Fab 5: Things I'm Craving

This season I have a few things I'm craving for my closet and my home. A simple gold ring, an edgy clutch, a structured skort, lace up gladiators, and a letter holder to eliminate the mess on my entryway table.

1. J.Crew Golden Knot Ring

2. Deux Lux Empire State Clutch

3. Zara Asymmetric Wrap Skort

4. ASOS Lace Up Gladiator Sandals

5. Anthropologie Dachshund Letter Holder

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: Apartment Styling

I recently made a few changes to the apartment after a trip to IKEA (on a Sunday no less). I uploaded this photo on Instagram and decided to post the links to where you can purchase the items. I wish I could provide a link to the popular bar cart, but I purchased this one-of-a-kind piece at an antique shop back in Grand Rapids. I also set up a corner of my apartment to work on some new art work so be sure to check out the Etsy shop soon.

Get the Look:

IKEA EKTORP Sofa - Blekinge white

IKEA HENRIKSDAL Chairs

IKEA EIVOR Throw

IKEA STOCKHOLM Pillow

IKEA TEJN Faux sheepskin

IKEA VURM 4-bottle wine rack

MadeByGirl LOVE Candy Metallic Gold Poster

xoxo

PS

Tasty Tuesday: Summer Treats

Last weekend I got my first dose of Summertime Brain relaxing by the pool with friends and enjoying some gelato in the park. Summer is my favorite season and I can't wait to enjoy some of these treats during the warm days ahead.

1. Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Yogurt: If you know me at all you know I'm obsessed with all things ice cream any time of the year but especially during the summer months. If you live in Chicago Berrymoon and Yogurtland are my picks for creating your own frozen yogurt creations with endless toppings (which let's be honest is the best part). If you're in the mood for classic homemade ice cream head over to Bobtail and enjoy my favorite Chicago flavor Cubby Crunch. And if you want a taste of Italy then make your way to Paciugo for some authentic gelato in exotic flavors such as Black Pepper Olive Oil and Vanilla Lavender.

2. S'mores: The one thing I look forward to the most during the summer is s'mores in Glen Arbor. I'm pretty much obsessed with all types of desserts that revolve around s'mores (my Pinterest Dessert board will prove that) but the real thing around a fire on Little Glen Lake is what I crave the most.

3. Key Lime Pie: I know I've posted about my love of Key Lime Pie on Project Soiree before but it's seriously one of my favorite desserts that I can't live without during the summer. My ideal summer menu would include M22 Chardonnay, fresh Salmon on the grill with vegetables from the farmers market and my mom's homemade Key Lime Pie. 

Images found here, here, and here

xoxo

PS

What I'm Reading Now: All the Pretty Horses

Over the weekend I took full advantage of my pool opening so I finished Sharp Objects in record time. If you loved Gone Girl you will absolutely love Sharp Objects. I can't wait to pick up Gillian Flynn's other book Dark Places.

I'm currently reading All the Pretty Horses since it's been on my to-read list for quite some time. I enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's book The Road a few years ago and I love his writing style. All the Pretty Horses follows John Grady Cole, a sixteen year old cowboy living in Texas, that was raised on his grandfather's ranch. When the ranch is sold off and his grandfather dies he joins his best friend Lacey Rawlins down to Mexico to work on a large ranch. John gets promoted for his hard work but ends up falling for the owner's daughter which only leads to trouble for him and Lacey.

Have you read this book or seen the movie?

xoxo

PS

Happy Friday + Links

Image found here

Party Favors:

I'm obsessed with crop tops and this look from Atlantic-Pacific

When men experience labor pain...hilarious

Life in your early twenties vs. your late twenties

Food and drink requests from famous musicians backstage (Really Britney?)

A love note to entrepreneurs

xoxo

PS

Fab 5: Things I Can't Live Without

I'm a pretty easy going person, but there are a few things I just can't live without. If you come to my apartment these are the things you will see lying around...

1. I'm literally obsessed with the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment balms. The Rose color has the perfect tint so I keep one on my dresser and in my purse at all times. 

2.  Sparkling water is a must have so La Croix are always stocked in my refrigerator. For my sister and I a straw is also necessary.

3. Obviously Trader Joes is my go-to stop for wine and this La Granja blend is a small step up from the two buck chuck at $3.99.

4. A box of chocolate Teddy Grahams will always be found in my pantry. A freshly opened box is my weakness...

5. I'm cold 99% of the time so I can't live without my down throw while sitting in my apartment.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation

As part of my 101 in 1001 list I'm giving back each month by donating $25 to a different charity or organization. This month I'm giving back to The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation which is an organization dedicated to increasing global awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). My cousin has a daughter living with SMA so this organization hits close to home. 

Most babies with SMA are born after a normal pregnancy, are seemingly healthy, and pass all current newborn screenings. The disease is caused by an abnormal or missing gene known as the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1), which is responsible for the production of a protein essential to motor neurons. Without this protein, lower motor neurons in the spinal cord degenerate and die. As the motor neuron network breaks down, the ability of the brain to control muscles diminishes and with less control and use, muscles weaken and waste away.

I'm excited to donate to theGSF this month in order to increase awareness of SMA and accelerate research on the disease.

xoxo

PS