stoned

a growing trend i am loving - anything marble! 

from your home decor to your daily gadgets, they are all getting the lovely veining every marble has. here are my picks : 

SHOP FOR THEM HERE
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stay strong! 

it's almost the weekend! 

monday mantra

it's monday and naturally, i just can't.

i hope you're having a good one!

autumn favorites

hello fall! 

here's hoping we have gorgeous weather this weekend! 

here are a few links you need to checkout this weekend : 

1 / what's your purpose in life?

2 / backyard entertaining ideas

3 / over 60 best looks from olivia palermo

4 / cool adult halloween costume ideas

5 / retail store secrets you need to know

6 / fall fashion lessons from j.crew

7 / my fall wishlist - a great coat, this top, a cozy sweater and this gold flats

just a few great reads to start your weekend! have a good one friends! 

here and there favorites

happy friday! 

it's been awhile since i penned a favorites post. i've got a good mix so i hope you'll enjoy checking them out. we've been waking up to an early morning cooler breeze so there's a bit of a fall season weather tease right here. i'm hoping it will be way cooler this weekend. we had heavy rains earlier this week which i think brought about this gentle breeze we feel early morning. 

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check out my fave links lately : 

HOME / cindy's private island retreat 

TRAVEL / strolling paris

INSTAGRAM / IG cardinal rules

FASHION / favorite fall sweaters - 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. all under $ 100!

SHOES / custom made-to-order blahniks

LOOK / coat and bag perfection

PARTY / darling ice cream-themed birthday party

SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY! 

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life lately

i promise i didn't abandon this blog. reality life took over and ultimately that's my priority. the summer has been an absolute blast for us and the last few days was kinda hectic. i got aston ready for 3rd grade. we shopped for school supplies and completed yearly checkups. we also took a few last minute trips to close out summer. i'll share some of our pics below. 

this week is his first week back at school. everyday he's been excited to share details about his new friends, classroom and teacher. i am optimistic that this will be another great year for him. today is day 2 and we still got new routines to get used to. i am back to my carpool duties and early wakeup call as well.

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scenes from our last two trips this past summer, destin and chicago. just a brief change of scenery for us before school officially started! 

i'm hoping to keep this blog rolling more as i settle back into our routine. in the meantime, i'm still busy in IG, if you care to scroll. thanks and have a great day! 

modern bohemia

there's a new sought after line of dresses and blouses from ukrainian designer Vyshyvanka by vita kin. i call them modern bohemia but they're really the designer's salute to folklore slavik and ukranian inspiration showcasing beautiful bell-sleeved silhouettes, intricate embroidery and darling tassels. the line is hard to find but will be in big fashion online retail stores net-a-porter (this is available) and matches may restock soon. they sell out quick and fast. stalk the designer's instagram, where she updates latest styles and designs. they frequently post where the line is currently available to buy! 

all photos via vita kin's IG

the boss says so

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i wish he'd say that and without a blink, i'd be out of here. 

the weekend seems to pass by so quickly without hesitation. and before you know it, monday is here in a fast and furious manner. sorry to have been missing in action for a few days. my husband decided last minute to book a trip to chicago for our last summer trip before school starts. tuesday night i was still searching and probing reasonable airfare rates for a thursday flight to the windy city. 

this is also the last summer week before aston  starts school this coming monday. and just like the weekend, summer came and went quickly. and with NFL preseason on tv last weekend, we're looking forward to fall and the cooler weather! 

so long summer for now. hello monday! 

favorite links

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HAPPY FRIDAY friends! 

i am excited to share some favorites this week - a recipe, lovely soirees and more! 

1 // chicest sportswear soon to launch. it's no lululemon. 

2 // perfect wedding makeup look

3 // your email font does matter.

4 // some of the most beautiful blue spaces.

5 // spectacular summer centerpieces. this dinner party too.

6 // it's never late to host a summer crab boil party

7 // this refreshing cobb salad dip worth a try!

8 // neutral looks we'll love. perfect fall transition looks.

HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL!

monday blues

late sunday night mood : 

 

this monday, i pray that your coffee is strong, black and piping hot to beat the monday blues! 

enjoy the rest of the week!

totes

target has been killing it on the bags and accessories department lately. all summer, they have been spot on. case in point - this oversized reversible tote that's great for travel and even for work everyday. i first spotted it in the store and immediately grabbed the fuschia pink one (reverses to taupe) and took it to our beach trip. it holds everything and travelled well even in the plane. 
it's a very clean and minimal tote but with all the gorgeous colors, it sure is a great workhorse of a bag with a bit of colorful flair. only under $37! you can't beat that! (click pic to shop)

colorful cases

i love these flat cases. and if you're traveling a lot this summer, these are the perfect pouches for your toiletries, cash and jewelry. i love them to keep all your little trinkets together inside a bigger tote. so easy to spot inside too! they come in a set of two flat cases in several gorgeous colors! 

weekend reads

hey ya! 

i'm not going anywhere near a beach but thought i'd share this cool photo with you. summer is still going strong and this is the perfect shot. glad that friday is here but it's just unbelievable that july is halfway over. i can't even think about fall just yet but it's almost here. 

