What Your Nail Polish Color Says About You

I change my nail polish color once a week. I love to mix it up, one week I will wear baby pink and the next week I'll be sporting lime green. My nail polish color normally reflects how I am feeling that week... if I'm feeling fun and feisty I may wear a bright color, whereas during the holidays I prefer a more classic mani that is versatile with multiple outfits. However, my go-to color is Sally Hansen's Pacific Blue. I'm not sure why but I've always been drawn to a bright blue color, it always brightens my mood.

My current nails

So I recently found this fun article that tells you what your favorite nail polish shade says about you and I thought I would share what they found...

1. Neon- You're bold. Girls who wear neon like to be noticed and create their own fun wherever they go.
2. Blue- You're calm. The no-fuss girl who likes to spend her time in serene places such as the ocean or a lake. 
3. Red- You're passionate. This girl is full of life and works to make things happen in a real take-charge manner.
4. Green- You're dynamic. This person seeks adventure filled with new opportunities to grow!
5. Peach/Pink- You like to live in the moment! This color is perfect for the girl who has a busy social life to match the bright color of your nails.
6. Glitter Nails- You're glamourous. This is for anyone who illuminates sparkle. Plus you're always the life of the party!
7. Purple- You're confident. This girl is comfortable in her own skin, she is one strong lady!
8. Yellow- You're carefree. They don't call it mellow yellow for nothing! The girl who prefers yellow is warm and friendly, someone who always makes you feel included.
9. Nail Art- You're creative. If you're someone who frequently sports nail art then you're a thinker who loves to express herself.
10. Nude- You're a natural. Choosing nude means you're not afraid to be your true self.
11. Metallic- You're strong. Your bold personality is reflected in your nails!

What Your Nail Polish Says About You Article

Did you find that your favorite nail polish shade matched your personality?

How often do you switch up your nail color?

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + A Weekend Recap

Wow this weekend flew by (I say that every weekend, don't I?). 

Here's a recap:

• Did a little cleaning... so much dog hair in my life.
• Snuck into a wine tasting with my cousins without paying the $50 cover charge.... whoops.
• Celebrated my cousin Zach's birthday (between his residency and his birthday, we've been doing a lot of celebrating lately) at Biergarten in Albany.
• Took a state test this morning (yuck), who thought that was a good idea?
• Now I'm hanging out and stressing over The Walking Dead finale.... I have a feeling that I will be mourning some of my favorite characters after tonight.

One nice photo

And one photo that better describes our relationship.

The birthday boy and the boot.

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Scalloped Swimwear

Happy Saturday!

I have a busy day ahead of me so my apologies for leaving you with a shorter post today. Lately I've been obsessing over Marysia Swimwear and their beautiful scalloped bathing suits. They come in a variety of different styles and colors. Wouldn't they be perfect for sitting on the beach sipping on a drink out of a coconut?! I think the black one might be my favorite.

Where are your favorite places to shop for bathing suits?

Shop Marysia Swim

xoxo

Friday Favorites

TGIF!

Another week down and it's finally warming up in the 518, so things are looking up on my end!

This will be a short weekend for me because I have a State Test on Sunday morning (boo hiss), but I'm hoping to sneak in plenty of time to relax and marathon a few episodes of House of Cards in the meantime.

Here is what I'm loving this week:

This recipe for Reese's Bottom Cheesecake

Found my next project.

The Walking Dead Season Finale

After a slow second half I am anxious to find out what happens on Sunday night. 

Does anyone else have a bad feeling about Terminus?

13 Creative Ways to Organize Your Shoes

DREAM CLOSET!

M'Oticons: An Edie Parker x Del Toro Collaboration

How hilarious are these emoji inspired loafers!? I wouldn't mind rocking the 'Queen Bee' ones... not so sure about the poop ones...

What are you loving this week?

xoxo

My Favorite Apps

Nowadays we carry our phones with us at all times and we literally have the world at our fingertips because our smart phones can access so much information. Although I have been better about putting my phone away an hour before I go to bed and keeping it on 'Do Not Disturb' over night so I'm not woken up by a random text, I do use my phone pretty regularly throughout the day. So today I thought I would share with you 6 of my favorite apps (excluding the obvious Twitter, Instagram and E-Mail apps). 

