dream desk

With the end of my unplanned winter break drawing to a close, I can't help but start thinking about my new desk. There are few places I like more at an office than my own little space to decorate (second only to the break room). It's where I'll spend 8+ hours a day, so it better instill inspiration, patience, and motivation.

In my dream situation, I would have these pretty little pieces at my new desk.

 

poppin inbox trays // gold shears // acrylic stapler // monogrammed pencil cup // frends headphones

In reality, I'll come stocked with my favorite pens, K-State mug, and a picture frame or two. 

clearly loving

Pun intended. I have an infatuation with see-through bags and clutches lately. They're super sleek, and force you to be organized and minimalistic with its contents. Something I am not accomplished at. Maybe it's the non-creepy Peeping Tom in me (is there such a thing?) but another thing I love about these bags is seeing what other women deem mandatory when leaving the house.

images 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 (on sale!)

Side note about the Peeping Tom comment: I love driving at dusk. It's the time when a home's inhabitants haven't shut the blinds yet, and it's just dark enough to peer inside their house. It's the best when you see a family sitting at the dining room table or a book club pouring drinks. Something about seeing people I don't know doing things I enjoy, I guess. Blue Eyes says I'm a creep for doing this, and as I'm writing this I am starting to understand why...  

happy elephant

Way back here, I mentioned my love for elephants. I think it started when I was just a little kid, during my bowl cut days. True child of the late 80s, early 90s right here. Anyway, I'd be at my grandparents' house playing with these gorgeous solid wood elephant figures. About six in total, they ranged from a foot tall all the way down to a little baby about four inches high (my favorite). 

Then there was that one time I rode an elephant while in elementary school. I don't remember the occasion, but I do remember this elephant's ears were wet and would slap against my legs as he walked, but it was OK. I was on an elephant! 

So, that was a really long way of saying that when I saw this video shared on Facebook, I absolutely had to click. And watch. And watch five more times. I mean, is there anything cuter? I don't think so, especially at the 1:20 mark.



In honor of this happy little guy or gal, I rounded up some of my favorite elephant items as of late. Definitely thinking the loafers are making it to my closet soon.

ettie elephant scarf // terracotta new york

maisy loafers with gold elephant design // asos

elephant pillow // kimoley for one kings lane

good luck elephant necklace // dogeared

winter tropical vacation must haves

I am aware of the following facts:

1. Mexico is warm when Kansas City is cold

2. Mexico is fun

3. Weddings are amazing

4. Mexico + wedding = REALLY good time

5. I'm visiting Mexico twice, both for weddings, within six weeks of eachother

6. My life is completely ridiculous

Far from a travel professional (still haven't been to Europe, tsk tsk), I have traveled south of the US border a handful of times over the past few years. The crazy thing is, I get to travel south again in 5 days, which also happens to be my 27th birthday. Which is why I felt obligated to list #6 above. It's the truth.

Naturally, I'm waiting until the last minute to pack. But luckily with my recent escapades to Tulum (first of the 2 weddings), Dominican Republic, and Cancun, I have the warm weather vacation packing list pretty much down to a science.

In case you're planning a trip somewhere warm during these last cold months of the season (or if you just want a head start on pool season), here are a few of my tropical vacation must haves.

j. crew popover

I have this in white (shown in chambray) and got it a size up so it would be longer, and use it as a cover-up. It's especially perfect if you're going on an booze cruise excursion where you'll be in the sun for hours on end and want those sleeves by the end of the day. It also makes me feel preppy on the beach, which I love.

stella & dot charlize teardrop earrings

These bring a beachy element to any outfit. I wear them nearly 100% of the time I'm on a tropical vacation.

soprano racerback maxi

This maxi is super form-fitting and lightweight. It's perfect as a cover-up as long as your bikini bottoms don't have string-tie sides, or as a casual dress at night.

havaiana sandals

In the blogging world, Jack Rogers sandals rule the roost; but I can't wrap my head around forking over $100+ on beach shoes. Havaianas are comfortable, reasonable, and offer really cute designs.

lumene vitamin c+ day dream with SPF

All day. Everyday. Plus it smells like citrus. This redhead has not had a face sunburn in two years.

Top photo by me while in Cancun December 2011.

another post about states

This time, the subject isn't traveling to/from a state. 

