A Not-So-Basic Bikini

Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday! I’m getting a bit of a late start again this week…but this time I really have no excuse. But! At the end of this week (so Friday) I have a HUGE announcement that I cannot wait to share! Eeeeee!! But I’m determined to keep it in until then. So let’s jump right in!

I’m sure some of you may be tired of hearing about my trip to Miami, but honestly, I don’t care because it was fabulous. However, one thing that was not so fabulous was trying to cram all of my clothes into a carry-on. I am a severe over-packer, so even though we were there for just two days, I had trouble deciding what I needed and what I could live without. I mean, I’ve got to have options! One solution to this dilemma? A bikini that you can change every day!

This BeachGal bikini comes with different attachments you can add to shake up your look! Pictured above is the bikini by itself with no attachments, which is a fun, classic look. This is perfect for day one on the beach!

For Day 2, add a fun ruffle to both the top and the bottom- or just one! The attachments snap on quite easily, but hold well enough so you don’t lose a ruffle on the beach- no one wants that.

Looking for a little more bling? This sequin trim is perfect for laying by the pool! Keep in mind that each trim option comes with pieces for both the top and bottom of the bikini. There are also many other colors- black, coral, leopard, and hot pink. I went with Aqua since it matched my floppy hat!

I received this product courtesy of BeachGal Swim in exchange for a review, so I’m going to give my honest opinion. This bikini is very well-made, definitely better quality than the Target swimsuits I own! However, if I were to try it on in the store, I don’t think I would have taken it home with me. The bottoms fit well and have a lot of coverage, but the top did not cover everything the way I would prefer. I’m pretty modest when it comes to swimsuits, and the cut of the top didn’t exactly match my taste. But other than that, I think this is a great concept in swimwear, and is a great option for those of us with Severe Over-Packing Syndrome!

How do you save room in your suitcase? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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DIY- Monogrammed Mortarboard

Hey Cats!

It’s Wednesday! I hope y’all are having a wonderful week, and if not, Friday is in 48 hours, so keep thinking about that. Houston has decided to finally be sunny, which I have been loving after all of these scary floods. Luckily, most of the roads where I live weren’t affected and I was still able to get to work (and Chipotle, thank God), but I know there was a lot of flooding and damage near downtown Houston. But at last the sun is shining, it’s actually worth my time to fix my hair, and it’s finally starting to feel like summer!

As you all know, I recently graduated from college. One thing I had been looking forward to about graduation (for a few years, actually) was decorating the mortarboard. I also knew for quite some time that I wanted to put my monogram on it, because as you all also know, if I can monogram it- I will. On your mortarboard, it’s classic, personal, and even if there are 50 other girls with monogrammed caps, your family can (maybe) still tell which robed figure you are. In the words of my friend Ashley, “either monogram it or leave it blank”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

However, I personally don’t have the best penmanship (I like to describe my handwriting as comparable to that of an 8th grade boy), so I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to do this myself. Ashley had hers embroidered, which I really, REALLY loved and planned to do for probably a year. But, guess who forgot to order her cap and gown until Spring Break (Sometimes I’m not really sure how I made it through college), and wasn’t able to pick it up until three days before graduation? So embroidery was obviously out of the question, and I was forced to get creative.

While scrolling through my Instagram feed, I caught a glimpse of a car decal on Marley Lilly’s account, and I had an epiphany. Buy the decal and stick it on my hat. Minimal effort, maximum effect. However, I was a little concerned as to whether or not the decal would stick to the fabric on my mortarboard. After all, you only get one hat, and I didn’t want to mess it up. So I emailed support at Marley Lilly, asking whether or not they had ever received feedback on using a car decal on a graduation cap. The girl that responded was very nice, and she even gave me a few tips!

I chose the 5 Inch Decal in pink glitter, because go big or go home, obviously. I chose to place it in the back corner, because the button was in the way, and luckily, it fit right in the center of the “M”. It was pretty easy to apply, but I did accidentally rip it, as you can see in the left corner of the “L”. But, it wasn’t too noticeable, and I was still really happy with it! It matched my dress, and my family said they could definitely find me in the crowd… but that could have been because I was struggling to keep the stupid thing on my head as I walked in Note: if you’re graduating soon, please bring bobby pins, no matter how big you think your head is. Because though they claim to be one size fits all, they sure are not. I digress. But seriously, if you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to add a personalized touch to your big day, a decal is the way to go. Marley Lilly has a variety of sizes, fonts, and colors, so you can coordinate to your dress, show some school spirit one last time, or just pick your favorite color! Whatever you decide, just remember that if you don’t monogram it, just leave it blank.

That’s all for meow!

