My 26th Birthday!

I really don't think I even have words to describe how freaking amazing my birthday weekend and celebration was! I had an amazing birthday dinner at the melting pot with my family, danced in the pouring rain with my best friends, and got the most amazing gifts I could imagine! 

Friday night - I had my birthday dinner at The Melting Pot & it was so much fun! It was such a different eating experience than what my family usually does - we had so much fun! Definitely recommend going there for a bday party & the food was so yummy! Especially the desserts! 

 got my free birthday drink at starbucks // birthday dinner outfit! (zara top, f21 shorts) // with my daddy at dinner // post blow out from BLo out Charlotte (I go to the one in Southpark & they are all great! $33 for a blow out - they also do custom spray tans, which I def need to try out!) // my beautiful caity hart came all the way from NYC to celebrate with me!! love that girl // my girl heather and me at dinner!

Saturday we had planned to lay out in the AM but the weather didn't exactly cooperate with us, so of course we went shopping! I HAD to check out Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale (aka my second home) but I knew I was going to get lots of gifts soon so I was good and only got a few MAC things and the Voluspa Candle set. I also got a few goodies at J.Crew since they were having an amazing sale! People came over around 7 and we all pregamed before heading to the Girl Talk concert! It was literally one of the most fun nights I have ever had - the rain was not too bad, but we all got soaked by the end of the night! 

had the best time with my sisters, my cousin, and my friends! My maxi dress is from Nordstrom BP

 

 Sunday, we all had brunch at Luciano's and I opened all of my gifts - let

's just say I got a TAD spoiled by my parents and family this year :) I had the best weekend!

Some of my amazing gifts! It was as if Kate Spade sponsored the entire thing. (I wish)! 

My new Kate Spade watch is the Gramercy Grand & the pave bracelet is the J.Crew Pave Link Bracelet I have been lusting over for a year!

 I was overwhelmed this morning while getting dressed, I wanted to wear everything I got! Hah! I am wearing a Zara shirt, Target Skirt (working girls - check this skirt out - I have it in the black and the grey color and they are so comfy, professional and best of all - super cute!), Coach Shoes (new & from anniversary sale too!), and my BEAUTIFUL new kate spade!! It is on anniversary sale right now loves - GO OUT AND GET IT!!! It is too pretty to pass up and on an amazing deal right now! I don't see the black in stock on the site anymore, but you could try in store. 

 

 

Turning 26.

Happy Friday loves! Hope you all had a great week and have fun weekend plans. My birthday is tomorrow!! One of my best friends, Caitlin, is flying in from NYC tonight and my whole family is going to be in town & my cousin Addy is coming in too. Definitely feeling the love! Tonight, I am having a family bday dinner at The Melting Pot! I am so excited because 1) I love foundue 2) I love chocolate fondue even more than that and 3) I get to spend time with my amazing family which is truly all I want on my birthday. The older I get, the more I realize how truly blessed I am to have the family that I do. The most supportive and loving parents I can ask for, and the most amazing, caring, hilarious and wonderful sisters in the world! Most importantly, we all have our health - and that is all we can ask for. I am forever thankful and gracious to God!

My best friends

It's hard to believe I am going to be 26 tomorrow. It seems like a daunting number. Back when I was in high school, I remember thinking, I definitely want to be married by 25, start having kids by 27 - well, my friends, life has not turned out as so. Two of my favorites Nikki & Sami both wrote awesome blogs about being single this week and I completely agree with what each of them said (independent women.. what up!) Basically, I have never been in a serious relationship, and I am okay with that. Obviously, there are times I wish I had someone, but sometimes I just think to myself how awesome it is that I am completely independent on my own and have an amazing life without relying on anyone but myself. Not hating on anyone who relies on their husband or boyfriend, I am sure that when the time comes, I will need my future S.O. to rely on.

But, I am scared. I am scared to never find someone. I am scared to be so focused on my career and not finding a husband who can keep up or who finds my intimidating. I am scared I am not going to be married in time to have children. I am scared that no one will ever love me or see me as an attractive candidate for a girlfriend - let alone a wife! There I said it - I am scared! But I know I shouldn't be. One of my biggest goals in life is to be a loving wife and mother - just like my mom is. I look up to her so much and she is my role model. However, my dad is also just as much my role model and I want to be just like him too. We can't have it all though. I don't think there is a way to be a CEO and also a perfect mother, and that ABOVE ALL scares me the most. I tend to over analyze (duh.. obviously I need to concentrate on finding a boyfriend before I think about how I am going to balance my future husband, children, and career), but I feel like the modern girl needs to think about these things. I love being independent and having no one to answer to and think about, but I also do not want to be like this forever.

I am so happy for all of my friends and family who have amazing and supportive men in their life and I just hope to one day find the same. I never want to become bitter or less than supportive of people in love. I just want the same. I will not and will never settle for anything less than amazing and I will not waste my time on losers - what is the freaking point. People often tell me "How come you aren't dating anyone" or "there is no way that you are single" - well no I am not dating one and I KNOW RIGHT? (lol) - I just have not found anyone up to my standards. I come from a loving family, a family who appreciates ambition and education, and most of all, respect. The men I have come across and have dated have been nothing of the sort and honestly the complete opposite of the man I want to end up with. I know my time will come, and I am 100% sure that God has a plan for me and I put my all of my trust and faith into him. But, I also know that I have to be proactive. So tell me, what does a girl gotta do to get a man around here? ;-) Advice accepted!!

