Summer Reading

Everyone that knows me knows how much I enjoy reading. It's not uncommon for me to start and finish a book in one weekend or even a day in special circumstances! That being said, I haven't been reading much lately and I'd really love to get back into the habit. I've created a Summer reading plan for myself with the intent to read at least 2 books per month. I've also been dying to give the Divergent series a read and I hope to squeeze them in too. Below is my plan, and I know we are already into the second week in June, but trust me, I got this! Let me know if you'd like to join me-I've always wanted to be a member of a book club!

*EDIT* I prepped this post on 6/6 and began reading The Fault in Our Stars on 6/7 and finished it the same day. I absolutely loved this book-It was a love story that was real and not cloyingly sweet. I definitely DEFINITELY recommend reading this book, and I've already got a date planned with my Mother-in-law to see the movie this Friday!

Weekend Update- From Culture To Couture

You may not know that I attended a technical high school and graduated with a major in Fashion Design. I've been lucky enough to maintain a friendship with my fashion design teacher and once I graduated from college (FIT) she asked me to be a member of her Fashion Advisory Board. Twice a year I attend meetings where we discuss what's working, what's not, and what's ahead. Happily, this advisory board membership comes with a front row seat to the annual fashion show that exhibits the work of the current Fashion Design students. The garments get better by the year, and this year's graduating class did not disappoint!

Keep in mind that the first two looks were made by sophomores and juniors and the last three were from seniors-their talent is awe inspiring!

The draping on this dress was stunning and beautifully executed!

This jumpsuit was the most wearable piece in the show, it was flawlessly crafted and the shimmery, fluid fabric made it gorgeous as evening attire!

Hand made roses wound their way around the bodice in a beautiful pattern. This gown also featured an asymmetrical train that was perfectly draped!

This dress just made me so happy, it is comprised of many many layers of hand cut and sewn tulle with a lace overlay crop top!

The inspiration for this dress was an Indian goddess and I thought this was the perfect representation of a modernized Sari-gorgeous! 

Kitchen Gadgets You'll Actually Need

3 years ago as I was planning my wedding from the comfort of my in-laws house at the age of 22 and had no clue what I would actually need to sustain a home. I ended up purchasing a glass topped dining table that is dirty 2 seconds after I clean it and I registered for a $200 + wine decanter that I absolutely love but never use. Well, I'm here to tell you, there are some "silly" things that I have now that are invaluable in the kitchen. Take it from me, you don't need the waffle maker, but you WILL need that salad spinner (boring, I know)! 

-Electric Tea Kettle-Perfect for boiling water to a specific temperature at the speed of               light!
-Garlic keeper-ensures you don't lose a bulb of garlic in the depths of your cabinet                  and start growing a tree in your kitchen.
-A food scale-the traditional way to measure baking ingredients and great for calorie                  counting.
-A bread knife-you'll use it for much more than bread!
-Assorted scoops-perfect for ice cream, cookie dough, and pancakes!
-A salad spinner-use it for drying salad (I've yet to fine another use-may also work                  for drying socks)!
-Assorted round "biscuit" cutters-these would have come in handy that time I tried to               make English muffins.
-All Out Of List-really helps jog your memory for what you intended to buy at the                    store and cuts down on those I-NEED-THESE-TOO purchases!
-Mini-sized measuring spoons-again would have been super helpful that time I tried to              make English muffins (Does anyone actually own a 1/8 measuring spoon?!)

Wednesday Words

Lately, I've really been loving the little things. Like fresh flowers, surprise treats, a cup of freshly brewed tea, and the sun greeting me when I wake up. Take pleasure in the small moments, because they are far more frequent than their larger brethren. 

Tuesday Top Picks

Sometimes I bounce out of bed and open the shades and just welcome the day with open arms-the vision here is that I wake up as Snow White with birdies dancing around me and braiding my hair. This may be a bit dramatic, but I am in a great mood this morning. It could have something to do with this post, or the green tea that I'm currently enjoying. Either way, I feel inspired and thought that I would share the good mood!

Frittatas are the only thing I want to eat!

I have a serious case of wanderlust and I can't stop thinking about Greece!

 I'm all about Paris Street Style-I imagine myself looking as chic as these ladies!

I think it's about time for a new pair of Ray Ban's but I can't decide if I want the blackout version or a colored lens!

Images Via Pinterest Greece/Frittata/Paris Style/Glasses

The Liebster Award-I Nominate. . .

Yesterday, I received an email that one of my favorite bloggers (not an ounce of exaggeration here) nominated me for a Liebster Award.  Samm is a friend of a friend (that I have yet to meet in person-let's change this!!) and she has been a supporter of my blog since it's very rocky early days and I just have to say that I love her blog. Sam's posts and images always leaving me feeling inspired, and that's the point, right?

