolside this summer since there's a pool in my apartment complex literally right across from my building. Book + iced drink + sunglasses + comfy dress = a great day!

P.S. -- Friend me on Goodreads, so we can keep track of what the other is reading!


The books I want to read this summer are:
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare
 Cinder (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
♥ Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
♥ Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
♥ Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
♥ The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
♥ The Eyre Affair (A Thursday Next Novel) by Jasper Fforde
♥ The Teleportation Accident by Ned Beauman
Since I participated in the blogger book swap, I recently received Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James and The Wards of Faerie: The Dark Legacy of Shannara by Terry Brooks from Helen of Eat. Enjoy. Live. and I'm so excited to read them!

I also got a lovely typewriter brooch that says "Books are the mirrors of the soul" and a fabric bookmark that says "Live. Laugh. Love." I love everything! Thank you, Helen!

What's on your reading list currently?

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Outfit: Oceanic Hues & Dreaming Leo Designs Giveaway [CLOSED]

My lovely sponsor Rachel, who is the jewelry-maker behind Dreaming Leo Designs let me pick out a piece of jewelry. I have to say, I'm in love with this Moroccan Inspired Necklace! I'm a big fan of colorful jewelry and this is perfection. Her pieces are dainty, pretty, and vintage-inspired, so if that's your style check out her Etsy shop because all her necklaces and bracelets look expensive but are at affordable prices. 

Rachel even says that she's out to prove that jewelry can be both high-quality and really affordable. She cares about her customers and works hard on her designs, using mostly gold- and silver-plated materials, swarovski crystals, and glass crystal beads. 

I knew I had to compliment this beautiful necklace with oceanic hues, so I chose shades of blue and green with a splash of gold. Also, how awesome is this mug?! It was a present from Brittany since she went to the AWP Writer's Conference in Boston. Write like a mother f*cker indeed!

Check out Dreaming Leo Designs:

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Prize: 25% off code of a purchase of $10 or more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cardigan // Target (old)
Top // Forever 21
Tank (underneath) // old
Jeans // American Eagle Outfitters
Flats // Old Navy
Necklace // Dreaming Leo Designs
Watch // Target
Glasses // Bonlook
Mug // The Rumpus
Tea // Starbucks Passionfruit Tea

Link up at Real Girl Style!

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Inspiration: Green with Envy

Maybe it's because it's the color of the year, but lately I've been loving emerald and it's spring friend mint. Emerald is such a vibrant color that it works year-round, and mint is absolutely perfect for spring and summer. Not-so-coincidentally, I recently picked up an emerald-colored blouse for work and a mint-colored tee for wearing everywhere. 


Do you like mint and emerald?

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Sunday, May 26, 2013

A Blogger Book Swap: Childhood Favorites

Today I'm linking up with Nina of run(dance)love to talk about my favorite books from childhood!

ONE | When I Have A Little Girl by Charlotte Zolotow

This is my favorite childhood book! I remember my mom reading it to me at night. It's about a little girl telling her mother that when she has a little girl of her own her daughter will be able to do all the things she wants, like go outside without a coat at the first sign of spring or only take a bath once a week. I love how fun this book is.

TWO | The Very Little Girl by Phyllis Krasilovsky

I loved this book when I was young because it's about a girl who is very little, and since I've always been small in a way this book spoke to my small-ness, but shows that no matter how small you are you can still do big things, like be a big sister (which I also am). 

THREE | Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Everyone knows and loves this book and for good reason. It's so wonderful and imaginative. A young boy, armed only with a purple crayon, goes on an adventure because of the things that he himself drew. It shows just how powerful your imagination can be and still rings true almost sixty years after it was published. 

What are your favorite childhood books?

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Guest Post on Coming Unstitched


Hey guys! I hope you're having a wonderful Saturday
and Memorial Day weekend!

Just wanted to let all you lovely ladies know
that I'm guest posting on
COMING UNSTITCHED!

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Friday, May 24, 2013

My Writing: Celestial Sea {Poem}



Celestial Sea

explosive, the stars grow old and burst,
they race through space and collide headfirst.
bright constellations, like veins, appear
the cosmos are all connected, a sphere.
a nebula manifests like an alien world
in shapes so strange they expand and unfurled.
colors strikingly vivid paint the night sky;
shades of sapphire, honey, and moss appeal to the naked eye.
a stretch of infinite space starts to collapse
into a black hole that’ll consume anything in its grasp.
amidst this celestial sea, we stand alone
on a tiny little planet, a pebble, we call home.
the show felt like a spectacular state of delirium
and everyone was heartbroken to leave the planetarium.