It's about an amazing necklace I found while dilly dallying on Instagram yesterday.

via @jennykin

Even if you've never stepped foot in either of these states, you probably know that Kansas City is a border city: half in Kansas, half in Missouri. Most anyone who has lived in or visited Kansas City has ties to both sides. While most of the publicity is over on the Missouri side, the Kansas side has a lot to offer as well.

I spent most of my formative years on the Kansas side in a suburb called Overland Park. I now live on the Plaza, in  Missouri. I am constantly crossing State Line to visit Blue Eyes, go to work, see my parents, work out, and eat the best bbq in the country. While there's plenty to do in Kansas, when someone visits KC, you can bet the majority of their time will be spent sightseeing, eating, and drinking on the Missouri side.

That's why I love this necklace. It embraces the two distinct states that together make up my home.

new feature: shop my picks

Today is my baby bro's 23rd birthday. Who else has a difficult time shopping for their adult brothers? I always want to get him something creative, but usually end up buying him clothes. He's potentially more of a clotheshorse than I am. I mean, the kid bought five pairs of Sperry's in one trip to Macy's a few years back. (Right when he got his first credit card and didn't understand that he would actually have to pay that money back someday.)

I digress. So here I am on his birthday looking up preppy outfits he can wear to work, and K-State gear that he's apparently lacking. You know what would be awesome? If he had an easily accessible, ongoing list of items he likes that I could look up on the internets whenever I wanted to. Oh hey guess what - I have one of those! See up above where there are links to the different pages of my blog? There's a new one on the far right called "shop my picks". This is a compilation of all the material things I am loving at the moment. Whether you want to buy them for me or for yourself is completely up to you.

Here's a little peek at some budget-friendly items I'm coveting lately.

1. ASOS chunky tres cool sweater // $61.57

2. ASOS leather bow gloves // $26.39

3. Sugarhill Boutique penguin sweater // $84.43

4. Blu Bijoux bib necklace // $36

5. Express faux fur vest // $68.60
6. Kate Spade notepad // $8

four eyes

Thanks to some pop culture icons for turning one of my nerdy necessities in to a hot trend. You know what I'm talking about already, right?

via

The so-called geek chic look is so desirable that people blessed with 20/20 vision are wearing specs with no prescription. I dig this look. I dig it because I have never had perfect vision (or anywhere close to it) and have been rocking some pretty thick frames for the last 20 years.

My first pair of thick frames were white with pink speckles.

real-life strawberry shortcake

The above picture is especially cute/sad when you know I believed (even back then) I looked like this:

cutest redhead with glasses ever? yes.

Thank God for moms who instill confidence in their daughters at a young age.....

In fourth grade, I got contacts and refused to wear glasses for the majority of my awkward pre-teen years. This was an excellent decision on my part, as I didn't need any unflattering additions to my red hair, bangs, braces, pale skin and bone-thin physique.

Notice there is no picture of this stage of my life. I mean, I'm not a masochist.

When high school rolled around, it was time for some new glasses. This time I went outside the box of the thin wire-framed glasses that were all the rage (remember the iconic CK glasses?) and bought a pair that sparked the short-lived nickname Rivers. It's pertinent to note this is also when I started to listen to Weezer (completely related to the nickname) and my music rebirth/obsession as I know it began.

Since I wear my frames infrequently, I usually keep one set of glasses for at least four years. Can you believe I don't lose them? I hardly can.

With that said, I'm still rocking my college frames. They are by far my favorite pair I've ever owned. And not just because they're Prada. OK maybe a little bit. My mom decided to start working when I left for K-State,  and got a receptionist job at an optometrist's office. Mom really liked the work and paychecks. I really liked the designer frame selection and her discount. This is where my affinity for designer sunglasses was born, but that's another story for another day.

two-toned and tortoise. can't go wrong.

So although I still treasure my current frames, I can't help but start planning for my next pair. There are so many options now that Ashley Olsen has been wandering around the world with big thick specs! Below, my two top contenders. What do you think?

bon look jungle chic

warby parker winston

month in photos: june

June was such a fun month! I celebrated a wedding, a birthday, two new engagements, and the official start of summer! Hope you all have a lovely weekend. I will be participating in our traditions at the lake with the 4th of July group.

