American Style: July 4th Edition

Summer has arrived and July 4th will be here soon! Below are some of the current items I am eyeing for all of the fun events that will surround the 4th!

Piperlime Blue Top [Silk Flutter Blouse]//Nordstrom Rack Top [Starlight Flutter Sleeve Tee] Piperlime Red Top [Silk Flutter Blouse]//Piperlime White Skirt [Eyelet Circle Skirt]// Norstrom Rack Short [Cuff Denim Jean Short]//Target  Dress [Ponte Dress]//Piperlime Blue Skirt [Eyelet Circle Skirt]// Target Scarf [American Flag Infinity Scarf]// Nordstrom Rack Shoe [Steffo Espadrille Wedge]

BONUS Maxi Cutout dress:

 

Piperlime [Stripe Cut Out Maxi]

cool tech: L’Oreal Makeup Genius for iOS

Y’all this app is AMAZING! Check it out!

Keira Lennox

{ All I wore on my face today was tinted moisturizer. This is one of about a dozen of my digital makeovers with Makeup Genius. }

You guys, I haven’t gotten any work done for the last hour because I’ve been playing with L’Oreal’s new iOS app, Makeup Genius. It is blowing my mind.

I read about it on Who What Wear this afternoon, then promptly downloaded it {for free} from the app store.

Let’s rewind… 

Does anyone remember the old PC software that let you “try on” hairstyles? You scanned a photo of your face into the program — you know, with a big ol’ digital scanner — and pasted not-so-realistic renderings of every imaginable cut and color onto your head, so you could make an informed decision before heading to your stylist for a hot pink mohawk. Ringing any bells? My mom and I had that software —…

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Threads Thursday: Wonderful Whites

Happy Thursday y’all! After the trip to New York I am LOVING white.  I am usually a color girl but I am loving this crisp neutral pallet.  You can easily add a pop of your favorite color or make a statement by going ALL white.  You can even mix white with winter white and it looks fabulous!  Here are some of the current things I am lusting after!

Cotton Eyelet Spaghetti Strap Romper [Loft]- Rompers are all the rage and a great way to stay cool this summer.  I love the simplicity of this white number.

Amanda Logo Clutch [Tory Burch]- Great for an evening out and a classic piece!

Embellished Perfect Button Down [Ann Taylor]- The name says it all! Such a fun twist on a classic piece.

Peacock Cluster Necklace [Ann Taylor]- This great necklace is embellished and I love me some SPARKLE! Would go great with so many different outfits!

Floral Jacquard Jacket [Loft]- The structure of this jack is fabulous! Again another versatile piece that you should have in your wardrobe!

Mirror Embellished Top [Ann Taylor]- This blouse is so versatile and fun! You can dress it up with a skirt and blazer or down with a pair of skinnies…. Also, will keep you cool in the HOT summer.

Thea Chain Should Slouchy Tote [Tory Burch]- I love the structure of this bag with the hint of fun in the tassel! I have been obsessed with tassels lately so of course this was a pick for me!

Bubble Stretch Bracelet [Ann Taylor]- I love the fact this bracelet is stretch and not a bangle.  I have such small wrist that bangles tend to fall right off my hand! Love the gold and white contrast and would go great with so many outfits.

Striped Organza Skirt [Ann Taylor]- Y’all this skirt is EVERYTHING.  I have been ogling it since i saw it in a window display in NY.  So fun yet chic at the same time.

What is your favorite trend right now?  Do you have a staple white piece that you LOVE?

New York, New York

AWWWW NEW YORK.  Such a wonderful place!  So much culture and SO MANY people. I love going but I also getting to come home!

My husband had never been so we were the “typical” tourist over the long weekend!

We stayed at the Double Tree In Times square and here is a summary of everything we did!

Thursday- Walked around times square… Ate lunch at Carnagie Deli [HUGE sandwiches] and tried out a pub and went to the mets game!

