Color: {Cool Cobalt}

I have been crushing on cobalt blue for awhile now, but {this image} reminded me that I am going to need to make it a bigger presence in my wardrobe this spring! I'm actually loving cobalt accessories the most, but SO excited that {J.Crew} made my absolute favorite {shorts} in this perfect hue this year! :) And these {suede pumps}... to die for! Also loving cobalt fingernails... {Essie Butler Please} is one of my favorite polishes from the winter collection! Here is some seriously dreamy blue inspiration:

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Color: {Emerald City}

It should be no surprise that Pantone's Color of the Year is my second pick for the season. I have always been a big fan of green (maybe that is why St. Patty's Day is one of my favorite holidays)... so I am just going to continue loving it this year! From winter to spring, emerald is the perfect transition -- especially for a bold pop of color! Check out some of my 'wear now' inspiration:

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Emerald is also the perfect color to style your home [or party] with. How perfect are these pops of green below? I can't get over that tablescape! Makes me want to have an emerald themed party! :)

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What do you think? Did Pantone pick the perfect color for Spring 2013? I love it! xxoo.

Color: {Pale Citron}

Happy Tuesday my friends! I am back... out of my annual January hibernation! Even though I technically wasn't sleeping in a cave, I refer to my little blog-funk as hibernation. ;) I thought it was appropriate to come back with a little sunshine and what better way to start off my color mini-series than with my newest obsession: pale citron [aka. a really cute yellow]. This color is the color, you know... the color we saw all over the spring runways, the new mint, the new tangerine tango. And... I can't wait to wear/buy it this spring [or now]! Here is a little bit of sunny inspiration:

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...And below are some styled looks that I am loving. The beautiful {sleeveless blouse} on the right is on my 'to buy immediately' list!! Isn't it amazing?? :) Have you bought any yellow pieces yet? It's a pretty transitional color in my book... so if you haven't - no need to wait for Spring!

Outfit 1 // Outfit 2 // Outfit 3 // Outfit 4

Check back tomorrow -- I will be continuing my color mini-series thru Thursday! Which means each day I will share a new color I am loving for Spring! Oh, Spring... please come so soon! xo.

Every Person Needs...

a Clarisonic!! I got my {Clarisonic Mia 2} for Christmas and made a vow to myself that I would use it twice a day for two weeks before I made any conclusion about it. My conclusion is simple, it is the best thing I have ever owned. Ever. Ok, you might think I am being a bit dramatic, but really, I am not! I always thought I had great skin! I hardly ever get dry, zero blemishes, and very rarely did I take the time to wash my face more than a quick rinse in the shower. Actually, I was queen of going to bed in makeup, it never really bothered me. Grossed out yet? Well, starting January 1st (you can call it my resolution), I have been using this little guy daily, twice daily! And I couldn't believe the results! After just two days my face was glowing!! After about a week, I was using less makeup (and the very little makeup that I am using goes on so smooth)... and after two weeks, my face is the softest and clearest it has ever been! I heart my Clarisonic! Convinced that you need one? Here are some other products I am using too: {korres face wash}, {josie maran face lotion} and {korres eye cream}. Love and recommend them all! PS. Clarisonics come in boy colors too! And, you bet Alejandro is getting one for the next present-giving holiday!! ;)

MLK

Happy Martin Luther King Day! I have to admit... this morning I was [a little] jealous of everyone that is enjoying a 3 day weekend while I was heading off to work. But then I came across this quote on Eat Sleep Wear's instagram and remembered that this day is about so much more than an extra day off from work! Please don't think I am a horrible person, I always knew today is a day to honor equality, freedom, peace, unity and justice...his dream. I just needed a little reminder to get out of my work funk! I will carry this lovely quote with me today and always!

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New FAV App: [Over]

The iPhone app {Over} has officially won me over! It is a beautiful [and simple] way to add text to your photos. I know there are other apps that allow you to do this, but I promise you this one has some of the most amazing fonts ever... 225 of them to be exact! 

