songs of summer

Summer doesn't officially start until the 21st, so here's what I'm listening to to make it seem like it's already here.

Enjoy!

instagam editing!

I'm going to admit that when Instagram first came about I was totally bombed on it. I thought it and its sister Hipstamatic were SO lame and was ruining photography for everyone.

Then I downloaded it.

1,627 (holy crap) pictures later, I am MORE than hooked.

I started off mostly using the "Earlybird" filter, and shunning everyone that used "Kelvin."

(P.S. HOW IS KELVIN STILL A FILTER AND EARLYBRID SO UNFAIR)

But then I got bored of the limited features and ventured into other apps to edit my 5 megapixels works of art.

After trialing a ton of trifling apps, here are my top 3. They make editing so fun and easy that it's hard to pick up a real camera these days.

AfterLight, formerly AfterGlow, is my top used app. It's awesome.

I love all the filters, but the best part of it is how many editing options this app has. You can adjust the exposure, highlights, and all of that good stuff. You can also throw on a light leak which makes NO sense but looks ultra pretty.

The girls over at A Beautiful Mess created this app which I am IN LOVE WITH! 

This is also my newest app so I can't stop playing around with it.

There are limited filters but the real point of this app are the adorable borders, doodles, and phrases you can throw on top of your pictures to make them oh so cute.

VSCO CAM is my least used out of these three but it does come in handy. This was my AfterLight before it existed and like AfterLight, I love the in depth editing options it has. 

I believe all three apps cost a little something, but they're totally worth it for making your pictures POP!

Are there any apps you absolutely love? Let me know so I can get addicted too!

the great girl crush

Steven, Mary Claire and I finally saw The Great Gatsby Saturday night and as a HUGE Fitzgerald fan it was not disappointing in the least! 

I cannot recommend it enough! I loved every. single. bit. The soundtrack, the beautiful cinematography and especially the gorgeous Carey Mulligan.

Can we just admire how freaking stunning she is? I can't even handle it!
She made me forget how much I hate Daisy.

I can't wait to see it again in 3D!

happy birthday dear Steven,

My wonderful man turned 23 on Saturday and we spent a solid 5 days celebrating. 

Does it get any better?

 We spent the 11th running around the aquarium like kids and ended the night with a proper Disney trip, also like kids I suppose.

And on Monday, we were off on our...

 

 Santa Barbara for the night was the most incredible getaway. We started off with a relaxing massage, and spent the night eating and drinking our butts off.
On Tuesday we slowly made our way down the coast, stopping on secluded beaches along the way and enjoying the beauty of it all.

We sure know how to celebrate.

Cheers to your 23rd year, babe. I know it's going to be a great one.

wedding season

Welcome to wedding season my friends! If you're like me and you have over 5 wedding invitations hanging on your fridge you're going to need a couple outfits. Considering I've only been to a handful of weddings in the past I wouldn't consider myself an expert but I do know a few do's and don'ts. 

Number one: NO white. None. None at all. Nope. Don't do it. 

This is something that drives me absolutely crazy. Regardless if the bride is wearing ivory or blush, you do NOT show up to the wedding in white. It's tacky and if I get a few drinks in me I will tell you just how tacky it is. My future bridesmaids already know that they are in charge of turning people away if they show up to my wedding in white. 

I can't tell you how often girls come in to my work and ask me if it's suddenly ok to wear an entirely white dress to a wedding. 

It isn't ok. It never was ok. It never will be ok.

Do we understand? Great. Moving on.

Number two: Let's reserve black for fall and night weddings. If you're more comfortable in darker colors, go with navy, maroon, or deep purple. 

Number three: No jeans.

This should go without saying but you'd be surprised. Unless you're attending a spur of the moment Vegas wedding and you are already wearing jeans, don't do it. I know not everyone is comfortable in a dress so if you want to wear pants stick with a trouser and heels.

Number four: Cover up any crazy cut-outs or backless dresses with a cropped cardi. Especially if the wedding is going to be held in a house of worship. I own several cropped cardis from Nordstrom and I wear them all the time.

Now that we have the rules out of the way I've picked out a few options for you.

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As far as prints go, stick with a spring and summer color palette. You can't go wrong with florals and polka dots. Stay away from a white dress with a floral print (see rule number one.)

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Just because you're staying solid doesn't mean you have to be boring! Jazz your plain dress up with a statement necklace and a patterned clutch (see below.) For a dash of texture, wear a skinny glitter belt around your waist.

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For the bride who requests something a little more formal than a cotton dress, lace and pleats are the way to go. And as you can see, just because you have to dress up a little more doesn't mean it has to be boring!

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Add a dash of fun with some statement jewelry. Here is your opportunity to sparkle! Wear something that pops and could even be a topic of conversation. Keep your other jewelry simple to even things out.

As far as storage  keep your phone and back up makeup in a tiny clutch so you don't have to worry about lugging around your usual giant bag. Again, a great opportunity for a pop of color or pretty pattern to throw into the mix.

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Trust me, wear comfortable shoes. You don't want to be that girl who is bummed she can't dance anymore because her feet are on fire. I've been that girl so many times and it is NOT fun! Stick with a short heel or wedge so you can dance your booty off all night long!

That's all my friends! What's your best outfit advice for weddings? Let me know in the comments.

easter best.

‘Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I've been waiting for it to finally feel like spring, and there's nothing like Eater Sunday to make it official. I've been rotating daffodils along with any other plants I can get my hands on to bring some of my favorite season inside. Pastels, perfect weather, and longer days. What more can you ask for?

the dreamiest

Steven in JCrew & Clark's

Me in francesca's & BP bow wedges