Suit Up + 20% off at Anthro!

I stumbled upon this tankini earlier this week, put it in my online shopping cart and then proceeded to have an internal debate about whether or not to go ahead and take the plunge. (Pun intended.) I love the peplum detail. It's cute, stylish and modest—a hard combo to come by in swimwear but perfect for me since I am not-so-comfortable rockin' a bikini at the moment. (While wedding planning helped me lose a few pounds, marriage has helped me added them all back!) I almost went for the white floral version, but the hubby liked the blue best and it's hard for me to resist bird-printed anything. (Can you see the little hummingbirds? There are fishes, too.)

My internal debate stemmed from the $122 price tag. I was hoping for a coupon code to magically come my way and make the decision of to-purchase-or-not-to-purchase easier and, as luck would have it, today I got my wish! In celebration of Mother's Day, Anthropologie is offering 20% off ALL merchandise (that's pretty unheard of except on Black Friday) with the code XOXO. The discount is only good through the weekend, online and in stores, so if you've been eyeing something like I was, get to shopping! And if you haven't picked up a gift for your mom or other mother figures in your life, Anthro has so many wonderful options to choose from, like this gorgeous candle or this one in her zodiac sign, a pretty pot to add to her garden, an ultra-fem fragrance, a special, whisper-soft robe that will remind her she's beautiful, and a wanderlust-y mug to hold her morning cup of coffee. Find more Mother's Day gift ideas at Anthro here.

I'm tempted to take that 20% off and go on a shopping spree! As my husband can attest, I can easily spend hours in an Anthropologie store, mostly on the home goods side. I want everything. But for now, I'm just hoping I won't hate the swimsuit the moment I put it on. Fingers crossed.

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

Butterflies

I am obsessed with this embroidered ASOS dress. Ever since I saw it online a couple weeks ago, I have kept the page open on my desktop, unwilling to close the window and dash my own dreams of ever wearing it. I simply do not have the money right now to claim this fabulous flirty frock for my already overstuffed closet, but oh how I wish it had been around last year when I was looking for white dresses to wear to all those bride-related events that a soon-to-be-hitched gal feels obligated to wear white to. I totally would have worn this to my wedding rehearsal, and happily worn it countless times since then. It just feels so fresh, so girly, and just plain fun. It also screams "hello, Spring!", which is my favorite season, and while it may still technically be winter, it doesn't feel like it here in Florida. Plus, I'm a California girl at heart, so I make my dresses work any time of the year. See how I'm trying to convince you (and myself) that I need this sweet little number in my life? Alas, I'll just leave it here for now. It's too pretty not to share.

Art Meets Fashion : Paper Crown X Rifle Paper Co.

It's a dream come true: The gorgeous floral illustrations of Anna Bond, the creative director of my favorite stationery company, Rifle Paper Co., gracing the ultra feminine frocks designed by Lauren Conrad for her fashion house Paper Crown's spring collection. I've been looking forward to this collaboration for months now, ever since I saw it announced on Instagram in September. If you were to take a peek into my closet, you would see hangers full of floral printed dresses. A couple, even, from Lauren Conrad's more affordable Kohl's line. But nothing as swoon-worthy as the pieces in this art-meets-fashion mash-up, which is debuting to the general public this weekend, Feb. 13-15, at a Valentine's Day Pop-Up shop at The Grove in Los Angeles. Oh, how I wish I was on the West Coast for this! In addition to flirty, vintage-inspired apparel, the shop will also feature sweet stationery products designed in tandem by Anna and Lauren. (Plus tons of other Rifle goods, floral bouquets, live calligraphy, and limited edition signed prints!) Not that I need any more paper products in my life... but, oh yes, I do. Can't wait until this collab is available to shop online. Until then, if you live in the L.A. area, I beg of you: Go to the pop-up! And report back :)

Until then, I just have to live vicariously through all the beautiful images floating around on social media.

(Images via Rifle Paper Co.'s Instagram, 

Paper Crown's Instagram,  

and the pop-up shop Facebook event)

Fashion for Grammar Nerds

I'm not usually one to gravitate toward graphic, statement tees but this is the perfect shirt for grammar nerds like myself. (I especially love the slouchy raglan pullover style.) Talk about wearing your brain on your sleeve. Ba-dum-tsh. I'm so funny.

Love it, want it? Get it at Alphonnsine. There are a bunch of other cheeky shirts in the Etsy shop, too. 

P.S. While I am certainly a grammar nerd, I am not the grammar police (unless asked!). Case in point: I love my husband in spite of his terrible spelling and grammar skills, and never correct his misspelled texts. But, if Alphonnsine was to make a "ur, your, you're" shirt, I would be tempted to buy it for him. You're welcome!