It's so easy -- all you do is import a photo, add text, move it around, and edit the font, color and size. Once you love your beautiful typography on your awesome photo, you can share it on twitter, facebook, instagram, tumblr, email or simply save it to your camera roll. It's that easy! It's $1.99 for the app, but I promise you it is worth every penny of the two bucks! :) Check it out...

instagram

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'Over' has officially moved to page one of my apps on my iPhone (which is where all of my daily/ favorite apps live)... my other favorites include [not in any particular order]:

Row One: the obvious favorites... {Facebook}, {Twitter}, {Foursquare}, and {Instagram} are daily scrolls for me! {Pages} allows me to manage my blog's facebook page; {Feeddler RSS} is handy for scrolling through my favorite blogs; I prefer the {Tumblr} app vs. the actual website (much easier to "reblog" from); and another obvious favorite, {Pinterest}... though I only use the app to scroll, not to pin.

Row Two: some of my photo favs: {Square Ready} is perfect for eliminating the "black borders" on photos you just can't make perfectly square; {Picfx} is another amazing photo app for addt'l filters or lighting effects; {Pic Stitch} is the best for adding multiple photos together in a collage; and {Over}, mentioned above. For a little bit of organization: {Teux Deux} is my absolute favorite and can-not-live-without app - it's my daily "To Do" List... and I live by it; {Dropbox} allows me to automatically back up my iPhone photos right to my dropbox account; {Lemon Wallet} organizes all of my money accounts for me; and {Seamless} allows me to order delivery right from my hand.

I love learning about new apps... what are some of your favorites? xxoo.

Hello! Help! What Color?

Happy Monday! :) How are you?! I can't believe I took an entire week off from blogging -- it wasn't planned, but it was a much needed break that gave me a little time to catch up on life. Actually, not only did I take a mini-break from blogging, I was hardly on any social media last week. It was amazing. I truly encourage all of you to take breaks when you need them! So what I have been up to... I am still doing my {30 day daily yoga challenge}, I've been helping my dad with some marketing / photography projects and still putting in a full+ day at work! I've planned our trip to Paris, I'm counting down the days for our trip to Vegas to celebrate my 30th and I've been thinking a lot about adding a few more trips to our schedule including a ski trip, a vaca to Maine and a quick trip to LA to see some friends! Oh, and last, I've done a little online shopping. Last week I bought this {dress}, this {shirt} and can't wait to buy these {shoes}! But... I need your help, what color do I get?

Aren't these {Sperry's for J.Crew} AMAZING! I seriously can't decide what color to get! My mom said Neon Rose, my sister said Frosted Citrus, but I have no idea! Thanks for the help!

PS. Check back tomorrow for my newest favorite app EVER! It's a game changer! :)

Friday's Fancies: New Year, New Clothes!

Happy Friday! I know I say this every.single.week - but I can't believe it's already Friday! But, this week felt extra fast because my Monday started on a Wednesday this week [which would be nice if that could happen every single week]! Today I am linking up with av's {Friday's Fancies} series and below are some new items that I am looking to add to my wardrobe in early 2013. It's usually about this time [January] that I officially hate my wardrobe and have nothing to wear... I become board with the fall fashions and it's not time for spring clothes in Philly yet. I am looking to add some new pieces that I can wear now but easily transition into Spring with. It's important that the items are interchangeable -- I am still loving mixed prints . Here's an outfit I love from {Madewell} - fun pieces that can be worn together or separate:

shop this look

silk shirt / skirt / denim vest / bracelet / flats

Have a great weekend!!

30 Days + Gratitude

Today I start a 30 day yoga challenge. This is not a New Year's resolution... I've been planning this challenge since September and purposely chose this month to do it because it falls 30 days before my 30th birthday! I am excited... very, very excited, but a bit nervous because I know 30 days of 1.5 hours of power vinyasa yoga will be exhausting and challenging. While I would be lying if I said I am not looking forward to the health benefits of doing yoga for 30 days in a row, I am doing this challenge to focus on inner-strength, to focus on commitment, and most importantly to focus on gratitude. 

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Since yoga [along with my full time job + boyfriend] will be my focus in the month of January, my blog will become secondary. I am not going away completely... I just might not be able to post daily. But, please continue to check back... because after January, I have a few fun things in the works for a {little} dash of ash!! :) Wish me luck! And... happy, happy 2013. xoxo.