A-Z Series: N is For

Please welcome Lesley of SIX TWELVE PLACE to the blog today, friends!  Whether it be about food, fashion, quotes, design, or just simply gorgeous images, Lesley's posts continue to inspire me each and every day!

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Lesley here from the lifestyle blog, SIX TWELVE PLACE.  I was delighted when Carly asked me to participate in her A-Z series.  It is a series that is different from any other I've read, and it includes a round up of so many great bloggers- those two things alone make it extra fun!  There are so many little things to love in this world, here are a few of mine that begin with the letter "N"

Nail polish!  I used to be a French manicure kind of girl, but now I am obsessed with nail polish.  My go to colors include Essie Ballet Slippers and Essie Carry On

Nars Cosmetics- specifically their blushes and bronzers.  Check out the bronzer stick {The Multiple} and their Orgasm and Super Orgasm blushes.

Nordstrom is my favorite one stop shop + they have the BEST customer service.  I browse Net-A-Porter to lust after designer goodies more than I should admit

Nudes, Neons and Neutrals- not just in shoes, but these three paris of Zara heels were a rather perfect way to display this color combination

Nutella and any recipe that includes this tasty hazlenut spread.  YUM.
Nutella Recipes pictured above: Nutella Shooters, Peanut Butter Banana Pie with Nutella and Nutella Crescent Rolls 

Other N favorites: NEW YORK CITY {most amazing city in the country, in my humble opinion}, New Girl {Zooey Deschanel is the cutest}, Dirk Nowitzki {I'm a Dallas girl} and Nachos {I've said before I am pretty sure I can live off chips/queso/guac}

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Well you pretty much hit the nail on the head with this post, Lesley! Nudes, neons, and neutrals are simply perfection.  And nachos and Nutella are obviously my favorite food groups. I could keep going, but you get the picture. I honestly don't have anything to add because this is just so spot on.

What are some of your favorite N items?

Tangerine Flats

Of course I love tangerine anything so, naturally, I have been drooling over these Tory Burch Eddie Flats.  And then when I was at Gap this weekend I found these gems.  No purchases have been made at this time.

Gap Neon City Flat // Tory Burch Eddie Flat

Then I reminded myself of my bad experience with a pair of Eddie flats.  Now this is just from my experience, as I know others who love the shoes.  Maybe my problem was that I didn't get the patent leather kind, but after I wore them twice the top of the shoe had turned a greyish/greenish color.  Of course I was upset so I returned them because I was not pleased with the product, especially for that price.  But like I said, maybe the patent leather would make the difference? I also didn't think they were as comfortable as the Reva flats (I own two pair) because I could feel my heel digging into the ground every step I took. Again, these are all my personal experience with them.  Do you agree/disagree?

Then I found this Neon City Flat at Gap.  And no, the bottom does not look that weird when you try it on, and they were SO comfortable.  Have you seen them in the store?? They also come in neon pink (can you say fun?) and then several neutral pairs with no bow, which would be beyond perfect for teaching. They only run in in full sizes.  I am typically a 7 1/2, and the 8 fit perfectly.

I think it's a little obvious which way I'm leaning, but would you save or splurge on these tangerine flats?

A-Z Series: M is For

Nothing like starting this Monday off with Mae from Lili & Mae.  She recently announced her fabulous new shop: Lili & Mae :: the shop!!! A huge congrats to her, and the pieces she created are beyond stunning! So proud of all of her work, and I can't wait to see what is yet to come!

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Hello everyone! My name is Mae and I write a life and style blog called Lili & Mae.  Carly is just a doll, I love her blog and I'm so excited she asked me to be here today to share my favorite things starting with the letter M!

I had to start off with monograms! I'm obsessed.  I love my Max & Chloe monogram necklace, I wear it everyday!  And I just discovered these monogram necklaces from Moon and Lola.  They come in all kinds of fun colors and they're made of acrylic...adorable!

Speaking of colors, my favorite is magenta! I don't wear a lot of color but I'm trying to incorporate more of into my life. And right now, all I can think of is this fabulous magenta! Love the pop of color it brings to that living room!

My next favorite thing...metallics! I've always loved shimmer and shine, but there's something sophisticated about a muted metallic. The more the merrier!

And my final favorite M trend is monochromatic! I love it in home decor and fashion and even the unexpected nail polish!

Do you have any other favorite M trends we should know about?

Please do share!

And please do stop by and visit me at Lili & Mae anytime! I would love to say hi!

Thank you again Carly for letting me feel like Oprah for a day and share my favorite things! 

hope you have a lovely day,

xx

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Oh my gosh monogram and monochromatic.  YES, please.  I told you Mae is the best. 

A very happy Monday to all of you! How was your weekend? 

Friday's Fances::Spring Fever

Yes spring is absolutely on my mind.  It helps when we have had some spring-like weather here in Wisconsin-who would have thought? Nothing beats wearing Sperrys for recess duty in January.  I support it.  

So have you heard that color is in the year?! I know shocking, I hadn't either.  Happy to be here to keep you in the loop, friends.

