10 Interior Design Pinterests I Love

In a few months, Sienna and I will be most likely moving to Albuquerque which means SO MANY INTERIOR DECORATING OPPORTUNITIES! Not that I'm excited or anything, but ya girl has been curating a few Pinterest accounts specifically for this occasion.

/lavivahome/

What makes La Viva Home stand out to me are the specific boards dedicated to different fabric patterns, textiles, and rooms in your house. I have spent could spend hours looking through all of the sleek and colorful photos.

/leslidevito/

Lesli's color-specific boards make my extremely OCD brain very happy. I can look up specific colors that I already have in my room and scour her board for more ideas of complimentary accents! Not to mention her MOCH (My Old Country House) blog is a collection of all of my dreams come to life. 

/Homepolish/

Any avid interior decorating-obsessed individual has to know about Homepolish! Believe me when I say that I'm usually firmly anti-pastel, but their Pastel Paradise board may be quickly changing my mind. 

/housebeautiful/

Got a quirky nook in your house? House Beautiful most likely has a pinterest board solely dedicated to that quirky nook. From home bars to little nests, front doors to mudrooms, and a board for every color under the sun, House Beautiful is literally your one-stop destination for all your home pinspiration!

/simplygrove/

Kristen Grove's interior design game is on FLEEK. Not only does she have room-specific boards, but she also has boards for specific furniture pieces. Looking for a sleek coffee table or a colorful area rug? Kristen has you covered.

/huntedinterior/

I'm always terrified of smaller spaces. I have the tendency to overload it with tons of furniture and other objects, and then it looks like Ikea threw up everywhere. This has made me shy away from color, but that's definitely not who I am at my core. Kristin Jackson's boards are my personal challenge to include more color in my life, and I'm LOVING it.

/jennykomenda/

Jenny's Pinterest has such a calming affect on me. I think it's probably the copious amounts of natural light in her pictures that I also want to incorporate into my *future dream home*. I'm also really into her office space board...fingers crossed we have a little extra space for an office nook of sorts!

/apttherapy/

Living in Albuquerque means a higher possibility of renting an apartment rather than a house. Apartment Therapy has so many amazing ideas to turn a small space like a 1/1 apartment into the pad of your dreams.

/freshome/

With more focus on all-around design components, Freshome has a ton of great DIY ideas as well as some finishing touches for your place. My favorite board has to be their fireplace ideas - we don't have the need for fireplaces in Hawaii so I'm pretty excited for the decoration possibilities in store!

/greyandscout/

Last but certainly not least, Liz Bachman at Grey & Scout has put together quite an impressive Pinterest. Just looking at her homepage alone makes me feel so *classy*.  Her primary interior design board, SPACES, extremely satisfies my minimalist desires while adding in those pops of color I crave.

Life In Peepsland: Currently Feb

Hey, remember when I said I was going to blog at least once a week? Well, that was before January happened and now I'm considering February to be the *real* start of 2016. Cheating? Probably. But who cares!

January was kind of a flop for me in all aspects of life, so I'm playing the proverbial "get out of jail free" card (thanks, Monopoly) and calling a do-over. Everything that went wrong in January? Let's fix it in February. Didn't do so well on your resolutions? Don't sweat the small setbacks! Let's show ourselves a little more love this month and just start all over again.

Thanks Farley for another monthly Currently post - check out the FABULOUS shoes that are getting a crazy revamp and making a comeback! I remember being completely obsessed with ballet flats when I was a freshman in high school and I'm so glad they're getting a style-upgrade with the lace-up addition! Definitely be on the lookout for a style post soon...

one.two.three

Blogmas Day 9 | Pantone's 2016 Hues

Here in Peepsland, we consider the Pantone color announcement to be the official start of the new year. For 2016, Pantone has selected Serenity, a light blue, and Rose Quartz, a pale dusty pink hue as the colors of the year. Two colors? Seriously, Pantone?! However, after much hemming and hawing, I've decided that I really like Pantone's decision to choose two colors, especially these two. Maybe it was The New York Times' article on Pantone's "political color choices" that won me over, but this girl is all for social equality, whether that be in the form of equal rights for men and women, or starting on a smaller scale and choosing the two most stereotypical gender-specific colors to be the dominating color influencers of an entire calendar year.

