Turquoise, for the rest of us...

Good morning! My top choice for accessory treats has always been turquoise- its a great way to add a pop of color and it literally goes with everything. I pile it on with just jeans and a t-shirt or add some dangly turquoise earrings to a tailored shirt dress to make it a little more bohemian. But, if you have an obsession like I do, you know that the real stuff is expensive. I have one gorgeous turquoise necklace of my grandmothers made by Native Americans that is worth a small fortune, but most of my pieces are costume-which is fine by me. If I lose them or they break, no biggie! Plus, if you know what to look for, the cheapies can look just as good as the real thing- at a fraction of the price. Check out the big ol' turq earrings I am rocking today (from F21) and scroll down to see more of my affordable pics...

XO
-L

Earrings via Forever 21 (got them in store this month- haven't seen them online yet...)

 

Other picks (from left to right...)
1. Turquoise Chandelier Earrings from Urban Outfitters
2. Goodwater Drops from Aldo
3. Hulbert Drops via Aldo
4. Sedona Dangles from Francesca's
5. Laura Costagliola Turquoise Teardrop Hoop Earrings from Natl. Jean Co.
6. Beachy Keen Chandeliers from F21

The Wedding DIY Madness Continues...

I am DETERMINED to use my crafty prowess for the good of the wedding! No longer will having a cold, and too much laundry, and a full time job stand in my way. I am on a mission to complete my list of wedding DIY projects. Geoff is out of town on a business trip again, so I am using this time to do some super crafting. I even started this weekend on a bunch of them, making a big trip to a couple of craft stores and gathering all my supplies. I began the super-messy task of gluing moss to paper mache letters last night-here they are in progress (I promise to do a full tutorial when they are complete):

We will hang them on the doors to the reception
(and hopefully they will look something like this:)

 

The rest of the projects on my list:

• Burlap "Just Married" Pennant Banner (a la this beauty from funkyshique on etsy)

• Boutonnieres (with chocolate striped ribbon and yellow billy balls-so cute! Image via Wedding Dress 2010)

• "Bride" & "Groom" Wooden Signs on the backs of our chairs (loving this free printable from Lucky & Lovely. Mine will be similar, but on wooden plaques with chocolate striped ribbon.)

• Painted People Cake Toppers ( I ordered this "paint your own" set from Goose Grease on Etsy and am planning on painting them to look like us. Have to wait till we pick out G's tie though...)

Wish me luck!

XO
-L

My Mom

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday! I love mother's day- probably because I have the most amazing mom in the world. And I know everyone says that- but mine really is! She's a marathon runner, an amazing chef, a devoted friend, wife & mother, and a strong Christian woman. She is smart, funny, beautiful, & full of life and energy and joy. She makes every day better and truly is my best friend. There is nothing I can't tell her and no problem is too big or too small. She is my anchor and my role model, and I am so very proud that she is my mom. Happy Mother's Day Mom- I could never thank you enough for all you've taught me.
I love you so very much!

XO
-L

(P.S. Don't forget to call your mothers on Sunday! Have a great weekend!) 

(Not so) Mellow Yellow

Hello Yellow! It is finally HOT here in the Lone Star State and I am ready for it! Summer is almost here which means hot pink pedicures, cocktails on the patio, cookouts, maxi dresses and lots of fun. I love summer and am currently celebrating its arrival with summery yellow treats. Check out my citrusy obsessions below (omg that owl coin purse is so mine!)
Happy Thursday!

XO
-L

1. Vintage Latticework Popover via J. Crew
2. Owl Coin Purse via Asos
3. Cylindrival Braid Belt via Anthro
4. Circle the Globe Skirt via Anthro
5. Mar y Sol Guadalupe Shopper via Nordi's
6. Anne Klein Resin Watch via Nordi's

Such a (Beautiful) Lush

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a lovely Cinco de Mayo.

I'm switching things up around the old blog with some reviews of my fave beauty products today! I have to say, I am no beauty expert, but I love products and am constantly trying and testing new things to make my beauty routine as good as possible. And, with our wedding approaching (and the HOT Texas summer!) I have been on the hunt for products that make my skin glow, my body tan, my hair not melt, and my makeup stay put. Not an easy task! Please scroll on down for reviews and info on some of my favorite beauty must-haves.

Plus, Geoff came back from a Vegas business trip with some goodies for yours truly from Lush- a bath and body company out of Canada. The company uses organic, vegetarian ingredients, products are not tested on animals, and they smell and feel DIVINE! I especially love the Flying Fox Shower Gel. It was created to help ease PMS (I wonder why Geoff thought of me...) and its chock-full of yummy jasmine and honey and smells amazing. I've been using it before bed and sleeping like a baby. The Vanilla Delite Body Lotion and Smitten Hand Cream also smell like dessert and work great- I love how they moisturize without being greasy or sticky. I plan to be a Lush Devotee from now on!

Now on to the rest of the reviews...
Have a beautiful Wednesday!

XO
-L

1. Flying Fox Shower Gel via Lush
2. Smitten Hand Cream via Lush
3. Vanilla Delite Lotion via Lush

4. Model in a Bottle via here
I found this stuff through a makeup artist in Austin. She says she uses it on all her brides to make their makeup stay put the whole wedding day. Upon further research, I found Oprah is also a fan! I ordered some and have been testing it out. You just spray it on after applying your makeup and let dry. And your makeup really does stay on much longer. I did have to reapply my lip gloss (cause, let's face it, nothing keeps that stuff on...) but no concealer or powder touch ups were needed. This will definitely be p[art of my wedding day makeup arsenal.

5. Clairsonic Face Brush via here
I have struggled with acne my whole life. And not just the "I got a pimple once in the 8th grade" kind of acne. I'm talking serious stuff people. And it has taken lots of good skin care, laser & clear light treatments and doctor visits to get (and keep) my skin under control. So I am willing to do just about anything to take good care of this well-earned clear skin. Which is why I cleanse daily with my Clairsonic Brush. Made by the sonic toothbrush people, this little gadget gets skin 6 times cleaner than manual washing, and exfoliates in the process. Plus, products work much better and skin is super soft and clean. Its a little pricey, but clear, pretty skin is a necessity in my book-so this magic brush is definitely a must have!

6. St Tropez Tanning Lotion via here
I am super fair skinned, and try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, but I still want to have a tan glow- who doesn't? I've tried tons of tanning lotions and potions, and have to say, St. Tropez Tanning Lotion is my fave. It has a slight green tin when applied that counteracts that orange look for a truly natural looking (and dark) tan. I'm a little obsessed.

7. Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion via here
This stuff keeps my eye makeup on no matter what- even after a spin class!! Its truly amazing. Just apply on bare lids, add eye makeup, and prepare to be amazed.

8. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray via here
My new hair lady used this at my last appointment and I was amazed by how versatile it is. Use on wet hair with a diffuser to make gorgeous beachy waves, or spray on roots to give 'em some oomph. If you live in Dallas, you gotta have some height to your hair, and this makes it happen (without making you look like an extra on The Jersey Shore.)

9. Bion Salicylic & Glycolic Serum via here
To keep my skin clear, exfoliation is key. And this stuff does the trick. I use it in the morning after cleansing and before moisturizer (with SPF of course.) At night, I use Retin-A and more moisturizer. These things combined keep skin clear and wrinkles at bay (its all about prevention, people.)