Friday- The weather was all over the place but we headed for Wall Street and to the Pier area.  Got to the One world Trade Center, so amazing but so sad reflecting on how that day changed our lives forever. Then we went to the Pier area! Sat and had a drink with a wonderful view and then ate lunch at a food truck park! We tried @shortysonwheels and it was AMAZING! Then we headed back to change for dinner and a broadway show!  We ate at Carmines and saw Of Mice and Men with James Franco, Chris O’Dowd and Leighton Meester.  SO MUCH FUN!

Saturday- We got up and went to see Barndard College at Columbia Univeristy where AOII was founded! Then walked to see Central Park! We went to meet my cousin and stopped by Radio City Music Hall and 30 Rock. We met up with my cousin and ate lunch in her neck of the woods then ventured to see the Empire State Building.  Then ventured for some Juniors Cheesecake!  After that she left and we decided to see an off Broadway show called Avenue Q…. HILARIOUS!  Of course we were starving afterwords so we went to a hole in the wall to get some true NY Pizza…. MY FAV!

I wore my Fitbit on the last day and we walked of 25,000 steps and 10+ miles! SO CRAZY.  We loved it and hope to visit again soon!  Below are a few fun pictures!

Kate Spade Sale Alert

Ya’ll I JUST posted my Perfect Carry On post and then I get this FABULOUS email from Kate Spade below! My stars are seriously aligned Enjoy lovies!

The Perfect Carry On Bag + What’s Inside

My New York trip is coming up this Thursday!  I have become pretty awesome at packing and have some tips too! See below for my Ideal carry on and whats inside!

 This PackingGuide is AMAZING!

Some of the items below are a dream carry on some I am excited to enjoy on my trip 🙂

Scarf [Kate Spade]- I love them as accessories and they help out when I get cold!  Love this navy/white nautical look for summertime!

Album [Sam Smith]- can’t.stop.listening.

Book [Psychos, Eleanor & Park, Fangirl]- Reading on my iPad mini kindle app of course 🙂

Sunglass [Tom Ford]- The modern cat eye. Chic and fab.

Water [Fiji]- Gotta stay hydrated.  Plus I love bringing Crystal Light flavor packets to help me drink more!

Chapstick [Aquaphor]- This product can be used on lips, to make cheeks look dewey and tame eyebrows just to name s a few things!

Purse [Michael Kors] BONUS: this carry all wallet clutch.

Snack [Jerky, Trail Mix]

What are your trip must haves?

#100daysofhappiness: Day 99 and 100

FINALLY, the LAST #100daysofhappiness post!

I love getting to enjoy a cup of coffee on our front porch.  PS have I said how much I really just love Tervis Tumblers?

And for my last picture I leave you with a John Lennon quote.  Happiness if what you should strive for in life and while life is tough you can find small miracle and goodness in the everyday things!

While this experience has been so much fun challenge it has been hard to remember to stop and take pictures all the time! I am ready to get back to regular updates and posts!

 

#100daysofhappiness: Days 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98

After this post only TWO MORE DAYS!  I can’t wait to write my recap/opinion piece on my #100daysofhappiness!

LOTS of great things are happening!

My BEST FRIEND/AOII SISTER came to visit me this weekend and we had so much fun!  Find her blog here :). We did an outdoor Smart Barre Class at Trailhead in Fort Worth! SO much fun… but we definitely got sunburned! Afterword Kona Ice was there with free snocones!  YUMMY!

My flowers are blooming like crazy!  Bought these Diplandia’s on a whim and they have been so easy to take care of **KNOCK ON WOOD**!

While Paula was in town we ventured to La Madeleine since they don’t have one in Oklahoma!  We had the Sampler and our favorite Strawberries Romanoff…. TO DIE FOR, SERIOUSLY!  I think I need to find a Pinterest knockoff….

Mark and I also became members of the Fort Worth Club this week! I am excited to try out some of their events! We had a great meal there the evening we did the tour!

We went to a housewarming party and acted like we were in college again playing games and enjoy everyones company! We even busted out some Mexican Train (domino’s game)… SO FUN!

