Friday Fours

It has been such an incredible week. From my grades coming out (#thankgodIdidntfailschool) to my seventeenth birthday to way too many desserts, these past few days have been one for the books. Thank you so, so much for all of your beyond sweet birthday wishes - you guys are the best and it means so much to me! Also, thanks to all my friends who made my day so special (and to those who posted some far from flattering selfies on my Facebook wall... you know who you are :) Now onto what's all going on with me lately...

::one::

A few new gifts I received for my birthday! The Marley Lilly ladies were too nice (seriously love them to death) and sent me the most adorable scalloped tote, with my monogram of course. I cannot wait to bring it along with me on my upcoming college visits and let's be real, you can never have too many tan bags. Also, I went out on a whim and snagged these Kendra Scott Danielle earrings (in pearl) with a Nordstrom gift card I had lying around. Oh my goodness, I am so glad I finally hopped on the Kendras bandwagon because they are too fun! 

::two::

Another shot of the dress I wore to Sadies last weekend! I can't believe it was an entire week ago... Check out the full outfit details here. 

::three::

Ok, the amount of fruit I've been eating lately is actually crazy. It all started when I realized clementines were in season, and now I can't stop with all of the berries we've been buying in bulk (s/o to Costco for being the real MVP). Every year for my birthday dinner we have cake, and every year I beg my mom for angel food cake with berries and whipped cream. Not to mention, I ate one very large fruit tart for breakfast this morning. Is anyone obsessed or is just me?!

::four::

After falling in love with my new Kendra Scott earrings, I've decided that 2015 is going to be the year of experimenting with jewelry, especially earrings. I've always been afraid to wear anything but little pearl studs with the fear that they would be a big eyesore, but I've been pleasantly surprised with how much I love them! Let me know if you want to see a post with my favorite earring picks! 

This weekend is going to be a busy one with lots of hockey games and a musical one of my best friends is in - follow along on my Instagram here!

How was your week?

xoxo

How I Get Ready In The Morning

One thing I will never get tired of reading on other blogs is morning and night routines. While I would love to do one of these posts in video form, I'm just not skilled enough with a camera (haha) so I thought I would put my own little spin on it and show you how I get ready in the morning! My routine is super basic and simple, allowing me to get ready in under 15 minutes. 

deodorant // eyelash curler // Tory Burch perfume // Bobbi Brown lip color (in pale mauve)

First things first I brush my teeth (I use whatever toothpaste I have on hand) and apply my favorite pomegranate deodorant. 

Then I wash my face with Cetaphil cleanser and follow it up with my favorite Kiehl's ultra facial cream. The cream is perfect for people with skin that is sensitive to thick moisturizers and generic creams. Recently, I switched to the Juice Beauty milk cleanser and can't decide whether I like it better than the Cetaphil or not! They are both great for sensitive skin, and I strongly recommend either if you're looking for a gentle face wash. 

Next I curl my eyelashes and apply my all time fave Tory Burch perfume. Then I swipe on a little bit of chapstick and top it with a layer of pale mauve by Bobbi Brown. Not pictured: the mascara I steal from my mom every morning because I'm too lazy to buy my own #typical. 

After that I brush my hair and do whatever I'm feeling with it. I shower at night and since my hair tends to get really puffy if I let it air dry, I usually will blow dry it at night. Sometimes I'll straighten it in the morning to give it a little extra sleeky shine, but usually I wake up, brush it and go. 

Pretty simple, right? I like getting as much sleep as physically possible every night, so sometimes having a really easy routine isn't the worst thing in the world :)

I'd love to know how yours differs from mine!

Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Seventeen

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To be honest, my birthday completely snuck up on me this year. Usually I'm busy planning a party with my friends, but that just didn't all come together this year with the busyness of February. Seventeen seems like such an odd age - not as exciting as sixteen yet not as old as eighteen. Either way, I am so thrilled to enter another chapter of my life and see what's in store these next few months. Tonight I'm having a low key dinner with my family and that's pretty much all I have planned! As much as I love throwing birthday parties with friends, sometimes a relaxing day is just what I need :)

Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes today! You guys are seriously the best!

xoxo

Outfit: Black Gem Dress

dress (similar) // heels (similar) // earrings 

The annual Sadie Hawkins (aka girls ask guys) dance was last Saturday night and I had such a great night. My date was such a sweetie, my group was too fun and we all had a blast. I decided to go at the last minute, so I didn't have much time to find a dress. Luckily, Fran and I have basically the same wardrobe, so when one of us is in a pinch and needs clothes, we go to the other person and almost always find what we need. Naturally, I fell in love with her 60's inspired black shift dress with gemstones and ended up wearing it! I love how flowy and comfortable it is, not to mention how fun the neckline is. It was pretty late by the time I left for the dinner, so the lighting was not ideal for outfit pictures, so I apologize for such few shots! 

