May Favorites

The month of May flew by as quickly as the rest of the year has so far (slow down time!).  Here are some of my favorites of the month.  

1. Snack: Cake balls were a favorite snack this month.  I try to limit my sugar intake these days but I couldn't resist a carrot cake cake ball from Flying Monkey Bakery at Reading Terminal earlier in the month.  I had another on a Starbucks visit with my usual Green Tea Latte.  {image}
2. Outfit: Watercolored was my favorite outfit.  My pink blazer was again featured in my outfit of the month as it was in April.
3. Book: Design * Sponge at Home was a favorite read during the month which isn't surprising since I like the blog Design Sponge.  I borrowed the book from the library but am considering buying my own copy.
4. Beauty Product: Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment is technically a hair product, but I'll still include it as a beauty item.  Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong is the cream I currently use to twist my hair.
5. App: Learn Vest App was a favorite for it's great personal finance and career articles.  
6. Music: Our Version of Events album by Emeli Sande was a favorite I listened to on Spotify quite a few times during the month.

Farewell May, Hello June! What were your favorites from the month of May?

Denim+ Floral+ Mint

Jacket; Zara, girls section (similar); Dress: Buffalo Exchange (similar); Wedges: Target; Bag: H&M; Earrings: H&M (old)

I love shopping in stores like the Buffalo Exchange because of the thrill of the hunt, you never know what you'll find.  On my last trip to the store, I got lucky and found this dress in my size.  It has been in weekend rotation for a couple of weeks, but is now making its first appearance on the blog.  

Have you had any luck shopping lately (second-hand or otherwise)?
 

Links of the Week: May 26th

Hello there! Hope you are having an amazing weekend full of good food and festivities.  Here is some reading material to keep you occupied for the remainder of your weekend.

10 ways to develop a mastery mindset

I'm over my cupcake and pie kicks which each lasted for a few years.  Maybe I should move on to another dessert type and try making these donuts next time I get a sweet tooth.  I need a donut pan first though.

Loved this recap of a recent anniversary event for a Philly boutique.  I love hearing about "new to me" local shops.

Check out this insightful Ted Talk: Why 30 is not the new 20.

Are you in the Philly area and in need of an internship? Check out this opportunity.

This vegan quinoa sushi recipe looks tasty.

Cross-body bags are my current weekend bag style of choice. This one and this one are cute options I'd love to add to my growing collection.

This natural hair tutorial on Refinery 29 is right on time.  I'm gonna add victory rolls into my style rotation immediately.


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Currently Feeling...Gold

1. Zara Home Gold Coaster Set // 2. Chicos Womens Gold Clutch // 
3. Zara Home Gold Flatware // 4. Kohls Everlasting Gold Hoops // 
5. Sam Edelman Womens Jerome Shoe // 6. C. Wonder Golden Chevron Highball Glasse Set //
7. UO Hanging Brass Planter // 8. Rachel Roy for Macy's Karol Dress Sandals //

I'm currently feeling touches of gold for my home, ears, feet, and to carry...

Happy Friday!  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Uniform

Skirt: H&M (old); Top: Marshalls; Necklace: H&M; Heels: Target; Clutch; Watch: Francesca's

We got a preview of the approaching humid summer heat in Philly this week.  I have a feeling that like previous summers, outfits like these will be my summer professional uniform: sleeveless tops, skirts and much smaller purses than I usually carry around.  I suspect it will be simply too hot to cart a lot of stuff around.  I'll have to get used to going without my spare pair of shoes, snacks, reading material and the numerous other things I've had the habit of throwing in my purse...

Do you have a summer uniform for work or for weekends? 

Happy Wednesday!

Links of the Week: May 19th

My weekly links are belated this week, but better late than never right? Here are some good reads to peruse before, during or after your favorite Sunday television shows.

The salon experience for naturals

I so wish something like this existed in Philly...lunch time parties sound awesome.

Is it ethical to resell thrift store clothes ?

These shoes would add a cheerful touch to my work outfits.

