The Wall.

{ON vest (similar) & tee | target jeans | payless shoes (cute option) | asos necklace | gifted bracelets}

I think this wall may just be my favorite wall ever.  I love that it's made of brick, and that the paint covering it is so old and weathered that it's peeling away in huge, lovely chunks, giving way to small peeks of the original beauty hidden beneath.  The wall has taken on an aged patina, revealing colors that only the passing of time can create: the red-brown of the crumbling bricks flecked with moss and weeds as it's slowly reclaimed by nature, the faint seafoam green a hint of a paint job long forgotten, the peachy off-white that's been neglected so long it's barely still capable of maintaining contact with the structure; even the runny, ruddy rust stains add a modicum of beauty to this debilitated delight.

...and that's what being a blogger will do to you.  You think things are going pretty well and then one day you realize that you've written an entire post about a wall.

Let's party.

Beauty Bit: Pretty Pedis

This post brought to you by Tree Hut. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's already Memorial Day Weekend, aka the unofficial beginning of summer (yay!  happy dance!), which means a plethora of things.  Warmer days, backyard bbq's, trips to the beach, maxi dresses & sandals, vacation...the list goes on.  But it also means that most likely, at some point or another, your feet are going to be on display for all to see. (gasp! shock! horror!) 

What better time, then, for Tree Hut to contact me about introducing their line of hand & foot care products?  They're affordable, they're accessible (pick them up at any Walmart), they're organic, paraben-free, and not tested on animals!

As a runner (and I use that term loosely because truth be told, I'm really more of a reluctant participant who gets suckered into going for jogs due to the charms & persuasion of her over-zealous-marathon-running-boyfriend), my feet take a beating.  If you exercise, especially if you run or jog, you know what I mean.  Callouses form in weird places, and while I appreciate their attempt to protect my feet, they're not all that cute.  I'd rather them be gone.

Luckily, getting rid of them only takes 3 easy & enjoyable steps:

1. Soak your feet in a warm foot bath and apply something nice & gritty, like Tree Hut foot scrub
2. Rinse off and gently rub callouses with a pumice stone
3. Dry those tootsies, and apply a thick, refreshing, moisturizing cream like Tree Hut foot cream with peppermint oil
It's as simple as that!  Three steps to smooth, nourished, pampered feet!  Now go show those beauties off.

And for a little inspiration, here are some of my picks to enjoy summer naturally & beautifully.

*for more info, be sure to like Tree Hut on Facebook or follow Tree Hut on Twitter*

Cupcakes & Hot Dogs

{ON tank, hat (similar) | f21 shorts | bobs shoes | fossil watch | groopdealz bracelet | dogeared necklace}

Some days it's tough to think of something to write about.  Some days I write a few sentences, stare at them for 10 minutes, then delete and start all over.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  Today is one of those days, but after continually deleting everything I've written over the past hour, I've decided that whatever comes out of my brain right now is going to stay written.  So.  

I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.  Here it was chilly & windy for most of that time, but luckily we got a wonderful sunny, warm, summer-like day yesterday.  It was the perfect weather for going to a BBQ, getting laughed at for bringing veggie dogs (or not-dogs as I like to call them because I'm cool like that), eating too many mini cupcakes, and slathering myself in so much sunscreen it almost felt like I was on vacation.

Join the party.

Beauty Bit: Messy Side Bun DIY

I don't know if I've mentioned this, but my sister is a pretty kick ass hair stylist.  Sometimes when we go out, I ask her to help me with my hair and she'll whip up this sculptural, funky side bun that I love.  I never saw how she did it, and always assumed it was just a whirlwind of backcombing, hairspray, and talent.  Well, that part's true, but even though the end result looks intricate and fancy, you don't actually need the talent to pull this off.  The backcombing and hairspray are necessary, but skill is totally optional.  After we made this tutorial and she broke it down step by step, I realized that even someone inept at doing her own hair (me!) can pull this off (evidence that I was able to accomplish this feat all on my own here).

1. Gather your supplies.  You'll need some hair elastics, bobby pins, hairspray, and a teaser brush or comb (for backcombing your hair).

2. Pull your hair into a low, side pony and secure with an elastic.  3. Gently backcomb the ponytail, leaving a small section un-teased.  Don't backcomb too tightly; you want the hair puffy & fluffy.