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{Fall}-ing for Monograms- Collaboration with Marley Lilly

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Yay for Thursday and yay for being finished with my test and final paper! I actually just submitted my paper- I finished in the wee hours of the morn, per usual, and I always like to read it over a few times after I’ve gotten a little rest, just to make sure it’s ready to go! I actually didn’t do that the first time I submitted a paper for this course, and just sent it off at 2 a.m., and ended up with an awful typo- a percent sign in the middle of a word. Luckily my professor overlooked that mistake, but now I feel like I have to turn in work that says, “Yes, hi, I am actually a competent student and am capable of producing senior-level, liberal arts-major quality essays”. But I digress.

As with the majority of southern college-aged girls, monograms are a recent obsession I have been treating myself to on the regular (maybe too frequently, but it’s casual. It’s fine.). There’s something very personal about a monogram: it tells people who you are in the simplest of ways, and I love adding that traditional touch to my accessories. In fact, I recently told my sister that “if it’s not black, leopard, or emblazoned with my monogram, I’m not really interested”. So there’s that.

Marley Lilly, the monogram Mecca, recently sent me a few treats that fit perfectly in my fall wardrobe! I was beside myself when I got the package, and have had so much fun wearing my new monograms lately!

I received the Scalloped Luxe Clutch, which I have had my eye on for quite a while (now available in gold and beyond perfect for the holidays), and the Monogrammed Tassel Bracelet, which is a great addition to my stacked wrist.

I wore this outfit to brunch and shopping last weekend with my parents when they were in town for Songfest, and I decided it was my favorite casual fall ensemble (so far). It’s casual and comfortable without being sloppy!

Flannels are another one of my fall faves- they’re so warm and cozy, and can be dressed up (like this) or thrown over a t-shirt and leggings to go to class. True story: all of my flannels are from the men’s section of JcPenney. They’re always on sale and fit a little large, which is how I like them! Also my dad thinks the flannel trend is really awesome, and so he has been known to surprise me with flannels occasionally, which is adorable. I paired it with my puffy vest, jeans, and riding boots, and added the clutch and bracelet to complete the look!

I will definitely be wearing both the bracelet and clutch throughout the season and beyond! If you’re looking for the perfect monogrammed addition to your favorite fall outfit, head over to Marley Lilly for plenty of options!

That’s all for meow!

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*I was provided free samples from Marley Lilly to review, however all opinions are my own!

Monday’s Musings + Cyber Monday at Marley Lilly

Hey Cats!

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! Mine would have been a little better had the Aggies beat LSU, but it was a great time to rest and be with my family! But now I’m back at school with the end in sight! I have a super busy week ahead with a test and final paper due, but I also have my sorority’s semi-formal on Friday, so that will be a great way to end a crazy week!

As we all know, I love clothes and I love to get dressed. Recently, I’ve found myself taking more and more risks with my ensembles, partly because I have more opportunities to wear real clothes, but also because I’m older and don’t really care what others think about what I’m wearing. If I like it, I’m going to wear it. I came across this quote on Pinterest, and it really just sums up my take on style at the moment.

I saw this and I instantly thought, “YES, obviously, this is how I want to live my life”. And then I wore fur to a football game and hot pink lipstick to school.

One way I like to dress like I’m “already  famous” is with fabulous accessories. I’ve been searching high and low for a neutral, crystal statement necklace to add to my single-girl closet, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive this gorgeous piece from Marley Lilly in the mail last week!

 

Necklace c/o Marley Lilly

The best part? Marley Lilly is running a Cyber Monday special where you will receive this statement necklace for free with any $50 purchase- no coupon code required. So head over to Marley Lilly, stock up on monograms for Christmas presents (and yourself, duh), and score this piece to help you dress like you’re already famous. Sounds like a great Monday, doesn’t it?

That’s all for meow!

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Trends I’m Loving- Treat by Shutterfly

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Last Tuesday of summer! Yikes. Obviously I’ll spend it in the best way, watching Pretty Little Liars and eating Ben & Jerry’s. Thanks to my roommates, I have a new favorite flavor- Milk & Cookies- it’s delicious! I’m obviously making the most of my senior year of college by eating ice cream and watching bad TV. Not sorry.

I digress.

I was recently introduced to treat.by Shutterfly, a new website with personalized gifts, cards, and more, and I fell in love with the site and everything it has to offer! I love sending little treats to my friend, especially with a personal touch.

Instead of a birthday card or something a bit more predictable, I decided to send a “welcome home” card to my best friend Kinsey. We’ve been best friends since our freshman year of high school, and we go to school across the state from each other. We usually are able to spend the summer together, but this year I stayed in College Station, and Kinsey went to Europe, stayed in Lubbock, and then traveled around Texas as a camp counselor. So needless to say, we weren’t able to see each other very much, and it was so sad- she’s like my sister! But I was able to write her letters while she was at camp, and she had her phone on the weekends, so we were sort of able to keep each other updated on life.

