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!

travel log

we had a back to back weekend trip last week. two weeks ago we took a quick trip to chicago for my husband's conference and then another one in las vegas last weekend. they were both quick short trips but we were able to make the most out of them. in chicago, we briefly visited with my sister and sister-in-law and had a really nice dinner with them. the weather was nice and cool and not as humid as texas. we got lucky as it quickly rained the day we flew back to houston. 

chicago july 2015

we flew back last monday from las vegas. when ben  had to go to his meeting, aston and i window shopped and hung out at the pool. we didn't last long outside as it was so hot. clearly, i am still recuperating from those trips but it's great to be back home and be around this time for the weekend. we have yet another busy one ahead of us. we've got 2 summer birthday parties to go and aston can't wait to see his friends again! 

if you want to follow along our summer adventures, come check out my IG!

las vegas july 2015

happy weekend!  

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! 

weekend lookbook

happy tuesday friends! 

we had a fantastic long weekend to celebrate july 4th. we didn't have grand plans but we drove to nearby hill country to relax and unwind for the long weekend. here are a few pics :

dressing comfortably and getting ready for the 3 hour drive
new balance sneakers // tote bag // chambray top

 

to get an early head start, we took off as soon as we get off work on thursday. we enjoyed a nightcap at our resort's lobby lounge right after we checked in - here i am savoring every bit of my blood orange margarita. 

friday was spent all day at the pool and the lazy river pool. i slathered on my spf and truly relaxed the whole day. 

these boys did nothing but hung out at the pool. aston  met a few new friends while ben  and i sipped mojitos and pina colada under the sun. 

my weekend gear was all about comfort and ease. i lived in my casual denim cutoffs, soft blouses and sandals. safe to say, that's my summer uniform.

tunic // shorts // sandals

we ate a little, drank a little. 

we had a great time that when sunday rolled around, it was hard to drive back home. it was nice to getaway even for a short time. 

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LASTLY, don't forget to check out our giveaway with FUN FLOORING. 

details on how to join here!

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! 

july 4th outfit

shop more outfit options here :

----- WEEKEND SALES -----

GIGI NEW YORK 25% off summer sale & up to 50% wallet sale

LOFT 50% off maxis, cardigans, tees, tanks & shorts. extra 40% off sale styles

OLD NAVY up to 60% of entire store

ANTHROPOLOGIE up to 50% of summer tag sale

NET-A-PORTER clearance is good. very good. 

NEIMAN MARCUS take extra 40% off already reduced sale items

HAVE A FUN WEEKEND TO ALL! 

~ affiliate links

best beach coverups

i love a great coverup that you can wear all throughout summer whether by the beach or poolside. a coverup that's chic and comfy easy that can take you seaside then indoors for a quick meal or so. i've gathered a few favorites here (directly click images for link). now, let's go to the beach!

and there's more for every budget :

~ affiliate links

weekend report

i hope everyone had a great weekend! 

it was a packed weekend for us - we went to two birthday celebrations, a movie marathon and treating the dads for father's day!  it certainly was a fantastic weekend. weather has been a little better - less rain but lots of clouds. yesterday was officially the first day of summer and yes, the heat does indicate it so. 

i've got our weekend photo album report below. tons of color, lots of balloons and bright sunshine! how was your weekend? 

happy monday friends! 

weekend reading

source

what are your big plans this weekend? last week thursday we had a chicago trip planned coinciding with my husband's conference but we had to cancel since our flight was initially delayed then eventually cancelled with no available early flight to take except saturday - the last day of his conference! it was pointless to go so we decided to scrap the whole thing and stayed home instead. threats of bad weather were all over the news so we responsibly cancelled everything. we then prepared for the oncoming tropical storm that headed our way so we were glad we stayed behind. 

so this weekend we are just as excited to be home and celebrate a few birthdays and most of all, father's day. it will be a busy weekend for sure and if you'd like to come along with me and my adventures, follow me on IG @swankychicfete !  

before we officially kickoff the weekend, let me share a few reading playlist for you : 

1 /  a few new cool blogs to check out

2 / i've missed a few episodes but i think this will be a new exciting HGTV show

3 / makeup : summer blush tips & tricks from the pro

4 / the easy tutorial of my go-to everyday hairstyle 

5 / a great value set from my newest favorite product brand. this is just as good too!

6 / i need to take out my bike more this summer. here's why. 

7 / audrey's rules for healthy living (and it includes potatoes!).

8 / molly's gorgeous home. endless swooning. 

9 / makes me want to have summer dinner parties every night. 

10 / our favorite twins can do no wrong. 

SHOP THE SALES 

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JCREW code : GOSHOPPING take 30% off full priced & 40% off sale items

GAP code : MORE up to 40% off till saturday 

LOFT 40 % off everything

SAKS up to 60% off designer sale

NEIMAN MARCUS up to 55% off summer sale

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HAPPY WEEKEND GUYS! 

pool party mood

CURRENT MOOD : BEACH/POOL PARTY

it's the season to be out more, enjoying the sun and water. gather your friends, sip some frozen margaritas and live a little this summer. a few inspiration to get you going beachside or poolside. click the pics directly for links. and see down for more. 