• Waterlogue App: This is one of my newer downloads but its definitely something I've been enjoying ever since The College Prepster did a post on it. After I downloaded it I spent most of my day going through old pictures and waterloguing them! It's quite addicting and it adds a fun twist to your typical Instagram pics. Not going to lie... the majority of my Waterlogue photos are of Misa #sorrynotsorry.

 

• Postal Pix: Okay I'm not sure if many of you have heard of this one but I'm obsessed because this app allows you to order your Instagram prints on your phone and they will ship the prints to your house! I always hated how when I would go to print pictures out at my local store that the machines could not print out the Instagram pictures I took because of the square shape. This alleviates this issue and allows you to order cheap prints within seconds!
• Words With Friends: I know a lot of you are saying "wow, you still play Words With Friends, that was so 5 years ago!" but I'm a board game freak and I have a constant string of games going with my cousin all the way in Chicago. It allows us to keep playing games despite the distance between us. Plus, I'm super competitive and can never turn down a challenge.
• Snapchat: Okay this app literally gets me through the work week. My friends and I are constantly sending funny snaps throughout the day to each other. Remember friends...

• Antrim Escape: Here's another fun app for you game lovers out there. Its a room escape game where the objective is to find, combine and use designated clues and items to solve puzzles and eventually find an escape to the room you're trapped in. There are three different escapes so once you beat the first app you have two more to escape to win the game. Fair warning- this game is super addictive and very challenging.
• The Podcast App- This is another app I use all day long while I'm in work. Sometimes I get super bored with listening to music while working, the podcast app lets me listen to some of my favorite podcasters discuss some of the TV shows I watch and I can listen to different celebrity interviews as well!

What are your most used apps?

Waterlogue App // Postal Pix // Words With Friends

Snapchat // Antrim Escape // The Podcast App

xoxo

The Best Colors For Your Skin Tone

I'm never afraid of a little color, in fact my closet is full of pieces that are every color of the rainbow. However, there are definitely some colors that work better with my skin tone... and even those vary depending on whether I have a good tan or not. So today I thought it would be fun to highlight four colors that work best with each skin tone type. 

Fair Skin:

Now this is one skin tone that I have no personal experience with. Being Italian means that "fair" was never something that I would ever use to describe my skin tone, even in the dead of winter. However, when doing my research I found that jewel tones such as emerald or amethyst really make a fair skin tone glow. In addition, those blonde haired blue eyed beauties look great in light blue because it accentuates their eyes. Finally, a camel color is a perfect neutral for you fair skinned ladies out there because it won't wash you out.

Example: Carrie Underwood

Medium Skin Tone:

Okay this is definitely the category that I fall into. Being a little darker skinned I do try an experiment with a variety of different colors because I don't get washed out as easily as someone with a fairer skin tone. Pastels such as mint green and pale pink is very complimentary on a medium skin but during the summer when you medium toned ladies are rocking a bit of a tan, it's always great to go with a bright neon green or pink because it will really show off your tan. Finally, a light gray is a perfect neutral for this skin tone because it will enhance your complexion. 

Example: Jessica Alba

Dark Skin Tone: 

Okay ladies with a dark skin tone- you are pretty lucky because you can rock basically every color of the rainbow and still look fabulous! However, the most flattering colors on you are bold basics such as cobalt blue, red and bright yellows. In addition, those with darker skin tones can rock that orange/tangerine color that so many of the rest of us struggle to pull off correctly, so thats definitely something you ladies want to take advantage of. As for the neutral that looks best with dark skin tones- stick with white to really make your skin shine!

Example: Lupita Nyong'o

What is colors work best for your skin tone?

xoxo

New Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki

Happy Tasty Tuesday Everyone!

