JUNE {my favorite month}

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the first day of June. It feels like just yesterday I was ringing in the new year with my best friends in San Francisco and now I'm getting ready to celebrate my big 2-4.  While I absolutely love celebrating my birthday {because it's a day all about me ;)} I hate adding another year onto my age.  Do I have too?? 

Since I will have class on my birthday {for the first time in about 10 years! :( } I decided to celebrate my birthday a few days early.  Since my celebration will not be on my actual birthday, my friends and I will be celebrating my (un)birthday...inspired by none other than Alice in Wonderland {Mad Hatter cake included}.  I had the pleasure of watching this movie about a week ago and became instantly inspired.  Since I don't like adding another notch on my belt and I couldn't celebrate on the day of my actual birth, why not celebrate the next best thing...my (un)birthday {a genius plan because I get to celebrate my birthday that much more...hehe}.

My girlfriends and I will be celebrating with a nice dinner at a {not so} new restaurant downtown that I have been dying to try, Sasa, and then of course continuing the celebration with drinks on drinks at the bars.  I am so excited, but as long as I have my best friends with me, we could be sitting around with pints of ice cream and cheap wine for all I care.  My favorite part of my birthday is getting all my friends together and laughing until it hurts...and then laugh some more.

Of course I love that my birthday is all about me, but I must say a HUGE thank you to all my friends for putting up with me over the years.  I tend to start the countdown to my birthday a little too early {I usually start at my half birthday...Dec 6...oops} and update them every few days with how many days we have left.  Overkill...I know. Then I usually have my birthday planned in about February, then discussing the details on a weekly basis until about mid May.  Then its texts, multiple times a day asking should I do this or this, what about this??? Half {probably 3/4} of the time I think they are just staring at me nodding their heads with the occasional "That's a great idea, Julie!" or "I'm so excited!" But, that's all I need and I couldn't be more grateful for the amazing friends I have {even if they are pretending to be just as excited as me}.  I'm a little outrageous about my birthday, but I just. can't. help. it. 

So here's to the nights I'll never remember with the friends I'll never forget.  

{you know who you are}

xoxoxo

Recuperating

This past Memorial Day Weekend I took a {too} quick trip to New York to celebrate my {future} sister {in-law}'s bachelorette party.  It was so much fun I think I am still feeling the effects from our Saturday night bottle service.  Check out my Instagram photos to see some of the fun we had this weekend...I can't spill all the dirty details ;). Photos and new outfits to come soon! Until then here are some Wednesday words of wisdom in honor of the bride to be {love you Sara}...

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xoxoxo

Jetsettin'

I LOVE to travel. I am an avid pinner on Pinterest and I am always seeing the quote, "Travel is the only thing that makes you richer"...or something like that.  Nonetheless, I COMPLETELY agree.  With my double major in college I was unable to study abroad, but I fully entail to make up for it in the next coming years.  I also proclaimed 2013 to be MY year and so I have decided to vacay whenever and wherever.  I think I have been pretty successful so far...Chicago in January, Hawaii in February, Las Vegas in March, Los Angeles in April, and now...NEW YORK CITY for my {soon to be} sister {in-law}'s Bachelorette Party!  Flying obviously comes along with all of these trips so I definitely have a few must haves for the plane rides.  Some of my necessities are...

I love listening to music...especially on a plane.  Takes me to a happy place and eases some of the anxiety I have about flying {which I should be over by now, I've flown enough hehe}. Therefore, I need an awesome pair of headphones. These Bose ones are awesome because they are noise canceling which makes the quality of sound much better for me to listen to my tunes...they may not be the most attractive but I swear by them.

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Being so used to flying, I have mastered the art of sleeping on a plane.  I can pretty much sleep anywhere if I'm tired enough {I usually book flights so I can catch a couple zzz's to make it go by a little faster ;)}.  I always carry a pillow with me, not the neck pillows {I think they are awfully uncomfortable}, but just a pillow {usually my go to one from my bed}.  I have also discovered that an eye mask can help put me in a more peaceful place, so I make sure never to forget one. This is a super cute/fun one from Flight 001.