I had so much fun making this card for Kinsey- I loved picking out my favorite pictures, and even though picking out the layout was hard (so many choices!), I finally found the perfect one!

I love this quote because it sums up our friendship- we’re far apart, but we’re always friends! Also yes, that photo is from our high school cheer days- but it’s one of my favorites!

 

I chose my favorite pictures of us for the inside of the card-you can add captions, but I chose not to. Also, these little squares are the perfect size for Instagram photos, which we have one million of.

I added a personal message on the other side, and on the back! It’s so easy to create special, personalized gifts and cards for your friends and family with >treat, so the next time you want to give something more than the generic grocery store card, head over to treat and make something just for them! It’s always in style to show your friends and family how much you love them!

I was actually able to see Kinsey this past weekend- we were both in Tyler for the last time before school started- and was able to give her the card in person at lunch. She loved it, and we had a great time eating barbecue and macaroons and catching up on what had happened in our lives this summer.

 

Today, I’m linking up with Zelle from A Southern Style, Kristina from Medicine & Manicures, Katie from Champagne & Suitcases, and Amanda from As the Wine Cork Turns for #TrendingTuesday- head over and see what’s trendy this Tuesday!

That’s all for meow!

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*Card c/o >treat.

#ShortGirlProblems

Hey Cats!

I hope everyone is having a good week- halfway through!

Okay, so I’ve been meaning to post this for nearly forever. It’s sad. But I wanted to wait until I’d bought a few things on my shopping list that I thought would pair well with this skirt, and then I wanted to take the pictures on my balcony at home, and then I completely forgot about it until five minutes before I left this weekend, so I frantically threw on the outfit and had my mom snap a couple of pictures. I look a little disheveled, and I’m also not wearing much makeup, so there’s that. But I decided I couldn’t put it off any longer, so here it is!

I was recently contacted by Jane from eShakti to do a product review. I hadn’t heard of eShakti, so I did my research and was so pleased at what I discovered! Not only are their clothes adorable, but they offer customization of size and style on every garment. They have this awesome chart with every size from a 0-36, and (my personal favorite) you can enter your height and specify what length you want your skirt/dress. This is revolutionary for short girls like myself! I’ve always wanted to try a mid-length skirt like the one eShakti sent me, but I could never find one that hit in the right place- they all made me look super stubbs. But when I tried on this skirt, I loved the length, not to mention the bright coral color!

 

Unfortunately, this skirt is no longer on the website, but I love this one and this one. I paired it with my trusty Swiss dot tank from Old Navy (similar), my Kendra Scott Alexandra earrings in chalcedony, and my black wedges from Target for a cute, casual look that’s perfect for lunch with friends! This would also be adorable with a graphic tee and white sneakers for a more trendy look. I’ll definitely be working this skirt into my work and everyday wardrobe!

If you’re like me and have #shortgirlproblems with skirts and dresses, head over to eShakti for a custom fit!

That’s all for meow!

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*This is a sponsored post.

Warby Parker Beacon Collection

Hey Cats!

This week is seriously flying by! But that’s fine by me, we all know I love the weekend. This weekend was supposed to be pretty calm and relaxing, but now my parents are coming into town Friday, I’m babysitting Saturday, and I have to do my homework that I’ve been putting off- yikes! It should be fun though!

Last week, Brian from Warby Parker contacted me about their new Beacon Collection, launching today. I’ve seen Warby Parker frames (and think they’re adorable), and was aware of their “buy a pair, give a pair” program, so I’m so excited to work with them!

The Beacon Collection is inspired those spontaneous nights where having no plans leads to great adventure. I don’t know about you, but throughout college, those have been some of my favorite nights that I’ll remember forever. They’re carefree, casual, and can happen anywhere at anytime. This collection is the same- perfect for anything from a night out to a last-minute road trip with friends.

Here are a few of my favorites!

 

First are the McKee eyeglasses in Whiskey Tortoise. I LOVE the rounded shape of these frames! They would be an interesting yet casual addition to your outfit. They also come in Moonstone, a smoky, clear gray that I also love!

Some of the frames are also available as sunglasses, many of which I have my eye on:

 

Garrett in Blue Slate Fade

 

 

Ingram in Tiger Tortoise

 

And Nancy in Lemon.

So cute, right? Head over to Warby Parker to see the rest of the collection, and to get a pair for yourself!

That’s all for meow!

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Totes Perfect.

Hey Cats!

