all white

I'm loving all white outfits this winter and I'm so happy to see that it is transitioning into spring as well!  All white is HUGE trend right now!  

Houston bachelorette

Today I wanted to share a few pictures from my trip to Houston a week ago for my girlfriend's bachelorette party!  I'm still really new to my camera and this is one of the first couple of "events" I took photographs for.  Definitely working on all of the settings but had fun taking these pictures!! Her party was so cute and we had a blast on a pub crawl in downtown Houston.  Of course I didn't take my camera along for the drinking shenanigans ;-)  Thank you, Alison, for letting me photograph your party!!!  The Matron of Honor and one of the bridesmaids planned this party and they did such a good job!  I've done my best to tag a few sources.

Valentine's Date Night

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!! Do you have anything special planned? I'm honestly not sure what the hubby and I will be doing (that's his job, right? Haha) But whatever it is, I'm super excited about my dress!! I have never bought a "Valentine's" outfit before and I wasn't planning to this year, but I had a gift card and did some shopping a few weeks ago and fell in love with this bargain from Last Call Neiman Marcus. 

This dress is French Connection and is unfortunately sold out online. I guess that's the price you pay sometimes when at a "last call" store... but seriously it was such a deal that I couldn't pass it up! I don't have much red in my wardrobe. I do love the color, I've just never considered it a go-to for myself. But I love the bold shade of this dress, the comfortable fabric (side panels have some stretch) and the fact that this may be the first dress to give me proper cleavage LOL!!

What I really want to share is my love for combining PURPLE with red!!

Winter Weather Skincare Favorites

Face Cleansing Brush // 3-in-1 Cleanser // Age-Fighting Moisturizer //

Satin Lips Set // Satin Hands Set // Microdermabrasion Set // 

2-in-1 Body & Shave // Hydrating Lotion // 

Intense Moisturizing Cream // Oil-Free Hydrating Gel

Season dictates changes in skincare, just like it does with our wardrobe.  Like most women, I have to  change up my routine and beauty products when this crazy cold weather hits... even with oily skin.

Valentines Day Gift Guide for Her

1. Pink Wrap Bracelet  2. Pajamas  3. Pillow  4. Mini Instant Camera
5. Heart Pendant  6. Jewelry Box  7. Cozy Blanket  8. Gift Card  9. Candle  10. Handbag
11. Trinket Tray  12. Travel Beauty Bag  13. Professional Makeup Brush Set  14. Earrings
15. Essential Oil Diffuser  16. Necklace  17. Awesome Wife/Girlfriend T-shirt
18. Face cleansing brush  19. Wifey Sweatshirt  20. On-the-go gift set
21. Watch  22. Mood pillows  23. Perfume & Lotion

I would love any of these gifts and I'm pretty sure most ladies would!!! I've tried to include a variety of price ranges.  What's your favorite item?

Confession: Valentino Rockstud

You see them everywhere... they are like the "it" shoe lately... bloggers love them and it's a rare day if I don't see them posted on multiple instagram accounts I follow...

Pic from NeimanMarcus.com

They come in numerous colors and styles... there's handbags too... 

Well here it is... my startling confession...

I think they are SO ugly!! There! I said it! Sorry y'all :-) Except that I'm not haha. I don't understand the obsession

If you do like them, you can shop them HERE

Anyone else or am I totally alone here? Am I shunned from the blogging community?

Mint obsession

I'm having a moment with Mint. I don't know what it is about this color lately but I'm obsessed!! I'm a "blue" girl so honestly I don't own much pastel green... but that may need to change soon!! I'm seriously loving pairing this color with navy. I love the contrast of a really saturated color next to a pastel. That's also why I'm loving mint paired with pink and red...  that's my favorite combo right now, especially with Valentine's Day coming up! 

Click the thumbnails to shop these items! How are you wearing mint?

GAL-entine's Day Guide

I happen to be someone that loves Valentine's Day... always have.  Even when I was single, I didn't quite understand the hate for this day.  I mean really, isn't everyone always saying to love one another?  And then turning around and hating on a day dedicated to love..?   Ok yeah, I get it... it's a "hallmark holiday"... unnecessary upcharge, lavish displays of love that seem to only serve the purpose of out-doing each other... that stuff I don't get.  To me, it's just everyone taking a very simple idea and making it ridiculously complicated (what else is new nowadays)  But when you take away all the stupid crap, it's just about showing each other, significant others, family, friends, whoever it may be, that we love them.

Showing our girlfriends love during this time can be very rewarding and pretty simple to do!  How about planning a GAL-entine's Night for you and your friends?  What's that, you ask?  Oh well here's my friend Leslie Knope to explain...
LOL Love that woman!  So if you'd love to host a GALentine's Day this year, I've linked some super cute items for you below!!! They'll help you entertain, get comfy and look cute!  And don't feel like you have to plan a whole night... it can be as simple as a few girlfriends in their PJs, painting nails, baking cookies (*cough* or eating the cookie dough *cough cough*) and watching chick flicks!

{product links below}

And remember, it doesn't have to be about bashing what you DON'T HAVE... rather, just celebrate what you DO HAVE... great girlfriends to share a fab cocktail with!  Speaking of, here's a couple of simple cocktail recipes!

{Rasmopolitan}

picture and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup Simple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries for garnish
• Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, lime juice, simple syrup,  & cranberry juice. Shake or stir until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with raspberries; serve. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)
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• {Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Martini}

picture from MarthaStewart.com

• 1/4 cup Mint-Infused Simple Syrup, plus more for rim
• 3 chocolate cookies, finely crushed, such as Nabisco Famous Wafers
• 10 raspberries
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Ice cubes
• Directions: Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.  Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Serve immediately. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)

Do you have a favorite girly cocktail or item to share?  I'd love to hear about it!  Are you planning a girls' night this year?  How do you spoil your girlfriends and show them love?  Comment below!  Let's spread the LOVE!