To help you all get in the mood to take on these color choices, I've pulled together some of my favorite inspirations from fashion, home interior, and style websites around the web. Although I'm definitely pulling more towards Rose Quartz for my favorite of the two, I really like how seamlessly these two colors can be paired together to make a peaceful color combination. Let me know what y'all think!

xoxo,

Blogmas Day 7 | Rose Gold Life

Guys. When Pantone announced their 2016 colors of the year, I nearly had a heart attack. Why? Because Rose Quartz is like the pastel cousin of Rose Gold which means I get to celebrate my favorite color even more! For Day 7 of Blogmas, I'm bringing to you all of my current makeup favorites that help me achieve that beautiful gilded rose look on my face.

Urban Decay Naked 3 and individual shadows in Sin and Half Baked keep my lids gilded for the gods on a daily basis. Half Baked is my main squeeze with just enough shimmer to make me look awake during the day.
NARS Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil is the perfect everyday "nude" color, plus it makes my lips feel so soft!
MAC Springsheen Blush has been a favorite of mine for years. It isn't too shimmery, and I like to think of it as a highlighter and blush combined. All you need is a little bit to get that rose gold hue!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow is included because of the beautiful sleek packaging with that little rose gold insignia. Plus brows are a MUST and I'm absolutely in love with how much control the dipbrow and brow brush gives me.
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb is what I imagine "rose gold" would smell like. I've loved this perfume for years and I'm dying to get my hands on their limited edition holiday bottle.

Happy Blogmas! Have a great week!

Blogmas Day 6 | Peeps vs Fitness

Back in this post, I briefly discussed how I was testing out 5 different wearable fitness trackers from the amazing Lumoid folks to see which one would best fit my lifestyle. I had done my research beforehand and narrowed down my choices to these guys.

one.two.three.four.five

After 2 weeks with the trackers here are my final thoughts...

1) Fitbit Charge HR - Very user-friendly, most accurately counted my steps (logged 100 counted steps as 102 steps). I loved the watch-like band and never felt that it was going to fall off at all. Water resistant, but not waterproof, this tracker is probably one you shouldn't shower with.

2) Jawbone UP3 - I love that this tracker basically looks like a bracelet. The only downsides are that there isn't any screen to tell you how many steps you've taken or what your heartrate is (here's to checking your phone even MORE than you already do) and current Jawbone technology only allows you to record your resting heartrate, when you're not doing any physical activity.

3-5) Moto 360 Gen 1, Striiv Fusion, Garmin Vivosmart - As soon as I opened the box from Lumoid, I instantly knew that I would not be choosing any of these 3 contenders. The Moto 360 is a lot larger than I anticipated, and it felt very cumbersome to wear. The Striiv Fusion and Garmin Vivosmart were thin enough to wear, but I was always worried that they would get snagged on something and ripped off of my wrist during the day due to their lack of secure closure.

Top 2: Jawbone UP3 and Fitbit Charge HR. I'm deciding to go with the UP3 because I'm a diva and like to wear my own watch instead of having one built-in to my tracker. I know that means more things on my wrist, but I'm a big #armcandy supporter. Here's to closing 2015 with health on my mind, and starting off 2016 on the path to a better me!

Blogmas Day 5 | Winter Wardrobe

After a much-needed baecation (see what I did there?) I'm BACK and better than ever to participate in this year's Blogmas extravaganza! For those who have never heard of Blog/Vlogmas, it's a time for bloggers (and vloggers) to post about their favorite holiday items, whether it be traditions, clothing, makeup routines, activities, etc. Today I wanted to share 5 of my favorite wintery treats from the new ASOS and Loft collections!
1) From ASOS, this dress is so sexy and ethereal, and would look perfect with a polished bun and a bold lip or loose flowy curls and gladiators for a more lowkey look.
2) Also from ASOS, this halter/racerback hybrid is such a cute color that would flow perfectly into 2016 considering Pantone's Color of the Year announcement! (squeal!!!)
3) Shoutout to my onesie-wearing adults! This unicorn onesie would be absolutely perfect for keeping me warm next year in New Mexico (hint hint).
4) Loft always has my back when it comes to cute sweaters, and this diamond pointelle pattern on a cream sweater is the perfect addition to my winter wardrobe.
5) Last but not least, this moto jacket from Loft's Lou & Grey collection is my idea of the ultimate cross between edgy and sophisticated.

things i love: one.two.three.four.five

Happy Friday!

