Life Lately {NYC, Pittsburgh & BookCon Adventures}

Three weekends in May I was off having adventures and sharing them on Instagram. I tend to get a bit snap-happy when I'm having a good time. I take pictures of my food, what I'm about to see, what's around me, etc. I should probably take it all in without a phone or camera in front of my face, but I'm a Millenial, so can you really blame me? And just because I'm documenting it doesn't mean I'm not taking it in. Anyone else agree? Sometimes it's nice to have a reminder of the good times when things aren't going your way. 

In early May, the lovely Naomi and her husband Jason were in town (because they won tickets to see Mumford & Sons #jealous) and we had a wonderful day exploring the Met, relaxing in Central Park, eating at a pop-up market called Mad Sq Eats, searching for cool street art (a Banksy!), and talking about life, moving, blogging, and writing. We had a great conversation about my novel and she's helped me see it in a new light, so thanks, Naomi!

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to go to Pittsburgh. I was originally planning to go see Jess, Kristin, and Marissa in early fall, but then Jess told me she was moving to Houston in mid-June, so back in March I decided May was as good a time as any. I had a blast hanging out with them and after an hour it was like we had always known each other. I went to an outdoor food festival, saw the Cathedral of Learning Hogwarts, took the Incline, explored the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History, went to the Andy Warhol Museum, and bought too many cute things from cute shops.

This was my first year going to BookCon (or officially #TheBookCon) and it was AWESOME! I spent the first day with Danielle, Gaby, and Alyson of Bibliosmiles (plus their friend Shirley) and then spent the second day with my friend Brittany. I honestly can't pick a favorite day because I got so many books (19 in total!), attended fantastic panels where I learned a lot about writing and got new ideas for my own novel, and got to see cool authors (Rainbow Rowell! James Dashner! Elle Luna! Austin Kleon! Adi Alsaid!). 

What have you been up to?

Any plans for June?

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Rocksbox Jewelry

This is my final Rocksbox Jewelry box! (See Rocksbox #1 and Rocksbox #2.) If you haven't heard of Rocksbox, it's a subscription box where you take a quiz so Rocksbox knows your jewelry taste and sends you jewelry to rent for $19. You're sent designer jewelry that you can keep for as long as you like. When you want to try something new, you simply send it all back and get three new pieces to wear. If there's anything that you want to keep forever, you can buy it at a discounted price. 

I've really enjoyed getting to try new every month and I would continue with it, but the jewelry is generally over my price range. Use code "moptopxoxo" to get your first box free!

Slate's Beyond the Horizon Necklace

This necklace is really cool and fun, but it's not really my style. It's a bit heavy and I know I wouldn't get much wear out of it. The Insiders' Price is $44 (regular $56).

Urban Gem's Pave Peekaboo Stud Earrings

I was so excited to get these because I put them on my wishlist. Sadly, they're really heavy and the back of the earrings don't stay put very well, so I'd be constantly afraid of them falling off. The Insiders' Price is $40 (regular is $50). 

Perry Street's Brianna Bracelet

How cute and delicate is this bracelet? I really like the soft, muted spring colors. I actually decided to keep this bracelet because I've been liking bangle bracelets lately. The Insiders' Price is $35 (regular price $45), but with my Rocksbox Spend of $10 it was $25. 

Have you tried Rocksbox?

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Watch | Read | Listen {June 2015}

Hooray it's my birthday month! As a treat to myself, I'll no doubt be buying myself a ton of books and go to the movie theater to see Jurassic World and Pitch Perfect 2 since I missed it last month. 

MOVIES

Testament of Youth

A powerful love story set during World War I about a young couple (Alicia Vikander and Kit Harrington) in a difficult time. This beautiful film is based on Vera Brittain's memoir and has become a classic of war from a woman's perspective. (Watch the trailer.) Wow, this movie looks fantastic! (June 5)

Jurassic World

Steven Spielberg's next Jurassic Park installment features a bigger and badder foe: the largest dinosaur in existence with almost human-like intelligence. Jurassic World, a zoo of dinosaurs, is open to the public, but things go horribly wrong. Featuring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. (Watch the trailer.) Who else is super excited to see this?! (June 12)

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Based on the novel by Jesse Andrews, this story follows Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who makes short film parodies with his friend Earl (RJ Cyler). Greg's mom tells him to hang out with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) because she's been diagnosed with cancer and he sees the value in true friendships. (Watch the trailer.) This looks sassy and cute and heartbreaking. (June 12)

Inside Out 

We're all guided by emotions that live in Headquarters, the control centers of our brains. Riley is a kid who struggles with her emotions after her family moves to San Francisco and her emotions (voiced by Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black, and Phyllis Smith) help her through everyday life. (Watch the trailer.) I'll definitely be seeing this with my kid sister. (June 19)

A Little Chaos

A romantic drama that follows Sabine (Kate Winslet), a talented landscape designer, who is building a garden at Versailles for King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman). Sabine struggles with class barriers as she becomes romantically entangled with the court's renowned landscape artist (Matthias Schoenaerts). (Watch the trailer.) Beautiful clothes, beautiful backdrops, and a fascinating story. (June 26)

Other movies coming out:

• A Pigeon Sat On A Branch (June 3)
• Beyond The Mask (June 5)
• Freedom (June 5)
• Police Story: Lockdown (June 5)
• Set Fire To The Stars (June 12)
• Dope (June 19)
• Eden (June 19)
• 7 Minutes (June 26)
• Into The Grizzly Maze (June 26)
• Ted 2 (June 26)