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here's a few fun reads for you : 

1 / wonder how successful start-up businesses started? read it here. 

2 / tips on how to unplug, it's good for the soul. 

3 / i adore this blue and white roundup

4 / a simple yet rustic dinner

5 / latest pretty but practical gear every blogger/vlogger needs

6 / she's my new funny heroine. can't wait to watch her new movie

7 / is this the new pool/beach coverup? i kinda dig it

8 / meet tala, amal's stylish sister. she seem's like the cool one

9 / target lately : a reversible tote (7 delicious colors - no, make it 14 since it's reversible), my every weekend shorts, latest designer collab and the ultimate $25 dupe! 

HAPPY WEEKEND! 

sean synchs

hi guys! i just want to quickly share these hilarious videos of sean hayes and his husband doing various funny lip synch videos. too too good. too funny, no less. enjoy!

love that last one - and chewbacca aka their dog - hahaha!

monday blues

hi all! 

happy monday. i hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. we just got back yesterday from a last minute weekend trip to chicago. it was fast, quick and furious trip and i definitely feel drained and tired. although it was nice to see family and relatives briefly, the flights can be taxing. i may need extra doses and shots of coffee all morning. and possibly another day off :-)

i hope you're monday is a little better as mine!

summer links and faves

summer fridays are the best! 

as much as we'd like to be in vacation mood all summer, we simply can't afford it. we can't take off work that many days and we take advantage of long weekends like we did last week. so fridays get me excited. we make the most out of our weekend. special bonding time with family taking local day trips, eating out or hanging out by the pool. i hope you are having a great summer as we are. 

before heading to the weekend, do check out the following favorite links : 

HOME TOUR //  a gorgeous lakeside home

DRESSES // darling summer dresses : here and here

RECIPES // 8 delicious homemade fruit ice cream recipes. beat the summer heat!

MAKEOVER // bathroom makeover, that is. i am in love with the backsplash tiles!

SHOPPING // nordy's early access anniversary sale, new jewelry obsession (clean, modern & chic), glowing skin must-have and finally, shop for your travel toiletries here!

BLOG LATELY // travel tips & tricks & today's the last day to join our GIVEAWAY

have a great weekend to all! see you back here on monday! 

fun real fun giveaway

welcome back from the long weekend friends! i hope everyone had a fantastic july fourth celebration. i'll share some of our weekend pics tomorrow but today, i have an exciting giveaway for all of you! 

i teamed up with FUN FLOORING by FUN REAL FUN floor coverings, makers of mats and rugs in stylish designs and colors. these mats are 100% machine washable, made of high quality neoprene backing and are all made in America. they come in 3 sizes and can be used indoor and outdoors. the various playful and colorful options make them versatile as well as functional home design accents.

they were so generous to send me one and i can attest to the beautiful realistic design and how firm yet soft they are on the feet. i chose the tiley cyrus (i just love the rugs names!) and fell in love with the vibrant blue color and medallion design. it's perfect right by my bar cart at home!

here are a few of their outstanding designs : 

BLUE COLLECTION

WILD PRINTS

GREEN COLLECTION

and there are so much more designs to choose from on their online shop. i suggest you head over there and pick a design you like because we are giving away one FUN FLOORING mat (23" x 36" sz value $ 48) to a lucky winner! see details below on how to join : 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND THAT'S NOT ALL ~  all our readers will get a 15% off coupon code : SWANKY*CHIC to use until sunday, july 12th! time to go shopping and good luck everyone!



* HUGE THANKS to FUN FLOORING by FUN REAL FUN for this giveaway*

happy 4th!

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HAVE A FUN AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!  
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early july favorites

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are you all excited for the long weekend? i am signing off early to be with family to chill and relax this weekend. not much planned but maybe hit the pool and enjoy the july 4th fireworks on saturday. 

here are a few notable favorites this week : 

• love the vibe of this backyard boho party

• 18 things to note

• chicest july 4th outfit

• practice all the dance moves (!)

• perfect stripes

• winter white house finally sold! 

• some of the best instagram feeds 

• i covet thee : cutest matches (in stripes!), a quilted blue sham, another pretty blue top and i love the new ankle strap espadrilles. 

• lastly, summer drinks recipes to enjoy!

hope you all have a good one! 

in(sta) - spiration

scrolling through my instagram feed makes me happy everytime. i see a ton of inspiration, images that lift my spirits up and seeing bright colors and creative shots bring a huge smile on my face each time. i'm here to share a few of my favorite IG-mmers. 

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// bright colorful feeds //
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BRIGHT BAZAAR

CLASSICALLYQUIRKY

PENCILSHAVINGS

LEMONSTRIPES

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// travel, food, lifestyle feeds  //

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SARA MUELLER

ANDDICTED

THATSOTEE

JAYADORES

i always look forward to seeing images from these IG-mers and my whole feed in general. tell me, who are your favorite IG feeds? do share so i can add them to my subscription! 

have a great week ahead friends!