Pretty Editorials

There aren't many things more zen than curling up with a magazine and a cup of tea.   My magazine obsession started at an early age, and for as long as I can remember, they have been my perfect little distraction - shorter than books, but still a slight escape from reality.  My current monthly reads include Vogue, InStyle, and Elle... But thanks to websites like Fashiongonerogue.com, I'm able to see editorials and fashion campaigns I wouldn't normally see.  Below are some of my favorite shots from some magazines I don't have the pleasure of reading on a monthly basis.

Olivia Palermo for Marie Claire Spain

Miranda Kerr for Harper's Bazaar US

Alexandra Tomlinson for Elle UK

Natalia Siodmiak for Elle Ukraine

...Off in a Cabana Somewhere Sunny, Drinking a Pina Colada...

I apologize for the lack of depth in my recent blog posts, I really do.  However, I've found that it's best to not force blogging, and instead simply write about (or show) what inspires.  This way entries are honest, and quite personal.  That being said, are you all now completely aware of how badly I'm craving a beach?  Somewhere sunny to do nothing other than lay out and sip on fruity cocktails?  You've gotten that vibe from me?  You understand that the only things I want to be shopping for are string bikinis and cotton sundresses?  Okay, good.  Well, now that we're on the same page, I love the images below.  They're feeding my most recent craving for all things tropical.

Whoa, Oh, Mexico...

Where my mind has been the past week.  Vacay can't come soon enough...

Feel This...

Wear These...

Be Here...

Craving...

Lusting Over...

Inspired By...

Listening To...

Total Beauty Crush

The first time I saw Jennifer Lawrence, I thought she was a total doll.  Not a fashion icon, but a pretty, talented, young lady.  Lately, her red carpet style has me thinking differently - she's coming into her own (style-wise) and has chosen youthful, sexy, and appropriate looks while promoting her latest film The Hunger Games.  And at the red carpet premier?  Wowza.  Her hair and makeup is straight up dreamy and I'm *completely* in love with it.

Warm & Rainy & Cozy in March

The weather here in Iowa (and most of the midwest) has been scary warm.   Magnolia trees are in full bloom, the grass is now green, and I still have to pinch myself when I walk outside every morning in light blouses.  The past fews days have been rainy.  But the kind of rainy you can't help but love.  Soft, and warm, and the kind that unthaws the earth to make the air smell so pretty.  Here are some things that have me wanting to indulge in this warm weather all the more.

Tea in the Spring is very different from tea in the winter.  I ditch the richly spiced flavors for everything floral - my favorite being a good jasmine tea.  Nothing is more refreshing and just sipping on it makes me happy.  

Fresh flowers are the first thing I need when the weather turns mild.  I love this photo and the simple elegance of putting fresh lilacs from the garden into a simple mason jar.  This also makes me excited for the farmer's markets (I can never leave there without a fresh bouquet.)

I found an article on Gwenyth Paltrow's Easter table settings and instantly wanted to re-create the look for my own dinner party.   It's so simple and so whimsical, and I am literally in love with those blue and white plates (hello, wedding gift ideas!)

Well Groomed

The way eyebrows can completely transform a face has amazed me for years now.  When I was in 8th grade I got my eyebrows waxed for the first time, and the experience was life-altering.  I instantly went from looking like a scruffy kid, to a young lady.  Now that I'm older my eye brow routine consists of threadings every few weeks, but lately I have found I'm constantly wishing for a fuller brow.   My little  sister went from pin thin brows to full, Bambi Northwood-Blyth beauties.  "Just don't touch them," she instructed me a few months ago. Ha!  So much easier said than  done.   The diagram above shows just how much brows can define a person.  And below are some of my favorite brows of all time.   This post has inspired me to take a trip to my local Sephora and get brow pencil and gel - and hopefully the restraint from plucking for some fuller brows.

Best in Brows

Camilla

Brooke

Bambi

Audrey

The Art of Packing

It is officially vacation time in the midwest.  Schools are having spring breaks and us working-folk who can no longer stand the leaf-less trees and brown grass are setting off to tropical locals.   My little seestore (that's my version of sister) jet off to Cabo last Saturday and managed a feat I've only dreamed of - packing *just* a carry-on.  For a week long vacation!  I was impressed.  It got me to thinking about my own upcoming trip - could I possibly pack just a tiny little carry-on?
I'm not so sure, but I've had a bit of an infatuation with suitcases for a while.  I love traveling, and the idea that your most important belongings are all packed away, organized neatly in a little satchel is actually a fun process for me.  And that being said, I've never been one of those people who could pack the night before.  No way.  It's a pretty drawn out process and below are some of my own tips for packing the perfect suitcase.

• Make Lists - I break it down by what outfits I'll wear on what days.  This gives me an idea of how much I actually need to bring and is a good way to avoid over-packing.  
• Choose Versatile Pieces - A good pair of jeans/shorts, a simple cardigan, and great sandals are all pieces I know I'll wear more than once on a trip.
• Travel Size Beauty Products - I always get shampoo & conditioner, face wash, tooth paste, and body lotion in travel sized forms.  That way I can just toss them when I'm ready to head home.  Same goes for disposable razors and toothbrushes.
• Cheap & Chic Jewelry - I have a little pouch I keep full of "basic baubles".  There's  a big gold cuff, some sparkly hoops, simple faux diamond studs, and a long, layer-able necklace that I always bring w/ me when I travel.  I keep my good (aka valuable) stuff at home where it's safe & sound.
• Two Pairs of Shoes Limit -  This is my toughest rule to follow.  I only allow myself to pack two pairs of shoes (in addition to the pair I'm wearing.  But it's such a space saver.  Shoes take up lots of space and often times you're going to be wearing one pair the most. 
• Make Use of Your Purse -  I always travel with a huge purse. You need space for passports, reading material, wallets, and other essentials - and it's nice to be able to grab that item you "almost forgot" and simply stuff it in your bag as opposed to re-arranging your suitcase. 
• Re-Pack Beauty Products - If you're anything like me, your makeup bag is full of products, but you only use a third of them on a regular day.  When I travel, I like to take just the basics and put them in a smaller cosmetic case.