Currently Loving: Marble

I survived school, hallelujah!

On that note, I'm now on the job hunt which is not going too well unfortunately. Your options are a little limited when you don't have a car. Oh well, hopefully I'll find something soon. 

But the good news is, I got some new dividers for my Carpe Diem planner (which is not in use yet because I don't have inserts for it yet). They are from Minted Sugar on Etsy and they are just truly fabulous. Excuse the awful lighting, I'll try to take better pictures in the future, I just couldn't wait to share! 

I've fallen in love with everything marble lately, especially marble + gold. It's just so clean and chic. It's like all of a sudden I want everything marble. I mean, how can you not?! Look at these gold dipped marble coasters: 

I waaaaant. They would look so good against my black table (that's my justification for buying them if I do, not that I need one). 

Anyway, I'm going to put you in the marble mood as well. I'm sorry or you're welcome (your pick). 

1. Fioforma 2. Balmain 3. Topshop 4. Senso 5. Charlotte Olympia 6. Balenciaga

1. Kamilah Willacy 2. Soo Ihn Kim 3. Christian Paul 4. Balenciaga  5. French Connection  6. Shadow Play

1. Nordstjerne 2. Art Club Concept 3. Nineteenseventythree 4. Houseology 5. Artemest 6. Juliska

Isn't it all so lovely? I especially love all of the dark marble. I haven't yet perfected--or even attempted--marble nails but I think that might be a summer project I'll have to work on. I'm sure many of you fashionistas have tried this. How hard is it, really? Be honest with me! 

Do you swoon over marble as much as I do? What are you currently loving? 

  

Happy Saturday + September Lusts

This was supposed to be a "Happy Friday!" post but I didn't get around to posting it, so happy Saturday everyone! I hope ya'll had a good week.

It's restaurant week here in Charleston. I'm not sure if this is something that happens in other parts of the world, but it happens every year (September 9th-20th this year). Participating restaurants will create a special Restaurant Week menu which includes X amount of courses for X amount of dollars. The prices vary depend on the restaurant.

If you live in Charleston and you live under a rock and haven't heard of Restaurant Week, check out the menus here. John and I went to The Green Goat last night which has 3 courses for $25. That place is a hidden gem in West Ashley. West Ashley get a little shunned restaurant wise because all of the "good" restaurants are downtown, but there are some restaurants West Ash that are way better than downtown and cheaper.

I had:
Appetizer: Mac Balls (fried Newcastle macaroni and cheese balls drizzled with house made ranch)
Entree: Local Shrimp Scampi (onions, tomatoes, and herbs tossed with linguini in a garlic, lemon butter sauce),
Dessert: Peanut butter cup cheesecake that I haven't eaten yet. I also took John's dessert home with me because he has to avoid eating wheat, so I also have an Irish Carbomb Cake waiting for me in the fridge.
Those Mac Balls were so freaking good. 

Anyway, enough about Restaurant Week, I have created a Lust List for September because I have a couple of things that I am eying this month.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

Fur vests (faux of course) and knee-high/over-the-knee boots have been on my radar these past few weeks. I'm also going to try to perfect winged eyeliner, god knows I need the practice. A white button down shirt under a faux fur vest, and some dark green skinnies with black knee-high boots and a clean cat eye might be my fall uniform. Add a scarf in there some days, too. 

Well that's all for today. If you are in Charleston or around the Charleston area, you should check out some Restaurant Week menus and see if anything catches your eye. I hope ya'll have a good weekend! 

What's on your September Lust List right now? 

Quest for the Perfect Laptop Case

I'm currently on a search for a new laptop case/sleeve/tote, because the one I have now is about 2 or 3 inches too big. It is a pink Lacoste sleeve and very cute, so I'm sad that it isn't smaller. Right now I'm using John's, which I'm sure he's not too happy about and will be pleased when I get my own.

It's a PKG laptop sleeve - black and grey and nice and has nice soft lining on the inside.

Sorry for the awful picture, I'm in the library and it was taken on my iPad. It works well enough, I'd just like something with more pockets for chargers, credit cards, pencils and such.

Of course I'd really love to have a very stylish laptop tote bag, but they are generally more expensive and not so practical if you need to save space while you're traveling or something like that.

Kate Spade

SHARO

And I've had no luck with hard cases that you actually put on your laptop. All the ones I've used have left scratches and random ugly marks, and they also aren't too good for travel since they don't offer any real protection from water or dust. 

