Cleanse.

Sigh. It's time. I've been putting off something I hate doing.

Cleaning out my closet.

 {Not my actual closet. But I totally 

should have pretended it was.}

It's not that I have a hard time letting go of things, it's just that there's always so much I know should go. Did I just contradict myself?

Here are my rules for doing a good closet cleanse:

1. Once a year go through everything and purge, purge, purge!

2. Things you haven't wore in a full calendar year are to be tossed. No excuses!

3. Anything ripped, stained, etc. needs to go.

4. Make "winter" and "summer" bins that are easy to pull out and pack up.

5. You don't need 8 pairs of black pumps. And because they are the most worn shoe, they are the most likely to be trashed. Release the ones that have done their job and need to be laid to rest.

6. Face it, some of those cute clutches and bags are not going to come back into style. You got a great couple years of them, and now it's time to let them go. 


7. You don't need 12 pairs of jeans hanging in your closet. Especially when you only ever wear 4 of them.

8. Not sure about something? Turn to your {honest} stylish friends, a la Carrie Bradshaw.

Magic.

The movie, Magic Mike hits theaters this week. 

It's also my wedding anniversary today.

How serious do you think the husband was when he said we can do anything I want to celebrate this weekend?

Tempting, I know.

But I'll wait and go with some girlfriends this weekend. They'd appreciate it more anyways.

Ladies, let's discuss this on Monday.

Happy Mike'ing.

Savage.

Blake Lively and Salma Hayek kicked off the media tour for their movie, Savage with a bang. I can't wait to see what the weeks coming hold for them on the red carpet scene if already they are bringing.it. in Gucci and Zuhair Murad Couture.

{Salma in Gucci. I actually really like this look on her. Simple, yet enough going on to make me stop and stare for a bit. The color is great on her and the dress is very age appropriate. And I love the pony.}

{Blake. Perfection. No other words needed.}

Morning dressing mantra.

Refresh!

A cool glass of iced tea on a hot day. Enter sigh here! Even sweeter when made with delicious seasonal strawberries. The perfect back porch, front porch, pool side, beach side, afternoon refreshment!

 

 

Strawberry Iced Tea

2 cups whole frozen strawberries

32 fluid ounces, brewed tea, make hot then let cool

1/3 cup white sugar (amount can vary depending on desired sweetness)

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 punnet of fresh strawberries

mint leaves

ice

Serving: 5

1. Blend frozen strawberries in a food processor until smooth, then strain

2. Mix together pureed strawberries, tea, desired amount of sugar to taste, and lemon juice

3. Chill

4. Decorate and serve with a fresh strawberry (stem removed), ice and a sprig of mint

5. Enjoy!

 

{via}

Possessionista.

There have been a few occasions when I am watching one of my favorite shows and see an outfit a character/person is wearing and I think, "Oooh I love that! I wonder where it is from?" Especially lately as I tune in every Monday to watch Emily Maynard on The Bachelorette {that girl either has killer personal style or a killer stylist. Some of the things she wears I die over}. 


So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon The Possessionista. She covers many of the fashion-fueled television shows and quickly updates what people are wearing and where it can be found. A true treasure online!

Spotted! Amazing shoes.

Found! 

{Miu Miu Studded Booties, Bergdorf Goodman}

Spotted: Must have lace-back dress

Found!

{Mason dress, Barneys}

See how easy that was?

Hello NY.

A quick little hello to Mel and her partner in crime, Lexie who are in NYC right now for meetings, brainstorming, and of course just a little bit of shopping. {Who are we kidding! There is damage that will definitly be done!} 

Have a great time ladies!

 

. weekend project .

This coming weekend I have decided to set aside some time to work on a couple DIY projects I've been eager to try. I'm hoping they turn out how I am picturing them in my head.

Color palette {for different rooms}: 

grey. nude. mint. neon yellow. coral.

Painting glass jars. All you have to do is pour some of the enamel paint into the jar and slowly twirl it around until the entire insides are fully coated. Then let paint dry, which takes about two days.

{via}

Dipped soup cans for office supplies, art supplies, bathroom supplies. The site I got these from wasn't in English so I am going to try my best to adapt my own how-to guide! Either that or I'll be using alot of Google-translator! Seems pretty self explanitory though.

 Wish me luck!

 

Audrey.

Ya'll know about my love for french girls. I mentioned it here awhile back.

I'd like to introduce to you another favorite of mine, french actress, Audrey Tautou. Audrey is stunning. Audrey was chosen to play the early years of quintessential icon, Coco Chanel in the biopic Coco Before Chanel. Audrey is just a lovely little thing. 

Definitely in my top 5 of people I would love to dress! And M.A.D. accessorize too of course...

. art .

MAD about druzy.

I've literally been stopped on the streets by people asking me about the druzy pieces I've been wearing. As always, Mel nailed it with this style creation. This stone is amazingly eye-catching. The light picks up different tones of it. It is... well, to be honest- just beautiful is the best way to describe it. My favorite summer pieces. 

You win druzy, you win.

CFDA Fashion Awards

What I would have given to be amongst the crowd at the CFDA Fashion Awards last night. Rubbing elbows with fashion's elite. Sipping champagne with Mary-Kate and Marc. Style royalty in one room. I guess these pictures will just have to do for now :)

 Prabal Gurung, Joan Smalls, and Michael Kors

 Hilary Rhoda

Doutzen Kroes

 Marc Jacobs and Harry Louis

 Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan

Zac Posen and Crystal Renn

Jessica Chastain, Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen

{vogue}

Sweet Summer Salad

Throw together this quick and easy salad recipe for the perfect summer taste.


Crisp arugula leaves, freshly diced mango, roasted macadamia nuts, and simple cubes of avocado. Deeelish!

Arugula Mango Avo Mac Salad

Ingredients:

-1 large mango, cubed

-1 avocado, diced

 -3/4 cup macadamia nuts, roasted/salted

 -5 cups fresh arugula

{optional add-in's: sweet onions, diced apple, diced pineapple}

Dressing:

{or use your own recipe}

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp agave syrup

pepper

dash garlic powder

Directions:

1. I made a quickie salad dressing out of a few of my favorite flavors. Whisked it together and tossed it with the salad ingredients - except the arugula!

2. I tossed the avocado, mango and nuts with the salad dressing - then poured it right over the greens. I didn't toss the salad together until we were ready to serve the salad. Otherwise the arugula would get quite soggy.

3. Top with fresh black pepper! Serve!

{Recipe}