SHOP the post here 

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~ affiliate links

summer faves

shop our summer favorites here

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~ affiliate links

summer mode

photo via

school is almost out and summer is officially here! 

i've got anything and everything summer in the blog today, do check out the links below : 

• top 20 bikinis

• road trip essentials

• destination : florida

• popular summer soiree theme : flamingos

• B&W summer classics

• summer style under $50 and top white sandals

• need and want asap

• sun safety kit

• sunscreen products for one and all

although we are still getting more rain and clouds in our area, there is no stopping summer. follow me in IG (@swankychicfete) in case you still don't! 

summer essentials $ 50 and under

hello summer!

shop summer's budget essentials :
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~ affiliate links

summer whites

i have been wearing white way before memorial day weekend and i won't apologize for it :-)

and of course, i love my white summer shoes repertoire.

shop for more here
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~ affiliate links

summer beauty edit

SUMMER BEAUTY CHECKLIST

CLEANSE

purity made simple cleanser - does not leave skin over dry
ole henricksen cleansing cloths - great to remove makeup on the go
simple micellar water - a more inexpensive & accessible version of the bioderma

TONE TREAT MOISTURIZE

nuxe toning lotion - very gentle and smells like roses
paula's choice 5% benzoyl peroxide - the only lotion that only controls my hormonal breakout
algenist eye balm - very hydrating under the eye and also helps with puffiness
sunday riley good genes - i alternate this with my benzoyl peroxide treatment to treat and brighten skin
embryolisse lait creme - a great moisturizer especially during the drier winter months. it's thick yet sinks in the skin quickly and even the husband loves it!
elta md sunscreen SPF 46 - my favorite sunscreen that's very light and has great skin protecting properties

PREP & PRIME

urban decay concealer - a new favorite in the concealer game. a full coverage yet lightweight concealer
smashbox primer water - a refreshing way to prepare and moisturize skin before makeup
beauty blender - one of my favorite tools for a flawless finish
first aid beauty eye duty triple remedy - an eye cream that i also use as a brightener/concealer

BRONZE & BRIGHTEN

anastasia contour kit - the perfect palette to bronze and contour
hourglass ambient powder palette - the only powder trio you need. obsessed with it.
becca shimmering skin perfector - gives the skin a natural healthy glow without overdoing it

COLOR

chanel cream blush - a long lasting cream blush that just melts in the skin
dior lip glow - a lip balm that creates your own unique color plus it's got SPF 10
tom ford eye and cheek - ok, i've included this here because i am lusting over it. possibly the only palette-on-the-go you need for when you're traveling!
benefit roller lash mascara - no need to curl your lashes with this mascara. love it!

do share your summer beauty favorites!

weekend reading

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friends, enjoy these links this weekend : 

• an engagement looming in the air for you? check out these creative engagement announcements. 

• feeling a spring garden project soon? try this diy tripod planter.

• bookmark this if you're heading to paris in the near future. 

• the perfect ice cream macarons for your summer soiree! and you can do it yourself! 

• obsessed with this look - me thinks i need a kimono for light layering this season

• need to copy this fresh look using peaches and pink shades perfect for spring and summer

• best healthy smoothie recipes out there - yum!

what are you up to this weekend? 

staycation

we have one last week of summer before school starts and i will surely miss lazy days hanging out with my buddy. but i do know he misses school and have fun new adventures with his classmates.

so with the last few days of summer, we took advantage of it and checked-in at the modern hotel sorella for a little staycation treat this past weekend. the convenient location was perfect to stroll and window shop around as well as pick over a great restaurant list to dine in. i just wished the weather was cooler. 

some of the images from our weekend via my instagram (@swankychicfete)

friday it is!

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this has been a whirlwind summer and somehow i secretly refuse to let our little boy go to second grade (!!). everything is going so fast, so soon. one more blink and he's already a teenager! it is crazy insane - he was just a baby a minute ago! 

but first of all, we've got to say goodbye to this long hot summer. we've had fun but i think we are ready for routine school schedule and refocus on schoolwork. we can't wait to meet aston's new teacher and classmates. and i can't wait to go back to my own routine with work and carpool daily. 

so before sending you off to the glorious weekend, i'd like to feature one of my favorite blogs, katherine's feather factor - specifically her blog movie wardrobe recap. this is where she dissects the movie's lead actress' wardrobe from her clothes, bags, jewelry. sometimes i don't pay attention to these details while watching the movie and it's great to look back and admire the amazing styling that's perfect to their characters. here are some of my favorites : 

gwyneth paltrow in A Perfect Murder

cate blanchett in Blue Jasmine

rachel mcadams in Midnight In Paris

renee russo in The Thomas Crown Affair

jennifer aniston in The BreakUp

and while you're in katherine's blog, do check out her fabulous vacation travel blog posts as well! 

life is a beach

HAPPY AUGUST y'all! 

i hope you all are enjoying the last few days of summer. it is so hard to believe it is almost over.

time flies when you are having fun, that's for sure. 

oh, and this is my current state of mind.........

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HAPPY WEEKEND friends!