Mixing Prints

Mixing prints is one of the top trends for fall and floral prints are going to remain very popular, so I thought it would be fun to play with a couple of outfit ideas mixing florals with some fun prints.

I mixed my florals with polka dots and chevron, but as long as you stick to some key basics, any print would work!
Tip ~ Be sure to carry one color through the print, or keep everything within the same color family.

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Tip ~ Keep accessories neutral and unobtrusive.  The varying prints are going to get enough attention, you don't want your accessories to compete.

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Don't forget to be confident in your style!  Wear the outfit - don't let the outfit wear you!

Nailed It: Zoya America

I love to play with fun nail polish colors, especially in the summer.  I've been loving pinks, oranges, even aqua colors.  But lately I've been in the mood for something more classic.

Zoya America

Red.  There is something refreshing about it.  Red can be many things; it can be refined, impassioned, retro, girly, spicy, and even angry.

One / Two / Three / Four / Five

My favorite red is classic red.  This red is the "Marilyn Monroe" of shades - always classy and always seasonless.

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I love the tomato red color of Zoya's America polish.  It's actually one of my favorite Zoya shades (and of course, I put it on for 4th of July this year, too).

This color reminds me of visits with my grandmother (Nana) when I was little.  We would go into Boston and get manicures, and she would always choose the same tomato red shade for her polish - a shade very similar to Zoya America.

Those visits may have been the beginnings of my beauty obsession!

What's your favorite Zoya shade???

Five.

This week has been a little hectic for me since I was basically wiped out for most of last week and the weekend with what I can only call the flu.  Which is just so weird to me since it's JULY.  But I'm back on track and my week has been full of happy, fun and tasty moments, so I can't complain!

I bought this bracelet from J.Crew and have been wearing it with everything lately.

I've been in quite the gold mood (as you can see).

I made these and shared the recipe with the wonderful readers of Treasure Tromp (my friend Nicole's blog)!

S'mores Krispies!

This little munchkin made me giggle.

"You can't see me!"

I'm getting some ideas about what to do with these.

I've been saving random tissue paper and ribbon... for what I don't know... yet.

AND at some point this week, I noticed this.

That is crazy to me!  I am so appreciative of each and every person who reads my blog, and I hope that you enjoy it!  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for giving me your time :)

Happy Weekend!  xo

Sponsor Love ~ Meet Amber of Obviously Obsessed!

Hi friends!  I would like you all to meet one of my fabulous sponsors and favorite bloggers, Amber from Obviously Obsessed!

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

How can you not LOVE that blog name???  Amber's blog is right up my alley.  Like me, she loves beauty products, and posts some fabulous reviews and tips!  Not only that, but Amber is super friendly and has excellent taste!  If you like me, you will love Amber!

So enough from me, here's what Amber has to say!

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Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your blog.

This is a collection of the little things that make up my life.  I am obsessed with new products, old products and everything in-between.  I am obsessed with food, photography and tattoos.  I adore my puppies and my husband.  When I find something interesting - love or hate, I'll post about it to let y'a'll know that I think.

What made you decide to start blogging?

The idea of blogging came to me when I had numerous friends tell me that I always had the newest, weirdest, most interesting products.  When a new gum came out, I had it.  When a new nail polish collection came out, I had it.  When new lip gloss came out, I had it.  A friend suggested I start telling people about the things I've found and either loved or hated.  My blog has taken a personal turn recently and I love it.  I not only talk about products, but I write about me and my daily life.  I'm not sure if people are interested enough in me, but it's given me an outlet and led me to some pretty amazing people.

If you could give one piece of advice to newer bloggers, what would it be?

As a fairly new blogger, my advice would be to not compare yourself to others.  Watch your blog grow on a daily basis and the more you put into your blog, the more you'll get out of it.  You're doing this for you and once you realize that, everything else will just fall into place.

What is one item in your closet that you can't live without, and why?

I wouldn't necessarily say my closet, but I can't live without nail polish.  I believe that painted nails are the best accessory and be changed multiple times to create multiple looks.

If you were a dessert, what dessert would you be?

I love chocolate lava cake.  I have a serious sweet tooth and this always seems to do the trick.

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If you haven't been over to Obviously Obsessed yet, get on over there and say hi to Amber!

What I'm Loving... Ikat

Ikat is awesome.  It's such a cool, fun print!

I bought this ikat print dress from Target a few months ago, and I've been wearing the bananas out of it all summer.

dress - target / bracelet - loft / sunglasses - tom ford

Ikat is a dip-dyeing pattern, similar to tie dye, that uses dye-resistant bindings to weave and create patterns.  The difference between ikat and tie-dye lies in the fact that ikat threads are dyed prior to weaving, while tie-dye is dyed after construction has been completed.  Because of the complexity and time consuming nature of creating an ikat print, it was seen as a symbol of wealth or power.

