Pura Vida Bracelets

My latest obsession is Pura Vida Bracelets! They are hand-made in Costa Rica and offer endless options to show your unique style. I recently wore the gold track bead and Silver Cali black bracelets on my Hawaiian vacation and never took them off! Even though I am back home and the weather is a lot colder than Hawaii, I still like the laid back California feel so I don't see myself taking them off anytime soon. I love the layered look so I can't wait to add to my stack as the seasons change for more warm layers and colors.

Pura Vida bracelets would make awesome stocking stuffers this holiday season. Just sayin' :)

Nursing Covers

When I nursed Jonas out and about I often used a nursing cover. And looking back, it was more like a shower curtain. It was big, obvious, and kind of cringe worthy. This time around I don't feel the need to cover up while nursing Ivy. Mainly because while watching Jonas, that is just one extra step that I don't have time for! But I know there are some places that I wouldn't mind a little extra coverage, especially in the beginning when we are working on Ivy's latch.

I was so excited to try two new nursing covers that are chic and super versatile. Enter: the Mamachic scarf and the NuRoo nursing scarf.

Both scarfs can be worn an endless amount of ways that do or don't necessitate a nursing baby. :) They have easy snaps that can help adjust how you want to wear it. I love the NuRoo for summer since the material is more lightweight and fits with my summer wardrobe seamlessly. It is also made from wrinkle-free fabric that I don't feel bad smashing into my diaper bag. On the flip side, I am excited for the weather to get a little cooler so I can use my Mamachic scarf more often, as the fabric is heavier (and really luxurious-feeling!). I also love that the Mamachic is made in the USA with sustainable materials. Bonus points!

I think either of these would make a great gift for a baby shower. Pre-order your Mamachic here ($85) and purchase the NuRoo here ($29.99).

recent purchases

I find these sort of posts so helpful on other people's blogs (and Instagram feeds!) that I figured I would let you all know what to buy and skip!

Ok, no judgement here, but these are from Walmart. I think I have been inside Walmart 4 times in the last 10 years. But! I saw these baby tanks and women's leggings on my Instagram feed and knew I had to have them. These baby tanks are so great for little boys, they remind me of something a little baby in the 70s would wear with long hair and a vintage Nike sweatband. And they were something like $2.50 each. Whaaaaat? The leggings are great but I wish I bought a size smaller. Even though they are in the juniors section, just get your regular size. Tie dye workout leggings make me feel like a hot mama. That was until Jon told me he saw our tween neighbor wearing them...Ooops! For less than 6 bucks, grab yourself a pair!

I know I am not going to be the first (or the last) person to tell you that Benefit They're Real mascara is pretty freaking awesome. I had been a gal that was perfectly happy with my Maybelline drugstore stuff, but decided to give this a go with a recent Sephora discount code. This stuff is legit, and with primer it's even more amaze. But the one negative, it always leaves a smudge on my eyelid that I need to remember to swipe off. Maybelline never did that.

Ok, I wanted to love this shaving cream by eos so bad, but it sucks. Despite the packaging, company ethics and subtle scent (I will take vanilla bliss over strawberry-champagne-mandarin-twist any day) this just does not deliver. It is more of a lotion than a shaving cream which means that it clogs up your razor after 1-2 short swipes. Also, I haven't cut myself shaving since I was a teenager but since using this stuff, I've cut myself twice! Ladies, as much as this bottle calls to you from the Target shelves, skip it.

I'm at the point where I need to wear a little under eye concealer every day. This Fake Up by Benefit is the best! It's in a little lipstick like tube that just swipes on. The concealer is in the core surrounded by vitamin E so once its on your face it blends in so well with the extra moisture. No greasy residue or sheen come afternoon, either. This one is a buy!

summer in full swing

 {Kirsten Dunst recently in Mexico}

I hope you aren't casting off your summer just because July is nearing an end. Plenty of time for summer fun and cute bathing suits. I think my next free weekend we are going to head to the beach instead of working on the nursery. We are running out of the just-the-two-of-us time. The two month countdown has begun!

Recent purchases

These Rebecca Minkoff sandals in pink. So soft! So neon! So perfect for spring and summer!

Goodies from Sabon! I love me any kind of exfoliant and excuse to stay in the shower longer. The scrub has been great getting rid of tough winter skin on arms and legs and the gel polisher is gentle enough to rub on my belly. I first wandered into a Sabon on my Chicago trip and fell in love. We need one in California!

