tank / jeans / shoes / tassel DIY / gold necklace / bag (similar)

This week Mellie, Annmarie, and myself took a day trip to Ann Arbor to reunite since school got out. While exploring the downtown district, we found Graffiti Alley  and I just knew it was the perfect backdrop to shoot outfit pics. I have been loving this tank since I picked it up before my last vacation. It's light and breezy, yet the crocheted/lace detailing on it keeps it a fav in my closet. Paired with jeans, a tassel necklace, and some birks, I was ready for the town. 

Do you have a graffiti alley nearby?

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LMJ

Trending now: Tassels

Wherever you go this summer, you're sure to see these bad boys all over town. I don't know exactly what it is about tassels, but they are popping up everywhere right now. My obsession over them is nothing short of compulsive, but I have been donning these tassels every chance that I get. The glass beads on the bracelets are the perfect amounts of class, yet the tassels themselves are a fun and whimsical element that is certainly not expected. While prices for these fun pieces can be well over a $20-40 price range, I actually made all of the above + more for maybe $15 out of my own pocket (though I did have some gift cards and 400 craft store coupons sitting in our coupon drawer). To make some yourself, use yepitsprep's diy guide.

If you simply cannot stand to do it yourself, then here are some other great tassel options:

Are you a fan of the tassel trend?

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LMJ

Mas Agua Por Favor

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It's heating up outside and the season for being active is on our heels. As exciting as it is to be free to run around and soak up the sun, sometimes remembering to stay hydrated is put on the back-burner. To help fight dehydration this summer, I'm sharing my best tips for consuming enough water plus some simple ways to spice up your agua. Happy hydration!

tips:

Drink 8oz as soon as you wake up - through the night, your body has used up extra water and is in need of hydration to start functioning again (drinking cold water in the AM will also help with alertness).

Carry a water bottle around with you so that you never have an excuse not to drink water. It's easier to be out and quickly pick up a small bottle of pop, but the sugar in it won't hydrate you the way water will. (and who says water bottles can't be treated like accessories? this one is fab.)

Eat spicier foods if you can handle the heat. Having something hot with your meals will leave you running (maybe literally) for a glass of water. Isn't that a sneaky way to get more water in your day?

Eating water rich foods will also keep you hydrated. Foods such as melon, cucumber, or celery are packed with water, so while you're not exactly drinking your H2O, you're still getting it!

Make a water goal that you want to hit every day and treat it like a competition with yourself. This year I made a goal to drink 128 oz (that's one gallon!!) each day. It was super easy when my bottle was 64oz and I just knew I had to refill it completely 4 times. Moral is: create a goal that works for you and challenge yourself to stick to it.

jazz it up:

Add some lemon - it's simple, it's understated, but man does it make the difference. Adding a few slices of lemon or squeezing some lemon juice into your water gives your water some flavor, plus the lemons are great for aiding digestion and cleansing your system of toxins! 

Watermelon and mint are also great twists on water. The watermelon will add a fruity flare while the mint will keep your water refreshing. Not to mention that this drink could help curb your soda cravings if you added some sparkling water instead of tap! 

Lime, orange, and lemon combined are also a fun and citrus-y twist to add to your water. Plus all of that citrus will help give your immune system a boost!

How do you like to add water into your daily routine? 

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LMJ

Monday Musings

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Happy Memorial Day everybody! This Monday Musing's post is going to be short because there is barbecue to be eaten and ice creams to be served (#work). Let's get it rollin', shall we?

Bonfires / Last night I went to my first bonfire of the season at my big's house. It was so nice to see her, especially since I will no longer be seeing her at recruitment workshops this summer. I also got to see my fav Berry, Sarah. Not gonna lie... it's been too long since seeing sisters this summer. 

Parades / I spent my morning at my town's Memorial Day Parade - because there's nothing more patriotic on this day then parades, am I right? It was kind of strange being at the parade as an (almost) 19 year old and fully noticing how grand it actually isn't. But the slurpees were on point, so that's good. 