So I think a nice laptop sleeve will be best for me. Like I said, John wants his back and mine is too big. Having too big of a laptop sleeve doesn't sound like a big deal (and it isn't really), but if you've ever used one that's too big, you know how annoying it is. It slides around and feels like it's hitting everything because it's not stable. 

Alexander Wang

Marc Jacobs

But after much searching I think I found one that I want to purchase. I can't find any reviews online which is kind of concerning, but I can always return it if it goes to shit after a week. I'm looking at the MochiThings Better Together 13 in. Laptop Pouch for $99, on sale for $85 right now. Perfect timing! 

It has extra pockets for chargers and headphones and whatnot, and it looks like it might be able to fit my iPad as well. It seems well padded and lined and has a handle. I think this might be the one. You know how when you're trying on wedding dresses and you just know when you found the right one? Me either, but the feeling is obviously probably similar. 

My birthday is next month, so hopefully someone will get the hint :P 

What's your favorite option for laptop protection/transportation? Leave me your suggestions! 

Etsy Wishlist

Happy Friday peeps!
I like to browse Etsy even when I'm not planning on buying anything. There are just so many unique things! I have some things saved, and I thought I'd share them with you. 

Most Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas look similar, so I like how different this one is. I think the dark colors drew me in. 

I have one of EmmaKisstina's prints, but I have yet to get one of her silk scarves. 2 of the scarves that are on my wish list only have only one available, so I hope the don't sell out before I get one! 

I need some unique coffee mugs since I have a Keurig now. These are customizable, so I'd probably get one that says "Gracey's Tea".

Ahhh I love Art Deco inspired anything. And in case you haven't noticed, I'm all about clutches right now. 

Since I actually have a suitable bathtub now, I'm dying to get some bath bombs, bath melts, bubble bars...whatever bath products are out there really. A Raspberry Tea scented bath bomb sounds pretty great to me! 

Small, delicate necklaces have been catching my eye lately. Lucky for me, Etsy has infinite amounts of sellers that make such dainty beauties. 

What's on your wishlist at the moment? Please tell me I'm not the only one who browses Etsy in her spare time! 

Summer 2015 Wishlist

It's warming up here, but I know how miserably hot and humid it's going to get in the next couple of months when summer REALLY hits. So I'm enjoying the weather as much as I can now! 

I've had my eyes on a few different things recently as summer rolls around but I can't quite decide what I can afford to cross off my list. Why is everything so expensive? 

1. A Ralph Steadman print - Ralph Steadman did sketches for some of Hunter S. Thompson's books and articles. He's also done illustrations for some editions of Alice in Wonderland, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451 just to name a few. The illustrations he did for Thompson are some of my favorites, as well as his Animal Behaviorist prints. I don't know why I'm so drawn to them! You can see some of his prints here. 

2. A new purse - I've been using the same boring Longchamp for too long, it's time for a new everyday purse. 

3. This dress from Earthbound - I saw it on display while walking downtown and I fell in love. I love the hi lo length, and all of their clothes are so comfortable. 

4. Bite Beauty Watercolor Lip Gloss Library - I'm not too familiar with Bite Beauty but since I've recently become infatuated with lip products, I've taken interest. I read reviews on this set and some said they were sticky (which bothers me), but I still want to give it a try. Does anyone own any Bite Beauty products? 

5. Workout shorts - I have like 2 pairs that are suitable for pilates that still fit me. 

6. Passion tea lemonade - A love of mine all year round! My favorite Starbucks drink - so fruity and sweet and pink. 

7. Chocolate covered strawberries - yeah. 

Have any of you tried the Bite Beauty lip glosses? Or any of their other products? I'm intrigued now. 

What's on your summer wishlist? 

Summer Lust List Part 1: Shoes

Since I don't really have any spare spending money right now, I'm just going to gawk at things that I want. Maybe a secret Santa (Easter Bunny?) will see this and leave some at my door. A girl can dream.

Target

Target never fails to have the cutest clothes and shoes at reasonable prices. I need some shoes other than flats to wear this spring/summer and these are just perfect. I LOVE the gladiator look, so I'll also be looking for some gladiator flats. These look super comfortable, but looks can be deceiving. They also come in black, yay!

Target

Also from Target. I LOVE the beaded style on these. I could see myself wearing these with my black maxi dress. It shrunk a little so you can just barely see the shoes I'm wearing with it, especially when I sit. But really you could wear these with anything, I'd probably go with a flowy dress or skirt. 

Target

Last one from Target, I swear (though I could probably do an entire blog post on just Target shoes). I only have one pair of flats suitable for summer, because the rest are beyond dirty or falling apart. These are cute, casual, and you can wear them with almost anything. They also come in white, leopard print, a few different neutral colors, and a light snakeskin. 

