Like Paradise

This week is all serious stuff for me -- taking finals to end this semester and getting started on my upcoming summer semester. That means I've been spending a lot of time trying to find ways to keep my mind off of the impending responsibility. 

A great way to avoid present responsibilities is to take a trip to the past. Currently my head is back in L.A. where the sun was always out, street corners were lush and I was carefree enough to go boho,  flash tats included. 

Yes, I'm late to the party, but I feel like if there is anywhere in the world to stamp your body with gold, it would be the west coast. This printed peasant dress was an easy wear during my trip, and I can't wait to wear it again, even if it is just to pretend I'm back in a mini paradise.

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Boy Meets Girl

On one hand, I feel like a bad blogger because I have worn these jeans in far too many posts. On the other hand, I live in the real world where people rewear things constantly, and in the real world these jeans are ah-mazing and deserved to worn a million times over.

So, for the millionth time, I present to you my ripped boyfriend jeans. Only this time, I went on a full boyfriend closet raid and stole his button up, too. Men's clothes are unfairly comfortable, and I need to make a note to wear them more often. 

"IF SOMEONE ASKS ME WHETHER I WANT TO HAVE FUN OR BE COMFORTABLE, I'M GRABBING MY BRIGHTEST LIPSTICK & THROWING A PARTY."

I should point, I am wearing heels and coral lipstick, because though menswear is comfortable, our clothes are significantly more fun. And if someone asks me whether I want to have fun or be comfortable, I'm grabbing my brightest lipstick and throwing a party.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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April Showers

I'm not a fan of April. Well, let me rephrase that: I'm not a fan of rain. And it seems those two go hand in hand. Maybe if my hair weren't so damn frizz-prone, I wouldn't mind, but as you can tell, that just ain't the case.

It was a very damp weekend here, and though I wanted to stay wrapped in bed, I had things to do and people to see. Read: wake up at 6 a.m. to shop and have a much need catch up with my girl. It was #worthit, even with the resulting bad hair day.

"MAYBE IF MY HAIR WASN'T SO DAMN FRIZZ-PRONE, I WOULDN'T MIND, BUT AS YOU CAN TELL, THAT JUST AIN'T THE CASE." 

If I have to brave the elements, I'm going to to do it with a bright umbrella and even brighter lipstick. Also, my most lived in striped dress and classic trench, of course. You just let me know when they start making frizz defense that actually works.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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lilly for target

I'm so ready for this weekend. Well, to be more accurate, I'm so ready for Sunday because, if you live under a rock and haven't heard already, it's the day that Lilly Pulitzer for Target launches.

I've shared my Lilly moments before, so you probably already know that I'm a sucker for the bright, happy patterns. I'll be at Target bright and early ready to grab my faves (below). There's no shame in my game!

I would be more embarrassed by my giddiness, but with everything I want under $40 and a complete array of sizes and options, I gotta say, this a collection worth being unabashedly giddy for.

SEE THE REST OF THE COLLECTION HERE

Late Girl's Guide: Honey Mint Lemonade

When it starts warming up, I look forward to getting a fresh bunch of mint and a few bright lemons to make Honey Mint Lemonade. It's refreshing, tart, and subtly sweet.  

If you want a little more oomph, all it takes is a splash of your favorite liquor and you've got a party.

1. Cut & squeeze lemons, making sure to remove seeds. On the side, boil enough water to fill 1/4 of your pitcher.

2. Pour honey (I eyeballed the amount), lemon juice, and hot water over the mint leaves. Use a wooden spoon to mix & crush leaves. 

3. After making the lemonade concentrate, fill the pitcher with cold water & ice. Stir and enjoy!

LATE GIRL'S GUIDE   The Late Girl's Guide is a series of quick, simple recipes and how-to's for the girl wishing she had just 15 more minutes. SEE MORE HERE

The Business of Pink

The fear of being labeled a frivolous girly girl kept me away from pink and all of its shades for years. Now that I embrace being as girly as I want (in addition to all the other things I am), I may go overboard from time to time. 

You know, just some pink lipstick here, a little pink nail polish there. Maybe a bright blazer for special occasions. Or, you could do all three if you really mean business that day, because being that committed to pink has to be handled like business.

"FOR THE SAKE OF NOT GOING FULL ON ELLE WOODS, I'VE GOT TO BALANCE IT WITH CLASSIC NEUTRALS."

For the sake of not going full on Elle Woods, I've got to balance it with classic neutrals: a striped sweater and black jeans. The truth is, though, once you decide to go that pink, there's no going back. 

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Finding The Perfect Spring Scent

As a girl, you grow up hearing that every woman should have a signature scent. I definitely stole spritzes of my mom's perfume before I stopped my daily use of Bath & Body Works body splash and bought my own real eau de parfum.

Since then, I've been married to Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Signorina by Ferragamo. They're both floral, feminine and light enough for spring days. Also, they're not cheap. When good perfume costs a pretty penny, you don't go running out to buy a new bottle all the time. That's where Scentbird comes in.

When good perfume costs a pretty penny, you don't go running out to buy a new bottle all the time.

Scentbird is a simple perfume subscription. Once you take the quiz (that was my favorite part!) and find a scent perfect for you, you subscribe and get your first bottle. Or, if you already know what scent you want to try, you can just request it. I chose Yellow Diamonds by Versace because, hello Versace!

Scentbird provided a one-month-sample of their service for this review. All opinions are my own.

My Transport Tote

There is no feeling quite like finally getting the one beauteous thing you've spent a whole year pining after. Except for maybe getting it as a birthday present. 

For me, it was the Madewell Transport Tote. I'd seen it on one of my favorite blogs, Kendi Everyday, and the love was instantaneous. The funny thing is, I was shocked at how much I loved it.

"SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 & 24, I'VE SHIFTED TO PREFERRING WELL-MADE SIMPLICITY OVER QUICK TRENDS."

If you would've told 20-year-old me that I would be seriously lusting after a plain tan tote (that was also over $100 -- phew) one day, I would've rolled my eyes. "I only do gold hardware detail, fun colors and $40 price tags," I would've said.

I can't wait to wear it with literally everything this spring. It seems like somewhere between 20 and 24, I've to shifted to preferring well-made simplicity over quick trends. Look who might actually be growing up.

Hello Pretty

This weekend was a literal breath of fresh air after the overwhelming week I had. I don't want to relive it, but I'll say this: serious in-car cry sesh. You've been there, haven't you?

Usually when it gets this perfectly springy, the first things I reach for are brights and patterns, but I wanted the ease of a simple white dress and worn in denim jacket. Sort of like jeans and white tee, but with a lot more leg. 

"AFTER A WEEK OF CRYING IN YOUR CAR, IT'S OKAY TO WANT SPARKLE & KIND WORDS." 

My simple is never that simple, though. I OD'd on my sparkly bracelets and carried a supremely girly tote. Because, after a week of crying in your car, it's okay to want sparkle and kind words, even if they're coming from a tote.

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