BOOKS & MUSIC

Books & Music -- June 2015 by sarastrauss featuring home decor

• Finders Keepers by Stephen King -- A masterful, intensely suspenseful novel about a reader whose obsession with a reclusive writer goes far too far—a book about the power of storytelling, starring the same trio of unlikely and winning heroes King introduced in Mr. Mercedes. (June 2)
• In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume -- In 1987, Miri returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. (June 2)
• The Jezebel Remedy by Martin Clark -- Lisa and Joe Stone, married for twenty years and partners in their small law firm handle less-than-glamorous cases, but when one of their clients is killed in a freak fire they get tangled in a corporate conspiracy. (June 9)
• Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari -- A hilarious, thoughtful, and in-depth exploration of the pleasures and perils of modern romance. Ansari combines his irreverent humor with cutting-edge social science to give us an unforgettable tour of our new romantic world. (June 16)
• A Hot Glue Gun Mess by Mr. Kate -- From the hugely popular lifestyle blogger, YouTube star, and designer Mr. Kate (Kate Albrecht), a beautiful collection of step-by-step personal style and home projects—woven in with quirkily hilarious stories and anecdotes. (June 16)
• Killing Monica by Candace Bushnell -- In KILLING MONICA Bushnell spoofs and skewers her way through pop culture, celebrity worship, fame, and even the meaning of life itself, when a famous writer must resort to faking her own death in order to get her life back from her most infamous creation--Monica. (June 23)

Florence & The Machine's How Big How Blue How Beautiful (June 2)

Of Monsters and Men's Beneath the Skin (June 9) | Muse's Drones (June 9)

What are you looking forward to this month?

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Outfit: Mermaid Tales (with Jamberry Nails) + Giveaway

This past weekend I went to BookCon (more on this soon!). Prior to this I had never been to a convention, but I knew that I would be holding a lot of papers, maybe some books, and finagling with my camera to take pictures, so I wanted my nails to remain perfect and chip-free. I decided to wear my Mermaid Tales Jamberry Nails, courtesy of the wonderful Amanda Thompson who is a Jamberry consultant. 

These nail wraps are adorable with their metallic ombre and white scallops to create the mermaid scales. I switched it up and had three Jamberry nails and two emerald nails (Zoya's Giovanna). They're so easy to apply. Curious how to do it? See my previous Jamberry Nails review here. 

Jamberry Nails | Facebook | Instagram 

Cardigan: Target | Top: Thug Life Shirts | Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: T.J. Maxx | Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Nails: ℅ Amanda Thompson Independent Consultant for Jamberry Nails

Win $60 to Amanda Thompson's Jamberry Nails site!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever been to a convention?

Have you tried Jamberry?

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Favorite Things

{A Little Princess x Rifle Paper Co., Dear Pittsburgh Pin, 1820 Sage + Cucumber Candle,

BookCon Tickets, Briogeo Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner {review here}, 

Wedges from T.J. Maxx, Simple Micellar Water & Scarf from Charmingly Chic Organization}

My absolute favorite things this month were literally walking all over New York City with Naomi, painting with Jackie, traveling to Pittsburgh to see Jess, Kristin, and Marissa, and attending BookCon! What a crazy and fantastic month this was!

Now that I've had this Briogeo leave-in conditioner for several weeks, I really, truly tell you have awesome this product is. After just a few uses, my hair is noticeably softer and smoother. I got a small bottle in my Ipsy, but I will 100% be getting the bigger bottle when I finish it. Luckily, I only use a few sprays on my damp hair, so it will last me a while. 

Who else loved the movie A Little Princess? I've never actually read the book, but when I saw this beautiful cover from Rifle Paper Co. I had to get it. It's just darling.

♥ A few fun links:

♥ When you feel like giving up.

♥ Fascinating post: Thoughts on thinning.

♥ Kristin is making me a better writer with her Intensive Purposes series.

♥ Easy beach blonde waves because yes.

♥ The Blog Market always has fantastic posts: On Being Creative.

♥ Loved this post on preparing for BookCon! Really came in handy!

♥ To # or not to #.

♥ Two posts on blog breaks: Ampersand Creative and Pyreflies.

♥ I'm not religious, but if you are: 5 Resources For Your Quiet Times.

♥ Looking for a new way to get books for review? I use NetGalley and Blogging for Books.

♥ Sponsor love:

• If you haven't checked out Jamberry Nails by now you're missing out. I absolutely love them, especially for summer when I don't want to think about my nails. Easy to apply, a ton of styles, and they stay on for weeks. A few favorites from Amanda Thompson's shop: Faded Bouquet, Good Vibes, and Siren Song. (P.S -- There's going to be a giveaway tomorrow!)
• Who doesn't love cute clothes? Unique Vintage takes it to another level with their vintage-inspired pieces and I wish I could buy everything, particularly this floral fit and flare dress, watermelon tank top, and floral bikini. 

♥ Swap friends: Such A Novel Idea, Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups, Dipped in Ricoco, Curator of Cute, Ashleigh Em, and Second Thoughts. 

♥ Fashion faves: crescent moon dish, snooze o'clock sleep shirt, white dress, floral dress, striped dress, beaded clutch, pineapple phone case, arrow necklace, and striped tee.

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