Colorful Blooms

I know I've mentioned this before (we all know by now how much I adore floral patterns... remember these?), but one of the great things about floral patterns is that there are so many ways to remix the piece! When I was deciding what to wear this day, I was trying to choose between at least three different tops... and that isn't including the multiple pairs of shoes and pieces of jewelry you could wear to mix it up a bit! Also, because floral patterns are pretty much a classic (even though they're considered trendy), it makes a good investment item and a fun wardrobe staple!





skirt- Anthropologie, top- J. Crew, heels- Seychelles, bag- GiGi New York, bracelets- J. Crew, earrings- vintage via Marlena's Vintage Boutique, sunglasses- Kate Spade

Do you have a favorite floral patterned piece?

Have a lovely day :)

❤Britt

Polka Dots and Stripes

I know this look is super nautical and practically screams summer (and I swear I'm not trying to rush spring) but we had two really, really warm days so I felt like this was acceptable :)... and who can resist the charming combination of polka dots and stripes?!? I've been really into mixing prints lately because, aside from the fact that it is a lot of fun, I think it gives an outfit some major interest and depth... it is also very on trend for spring!





skirt- J. Crew Factory (on final sale now!), top- J. Crew Factory (loving this top, too!), bag- Target (old), heels- Etienne Aigner, sunglasses- Kate Spade, lips- Stila liquid lipstick in beso, bracelets- J. Crew, Forever 21, Bedazzled Boutique

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! It was gorgeous here and I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time outside and get some of my gardening done and most of my seeds planted... I'm quite behind on the season.. it's been a busy spring so far!

Here's to taking some time to smell the roses! Happy Monday :)

❤Britt

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok, now I know that this is one of the simplest recipes to make... but it is also one of the basics when it comes to baking and in order to be a good baker, you need to have a strong base (like a good buttercream icing or pound cake). I believe that everyone should know how to make a really good chocolate chip cookie... from scratch. A good chocolate chip cookie is like the little black dress of baking...you can take it (as opposed to wear it) anywhere, seriously. This one has been tried and tested ten times over and I feel like I can say with confidence that it is one of the best chocolate chip cookies that I've ever had... just ask my husband and his friends... and his office... :) Even the batter is delicious!




recipe from Ghiradelli Chocolate, yields about 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (I use sea salt)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups milk chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional... I typically don't use them)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combne flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Mix together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Then add the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time, and stir until mixed well.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown (I bake mine for 8 minutes, sometimes only slightly longer).

Enjoy! Have a great weekend everyone!! Does anyone have any exciting plans?

❤Britt

Bright Stripes for a Maxi

We had a bout of summer weather here... brief but beggars can't be choosers :)... and I was really excited when I realized it was going to be warm enough to wear this dress (I thought I wasn't going to have a chance for at least another few weeks)! The bright colors are so on trend for spring with the violet, lemon, and dusky blue and the fact that those colors are combined in a stripe pattern on a maxi... it doesn't get much better than that! I added neutral floral print wedges and a silver floral necklace to add some interest to the look and to incorporate one more spring trend, mixing prints (I've tried mixing prints before and I love it!)! The neutral bag and cardigan both ground the look and help to pull it all together (especially with the similar hues of the cardigan and print on the wedges). What warm-weather item are you excited to wear?




dress- Target (still available!), cardigan- J. Crew, wedges- Self Esteem (old), bag- Anthropologie (old), sunglasses- Ray-Ban, necklace- Premier Designs

Have a wonderful day! I'm so happy it's Thursday... only one more day til the weekend!!

❤Britt

Mint Condition

I absolutely LOVE this top... the fabric, the colors, the stripes... I just know that it is going to be one of my go to shirts this season (and the next, and the next...)! The bright cobalt stripes are the perfect pop of color and makes this shirt a natural choice to pair with my cobalt jeans! I added the mint accessories because I've been dying to wear these mint (I know you're all aware of my obsession with mint) flats and this new necklace that I just got (my first purchase from BaubleBar!!)! Speaking of these two items, I have to mention my two latest obsessions (as in I've been on their sites everyday and have a ridiculous amount of items in my carts), Piperlime and BaubleBar. If you haven't used either of these two shopping sites yet, go now! Yes, they're that amazing!




jeans- J. Crew, top- J. Crew (on sale now!), flats- DV by Dolce Vita via Piperlime, bag- Anthropologie, bracelet- J. Crew, necklace- BaubleBar, sunglasses- Kate Spade

I'd love to know what you think of my two new shopping addictions (have you used them before, etc?)... and if you have any other suggestions, please share (because one more obsession is just what I need)!!

Hope you all have a lovely day :)

❤Britt

A Walk in the Park

Joe and I took Niko for a walk in the park over the weekend... it was too nice out to stay inside :) I have to wear comfortable shoes when walking him because he tends to pull when he gets excited... so anything with a heel just won't do (plus, our neighborhood is pretty hilly)! So I wore my super comfortable loafers, my new favorite jeans, and threw on this light, linen sweater over my sheer, foral button down... looks like I was feeling a little bohemian-chic this day (reminds me of this look). Anything and everything floral reminds me of spring so wearing this floral print combined with the fact that it was a beautiful, sunny day made me twice as happy! What is your pick-me-up print or piece?




jeans- Paige Denim (love these), top- Forever 21, sweater- J. Crew, loafers- Bass, bag- South Moon Under, earrings- Lucky Brand, sunglasses- Ray-Ban, bracelets- J. Crew, Bedazzled Boutique

Hope you have a great day! It's sunny and warm here today... I'm so excited!! It also reminds me that I need to get a mani/pedi... :)

❤Britt

P.S.
Isn't he handsome?!?

Gingham and Green

What looks like a skirt in this picture is actually one of my summer dresses :) (don't you just love the emerald green color?) I've come to the conclusion that the end of a season breeds the most creativity (at least when it comes to dressing) because I've already worn pretty much everything in my closet for that particular season at that point... and am sick of looking at most of it! So, here's my latest outfit for the awkward in between weather that always comes with the change of seasons. I'm still trying the brighten my mood with fun colors and patterns, hence the gingham top and green dress (and my fun mint green mani)! Would you try wearing a dress as a skirt?





dress- J. Crew (similar here), sweater- J. Crew, top- J. Crew, flats- Sam Edelman, tights- old, bag- Juicy Couture, watch- Fossil, necklace- a gift from my sister-in-law, sunglasses- Kate Spade

I got to do a little shopping this weekend (J. Crew is having a lovely  sale!) and today I realized that I've become completely and utterly obsessed with Piperlime... help! Anyone else have that problem?

I hope you all had a nice weekend... now back to the grind :) Happy Monday!

❤Britt