Saturday, May 31, 2014

bright bags

I'm not sure if it's the weather or checking so many blogs in a day, but I am definitely craving some bright bags! It seems like bright colors are very in in the handbag world right now (although, when are they not), and I just want everything! Here are some of my favorites right now:

 
Kate Spade 1, 2

 
J.Crew 1, 2

 
Rebecca Minkoff 1, 2

Any suggestions for a bright bag?
-Kylie

Friday, May 30, 2014

catch all trays

So after babysitting all week in a house that has numerous (gorgeous, totally useful) catch all trays, I've decided I need some. Especially one for my kitchen, where little things tend to just clutter my counters. (Gum packages everywhere. Seriously) So I figured I would put together a post of some of my favorites, as any blogger would do! ;)

1. Pretty much any tray from Nico and Lala. Reversible inserts and almost every one has a monogram option!

 
2. Evelyn Henson has the most adorable prints and her trays are no different! I'm slightly obsessed with the watermelon one. (So much so, that when I saw she had a free download of the artwork, I immediately made it my computer background!)

 
3. No surprise at all, Design Darling has super cute tray options. I think the acrylic tray is just so versatile, and you definitely can't go wrong with a monogram!

4. I'm pretty sure I found Laura Dro Designs through another blog, or maybe a giveaway. Either way, I fell in love with her fun designs, and I think it's obvious by now that I love when things can be monogrammed.

So, I'll gladly take opinions and suggestions! ;)
-Kylie

Thursday, May 29, 2014

c.wonder loving

As you've probably seen by my wishlist posts, I LOVE C.Wonder. Ever since I wandered into their store in New York a few years ago, I've had an obsession. But somehow I had never actually bought anything there! (#brokecollegestudent) Enter the weekend when I was home and had major success with sales! (I'm talking 50% off of clearance!) I scored this super cute popover for $25 and this originally over $100 bag for just $30. Epic. I love how the shirt has polka dots and stripes on it, and I knew it just had to be paired with my new Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles! 






shirt: C.Wonder // shorts: Target // shoes: Tommy Hilfiger (I got mine on sale in store!) // bag: C.Wonder (love this one!) // nails: Essie Watermelon // necklace: gift (similar) // sunglasses: Ray Ban

Anyone else as obsessed with C.Wonder (and epic sales) as I am?
-Kylie

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

hi-low affair

So, I definitely have a hi-low dress/skirt issue. I always love how they look on everyone else, but on me, they're either too short in the front or too long in the back. Enter this gorgeous dress from Forever 21! (Which I think looks Tory Burch inspired ;)) It's the perfect length on both ends, and I love how flowy it is. Perfect for hot and humid days!





dress: Forever 21 (in store) // necklace: GroopDealz (keep checking there for it, it seems to come back a lot!) // bag: Charming Charlie (similar) // shoes: Carlos Santana (similar)

Oh how I miss being home where someone was around to take pictures for me! I don't know why these look kinda greenish. Thumbs down.

How do you do with the hi-low trend?
-Kylie

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

red cherries

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I start summer babysitting today, and I'm actually excited! Getting to play games all day and hang out with some of my favorite kids, while getting paid. Works for me!
I actually wore this outfit a couple weeks ago, but the outfits had gotten lost in a sea of graduation and being home. It's one of my favorite shirts, and just so perfect for warmer weather! (Can't wait for cherry season!)




shirt: Forever 21 // shorts: Target // shoes: Chinese Laundry // purse: gift (similar) // belt: American Eagle (similar) // sunglasses: Old Navy (similar) // bracelet: Oh So Bow // watch: Lacoste

What's your favorite print for summer?
-Kylie

Monday, May 26, 2014

happy memorial day!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope everyone is having  a great long weekend, and enjoying the nice weather! (Hope everyone is having nice weather!) My weekend has consisted of hanging out with friends and just relaxing. Seriously perfect! 
On Friday, I had lunch with my good friend Zach, who is taking his break from his walk/bike across the country! (read more about him here, because you're probably interested!) After lunch, we rigged up a #ghettoselfiemachine (aka, a metal pole used for blinds taped to a tripod with an attachment for his phone), and took pictures! Awesome, right?


Saturday was a total chill day, which I loved! It's so nice to be able to have those now that it's summer, and since I know I won't be getting any in my accelerated program in the fall!