Aldo

Picasso much? I tend to lean towards blacks and dark blues, so my goal for the summer is to add as much color as possible. Pretty simple, but I like the geometric shape. They also come in a dark blue/light blue combination, but like I said, color is key this summer. 

Nine West

Nine West also never fails me, but they are also a lot more expensive than Target. I LOVE this purple color, they give a little height and have a peep toe. Like I said, I'm trying my hardest to stay away from black. Also comes in black, green, and neutral. 

Aldo

I just need new rain boots. I'm ok with black in this case because I will need to be able to wear them with literally anything if the skies open up. They also come in grey and red. 

Giuseppe Zanoti

Look at them! Do I need to explain? This is high up on my lust list, probably just because of the price. They are Giuseppe Zanotti shoes but you can buy them on Bluefly for a lot less. True for most designer shoes, actually. Ah well, I'll dream of these tonight. 

I could go on and on with just shoes, but I'll stop here. More lust lists to come. Feel free to send in pictures of your favorite spring and summer shoes, I'm hoping to do a post on that as well. 

What shoes are you lusting after right now? Are you leaning towards colors or neutrals? Flats or heels? Let me know, have a great day! 

*click on the link under the pictures if you want to go to the website and purchase them (which I will be insanely jealous of). 

End of Summer Wishlist

At the beginning of summer, I posted my Summer 2011 Wishlist. Now that summer is pretty much over for me, it's tine for and End of Summer Wishlist!

1. Honore de Pres Love Coconut Perfume- I was browsing on my new website obsession, Spirit Beauty Lounge, and I saw this adorable perfume. The cute coffee cup is what caught my attention. I can't say for sure that I'm set on the smell because I haven't smelled it in person yet (I'll be ordering a sample soon!), but I love coconut scented things and it's an organic perfume so it sounds pretty perfect!

2. Grey Wolf Spirithood- I saw a photo of someone wearing a Spirithood once but I never knew what it was. Then I saw one in Seventeen magazine this month and I fell in love. I'm definitely going to get one for the winter months this year. They even have a program where if you buy a Spirithood with the "Problue" logo on it, they will donate a portion of that sale to the charity of the animal you bought. I really like the husky and the grey wolf, but the grey wolf has the Problue logo so I'm pretty sure I'll get that one.

3. A new wallet/keychain- If I don't keep my keys and my wallet with my ID in it, I'm bound to leave the house without one of them so I have to keep them together. I've been using Vera Bradley ones since I started driving but I'm starting to look at other brands as well.

4. A pair of navy TOMS- I'm getting a navy pair of toms and a custom shark painted on them by Kelli Smith on Etsy. I'm so excited, because they will match the shark backpack I ordered for school this year! :)

5. A Balenciaga Wallet- Since a Balenciaga purse is very much out of the question right now, a wallet seems more obtainable. I love this fun, bright pink one. I'll just have to convince myself to keep track of my wallet and keys if they are ever separated.

6. More time!- Summer went by way too quickly! I start school in 2 days and I haven't finished all of my summer work. I still have to read 2 books, write 3 papers, and finish some math sheets. Procrastinating before school even starts, I see how this year is gonna be.

Just a reminder, my giveaway ends TODAY at midnight! So enter while you can!

What do you think? What's on your wishlist now that summer is over?

My (very unobtainable) Wishlist!

I've been doing a lot of online shopping and browsing lately. And I've also become kind of addicted to Polyvore so I'm sorry if my little Polyvore creations show up in a lot of posts that are coming up. I just wanted to make a wishlist, however unrealistic, for you all (and Santa Claus maybe? Hehe) to see.

click on the images for product information :)

There is probably a lot more but I didn't want this post to get out of hand. What is on your wishlist lately?

P.S. don't forget to enter my giveaway! You could win a MAC lipstick or lipglass of your choice and an Emma Kisstina Pretty in Pink print!

Arm Candy

As I was unpacking today, I noticed that I had a lot of handbags, but not a lot that I would actually take out on a daily basis. They are ones I got years ago that I've sort of outgrown, I guess you could say. Either that, or they've broken or are falling apart. So starting this fall, I'm going to invest in some higher quality, cute handbags.

Be&D Kitty Studded Satchel, which sells for a whopping $1350. I think this might have to be a Christmas present, or two...

Oh, and image via Purse Blog, which is slowly becoming my new best friend to feed my purse hunger.