Lately I've been struggling with dinner ideas mainly because I'm sick of all those traditional winter foods! I am craving the days that we can fire up the grill and do some barbecuing, just a little switch up from what we've been eating all winter. So when I'm in a food funk I always turn to Pinterest for fun recipe ideas. Today I am featuring a quick and easy Chicken Teriyaki recipe that took me about 20 minutes to put together!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of chicken, sliced (I buy the pre-sliced chicken strips-mainly because I hate touching raw meat- all I had to do was cut open the packaging and tip the chicken into the pan).
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 package of frozen broccoli
• 1 package of rice (whatever kind you prefer--- typically people use white rice but I just bought a box of chicken rice-a-roni). 

Directions:

- Cook rice according to box directions, let sit on low heat.

- In a separate frying pan, cook chicken (with a little bit of olive oil so it doesn't stick to the pan). 

- While chicken is cooking- combine chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar and garlic cloves.

- When chicken is cooked thoroughly, add sauce mixture and continue to marinate over low heat for 10 minutes.

- Microwave broccoli until cooked and then add cooked broccoli to chicken mixture, combine throughly.

- Place rice in bottom of bowl and tip with chicken combo allowing all the juices to soak in.

- ENJOY!

xoxo

Spring Break Essentials Pt. 3: Miscellaneous

Today I'll be wrapping up my spring break essentials! Theres always a few items packed away in your suitcase that don't necessarily fall into a specific category but they are definitely important pieces to have packed, just in case!

1. Sarong: Sometimes I don't always like walking around solely in my bathing suit for hours so it's nice to have a fun sarong to tie across your waist to cover up a bit.
2. Pajamas: So I know I'm guilty of sleeping in old baggy tee shirts when I'm home, but when you're on vacation with others sometimes you want a nicer set of PJs to lounge around in. 
3. Tote: A fun tote bag is a great vacation alternative to a purse. I like to have something that is big enough to hold my camera in as well!
4. Athletic Shorts: I'm sure some of you like to get a good beach run in while on vacation, but I also like to have a pair of running shorts on me in case we plan some adventures!
5. Sneakers: A good pair of sneakers are definitely a must when you're going on vacation somewhere that you will be doing a lot of walking. I know that even my feet hurt if I have flip flops on for long periods of time- sneakers give your feet that much needed support when doing something strenuous.
6. Floppy Hat: After a couple days in the sun, your skin will probably need a break from all the rays. Plus nothing screams vacation more than a big hat!
7. Nail Polish: I always bring my nail polish with me on vacation to do quick touch ups in case my nails chip!

What are your spring break essentials?

Athletic Shorts // Nike Flex Run Sneakers // Hat // Classic Tote

Sarong (more affordable option here) // Pajamas // Nail Polish

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + A Weekend Recap

Another weekend has come and gone, but this was a fun one. I have serious case of spring fever and I can't wait for the weather to start to cooperate. It's supposed to get cold again this week and then warm up again by next weekend! To say I'm already wishing this work week away is an understatement. 

Heres a quick recap of my weekend:

• Friday afternoon I got the news that my cousin Zach will be doing his residency at Baystate Hospital in Massachusetts! I am so happy and proud of him and I'm quite excited it's only a 90 minute drive so I can go visit! He was even on the local news: Match Day.

• Saturday afternoon was full of errands. I started picking things up for Costa Rica including fun stuff: a new bathing suit and maxi dress from Target and not so fun stuff: Dramamine for motion sickness. Is it just me or could you spend hundreds of dollars in Target without even realizing it....? I also may have ordered a few Nautical themed items from J Crew Factory...
• My other cousin Josh was home visiting from Chicago, so after my errands I spent the rest of my afternoon catching up on Costa Rica plans and playing a couple of our favorite old school video games including Paperboy and Super Smash Brothers.

• Saturday night, we had a huge family dinner to celebrate Zach's residency placement and Josh's homecoming. We had a family trivia game after dinner as well... we like to play games in this family.
• What's fun about when Josh comes home is that I get to see a lot of his friends too, who are like family to me because we grew up together. Plus it's always fun to talk fashion with Carla... if you're looking for an amazing blog about home decor and fashion you must check her out!
• After family left we moved to a second location for more games and catching up. Have you guys ever played the board game "The Game of Things"? If you're looking for a good party game, I highly recommend it.

