It's Official: Cateye competition.

My stylish mother recently got a pair of tortoise Tory Burch sunglasses from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (this pair) and I'm extremely obsessed. This might sound weird, but my favorite part is how strong they are when you fold them in and out very - you can really feel the quality. I never thought I would find a pair that rivaled my folding Ray-Bans but there is officially some new competition on the frontline.  

ONE 

TWO

THREE

FOUR

It's amazing how beautiful Olivia Palermo is. 

What kind of sunglasses do you wear?

It's Official: Making a list solves everything.

The past couple of weeks have been so crazy for me that I've begun losing track of what day it is. Don't get me wrong, I would much rather be really busy than incredibly bored but sometimes I have to remind myself that I can only do so much. The best way for me to make it through a long week is to write a gigantic to-do list early Monday morning. Isn't there just something therapeutic about getting to cross things off?! The adorable collection at Sweet Tea Paperie also helps!

I really love these pineapple notesheets!

Happy Monday!

It's Official: Kei Jewelry.

Since the purchase of my druzy pendant bracelet, I've becoming completely obsessed with rock jewelry and wanting to change the look of my entire jewelry collection. I see no better addition than the items from Kei Jewelry. I've been looking for a bracelet identical to this braided one for ages and almost resorted to crafting my own but now I'm saved!

Raw Amethyst Necklace

Chunky Gold Braided Chain Bracelet

Gold Spike Color Bracelets

Turquoise Bezel Gold Necklace

Completely gorgeous right?!

It's Official: Teal and pink.

Call me crazy but post-fourth of July has got me missing all the red, white and blue. I'm thinking the best way to deal with all this withdrawal is to just slightly shift the colors. Therefore I am currently lusting over the happy and bright combination of pink and teal! It's bright and loud and makes me smile just looking at it. 

Stud Earrings // Teal Bangle // Heart Sweater // Blazer 

Pink Blouse // Necklace // Fedora // Sandals // Pink Bangle // Teal Dress

What color combination do you love?

It's Official: Piperlime and peplum power.

Peplum isn't exactly the newest trend but it's certainly starting to take off on more of a mainstream level. This is indeed good for the rest of us because we are able to still wear the trend without spending every last dime of our paychecks. As far as I'm concerned, Piperlime has the best selection of affordable, and darling, peplum pieces as everything below is UNDER BLANK. The best part is that they also have a good mix of new arrivals for fall (like this plum skirt!!!) as well as items we can still wear now.

Peplum Blouse

Peplum Skirt - $49.00

Eyelet Peplum Top - $59.00

Peplum Dress - $69.00

Will you/have you tried the peplum trend?

It's Official: Have your banana cake & butterscotch frosting, too.

I'm back in the swing of baking and it feels so good! Yesterday was one of my many boss's 50th birthday so my co-worker and I baked him his favorite birthday treat, banana cake with butterscotch frosting. We were pretty nervous because neither of us had made it before and we couldn't try the cake out before giving it to him unless we cut the first slice! Nonetheless, we dug right in once the candles were blown out and it's safe to say it was a success.

*Recipes adapted from here and here*

We made two separate cakes in 9" pans.
We also poked holes with a fork all over
the top of each cake in order for the frosting seep inside!

The first layer all glazed up...

The final result (and amazing birthday card)!

Us with the birthday boy!

Have you ever made banana cake?

Butterscotch frosting?

It's Official: There is a fine line.

Something I always try to remind myself is to not fall into a pattern. I do like to keep a streamline look but I don't like having my entire closet looking the exact same. Personally I think the best stylist are able to incorporate any print/texture/brand into an outfit and still make it their own. Sabo Skirt is a great example of this for me because although I wouldn't wear most of their pieces, I'm still attracted to a lot of their color schemes, cuts and basic silhouettes. 

Pastel Orange Knit

Gold Love Bracelet

Flower Blazer

Lime Rhinestone Necklace

Cap Sleeve Top

Have you ever shopped out of your comfort zone?

It's Official: Time for new arrivals.

While we are basking in the summer heat, our favorite stores are already laying out all their new fall arrivals. The timing can often be frustrating but I still like to see what is coming and capitalizing on all the summer clearance blowout sales. J. Crew is currently pushing a ton of wild prints and polka dots galore - I'm not complaining!

What are your favorite new J.Crew arrivals?

It's Official: Giveaway.

About a month ago I shared my love of Sloane Ranger with y'all (see here) so I'm ecstatic for this opportunity to host a giveaway for one of their totes! The anchor pattern is obviously my favorite but all of the patterns are adorable. I think the totes are the perfect size for taking to the beach or for carrying your books around school or on campus.

One lucky winner will receive a

Tote Bag from Sloane Ranger!! 

There are up to nine ways to enter

 using the Rafflecopter widget.

Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Official: I love the beach.

This summer has been all about comfort for me. Even though I have board-straight hair and dress much more conventional, I've always been obsessed with beachy waves and the carefree dress of a surfer lifestyle. A few days I was introduced to a new brand, Seaton, in their Rue La La debut. The brand falls perfectly into this category and I just can't get enough. I mean really, the kissing seahorse cardigan... I need every color!

Kissing Seahorse Cardigan

Malibu Shorts

Pom Pom Tunic

Intarsia Boyfriend Zip Up Hoodie

Stripe Scuba Dress

What do you think of Seaton?

