Hey hi! So it's favorites time again..... I didn't do a July one because I had no time for falling in love with more than like two things........ #thestruggle
SO I've combined some favorites from both this & last month. ALSO, I know everyone says something about how fast the year is going like EVERY favorites post, but WOW. It's basically autumn, & I'm so ready. Anyway, this month it's less about physical products & more on podcasts & music & things like that.
HERE WE GO:
MUSIC My recent loves playlist seems to be growing and I'm okay with it. The one song I'm super down with is Closer by The Chainsmokers & Halsey..... currently playing it until I grow sick of it, just like every song I get obsessed with. Anyone else? I also purchased this album on vinyl a couple weeks ago. In my opinion Eyes Open is one of the best albums of the mid 2000s......
PODCASTS & APPS Okay so I say plural, but it's really only one of each. Still counts, right? I'm still loving The Skinny Confidential podcast- Lauryn & Michael are HILARIOUS, & the podcast is chill yet informative, especially if you're a fellow blogger.  I touched a teeny bit on mediation recently & the app that is keeping me on track is Calm. (itunes; google play) There's both guided & unguided practices you can do (I like the lady telling me what to do) & it tells you how many days in a row you've meditated, to keep you in check.
BEAUTY I'm totally slacking in the beauty department lately; there just hasn't been a whole lot I've tried out. BUT I still love the nude lips trend & NYX liquid suede (in tea & cookies) is a go-to. The other beauty fave is a polish... WHAT'S NEW. But this time it's a gel top coat. I haven't taken the time to do acrylics in awhile so I've just been using this on top of my natural nail, but it sets the polish just as well & gives it a salon gel look. I love!
And for the one thing that doesn't fit into any of the categories.... (there's always the one) is Milk & Honey. If you have yet to read this book and you like poetry, GO READ IT NOW. Thank me later.
Tell me all about the products you've loved this month!
xo,

Monday (Virtual) Style

       
                                                            

Oh hi, hello. Wonder what I was wearing yesterday? I may not have gotten that perfect insta shot, but I did create pretty much an EXACT REPLICA for you. WHEW, crisis averted.
This is one of my favorite season transitional looks- nobody can go wrong with an LBD, & paired with a flannel, whether tied around the waist (my fave) or layered over your dress, it's the perfect added touch. One autumn must have that I have a feeling will be around for awhile is a pair of cute ankle booties. Chic without too much effort.
aaaaand out the door STAT.
xo,

Five Things You Can Do For the World Today

{as much as I wish I took this photo, it was all Helene}

1// Donate to Louisiana flooding victims. Stevie's fave vet is holding a pet supply drive for all the furry friends affected. Even if you're not local, there's bound to be plenty of drives still going on! Consult google for ones in your area.

2// Sign up for amazon smile. Amazon Smile is this really cool thing they've created that sends a portion of your total to the charity of your choice (mine is Kidd's Kids) each time you buy something from the site. (Make sure you go to SMILE instead of the regular!)

3// Use your platform. As bloggers, I feel we have a duty to also use our space as a place to speak out on the things we're passionate about, even if it's heavy. If we do not speak, it will not stop. SO find your voice & use it. 
4// Meditate. Meditation is a semi-new thing for me (post in the works) but for lack of sounding like a new-ager at a health shop, I fully believe that by being in better touch with ourselves, we're also in better touch with the world around us. Try meditating for five minutes in the morning for a better day. 
5// Be a good listener. As important as it is to speak up, it's just as important to listen to others. Listen to their opinions (unless they're in favor of Donald Trump. Feel free to promptly dump that) & learn from their point of view. Being more open-minded is one of the best things you can do for yourself as well as everyone else. xo,

Texture Play

Oh hi, hey! SO. September is around the corner which means I'm ready to pull out my autumn transition looks, even though I know full well it's still too dang hot. 
NEVER STOPPED ME.
I'm fully obsessed with flannel/ plaid, & paired with a leather skirt is such a chic way to wear it, especially in that "in between" time.
In other news, my camera is still down & I'm feeling super discouraged with the quality of my photos at the moment. (which why there's only two photos today, sorry) Like I've said recently, I always want to give y'all nothing less than 110% and I feel like it's not right now, which almost makes me not want to post until I can get this issue fixed. BUT I don't want to be away from this space either because I truly love it, so there's that.
HELP? 
Anyway, plaid & leather skirts, yes, I love. How do you feel about this combo? 

plaid shirt | mudd leather skirt | f21 (similar) wedges | cherokee (similar here) bracelet | francesca's  necklace | lc lauren conrad

xo,

In Which Life is One Tree Hill

My childhood friends' mom passed away last week & I haven't had the words to say. I still don't. There's something about death's cold sting that makes you brood lucas scott-style on life & mortality. It's fleeting and the only things guaranteed in life are aging & taxes. (and who wants that??)
I've written many columns on making the most out of life & taking leaps, which I still believe in. BUT I also believe that it's hard sometimes. We don't always have the answers to things & sometimes just making it through the day is an accomplishment. I'm learning that life doesn't have to be this big leap in order for you to live it.
Here's what I now think:
I think that we don't have to have some big revelation. We just live.
I think we should take more photos but make more memories.
I think we should tell the people we love that we love them while we have the chance. 
AND
I believe it's the little things that matter the most, so make the most of what is not guaranteed.
xo,

Style Stapes Every Babe Needs

There are several key pieces that should be in every closet. One of the keys to building a great outfit is using basics to build off of. 

SO, here are eight essential pieces for kick ass looks:

1// Let's start simple, with a black tee. While a white tee is a good piece to have, in my opinion black is more of a must. Chic & simple & easy to layer is the way to.