On Sunday, I spent the day at Holiday World, which is a theme park near me. Seriously so much fun. But for someone who loves taking pictures and having pictures, I seem to always forget to take them when I'm out with my friends! I need to get better at this. 
These are really the only pictures I have. Nathan with the Hollidog mascot, and a snapchat Nathan took of me when he was trying to get me to smile with cookie in my mouth. Oh well, more pictures next time!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and enjoying their extra day off! I start my summer babysitting tomorrow, and I'm actually excited to see my kiddos again!
What did you do this weekend?
-Kylie

Sunday, May 25, 2014

weekly roundup

Headed to Holiday World today! So ready for a day of riding rides, hitting the water park, and eating all my favorite foods there! (Dippin Dots...I'm coming for you!) Don't you love summer?

one: I am such a sucker for proposal videos, and this is one of the best! He's been planning it since their first date! So cute!


two: Celebrities read mean tweets, installment number 7. SO funny.




five: Gotta continue with my Frozen streak. Marines singing Let it Go. Perfection.

Here's to a fabulous week!
-Kylie

Saturday, May 24, 2014

swimsuit love

As much as I love cute swimsuits, it's something I definitely never splurge on. Between getting soaked with chlorine, ocean water and all the sunscreens, plus sitting on pool sides or the beach, and they just get trashed. So why spend tons of money? Thankfully, there are lots of options out there for cheap, yet still super cute, swimsuits! Here are some of my favorites!


 

 
H&M // H&M

Where's your favorite place to get swimsuits?
-Kylie

Friday, May 23, 2014

flowing florals

So, this post has so few photos because 1) we were on the way to the mall and headed out the door, 2) it was SUPER, SUPER windy, and the completely wrong day to wear this dress. Wind and a flowy mini dress do not mix. (#fashionbloggerprobs) But anyways, I love this dress anyways, and it's another one I scored on a major sale at Urban. People should really start paying me to do sale shopping for them ;)

dress: Urban Outfitters // shoes: Chinese Laundry // sunglasses: Old Navy (similar) // purse: gift (similar)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
-Kylie

Thursday, May 22, 2014

lemon meringue angel food cake

Sometimes baking goes exactly how you want it too. And sometimes you have to wait three hours because you didn't read all the directions and didn't know that something needed to be at room temp first! But oh well! It still tasted good!
For anyone who wants to make this cake themselves, which I HIGHLY recommend, I thought I'd put some tips up here, so hopefully you read them before you start, and save time I lost! The eggs need to be at room temp, so get those out a couple hours before. BUT make sure to separate them while they're cold, so the yolk is still firm and doesn't break into the egg whites! My other tip is to bake the meringue, and not use the torch like I did. It worked just fine, but I think the baking would give better results!
On to this yummy cake!





(action shot credit to my sister, cake spinning action credit to my dad)


Lemon Meringue Angel Food Cake (recipe from Taste and Tell)

INGREDIENTS
Cake
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cake flour
12 egg whites, at room temperature
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
1 cup lemon curd
Meringue
4 egg whites, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Place the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat to 350F.
  2. Sift together 1/2 cup of the sugar and the flour twice. Set aside.
  3. Mix together the egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla extract and salt. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form and the sugar has been dissolved. Fold in the flour mixture, half a cup at a time, until combined.
  4. Gently pour the batter into an un-greased 10-inch tube pan. Use a butter knife to cut through the batter to make sure there aren't any air pockets. Bake until the top is browned and appears dry, 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately invert until completely cooled.
  5. Once cooled, run a knife around the outside of the cake to release from the pan, if needed. Split the cake into 2 layers horizontally. Place the bottom layer of the cake on an ovenproof serving plate. Spread the lemon curd on top of the cake, then place the top layer over the curd.
  6. To make the meringue, preheat the oven to 350F. Place the egg whites in a bowl with the cream of tartar and beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue over the top and sides of the cake. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until browned.

And if you don't like lemon, I think you could substitute pretty much anything else in there! I personally think it would taste AMAZING with a layer of chocolate pudding! ;)
-Kylie

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

lace and lavender

I'm back! I'm already missing my family and being home, but I'm looking forward to a hopefully fun summer! (And it helps knowing that I'll be back in a little over two months, and that Pittsburgh is so much closer to home than Indiana is!) 
Speaking of being in Indiana, how many of us bloggers are here in the midwest? I keep seeing blogger meet ups happening all over, and I think it would be fun to do one! (Maybe a fun day, or even a small weekend getaway!) Let me know if you're in the midwest (or willing to travel. looking at you, my Florida bloggers! ;)), and if you're interested! I think it could be lots of fun!

Okay, onto the the outfit post. I am officially obsessed with this shirt. I managed to score it at Urban Outfitters for only $15 during one of their 50% off clearance sales! Major win! I knew I had to pair it with white shorts (who cares about that memorial day rule?), with black accents. 




(photo cred to my dad!)
shirt: Urban Outfitters (check out the sale area at your local Urban!) // shorts: Target // bandeau: aerie // belt: borrowed from sister // shoes: Steve Madden 

But seriously, blogger meet up?
-Kylie
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