Peeps Test Drives Fitness Trackers

I am so convinced that we are slowly being taken over by robots. Everywhere I look, someone is talking into a bluetooth headset, checking their Apple Watch, or walking around with one of these guys on their arm - yes, I'm talking about the increasingly popular wearable fitness tracker. 

When the first wave of these trackers first came out, I was not impressed at all; they were bulky, NOT fashionable, and way too industrial for my taste. Thankfully, the manufacturers became a little wiser and started to make more wearer-friendly trackers for those of us who do not work at 24 Hour Fitness for a living.

I've been looking at getting a tracker for a while now, but really didn't know where to start. This is where the wonderful website Lumoid comes in handy. Lumoid will let you test drive 5 fitness trackers of your choosing for only $30. If you decide to buy one of the trackers, $25 of your "rental fee" goes towards your purchase! If not, you're charged the full $30, but at such a small fee to try out 5 trackers for 2 weeks, how could I say no?!

Above are the trackers I've selected to try (from left to right): Fitbit Charge HR, Jawbone UP3, Moto 360 1st Gen, Striiv Fusion, and Garmin Vivosmart. I can't wait to get this rental box in the mail and share my thoughts with you all!

Thinking About Inking?

Yesterday, I got my first tattoo. My best friend from high school drew up a design for me with an amazing description and explanation of the design about a month ago, so I've been mulling it over for a while now. Coming out of the experience, I definitely have respect for people who get huge tattoos, as well as some tips and tricks for the big day! This list is not comprehensive at all, and in no ways am I a tattoo expert, so make sure to consult a trustworthy artist and tattoo shop before making an appointment!

PREPARING

• Shopping for a shop - go to a few trustworthy and sterile shops to get price quotes, check out the clientele, read reviews online and on Yelp! The more you know, the better!
• Design - plan ahead and have a design ready to go. Sit on it for a few weeks just to be sure that's really what you want. Like the artist I went to said, "it's more painful to take it off than it is to put it on…"
• Making an appointment - many shops will require you to make an appointment and put down a cash deposit just to ensure that you show up. The deposit will then go towards your total price tag for your fresh ink!
• Paying - some shops only accept cash. Ask beforehand so you can plan accordingly.
• Tell EVERYONE - the more people who know, the less likely you are to back out!
• Prep for aftercare - each shop is different, but the one GUARANTEED ointment to help the healing process without removing any of your hard-earned ink (cough A&D and Neosporin…) is Aquaphor. It's a little pricier than other ointments, but everyone I've ever talked to says how much they wish they used Aquaphor instead of *insert other ointment here*…Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, basically anywhere with a cosmetic/lotion/skin care aisle will have this baby!

INK DAY

• Understand your limits - for your first ink, you probably won't want to go too big unless you know you can handle it. Everyone's pain tolerance level is different, but know that it will hurt.
• Be early - show up about 10 minutes before your appointment to fill out any paperwork, talk to your artist again, and get comfortable
• Needle to skin - practice deep breathing, focus on the TV in the shop, talk to your artist, and try not to move! It'll be over before you know it!
• Ask about cleaning - many shops will provide you with a little cleaning paperwork so you can remember what you have to do, but it doesn't hurt to ask clarifying questions!

AFTERCARE

• Clothes - ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to wear your baggy clothing. You'll want to wear things that are NOT tight fitting, allowing for your tattoo to breathe.
• Cleaning - wash your tattoo with liquid antibacterial soap (Dial is most recommended) at least 5 times a day. Your tattoo is a beautiful open wound, so you should treat it as such!
• Dressing - now is the time for Aquaphor! When the bandage that your artist applies can come off, you'll want to wash the tattoo immediately. Then apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to it with a clean hand. Coat the tattoo so there is a sheen, but not so much that there's excess goop. Reapply the Aquaphor after every cleaning.
• After the first few days - apply lotion! Unscented lotion like Lubriderm is best! The tattoo will begin to scab and whatever you do, DO NOT SCRATCH IT! Depending on the size of the tattoo, it can take upwards of 2 weeks to completely heal. No oceans, lakes, pools, saunas, or other bodies of water for a minimum of 2 weeks. You can do this!

Above all, consult with your tattoo artist for more tips, recommendations, and care methods. Good luck, and happy inking!