I'm assuming that you don't know what that is, and I didn't either until I found myself the grateful recipient of it! The Liebster is an award that is given to new bloggers, the criteria states that you must have less than 200 (or maybe 3000) followers. Well, I'll let you know right now that once I hit 200 followers, I'll be having a huge party to celebrate! Regardless, this award is a way to recognize fellow bloggers that you want everyone to know and love. I will say this, I'm a bit sad because I can't really nominate Sam again, or Meredith (because Sam got to her first), but fear not, I have a couple awesome blogs/friends to share with you at the bottom.

I can't tell  you how happy this small recognition makes me, especially to find out that I was nominated on day where I posted content that I was nervous to share with the world. Thanks Sam, and thanks to all the bloggers out there just sharing what they love! P.S. I'm really grateful because I didn't have a post prepped for today!

I'll be following the same rules as Sam:

• Write a blog post accepting this award, while thanking and linking to the person that nominated you.
• Write 11 facts about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions written by the person who nominated you.
• Write your own 11 questions
• Tag 5-11 upcoming bloggers (I'll be tagging 2ish)

11 Facts About Me

1. I still have 1 baby tooth, which will likely have to be removed once I hit my 40s.
2. I have 6 younger brothers and sisters
3. I cannot whistle-I just can't.
4. I am deathly afraid of splinters and anything that could become lodged under my skin (I'm looking at you, glass)!
5. I can rap 99% of the words to Gold Digger.
6. My husband and I were secretly married at the Paramus courthouse 1 year before our wedding-I've never before acknowledged this fact publicly.
7. I cannot stand the look of chipped manicures, this is my biggest pet peeve.
8.  The smell of beer is enough to make me gag, I have never taken more than 1 sip of any given beer.
9. If I could re-do my wedding, I would plan my reception at the Museum of Natural History.
10. I have been to Baton Rouge/New Orleans, Louisiana at least 6 times and could totally see myself living there one day, if I could just adapt to the heat!
11. My favorite part of everyday is when my husband, pups, and I crawl into bed and settle into a four way snuggle session, I do not like it when the three of them steal all the blankets though!

11 Questions

• Q. Do you prefer sunny or rainy days? Sunny
• Q. Would you rather cook or go out to eat? Go out to eat
• Q. What food would you get an endless supply of if you could? Croissants-I'd also remove their calories!
• Q. What  would be your entrance song if you were a professional wrestler? Welcome to the Jungle
• Q. Who would write the soundtrack to your life? Simon and Garfunkel-they've already proven pretty adept at writing soundtracks
• Q. What do you think is the most embarrassing song  you have in your iTunes library? I have very little shame when it comes to music, but I'll say Boyfriend by Justin Beiber
• Q. If you could visit one place every year for the rest of your life, what place would it be? I would relive my honeymoon in Rome
• Q. Are there any movies that you've seen so many times that you have the dialogue memorized? Step Brothers, Sweet Home Alabama, Legally Blonde, and the first Sex and the City movie
• Q. Peanut butter with strawberry or grape jelly? Neither, halved giant marshmallows!
• Q. Where's Waldo? Tattooed behind this girl's ear! 
• Q. If you could be trapped on an island with one other person for 6 months, who would it be? Blake Lively-I'd stare at her for 6 straight months!

My Questions for my Nominees:

1. If you had one super power, what would it be?
2. What  is your hidden talent?
3. What would your spirit animal be? (Unicorns are totally an option here)
4. What has been your favorite blog post to date? (Link back for us!)
5. NSYNC or BSB?
6. What is your zodiac sign and are you very true to its details?
7. At what age did you receive your first kiss?
8. What do you frequently try to hide in pictures? (I am always lint rolling dog hair off surfaces)
9. What is your favorite childhood memory?
10. If you could only shop at one store for the rest of your life, which would it be?
11. What is your go-to nail polish shade?

Nominees:

Clothes Minded by Jo

Life with Emily

Bonus Nominees:

La Jour de Samm

SolelyMer

Cruelty-Free Beauty Products

For some reason that I can't completely pinpoint, I've become very concerned about animal testing in the world of skincare, cosmetics, and household products. I don't think that I could ever commit to a vegan lifestyle (I live for cheese)-so I'll never preach for others to do so. I won't lie to you, I carry a leather bag and I eat fish, but I'm trying to make changes where I can. I visited Peta's website and I scanned their lists of companies that do and do not test on animals. I was very pleasantly surprised by some of the names that I saw on the list of companies that do not test on animals and I am committing to purchasing more products from these companies versus those on the other list.

I've pulled together the below collection of cruelty-free products that I either already love or am dying to try as a way to show you that it's easy to choose cruelty-free products, without sacrificing quality or selection (or breaking your budget)! Please let me know if you have any favorites that I should try!

Here are some recognizable brands that you can feel good purchasing from: 

NYX

Urban Decay

Physician's Formula

Yes to . . . 

Burt's Bees

Paul Mitchell Haircare

Josie Maran Cosmetics

Butter London Nail Polish

OPI Nail Polish

Illamasqua

E.L.F Cosmetics

Flower Cosmetics

Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Queen Helene Skincare

LUSH Skincare

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish

Tata Harper Skincare 

Too Faced Cosmetics

Supergoop Suncare

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Hourglass

Tarte