• Today I was supposed to go take a New York State Exam, however, IT GOT CANCELED! Not going to lie... I'm pretty excited.. I just wasn't in the test taking mood today. So instead I'll be catching up on some blogs, and writing some fun posts for next week.

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Bucket List Dreams

So in addition to my 25 Before 25 list, I try to keep a bucket list of things I want to do that I may no necessarily be able to achieve this year. However, I found out this week that I'll be able to check off another item on my list: snorkeling! I'm sure so many of you have gone snorkeling before on vacation but despite being a beach lover, I have never traveled to a tropical destination that provides snorkeling as an option. So when my cousin emailed me this week asking if I want to participate in a catamaran tour that sails north to the beaches of Playa Conchai where the boat will dock and allow us to soak up the sun on the white shell beach and snorkel among their various reefs in search of tropical fish or possible an octopus or two, I jumped at the opportunity.

I'm just so excited to be making this dream a reality because after graduating last May, I've really been trying to focus on doing those things I have said I would do "once I finished with school and got a job." I know we are all guilty of putting things off that we want to do, but I quickly realized that I am not getting any younger and can't depend on anyone to live my life for me, so it's better to jump at any opportunity to try something new. I spent so many years of my life focused on school and getting a good job that I'm so excited to begin this new part of my life with a little adventure!

Have you ever been snorkeling? What was your favorite thing you saw?

What's on your bucket list?

xoxo

Currently Loving...

Congrats Guys! We've made it through another week. This work week was super busy for me since we had a tax filing due March 20th so I spent most of my time this week on the phone with various business owners helping them upload something they (obviously) waited till the last minute to complete. I'm not complaining though because I'm in support of anything that keeps the week moving. 

Here is what I'm loving this week:

Disney Characters Sing "Let It Go"

By now I'm sure you've all heard the Frozen hit "Let It Go." It's super catchy and I cant get it out of my head however, this version has brought my obsession to a whole new level. Brian Hull sings the entire song as different Disney characters including Mickey Mouse and Captain Jack Sparrow. Amazing.

Spring

Has anyone else thought that the sun felt a little warmer this week? 

Spring is coming... I can feel it.

House of Cards

I decided to start House of Cards after my friend, Meg, highly recommended it for me. I'm only a few episodes in but I think I'm really going to enjoy it. If you're a fan of political dramas, this would be a good choice for you. Plus, Robin Wright's outfits are amazing. 

How To Really Make It As A Fashion Blogger

All you fellow bloggers should check out this article on Who What Wear. It's a really interesting interview with some of our favorite bloggers, where they give us their tips for success.

The Robyn

I'm still debating whether I should make the plunge and buy this dress for Costa Rica. Do any of you own it? I'm curious about the material and the fit. Looking for a second opinion!

What are you loving this week?

xoxo

Spring Cleaning

It's finally here, the first day of spring is finally here!!! It feels like Christmas morning because I have been waiting for this day since Labor Day! A special congrats to my fellow northerners who have been enduring one of the harshest winters we have had in years. Although there are plenty of wonderful things about spring... there are jobs to be done as well, including spring cleaning. 

Spring cleaning for me means switching out my winter sweaters for summer dresses and doing some serious closet organization so today I'm going to be providing some helpful tips and tricks for when you tackle your clothes.