Blisters / My feet are now being graced with the painful presence of blisters. It's fabulous, really. Wearing my new sandals to walk to the parade this morning probably wasn't my smartest choice, especially since tomorrow is sure to be filled with a decent amount of walking too. And I have to be on my feet all night at work... Okay, definitely not my smartest choice. 

Squad / Tomorrow squad is being reunited and I anticipate it to be nothing short of epic. If I said I wasn't feeling the slightest bit of sadness from not seeing Mellie or Annmarie, I would be lying. 

Cape / Between Pinterest and Tumblr, I have become utterly obsessed with Cape Cod. Like, I need to go. It's a must. Any readers from the Cape? I would love to hear from you and possibly live vicariously through you... 

Change / There's been a lot of change happening in my life and certainly in the lives of some close friends of mind. While some of it is bound to happen and healthy, there's certain change that has broken my heart recently. Whatever the circumstances, I hope everybody who is reading this knows that they are so loved. 

On an uplifting end note: What are y'all doing for Memorial Day? I'd love to know! 

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LMJ

Black + White

 

tee / pants

This is just a quick post of a muted black and white outfit I wore last week! I recently bought this tee at J.Crew and when I laid eyes on it I was in love with the simplicity of it. Paired with a black pair or pixies, this outfit is comfy + put together - the best combo, am I right?

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LMJ

Trending now: Linen shorts

Linen shorts are comfy, breathable, and that pajama feel without the pajama look. I have been completely obsessed with them since I went shopping for my last vacation, and while I was in Florida they were pretty much all I wanted to wear. Not to mention, I had been seeing them pop up around Disney, outlet malls, and restaurants while I was on my trip. Because I love them so much, I've rounded up a selection to share with all of you!

one // two // three // four // five

Which pair is your fav?

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LMJ

Monday Musings

(Can anyone guess the snapchat filter?) 

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you have all had a fabulous week since I've been gone. Are we all ready to hit the ground running this Monday and make a pact for a super productive week? 

Home / Being home is nice. I miss my adventures in the sunshine state entirely too much already for someone home less than 24 hours, but my own bed and sheets were fabulous to sleep on. At least I wasn't sleeping on hotel sheets last week- those are just the worst in my opinion. Anyone else feel the same? 

Sisters / I have come to the point in my summer where I miss my sisters way too much and have decided that I need to see them all soon - especially since I will no longer be seeing them at recruitment workshops because... 

RG / This summer//fall I will be serving my school's Panhellenic community as a Rho Gamma! I am so excited to discover more about myself, my sisters, my Panhellenic community, and recruitment. While I will miss my sisters for my dissociation period, I just know this opportunity will be that of a lifetime! 

Interviews / I have never in my life interviewed more than I have my freshman year of college. That being said, I have another interview today! I have more positive interviewing experiences than I could ever hope for, but the mere mention of going in for one makes my stomach churn... Good vibes please? 

Blogging / After my recent vacation I have felt even more inspired to blog. This is something I truly love doing but something about being surrounded by warmth, palms, and pools has me feeling rejuvenated and ready to crank some posts out. Let's all hope this feeling lasts for a very long time so I can create some great content for you all! 

Cameras / Because I want to take my blog to a new level, I have decided that it's probably high time I invest in a more quality camera. With so many on the market, I am at a loss as to where I should start. If you have suggestions, I would graciously accept them! Many thanks in advance! xx 

That's all for my Monday! I just have one more question to ask: did y'all like having my posts at a regular time last week or do you not mind when they are sporadic? Let me know! 

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LMJ

6 Songs Perfect for Road Trips

A good road trip is nothing without the right soundtrack. I've made plenty mixes in my day, and certain songs definitely stick out more than the rest. Below are six songs I've gathered up that are perfect to add to your playlists- enjoy!