4. Braid the un-teased section of hair & secure with a small elastic.

5. Begin sculpting the backcombed hair into a bun shape, securing in various places with bobby pins.  Don't worry about perfection, this is most definitely a messy-is-better kind of deal.  Leave the braid out of the bun for the time being.

 

6. Wrap the braid around the bun and secure with a bobby pin or two, taking care to hide both the pin & the end of the braid into the bun.  7. Spray with hairspray for a stronger hold.

A huge thanks to my super creative & talented sister, Jen, for sharing the secret of one of her go-to hairstyles.  If you're in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area, be sure to stop by The Factory Salon and ask for her.  I promise you won't regret it.


Linking here.

Crazy Amazing

Hey all.  So, over the weekend I unknowingly committed a blogger's worst crime - I forgot my camera at a friend's place, which means no outfit photo, at least for today.  Instead I suggest you watch this crazy amazing video.  My stomach leaps into my throat just watching these guys...I can't imagine actually being one of them.  They're nuts.  And they're totally awesome.

Enjoy watching grown men repeatedly fling themselves off of impossibly tall skyscrapers.

#SplashofColor Sweepstakes with Crocs

This post brought to you by Crocs. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey guys.  I'm just popping in to let you all know about the SplashofColor Sweepstakes Crocs is hosting on instagram.  If you've never participated in an instagram contest before (like me - I'm a veeerrrry late comer to the whole smartphone/instagram/technology party) then let me tell you - it's really fun!  

For this contest, it's all about finding bright and pretty splashes of color, and photographing them with instagram.  Simply capture your splash of color (whether it's a bold shade of lipstick you just got, a beautiful sunset, some blooming flowers, or the color of your cat's eyes), tag it #splashofcolor, then head over to the Crocs Instagram Sweepstakes page to connect your instagram account and enter to win.  You can upload 3 photos a day.  But hurry, this contest ends on May 20, so you should probably go enter right now!

Here are my entries for today:

^ springtime is the perfect time for lots of gorgeous color ^

^ a few bright colors at home ^

^ even on a rainy day color is everywhere ^

I hope you'll enter this fun & creative contest!  Please feel free to leave me a comment sharing which splashes of color you found, and why you'd love to win!

What to Wear to a BBQ in the Rain & a Giveaway

{ON sweater (similar), hat (similar) | f21 shorts | kamik boots | groopdealz bracelets (1, 2) | dogeared necklace}

Yup.  This hat.  This lovely little hat.  I'm wearing it again because it's my new favorite thing, and it seems to add that extra oomph that going bare-headed just can't compete with.  

I wore this to a BBQ on Saturday.  It was warm, really humid, and raining.  Perfect conditions for an outdoor party, don't you think?  Luckily the hostesses have a pop-up canopy and a patio, so we kept relatively dry while chilling outside all evening, and my boots came in extra handy for running around the wet yard with the dogs from time to time.  It just isn't a party until someone rubs a dog's belly I always say.

So, I had really wanted to rock some glasses with this look (because doesn't the side braid/fedora combo just scream for nerd glasses?)  However,  my current glasses are just for occasional wear like driving or when I'm in the nosebleed section at a baseball game (this happens often).  Basically, they're not made to be worn all day long.  And just as I was thinking that I should really get a pair of Rx-free lenses in a geek-chic style (because glasses aren't just for vision correction, they're an accessory too!), my dreams are answered because Firmoo launched their "first pair free" program where new customers can choose a pair of glasses for free (you just pay for shipping).  They've just stocked their shop with lots of new arrivals and have so many great styles.  These are my fave.

Right now, Firmoo is generously offering a totally free pair of glasses (including +1.50 single vision lenses plus free shipping) to one lucky winner.  All you have to do to enter is follow me on bloglovin', twitter, or facebook (your choice - you only have to do one, but I'll send you big, virtual hugs if you follow all three) and then visit Firmoo to scope out which pair of glasses (from this selection) you'll choose if you win.  

Leave a comment telling me how you follow, and with what username, and which Firmoo glasses you like best, as well as your email address.  That's all!  Good luck!

 

The Fine Print: Contest is open to residents of US & Canada, as well as everyone residing in these countries.  Please be sure to click the link to ensure that Firmoo ships to your country of residence before entering the contest.  Contest is open until May 31 and winner will be contacted shortly after.  Winner must respond within 48 hours, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Linking here today. 