Sparkle & Pop : Look-at-Me Party Pieces

Agean Sea Beaded Cluster Necklace // Chelsea Crew Lola Peep Toe Pumps // Elyza Lace Striped Dress

One of the perks of being a maid of honor and planning fabulous parties for your best friend/bride-to-be is the excuse to go shopping. Because clearly I need a new outfit for the bridal shower, the bachelorette, the rehearsal dinner... (I already know what I'm wearing to the wedding!) Of course my husband would take one look at my closet and completely disagree with that theory and he might have a point but this dress-aholic (yes, it is a mostly dress-specific problem I have) finds a way to ignore him.

So the other day, I took a break from my MOH planning duties to do a little online window shopping. At first I was on the hunt for a new black dress for the bachelorette, since the "theme" for our big night out on the town—drinks, dinner, dancing—is "bling it on." The bride's ladies will be wearing black dresses with sparkling accessories. But finding a LBD that excites me enough to open my wallet—me, the one who is drawn to COLOR! PRINTS! FLORALS! as well as boho styles that don't quite fit the gone-clubbing aesthetic—proved difficult.

But when I saw the chic, black-and-white striped number at Francesca's I knew it would be perfect for the bridal shower. Now, I'm still keeping the theme for the shower a secret (just in case the bride spies this post) but I'm sure many of you can put these party pieces together and figure it out. In addition to the glitzy, golden peep toe pumps and the bright blue, almost confetti-like statement necklace, I'm planning on adding a hot pink belt to the ensemble. Or, perhaps I'll just tie a raspberry-hued grosgrain ribbon around my waist. Effective and affordable. (My hubby would approve.)

Since I'm a coupon googling master, I was able to find a 20% off code and score the above outfit for less than $100. Nevertheless, I know I can't drop a C-note on a new outfit for every party, so (hubs, are you listening?) I've resigned myself to making a black dress I already have hanging in my closet work for the bachelorette. The frock has tiny gold stitching throughout so it would fit the bling theme perfectly. Plus, now I have a pair of gold heels for the occasion.

But, of course, I am feeling like I need a little more glitz and glamour. (My jewelry box is more about color than sparkle.) These beauties from Anthropologie would definitely fit the bill. A girl can dream, right?

Labradorite Shimmer Round Ring // Rio Jeweled Drops // Lacespark Bib Necklace

Weekend Recap : Christmas Sparkle

On Friday night, in lieu of attending Sector St. Pete's ugly sweater party at a neighborhood sports bar (sorrynotsorry—I was hoping for something a little more glam), I slipped into my new cute holiday sweater (cheaper here), put on red booties and a bright red lip (this + this), and convinced the hubs to go look at Christmas lights. But first, coffee. To get that extra cozy wintertime feeling, we stopped at Starbucks and ordered up the new holiday drink, a chestnut praline latte (yum!), and then we were off, headed for south St. Petersburg. While having lunch at a local sandwich shop a week ago, I spied a flyer advertising the Oakdale Christmas House, considered one of the biggest and best light displays in the country, so I figured we just had to check it out. With about 1/2-million lights over a half-acre, it really was quite the sight to behold, almost blinding in its beauty. My eyes didn't know where to look! I was in awe at the sheer magnitude of the display and all the time, energy and money it must take to put it up each year. Free and open to the public, the Oakdale Christmas House had many other visitors that night, and a line formed to walk a path that winds around the house and the huge yard, giving adults and kids a closer look at all the quaint (and sometimes strange) decorations, which included illuminated figures, dolls, stuffed animals, inflatables, and even a miniature railroad. While the display definitely delivers Christmas cheer, I also felt the spirit of the season exuded from all the people, strangers, who gathered together in one place to marvel at the magical scene.

Here's a glimpse into our evening...

Have you visited any stellar Christmas displays this year?

Christmas Wishes of a Creative, Girly, Boho Gal

Just in case you are still on the hunt for the perfect gift for the lady in your life (or, perhaps, yourself), I present my Christmas wish list. I'd be ecstatic to find any of these goodies under the tree, and I'm willing to bet other girly-girls with their heads in the clouds and a bit of a boho streak would be thrilled with Santa's picks, too.

The Photojojo Lens Set to upgrade her iPhone-photo-taking, Instagram-posting game, resulting in professional-quality images that make all that time she spends getting the perfect shot well worth the effort.

A book that feeds her jewelry addiction while also sparking her imagination and desire to create.