Well. I'm not extremely wealthy or particularly powerful, but I do love me some ikat!

I have been finding great ikat pieces lately, including (more) dresses, skirts, bathing suits, tops, shorts, and even pants!  And this print is so much fun to pair with bright colors.  It makes the vibe even more playful and interesting.

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Accessories are also being made in ikat prints, so if you aren't a big 'print' person, you can still incorporate the design into your everyday wardrobe.

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Bronze Goddess

I love the look of glowing, bronzed skin in the summertime.  There's just something about it that is so beachy, yet elegant at the same time.  And now, with so many different formulations for face, legs, and even hair, it's easier than ever to achieve that bronze goddess glow without the sun.

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Let's discuss, clockwise from top...

One of my favorite body bronzing products is NARS Body Glow.  Put this on your shinbones, clavicle, and along the outer edges of your forearms for a gorgeous, shimmery glow.  This reminds me of sunset on a tropical island.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder is hands down the best bronzing powder I have ever used.  This stuff is definitely not cheap, but it is truly amazing! It blends smoothly and the color looks completely natural, with just enough shimmer to make the skin luminous without being over the top.

Another great product I'm loving is the Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil, which can be used on the face, body, and hair.  This oil gives the skin a light, bronzey shimmer for a healthy, gorgeous glow, and it's packed with argan oil for amazing moisturizing and healing benefits.  I put this in my hair after a day at the beach for some softness, shine and shimmery goodness - and it delivers!

Sonia Kashuk makes an eyeshadow quad in Bronzed Beauty that I adore.  The shades are such a perfect compliment to each other, and I love how much this shadow shimmers in the light.

For fair skin, I recommend bronzers with multiple shades of champagne, bronze and pink to give the most natural effect.  I love the Smashbox Fusion Softlights compact because the color goes on sheer and gives the skin a beautiful natural glow.  Plus, you can blend together for some bronzing action, or use each color separately on the cheeks or eyes.  It's definitely a multi-tasker!

To bronze the face, you want to focus on the areas where the sun hits.  That would be your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.  Sweep bronzer in an "3" formation (or inverted "3" depending on what side of the face you're on) from the top of the forehead, down past the temples onto the cheeks, then back down to the center of the chin.  Repeat on the other side of the face.  Without picking up any more bronzer, sweep your brush down the bridge of your nose.  Finally, go back over these areas with the brush to blend.  And blend well!

There is even an option for those who want everything at their fingertips, an easy mini-bronzing-makeover in one place!  Benefit Cosmetics Legally Bronze is a kit that contains bronzing powder, illuminating liquid, highlighter and mascara to give you that golden glow.

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This kit includes some of Benefit's most popular products - High Beam (complexion illuminator),  Hoola (bronzing powder), Gilded (tangerine-gold highlighting stick), and BadGal Brown (the popular BadGal mascara in a deep brown shade).  Here you have everything you need to look like a bronzed goddess, minus the sun!

So go put on your SPF 50, big sunglasses and floppy hat and smile to yourself.  Because you, too, can look like you just came from the beach, and all it takes is the swipe of a brush.

Sponsor Love ~ Meet Danielle of Framed Frosting!

Happy Tuesday!  Today I want to share with you a little about one of my sponsors and absolute favorite bloggers, Danielle from Framed Frosting!



Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin

Danielle has been such an inspiration to me, not only in her amazing blog posts (and fashion sense!) but also in her organizational abilities and overall knowledge of the blogging world.  She has been a great mentor to me and has helped me to grow my blog and seek out additional opportunities.  She was also my very first paid sponsor, for which I am forever grateful!

So enough from me, here's what Danielle has to say!

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Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your blog.

My name is Danielle and I blog over at Framed Frosting. I'm an almost-20-something college girl who is obsessed with anything chevron, 72% dark chocolate, and addicted to social media. I began my blog last April as a way to document the end of my high school years. Now it has evolved to be about so much more and I'm really enjoying it! You'll find me posting about mostly fashion, as I also cost a weekly link up called Current Crush Thursdays. I also love to bake and you'll find a few recipes on my blog, but I hope to add more! I'm also moving into my first apartment next month and can't wait to feature a few DIY projects too.

If you could give one piece of advice to newer bloggers, what would it be?

Take advantage of the blogging community. There are so many fabulous ladies out there that are MORE than willing to help you out. Just don't be afraid to reach out to them via e-mail or with a simple Tweet.

What is one item in your closet that you can't live without, and why?

That's an easy one...my cardigans. I own one in almost every color (still searching for mustard yellow!) and they are so versatile. I can wake up, throw on a t-shirt and jeans, add a cardigan and some jewelry and be out the door!

