July 24, 2014

COPPER HOME ACCENTS

Gold's moment is officially over. Lately copper accents have been catching my eye left and right. It's so bright and shiny, just like a pretty new penny. Copper also complements neutrals and jewel tones really well, so you can add a copper piece into many different decor styles.


COPPER ACCENTS

1. Candle Holder, Terrain $12
3. Pillow, Society6 $20
3. Vase, Indigo $35
4. Box, H&M Home $17
5. Moon Phases Poster, A Little Lark Etsy Shop $40
6. Candle Holder, CB2 $6
7. Vase, Leif $44
8. Moscow Mule Mug, Nordstrom $24
9. Candle, Capri Blue $28
10. Candle Holder, CB2 $10

July 23, 2014

POSTGRAD LOVES: FAVORITE CANDLES

It's kind of funny to see what scents my friends gravitate towards, whether it be perfume or candles. I feel like every person has such a distinct taste in scents and rarely do I meet two individuals with the same 'signature scent'. I personally have never been a fan of floral scents, and in my candles I really gravitate towards a fruitier smell. However, I like the fruity scent to be balanced out by a spicy or woodsy fragrance since I left Cucumber Melon behind many years ago.


FOUR FAVORITE CANDLES

1. Illume 'Pineapple Cilantro' $22 - I am obsessed with pineapples, they are my favorite fruit by a landslide. This candle balances out the sweet smell of pineapple with a spicy hit of cilantro. Light it in the kitchen!
2. Paddywax 'Fresh Fig and Cardamon' $20 - This one is burning next to me as a type. It is another scent that is fruity, but not sweet smelling.
3. Voluspa 'French Bourbon Vanille' $22 - I have always loved the smell of vanilla, and this candle really makes the scent feel sophisticated. While many vanilla scents can smell synthetic and sugary, this one smells very rich and luxurious. It is absolutely perfect on your nightstand.
4. Archipelago 'Marine' $30 - Sometimes I really just want a candle that smells clean. Not heavy on scent, and not too overpowering. This candle definitely fits the bill. It just smells vaguely salty and beachy, which leaves the room feeling fresh.


Tip: Voluspa and Paddywax both make miniature candles. If you either like to change up scents often, or just want to give one a test run, those are two great brands to check out. 

July 21, 2014

STRIPED BIKINI

PSA: Buy yourself a pair of black and white stripe bikini bottoms. 

I have several pairs of boring, black bikini bottoms and I hate them. Yes, they are versatile, but they don't make for making a statement on the beach. Instead, I prefer a thin striped pair in black and white. You can mix stripes with nearly any print, and obviously mix in a bright solid or a fun black top as well. Plus, when you are packing for vacation you can pack bikinis to mix and match and save some space in your suitcase. 



STRIPED BIKINI

Bottoms: American Eagle $12

Top Row: River Island $32 - Wolf and Badger $52 - Matalan $10
Middle Row: Reiss $50 - Vero Moda $34
Bottom Row: J. Crew $44 - Mara Hoffman $33 - Patagonia $20

July 17, 2014

WHAT I LOVE LATELY PART 3

These posts are starting to become my favorites, because I really enjoy sharing products I love with my readers. I have been on a bit of a spending spree lately (oops) because the sales have been so good. Plus, I have a beach vacation coming up and living in San Francisco hasn't left me with much of an appropriate wardrobe for warm weather and beach activities.

WHAT I LOVE LATELY PART 3

1. Headband, Zella $10 - Usually headbands do not stay on my head, but these ones have little stick spots on the bottom so they stay put really well. I found them at Nordstrom Rack for $3!
2. Sandals, Gap $23 - As much as I love the slide trend, I walk a lot so I need an ankle strap to keep my shoes on. Especially cause you never know what is on city sidewalks...These sandals are perfect cause they give the slide look, but are very secure.
3. Cologne, Kenneth Cole $52 - I tend to enjoy how cologne smells more than perfume, and I was randomly smelling men's fragrance when I came across this Kenneth Cole cologne. I am obsessed, so much so that I bought a bottle for my boyfriend.
4. Sunglasses, Free People $18 - I love these updated cateye glasses, they make me feel like a cool girl, ya know? I also love that they are black on the top of the frames, and the bottom are a dark tortoise.
5. Veggie Burgers, Trader Joe's $2.50 - I don't usually include foods, but these are amazing! They taste like samosa filling. Yum.
6. Earrings, Banana Republic $23 - I am a firm believer that sales in-store are always better than online. Case in point, I bought these earrings at Banana this weekend and they were $17, plus an additional 50% off.  I still am into the cluster earring trend, and I love the art deco feel of this pair.
7. Sandals, Madewell $25 - I actually bought these in black, which are no longer available online. They are great quality and on crazy good sale.




