Happy Friday // Links Loved

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I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again... just kidding, I know when I'll be back (Memorial Day) but I really am leaving on a jet plane tomorrow. We are flying to San Juan Puerto Rico and then taking a cruise through the South Caribbean for a week. In addition to San Juan, which I'm really excited to see, we are going to St. Thomas, St. John, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Maarteen. Have you ever been to the Caribbean? If so, please share any tips you have!

I have to admit something, besides crossing the border into Vancouver B.C., I've never been out of the country. I've never even been to the East Coast. Don't get me wrong, I've done my fair share of travel in my life thus far, but all has been centered on the West Coast.So this trip will be a ton of fun but I'm just praying I don't wake up one morning, realize I'm on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean, and have a mini-freakout. 

Okay folks, I've got to cut it short. I've got a ton of packing to do and want to squeeze in a last minute trip to the mall... a girl's suitcase is never full enough! I'll be back the day after Memorial Day with tons of pictures and of course, tropical outfit posts. Happy weekend!

A few links for you to enjoy while I'm gone:

- Have you heard of Gizoogle yet? No? Check it out immediately and gizoogle anything. I recommend twitter or even this little blog. Get ready to laugh - for your co-workers sake, probably best not to check this out at work. You will howl. 

- There has been a lot of talk about Gwenyth's new cookbook and diet. A real women tries it and documents her journey here. 

- This is easily the funniest thing I've seen in ages. If the same situation happened to me, I'd hope my karaoke skills were up to par. 

- Have you seen Club Monaco's Fall 2013 lookbook yet? The expert styling has me thinking about skipping summer fashion all together and reaching for the nearest moto jacket. 

Thursday Thrills

{Bop Basics Raffia Backpack / Parker Printed Silk Dress / By Malene Birger Pencil Skirt / Club Monaco Jumpsuit / Topshop Scallop Bikini Top and Bottoms / Gap Thong Sandals / Target Straw Tote}

Can you tell I have vacation on the brain? We leave on Saturday and all I can think about is color and fun prints. I'm seriously thinking about running to Target and the Gap for that beach bag and those sandals before we leave - a girl can never have enough beach basics, right?! 

Rug Decisions // Cast Your Vote

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I've been on the hunt for the perfect runner for our hallway since we moved in last summer. I'm not a huge fan on the Cherry floors (little too red for my taste) and we can't throw Frank's toys for him without him sliding down the hallway like a baseball player sliding into home. With West Elm putting all their rugs on a 20 percent off sale this week, there seems to be no time like the present to finally commit to one. So I've narrowed it down to four choices but have hit a decision wall. I just cannot pick one to save my life. Should I do more graphic or more tribal? I have this rug in our living room, so I'd like them to tie somewhat but not look too matchy-matchy. What are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite?

The Perfect Dress (On Sale!)

{BaubleBar Tan Geo Studded Bracelet / Alexander Wang Antonia Sandals / Tibi Amelie Shift Dress / Essie White Blanc Nail Polish / Clare Vivier Stripe Clutch}

I was browsing the Tibi Friends and Family sale yesterday morning when I stumbled upon this shift dress. I was instantly enamored with its white and taupe color palette, with its flattering vertical stripe, with its impeccable tailoring. It's the type of dress you see in European street style snaps and wonder where the heck it came from. Well my friends, it comes from Tibi and needs to be in every Francophiles' closet, stat. Pick up yours here during the Tibi Friends and Family Sale (use code FRIENDS25 before Friday)

Happy Weekend! // Links Loved

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Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is finally here. We leave on vacation next Saturday so naturally, this week and the next will drag. Fortunately, we are in for a really fun weekend, so hopefully the time will pass quickly. My parents are coming to stay with us this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. We have a picnic planned, a trip to Pike Place to scoop up my mom some flowers, and of course, going to see the Great Gatsby. D and I have been reading the Great Gatsby to each other aloud at night this week and are getting really excited to see the movie. We both read the book in high school but didn't remember much of it so decided to reread it. This is sad, but its the first book either of us have read for enjoyment in a long, long time.... think pre-college. I guess that is what happens when you have so much forced reading to do during school. I'm hoping to change that over vacation though. Any recommendations on a good beach read? I'm in the market!

Any fun weekend plans? Mother's Day celebrations? To all you moms out there, I just want to say Happy Mother's Day! 

A few links for your weekend enjoyment:

- Hold on to your wallet's ladies, 3.1 Phillip Lim is coming to a Target near you September 15th. 

- Fantasize about being Jenna Lyons from J.Crew? Walk 24 hours in her shoes here and then decide. 

- An exhibit dedicated to telling the elusive history of one of the most famous fragrances, ever, Chanel No. 5.

- Eight lessons the ladies of Matchbook Magazine learned from their mother's - what a neat editorial!

- Five Mother's Day brunch menus for all those avoiding restaurants on Sunday. 

Thursday Thrills

{Asos Shift Dress / Wildfox "Shopping Is My Cardio" Tee / Tibi Striped Cami / One by Thela Bag / Essie Corals Boat House Polish / Rosebud Perfume Co. Strawberry Balm / Mara Hoffman One Piece / L*Space Caftan / Tibi Pleated Maxi Skirt}

Ever spend months buying clothes for a vacation, only to realize the week before that there is all this good stuff you missed? Yeah, that's what this post is all about. We leave next week for our cruise and to my horror, Shopbop puts all it's swimwear on sale today (20 percent off with code SWIM20) after I've bought all my swimsuits and coverups for the trip. And then Tibi released a few more pieces from its summer collection and I'm not sure my trip would be complete without them... looks like I'm in some trouble here. I just need to keep reminding myself that I can only bring one suitcase... yeah right! Like that'll happen!

More Great Style Inspo

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As the temperatures rise (think 80 degrees plus), I have to push myself more and more to make an effort to look put together. Instead of putting thought into my outfit, I'd rather put thought into how I can score a slushie and a fan, stat. So I put this style inspiration post together to remind myself that looking cute in sweltering heat is possible. Think sun dresses and skirt/blouse combos in light, lose fabrics. Also, remind yourself that hot summer days are one of the few times that being a girl is obviously better than being a boy - just watch your guy sweat it out in those cargo shorts and tees!