Packing For Los Angeles

Today I'm boarding a plane for the west coast, carry on in tow. I never, ever check a bag because I've had bad luck with losing luggage and being stranded clothes-less. It's a very traumatic experience, trust me.

I've only recently started packing my carry on methodically, though. Before, I would just stuff every cute outfit I owned into a bag and pray it would fit. Spoiler alert: it usually didn't.

Now, my game plan, inspired by A Pair & A Spare, involves 1) a color theme, 2) limiting the quantity of items and 3) bringing mix-and-match items. Only time will tell how my new method will keep me dressed through this next week. I'm hoping for magic with this one.

Summer Hair With Eva NYC

Let's get your locks looking good & feeling fine

My hair has many states, from crazy curly to super straight, but none of its styles are achievable without a little help. And by a little help, I mean I have drawers, cabinets and shelves of products.

I recently added Eva NYC's Blowout Kit to the mix and their line has knocked a few of my longstanding faves out of rotation.

Let's talk heat

Since it takes a lot of heat to take my hair from curly to straight, restorative deep conditioners are my life. Their Therapy Session Hair Mask has Argan Oil and proteins that left my hair feeling smooth and smelling like heaven.

To combat heat damage, I've always used heat protectants, so I looked forward to trying the Speed It Up Blow Dry Spray. It promised cutting blow dry time, but what I loved most about the product was the shine. After one pass of their very cute flat iron, my hair glistened like silk.

Mane maintenance 

Post styling, days pass and my hair might need a little refresher. I've used dry shampoos before, so I was familiar with how well they soak up oil, especially at my roots. Using their Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner was a whole new world, though. For me, it was basically a finishing shine serum in a can.

The verdict

My absolute favorites were the Hair Mask and Blow Dry Spray, which now take top spots in my hair routine. I know this has no say when it comes to performance, but every last one of their products smelled divine. So, not only do their products make your hair look pretty, they make you smell pretty too, and that's a winning combo.

Eva NYC  provided their products for review, but as always, opinions are all my own.

The Blush Illusion

A beautiful dress is a beautiful dress, and the power of a beautiful dress is infinite. It can make you feel feminine, powerful and sexy -- basically like the HBIC. 

"HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT A DRESS, OR ANYTHING YOU'RE WEARING FOR THAT MATTER, IS MORE ABOUT YOU THAN THE DRESS ITSELF." 

That's this dress for me. Funny thing is, I almost didn't wear it. It was longer than I expected, looser in some areas, tighter in others. Most apparently, I noticed that it just didn't look like it did on the model. And then I thought, well, duh, "that's because you're not the model. You're you."

The dress fit me like it should fit me, hips, booty and all. Realizing that, I fell in love with it.  How you feel about a dress, or anything you're wearing for that matter, is more about you than the dress itself. And I felt damn good in this pretty blush dress.

Maggy London provided The Blush Illusion Dress for styling. As always, opinions are my own.

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Color Fun Fest Atlanta

What better way to spend a weekend than being showered in colorful powder from every direction, all while getting the best cardio of your life? Well, last weekend was my first experience and I've got to say, it's up there with some of my favorites.

I went to Color Fun Fest, my first race of the kind, and it was a hot, sweaty, colorful good time. If you ever get to go to one of their races (they're going to 3 more cities), here are my tips: bring lots of water, wear sunscreen and come ready for a bright, messy day party. And also be prepared to dedicate the following day to washing your hair 3 times.

Tassel Tassel

You may think that there's no practical use for a tassel garland in your everyday life, and I understand completely. I too have thought that way...for maybe 3 seconds. Then I thought, "wait, why wouldn't you need a tassel garland in your life?"

"EVERYTHING ABOUT AMINA'S DESIGNS IS BRIGHT, PLAYFUL & HAPPY, AND I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS." 

At least that's what I was thinking when I chose this Misty Pink Tassel Garland from Studio Mucci. Everything about Amina's designs is bright, playful and happy, and I am an advocate for all of those things. 

I knew as soon I pulled the garland out of the box that I wanted to hang it in a thrifted gold frame I have in my room. Now, it's become a fun installation above my library. I also knew I wanted to have some fun with it, which obviously meant I had a mini photo booth session. 

 Studio Mucci provided their Tassel Garland for review. As always, opinions are my own and not influenced by the brand

Another Little White Dress

For someone who's always a hot mess, I own an awful lot of little white dresses. It's almost like I'm asking for the universe to just throw every sauce, drop of wine and make-up stain my way, but it's always worth it.

My favorite LWD dress has been this eyelet style I wore last summer, a very classic dress, perfect for a date night. It's the kind of white dress you cry over, praying you can scrub away a stain, and right now I just can't handle that kind of stress.

"IT'S THE KIND OF DRESS YOU CRY OVER, PRAYING YOU CAN SCRUB AWAY A STAIN, AND RIGHT NOW I JUST CAN'T HANDLE THAT KIND OF STRESS." 

That's why I love this crochet trim dress -- it's not precious. It's an easy, boho style I can just throw on during any hellishly hot day with comfy sandals and a stack of colorful bracelets. I don't plan on making a mess of it, but for future reference,  feel free to leave any stain removing tips below. 

The White Crochet Hem Dress was c/o The Lookbook Store.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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Summer in Warby Parker

T-G-I-frikkin'-F, girlfriends. All week I've been dreaming of a weekend trip to  Piedmont Park with a blanket, a bottle of vino, and my best friends in tow. Emphasis on vino. Hey, that's what summer's for, right?

It's also for a great pair of sunnies. Warby Parker, the quintessential classic-cool frame makers, has refreshed its Downing collection for summer. Two new colors, Striped Indigo and English Oak, make the frames even more of a summer must have, although I am still partial to the Walnut Tortoise pair.

 STYLE THE DOWING

This post is a part of a collaboration with Warby Parker. As always, opinions are my own and not influenced by the brand.

Late Girl's Guide: Raspberry Lemonade Sweet Tea

Summertime in the south is all about a good pitcher of sweet tea. Since you can't really take a pitcher around with you, Sweet Leaf Tea has bottled that goodness—and it's good. 

If you're looking for a way to update your classic sweet tea, my favorite way is to add fruit for a light, sweet and fresh summer drink. And P.S. today is National Tea Day, so you kinda have to sip some tea.

1. Crush raspberries in a pitcher with lemon juice.

2. Pour Sweet Leaf Lemonade Tea over the mix. Stir, chill & serve!  

If you enjoy Sweet Leaf Tea this summer, use their #toast2goodness hashtag to share your sip or toast to someone who deserves one. 

Sweet Leaf Tea provided samples for review. As always, all opinions are my own.

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

Swing To It

There is nothing like walking into J.Crew on a whim and finding that there's a 40% off sale on sale items. Yes, sale on sale. Oh, and I flash my student ID for an extra 10% student discount so it's like sale on sale on sale.

"ALTHOUGH SUMMER BRIGHTS HAVE OFFICIALLY MADE THEIR ENTRANCE, I'M STILL ALL FOR BLUSH." 

This soft fluted skirt was too dreamy to pass on, and although summer brights have officially made their entrance, I'm still all for blush, or as listed on the J.Crew site, light mauve. It's all the same gorgeous pastel color to me.

photos by Kaye McCoy

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