borrowed heaven: May 2014

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Outfit of the Month: May

Ahhh spring! Spring to me means dresses and sandals, so for this OOTM, I bought just that. Let's be honest, I did not feel like shopping this month [I feel like that's turning into a common theme] but still wanted to buy a new dress for the bridal shower I helped plan this month. I went on Macy's website and found a ton of dresses I loved. I bought this, this, this, and this. I immediately returned the first two [I liked the second but was way too pale for light pink in May], Mike loved the third one so I am keeping it for work, and I knew the last one would be perfect for the shower. When I went to return the first two at Macy's, I stopped at Payless and Forever 21 to get shoes and jewelry: $18 later, my outfit was complete!

Floral Dress: Style&Co Floral-Print Twist-Front Dress from Macy's

Sandals: Thea Flat Sling from Payless

Necklace: Iconic Teardrop Necklace in Gold/Jade from Forever 21

Earrings: Posh Earring Set from Forever 21

Bracelet: Minicci stretch bracelet from Payless

Past OOTM: February March April

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Bliss: May

What's your Bliss? What are you loving this month that you just can't live without?

Join Heather and me for Bliss! On the last Wednesday of each month, we host a link up to showcase your "favorites" of the month. Not sure what to write about? It can be anything from a favorite product, to a favorite moment, or a favorite new blogger, to even a new favorite quote! Include as few or as many "favorites" and don't forget to take photos!

Ask yourself, did it bring you #bloggerbliss this month? If you said yes, then we want to read about it!

Don't have time to write a whole post or don't have a blog and are just a blogger at heart? Hashtag a photo #bloggerbliss on Instagram and simply link to that photo on the day of the link up! Our hope is that Bliss and #bloggerbliss will help ladies across the country find new and fun ways to make their next month even better!

Here's what I loved this May:
My "Outfit of the Month" dress (Ruxin, too!) - can't wait to share it all tomorrow. I forgot how great Macy's dresses are!

Quotes - I shared a couple yesterday, but I am just loving these inspirational quotes! Thanks, Pinterest!

A piece of furniture - Is that sad? Well, I am loving it. We bought the first ever "real" piece of furniture [not used or IKEA] together earlier this month and I have spent so much time on the amazing chaise sectional... so have the cats...

Springtime - self explanatory.

Makeup - A few weeks ago for my friend's bachelorette, one of her other bridesmaids brought a ton of great makeup. I had so much fun with it and rediscovered how much I love mascara. Now I just need a good remover... any suggestions? Also, if you can tell me where to buy one of these, I will love you forever.

I can't wait to see what y'all have to share!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The 3 Cs of Life

choices, chances, and changes

You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.

There are some big things happening around these parts very soon (and no, not just that huge "wedding thing" going on in less than four months), and I cannot wait to share about them. In the mean time, enjoy my latest Pinterest stream of consciousness...

Friday, May 23, 2014

Summer 2014 Bucket List

I don't know about you, but this weekend marks the official start of my summer. We have so many fun things planned this summer, but we also hope to have a few spur-of-the-moment adventures sprinkled in there. Here are my and our hopes and dreams for our last "single" summer [LOL]:

Bucket List: - Get a tan with no golfer tan lines for the wedding - Make it down to the RI beaches at least 5 times - Run 15 miles each week - Learn to cook 5 new dishes to have more dinner staples - Finish the basement laundry room - Go berry picking - Plan our honeymoon - Finish all wedding planning by August 1 so that our last month of engagement can be fun! - Make fresh lemonade - Make and eat banana splits for dinner - Create a new "summer cocktail" - Golf at 3 new courses - Go to a Major League Baseball game
Definite "To-Do's:" Trips: - Sacramento, CA in July - Cooperstown, NY for Baseball Hall of Fame Induction - Ocean City, NJ in August Concerts: - REO Speedwagon and Chicago - DMB Bridal party Maine weekend
And yes, I know some of the things in the above photos are not on the Bucket List, but things like yard games, grilling, and shooting my BB gun are weekly [if not daily] occurrences at our house.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

#SweatPink Review: Pure LYFT

Have you heard about Fit Approach? You can learn more here, but basically we are a supportive network of strong women, working together to create healthy lifestyles, all while wearing pretty shoes. I wear the crap out of my pink laces and love all of the opportunities given by these women. A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed some fantastic Vega Bars, and this month it's all about natural caffeine and energy with Pure LYFT.

Here's what my #SweatPink ladies have to say about the product: LYFT Energy Stir Sticks are a cool, new way to get all natural caffeine and stir energy into any beverage you're drinking. The energy is derived from all natural green coffee bean extract and has vitamins A and B complex. With 0 calories and a clean taste, it's a perfect pre-workout boost, gets you over that 3:00 slump, and is great during happy hour or to keep your energy up while you're painting the town red!

Since the product claims to have a "clean taste," I thought I'd do a control test, only mixing it with water. I also decided it would be a great idea to do it the day after my bestie's bachelorette, teaching active 8 and 9 year old outside when I hadn't yet [and didn't plan to] have my daily Starbucks.
Well, I got my water bottle, drank down a few ounces to get it to the preferred 8 ounces, peeled off the outer coating, and mixed in the stir stick. It mixed in pretty well, leaving only a few visible white particles. I had no idea what it would taste like. The closest taste I can compare it to is that "Propel" water from Gatorade. It had a slightly sweet taste with that aspartame aftertaste. The taste was not as obvious as flavored water but it definitely was there. Even more prevalent [and important] there was the caffeine. It definitely had the pick-me-up to get through a whole day of lessons on a sunny and warm afternoon.

The second time around, I switched out my pre-workday Starbucks for an orange juice and LYFT. This time, I could not taste the stir stick at all and felt just under the same energy as an iced Venti black tea.

There you have it! I received these products complimentary from the Fit Approach and Pure LYFT for an honest review. Check out their website to purchase some stir sticks to try for yourself!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Bridesmaid Fun!

Over the past two weeks, I've had the pleasure of planning and attending the pre-wedding festivities for one of my best friends whose wedding I'm in next month. Two weekends ago was her shower and last weekend was her bachelorette party.
The shower was at her brothers' aquarium showroom. They create aquariums for locations all over the area like Mystic Aquarium and Foxwoods Casino! The day of the shower, I had three duties: flower arranging, photography, and the BOWquet.

High school best friends!

Toilet paper wedding dresses!

So many gifts!

The story of present opening: Liz and the flower girls opening, the MOH taking notes, the other bridesmaids laughing, and me concentrating way too much on the BOWquet...

The bridal party minus a flower girl and a bridesmaid

We had the bachelorette in Newport and rented an adorable townhouse apartment! The whole day was a scavenger hunt with the bride not even knowing it was her bachelorette weekend.