King by Years & Years 

BO$$ by Fifth Harmony 

Lucky Strike by Maroon 5

She Way Out by The 1975

Our Own House by Misterwives 

Riptide by Vance Joy

What songs have you been loving for road trips recently?

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LMJ

Travel + Summer Beauty Essentials

eyes

lips

face

With my upcoming trip to Florida, I thought this post was very appropriate- especially since I know of many friends packing up for their summer travels soon. Plus I just had to show off my new makeup bag! (Unfortunately sold out online, but here's another cute option!)

When it comes to travel (or summer) beauty essentials, I keep my makeup routine very minimal. On a day to day basis, I opt to just fill in my brows (primal + undone from Naked 2 is the perfect combo) and apply a generous coating of mascara to my lashes. 

For outings with friends or evening adventures, I gravitate to a BB cream rather than a heavier foundation and top it off with an oil control powder to set my look. A coral blush with  luminescent undertones is perfect for picking up moonlight and puts some life back into my face. 

Because I play up my brows and lashes most often, a moisturizing lip balm with a hint of shimmer tops off my makeup look on most occasions.

Do you keep your summer makeup minimal too?
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LMJ

Monday Musings

This Monday Musings I'm keeping short because I'm currently on vacation and want to enjoy every moment of it. BUT! That doesn't mean I'm forgetting about all of you guys! A trip recap will be up sometime after I get back hopefully and I'll share all my adventures with you guys next Monday! 

Heating up / It is so much warmer here than it is in my home state of the Mitten... Like wow... Hot. Sometimes I think we forget the difference 10* can make (but then again as soon as it goes from 40* to 50*, everyone's wearing shorts all of a sudden...).

Moss & Palms / Florida is filled with two of the things I aesthetically love the most - moss and palm trees. The picture above is from my last trip, and for whatever reason I just love the way that moss looks when it's hanging off the trees. Is it just me who thinks it's gorgeous?

Mother's Day / I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day yesterday! Did you get your mom something special or take her out to spoil her? Let me know in the comments! Unfortunately I wasn't home to celebrate Mother's Day with my momma, but lots of love was sent her way and I will be celebrating with her when I get back. If you're reading this mom, I love you! 

Years & Years / I recently heard this UK electronic group on the radio and I have to say that I am obsessed. Their song King is sure to be popping up on blog posts here and there since I love it so much! (It's been on replay all week actually... #sorrynotsorry)

Fiji / No... not the place, but the nail polish. Have you ever seen this popular essie shade? It's to die for. A smooth milky pink that is always in season and is super creamy for application? What more could a girl want? Seriously you need this polish 

Vlogs / I've always been obsessed with vlogs for as long as I've been watching YouTube, but I definitely have two favorites. If you ever have time to kill (a.k.a. procrastinating like me) I highly recommend Aspyn Ovard's vlogs or Cambria's. They're so cute and fun and a great segway into questions such as: Why don't I have places to hike? How come I don't live in California? Where is the nearest Trader Joes?

Hope you are all having a fabulous Monday! What are you up to today?

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LMJ

Pack Like A Pro

We all know that packing can be a pain in the butt. As an over packer myself, I know how tricky it can be to pack up and not feel like you're leaving something behind. Since I'm sure I'm not alone in this, I rounded up some of my best packing trips and secrets to share with all of you! Some of these tips may seem obvious, but they can sometimes be overlooked and are always helpful!

My tips: 

1 |  Before you pack, know how many days you'll be on vacation & how many of those days will be devoted to traveling - this will help when it comes time to pack your clothes

2 | A couple of days before you leave, check the weather of your destination so you know what's appropriate to wear 

3 | If you're going on vacation for a week, pack 3 pairs of versatile bottoms - it'll save room in your suitcase (and who doesn't love extra room?)

