The Last 168 [in pictures]

This past week has been productive, exciting and way too short! After 12 long weeks of training, my half marathon seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. It was an exciting day spent with my family and close friends. The next few days were spent in Chicago for a work training program. Below is a picture from 2 years ago of me at the sky deck of the Willis Tower.

The week concluded with a wedding celebration in Baltimore, MD. Mike and I enjoyed meeting new people, indulging in delicious food and relaxing at the gorgeous hotel. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Kamphaus!

Alyssa

Bloggers who love blogs

The main reason that Alyssa and I began this blog journey was because we liked blogs, so why not make one? I know that I personally became a blog lover because of my fashion obsession. For instance, I would go to a store, shop, and then go home and search their website for a blog. Whenever I fall in love with something I like to research it and know about it, and after all, the fashions that draw us in tend to be indicative of our lifestyle.

Take for example my most recent purchase which was a Kate Spade handbag. I really love the bag so I decided to see if the company has a blog, and duh they do. The blog has fun articles that detail inspirations and company issues. It’s also a great resource for ideas for outfits and how to accessorize, even if you’re not using Kate Spade products.
http://www.katespade.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Kate-Site/default/Blog-Show?blogID=blogEntries 

Another blog that I really like is by the store Forever21. It literally, wait for it…features other fashion blogs! Also displayed are weekly contests, and tutorials for hair and makeup. I really like the fact that they discuss beauty because they are so trend based, so it’s the perfect resource to help emulate runway beauty.
http://blog.forever21.com/

While I gravitate more towards completely fashion based blogs, Alyssa is more interested in what I would call ‘stream of consciousness’ blogs. Cupcakes and Cashmere by the adorable Emily S. is by far our favorite. Almost every day the blog is updated with recipes, outfit ideas, home decorating tips and of course tons and tons of pictures.
http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/

Some of our other current favorites are listed below:
http://www.seaofshoes.com/
http://www.manrepeller.com/
http://www.somethingnavy.com/
http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php (not exactly a blog, but a great website nonetheless)

Alexa

Make that 7

In addition to my 6 current obsessions highlighted below, I just had to add one more – summer wedges.  I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of cork wedges for a while now, and after several months I’ve decided to give up.  The perfect pair of cork wedges just don’t seem to exist, however, the perfect pair of woven wedges do!  These adorable 5.25” heels made by Steve Madden come in an array of colors – black, blue, blush, neutral and 2 patterned prints.  Without hesitation I decided on the blush colored canvas and couldn’t be happier.  They fit like a glove and are a perfect complement to any summertime outfit.

Alyssa

Current Obsessions

I’m looking forward to, and mildly stressing out over, the coming weeks. I have a jam packed schedule full of lots of fun activities in a lot of interesting locations. First up, this weekend I will be running a half marathon. I am very excited that my 12 weeks of training are almost completely behind me and it is almost time to compete! The following week I am off to Chicago, followed by a weekend in Baltimore for my good friend, Victoria’s, wedding. Finally, what I am looking forward to most – a week in Aruba with Mike. I’m looking forward to what everyone tells me will be the most relaxing vacation of my life with my best friend.

My crazy schedule has really suppressed my creativity and prevented me from writing blog posts. I want to fill you in on a few things that I am really enjoying right now:

1. It is almost seasonally appropriate to wear my two favorite fabrics – eyelet and dotted Swiss.
2. Sephora brand mascara. I’ve been blessed with long full lashes and have never needed to go out of my way to enhance them. Usually I stick with mascara that can be purchased at the grocery store. However after trying a sample of the Sephora brand mascara, I am hooked. I have had multiple people ask me if I got eyelash extensions – yes, that good!
3. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Pillow Mist. This darling little spray smells amazing on my sheets and helps me relax after a long day
4. New black patent leather flats purchased at Target on sale for only $12!
5. I dug these little stud earrings out when scouring my jewelry boxes for accessories to wear at Victoria’s wedding. Vic has requested that the bridesmaids wear pearl accessories, and when I came across these I knew they would be perfect. The simple pearl stud is enhanced with a smaller diamond stud below.
6. My new golf glove! Now that the weather is finally warm, I’ve been enjoying taking golf lessons and going to the driving range. However, I haven’t enjoyed having my hands torn up. My new glove is both functional and fashionable.

Alyssa

Headband Heaven

When I was in high school I was obsessed with the show Gossip Girl, to the point where after every episode I would search for the character’s outfits online. This research gave way to some of my greatest fashion finds ever, and my closet is forever indebted to the show for it. While trends have come and gone since the show’s inception, my favorite look has always been the staple piece of the one and only Blair Waldorf: The headband.

A few years ago, I was in the accessories department in Nordstrom, and one sparkly piece of heaven caught my eye. The headband was blue with butterflies on it, it sounds juvenile, but please feast your eyes on the graphic below.

Today, I was again in the accessories department in Nordstrom, and I somehow managed to find another amazing headband, one that looks like a tiara and is sure to dress up any outfit. I am so smitten over this headband that as we speak, I am contemplating running to the store and buying it in black as well. Please enjoy its beauty below.

 

Alexa

Hello Neon!

I’ve spoken many times about the fashion world’s neon obsession this season, but to be honest, I don’t think that I ever really cared for it until today. After a long morning at work, I made my way to Bloomingdales with one of my most trusted shopping partners in hand, and what do you know? I fell in pink neon love with a Kate Spade Bag. I had seen this bag before and I had admired it from afar, but I never could have imagined that I would actually buy it. Maybe it was the excitement of being in the store, or maybe the neon colors got to my brain, but in the end, I walked away from the counter one Kate Spade Bag richer.

I love this bag for many reasons, let me explain:

1. The color is so LOUD that it literally matches everything and anything
2. The shape is structured, but it somehow still seems to open and allow for the usual search maneuvers
3. The chain strap is the perfect length, and for when I want to dress the bag up a bit, all I need to do is use the two handles
4. I also really love the fact that the bag has feet on its bottom, this is one of the best extras that a bag can have, and you’d be surprised as to how many bags don’t have them!

Happy Spring!
 
Alexa

The Last 48 [in pictures]

Despite March going out like a lion this year, spring seems to be all around the city with colorful tulips lining the streets.  On a walk last week I was so captivated by the abundance of tulips outside the Federal Reserve that I had to snap this picture.  The bright colors inspired me to get my creative juices flowing this weekend.

Stickers placed on hard boiled eggs pre dipping them into dye

Colorful Easter egg dyes

The finished products after the stickers were removed.  I’m not sure why the blue dye didn’t coat the egg evenly.

Easter eggs + hand painted pots.  Standard terracotta pots were purchased from a craft store then painted, adorned with ribbon and filled with seasonal flowers.

Alyssa

Sugar Rush

My half marathon training schedule (3 weeks until the race!) has had me seriously up my weekly mileage since pre-February. The increased miles and weight lifting leaves me craving sweets! Normally I consider myself more of a meal person, rather than a desert person, but now I can’t get enough of anything and everything sweet. While I thoroughly enjoy baking and preparing my own treats, my busy schedule has prevented me from doing that lately. Here is a look at the store bought seasonal items I’ve been reaching for these days:

Girl Scout thin mint cookies on Missoni for Target notebook

Gertrude Hawk dark chocolate raspberry filled smidgen bunnies on summer scrap book paper

Pocky (Chinese treat, bread stick dipped into a sweet strawberry yogurt) on a personalized notebook which was a gift from my boyfriend.  I’m thinking a cake pop on top of this little treat would really take things to another level!

Alyssa