#CB2NovogratzBrasilSweepstakes

This post brought to you by CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know we mostly talk clothing on this here blog, but that doesn't mean that dressing your home isn't just as important as dressing your body.  Innovative husband-and-wife design duo, Bob & Courtney Novogratz (of Home by Novogratz fame - if you haven't watched it, do - they are amazingly creative), have recently launched their newest home goods collection, CB2 and Novogratz Collection.  The collection was inspired by their vacation home in Brazil, and features bright pops of color mixed with the warmth and texture of wood.  The best part is that there's a large range of items at varying price points, making it a totally accessible collection for the masses.

^ I would totally rock this little guy on an end table ^

^ Wouldn't this table add a pop of happy to an outdoor space? ^

To celebrate the launch of this collection, CB2/Novogratz are hosting the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes.  Enter the contest, and you and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! 

~The grand prize winner will score a one week stay at Bob and Courtney's vacation home in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil.
~10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz."
-Enter via cb2.com/sweeps.  Sweepstakes will run from from now until June 3rd.

For more updates on the sweepstakes, follow CB2 on social media:

-Twitter: @CB2Tweets
-Pinterest: CB2
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb2

-And check out my pinterest board to see some more of my favorite picks from the collection.

Can you imagine winning something so cool?  Head over to enter right now! 

Island Dreamin'

This post brought to you by Aruba Tourism Authority. All opinions are 100% mine.

The weather finally seems to be warming up a bit, and while I am loving every moment of spring, I'm also beginning to think about summer vacation.  Recently, my honey and I were given the generous offer from a family member to borrow his timeshare in Aruba for a week.  Just as I began daydreaming about the clear blue waters and white fluffy beaches, I was approached to do a little research and write a post about Aruba travel!  Kismet?  I think so.

When I imagine Aruba, beautiful images of pristine beaches and calm waters pop into my head.  Much like this gorgeous scene.

But after reading a bit more about it, I learned that there's all kinds of things to do there besides relaxing, reading, and basking in the sun (because as much as I love to lounge around on vacation...or anywhere really, I also reluctantly enjoy a little exercise every now and again.  Especially if what I'm doing is so awesome that I forget it's exercise.)

There's a national park - perfect for hiking and exploring the island by foot.  And then there's kyaking to take in the sights by water.   And of course, calm, clear waters make for great snorkeling.  Plus, there are these great natural land bridges that I would be in heaven just being near.

Just look at this gorgeousness!

If you want some more information, check out the video below and be sure to visit Aruba travel.

Now...to begin saving up for that flight to Aruba....

Appropriate

{gap jeans (similar) | pacsun tank | target cardi & wedge sneaker | ON hat (similar) | inpink ring (so similar)}

As the weather continues to be just....weird....I actually find myself having more fun putting outfits together.  Because it's hot, then chilly; warm, then freezing, I don't get to miss any one aspect of dressing.  Usually sometime around month two of a season, I'll begin longing for the pieces that I haven't been able to wear in a while.  But this schizophrenic spring pretty much requires my entire wardrobe to be on call so I'm ready to throw on a maxi dress or shorts for those warm, sunshiney days, while also being prepared to bundle up, say for example in wide leg jeans & a cardi the very next day...when we're sitting around a bonfire in the yard to warm up a bit.  Note: the hat is appropriate anytime, but is most useful for covering up lazy and/or bad hair days.


Linking here today.

  

Shape Shifter

{target dress (similar) | sears top | f21 sandals (similar) & brown bracelet | gifted necklace & bracelets (similar}

I am well aware that this dress has sort of a funny shape, and may not be the most flattering on my body.  In fact, when I first bought it it looked better, but when I washed & dried it, the crocheted band near the knees shrunk and the rest didn't, leaving this kind of reverse tulip shape.  Which sounds pretty, but actually isn't.  But it's all good because I love the way I feel in this outfit, despite its distorted shape.  Sort of boho, sort of hippie, and utterly comfortable.  Plus, one of my very best friends who moved to Switzerland a year and a half ago arrives tomorrow (!!!) to spend the next 3 months working here in NYC.  I'm just way too thrilled to care that my dress is an undercover shape shifter.  My friend is coming back!


Linking here.