Small, lovely spiral-bound journals (left, right) filled with calligraphy-quality paper that promote doodling, daydreaming, list-making and goal-crushing.

Cozy, boho pullover sweaters (left, right) for when she wants to be comfy but still look stylish. 

A textured, jewel-toned frock that is a great base for fall layering, a romantic, crochet-edged faux wrap dress perfect for a winter date night but can also carry into spring, and bib necklaces (pink, black) that can be worn with both.

Chic, streamlined and versatile bags that look luxe (but are a steal) and go with everything in her wardrobe. Top: Convertible Vegan Crossbody in Midnight; Bottom: Slouchy Vegan Tote in Mulberry/Taupe.

Sexy, feminine high-end perfumes that she'll save for nights out with her man and other extra-special occasions. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid, an oriental floral that evokes a warm exotic garden, and Jo Malone Cologne Collection, a set of five most-loved fragrances that can be layered to create a signature scent.

Urban Decay's newest palette, Naked On the Run, since she owns Naked 1, 2 and 3 and, as a true make-up junkie, can't resist adding to her collection, no matter how full the bathroom drawers may be. Plus, this has almost everything she needs for a quick weekend getaway.

A trio of Grace Kreinbrink's peaceful abstract watercolors in shades of purple and pink (Falling Petals, Trickle and Wisteria) because they would be beautiful accent in her mostly-stark master bedroom, plus they perfectly complement her bedding.

A shimmering, foil-pressed print of the Golden State, to remind her of home. 

A lovely and inspiring mug to start her day right—with coffee and encouragement.

What's on your holiday wish list?

(Top image taken and edited by me)

Dark Blooms : Fall-Worthy Frocks

If you know me, you know I'm a dress gal. I love a good frock. I especially love a good flirty, floral frock. I have too many to count and yet I'm always craving more. I justify my addiction by wearing a dress any chance I get. Even if the weather is cold and gloomy, as long as my legs are shaved, I'm throwing on a dress. (Tights are a lifesaver even when that caveat isn't accomplished.) It's just so easy to slip on—one and done, and out the door.

Now that it's officially fall, I thought I'd round up a few autumn-appropriate floral dresses from my favorite boutiques. Darker colors, longer hemlines and sleeves make even a full-on flowery dress a not-out-of-place choice in the cooler months. Boots and a chunky sweater seal the deal. Heck, I'll probably sneak a few of my bright and breezy summer sundresses into my winter wardrobe with just the addition of those key accessories. I am and always will be a California girl at heart, and we don't pay much mind to the changing of the seasons. (Seasons? What seasons?) It just takes a few swaps and new details to make a seamless transition into a new time of year. But hey, any excuse to go shopping, right? That's what "changing of the seasons" means to me.

Check out my top picks on my clotheshorse wish list...

LuLu's:  1 // 2 // 3

Ruche: 1 // 2 // 3 

ThreadSence: 1 // 2 // 3

Free People: 1 // 2

Are you as excited for fall fashion as I am? I can't wait for this Florida weather to cool down so I can layer up. But until then, I'll keep rocking my floral frocks—barelegged, eager for tights season.

(Top image of adorable fall style via The Moptop)

Currently Coveting

A custom watercolor portrait of the hubby and I, created by Jennifer Vallez of Sophie and Lili. Her work is so sweet and lovely. I'm obsessed with following her posts on Instagram.

This collection of classic novels, with covers gorgeously illustrated by Anna Bond. (I have a mild obsession with Rifle Paper Co. anything.)

I’ve been daydreaming about this dress (from my favorite online shop) for awhile now. I adore the floral print and asymmetrical hem. This frock would look great with tights, boots and a leather jacket in the fall but, for now, it's still summer weather in Florida.

A Nena & Co. tote (I’m a sucker for fringe!). I’m loving their day bags, too. Lately, the purses I've purchased have fallen apart rather quickly, too quickly, so I'm ready to invest in something that will stand up to daily wear and tear for more than a few months. And look fabulous, of course.

A kitchen tool that turns vegetables into “noodles” for healthy "pastas" and raw veggie salads. This spiralizer from Williams-Sonoma looks amazing, but the kitchen in our one-bedroom apartment is already bursting at the seams with stuff. So this handheld julienne peeler may be a better choice, for now.

Dahlias are my favorite flower, so I’m curious to try these dahlia-inspired scents: Dahlia Divin by Givenchy and Dahlia & Vines by NEST. ("Inspired" because dahlias don’t actually smell like anything. But they look beautiful, so I assume these fragrances do what they can to mimic the bloom’s romantic aesthetic.)

What are you currently coveting?