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

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!) 

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.)

When the fiance's away, I will...decorate

Its Thursday, which means Geoff comes home tonight! Finally! I always hate it when he travels, but I always get a lot done when he's gone. Besides the Wedding Welcome Sign I posted yesterday, I have also been working on a cute little vignette for the dresser in our bedroom. The dresser had basically become a drop zone for all things: keys, change, receipts...basically just a bunch of crap that I got tired of looking at. So I got to thinking, if we had some actual decor up there, maybe we would be less inclined to make it messy. We'll see if it works! Check out the pics of my effort below- I tried to use things we already have around the house: my cute owl vase from Antique Alley, a stack of old books, some greenery I've had in my craft room for a while, one of our engagement photos, and a framed page from a Buddhist calendar. I'm so happy with how it came out. Have a lovely day all!

XO
-L

Fashion Fix Friday

Its Friday!!! Yay! I can't wait to spend this weekend with my honey going to the movies and
a friends wedding (and sneaking in some crafting, baking & wedding planning.)
I love Fridays- the promise of a whole relaxing productive weekend stretches ahead!

Ok, enough waxing poetic, on to the fashion goodies. I was checking my fave blogs last night and stopped by Love Maegan... I adore this blog! Maegan is so cute, always has the best outfit ideas and DIY fashion tips, and has AWESOME hair how-to videos. Seriously. Check her out here- she's a daily read for me.

So, yesterday for Earth Day, she featured these amazingly gorgeous pieces from Mika Organic. I literally gasped when I saw them. How original & beautiful. The cuts of the garments are so simple and clean. And yet, I have never seen anything like them. Not only are they beautiful, the line is earth friendly: made from organic and sustainably made materials and plant dyed. How divine! Thank you Maegan for the heads up! And visit Mika Organic to see the full drool-worthy collection.

Have a great weekend!
XO
-L 

I am dying for the butterfly top and the bird's nest dress!
All images from Mika Organic