Pattern Play

[sweater: jcrew // pants: jcrew // kicks: valentino // baubles: jcrew, michael kors, stella & dot // sunnies: prada]

I am a sucker for a good pattern...and an embellished sweater.  Plus, I love any excuse to rock these shoes.  And last week, I had the perfect excuse at Carolina Style Mag's 25 Most Stylish People in the Triangle Nominee Cocktail Party.

Another added bonus is JCrew is having 20% off all women's apparel with Promo Code 'LOOK20'

{love you}

Today I'm honored to be a part of Jessica's {love you} series over on her blog, DahliaLynn.  I've been following her blog for awhile and think that Jessica's perspective, sense of style, and voice are impeccable.  Clearly I have a girl crush.  I'm also a big believer in putting love out in the universe, but I don't think that we do it enough for ourselves.  The concept of the {love you} series is fantastic.  I hope you enjoy my post and that you continue to follow Jessica.  She kinda rocks afterall.

[via]

Hope you & yours have a lovely weekend!

Fourth Love

[top: Fourth Love (c/o) // pants: vince camuto (similar) // kicks: tieks // baubles: jcrew, stella & dot (here and here), michael kors // sunnies: prada]

I have a not-so shameful secret - I still wear some of my maternity clothing.  It's something that I probably should be more concerned with, but honestly, the fabrics are so soft and comfy and there's the right amount of give for the days that I'm not feelin' it.  

A line that I would have loved to be on the scene when I was pregnant is Fourth Love.  Susan hit the nail on the head when she created a line that provides women with effortlessly chic, high quality items.  Feeling like you are put together in clothes that make you feel great is tough when you are pregnant, but Fourth Love accomplishes all of that and more.

Another plus is when chasing after a little one, it's good to have something that moves so well.

And yes, this running thing is happening and yes, that is a baby mullet Peanut is rocking.

*Product was provided by Fourth Love, opinions therein are my own**

inner chanel

[dress: BR (similar) // trench: BR (similar) // kicks: Christian Louboutin // baubles: JCrew (here and here), Tiffany & Co (here and here), Michael Kors // sunnies: Prada]

Maybe it's because I'm coming off of reading Z: A novel of Zelda Fitzgerald and I'm day dreaming of Zelda's days in Paris with Coco Chanel or maybe it's because tweed and pearls just screams Coco herself.  But whatever the reason, this outfit makes me feel very Chanel. Along with the tweed, the pop of color made my day.

i am your quiet place you are my wild

On the tail end of Mother's Day weekend, I wanted to share our one(ish) year photos.

I'm seriously in love with all of them.  A special thanks to our dear friend, Katie, who continues to amaze me with her ability to capture our peanut as he grows.  

mothers

I've always been thankful of my mother, not that I always have shown it properly (reference ages 12-19).  Nothing has made me more appreciative, in awe, thankful, and amazed by my own mother than becoming a mother myself.  It's true what they say, being a parent is tough.  It's a thankless job full of ups and downs, lots of sleepless nights, and moments where you feel like you are flailing.  But this love, is such an impossible and wonderful love.  So this weekend, I hope that you give your mothers extra hugs, kisses, and thanks and enjoy the weekend!

Hope you & yours have a lovely weekend!

Facing Facts

Here's the truth about my complexion, it's very persnickity.  As in I blink wrong and it decides to have a full-on chernobyl melt-down.  This feeling is nothing new to me; I've battled with acne since I was in high school.  I've tried everything from antibiotics, to prescription face cremes, to even accutane to get my persistent issues under control.  In college, I became a devotee of the Proactiv line and armed with that and birth control, I've been able to keep my breakouts in check.  Proactiv treated me well in my teens and 20s, but now that I've entered a new decade my skincare needs have changed a little and I've found Proactiv to be too drying for my skin type, but I still needed some blemish control support (Seriously, adult acne. You've gotta be kidding me?!).  About the time I started looking into new skin lines, Rodan and Fields popped onto my radar.  With a discussion with one of their consultants and friend of mine, Laura, I went online, took their skin assessment and the program Unblemish was recommended for me.

Here's the deal, it's a four step system that you use everyday, twice a day, that contains a face wash, a toner (either a spot fader or a clarifying toner), a lotion that targets acne, and an everyday lotion to nourish your skin.

The Look: The packaging is great; it's clean, simple, and concise.  It's easy to figure out which step is which, and has a feeling of higher-end.

The Feel: All of the products look and feel substantial and high-end.  Not too drying and maintained my skin well, as well as fought off break-outs (the minimal that occurred).

The Verdict:  I've been using the line for 60 days now and I have to say that I couldn't be happier with the results.  Not only has it kept my skin happy and healthy with no breakouts, but my skin feels supple, soft, and moisturized.  It's definitely skincare for grown-ups and I'm definitely going to continue using it.

Some Tips:

• I always use face cleaning wipes before I wash my face to remove all makeup and allow the products to have a clean palette so they can work on the skin itself and not having to breakdown the make-up on the top of my skin.
• I also use a Clarisonic Mia once a day with the sensitive skin cleaning brush head.  With the Clarisonic brush, you have to find the right frequency for you, but I highly recommend it.  The use of this brush allows your skin to absorb product so much better, as well as sloughs off skin for you.  It's instant glow-inducing.
• The first step in Unblemish is a multi-tasker.  The sulfur wash can be used as a face wash, a clarifying mask, or a spot treatment.    

If you are interested in trying a new skincare line or have been curious about Rodan and Fields, there are other lines that might be better suited to your needs and skin type.

Please check out Laura's website, take the skin assessment, and check it out for yourself!

*Note that this review and experience is based on my personal experience.  I am not a medical professional.
**Product was provided for review.  Opinions herein are my own and based on my personal experience with Rodan and Fields.