If you were a dessert, what dessert would you be?

I'd be an extra-large chocolate bar. 72% dark cocoa to be exact!

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If you haven't been over to Framed Frosting yet, head on over and say hello to Danielle!

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Would you like to sponsor Gumdrops & Gloss?  Head on over to my Advertise page and secure your spot for August!

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There's still time to enter my giveaway!  You could win a $25 Banana Republic Gift Card and Trina Turk for Banana Republic bracelet!  Enter here!

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What's In My Bag?

It's always fun to see what's in someone's bag.  Not only does it feed that curiosity that we all have, but I think it also tells us a lot about someone.

So today, I'm going to reveal to you what's in MY bag.

I'm going to be totally real here - I'm not the neatest person on the planet and sometimes I tend to just throw things in there.  Luckily, I recently cleaned out all of the random receipts and notes, so it's not too much of a mess.

Let's get to it, shall we?



This Kate Spade bag has been my go-to this summer.  I love white, and I really like that I can use this as a handbag or a cross-body bag.  And it's roomy enough to fit all of my stuff without being huge or bulky.

I didn't actually realize until I started working on this post how much Kate Spade I own.  My bag, wallet, planner, iPhone case and notebook are all Kate Spade!  I swear this is not a sponsored post!

1. My trusty wallet.  I loved the orange color for summer - it's so bright and summery!  I am a big fan of slim envelope wallets.  This one keeps everything right where I can see it, and also has a few extra compartments for business cards, cash, receipts, etc.

2. I carry a little notebook with me to write down ideas, things I need to buy or do, addresses, or anything else that comes to me that I need to record (and be able to find) quickly. (similar)

3. I've been using Kate Spade planners since college, and this one is compact so I can carry it everywhere.  Although I have my personal daily calendar and to-do list in my iPhone (see #4), I use this planner for things that I need to constantly keep track of, such as schoolwork, deadlines, etc.

4. My trusty little iPhone.  I honestly don't know what I did before iPhones were invented.  I use this for my contacts, personal calendar, tasks (for which I have 6 different lists - I like lists), emails, photos, and so much more.  This case makes me happy, too.  The back is white polka dots on pink.  :)

5. I like to keep my wallets thin and I don't really like when they get bulky with change, so I carry a separate coin purse.  I got this one from Oktak, an Etsy store.  Aki, the shop owner, makes change purses, bags, even baby items, in so many cute, fun designs, and her work is impeccable.

6. These are my favorite pens!  I hoard them.

7. I can't go anywhere without sunglasses.  My Tom Ford Jennifer sunglasses are my favorite pair.  They're not too dark for my fair skin and light hair, but they do an incredible job of blocking the sun so I don't strain my eyes.

8. I carry extra Goody Ouchless hair elastics with me in my bag in case of emergency.  I am a big fan of Twistbands, but they're too cute to leave in my bag so I always end up with one or two on my wrist!

9. I take vitamins every day!  These vita-paks from GNC have a little bit of everything - a multi-vitamin, fish oil, and supplement for healthy hair, skin & nails, bone strength, and flexibility.

10. The Rosebud Perfume Co. balms are a mainstay in my bag.  Right now, I'm using the Strawberry Lip Balm.  It has a light strawberry scent, and the balm is ultra moisturizing.  My lips are always so soft and shiny after using it, and it's great to slather on before a good workout (the heat will help the balm to sink in and really condition your lips).

11. These minteas mints are chocolaty and delicious!  I got them in my July Birchbox!

12. I am addicted to my Staniac!  I got this in my June Birchbox, and it's another mainstay in my bag.  I use it on my cheeks for a natural flush, and on my lips for a pretty stain that lasts all day.  It's the perfect pick me up when I'm in a rush and don't have time to do my makeup before leaving the house. 

13. Maybeline has such great mascaras.  Thiss one is Volum Express The Falsies.  I get a lot of volume and length without having to apply multiple coats to get it.  I like to have mascara with me for a quick touch up if I'm going to dinner or happy hour right after work.

14. I carry around a cream eyeshadow for touch-ups during the day.  This Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow (in Sandy Gold) lasts and lasts, and the champagne shimmer is perfect for highlighting or using as an allover shadow.

15. I did one of my very first blog posts on this Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment (see it here)!  It is probably my favorite lip treatment and my go-to when I want softness and shine with a bit of tint.  It also has SPF so it's great for summer days outdoors or at the beach.

16. More lipgloss!  Who knew.  Hey, I love my lip stuff :)  This one from Philosophy tastes absolutely delicious (melon daiquiri!) and leaves a very pretty, coral shimmer.