I was a big fan of the Say Yes to Cucumber towelettes but the Burt's Bees ones were a little less expensive and the ingredient list seemed the same, so I am giving these a try. So far, they smell fresh and clean! 

This book. I have read a bunch about this nation's food system, how farms run, how animals are treated, how this country is fat, you name it. But this book focuses more on how hidden toxins go into our food and can be blamed for many common allergies and diseases. Robyn's journey began feeding her family McDonalds and flavored milk and now they are on the path of healthy eating.

Be Bright

All of these bright colors are making my heart go pitter patter.

Pom Pom Scarf // Pink Skirt // Neon Clutch // Lime Skinnies

Pins, lately

Source: reasonstobreathe.tumblr.com via suann on Pinterest

What a gorgeous bedside table. I cannot wait for peony season. And I have to say, I'd normally place the lamp on the side, but it's kinda of working it right there in the middle.

Source: google.com via Glitter on Pinterest

Sheesh, how gorgeous does Diane look? Simply stunning. She is 65. Speaking of, are people watching Project Runway Allstars? She was the guest judge last week and was very sweet and charming.

Source: housebeautiful.com via Hollyconda on Pinterest

Cute girly outdoor space. White wine and watermelon.

Source: onbeingblythe.squarespace.com via Hollyconda on Pinterest

Delicious and cute! Valentine's day is coming up, this is a great idea. Speaking of Valentine's day, I think I may not decorate this year. I mean, I'm running out of time for it to be worth it.

Source: merrimentevents.com via Hollyconda on Pinterest

I could stare at colorful flowers all day.

Source: ilovewelove.wordpress.com via Hollyconda on Pinterest

What I would give for these shoes!

Lately

Hopped on that bandwagon. I didn't really get it at first. I was super happy

with my first Stylemint shirt. Anyone else have good experiences?

The prettiest little stock pot there ever was. It is called Dijion. 

I kind of want it to live on my stove and not hidden away in a cabinet.

Vintage Japanese ornaments from Ebay that I paid too much for. Tell me they're cute?

Homemade wedding present that I have been dying to display. 

Now I just need to find a spot worthy of it. 

What I Wore: PonchoTown

I bought my first poncho this weekend. I may have worn one as a kid, but I can't remember. It was so fun! Perfect for people who get hot and cold constantly, like me.

What do you think? Do you own a poncho? Mine is a cheapie one from Kohls, but I would love to own this one or this one, too.

I said, Brrrr, It's cold in here...

Kirsten's baaack! And she is looking better than ever. I can't wait for her new movie to come out this winter where she won best actress at Cannes. She has done so many movies, at total different ends of the spectrum and I have to say one of the most under rated movies is Drop Dead Gorgeous. That is a funny movie. Ok, spill, what's your fave Kiki D flick? (It's ok if you say Jumanji.)

Georgia on my mind

I have decided on a Halloween costume! You are looking at the new Charlene from Designing Women. As much as I would love to be a Sugarbaker, I have to go with the blond. Basically, I found this awesome beaded dress at the thrift store and had to have it. It was $39.95 which is pretty steep for a costume but I couldn't let it go. Well, it was meant to be because that bad boy happened to be 75% off! Score!

Something tells me I need to practice doing my hair before the big night. I'm excited to load up on the blue eyeshadow and big gold earrings.

Unrelated, but in the bottom picture, Mary Jo's dress looks a lot like one of J.Crew's bridesmaids dresses.

Some things I liked this week

{lemonade}

This quote from the founder of Trader Joe's in this month's Sunset magazine.

"TJ's was conceived for people who were over educated and underpaid, so they could have a certain richness on the table they otherwise could not-like brie, olive oil, French mustard, wild rice, and wine."

-Joe Coulombe

 

Our wedding invitations came in! After hemming and hawing over what to do, having saved about a bazillion inspiration photos of beautiful letter pressed wedding suites, I just couldn't pull the (gold dusted and diamond encrusted) trigger. I got them from Minted instead but totally LOVE them!

This outfit from Karla. Is she killing it or what?
One of the fashion bloggers that actually brings really unique looks. Love her.

My new J.Crew bikini top. Masala Chai. Yum. No matching bottoms for me.
I did also get a nice lil one piece.

Blog Crush

I bet I'm the only one that hasn't been reading Fashion Squad by Carolina Engman, but I just discovered it. So fresh, bold, colorful. I love everything I'm seeing. Especially the long blond hair, motivation to keep growing mine! Also, this girl's sunglasses collection makes me cry.

I already stalked down the first sunglasses to learn they are an unknown brand purchased at Anthro. Wahhhh.