And thanks for all of your sweet comments on my blog and Instagram these past few days! You guys are seriously so sweet and make blogging so meaningful for me!

xoxo

The Fear of Missing Out

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These days, social media makes it so easy to see how everyone else is spending their time, whether it be through Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. Over the past few months, I've seen so many people talk about how easy it is to compare your social life, or just life in general, to others when everything is so easily accessible online. With just a few clicks, you can see pictures from nearly anyone, making it so difficult not to feel left out, whether you are good friends or not. When I watched one of my favorite Youtubers, Ingrid Nilsen, talk about the topic, I knew it would be something valuable to share with you all.

One thing I like to keep in mind is that you can do anything, but not everything. Say you have a Saturday night with no plans, for example. You were swamped with homework all week and need a night to yourself to relax, curl up in bed with Netflix and catch up on sleep. But then you get invited to a party with your friends that you know could be really fun. Do you go to the party because you don't want to miss out, or do you stay home and relax because you know your body needs it and you'll be just as tired for the next week? It's such a hard decision to make, especially when you know pictures will be posted on social media and you don't want to miss out. Lately, I've been trying to really listen to my body and do what feels right for me. A few weeks ago, I had the ACT in the morning and a party to go to at night. I was really excited about it, but after taking the test all day, I realized that I really needed a quiet, relaxing night to catch up on sleep. I felt awful telling my friends I wouldn't be able to make it, but in the end it was better because I caught up on much needed sleep. There were, of course, tons of pictures on Facebook and Instagram the next day, but I knew I had made the right decision.

Have you guys experienced FOMO as well? Share in the comments below!

xoxo

Friday Fours

I've pretty much failed as a blogger in terms of my social media presence this past week. Is it just me or do you feel like everyone (myself included) is in a rut? An "I'm so done with winter and just want to stay in my bed and watch Netflix" sort of thing? If so, I totally feel you. It's been so cold here lately and I've had no motivation to do anything whatsoever. Luckily, the annual Sadie Hawkins dance is tomorrow night and I'm super excited. Since I only posted 2 pictures this week, I'll be taking 2 shots from the archives of my feed... see if you can figure out which are which :)

::one::

When I was in Dallas, one thing I was really eager to do was see the John F. Kennedy Assassination Museum. I am probably the biggest Kennedy fanatic out there (I'm pretty sure I have every single book on Jackie O, no lie), so I couldn't leave Texas without seeing it. I was blown away by how sad yet incredible the site was, not to mention the amount of people there at 6:30 on a Sunday night. If you're ever in Dallas, I really recommend you take a trip and see it for yourself.

::two::

With spring just a few weeks away, I've started planning ahead for my trips to warmer climates in the upcoming weeks. I'm headed to North Carolina in two weeks, and am going to Florida and California over spring break. Needless to say, I have a bit of preparation to do! Hopefully I will receive a few of the fashion related items I asked for for my birthday next week so I'm all set for the sun! #hopefulthinking 

::three::

One thing I've been wanting to do more of in 2015 is make sure what I'm blogging about is what you guys want to read. Are there any things you are dying to see? An outfit for a certain occasion? A swim suit guide? Let me know in the comments below!

 ::four::

Lastly, I want to give a little shoutout to all the juniors in high school out there. This year has been tough - between looking at schools, trying to get my GPA as high as possible, studying for the ACT all while trying to maintain a social life and sleep schedule... I think I can speak for all of us when I say junior year has put me through the wringer. How are all of my fellow juniors doing? Are you guys hanging in there?

That's it for my week!

Be sure to follow me along on Instagram to see some snaps from Sadies this weekend!

xoxo

6 Shoes I Love For Spring

Navy espadrilles // Striped loafers // Orange loafers // Ankle booties // Jeweled sandal // Espadrille wedges 

With spring just around the corner (which is hard to believe considering there are negative wind chills in Wisconsin today), I have started looking around for inspiration for shoes for spring. After embarking on a rather large hunt, I have happily discovered three big trends in the footwear world: loafers, espadrilles and flat sandals. While I am a tried and true fan of loafers and espadrilles, flat sandals have become a recent love of mine, and I can't wait to find a pair that is just right for me. This pair from J.Crew is a bit on the pricy side, so I really hope to find some that are more in my price range, but that have a fun jewel embellishment as well! Old Navy has been killing it in the new arrivals lately, so maybe I'll find a few fun pairs there. 

