Decisions Decisions

I'm way overdue for a new iPhone case. I've dropped it countless times (I'm actually surprised the screen isn't shattered yet, knock on wood) let's just say that the cute turquoise and white stripped Kate Spade case has seen better days. I've been eying a couple new prospects and I'm stumped which one to choose!  

I've had my eye on this one for quite a while. Kate has done such a great job protecting my phone that I'm hesitant to make the switch. Plus it's chevron, enough said. 

...but I'm loving this Tory Burch case! Navy is always my go-to color and the lizard print is a great touch.

 I'm a recent (but huge!) fan of Nico and Lala and I'm loving this case, you can never go wrong with a monogram!

Then I came across this adorable C.Wonder case. I've always been a fan of the pink and orange color combination and the ikat print just makes it all the more desirable!

...this is going to be a tough call!

Back to the Grind

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Not only was it rainy (it's about time we had a rainy day or two!) but I did absolutely nothing. During the week, my schedule is pretty busy and I don't get a whole lot of down time so having nothing scheduled for two days felt pretty great. I went on a long walk (before the rain), joined the Austin Rowing Club (something I've been wanting to for a while!) and went to the Farmer's Market (ate the best breakfast taco!). 

Although tomorrow marks the most dreaded day of the week, I decided to take a more positive route. Today will be great. 

I have so much to look forward to this upcoming week and Mondays will always be Mondays, so why not make the best of it!

What's not to love?

Last year, I decided to change my bedroom color scheme from pink and green to navy and turquoise. I lived in this itty-bitty room last year (9x10 feet, yikes!) and had to really think creatively if I wanted a bed, desk, nightstand and a bookcase to all fit. To help make my room bigger, my mom gave me the idea that having a big mirror would help open the room up (and what a difference it made!). Then came time to pick my duvet cover. I decided to go with a white and single navy stripe hotel-style cover, that way the white would somewhat help the room look a little bigger. I was then able to dress it up with pops of turquoise and navy pillows! I absolutely love, love, love this color scheme!

My current bed spread

...but I wouldn't mind upgrading to this duvet cover! So cute!

West Elm's Butler Tray Table

I had so much fun designing my first studio apartment this past summer since I love making small spaces work. (That's when the creativity kicks in!) I had to get rid of a lot before coming here because small and cluttered is not a good combination for me. One of my favorite pieces was West Elm's Butler Tray Table. I had been eying it every since I found out I would be moving to Austin back in May.
At first, I thought the mirrored or white tray would be a good choice since it would go with a lot more if I ever decided to change my apartment color scheme (...let's be real, my love for navy and turquoise is never going to fade!). After arriving in Austin, my mom and I went to check them out in their downtown store. Then I saw they offered a tray in turquoise and I was sold! 

How cute is Jonathan Adler's Navy Zebra Dish?! 

Perfect place for my keys! 

Word to the Wise

Tonight, I attended a Google Hangout Panel with Kate White (former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan),  Stephanie Kaplan (co-founder and editor-in-chief of Her Campus), Barby Siegal (CEO of Zeno Group), Carly Heitlinger (blogger of The College Prepster...beyond excited that she was there!!) and Dan Schawbel (founder of Millenial Branding). Stephanie was the moderator of this 45-minute session and asked a series of questions to each of the panelists including interviewing tips, how to be successful during your first job and the balancing act of work and time to yourself.

I loved listening to their advice about work dress codes. No matter how casual it is, always dress to impress. Before starting my first day of work, my mom told me to always dress my best because it gives off a more professional vibe. (Moms seriously always know best!) I work in a more casual environment but I always try to look my best and I have fun with it (nothing wrong with standing out!). Plus, it gives me the confidence I need to succeed. 

I also enjoyed listening to their advice about making time for yourself either after work or on the weekends. I'm the type of person that definitely needs some "me time" after work to either go to the gym, paint my nails or catch up on my favorite blogs. I even love taking advantage of this during my lunch break. Today for example, I went outside (the cooler weather is finally kicking in down here, even if it is still 90 degress...) and started my new book, The Fault in Our Stars. I was able to get lost in a story and totally forget about everything work/stress related. (Then went back to my desk and accomplished so much!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this experience and I hope to attend another one in the very near future!

C. Wonder Flash Sale

For all you C. Wonder Facebook fans, luck arrived a day early! When I saw the Flash Sale on their Facebook page, I just had to take a peak at what was being offered. I immediately added the Geo Tile Cropped Pant for $98.00 $29.99 to my shopping cart (what a steal!) as well as these Bamboo Embossed Small Hoop Earrings for $28.00 $5.99. I had been searching for a new pair of pants to wear to work for some time now and this was the perfect sign (...and I couldn't pass up opportunity to purchase cute earrings!). This sale was exclusively for Facebook fans a full 24 hours before the rest of the world was able to see all it's glory. There are definitely some great finds!

I was this close to splurging on the City Bike in navy! 

Nico and Lala

My love for monograms is undeniable so when I stumbled upon Nico and Lala, I couldn't resist. I justified purchasing their lucite Anchor Catch All to give my desk at work a little color. It's the perfect size to hold both my keys and I.D. badge. I also love the rope and anchor detail, it brings just the right amount of prep into my office area! The lucite look definitely helps my desk look clean and uncluttered (a total plus for a neat freak like me). 