Edit: The Gap sandals sold out shortly after this post, so I would definitely check at your local Gap for the sandals. Also, the Madewell sandals are nearly sold out, but they have a crazy amount at the SF Madewell, so check that out if you are in the area! I think they take orders by phone also. Both sandals fit true to size.

July 14, 2014

EASY SUMMER

I'm excited to be down in Southern California for a few days. I have already spent an afternoon relishing in the heat and got good Mexican food. Only things left on my list are the beach, the beach, and a little more beach. Plus I need to get my bronze on.


EASY SUMMER

Shirt, Black Five $24 - Shorts, Yesstyle $21 - Slides, ASOS $38
Turban, ASOS $11 - Sunglasses, Steve Madden $38 - Bag, Mango $40

July 7, 2014

MANI MONDAY: PERFECT PAIRINGS

Long gone are the days of matching your manicure with your pedicure. I personally have always gone with a dark shade on my toes and a lighter one on my fingers. For summer, there are so, so many pretty pastel and bright polishes. I basically change my nail color two to three times a week. It's getting a little wild.

Also, I have tried many, many, many inexpensive polishes, and they just really don't compare to nice polish. As with my clothing, I tend to spend more on my staple polishes (Essie Tart Deco and Go Ginza) and I'll buy cheapie polishes for glitter and wacky colors.

MANI MONDAY: PERFECT PAIRINGS

1. Essie 'Tart Deco' and Essie 'Clambake'
2. Deborah Lippman 'Blue Orchid' and RGB 'Cobalt'
3. OPI 'Glints of Glinda' and Butter London 'Bit Faker'
4. Orly 'Jealous Much' and Maybelline Triple Shine 'Haynautical'

July 2, 2014

POSTGRAD LOVES: MILKMAID BRAIDS

Lately I have been loving milkmaid braids for summer. I hate doing my hair in the morning, so I usually throw it in a low ponytail or a topknot. Needless to say, I don't always look put together. Milkmaid braids are SO easy and really adorable. Plus, they keep your hair up off your neck and out of your face for those too hot days. I prefer when they are a little messy and undone, because I think really polished braids can look too much like a costume. What do you think? Would you give milkmaid braids a try?

MILKMAID BRAIDS



My hair is midlength with shorter layers, so I really like the tutorial video below from Alex Gaboury's Youtube Channel. A lot of other tutorials are from girls who have extremely long hair that they just braid and pin up, but this tutorial has tips on how to make it work with shorter hair. Pretty much still just braiding and pining though :).

July 1, 2014

WHAT TO WEAR: FOURTH OF JULY

Whoa, Happy July everybody! I have two trips planned this month, so I am pretty excited. I'm also so excited cause it's almost the Fourth! Every time holidays come around I claim it is my favorite, because I really just love holidays, but the Fourth truly is at the top of my list. I love that it revolves around barbeques and swimming, which are my two favorite summer activities. I also love getting in the spirit with my outfit and decking out in red, white, and blue. A red lip is also a must with any outfit.

My favorites for a casual afternoon at a barbeque or the beach include the ever so classic cutoffs and a cute bikini.
FOURTH

Barbeque:
Tank, Gap $23 - Shorts, H&M $34 - Sandals, Modcloth $30
Clutch, H&M $14 - Earrings, Kate Spade $35 
Lipstick, NYX $6 - Nail Polish, Essie 'Blanc' $9 - Koozie, Etsy $8

Beach: 
Bikini Top, J. Crew $44 - Bikini Bottoms, J. Crew Factory $20 - Romper, American Eagle $30  
Flip Flops, Old Navy $3 - Tote, Need Supply $48 - Sunglasses, Quay $40
Towel, Casa $50 - Koozie, Etsy $8 - Sunscreen, Coola $32

If you are headed to a later party to eat dinner and watch the fireworks, an LWD and a denim jacket are perfect. Plus I am dying for those BaubleBar statement earrings, they could not be more perfect for the occasion. 
FOURTH DINNER

Casual:
Dress, Pixie Market $68 - Jacket, Hollister $49 - Sandals, JC Penney $30
Clutch, Scotch and Soda $39 - Crochet Bracelet, Cruciani $20 - Wrap Bracelet, House of Harlow $48

Formal:
Dress, Mango $25 - Shoes, Topshop $40
Earrings, BaubleBar $36 - Clutch, Chictastic $45