Chiara, I envy you in every way possible. Her entire wardrobe is worth more than, oh I don't know, my LIFE. I would kill for her Balenciaga bag (or in her case BAGS), especially in this color. Or any Balenciaga bag really. I've picked out 4 that I want so far, but I'm pretty sure that would cost more than my car. But these little babies have been at the top of my list for a while now and I'm determined to get my hands on one!

via Longchamp

Yep, the good ole Longchamp Le Pliage. This has also graced the top of my list for a while now, and this is much more attainable and affordable ($145 for the one above). I'd probably be boring and get it in black and use it as an everyday bag.

via Nordstrom

Ok, the color got me on this one. It's so bright, pretty, and girly! At $350 for this lovely, it's more expensive than the Longchamp but way less scary than the Balenciaga and Be&D. Yet another thing to add to my Christmas/birthday list. Though, a Balenciaga would be nice...

Do you have a favorite purse? Any purse you are lusting after at the moment?

***I'm extending my travel giveaway for another week! It will end on Friday July 15th so don't forget to enter!

Summer 2011 Wishlist

(click on the picture for information on the items)

1. Tommy Hilfiger Tote- I love nautical colors and themes for summer, and this tote would be perfect for going to the beach or any type of summer event. Here's what I don't understand though--it sells for $78, and it was on sale for $20 at TjMaxx and I DIDN'T buy it. What is wrong with me?!

2. Floppy sun hats- I've never been much of a hat person, but my scalp always seems to get sunburned no matter what I do. I try to put sun screen up there, put my hair in a pony tail, but I still get burned. These floppy summer hats are great for accessorizing AND protecting the old scalp from being burned. They have sort of a Holly Golightly feel to them, in my opinion. Just tie a white ribbon around it and you're in business :P Although Miss Golightly's was not quite so floppy, but still.

3. Peaches!- A few weeks ago I was obsessing over cinnamon, this week I'm onto peaches. I would absolutely die if I could soak in Philosophy's "fresh peaches with cream" bubble bath/shampoo/shower gel. And it's a good thing that my work always has something to satisfy my cravings. When I was on my cinnamon kick, they had the cinnamon crumb cake ice cream. Now that its peaches, I can munch out on the Georgia peach ice cream! Heck yesss!

4. NARS The Multiple in Orgasm- It's been on my wishlist for so long, I don't know why I keep forgetting to buy it! Such a wearable color. Need I say more?

5. Chunky summer wedges- I'm thinking that I can possibly pull off a maxi dress IF I get some super cute wedges to give me some height and just add a bit extra to it. I love these wedges because they have the pretty turquoise detail on them!

6. Big statement necklaces- I have one statement necklace, and it definitely makes a statement. The only problem is that it isn't too wearable for everyday, it's very flashy and diamond-looking. I want one that I can throw on with a t-shirt or a cute simple dress to add some WOW to it. I'm definitely loving coral jewelry lately so this one from Simply Soles is perfect!

7. Breezy dresses in summery prints- This dress is perfect for a few reasons: 1. It's a one shoulder dress. Totally loving those right now! 2. It's in one of my favorite shades of blue. 3. It has a super cute summer print. It looks kind of like palm fronds. I want it sooo badly!

What do you think? Are you lusting after any of these items? What's on your summer wishlist right now?

Lust List

I've worked a few extra days, so I figured I would make myself a lust list and pick a few things to buy with my extra cash. (Sorry if this is a so-so post, I have to get it up before my internet dies again. Eeeek!)

1. NARS the multiple in orgasm

I've heard such great things about this product. I need a good cheek color, and this seems perfect. It can also be used for lips or anything else, really.

2. Good books

Photo credit 1, 2, 3.
Thanks to Couture Carrie, another book has been added to my must read list! She did a great review on Summer at Tiffany, and if you haven't heard of it you should definitely go read her review. As for Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Confessions of a Beauty Addict, I stumbled upon them while browsing the book store today, and now are also on my must read list. Anybody read any of these?

3. E.L.F cosmetics

Images via polyvore
I love elf makeup. It's super super cheap but they are actually great products. Need I say more?

4. Longchamp Le Pliage bag

Image via polyvore
Color and size undecided. But I love these bags-they hold everything and serve as a cute, everyday bag.

5. TOMS!!

Images via Toms.com
I tried on a pair of Toms a few days ago; everybody was right--they are SO comfortable! I really like the black cordones for work and school, and the wedges just for fun :) The best part? Buy a pair of Toms and a new pair of shoes is given to somebody in need!

Soo that's my lust list for the moment. Let me know if you've read any of those books, and what you think of them. What's on your lust list right now?