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Magazines are always a must have to catch up on the latest and greatest, but I love reading so I always bring a book along too {it may be old school but I love an actual book, I have a kindle but it's just not the same}.  I recently started Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn {I know I'm a little late picking up this one} and can't put it down.

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A few of my other necessities are nuts and veggies {trying to stick to a Paleo lifestyle while traveling is hard, so I always pack some almonds and carrots for a long flight}, homework {comes along with being a graduate student-sigh}, make-up remover wipes {although I don't really wear make-up while traveling they are nice to freshen up with}, and a comfortable outfit is a MUST.  My go-to traveling style is usually a baggy tee, jeans, and my chucks of course {:)}.

My Meli Melo bag just arrived in the mail and it is even more gorgeous in person.  The most perfect Jetsettin' bag, can't wait to take it up in the air!

xoxoxo

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Better Late Than Never...

I have not been good about posting this week :/. I was busy getting ready for my first day of school {which I had today!} and I felt like everything that could go wrong this week did.  But now that my class is over and my weekend can finally start I thought I would share what I've been addicted to this week.  I can only assume it's obvious from this blog that I love to shop...I would say it's less expensive than therapy, but in my case that's probably a lie.  A pair of shoes can always turn my day around...and if you've read my first blog post, you know I am addicted to online shopping.  Since this hasn't been the best week I may have indulged a little too much and purchased some items that I have been coveting for some time...

Addicted to my new Meli Melo bag.  I got my inspiration from A Piece of Toast {a blog that I am also addicted too}.  I saw this bag in one of their instagram photos and just HAD to have it.  It's the perfect everything, size, color...I'm just addicted.

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Addicted to Rag and Bone denim.  I can't get enough {I have four pairs ;)}. I love the way they fit my curvy frame.  It's no secret that I have a bit of a ba-donk-a-donk, and all of the Rag and Bone jeans I've tried on have made my bum look good {sorry I'm not sorry ;)}. Anyway, if you are looking for a new pair of jeans that you can dress up and dress down definitely check them out!!

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Addicted to How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days.  One of my all time favorite movies.  The perfect rom-com, it gets me every time.  It's just too good.

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Addicted to Mikoh swimwear.  I just ordered my first top {I love that you can mix and match, only buy a top, or only buy bottoms...makes the decisions harder, but so much fun!} and I am now trying to decide what I am going to purchase next.  I bought this top and am crushing on this and this.

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Lastly, addicted to this song. I am a huge Weezy F Baby fan and This is The Carter is my favorite {and I think his best} song!  It's a great song to listen to while running or dancing, or sing in the shower {and by sing, I mean at the top of your lungs. hehe}. My best friend, Amie knows all too well how much I love this song....

I promise to be on top of my game next week and won't go so long without posting! 

I will be traveling a lot in the next few months so look out for my travel essentials post coming soon!

stay fresh

xoxoxo

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

My BFF, Stephanie, left for Portugal for three months to work at the SurfCastle there.  She's only been gone for a week, but it feels like forever {I know...so dramatic}.  We got to skype yesterday and I can already tell the sea and sand have relaxed her.  After we caught up on a much needed gossip sesh, we got to talking about the outlook the Portuguese have on life.  They've nailed it.  Things that matter so much here in the US, the Portuguese don't even think twice about.  And while it was only yesterday we talked about all of this, I couldn't help but think about myself and what should and shouldn't matter to me.  I have a SERIOUS complex where I feel the need to be perfect all the time.  This complex usually ends up biting me in the ass, but it's something I'm working on.  I figure I can take a few pointers from the Portuguese and drink up the little things in life and hold on to the people that make me feel good.  And to the rest, well..F*$# it!

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Oh...and buy the shoes...always buy the shoes :)

xoxoxo

Addict

I get addicted to things very easily. Whether it be a pair of shoes {that I can't stop dreaming about}, a song {which I will then listen to on repeat for the next few weeks}, or a book {that I can't put down until I've finished the whole thing} I just become addicted.  I decided that I should share these addictions with you every Friday because while I may become addicted easily I also get over the addiction quickly, most likely because I bought the shoes, found a new song, or finished the book.  So here is the first weekly addicted to post...what are some of your addictions!?