What do you think?

Have a great weekend!
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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Inspired By: North & South

Based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell (the Kindle edition is free by the way!), this is a novel that takes place in 1855 Victorian England. It's about a young woman named Margaret Hale, who has to leave her relaxed, carefree life in the south and go to a cold, industrial town in the north with her mother and father after her father, a clergyman, leaves the Church of England. The story explores themes of social class and workers safety against the backdrop of the industrial revolution. 

The BBC mini-series (which is on Netflix) does the novel justice. It doesn't shy away from the harsh themes, and it also makes us root for Margaret and Mr. Thornton. Their eventual love is very similar to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy since they dislike each other immensely at first. If you like Pride and Prejudice, you'll like this!

Margaret Hale
Inspired By: North & South -- Margaret

Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe) is a smart, feisty, compassionate, and strong-willed young woman who moves from the south of England to the industrial town of Milton in the north with her mother and father. She has trouble getting used to life in the north and clashes with Mr. Thornton over issues involving the working class. 

Mix tough and feminine, like Margaret herself, by wearing a sheer jacket, a floral dress, a pale pink watch, and black wedges. Or by wearing a studded fedora, a sheer blouse, brown high-low skirt, cut-out ring, and lace-up boots. 

John Thornton
Inspired By: North & South -- Mr. Thornton
John Thornton (Richard Armitage, The Hobbit) is a hard-working man with a tough exterior but a kind interior, and who seeks to better himself and his cotton mill factory. He cares about the people who work in his factory and does his best to ensure their safety and health. He becomes one of Margaret's suitors, despite his mother's disapproval of her.

Dress like the strict and proper Mr. Thornton by wearing a zippered black jacket, floral white peplum top, black jeans, and black and white heels. Or dress up in a black blazer, nude strapless dress, collar necklace, and black pointed pumps.  

Have you seen this mini-series?
What did you think?

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Firmoo Sunglasses Giveaway! [CLOSED]

In order to help those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma, you can text "STORM" to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army or "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross. Or you can donate to the Oklahoma Tornado Relief here. Or make a donation to the Red Cross here

Lauren of Introvert's Introduction is selling a beautiful print and 100% of the proceeds will go to the people of Moore, Oklahoma, which was her childhood hometown. Check it out here!

♥ ♥ ♥

Firmoo recently contacted me to do a sunglasses giveaway for my lovely readers!

As you all know, Firmoo has so many great, fashionable sunglasses to choose from at affordable prices. They have a wonderful program: the First Pair Free program! Get your first pair of glasses for free by only paying for shipping. They also have a virtual try-on system to ensure that the glasses will fit your face, which I think really helps when buying glasses or sunglasses online. 

Firmoo even has a fashion eyewear community called Firmoo+ that focuses on styling eye wear and clothes.

They are very helpful if you need help ordering or need help with shipping and tracking
Check out these super chic styles below:
Check out how bloggers on Firmoo+ are wearing their new sunnies:

Giveaway Details:

Prizes are: 7 prizes in total if 50+ contestants; 6 prizes if 50- contestants.
1. If there are 50- competitors: 6 winners will win $20 sunglasses E-voucher each. The vouchers only can be used on these Firmoo sunglasses.

2. If there are 50+ competitors: 
For the grand prize winner (1 person): a pair of fashionable sunglasses, shipping included. 
For the second prize winners (6 persons): same with the prizes when there are less than 50 competitors participated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Outfit: Fluorescent


Remember when I said I was loving little yellow dresses? (And this dress was also in my new buys post.) Well, I couldn't resist this bright yellow dress from Old Navy that I managed to snag for only $8.

I'm so used to wearing certain colors (my closet is mostly purple, blue, pink, and black), so it's kind of funny that throwing a new color into the mix made me unsure of how to wear it. I was so excited to wear this dress and then I looked at it more closely and thought, What on earth do you pair with yellow? And how do I not look like a bee? I think pairing it with neutral colors works really well. I think when I wear this again, I'm going to try wearing it with shades of blue. 

Also, how wonderful are the pink petals all over the ground in these pictures?! They kept falling gently from the tree while I was taking pictures and it was like a scene from a movie. 


Cardigan // Target
Dress // Old Navy
Belt // eBay (only $4!)
Ring // Marc Jacobs
Booties // DSW
Glasses // Bonlook
What do you think?
What do you pair with yellow?

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