Springtime Stripes

I sort of miss fall's dark lipstick and oxblood everything, but sometimes your favorite trends have to get left behind with the season. You just gotta suck it up and move on, girlfriend.

But, there are some seasonal saving graces. For me, it's stripes. I am oh-so-grateful that stripes make up half my wardrobe, so I can always mix it in. For spring, punchy lipstick and lace up heels are all I need to make fall stripes look fresh.

This cardigan from Lookbook Store makes ripped jeans & an oversized tank look way more than just jeans & a tank, which is a godsend when you give yourself only 30 minutes to get ready because you snoozed all 4 of your wake-up alarms. 

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Striped Open Cardigan c/o Lookbook Store 

Skincare with Enza Essentials

Let's talk skin, shall we?

I've never thought to invest in a full on skin care regimen because throughout my should-be acne-ridden years, my skin played fairly nice. Just the regular stress induced, hormone induced or I-haven't-cleaned-my-make-up-brushes-in-months induced breakouts.

Because of this luck, I'd kept with the same simple process (read, lazy) I've had since I was 16 -- a drugstore face wash followed be coconut oil to moisturize. Though coconut oil works wonders, it would've never taken the place of tailored skin care products, or so I've learned. 

Enza Essentials sent me a Day & Night regimen after I a answered these questions about my skin. When I opened the box, my first thought was "this is a hell of a lot of steps."

Now, onto my faves

I've been using Enza for over a month now, and I know for sure I love the way it makes my skin feel. Once I got used to the process, it felt less like a chore and more like a much needed dose of self care. 

The face wash and toner are great staples, but the Facial Polish and Glow Creme that are a part of my night process are a-freaking-mazing. The polish felt like it was gently buffing away the grossness of the day and the creme just felt like silk kissing my skin, seriously. 

In their Day set, I used SPF for the first time ever outside of vacation, and after seeing this video on how sun can effect skin, I'm glad it was included. It's so easy to forget that your skin is what protects you from the harsh, mean world, so it never hurts to be extra nice to it.

The final word

One thing I would've liked to test was their Spot Extractor, because I still had my regular isolated breakouts. Overall, I felt like I was treating myself to spa quality skin care every time I washed my face, and, I mean, who doesn't like a good spa day?

Enza Essentials provided their products for review, but as always, opinions are all my own. 

Watercolor Florals

About this dress: it saved my life. Well, in a way. I was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, and then I saw this dress. Now, I don't mean to be dramatic, but it was sort of a magical moment. 

"THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING THAT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL MORE LIKE YOURSELF IN AN INSTANT."

There's something to be said for an article of clothing that can make you feel more like yourself in an instant. For me, it just so happened to be a feminine, floral off-the-shoulder dress, with a little help from a lilac lippie and a classic bag. 

And though florals are for spring (groundbreaking), I'm declaring today a personal start to summer. Because Memorial Day, obvs, but mostly because in this dress, I have that kind of power. 

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Summer Wanderlust

I don't know about you, but I've hit a mid-week slump. I've been day dreaming hard about the moment when my summer classes end, because that means one thing: vacation, baby!

I've gone pin-happy and the latest on my list of places to visit is Tulum, Mexico. The vibrant colors and freshness of Tulum makes me want to book a ticket right now. Until I can escape for real, I'll take my bits of summer brightness in whatever doses I can. 

For now, that means grabbing a few colorful summer must haves from Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale. Hey, it's for my (soon-to-be-planned-vacay), so it's totally justified!

PICKS FOR THE PERFECT TULUM GETAWAY

SHOP NORDSTROM HALF-YEARLY SALE (UP TO 40% OFF)

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Tough As Nails

I'm a tough broad. Now I know those are strong words to start a Monday morning, but they are absolutely necessary. Last week I forgot all about this and stress got the best of me. I refuse to allow that to happen again, dammit.

I have a restful weekend to thank for my renewed resilience, but I'd be lying if I didn't give these lace-up heels some credit. They also give my casual polka dot midi and denim jacket a much needed attitude boost, and I'm all for that.

"THOUGH I WON'T BE WEARING THIS DURING THE WEEK...THIS ATTITUDE BOOST WILL BE ENOUGH TO KEEP ME GOING." 

Though I won't be wearing this during the week, thanks to ungodly early summer classes, sweats and my utter lack of care that will no doubt be around for the rest of summer semester, this attitude boost will be enough to keep me going. 

Photos by Kaye McCoy

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Guide To A Perfect Weekend

I've been dreaming of the weekend since this week started. I'm always going these days, so the possibility of starting my day, staying in bed browsing and pinning sounds like heaven.  

After you finally get out of bed, make yourself a short stack with a side of fruit (or bacon), and indulge.

If you make it out of your house for the day (totally optional) experiment with fun hair/makeup inspired by the morning's Pinterest session.

On your errand run, stop at to the nearest bakery and take home all of the pastries. All of them.

Or say screw errands, grab a blanket, head to the park and lay out. With iced coffee, of course.

 

Before you head back home, buy yourself a bouquet to brighten up your place during the week.

Once you're home, it's time to get back to reality (boo!) and plan for the week ahead. 

Happy Weekending! 

Boom Boom Bright

A lime green, palm-printed, wide-legged jumpsuit -- if you would've described that to me 3 years ago, I probably would've said, "that's bit much, don't you think?" So, I definitely never imagined I'd wait in a line at 7 a.m. to buy one, but I did.

There's no doubt it's bright, but a comfy chambray and neutral tote tone it down just enough for it to be worn casually. Or at least my somewhat over-the-top version of casual.

"WHAT'S THE POINT OF WEARING BRIGHT, PUNCHY PATTERNS IF YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP IT SIMPLE?"

I'm not saying I won't go all Palm Beach glam sometime later this summer, because I mean, it is Lilly Pulitzer. What's the point of wearing bright, punchy patterns if you're going to keep it simple? More colors I say, more!

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Being That Girl

I'm trying to be less "that girl," and by "that girl," I mean the girl who cries about how busy and overwhelmed she is, because, let's be real, everyone has things to do, right? But, for one moment, if you can stick with me, I'm going to be "that girl."

Today I'm starting my summer semester of classes, which is such perfect timing because I've also just taken on a major new project at work, and I'm sort of pulling my hair out. The overwhelmed feeling I've been having is making me doubt myself in all sorts of ways. 

"THESE SHOULD DO UNTIL I FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE IT ALL, OR UNTIL I SAY SCREW IT AND RUN TO SOME FARAWAY ISLAND."

On the particularly rough days, I find comfort in things like an especially feminine dress (original sold out), sparkly bits & my favorite purse. These should do until I figure out how to balance it all, or until I say screw it and run to some faraway island. 

photos by Kaye McCoy

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