I look forward to what this year has to come. I said this year would be the year I would just concentrate on me, but damn - I haven't gone on a SINGLE date this entire year! Men these days are crazy though - I am 100% promising you that my friend had a date earlier this week where a man picked her up in a car with no AC and then proceeded to take her to get froyo and not have enough money ($10) to pay for it. Like. Are you freaking kidding me? Is this what independent, hard working, educated, attractive, single women have to look forward to? Nooooohoooooo thanks. I will be just fine on my own knowing that somewhere out there in the crazy wild single wilderness, my future prince charming is waiting for me :) (come soon, please)

I have beyond amazing people in my life - my family and friends are the best I could ever ask for. I have a wonderful career and am excited to grow professional and pursue my MBA. I am extremely grateful for the blessings I have in my life and I am thankful for the life I live.

I rarely get super personal on my blog, but there is a little glimpse into me, who I am, and my thoughts. Hope I didn't scare you away! haha! Have a great weekend everyone! :)

Fashion Haul: Zara, Vince Camuto & Nordstrom!

I did a bit of damage last week via Zara online since we do not have a Zara store here in Charlotte. Zara is currently having their huge yearly sale and they have amazing deals on their clothing, shoes, and accessories. Zara is one of my favorite stores ever and I love getting pieces from there for work and play! I also ordered some Vince Camuto Booties & got a dress from Nordstrom!



Nordstrom Maxi Dress
Zara Beaded Tunic (more on sale & runs big)
Zara light blue blouse (runs one size small)
Zara Batwing Blouse (runs TTS)

The other shirts I got are OOS on the website now :(

Vince Camuto Hadley Boots - Ordered from this website - free shipping and they came so fast! These run TTS in case you are wondering! I am a size 8 and they fit perfectly. These are very similar to Rag & Bone's Newbury bootie and wayyyy less! I got these for $60!! They also come in more colors!


Thank you for watching! :) 

July 4th & Disney World Re-cap!

Hi everyone! I am back from my little hiatus. I took a day and a half off of work to go to Disney World with my family for July 4th weekend. I had an amazing time with them and had so much fun in Orlando! I had a really chill July 4th - I did some shopping for Disney and then I just relaxed and packed! 

My 4th of July Outfit: Brandy Melville top, Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac in Rose Gold,  Levi High-Waisted Shorts & Rose Gold Sperry's

 We got to Orlando around 2 PM on Friday and we went straight to Epcot. We ended the night at the Magic Kingdom since it was open till 1 AM. I loved the new Fantasy Land section - it is not 100% completed, but the new castles are so pretty! 

Saturday we went to Universal and did Islands of Adventures as well! It was my second time at Harry Potter and I loved it! It is a MUST for HP fans!

Sunday, we did MGM and Magic Kingdom again. It was so much fun & we rode everything we wanted to! We tried out Be Our Guest & honestly - I don't think it is worth the hype. The food at Cinderella's Castle is MUCH better. The restaurant is gorgeous though and I am glad we were able to experience it.

We came home early yesterday morning & went straight to work which was painful but so worth it! I have a very exciting week coming up - my birthday is on Saturday and I have friends and family coming into town to celebrate with me. I am so excited! Have a great week everyone! :) 

Target Beauty Haul: New Drugstore Makeup!

I was pretty good the month of June beauty shopping wise - with moving and everything, I had to grow accustomed to a different budget. I have been loving researching drugstore makeup recently, and so many gorgeous collections have come out! I went to target last week and picked up these goodies!

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream - I am in the shade Medium 

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder - I am in the color Natural Buff (same color I wear in L'Oreal Dream Lumi Foundation)

 

elf Matte Lip Colors in Rich Girl Red & Natural

Maybelline Master Smoky eye pencil in Smoldering Violet

Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses in Rosy Future & Kiss Me Coral

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme in Wink for Pink

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Shine in Kissable Pink

 

Thank you for watching & hope you enjoyed. Let me know if you find the swatches and pictures useful or would like for me to do a more in depth review!

June 2013 Beauty Favorites & Rediscoveries

I am having a really hard time comprehending that it is in fact JULY! How is that freaking possible? June flew by and with moving and being sick for a while, I did not acquire a lot of products in the midst of that. I included some "rediscoveries" - aka products in my collection that I have mentioned in past videos that I have rediscovered recently. Check out my June Beauty Favorites and let me know if you have any questions! :)

Olay Silk Whimsy Moisturizing Body Wash

L'oreal True Match Lumi Foundation - I am in the color Natural Buff - N3 Neutral 

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Corrector - 230

Paul Mitchell Hot Off the Press Thermal Protection Hairspray

Benefit Coralista Blush

Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Powder

Thank you for watching!! :) 

Weekend Recap!

Welcome to the most boring weekend recap ever! I did virtually nothing over the weekend which is exactly what I wanted to do. I am dying of excitement that we go to Disney this week & even happier that it is a three day work week! WOO HOO! 

Friday night, I went to Luciano's with my family and grandparents! 

My outfit: Dress from Apricot Lane, Shoes from Dolce Vita

with my grandparents

Saturday, I filmed some videos and we had a family dinner at my parent's condo! 

Sunday, I barely did anything but lay out with my friend Heather and eat chipotle - so productive. NOT! I hope you all have a great week! 

Linking up with Sami!