As I may have mentioned, I’m getting a taste of “big city life” this summer, in the sense that I have a long walk and a bus ride to get to work every morning. At first, I dreaded the trek, but now it’s just part of my everyday routine. The only problem was carrying all of my possessions- my lunch, heels, water bottle, and everything else. It took me a long time to decide which tote bag I wanted, but once I finally did, it changed my life. Well, my commute at least.

 

I chose the Essential Tote from Marley Lilly in navy with a gray monogram. It arrived about an hour before I left for the lake for July 4th, which was a good way to break it in! It’s a great size for a lake tote, which is a bonus since I bought it for work. Every day, I’ll fill it with my lunchbox, my heels (and flats after I change on the bus), my Camelbak, an umbrella if necessary, and as of late, my textbook, notebook, and pencil pouch so I can work on my class on the bus. There’s still room if I ever decide to pack extras, such as gym clothes and shoes, which is a plus.

It’s also incredibly durable. I’ve already spilled water in it (oops), and since it’s lined with plastic, I just wiped it right out! Also I got caught in a torrential downpour on Tuesday that left me completely soaked (still mad), and it held up very well- everything inside was dry, and it didn’t have water stains or become misshapen.

I’m really happy with my tote- not only does it do its job well, but it’s also adorable! If you’re looking for a practical yet personalized tote, head over to Marley Lilly and check out the Essential Tote and more!

That’s all for meow!

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Summer Sparkle

Hey Cats!

One thing I love about summer is wearing sandals. I love for my feet to be free, whether I’m going to the pool or to the office. I recently received these gorgeous Riviera Sandals to review from Fibi & Clo, an up-and-coming line from a Texas-born designer (who named her company after her cats- obviously we’re on the same page.).

 

These sandals are the perfect mix between casual and dressy. They’re a very simple style, but the jewel accents make them really stand out. I’ve worn them both to  work and to the pool- if that’s not versatility, I don’t really know what is.

 

Another thing I love about these sandals is the water-resistant material they’re made from. I don’t like to wear many of my other sandals around water because they’re leather and I don’t want to ruin them. These, however, were practically made for a trip to the pool- the water slides right off and they’re good as new! I’m certain these will be making many appearances on the blog in the near future.

In addition to adorable shoes (loving these, these, and these), Fibi & Clo also gives back, which you know I’m all about. They have recently started a program called “Get Her On Her Feet” that teaches women in impoverished countries business & entrepreneurial skills to help them build a better life for themselves and their families. When you host a Fibi & Clo shoe party, they will make a donation to Get Her On Her Feet based on how much merchandise the hostess sells. So the more shoes you sell, the more opportunities other women have to build a shoe business and earn an income- everybody wins!

If you’re looking to add some summer sparkle to your shoe closet, head over to Fibi & Clo and check out all of their fabulous footwear- you won’t be disappointed!

That’s all for meow!

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*This is a sponsored post.

Sideline Sass Boutique

Hey Cats!

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day this weekend- I know I did! My roommates and I went to dinner Friday night, and on Saturday I went to an Aggie baseball game with some of my friends. I’ll be honest- baseball isn’t exactly my favorite sport (I told one of my guy friends that it was the first time I’d ever stayed all nine innings at a baseball game and he was appalled). However, Aggie baseball is a different experience- the student section is quite hilarious.

My all-time favorite college sport is Aggie football, obviously. I’ve been lucky to witness some exciting things since I came to Texas A&M in the Fall of 2011- the move to the SEC, a shocking win over #1 ranked Alabama in 2012, and, of course, Johnny Manziel. There’s nothing that compares to gameday in Aggieland, and one of my favorite parts of gameday is getting dressed up. For real.

Ever since we entered the SEC, gameday style has gotten increasingly more formal. My freshman year I would wear Nike shorts and a maroon tee shirt, but the tables have definitely turned! Unfortunately, it’s really challenging to find Aggie maroon. There’s raspberry, crimson, and red galore, but if you find something that fits in true Aggie maroon, it’s a poor choice to not buy it immediately. I recently stumbled across Sideline Sass, an Aggie-owned online boutique that carries a variety of affordable gameday attire- in the right maroon- it’s a miracle!

Some of my favorites:

These Must Be Maroon shorts are definitely a staple for August and September games. I love the fun, floral pattern on these, it definitely dresses them up!

Next is this Knit Together sweater. I love the solid panels on the shoulders mixed with the variegated body. This would be a great option for cooler, night games.

I also love this Flash Back dress. Dresses are by far my favorite game day outfits, simply because they’re effortless, yet still put together.

In addition to these and more maroon pieces, Sideline Sass has a wide array of clothing and accessories for many different styles and tastes. So if you’re an Aggie girl looking for gameday wear, or if you’re just looking for unique pieces to add to your closet, head over to Sideline Sass!

*All images have been used with permission from Sideline Sass.*

That’s all for meow!

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