In all seriousness, I'm embracing colored pieces with open arms, kind of like this spring weather.  I purchased this J. Crew Blythe Blouse in royal blue (while using my student discount of course!), and in a perfect world I would own it in every color.  It's comfortable, versatile, and will be a good layering piece in my closet.  I paired it with leggings, boots, and my Spike the Punch necklace this past week, but here is another way to wear the blouse:

J. Crew Blythe Blouse // H&M Slim-fit Trousers // Tory Burch Studs // Jane Hollinger Necklace // Zara Messenger Bag // Tory Burch Reva Flats

I haven't seen too much blue + pink, but I'm liking this combo more and more.  I especially love the simplicity of the gold accessories mixed with the royal blue.  A casual messenger bag is a piece you can pair with so many different outfits.  I have been searching for one for quite some time. Dress it up, dress it down, it will still look classic.

Would you pair blue and pink together?

As always, I'm linking up with {long distance loving}

A-Z Series: L is For

Where to begin with this intro? I first mentioned Pam from simple details on the blog here, and my feelings about her fabulous projects and inspiration have not changed since then. Her latest and greatest project has to be her nailhead ceiling in her dining room.  Bless her heart for the patience she had to do this as it looks fabulous.  Actually, the word fabulous doesn't do it justice.  You just need to go look for yourself.  I was ecstatic when she agreed to be part of the series.
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Hi everyone! I'm Pam from {simple details}  so happy to be here sharing my favorite 'L' items with you! Thank you so much for including me in your A ~ Z Series, Carly!

I've loved Carly from day one, she couldn't be sweeter or more stylish! 
"L"

loving leopard

leopard and lucite

leopard and lavender

ladylike leopard


leopard and layers

lounging with leopard

leopard lunch totes


leopard loafers


leopard and levis


little leopards  (the reason my leopard choices are faux)

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

Thanks again, Carly!

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I don't quite think it's possible to choose my favorite pairing, but it just might have to be the leopard & lucite. Or the lavender, or just the baby leopard.  When can I get one?

Lately, I'm finding myself loving lipstick more and more.  Any shade really, although the bright, bright pink may be a little too much for me, but I have seen it look fabulous on other ladies.  Obviously from yesterday's post, Lauren Conrad's perfect updos have been on my mind. LuLu*s is also a great go-to if you need to find a cute + affordable dress.  I worked at lululemon last year and live in their clothes when it comes to Irish dance and daily workouts.  So comfortable, and the pieces make you feel great. And last but most certainly not least, Louis Vuitton.  I have the Neverfull Damier Ebene on my mind.

Wishful Wednesday

What I'm wishing for this Wednesday: every single one of Lauren Conrad's hairstyles.  Is that too much to ask for?! Apparently.  

[via one, two, three]

But for now, I'll stick to my go-to up-do.

Are you sick of the sock bun yet? Oh phew, me either.  I wore this student teaching a couple weeks ago, and one girl really did not like the look.  Direct quote: "Ms. H! Your hair!" Me: "You don't like it." She replies, "No. It's sooooo weird."  Well, apparently other girls in the class liked it enough to request that it make an appearance again.  I have to say, it was my best sock bun yet.  I just felt the need to share.

Who is your go-to for hair inspiration?

A-Z Series: K is For

Whoa, February where did you come from? That's all I have to say about that. 

Today is an extra special day on the blog as we have TWO wonderful ladies sharing their favorite K items with us today.  Katie from Miss Dixie is my go-to girl for inspiration in just about any category.  She's currently re-doing her laundry room and incorporating lots of handsome images for us to stare at.  Not to mention she provides fabulous recipes and gorgeous fashion items.  Lauren from Stylized Existence has been starting to incorporate more outfit posts (which I love) and continues to amaze me with her outfit inspiration each day. Lauren also offers personal styling services that you can check out here.  Such an amazing duo.  Take it away Katie and Lauren:

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Good Morning everyone! This is Katie from Miss Dixie and Lauren from Stylized Existence and today, we are so excited to share our favorite "K" things with Carly's lovely readers! Carly is such a doll and we were thrilled to be part of this fab series. We each created a design board based on a favorite "K" of our own, and then collaborated on mutual favorites.

{All images via katespade.com}

First up, one of my favorite designers, Kate Spade. I adore her cheerful, fun and beautiful approach to design for clothing, accessories and home. I also have to admire that this company was founded by a woman with a dream to design something she had desired for years. If I ever need a dose of color, I head over to Katespade.com. And have you ever been in a Kate Spade store? It is practically like going to a party! This spring I am really loving the stripes, nautical touches, and pops of bright colors seen in Kate Spade's line.

-Katie

{all images via www.thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com}

Krystal has been a huge inspiration for me since I first started reading blogs. When I was starting out, I reached out to her for some blogging tips and she {generously} gave me the help and the push that I needed to take my blogging to the next level. Her outfits are always on-point, and she has such a diverse range within her personal style. As you can see in the spread, she can style just about anything, and she always has a very tailored look about her - she is definitely a style icon for me. 

-Lauren

We teamed up to bring you a list of each of our favorite items below, but how do you really choose!?

Honorable K mentions also include:

-Kilim Rugs

-Beautiful Kitchens

-A stylish kindle cover

We had a great time putting this together. Thanks so much again for having us Carly! 

xoxo,

Katie and Lauren

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Holy incredible K post.  I'm officially impressed with the letter K and all of its glory. Due to this extremely thorough and gorgeous post, I just have one K item to add: k.slademade. Her clutches are handmade and provide that perfect pop of color you've been looking to add to your collection.  You can also find her on Etsy. The keychains would make a perfect gift for a friend or yourself.  Sometimes gifts for yourself are just the way to go--you know what I'm talking about.

xoxo Carly