Life Lately and a Giveaway!

This is what life has looked like lately according to instagram.

Summer weather has officially made it's way to Washington (though I'm thankful it took it's sweet time). I've been celebrating with lots of time wandering around the hill, watching baseball games, and partaking in a few yummy cocktails.

Even more baseball, late nights with good friends, a few pretty flowers and some new beauty goodies to sample c/o Birchbox and Simple Skincare.

Finally shopping for some baubles at South Moon Under, pretty flowers in my front yard, Cheese Shop deliciousness in Williamsburg, and taking in the breathtaking views of the tidal basin while I still can!

Now, the lovely people over at Shabby Apple would like to give one of you fabulous ladies a $50 giftcard! Great way to start the week, right? If you don't already know, Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique that specializes in vintage and retro dresses.  Click Here: vintage dresses to see the selection! Winners will be announced on June 12th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quoted

Friday's Fancies: Winning in White

Are four day weeks not the best? I can hardly believe it's Friday, but I'm certainly not complaining! This week's Friday's Fancies theme is very appropriate, as summer time weather has officially arrived in DC.

winning in white by bluedogbelle featuring stainless steel jewelry

Flower dress / Topshop leather shoes / Accessorize evening handbag / Kate Spade earrings / French Connection stainless steel jewelry, $145 / San Diego Hat Co. wide brim hat

Honestly I'm still way behind in my reader... so I haven't gotten to troll through as many posts as I would like, but I certainly still have some link love to share with you all.

• Pugly Pixel had this great post about free downloadable art from the  Rijks Museum. I may have to nab a few for my new apartment!
• Alyssa from The Glossy Life wrote such a beautiful and poignant post yesterday. It's definitely worth a read. 
• This trick from The Beauty Department is genius, and actually works! Who knew?
• I loved Allyssa's summer reading challenge, and think I may play along. Anyone else?
• Now go make this deliciously southern summertime cocktail and start the weekend off right. 

Have a great one gals!

Bar Cart Beauties

With only two months left as a Washingtonian I'm beginning to dream about what life in New Orleans will look like. I'm foreseeing some long nights in the library, lots of warm weather, late nights on Magazine Street, and cocktails on the porch of my new New Orleans abode (that I have yet to find). Sounds pretty good right?

Since I'm planning on living on my own for the first time I'm thrilled to get complete and total control over the decor. Yay!!! So in the coming weeks I want to get y'all's oppinions on a few decor options I'm considering. I've come to learn you folks have the best taste around. 

First up, the ever important bar. I'm not sure what it is about having a "bar" in my house that makes me so happy (beyond the obvious bottle collection), but I just love the sheer decadence and sophistication of devoting a chunk of your living space to pretty glasses, bottles and trays. Whatever it is, I've decided that a bar is a must in my new abode. 

Right now I'm using a massive Ikea bookshelf turned on it's side for storage/ bar wares, but I'm thinking of switching over to a pretty bar cart. 

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I mean, come on. Don't you love them all? While I'm still debating if I want to go for a cart, ooh... or maybe a tray or two on top of a buffet? I'm pulling all of the elements together.

bar cart by bluedogbelle featuring beauty products

Beauty product, $38 / Waterford Crystal Lismore Ice Bucket & Tongs, Cobalt / Riedel Ultra Decanter - 225mm 1230ccm, $340 / C. Wonder Neon Lucite Serving Tray / Casa Couture Platinum champagne box of 4, $53 / Tabla by Mikasa® Circumference Shooter Glasses, Set of 4 / Worlds Away Bar carts

What would you put on your bar car?