2// Building on the t-shirts, another one to have is STRIPE. Stripes are a classic pattern that sharpens up a look. One of my favorite ways to style this piece is with overalls or shorts & tied at the waist, '90s style. 

3// I will never stop talking about denim, ever. It's one of the easiest ways to look put together, depending on what the denim is. In this case, it's all about skirts & jackets. The denim skirt is so in at the moment, but even if it cycles through I still think it should be a key piece. Versatile & classic, it's a '90s dream with a 21st century twist.

4// Sticking to the denim theme, every babe needs a good jacket to make a look feel that much more put together. I'm OBSESSED. Layer it with a tank, put it over a dress or tie it around our waist, anything. 

5// Cardigans might be one of my favorite clothing pieces in the whole world. What more could you want? Lightweight or more durable, long or short, AND THE COLOR OPTIONS. There are literally a thousand ways to style a cardi (ok, I exaggerate) & I might even do a little posty-post on it one time. HMMMM........

6// The importance of a faithful pair of jeans is something always talked about, & for good reason- blue jeans are one of the most basic pieces of a wardrobe and if worn well, they can make a world of difference.
7// FLATS. Let me tell you the importance of a good pair of flats: they are extremely versatile & can take you from work to weekend to night. There's summer flats & winter flats & everything in between. 
8// To round things out, let's talk about a couple necessary jewelry pieces. Statement necklaces are a perfect finishing touch on a simpler look. A watch is a must have, especially at the office, and rings are a great accessory to have on hand.
OKAY, what did I miss? Tell me what you'd add to the list!
xo,

Jeans & A Tee

I'm wearing JEANS? In AUGUST?? ALERT THE PRESSES. The Texas heat has prevented me from even thinking about jeans all summer, but here we are now. I love a good jeans + tee combo, with a little twist like some wedges.
On another note, I had to throw it back to taking photos with my old point-and-shoot because my camera isn't reading any memory cards? Has this ever happened to anyone? I read that blowing on the card slot (LOL) will fix it & it has been, but lately even that's on the fritz. YIKES. 
Alright, tell me your jeans & tee styling tips! 
top + jeans | mossimo wedges | cherokee (similar here) necklace | lc lauren conrad 

xo,

Three Ways To Be Creative This Week

When my creativity dwindles I feel like doing even the most simple of tasks is daunting & I feel like I need a change of pace like, IMMEDIATELY. I'm one of those people that feel like they have to be inspired at all times to get things done, & unfortunately it's just..... not there some of the time. 

SO I'm willing to try basically anything if it means getting my juices flowing. Anyone else the same way??

A few simple ways to spark some spice in your life this week:

Podcasts

I've been getting a little into podcasts recently (this one, to be specific) & they're kind of a great way to see things from different perspectives and learn something new. There's fun & laid back podcasts like the skinny confidential, and then there's more "serious" ones that you can find all over itunes. Whichever one is more your speed.

Change of scenery 

If I'm in the same place for too long I start to feel fidgety & complacent. I find that I can't get things done as efficiently and I JUST WANT OUT! So, change up the pace a little. Go to a different room in the house, sit outside for a minute, grab some coffee from a coffee shop. You never know what might spark something.

Discover a new love

Trying out new creative outlets is something I need to get better at. What's something you've always wanted to try but have been iffy about? For me it's watercolor. I can't draw for ANYTHING, so what's the point in trying anything that has to do with art, right? Here's to taking my own advice.

Yikes.

Okay, okay. Tell me some of your favorite ways to get creative!

xo,

Things To Be Happy About: Vol. 2

{Read volume one here}
1// NOVEMBER 25th CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH.
2// The Fab five wins again.
3// Autumn wardrobe season is fast approaching.
4// The whole lace-up flats trend going on. Need to get my hands on a pair ASAP!
xo,

Good Reads: Eleanor & Park

I can't even remember the last time I talked about a book, which means it's been way too long. I definitely have not been trying to get through the same one since January, NOPE.
It's not even that it wasn't a good book- it was really good. I just spend FOREVER on certain novels. Am I the only one?
Anyway, the goodreads synopsis goes like this:
Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
I thought this was going to just be a light & fun summer-y read, but it turns out it was a lot more eventful & emotional. The ending wasn't particularly happy, which is kind of unusual in YA romance. It was kind of left open-ended, though, so you're still left with that semi-fuzzy feeling. If you're up for a bit of intense storylines, this is probably right up your alley. 
While it's not my total favorite of recent reads, it's still one I recommend, especially if you're very into YA romance. I'm not as much as I used to be (gettin old, I guess) but this was a pleasant break from the usual. 
NEXT UP ON MY LIST: The Bell Jar. Complete 360? YES. That's the way I roll. (I'll never say that again, promise)

xo,

Mountain Time

Hi hey, hi. I'm back in Texas & back to WDAC. I know I was only gone for two posts, but it felt like weeks. It felt good, however, to take a little break. Not have to fret about getting a post out just to have it OUT. Cheers to no more doing that!

I'd never been to Denver before (or Colorado at all) so I don't really know what I was expecting. But turns out it's a super chill place & people are just doing their thing, which sometimes includes hiking to the top of mountains. No big deal. When you only have like two near death experiences on an 1,000 foot mountain it's a good day, am I right?

Nothing like a little fresh mountain air to get your senses going & renew your inspiration. Oh, don't worry, it will go just as soon as it came. But for now, I'm still on mountain time.

xo,

Travel Style

Traveling to different places is always fun, but the actual travel part? Not so much. And no matter if you're in a car for hours on end or having to pass through airport security, you're gonna want to be comfortable, RIGHT?

My travel style is the one time things are EXTREMELY low-key. I like to just throw on some shorts or leggings (depending on the time of year- for my Colorado excursion this week shorts it is) & a tee.

BOOM.

xo,