A Few of my Favorite Things...

Happy Leap Day!

This day is very exciting for me because it would have been my birthday twenty four years ago. However, I made the executive decision, before I was born, to wait an extra day. And for that, my birthday falls on March 1st instead.


Because today is a day that I look back and reminisce, I thought I might share a few of my favorite things that I am loving right now. But I can tell you right now that rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens are not in this list.

I hope you enjoy!

{my favorite magazine and book I am currently enjoying}

 Doesn't Adele look amazing on this cover of Vogue?!? Not only do I love her music but she just so happened to be on the cover of my favorite magazine.

 

 

And this book A Million Little Pieces is a great read and has some controversy behind it. Even more of a reason to read it!

 

 

{coral colored lipstick by M.A.C. called Ravashing}

A bright lipstick is always a fun way to dress up a simple outfit and is also a must if you want to make a statement or be noticed. Some other great shades by M.A.C. that I love are Shy Girl (Nude) and Ladybug (Red).

 

 

{my favorite cookies to make snickerdoodles}

As someone who doesn't like to cook I absolutely love to make these cookies. It might be because everyone that has one ends up eating 3 more and hums mmm...everytime they take a bite.

 

 

This is also a great alternative for birthdays if someone doesn't like cake. To make them a little more exciting, you can roll the cookies in sugar sprinkles mixed into cinnamon/sugar before they cook to make them colorful. A few candles won't hurt either. Just saying!

 

 

{just a close up of the yummy goodness i made}

 

{A birthday gift for myself... my new iPhone cover}

Remember how I told you I love polka dots... Well I wasn't lying was I? I can't get enough of this color lately and since I am FINALLY switching over to the iPhone 4s tomorrow I thought this would be the perfect present to myself.

I bought mine at Nordstrom but found this picture on Bloomingdale's website.

{my favorite statement necklace right now - from Nordstrom}

Statement necklaces are another great way to make a simple outfit stand out. This is one I just recently purchased from Nordstrom and it is a go-to of mine.

{loving the cat-eye sunglasses - from Nordstrom}

I couldn't resist the popular retro trend circulating right now and that is cat-eye shades. These Ray-Bans seemed like the perfect choice for me.

{my favorite interchangeable outfit - outfit from Forever 21, shoes and belt from Nordstrom}

You have to love an outfit that can transition from a casual day, to work, to a night out. This outfit is perfect for all three! If you want the casual look, you should wear it as shown. If you want the work outfit wear it with a black blazer, black heels, and depending on how strict your dress code is, you can wear tights too. Lastly, for a night out wear this with sassy heels and a leather jacket.

 

 

See how many outfits you can interchange from casual, to work, to a night out. You might be surprised how easy it is with a few accessory changes. Also, did I mention that this outfit can be worn with all the accessories I have included in this post? Maybe not all together, but it can definitely be done.

 

 

I think that I just might wear this tomorrow... to celebrate my birthday in style!

I hope you enjoyed a few of my favorite things. I might continue this type of post; but of course I will change it up, just a little bit, to keep you interested.

Until my next post,

Stylishly Purple

Mind the Gap

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today I thought that I would share some photos from my London trip last year. Like I mentioned in my Paris post; sometimes I like to look back at my photos to acquire some inspiration at work. I just so happened to stumble across these photos recently and felt like sharing what inspired me today.

There was something about London that captured my attention...I don't know if it was the history, art, people, or whole experience. Even though I was only there for a week I felt like London was a second home for me.

Some of my favorite places that I went to while I was there were Piccadilly Circus, Camden Market, Harrods, all the museums, and quaint pubs at every corner. I absolutely adored London and I hope this inspires you to travel there as well. Enjoy!

{Gotta love that!}

{Does this look familiar to anyone? - Millennium Bridge}

{Shakespeare's Globe Theater}

{I couldn't resist taking this photo - Outfit all from Nordstrom}

{The famous Tower Bridge}

{At the time this was the Olympic Games countdown}

{Fish and chips - Outfit from Nordstrom}

{Westminster Abbey}

{The London Eye}

{Big Ben}

{The garden in front of Buckingham Palace}

{A gaurd at the Buckingham Palace}

{Tea at Laduree- A must do in London}

{My macaroons lemon, strawberry, and caramel...So yummy}

{The most amazing mall Harrod's}

{The best place to get all your souvenirs! A very fun market to enjoy}

{My thoughts exactly when leaving Camden Market}

{Platform 9 ¾ of course!}

{My lunch while overlooking the Kensington Gardens}

{Displays in front of the Yohji Yamamoto exhibit... A-MAZING!!!}

{Pretty amazing}

{Piccadilly Circus}

{Sorry about the quality of these next few pictures they are from the History of London Museum}

{British fashion design icon}

Next post will be fashion related... I promise. I couldn't resist straying from fashion a little bit and sharing some of my inspiration. If you are interested in traveling to London please feel free to contact me and I am happy to suggest some great spots to visit.

Thanks for reading!

Be My Valentine

For Valentine's Day this year I decided to have a couple of girlfriends over for a Valentine's/Singles Awareness Day girls night. In order to make this night fun... I put together a few cocktails, desserts, and games.

So here I am sharing what I put together with you! Just in case you needed any ideas for your own girls night or even putting together a little something for your significant other. I hope you enjoy!

{Supplies found at your local grocery store for chocolate covered strawberries}

{First wash, dry, and place berries on wax paper}

{The final outcome! See below for the last steps}

 Heat chocolate in 30 seconds intervals and stir until chocolate is smooth then dip strawberries into chocolate and place back onto the wax paper.

{Berry Valentine Cocktail}

{Some Pink sparkling wine with a chocolate covered strawberry to complete}

{Cran-Apple berry cocktail}

{For those who don't want any alcohol cranberry lemonade}

{The snack table}

{Chocolate covered strawberries, flowers, kettle corn, and chocolate covered raisins}

 

{Made this banner from scraps of paper I already owned and painted on Happy Valentine's Day}

{Instead of roses I went with some pink and red tulips}

{Supplies needed to make conversation heart drink toothpicks}

{Completed conversation heart drink toothpick}

{Flowers and candles to complete the Valentine's set-up}

{Fun game I have recently discovered called Table Topics picture found on table topics website}

If you have any questions on how I made any of the following please don't hesitate to ask. I hope you may find some of these ideas useful.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!