Manifesto celebrating Erin's birthday

college-style partying

Remember I said I don't like jorts? These are styled perfectly and not too short. Bravo Nordy.

Birthday present for my Mom. I had to get a matching one of course. 

No longer the one that got away. similar shorts / top / sandals / watch

at a wedding shower. necklace / similar dress

The Z Man at Oklahoma Joe's, one of the 13 places Anthony Bourdain says you must eat at before you die.

surprise engagement parties are fun!

the one that got away

Marc by Marc Jacobs rose gold & white 'blade' watch (similar found here)

Rose gold is by no means a new trend, but I still don't have any pieces of it. I think this is one of those almost-purchases that I'll be thinking back to again and again, wishing I'd clicked on the Gilt email 10 minutes earlier. The design is so clean, and the white with rose gold is such a great summer look.

Do you have rose gold jewelry? Are you still wearing it?

mint condition

Kenneth Jay Lane

What a pretty way to incorporate spring's hottest color: mint!

spring dream satchel

tory burch bond small satchel

Is this not the most pretty and sleek satchel you've seen all season? If it's in your budget I'm super jealous and think you should probably get it stat. If it's not in your budget (like me), there's a similar, less expensive model over at J. Crew. Love the white and tan combo!

j. crew mezzaluna satchel

procrastinator

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. Mine was simply lovely, but now the inboxes are overflowing, my body is torn up (more on that later), freckles are out in full force, deadlines are approaching, suitcase is still full... and what am I doing? Reading blogs and looking at pretty things. I guess I'm not quite ready to face the real world just yet. It's a beautiful crisp morning here in KC and I am really wishing these would magically appear at my doorstep.

kate spade via

Tolani Pantone scarf

ella moss ringo maxi

Happy hump day! 

best gold polish

I just had to share with you the best gold glittery nail polish.... It's Essie LuxeEffects "As Gold As It Gets". It is seriously perfect: medium gold flecks that look great by themselves or over your favorite color. So run to CVS and grab this bottle before it sells out!

via

winter: revisited

First off, because it's on the forefront of my mind, J. Hud absolutely blew me away last night. What did you guys think? I was in tears halfway through the song. She has such poise and sent chills up and down my spine with her rendition of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You. Now back to the topic....

Has everyone else noticed all the blogs about spring fashion that have popped up so early in 2012? I love rushing seasons...I'm the girl that wears flip flops when it's 50 degrees in March and dons chunky sweaters and boots if it hits 75 in August. And I'm all for planning ahead, getting inspiration boards updated, stalking the Spring catalogs and keeping a shopping list of the next season's must-haves in your planner.... but there's still probably another month of winter in Kansas City. Just look what we woke up to this morning:

via Instagram @monicarosekc

As previously mentioned, I tend to leave the house in neutral and dark colors, especially in the winter. This was true yet again this season, but I'm determined to give my wardrobe a whole new look to last through the end of winter and will transform in to spring, with a minimal amount of purchases. My strategy is to only add bright pieces to my closet... Here are some of my favorite finds:

H&M orange dress: $49.95

Wear it now: with a blazer and boots

In the spring: as shown, with espadrilles 

Old Navy cap toe canvas ballet flats: $22.94

Wear it now: with your favorite skinny jeans and chunky sweater

In the spring: with shorts (preferably patterned) and a thin sweater

ASOS lace waisted dress: $35.81

 Wear it now: with tights and ankle booties

In the spring: with a super bright cardi

kate spade new york julianna flats: $75

 Wear it now: with opaque tights and a dress

In the spring: as a surprise pop of color under your maxi skirt

Gap colorblock button shoulder sweater: $44.95

Wear it now: with jeans and a patterned button-up shirt underneath

In the spring: with a mini skirt! Or I do like the white jeans Gap chose to style it with....

La Mer neon simple wrap watch: $88

 Wear it now: peeking out from sweaters

In the spring: as a statement piece on a bare arm

Marc by Marc Jacobs bob's memphis trip pochette: $298

And in a perfect world I'd be able to afford this disgustingly adorable bag...... but hey - the rest of the pieces are all within a 20-something's discretionary (post-tax refund) budget. 

That's all for today, I hope everyone had a great start to their work week!