1. Out with the Old: One thing I do every year is give away everything I didn't wear that season so when fall rolls around next year I have a fresh start. If you haven't worn it in the past 12 months... it's time to take it out of your closet for good.
2. Quality over Quantity: Really take the time to examine your closet. Do you really need 5 pink sweaters... or 6 floral sundresses from Forever 21? Toss out those items you have too many of and stick to more classic versatile pieces. Remember- tossing means you can go shopping!
3. Don't Be A Hoarder!: Stop hanging on to things because you think you "may wear it" or it has sentimental value. You don't need that free shirt they handed out at the fundraiser you went to 4 years ago or those shoes that give you terrible blisters... cut the ties (and your loses) and move on.
4. Have a Fashion Show: Try on clothes you're unsure of and really look at yourself in front of a mirror. Then think to yourself: Would I buy this right now if I was in a store looking at this? If the answer is no-- toss it. In fact- have a party of it and invite your friends over to play: Keep, Donate or Burn!
5. Replace: I'm guilting of holding onto shirts that have pilled or have stains on them with the excuse that "I'll use it as an under shirt." Time to toss your most worn clothing items and replace them!
6. Make a List: I'm a huge fan of writing things down, it helps me visualize a goal. When looking through the items you plan on keeping, think about ways to reinvent them and write down pieces you want to add to your closet to bring it new life.
7. Go shopping for new stuff: Do I really need to explain myself on this one? But don't forget to donate your "gently used" clothing-- there are plenty of girls who would love your hand-me-downs...

Okay now it's your turn- what are your closet cleaning tips for me?

xoxo

The Oxford: 3 Ways

So now thats its (sorta) getting warm out I've been wearing a lot more button downs especially my oxfords. Blue oxfords are definitely a wardrobe essential for me because they go with everything! Today I picked 3 of my favorite ways I style my oxford and I included a variety of different oxford options at all different price ranges.

1. The Rocker- This is definitely my favorite of the three looks mainly because I am a sucker for all things leather. Combined with a motorcycle boot this outfit has a perfect mixture of hard and soft pieces.
2. The Beach Look- This look is perfect for those cooler summer nights. White and blue screams nautical so I paired it with a navy Sperry and blue aviators to compliment the nauti-look.
3. The Prep- A print pant is a great way to make the oxford more feminine. All you girly-girls will love this look topped with a fun statement necklace and anything pink!

How do you like to style your oxford?

Faux Leather Leggings // Black Booties

White Jeans // Sperry's

Printed Pant // Sandals

Ray-Bans // Pink Cat Eyes

Fitted Boyfriend Oxford // Ralph Lauren Striped Oxford // Boy Shirt //

 Half Stripe Oxford // Polka Dot Oxford  // 

Blue Collared Oxford // Stretch Cotton Button Down

xoxo

New Recipe: Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta

Happy Tasty Tuesday Everyone!

I hope none of you are experiencing a post-St. Patrick's Day hangover! But if you are, there is no better cure than some good comfort food. I tend to associate Italian food with comfort food because it reminds me of family, so today I will be sharing with you a fabulous rigatoni recipe that has a fun twist from the traditional "baked ziti." This recipe takes 15-20 minutes max to prepare--super easy and tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of rigatoni
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, onion and garlic.
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 bag of fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 1/2 cups jarred Alfredo sauce
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and coat a 13x9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I always buy those throw away aluminum tins from the dollar store... my cooking secret for less dishes).
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook rigatoni according to box. 
• Drain cooked pasta and return to pot- then stir in tomatoes, chopped spinach and onions.
• Add Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, garlic salt and pepper to pasta mixture, stir to combine thoroughly.
• Transfer mixture to pan and bake for 25 minutes until dish is golden brown and bubbly.
• Enjoy!

*** FYI- some people like to add 1/2 cup of seasoned dry breadcrumbs to top of dish before placing it into the oven for an added crunchy texture so feel free to add that if that sounds tasty to you!***

xoxo

Spring Break Essentials Pt. 2: Post-Beach Adventures

As a continuation from last weeks post, today I will be highlighting some of my favorite spring break essentials for 'post-beach adventures.' Typically, my vacations consist mainly of beach travel so I tend to pack more lightly when it comes to non-beachwear but it is always fun to have a fun sun dress for dinner and drinks along the ocean. 

