pura vida bracelets

A friend of mine told me about these Pura Vida bracelets a few weeks ago, and since I'm a surfer and all now, I am pretty much obsessed. If I could just make a decision on a color (or a few), I would be wearing them right now. Did I mention they're extremely reasonable? Like $5 - $15. Nice! You can read the story behind the brand here. Hint: it's a good one that will warm your heart. :)

{all images via Pura Vida bracelets}

on being a vacation junkie

As I am clicking the Purchase button at Expedia today for a trip wayyyy far out in the future (Jan. 2013) I thought about my ridiculous leisure travel schedule over the past two years: 6 different countries and at least 10 separate trips. Apparently if you need a friend to go on vacay with, I'm the one to ask. I'm like Ado Annie, I just can't say no.

Yeah, it gets expensive and definitely puts a damper on my ability to partake in most some happy hours and enjoy expensive wine and shop at J. Crew all the time, but here's why I'm doing this now. First off I have decent PTO at my job thank goodness. Secondly, my friends keep deciding to get married in exotic places (keep it up, friends!).  Tertiarily (not really a word but I use it at work all the time to sound ridiculous), my grandparents would say their favorite memories together were when they went traveling the world and learning new cultures. So sweet, right? So if not now, when?!

via

What are your next vacation plans? Or where's your next dream vacation? I am dying to go to Europe....

month in photos: april

Happy Monday! You might remember last month I decided to start a new series where I recap the month in photos on the last day of each month.... Here's a little look at my life in April. Next month I hope to take so many pictures I have to use my new photo collage apps to fit everything in to a reasonably-sized post.

Punta Cana landscape.

a friend recently started her hair stylist profession and taught me how to make pretty curls!

went on a recruiting trip, back to my beautiful alma mater's campus for the 1st time since graduation.

brunch bunch attire. The leopard Sperry's were a new purchase from the danger zone shopping day.

no filter on this one, what a beautiful sky!

Blue Eyes & I last Friday night. I'm wearing my new Kendra Scott necklace (on sale!) and randomly, my glasses.

Tim Gunn was in KC! Full recap of the Silver Fox's visit in another post.....

wedding season: dresses

Dunnn dun dun-dun..... It's wedding season! Who's attending one this weekend? I can't believe it, but I am actually wedding free until August. When did the fall become the popular season to get married? I love fall weddings, but it really cuts in to my K-State football game attendance. And since 2010, I've seen a major trend shift towards autumn weddings instead of being the coveted June bride.

If you are lucky enough to be going to a few weddings early in the season, what are you wearing? I've found some beautiful dresses in fresh hues I would just love to see on a reception dance floor....

Budget friendly: (under $100)

ASOS midi

Wallis floral dress

Miss Selfridge teal maxi dress

Not as budget friendly: (but really fabulous)

Diane von Furstenberg Edna dress

Tibi pleated silk-chiffon dress

Young, Fabulous & Broke Jeremiah ombre maxi

TGIF times a million and have a happy weekend!!

random acts

I have to brag for a second. I have the best friends ever. And I really hope everyone out there reading this can say the same, and if not, come hang with us! Seriously, I couldn't be much luckier. I found wonderful friends in high school and was lucky enough to find an equally amazing group at K-State. The knowledge of how lucky I am has always been there, but the inspiration for this post just happened last week. I received this weird looking envelope in the mail from a bride-to-be friend from St Louis. I'd already received her save the date - was this a bachelorette party invitation already? I opened it to find this sweet note and magnet:

The funny thing is, I don't remember giving her that glass at all. But I am love-loving this new refrigerator decor! We really tore it up back in the day (just wait until your wedding!) therefore the quote on the magnet is perfect. Thank you Lizzie for such a sweet random act of kindness! Now I feel the urge to pay it forward.....

lilac art via

going pink

Who has gotten in to the bright lips look this spring? At first, it reminded me of my mom, who has never left the house without some shade of coral or magenta on her lips since 1986. Probably earlier, but I'm unable to recollect that far back. Not that a trend reminding me of mi madre is a bad thing; she's a pretty happening 56 year old who at times buys clothes for herself I've been coveting and waiting to go on sale. Future post idea: my mom's style through the decades. 

Back to the topic. This past weekend, Blue Eyes was in Houston and my roomie was in Wichita, so I was lonely. And when I get lonely, I go shopping. Danger zone shopping. So I went to the MAC counter at Nordstrom and promptly asked them to work some magic on my lips. No more nude glosses and chapstick for me. I needed a pop of color that was completely out of my comfort zone. And oh boy did I get it!

MAC "Viva Glam Nicki" lipstick via my Instagram

I wore it to an engagement shower on Saturday with this gloss over to mute it a bit, and loved it. I couldn't believe it! As a redhead, I would've never ever in a hundred years imagined I'd buy a bubble gum pink lipstick and actually wear it.

Are you already wearing a bright lip color? Fill me in, I could always use some more inspiration!

better late than pregnant

Get your heads out of the gutter.... I'm talking about trivia here. BLTP was the name of our team last night at Westport Flea Market and I must confess, we were the WORST team in the bar. Maybe it's because all 5 members of the team grew up within 10 miles of each other (that would be almost zero diversification), maybe it's because this was our first trivia experience together, or maybe it's because we don't have photographic memories and perfect instant recall. Whatever the reason, last night we came in behind a team called "Napkin". Really? Pure disappointment on my face. I guess we should have expected it after we had to Google Funny Trivia Team Names because we were struggling so much in the creative department early on. I mean, I did throw out Team Floozy, however Blue Eyes and the other male on the team were having none of that.

But seriously, do you know what state this license plate is for? No cheating allowed!

the beginning of the end for team BLTP....

So my $5 went to some team called "And Dick Clark presents..." (too soon? I thought so). Other than being big time losers, I had a ton of fun, which is all that really matters, right? Even so, I am planning on redemption next week. Maybe we can recruit some all stars to join us.... any takers in the KC area? Only kidding.... kind of.

TGIF times a million!!