Loving Lately

Happy 1st day of May everyone!! Just because I've been seeing this around on Facebook & Instagram, I had to...

Anywhoodles, onto the real post. Also if you haven't already enter my giveaway at the end of this post for a BA Star eye shadow palette, 1 day left and not so many entries so better chances to win :)!

//Fruit season//

Eating fruits or throwing them into a blender for a smoothie, I absolutely love summer fruits. Mangoes, honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapples, or strawberries...I'll take them all please.

//GlamGlow mud mask//

I've heard so many things about this mask, but was floored when I saw the hefty $69 price tag. Thankfully, the girls at the Sephora I go to are super generous when giving out samples, so I may just live off samples for a while. I did enjoy how clear and clean my face felt after using this mask, but I think I'll stick to my under $10 masks from here on out.

//My Kate Spade bag//

I know this isn't new anymore, but it still makes me smile everytime I look at it. I'm simply obsessed.

Swoon

//Warmer weather//

It was feeling as if Chicago would never get warmer weather with the whole polar vortex thing taking over. I am so happy that now we have consistent warm weather (even if there are some rainy gloomy days mixed in there), but yes 40's and above are counted as "warmer" weather for us so we cherish these days.

Sunshine & fresh flowers :)

//The boy, A//

I've mentioned a few times about A, but I am seriously so glad and lucky to have met someone who I feel super comfortable with and who makes my heart happy. It's been a whirlwind 2.5 months, but I feel like I've known him for years.

What are you guys loving on lately??

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekend Happenings

Hey friends! I'm a slacker and getting this post up way later than I expected. My mind and body have been on a huge relaxation kick and that's just what the doctor ordered. I was lucky enough to have a nice long weekend, so it started for me on Thursday.

On Thursday, it was my incredible momma's birthday and we celebrated by taking her out for deep dish pizza and ice cream. 

//Georgio's deep dish, yum//

//Hilarious birthday card, of course the older child is always right//

//Pretty spring bouquet for my momma//

//My pretty momma & I//

//Double scoops of ice cream//

The rest of the weekend weekend was spent in bed battling a cold/flu on top of allergies, not a pretty combo. My cousin texted me a pic of my nephew who was also sick, sometimes I swear we are twins that little guy and I. 

My Sunday entertainment was provided by A. We amused ourselves by having a minute long convo with just smileys. Obviously I'm easily amused haha.

Shameless plug: don't forget to enter my eye shadow palette giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How was your guys' weekends?? I'm linking up with Bella & Lisa for weekend recap and Rachael & Lisa for weekly wrap up. 

If You Really Knew Me...

...you'd know

...I love forehead kisses

...I sleep better when it's raining/thunder-storming

...I love lazy Sundays

...I long for a love they write about in classic literary novels

...I would eat Taco Bell everyday if I could (w/o the weight gaining consequences of course)

...I dream up so many dreams I can't keep up with them all

...I long for a style like Jacqueline Onassis and Audrey Hepburn

...I love handbags and shoes more than I feel I should

...I think a great pair of shoes can change your mood around completely

...I am in a constant wonderlust, I want to travel anywhere and everywhere

...I drink Starbucks at least 2-3 times a week, which doesn't seem like a lot, but I cut down drastically

...I feel naked and lost without my iPhone

...I think music can fix anything

Also, because it's Friday I gotta link up with Whitney for #backthatazzup

BA STAR Makeup

BA STAR smoky eye shadow palette

I received a smoky eye shadow palette from BA STAR and I was excited to get my hands on it and try it out.  I love that this is a very easy to use and compact palette, which makes it perfect for travel. I like that there are matte and gel glitter shadows, all of which are very highly pigmented. Another plus I like is that it's super affordable! They come in 4 different color combos (smoky, natural, pretty n pink, and true blue).