4 | Bring enough shirts for each day plus one extra - you're mind will probably change while you're on vacation (I know mine always does)

5 | If you're going someplace warm & will need a swim suite, pack at least two (one to wear while the other one is wet)

6 | To keep shoes from getting grime on your clothing, wrap them in a shower cap (easily purchased at a dollar store)

My secrets:

1 | Wear your bulkiest shoes while on your way to your destination - cuts down on suitcase cluttering & opens up room for that extra dress you wanted to pack or for anything you might bring home

2 | Use straws to pack your necklaces. Thread the chains through the straws and clasp them together - this keep tangling from happening and will save you time that could be used to apply another coat of mascara before a night out 

3 | Stuff any shoes in your baggage with things such as socks & underwear - the shoes are taking up space anyways, why not make them work for you? 

4 | To keep leaks from happening, put a small square of plastic wrap over bottle openings and screw the cap back on

5 | Use old contact lens cases to store your liquid foundation/makeup

6 | Wrap your valuables or breakables in your bulkiest items to ensure they don't break 

I hope my tips have helped you in some way! What are some of your packing secrets?

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LMJ

Summer Wish List

bag / camera / water bottle / sandals / necklace / hat

Whether summer break is already here for you or it's quickly approaching, I've rounded up some must have items for you to save up for this summer! For your spontaneous trips, a longchamp is the perfect tote for all your belongings. To capture your memories, a hero is the camera for you (perfect in water too!). Stay hydrated this summer with a stunning bkr bottle, or keep your cool with a cute and functional baseball hat. Add some shine to your simple tanks with a long gemstone necklace, or keep things casual with a pair of classic sandals given a new twist. Whatever you may need this summer, it's all here! 

Happy shopping! 

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LMJ

Giraffeeey

Dress: Lilly x Target // Sun hat: Target // Sandals: local boutique 

Sadly, this is the second and last look from my Lilly x Target haul! Wanna know a little secret? I wasn't originally a fan of this print! I thought the giraffes were a bit too loud for my taste and I pictured it to be an awkward shift. Once I tried it on though, I could see how very wrong I was! The print is actually pretty flattering, and can we talk about the crochet detailing on the back zipper? Absolutely to die for! I think this dress would be great for a fun brunch date with the girls or for a bit of a nicer birthday party! It's definitely a conversation piece- that's for sure!

Are you a fan of the giraffe print?

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LMJ

Monday Musings

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Well, I didn't quite know if I was going to make it this Monday, but here I am! This musings is going to be pretty short, seeing as how not much has been happening since we last met up here!

Driving / I'm not sure if it's the nice spring weather that's got everyone all whacked out, but driving has been horrible lately. I can't count the number of close calls I've had this past week alone and it's so scary. Please think about what you're doing when you're on the road everybody!

Work / In case y'all didn't know, I'm a working girl. This past Thursday, I headed back to my gold ole summer job and it's been a whirlwind to say the least. Getting back into the swing of things took me all of two seconds, and it's been so busy the last few nights. I was so thankful for this day off (of course I spent it doing absolutely nothing).

Sisterly love / With recruitment coming up sooner than you would think, my sorority had its first recruitment workshop the other day! It was great seeing sisters who I haven't seen since last meeting, especially sisters who live over two hours away from me. #seperationprobs

Beauty essentials / Summer always brings me back to makeup basics, and this summer is no exception! I wear little to no makeup since it'll basically melt off anyways, but that doesn't mean I don't put myself together! Keep on the look out for my beauty essentials post! (It will be here sooner than you think)

FL / With basics in mind, I will be packing up this week and heading down south for vacation! I am so excited for yet another Florida getaway and another chance to see the palms (they may just be my favorite tree). Don't worry though- I'm taking you with me! Who's excited?

Packing / With Florida on my mind, that also means that I have to start packing very soon- especially since I have three days left until I leave. I am queen of over packing, packing too soon, and then re-packing hundreds and hundreds of times. This trip my goal is to bring only one bag. Any tips on how to keep it light?

Hope you have all had a fantastic Monday! 

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LMJ