17. And last but not least - hand cream is essential for me.  My skin tends to get very dry, especially with a lot of washing (I'm a bit of a germ phobe), and L'Occitane hand creams give me a lot of moisturizer without being greasy.  The Hubbs put this one in my Christmas stocking last Christmas, and I got hooked on the lavender scent!

What's in your bag???

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Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  You could win a $25 Banana Republic Gift Card and Trina Turk for Banana Republic Bracelet ~ enter here!

Sick Day

Happy Friday!

I am unfortunately super sick, so I haven't been able to complete a post for you today.  I promise I have lots of fun stuff in the works for next week, so be sure to check back!

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In the meantime, I am giving away a $25 Banana Republic Gift Card and Trina Turk for Banana Republic Bracelet ~ go enter!

What I'm Loving.... Leather!

Normally when I think of leather, I think of needing warmth.  Leather jackets... leather pants... leather gloves.  But lately, I am finding myself LOVING leather pieces more and more for summer!

And leather is making it's way into our wardrobe in some unexpected ways!  Shorts, a collar necklace, earrings, and even t-shirts are being made in leather - and we're not talking your run-of-the-mill black, tan or red leather here.  We're talking coral, rust, yellow, purple, and so much more!

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Although I absolutely love everything pictured, the Neil Barrett ankle booties and the yellow J.Crew pencil skirt are two of my favorite items (did you really think I wouldn't include something yellow???).

And who could forget Blake Lively (who I absolutely ADORE) in the gorgeous orange Gucci dress?!

Out of all of the fun pieces I'm finding though, leather shorts are definitely at the top of my list.  I love the idea of dressing them up with a sheer, lacy blouse (tucked in of course), a pair of cute heels or booties, and some feminine jewelry with a bit of color.  Mixing light, girly fabrics and accessories with the harder edginess of the leather makes the look fun and interesting.

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What are you obsessing over lately?

Aaaand check out the giveaway I have going on right now!!!!  YOU could be the winner of a $25 Banana Republic Gift Card & Trina Turk for Banana Republic bracelet!  Enter here!

Oh, how Pinteresting!

It's Wednesday!  That means it's time for, Oh, how Pinteresting!

Seriously, how did people survive before Pinterest?!  By remembering things?!  Pssh.

I have found so many great pins lately, and I'm really excited to share them with all of you!  Here we go!

This might very well be my dream home office...

Source: thedecorista.com via Niki on Pinterest

...and I die for the mix of pink, coral, and aqua shown here... pinned from Lindsey's amazing blog, Pinklet & C!

Source: pinkletandc.blogspot.com via Niki on Pinterest

I love the idea of painting the lids of jars to store flour, sugar, etc.!  This gives the kitchen a fun boost.

Source: themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com via Niki on Pinterest

And how great is this genius idea?!  Glue stones to felt for a heat rest!

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Niki on Pinterest

I died when I saw this.  Of course I had to include it...

Source: theberry.com via Niki on Pinterest

This is pretty much how my cat creeps up on my little munchkin german shepherd mix (Jessie):

Source: absolutelymadness.tumblr.com via Niki on Pinterest

Bourbon Sweet Potato Cupcakes.... Bakerella never ceases to amaze me.

Source: bakerella.com via Niki on Pinterest

And really now, these are chocolate chip cookies filled with caramel-peanut butter.  Read that?  Caramel-Peanut Butter.  I am mentally stuffing my face as we speak.

Source: thebitesizedbaker.wordpress.com via Niki on Pinterest

But wait, there's more!  A DIY on how to make a  leopard-spot cake!  There's more too - how to make a zebra-striped cake, a polka dot cake, a checkered cake, etc.!

Source: cakefu.com via Niki on Pinterest

And who doesn't love whoopie pies?  I know I do.  How fun (pun intended) are these?!  Funfetti whoopie pies!

Source: codykitchenconfections.blogspot.com via Niki on Pinterest

Wow I get really excited about baking.  I wish I could get that excited about other things, like cleaning maybe, or homework.


Can't stop there!  I've found some super fun mani ideas as well!

Source: glossdaily.com via Niki on Pinterest

Source: glitterandnails.blogspot.com via Niki on Pinterest

Source: glamour.com via Niki on Pinterest

Love this...

Source: musingsinfemininity.tumblr.com via Niki on Pinterest

And finally, I'm a little bracelet obsessed lately, and this is one of my favorite bracelet pics!

Source: vivaluxury.blogspot.no via Niki on Pinterest

Click below if you would like to follow me on Pineterest:





And check out the giveaway I have going on right now!!!!  YOU could be the winner of a $25 Barnana Republic Gift Card & Trina Turk for Banana Republic bracelet!  Enter here!




PS ~ Would you like to sponsor Gumdrops & Gloss??? 
Check out my Advertise page to reserve your spot today!