Another fun thing that got planned this week is Mark and my trip to NYC! Mark has never been so I am excited to get to go on this adventure with him!

FINAL thing… Tory Burch had a sale a bit ago that I talked about and I am OBSESSED with these leopard flips!

#100daysofhappiness: Days 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, & 90

It is that time again to update the good ole #100days of happiness!  After this adventure ends I will pick back up on more unique posts!

Over the weekend my oldest friend came to town for a visit! I have known Kate for over 21 years… sheeeeeeesh!  You should follow her blog Prairie Yuppie! She owns a ridiculously cute boutique in Stillwater, OK and competes in beauty pageants!  While she was here we ventured around Fort Worth, and  went to the Colonial! The quote below is our friendship… we could sit for hours and not say anything and be comfortable…. BUT lord knows we can chats each others heads off too!

True Friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable- David Tyson Gentry

Colonial was so fun! We had access to a few tents and the weather was perfect! We got to spend time with old friends and new friends and it was FABULOUS!

Belli [Facewash]-  No, I am not pregnant but I have been having TERRIBLE breakouts but I don’t want to start medicine or anything ridiculously harsh on my skin.  SO I have been searching for things that will help my face.  I LOVE the philosophy clear line but wanted to try something new.  I found rave reviews for this from NON pregnant people so I thought I would give it a whirl! And I LOVE it.  Doesn’t smell and really gives you the fresh and clean feel! It really has reduced my break outs… right now I only have one pimple…. a month ago i had so many I couldn’t even count them all!

Cherry Coke Zero is a serious problem I have.  I love it and it really does help curb my coke cravings especially in the summer when I crave it even more! Cue Rascal Flatts singing Mayberry.  I don’t drink it everyday but I like having it around when I am have a sweet craving!  SO YUMMY!

Kate and I decided to treat Mark to homemade breakfast after he put up with us hung out with us all weekend.  Omelets and bacon… can’t.beat.that.

Also, I have gotten to take advantage of working from home and some amazing weather by laying out with my laptop in hand!  I LOVE it! Stay tuned for a blog post about the highs and lows of working from home!  Should be funny…. at least for me.

Hope y’all had a fabulous weekend!

#100daysofhappiness: 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, &84

This update seems to have a lot of food pictures! Enjoy!

-I tried out a new bacon wrapped chicken recipe…. and it was a success!  As I have said before my recipes are sometimes not done by measurement.

Preheat over to 375. Butterfly chicken breast. Stuff with a few blobs of cream           cheese and chopped onions.  I also added some fresh herbs from our garden (oregano and thyme).  Wrap with bacon and secure with toothpicks.  Bake for about 40 minutes.

-If you haven’t downloaded the time hop application, do it!  It is fun to see what you posted about so many years ago! Mine alerted me to a post I had about moving to Texas 4 years ago! Can’t believe how fast time has flown!

–Tory Burch was having a seasonal sale! I purchased a pair of Reva’s and Flip Flops.  I will post pictures once they get here! So excited!!!

-Last post I talked about the Betty Crocker Ultimate Brownie Mix.  Well on the back of the box they had a recipe for brownie bites.  SO I had to try.  I followed the recipe EXCEPt it said it made 42 bites… I only made 32 and they were the perfect size!  I also made some homemade peanut butter icing:

8oz cream cheese- room temp

1 big scoop of margarine (about the size of a stick of butter)- room temp

1/2 cups peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 t vanilla extract

Mark took these to work and they were gone VERY quickly! So yummy and bite size!

–Casey and I went on an adventure to shop and to see Zac Efron without his shirt on a movie.  We met when we worked at Texas Motor Speedway for Speedway Children’s Charity.  So we got a laugh out of taking a selfie with the TMS pace car.  We used to get to drive those all the time….  They are fun and FAST!

-Mark was out of town so I tried a new breakfast. I fried an egg, cooked some lunchmeat ham and melted cheese on a “slimmie” bagel.  Turned out so yummy! One of my favs now!