I'm temped to buy their "swanky stationary" in the aztec print next!

Mackenzie Horan's monogrammed acrylic pencil cup is another desktop must have!

Namaste, Y'all

My mom had been telling me for quite some time that a "surprise" package was coming my way and hinting that it had something to do with yoga. I was anxiously awaiting it's arrival and it was finally delivered today! I had a feeling it was going to be a monogrammed mat but she went two steps further and included a monogrammed towel and makeup bag! I absolutely LOVE them!! (If you haven't already guessed, I have a weakness for monograms.) 

A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends took me to Wanderlust, a yoga studio across the street from my apartment. My first (and what I assumed would be my last) experience with yoga was about two years ago when my rowing coach thought P90X yoga would be a great substitute from our typical winter erging practices. (Oh yeah, did I mention this took place at six in the morning?!) I left that practice characterizing yoga as "slow pain". Anyways, I decided to give yoga another chance (little did I know that my friend was bringing me to a hot yoga class..). I was dripping with sweat within the first fifteen minutes and I kid you not when I say that my yoga mat became my personal slip n' slide. (Also, I have no upper arm strength whatsoever so my arms were also on fire!) Even though it was tough, I left the class feeling like I got a great workout in but I was incredibly sore the next day (and the day after that), signs that I was doing something right!

Now that I have these cute yoga accessories it looks like I'm going to have to go back and give yoga a third chance. (Although I think I should start with a beginners class!) 

Loving the navy and turquoise, my absolute favorite colors!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

M

Business Casual

I love putting together different outfits for work. I start with the necklace, (usually my statement piece) and then I piece the rest together. One of my favorite necklaces to work with is my J. Crew Factory Cameo Chandelier Necklace. The navy and silver are a great color combo plus this piece helps dress up any outfit! I like pairing it with my white pencil skirt and my chambray top. I also love putting it with my navy oxford shirt or my white cami/navy cardigan combo.

Now on to the finishing touches. I'm more of a silver jewelry type of girl but C. Wonder's Vintage Twist List Bracelet and their Forget Me Knot Stud Earrings are just too cute (they would definitely help bring out the gold aspect in the necklace). To incorporate the silver/gold jewelry combo, I absolutely love topping it off with my J. Crew Collection Janey Snakeskin Flats! They're super comfy plus they have a little bit of a heel to give more of a professional look.

The J. Crew Tartine Satchel is definitely on my short wish list!

'til next time!

xoxo

M

Prep-tacular

Last week, I submitted two pictures to the #GetPrepped Instagram Challenge sponsored by C.Wonder. I was a little late to catch on (and missed the monogram challenge!!) but I was able to submit pictures for the last two challenges. Challenge #8 asked the C.Wonder followers to show off our navy favorites. I thought it was meant to be, I mean my two favorite colors are navy and turquoise (not to mention navy is ALL over my new apartment!). I decided to make a collage of my bed set, my C.Wonder navy dishes and lastly, my navy C.Wonder oxford shirt. (I also decided to have my navy ironwork trellis runner in the background as well as a touch of Essie's "Bobbing for Baubles" nail color.) The winning post (that is randomly selected) won these cute suede driving mocs in sterling -- I'm still tempted to buy them, they look super comfy! 

(Challenge #8- Show Off Your Navy Favorites)

(Challenge #9- Show Off Your Preppiest Outfit)

The last challenge asked us to show off our preppiest outfit. Luckily, I had put together my favorite turquoise/leopard combo for work that day. I love incorporating my leopard flats and matching belt into different outfits. I thought they would add an extra something to my white oxford/turquoise crop pants outfit. I paired my C.Wonder tortoise chain and monogram (obviously!) necklaces to top it off! Unfortunately, I was not the winner of the $500 C.Wonder store credit but the person who did win liked my post! 

Overall, I was a lot of fun pairing preppy outfits and accessories, I hope they have another challenge like it soon!

From Boston to Austin

(Cute Esty Heart Map)

In July, I drove 30+ hours from my old home in Boston to my new home in Austin. My mom, brother and I packed up my brother's car (can you believe we were able to fit a desk, headboard and not to mention ALL of my clothes?!) and headed out, crossing eight states. After four days of driving, we finally arrived to my new city. I have to admit I was a little unsure after seeing the infinite amount of bumper stickers that read "Keep Austin Weird" and not to mention all the hippies walking around. I was definitely out of my preppy New England element. 

I decided to give Austin a chance and after a week I realized how amazing it was! The food is UNREAL! There are so many authentic restaurants and food trucks, I have to retrain myself. Then there's the people watching. (I kid you not, this is the best city for it.) You'll see a politician one minute and a hippie the next, it's quite entertaining if you ask me. I've also discovered that Austin is a huge melting pot; you rarely come across a native Austonian but always find "Newstins" (a.k.a new Austonians). 

Two months later, it seems like I've been getting the hang of things and loving every second of my post-grad life in hot, hot Texas!