Retail price: $8.75

Brandbacker promo price: $4.37

Enter code: BBsmoky

I decided because I love this palette so much I wanted to share it with a fellow blogger. Whether you love/are obsessed with makeup like I am or want to get your feet wet with eye shadow, this is the perfect starter palette. So if you want to win the smoky eye palette, enter below and if you don't win and want to try it out just head on over to their website and enter the promo code above for a 50% savings!!

BA STAR Makeup

a Rafflecopter giveaway

((I received an eye shadow palette complimentary to review and give my honest opinions))

Recipe: Smoothie

Hey y'all! So with the nicer weather I find myself appreciating smoothies more and more. I absolutely love swapping out a meal for a protein rich smoothie. I have a quick and easy (notice the trend with my recipes??) smoothie recipe that works without fail for me every time I make it. 

As far as ingredients go, you can really create it with pretty much any fruit or veggie you want. I used strawberries and bananas as my fruits because that's what I had available. I then use a tablespoon (or more) of peanut butter for my protein and fill up the empty part of my blender (one cup size) with water or you can use ice if you want it chilled. I then toss a handful of chocolate chip morsels on top just for a chocolatey goodness, I mean in smoothie form it's healthy right?! Blend those bad boys together and start sipping!

Like I said you can use anything you want, with more fruit coming in the summer I will definitely be exploring different smoothies and also will be testing out a green smoothie with spinach too, I'll fill you guys in on how that turns out and if I like it or not!

Linking up with Kate & Emily for Tuesdays Recipe Swap.

Weekend Recap

Wowsa, why does it always feel like I haven't blogged in forever. I guess a lot has happened since Thursday so I wanted to fill you guys in on some exciting news in my life that happened this past weekend. If you follow me on Instagram, you may already know, but my best friend got engaged!! 

On Thursday I got a call from my friends fiance saying he was going to pop the question to her Friday night and he wanted to make sure I knew about it and was there. Of course I canceled any plans I already had and said heck ya I'd be there.

My best friend and her now fiance are seriously the cutest couple I know. They are so perfect for each other and I am so incredibly happy for them to begin this awesome journey. I've also noticed a trend in April, my other friend got proposed to the first weekend of April last year, this year on the 2nd weekend it's my best friend, so who knows maybe next year on the 3rd weekend will be my turn?!

Well anywho, I'll let the pictures do all the talking for this.

//The couple went on a horse carriage ride which brought them to the proposal spot//
//Pretty flowers//
//He asks, she says YES!!!//

 //The lovely couple//
//Bestie showing off that ring//
//Bling bling that was custom made for her//

//The friends crew//
//Celebratory shots with the bride to be//
//The girls//
//Bestie for 10+ years//

I was so beyond excited that this weekend worked out perfectly and my bestie is going to be marrying the man of her dreams. Can't wait for the craziness of planning and partying.

How was your weekend?? Linking up with Lisa & Bella for weekend recap and Rachael & Lisa for weekly wrap up.

Dream Home Essentials

I've been watching this amazing new show on NBC called American Dream Builders. Now I love binge watching HGTV shows like it's my job and I just love interior design and decorating so much. I unfortunately don't have my own space to go crazy with design, but I try to keep little ideas in my mind for my future home. I love getting inspiration from Pinterest (you can see my dream home board here). I know for sure I am a craftsman style kind of girl, I just love that look because it mixed modern with traditional. The clean lines and the overall finish is just what I am looking for in a dream home. Here are some other essentials I want/need in my dream home...

chandelier(s)

West Elm

Overstock.com

large wooden dining room table

West Elm

unique backsplash

Lowes

Pinterest

large floor mirror

Z Gallerie

organization-friendly closet

Pinterest

master bathroom w/ a tub

Pinterest

whimsical and fun rug

West Elm

Pottery Barn

tufted headboard

Pinterest

These are just some of the things in a home that I know would make me so happy. I cannot finally wait to get my own place one day and decorate and design to my hearts content, hopefully implementing a lot or all of these essentials!!