1. The Tropical Maxi- You know exactly what I am talking about, something light and flowy with that beachy feel that you could only sport when you are on some amazing tropical destination. This fun and flirty dress will still give you that comfort after you've been consuming your body weight in ice cream cones and hot-dogs on the beach.
2. The Short/Tank-Top Combo- For those days that you're not headed to the beach but instead are looking to wander the tiny shops along the board walk. The nautical shorts paired with a fun tank shows off your easy-going vacation mindset while still giving off a stylish vibe.
3. The Sandal- Not to be confused with the flip flop, the sandal offers a more "dressed up" approach for when you're wandering the village after dinner. Some may prefer a nice wedge, but when I'm on vacation I'm strictly in 'no heel mode.'
4. The Mini- A fun little number for when you are going out on the town. Change it up and add a fun vibrant print that only works when you have a pina colada in hand.
5. The Statement Jewelry- When going on vacation you're limited to how much you can pack, so you want to pick jewelry that can be mixed and matched no matter what you decide to wear. However, I'm still a fan of beach inspired jewels that scream 'Let's Get Away.'

What are your 'Post-Beach' Spring Break essentials?

Has anyone bought the Lilly Pulitzer Robyn dress? I'm curious about the fit of it.

River Island Neon Maxi // Stripe Short // Robyn Short Sleeve Dress

Bow Sandals // Anchor Bracelet // Do It Today Tank

I also want to wish all of you a Happy St. Patricks Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and every day!

xoxo

Sunday Thought + A Weekend Recap

This quote is so perfect, right? I think this is such an important life motto to have... keep working to make those dreams into a reality! Anyways, another weekend has come and gone, but each day we get one step closer to spring! This is the busiest weekend I've had in awhile but I had so much fun and got to spend time with both family and friends.

Here's a quick recap:

• Friday night I got dinner at my favorite hibachi restaurant, Sake, with my cousin and uncle. I honestly thought the waitstaff was going to have to roll me out of the restaurant because the food was so good and I ate so much.
• After hibachi we went to see Book of Mormon! It was HILARIOUS and sooooo offensive. I highly recommend it if you have a sick sense of humor and you are someone that doesn't mind a few (several) highly offensive jokes. I literally laughed from beginning to end and would go see it again in a heartbeat. (Side note: Some people walked out after the first act because of the non-PC jokes... you are forewarned). 
• Saturday I was out all day celebrating St. Patricks Day with friends. The city was so crowded with people looking to celebrate and I had a great time. We may or may not have been kicked out of a bar for trying to sneak Taco Bell in.... whoops.
• Sunday morning I got breakfast with friends and recapped the weekend. I'm hoping to spend the rest of the day relaxing and catching up on my DVR along with several magazines.
• Also, does anyone else watch The Walking Dead, I read an article that says tonights episode is supposed to be so crazy.... I'm pumped because this season has been dragging since it returned in February.

Prior to trying to sneak in our TB contraband 

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Celebrate

I'm off to do a little St. Patrick's Day celebrating today!

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe weekend filled with a little bit of luck!

xoxo

Friday Favorites

TGIF!

This week has been horribly dreadful. I knew I was doomed when I went the entire Thursday thinking it was Friday... what a let down. Needless to say, I couldn't be happier that today is over and the weekend is finally here. I've got a lot of fun things lined up this weekend including a little St. Patricks Day celebrating... but first, a post-work nap will need to be put in place!

Here is what I'm loving this week:

Winners!

Congrats to Liz from Baby Got BA, she is the winner of the Hello Spring Giveaway! I will be shipping her Rabbit Ring Tree out soon. Thanks to all that participated, I love giving presents to readers!

Book of Mormon

I'm headed to see Book of Mormon tonight with my cousins and uncle and I couldn't be more excited! I've heard nothing but amazing things about the show and after this long work week, I am looking forward to sitting back and having a good laugh.

'She Loved Life' Sweatshirt

I recently saw this sweatshirt on Nordstrom's Instagram and fell in love with it. It basically describes my motto for 2014.

Nautical Maxis

I've been coveting this navy striped maxi from J Crew Factory from the minute I spotted it. They have seriously out-done themselves with their new spring arrivals. Just an FYI- everything is 50% at the J Crew Factory Store this weekend, and 30% online!

What are you loving this week?

Does anyone else have any fun St. Patricks Day plans?

xoxo