The Price of Beauty

Too Faced Cosmetics / Rimmel / L Oréal / Laura Mercier /  Garnier /  Anastasia / Stila / Benefit / Fresh/ 

How much money do we really fork out for that "perfect face?" Apparently, if you're like me, quite a lot of money. $212 to be exact. Yowza. But it's so worth it, right? Here's what I need in my life to create my everyday look:

• Too Faced Cosmetics Primed and Poreless foundation primer
• Rimmel London Natural Bronzer pressed powder
• L'Oreal True Match foundation loose powder
• Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller sheer concealer
• Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz brow liner
• Stila liquid eyeliner pen
• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow brow filler
• Fresh Sugar Rose lip balm tint

Need? Probably not. According to my first grade students, for something to be a "need," you would die if you didn't have it. So no, these are not technically "needs" BUT they are extremely necessary wants…

What is your price of beauty?

The Scent of Spring

All I can think of when Spring comes around is the phenomenal quote from Meryl Streep's character, Ms. Miranda Priestly...

But hey, who's judging?! A few days ago, I was evaluating my perfume and rollerball obsession collection, and picked up a new scent for Spring at Sephora. Here are my top Spring perfumes!

* Elizabeth and James Nirvana White

With notes of peony, muguet, and tender musk, this perfume by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen is the perfect embodiment of Spring - feminine, chic, with a little rebellious kick. Although it's a little heavy for my everyday wear, I will definitely be using this baby for Sunday brunch gatherings and a day out with my girls.

* Tory Burch 

I'll admit, I was first drawn in by the design on the rollerball tube. It's so fun and flirty, perfect for Spring. Tory Burch's first fragrance combines the floral chicness of peony and tuberose with crisp citrusy punches of grapefruit and neroli. It's classic, it's floral, it's just enough princess and punk for every day. Not too girly, not too heavy. A Spring classic for sure!

* Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

I picked this baby up in Sephora as a suggestion from a good friend of mine. I was a little skeptical at first, but I must say she knows me well! Flowerbomb is a deep flirty floral scent, combining notes of jasmine, rose, orchid, freesia, and patchouli. This will definitely be a contender for my every day perfume!

I absolutely love how portable and cute rollerballs are, and they give you a great sample of the perfume before you make an investment in the whole shebang. I can't wait to see what other scents of Spring will pop up during the season!

Spring 2015 Nail Trends

Dolce & Gabbana | Essie | Butter London | ORLY | OPI | NYX | Topshop

After consulting the nail polish forecast, I've narrowed down the wide range of Spring 2015 trends to encompass the ones I found most intriguing, daring, posh, and classic. I can't wait to try out some all of these different trends (let's be real, I have a polish problem).

To sum it up, here are the main polish categories in the Spring 2015 Nail Polish Trend:

• Fiery Pink
• Sea Foam Green and Teal
• Metallic Navy
• Blush Pink
• Electric Lilac
• Opaque Gray
• Citrusy Brights

Whatever your taste may be, seems like Spring 2015 has a little color for everyone!

Favorites Friday: 5 Favorite Pins

Another week closer to Spring Break!!! *cue angels singing, release the doves, turn up the weekend jams...* Here's my weekly roundup of Favorite Links - this week, my 5 favorite pins that got me through the week - teacher, inspirational, foodie, fashion, and a DIY surprise for your weekend. Enjoy!

* Favorite Teacher Pin
From MiddleWeb, this infograpic on 10 ways to sabotage your classroom was hilarious, and informational.

*Favorite Inspirational Pin
In times of self-doubt, this motivational printable will definitely come in handy!

*Favorite Foodie Pin

Not sure about the low-cal properties of this bad boy, but chicken parmesan meatloaf "muffins" sounds like a great make-ahead weeknight dinner idea to me!

*Favorite Beauty Pin

Every time I see an article titled "beauty hacks that will change your life," I'll admit that I fall for the tagline without fail. Every time! POP SUGAR is a site I unabashedly love, so their New York Fashion Week beauty hacks article was one I couldn't miss!

*Favorite DIY Pin

From Lemonade Makin' Mama, this arrow jewelry holder is so cute and perfect for the trendiest rooms - class it up or make it for your hipster haven, this DIY jewelry holder is one I know I'll be making soon!

Have a great pin-spired weekend! One week closer to a week of relaxation and adventure...or maybe just a little more sleep. Let's set realistic goals.