Addicted to Floirda Georgia Line. All of their songs are amazing, but currently this song is on repeat in my house. Their album is getting me so excited for all the country concerts I will be attending this summer and they aren't bad to look at either...am i right!?

huntingbynight.com

Addicted to Charlotte Olympia shoes.  Even though I feel like I am too tall as it is, I love a good pair of heels.  They make me feel sexy, they dress up my fits, and I'm ready to walk all over everything. Charlotte Olympia heels are unique and they add a chicness to any outfit.  I had my eye on her Debonaire Heart Pumps and finally bit the bullet and purchased them.  I thought they would be the perfect birthday shoe...even though my birthday may be a month away it's never too early to start planning my bday look.

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Addicted to this Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad recipe. If you know me I try my hardest to stick to a Paleo inspired lifestyle {it is very hard because I have THE biggest sweet tooth, but I try ;)}.  I recently made this salad with one of my best friends, Jessica and haven't stopped thinking about it since. To keep it Paleo I didn't add the cheese the recipe calls for, but it's a MUST try.

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Addicted to the San Francisco Giants.  I am a huge baseball fan so of course I am addicted to going to AT&T park to cheer on my boys {a cold beer and garlic fries included}.  Nothing is more important than hometown pride!

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xoxoxo

Classic Flannel

In my last post I know I said I would post pics of my Cinco de Mayo outfit, but..well the pictures didn't exactly turn out as planned {I blame the tequila watermelon. oops ;)}. So I will have to do a reshoot of that outfit and share at a later date.  In the meantime I wanted to share one of my go to fits for your casual Thursday Armenian Church luncheon {doesn't everyone go? even if you aren't Armenian?}. Flannel is one of my all time favorite things to wear.  I love it even more when I can dress it up! This Equipment blouse is the perfect plaid, navy, green, purple...I mean what's not to love!?  

And I was so excited to finally bust out my new booties.  I think they are the perfect bootie for spring/summer! Who knew mesh would be so chic for your feet?? I love that you can still see my bright pink toes :)

Equipment blouse. Rag and Bone jeans {on sale!}. Rachel Zoe booties {on major sale!}. Karen Walker "deep freeze" sunglasses. Zara purse. Kelly Wearstler ring. David Yurman ring. Gorjana friendship necklace.

xoxoxo

photos by Jessica

Mid Week Inspo

It's Wednesday, Hump Day, which means I'm ready for the weekend.  Dinner with my girlfriends followed by a few drinks which leads to...who knows?? Isn't that the fun of the weekend? You may have plans, but where your plans take you, well that's anybody's guess {hehe}.  I'm getting ahead of myself, though, it is only Wednesday {sigh}.  But, the reason I brought up the weekend is because to get me over the hump of my mid week slump I LOVE to think about/plan my outfits for all the coming festivities.  When I start to plan my outfits I always look to my many style icons for my inspiration {inspo}.

So let’s talk about my inspo real quick.  You will soon come to find that I LOVE to use abbreviations.  Don’t know why but I just do, sometimes it’s easier ya know?? Anyway, I wanted to share a few of my style icons of the moment…

Kerri Washington.  This woman can do no wrong in my book.  I love that she takes fashion risks that may not be everyone’s favorite, but I can say that I always look forward to seeing her walk down the red carpet.  Her latest choice is the ULTIMATE look.

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DVF. Classic and bold.  I mean come on, do I really need to explain why Diane von Furstenburg is one of my style icons? Didn’t think so.  She never ceases to amaze me.

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Carrie Bradshaw.  While she may be a fictional character, her style is anything but.  Carrie Bradshaw never had a dull moment thanks to Patricia Field.  There is only one word to describe Patricia Field, GENIUS. Because of this woman I have always wanted a nameplate necklace {still don’t have one…and I don’t have a good reason why…next purchase??}. Carrie exudes sex appeal all the while keeping her mystery intact with a side of classiness.  Love. Her.

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These are just a few of my style icons of the moment {more to come soon :)}. Back to planning my outfit for the weekend...Since it is Cinco de Mayo this Sunday my girlfriend, Amie is hosting a fabulous fiesta that I am so excited for. I'm thinking my lace Nightcap bell bottoms with a white tee and jeweled headpiece? Pictures to come on what my final decision will be! :)

xoxoxo