I don't need any more pink in my wardrobe at the moment, but I still like this dress.

25 free mood boosters

How to make coconut whipped cream

Edit your thoughts for more energy

Ten realizations about being in your thirties 

Made in the USA and humanitarian fashion

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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Summer Hair Inspiration

I feel like I'm stuck in a bit of a hair rut...I'd like to slightly modify my hair for the season, but can't decide how to do so.  Maybe a variation on my usual protective up-do?  Intricate flat twist bun?  Hair color change?  Or maybe long box braids like the one's I used to wear in high school? Oh the paradox of choice...

Do you plan to change up your hair this summer?

See more hair inspiration on my Hair Inspiration Pinterest Board.

Image sources

Ice Cream Inspired

Top: swapped; Skirt: Beacon's Closet, Brooklyn(similar); 

Shoes: Target; Necklace: Buffalo Exchange (similar)

The color of my necklace, skirt, and top make me want to pull out my ice cream maker and make some ice cream and I don't even eat ice cream like that...Wearing dessert inspired colors never fails to put me in a good mood.  And yes, I'm wearing more pink, but I'm embracing this color which is apparently a favorite this season, if my clothing choices are a good indication.  

Currently feeling ...chevron prints

1.   One Kings Lane 18 x 18 Pillow (Black & White) //  2. Wet Seal Chevron Epoxy Earring Ivory // 3. The Hip ChickChevron Tribal Drop Earrings // 
4.  One Kings Lang Barnes Chair, Black & White //

5. CC Home Furnishings 49" Chic White Hourglass Shaped Lamp // 6. Mod Cloth Chevron O'Clock Jump Top // 
7. Jonathan Adler Zig Zag Grey Throw Blanket  // 8. Jessica Simpson Carly Wedges

Chevron is a print that I never tire of, I could imagine it on my home accessories, clothing, jewelry and shoes and more ...

Links of the Week: May 11th

Here's some reading material to keep you occupied this weekend.

Secrets to becoming a morning person.

Are you a Scandal fan?  Even if you aren't, you should check out the best Scandal recaps ever.

Solo workers bond at shared workspaces.

What the world eats.

Style inspiration from my current favorite music video.

I think these pumps are very cute.

The fashion stylist behind an NBA star.

I don't plan on buying any new nail polishes anytime soon. But when I do, I'll keep this post in mind.

How to balance blogging with a day job.

I'm so tempted to save up for and purchase this wallpaper for renters.

I hope all of the mama's out there are having a lovely weekend. Happy Mother's Day!

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Recent Reads

I haven't done a recap of what I've been reading since the spring started, so here are my recent reads.

Birds of Paradise - Diana Abu Jaber has become one of my favorite authors for her lyrical descriptions of food in her novels. This story revolves around Felice Muir who runs away at age thirteen and how doing this impacts the family she left behind.  Her reason for running away becomes apparent as the novel unfolds.  The story is told from the points of views of her parents and brother.  As much as I like Abu Jaber's writing, it took me a while to get into this book. But toward the end of the book the pieces of the plot came together for me and by the end, I enjoyed the book.  If you are new to Diana Abu Jaber's writing, I suggest you start with her memoir, The Language of Baklava or novel, Cresent before reading Birds of Paradise.

It's Complicated But It Doesn't Have to Be - I've never seen Paul C. Brunson's, OWN TV show, but I do follow him on Twitter and decided that the sound advice bites he doles out on social media outlets would probably lend itself to a good book. So I reserved It's Complicated from the library and read it last month. The relationship advice in this book is not necessarily new info, but I liked the presentation and thought it was a good read.

Sweet Tooth - This was another book I struggled to finish and honestly my main motivation was returning the book to the library by its due-date. I guess I was expecting more of an action driven, intrigued filled the plot when I read on the book flap that the protagonist was an MI5 agent (the UK version of a CIA agent). The James Bond prototype of a secret agent must have colored my views.  This story revolves around Serena Frome, reflecting decades later on a life changing project she worked on in the 1970s as a young M15 agent referred to as Sweet Tooth. Serena, a lover of novels, was chosen to infiltrate the literary circle of a young writer named Tom Haley.  But falling in love with Tom Haley starts to complicate things for Serena.

