Jess LC

Today I was lucky enough to be featured as a guest blogger on Jess LC's site Makeunder My Life. I greatly admire Jess as a twenty-something on a mission, so as a thank you for taking a chance on me- I wanted to share some of her jewelry pieces that I love the most.

In 2008 Jess LC's jewelry was being sold in over 100 stores nationwide, and now women everywhere (Including Bachelorette Ali!) are scooping up pieces left and right!

This is my favorite of all of her necklaces. I just love the simplicity and grace Jess was able to show through her Armitage collection. Armitage Two Strand Three Link Necklace $42

This necklace is cute and you're doing good by wearing it! A portion of the proceeds go to "Bright Pink" which is a non-profit that provides education and support for women with breast and ovarian cancer. The Pink Lemonade Necklace $40

I love the cool funkiness of these earrings- totally ready for jeans, black pants, or a bridesmaid dress. Division Teardrop Earrings $50

I love the Franklin collection because it features braille on one side and text in English on the other. Franklin DREAM BIGGER Braille Necklace $58

Don't try too hard

I am by no means a cosmo connoisseur nor would I consider myself a person that makes a great mixed drink of any kind; however I appreciate one. Especially on these last days of summer, before football/beer season starts, who doesn't appreciate a well concocted mixed martini?

One of my favorite things of summer are happy hours with a great cocktail menu. Something different and flashy to fill your glass with instead of your usual do-it-yourself vodka tonic. But then there are those restaurants or bars-very few of them but you know them- that have the most ridiculously expensive (even at happy hour) and unappetizing martinis. They're just trying too hard. Take for instance a restaurant the bf and I will be visiting tonight, which shall remain nameless- their cocktail menu features:

-Wasabi and Amaretto sour $9.00 Amaretto di Saronno, lime, Angostura, sugar
and wasabi paste topped with wasabi almonds
-Lychee and roses $11.00Bombay Sapphire, rose petals, lime and lychee juice
-Passion fruit and almond $10.00Martell cognac, Amaretto di Saronno, passion fruit puree’, almond and cardamon seeds

Seriously? Who enjoys seeds in their martini? And Wasabi paste? (pictured above) Blech, nasty.

So after looking at that menu, I decided to write about a more appropriate cocktail menu. Here are some of my favorite summer cocktails:

-Acai of Relief (Commissary): Absolut Berri Acai Vodka, Blueberries, Pom Juice, Sprite
& Lemon...on the rocks
-Ruby Slipper (Commissary): Absolute Ruby Red, Triple Sec,
Passion Fruit Juice & Pom Juice...straight up
-The Clementine (Founding Farmers): A delicious blend of fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, agave nectar and Siembra Azul Reposado Tequila that has been infused with Clementines and Fresno chiles. Garnished with a flamed orange twist.
-Basil Bell (Acadiana): Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, muddled basil, fresh lime, simple syrup and a splash of lemon-lime soda
-Salty Dog(Farmer and Fishers): Cap Rock Organic Vodka and grapefruit juice served on the rocks with a salted rim

See? These are delicious, refreshing and I can pronounce every ingredient. So cheers to this beautiful weekend everyone!

Let it Shine

Yesterday was dots, today is sparkle. It's almost Friday, you're almost in weekend mode, it's almost Labor Day weekend, it seems as though we need some sparkle.

Who doesn't love a little sparkle? It's a conversation starter, it matches everything and it comes in shoes, dresses, tops, purses, you name it.

Let it shine ladies.

Gap, Glitter Ballet Flats, $49.50




Macy's, XOXO Dress, $59

Nordstrom, Jessica McClintock Pattern Clutch, $78

Nordstrom, As U Wish Wave Dress, $58

Filtre, Sequin & Pleat Top, $31.90

Chuck Taylor, 'Sparkle' Sneaker, $59.95

Kate Spade, Charm, $325*
*yeah right I know


Kate Spade, Single Ball earrings, $95

Dots are the New Stripes

Who doesn't love polka dots. You might as well say I hate puppies if you hate polka dots. They're adorbs, they make you smile, and the can be dressed up or down. Dots whether big and punchy or pinpoint and tiny are making a big comeback this fall and I personally love it.

Here are some of my favorite pieces that dont scream Minnie Mouse, but will still get some attention:

Modcloth, Mary Queen of Spots Dress, $49.99

Orvis, Hooded Zip Front Dot Sweatshirt, $69

Kate Spade, 'idiom' wide enamel bracelet, $98

Chooka, 'posh dot' rain boot, $65

Spanx, dotted fishnet tights, $42

Amazon, Light Scarf in Purple with Polka Dots, $58