Are you loving these trends for spring too?

Stay warm friends!

xoxo

Juice Beauty Line

Last weekend after the ACT (which actually went pretty well!), my mom and I headed to Ulta for some much needed TLC. She had been wanting a new skin care line so we decided to chat with one of the beauty experts and find a brand that she would like. My mom is just as obsessed with citrus everything as me, so when the consultant recommended Juice Beauty, we both sort of freaked out. Not only does the line smell absolutely delicious (there's a citrus scrub and apple moisturizer, just to name a few), but it is completely natural and organic, free of parabins, chemicals and all the other nasty things in many name brand makeup lines. Plus, the founder makes everything in Northern California, so you're supporting an American company too. Naturally, my mom invested in several products, and I even ended up trying the cleansing milk as well! So far I'm loving it and will keep you updated with how it's working. If you are ever at ULTA, be sure to check out their line because I think you'll love it!

Have you heard of Juice Beauty before?

xoxo

My Jewelry Essentials

Over the past few months, I have really come to find my own personal style, especially in terms of jewelry. I continue to look to social media, celebrities and other bloggers for inspiration, but I can finally say that I know what I like and what works for me. Personally, I am a fan of simple, classic jewelry. Whether it be an everyday watch, a pair of pearl studs or a delicate gold necklace, I love pieces that can easily be worn everyday and that I won't get sick of for a long time. Here are 6 of my favorite pieces I wear time and time again. 

+ turquoise bangle 

A simple pop of color, this Fornash bangle adds a cute touch to any stack. I find myself wearing it more and more, especially with my school dress code. In actuality, I'm a big fan of all of Fornash's bangles and wear them all the time!

+ silver monogram ring 

When I received this ring as a 14th birthday gift, I knew it would be something I would wear forever. The square shape is unique and fresh but classic because of its simplistic monogram. I just ordered a round version as well and can't wait to wear both! 

+ rope bracelet 

I had been eyeing Kiel James Patrick's bracelets forever, and finally took the plunge and ordered one back in the fall. Let's just say I am far from disappointed. The navy and white one I decided on is so fun to wear with a watch or by itself, and I know I'll be wearing it all summer long too!

+ silver watch 

If you're looking to invest in one piece of jewelry, a great watch is my recommendation. Not only does it go with absolutely everything, but it is actually functional and an awesome thing to have for many years. A lot of people like collecting several different watches, but I personally like having one I wear all the time. 

+ gold nameplate necklace 

I was skeptical about this nameplate trend when it first emerged a while ago, but as it began popping up more and more, it really started to grow on me. It's a unique spin on a monogram necklace and adds a cool look to an otherwise boring outfit. 

+ bow earrings 

I received these earrings as a gift, but have noticed myself wearing them for all sorts of occasions, especially more formal ones. They are so adorable and small, but are very noticeable (in a good way of course!). I recommend splurging on a smaller pair of statement earrings that you love for dressier occasions because I can't even tell you how often I grab these out of my jewelry box! (Loren Hope is a great place to do this.) 

What are your jewelry essentials? 

Shop a few similar pieces above!

xoxo

February Playlist

This month, I've really been into listening to music as I finally hopped back on the Spotify bandwagon. I had been using Pandora for a long time because I get sick of music really quickly, but I decided I missed Spotify too much and that it was time to make an updated playlist. I still use Pandora at the gym, but for when I'm studying or hanging out at home, Spotify is my go-to. Since the beginning of the new year, I've been really into (I hate to use the word but) "chill", more relaxing songs with a few upbeat ones thrown into the mix. I know I'm late to the game, but John Mayer and Jack Johnson are two artists I have recently started listening to and have been loving! In fact, I'm listening to John Mayer as I type this :) I still like finding new tunes on Pandora channels, but I can confidently say I have been converted to a Spotify lover! 

Are any of the songs I mentioned on your playlists?

Do you have any similar recommendations for me?

xoxo

Valentine's Day

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Happy Valentine's Day! Even if you don't have a significant other in your life, Valentine's Day is such a great time to take a moment to step back from the busyness of life and really treat yourself. Whether it's a manicure, a new magazine or two, or simply a little extra sleep, take today as time to give yourself a little extra TLC. I'll be road tripping to a ski race, but if I were home I would be indulging in a few too many sweets and watching a romcom with friends. I hope you all have a fun, relaxing day full of lots of love!

Any exciting plans today? I'm excited to hear!

xoxo

Friday Fours

Guys, is there anything better than a 4 day weekend? This week has been absolutely insane with assessments in nearly every class and lots of late nights studying. Luckily, we have 4 days off during which I'll be heading up to Northern Wisconsin to watch state for my school's ski team! It'll be a great little trip and I really look forward to recharging this weekend.