This is How You Lose Her - I'd never read a book by Pulitzer prize winning author, Junot Diaz so when his latest book became available at the library, I decided to read it.  I didn't think I'd get into this book, but I read the entire book over one weekend (it's not very long). These short stores revolve around the romances and life of Yunior, a Dominican-born, New Jersey raised man as he deals with love, family expectations, loss, and his propensity to cheat on his girlfriends.  This is How You Lose Her reminded me of how much I love reading short stories that are so descriptive that you don't feel that their length short-change the plot.

Next up on my to-read list is The Law of Divine Compensation.

What have you read (or are planning to read) lately?

Watercolored

 Blazer: thrifted (similar); Dress: Buffalo Exchange; 

Heels: Shoe Mint; Necklace: Shoxie; Earrings: H&M

I never really considered pink to be one of my favorite colors. But after looking at my clothing that has been in heavy rotation this spring, like this blazer, its seems that it is a fav, at least for now.  I see this dress becoming a "new to me" favorite.  It was purchased for $7.50 during a recent Buffalo Exchange trip.  The watercolor like print of this dress kind of inspires me to get out some paints and create some art for my walls.  Or I could just hang the dress on a wall when I'm not wearing it...

Happy Wednesday!

Links of the Week: May 4th

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Here is some reading material to keep you occupied this weekend.

A guide to free parks in cool cities.

These pants would make great addition to my work wear.

10 plants to attract love and prosperity.

Here are 20 great DIY Mother's Day gift ideas.

I think this dress would be perfect for a summer vacation to the beach.

I'm so not much of a drinker, but I love the look of these festive, pretty drinks.

I've been wanting some pumps like these in the color green for the longest time.  I think I'll splurge on them after I make a few apartment purchases.

RIP Chis "MacDaddy" Kelly of Kriss Kross.

Decor Inspiration: Starburst Mirror

I recently pinned these starburst mirror options as inspiration for the blank walls of my apartment.  In addition to a gallery wall, I'd like to add a mirror to a wall, perhaps in a starburst shape.

Here are some options that I like:

1 Pier 1 Imports Starburst Mirror // 

2 Target Wire Capiz Sunburst Wall Mirror //

3 Catherine Starburst Wall Mirror// 

4 Worlds Away Josephine Gold Leaf Starburst Mirror// 

5 Target Mirrors for Wall: Threshold Starburst Mirror Set - 3 Pieces // 

6 Target Threshold Wood Starburst Wall Mirror

Do you plan to add anything new to your walls this spring?

Happy Friday!

April Favorites

Since the new month has started, here are a few of my favorites from April.  

1. Snack: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Lara Bars.  I love eating these with a cup of green tea.
2. Outfit: Pink + Mint was my favorite outfit of the month.  Still loving my thrifted pink blazer.
3. Book: It's Complicated But It Doesn't Have to Be by Paul C. Brunson was my favorite read of the month.
4. Beauty Product: Ilia lipstick in Wild Child.  I've had this lipstick for a while, but I started putting it back it rotation. I like that fact that it's not alarmingly difficult to remove like some of my other highly pigmented lipsticks.
5. App: My Fitness Pal. I really like this app.  I don't have a problem logging my food intake, but increasing my exercise is what I'll work on for the month of May.
6. Music: Bob Marley. I've been playing this album and my Bob Marley Spotify radio station a lot this month.

What were some of your favorites from the month of April?

Perennial Favorite

Blazer: Zara - girls section (similar); Top: Swap; 
Skirt: Francesca's; Heels: Loft; Necklace: Shoxie

Happy first of May!



This blazer is a perennial favorite that I found in the girls section of Zara a few years ago.  The older I get, the more grateful I am that I can still shop in the kids section of some of my favorite stores...


Previously Worn: Seersucker and White