Would you pay for their products?

It's Official: My first maxi.

As if buying a maxi wasn't odd enough for me, I've also recently been finding a bunch of things at Urban Outfitters that I really like! Usually I prefer to just browse the store for ideas, peep through the funny books and check out all the various knickknacks but on my most recent visit to the store I treated myself to both a pink eyelet top and a pink maxi skirt. They were equally very comfortable and so far I am a very happy customer!

Taken via Instagram

 Skirt // Pearl Cable Bracelet // Sandals

I should have added a black skinny belt!!

Have you recently stumbled across any good finds?

It's Official: One M.A.D. review.

When I blogged about M.A.D. By Design a little over a week ago (see here) I think something happened inside of me. I've begun to see rock jewelry everywhere and I don't hate it. It's going to be my new obsession for fall so beware! I ordered the Druzy Bracelet in the blue teardrop shape and haven't taken it off. I think it's lucky! Druzy pendants, I'm coming for you next!

Taken via Instagram

Druzy Bracelet // Swell Caroline Rachel Cable

 BCBG Zodiac Collection (old) // 

Sky Blue + Studded Wrap Bracelet (similar)

What are you currently lusting over?

It's Official: Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.

I have another recipe for y'all this week. It stems from something very classic: chocolate chip cookies. However, I had some leftover chocolate bark from the 4th that I wanted to use up in a creative/fattening way so I decided to simply melt the chocolate and dip half of each cookie into it! Not too outlandish and a nice variation from the old favorite.

Any brand of almond bark (wafers work well, too) will be fine - I used Gurley's!

Put one chopped square in the microwave for about a 1.5 minutes, stir and dip away!

Taken via Instagram

What are you favorite kind of cookies?

It's Official: Dogeared Jewelry is for lovers.

I'm still in shock from yesterday morning when I realized this... I've been obsessed with Dogeared Jewels and never, not even once, blogged about it. I literally cannot wrap my head around it. I love how dainty and sweet the charms are but above all I adore the messages that are attached to each. Besides the Zodiac collection (obviously) my personal favorite is the 18 inch gold dipped karma necklace which explains, "what goes around, comes around...wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving..." How simple yet terribly accurate!

Karma 18-inch

Zodiac Sterling Silver Necklace

Happy Birthday Make A Wish Necklace

Whispers Cross Necklace

Pearls Of Happiness

Do you own any Dogeared Jewelry?

Which message resonates with you?

It's Official: Converse are my All Stars.

I think true style means having the confidence to wear whatever you want. Yes, a great dress has the power to turn heads but it's really more the confidence that will make another person want to emulate you. Converse are a great example of this as I also think that they are pretty much equivalent to a potato sack when it comes to beauty but my god, if you can pull them off, more power to ya!

How do you feel about Converse?

Stylish or synonymous with Crocs?

It's Official: Giveaway.

It's no secret that I am a maniac for college football and all forms of southern tradition. It thus goes without saying that my favorite season is tailgating season and I always adore seeing custom coolers around campus on gameday. Coolers By Design (CBD) is a company devoted to doing exactly that and really hits home with me because it was started and is run college students from around the country. The crew also applies their designs onto canvas, paddles or corn hole boards - making for great wedding gifts, birthday gifts, initiation/bid day gifts, big/little baskets or for family gatherings.

One lucky winner will receive a

Customized Canvas Tote from 

Coolers By Design!! 

The design is up to you.

There are up to eight ways to enter

 using the Rafflecopter widget.

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Official: Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

I've fallen into a routine this summer where every Sunday my dad and I wake up and immediately go to Starbucks, read the newspaper then sit by the pool and listen to Bruce Springsteen. There is also an occasional trip to church, the tennis court, two omelets a lot of hash browns.  I'm a big creature of habit and find routine to be oddly therapeutic. Aren't summers just the best?

White Dress // Daisy Earrings // Tortoise Sunnies 

Amazing Clutch // Stackable Rings // Mini Wedges 

What are your plans for today?

It's Official: Golden Oreo Cake Batter Blondies.

With summer school and work I haven't had nearly enough time to bake this summer as I would have liked. I made a single goal yesterday morning to bake something before midnight. I found the recipe for Golden Oreo Cake Batter Blondies from Sally's Baking Addiction through Pinterest and knew I had a winner (side note: Golden Oreo's and Girl Scout Cookies are the only packaged cookies I will eat). I really wish I could attached the smell of all the sugar for y'all - it's was glorious.

Before...

After!

I'll admit they look semi-dysfunctional

and weird but they are so addicting!!

 I promise.

Have you ever made a recipe from Pinterest?

Check out my Pinterest boards here for more

and Sally's blog here for the full recipe! 

It's Official: Sugar Paper.

I may or may not have suffered from a small panic attack when I discovered Sugar Paper. As I'm always looking to buy a new pack of thank you cards and/or note pad, this shop is literally a gold mine!! They have everything from personalized calendars to coasters to notepads to art prints. I also completely adore than you can buy single cards for any holiday/occasion--the birthday ones are too much fun!

Scallop Thank You

Anchor Note Set

'I've Got Eyes For You' Card

'It's Nice To Be Nice' Print

Birthday Card

Have you ever shopped Super Paper?

Would you?