::one::

I was a bit apprehensive when I first tried on this LL Bean sweater I got for Christmas because it seemed really short and boxy, but I've been pleasantly surprised with how comfortable it is! Not to mention, it's super versatile and looks great for lots of different occasions. 

::two::

I think this is the second bag of clementines I've gone through so far this month... which is a surprisingly small number considering how many I have in one day! If you're in need of a quick, easy and healthy snack food, you need to stock up on a few bags of clementines.

::three:: 

Poppin sent me a few fun goodies to fancy up my workspace, and I've been obsessed with reorganizing it to my liking. I was in need of a stapler, so I was so excited when this white and gold one showed up in the box! If you missed it, be sure to check out the #flashyourdrawers campaign I did with them Wednesday :) (By the way, I so appreciated all of your sweet comments on social media about the post!)  

::four::

Having "virtual" friends from all over the country is so cool, and it's really fun to be able to vent about our days to get to know each other even more. After having been apart from my blogger buds since July, I am so thrilled to be visiting Sammy in LA over spring break! We have lots of exciting things planned and we can't wait to see each other after so long.

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day and enjoy your weekend!

Are you up to anything special for the big day?

xoxo

Styles I'm Loving for Spring

navy + white striped sweater // lobster sweater // Hunter boots // sleeveless striped top  // Ray Ban sunglasses // pink striped ruffle dress  // monogrammed Jack Rogers

Lately, all I've wanted to do is a) stay in my pajamas all day, b) watch hours of Netflix in bed, and c) consume as much chocolate as humanly possible. It's been so cold outside that hibernating inside with a good tv show sounds all too appealing, but on the other hand the thought of spring makes me really excited. I have a few fun trips planned for spring break and college visits, so I've been starting to hunt all over my favorite online stores to find a few new pieces for the warmer weather. Per usual, you can probably tell that I'm still in love with navy and white stripes, but I'm especially loving this fresh, new update to the classic look in a tribal, sleeveless version tee! In addition, I rounded up a few investment pieces like monogrammed Jack Roger sandals, green matte Hunter boots and Ray Ban Clubmaster sunglasses. All of the pieces I've included above are perfect to start transitioning into the sunnier days ahead. (And to those of you who are already starting to notice the temperature rising - I'm so jealous!)

Are there any certain styles you're excited to wear for spring?

Stop by my Shop tab to see all of the things I'm loving!

xoxo

#FlashYourDrawers

white tray // aqua tray // aqua weekly task pad // hot pink pens // clipboard 

I'm so excited to be partnering with my favorite organization brand, Poppin, for this #FlashYourDrawers campaign! Poppin has been a long time favorite of mine, so when they asked me to "flash my drawers" on citrus & style, I just couldn't resist! I actually don't have drawers on my desk, so instead I keep lots of supplies on my desktop. It's gotten out of hand lately, so some sort of system was definitely necessary. To keep it all clean and tidy, Poppin has a bunch of different sized trays that are awesome to organize with. Not to mention, they add the cutest pop of color to my white workspace. The other thing I love is that all of their products are very affordable, a bonus for someone like me who routinely changes up the set up of my desk. Also, side note: everyone at school is obsessed with these hot pink pens. They are a) so smooth to write with, b) an adorable color, and c) only $12 for a set of 12! You need to get your hands on some, stat (along with the blue and white task pad if you're a list junkie like me). 

Thanks so much to Poppin for sponsoring this post! I can officially say that I now "work happy" :)

Are you a fan of Poppin too?

xoxo

Q&A Video

Today, Frannie and I are so excited to show you the Q&A video we filmed answering all of your questions from email and social media. We worked really hard one Sunday and ended up having to film the video about 5 times... That being said, we so apologize for the blurriness as we were having a little technical difficulty! Anyway, we hope you enjoy it and let us know if you have any other requests for videos because we surprisingly enjoyed putting it all together!

xoxo

Look For Less: Varsity Tee

Old Navy version // J.Crew Factory version

Every time I find a fun top or cute sweater at a more expensive place like J.Crew, I almost always check a few other places to see if they have similar versions for less expensive alternatives. For trendy pieces, like this gray varsity tee for example, Old Navy happened to have the exact same thing for so much less money, a total win in my book. Especially when items of clothing won't be in style forever, I always opt for the less expensive version. Even though the quality probably isn't as amazing as a much more pricy version, how many times will I actually wear a varsity tee anyway? 

Do you find less expensive alternatives too? Or do you go for the better quality piece? Let's chat in the comments below! 

xoxo