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Style Icon: Julia Dzafic

Julia Dzafic is my latest obsession {in a completely non-creepy fashion- ha, see what I did there?}. She is the fabulous blogger and boutique owner behind Lemon Stripes, a blog in which she describes as "a healthy blend of color and style". I mean, is that not just the cutest thing?

Julia's style is perfect. I can honestly say that she represents what it means to have "personal style" so well.

{So J. Crew}

{I love how she can mix prints and patterns so easily}

{Pink and navy and oh-so chic!}

{The silk scarf paired with pearls is perfection}

{I love her fun arm parties}

For more of Julia's fabulous style check out her blog Lemon Stripes, or even her boutique for more!
xoxo

Noticing Neutrals

Although it's summer and bright colors are all the rage, I've found myself choosing neutrals over neons recently. Maybe it's the weather that makes me feel like it's October and the season for dull colors, or maybe I'm just really digging some more classic, toned-down pieces {??}



From tan bags to denim everything, navy accessories and touches of white, I simply am head over heels for everything... lacking color.

The specifics::

Skirt

What neutral pieces have you been loving lately?
xoxo

J. Crew New Arrivals

Hello, hello! The new J. Crew catalog has arrived at our doorsteps and it is officially time to start sharing my favorites!





As you can probably tell, this is not my favorite collection J. Crew has ever released. However, I do really love some of the pieces offered. What do you think?
xoxo

Sunday Swoon


How perfect is this tassel necklace? With a price that won't break the bank and an appearance so chic, all I can say is: Obsessed.

What are you swooning over?
xoxo

Haul Vlog

Hello! It was requested for me to do a vlog recapping my purchases from St. Louis so please enjoy!


xoxo

Bauble Bar Loves

I've known about Bauble Bar for quite some time, yet I rarely browse the site. After Liz did a post on Bauble Bar yesterday, I decided to check it out, and of course, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found!

A majority of the pieces are inexpensive and there are so many different choices- I was amazed at the variety of baubles!


Tang Bamboo Ring (Almost identical to the J. Crew option, but far less expensive!)


Navy Bowline Necklace (I feel like I saw Sarah Vickers wearing this.... hmmm)

What do you think of Bauble Bar? Have you ever made a purchase from their site? After seeing all of these cuties I might just have to pick up something for myself!
xoxo

Fashion Friday

borrowed from the boys

Happy Friday!
xoxo

Lilly Loves

Hello everyone! I am heading down to St. Louis this weekend to attend my cousin's 18th birthday / high school graduation party, and I may or may not be heading to the Lilly store tomorrow!

I'm so very excited that I might go to the Lilly store, and if I do, here are a few things I would love to find there....



What Lilly pieces are you loving?
xoxo

Review:: York Design Co. Cuff

I am proud to share with you all the new, latest and greatest, sponsor of TBP! Introducing... York Design Co: A fabulous company that sells even more fabulous custom needlepoint cuffs!


Laura from York Design Co. was kind enough to send me a cuff to review and I am so in love with it. I chose the pink, navy, and white {monogrammed quatrafoil cuff} obviously, and I could not love it more.


Not only are these cuffs too cute for words, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are!


The inside of the cuff is leather and the shape fits my wrist perfectly making this cuff and my arm a match made in heaven!


Isn't it to die for?! I'm in love with pretty much every other cuff at YDC including {the whales}, {pink and green quatrafoil}, and {the pink and green anchors}! 

Please do check out {their website} and all of {the adorable cuffs that are offered}! 

Thank you Laura for the fabulous new addition to my jewelry box!
xoxo

New Favorite

I don't always go to Starbucks, but when I do, I most likely will order a tall, skim milk, extra whipped cream frappuccino.

I live one and a half miles away from a Starbucks, so I typically go on a long walk with my mom to get a drink on the weekends, but about two weeks ago E and I noticed that it's the perfect distance away to walk or run down to and walk back.

After our run two weeks ago we arrived at Starbucks and feeling all healthy from our exercise, we decided to ditch the fraps and try something new. OMG- best decision ever.

A frappuccino costs about $4 and has about 400-500 calories in a tall size, plus is has a ton of sugar in it. 
A passion tea costs about $3 and has about 100-150 calories in a grande or venti size. Do you see what I'm getting at?


My new drink is now a grande, half-sweetended, iced passion tea lemonade!

For a dollar less and almost 3/4 fewer calories (and quite a bit more refreshing), the tea is the way to go. I strongly recommend you all try one, you won't regret it!! It is so so so delicious and good for you and very summery and refreshing!!

Have you tried the Starbucks teas?
xoxo

Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday


I'm obsessed with this outfit. So chic and very Mackenzie Horan... Not to mention, the tortoise, blue stripes, and POC {pop of color} pink are right up my alley!

xoxo

Wish-List Wednesday: Birthday

With my birthday in just one month, I am bringing back the wish-list Wednesday and sharing a few things that I would love to receive. Knowing me, I probably won't want any of these things in a month, but it doesn't hurt to start making my list early!



Isn't it gorgeous?
xoxo

Favorite Skincare Products

My aunt loaded me up with products before sending me out of New York last week. I have explored the stash and I love pretty much everything she gave me. I don't have the best skin, but it is starting to look a little better now that I have a few new products to try!

Favorite Skincare Products

St. Ives Apricot Scrub | I've used this stuff for the longest time and I really like it. It is a pretty strong exfoliator, but it makes your skin so soft and clean after you use it.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Gel Moisturizer | I bought this when we were in Saks, and so far I have loved using it. I apply it at night and it's a really nice product to finish off the day with. My skin generally gets oily throughout the day, but I find that the gel formula helps to balance it out a little. This is kind of expensive, but it is a quality Bobbi Brown product and definitely worth it!

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer | I've talked about this stuff before as I have been using it for forever now, but this is just a great all-around concealer. It can be applied alone or under makeup and it covers up any perfections very well.

Amore Pacific Tinted Moisturizer | Let me just start off by saying that I know this is a pretty pricey product.... but, I really recommend it. This blends into my skin perfectly and it is super lightweight. I love wearing this for light coverage, but I know that if I am having a bad skin day, it won't be enough.

Nivea Lip Balm | Rebecca Minkoff gave out tubes of this lip balm as her little gift at her event. It was such a cute idea because she included a custom designed by her cap that matches the print on her new denim collection. This lip balm is so moisturizing and I love applying it to make my lips super soft, and the cute tube makes it all the better!

Clinique Toner | I use #3 in Clinique face products because I have combination oily skin. I apply this usually only once in the morning but sometimes in the middle of the day in the summer. I really like this toner just because it's another one of those products that balances out your skin super well.

What are some of your favorite skincare products? Please do share, I love hearing about all of the others options!
xoxo

I'm Back!

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you are all starting off this new week well! I arrived home from the east coast on Thursday late afternoon and celebrated the fourth with JPS and E. I spent Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning with jBm and then heading down to Lake Geneva for a little fun in the lake Sunday afternoon.


Without further adieu, here is my recap of my trip to the east coast!

***

So, I never really mentioned exactly what my whole trip consisted of. I basically only talked about NYC, but I went to three different cities during my eight day sojourn. Wednesday through Friday I was in NYC, Friday night and Saturday morning I was in Greenwich, CT, and Sunday through Thursday I was in Boston! 



Wednesday night the Rebecca Minkoff event was so much fun. The party was kind of hipster considering you could graffiti the walls, but I had an absolutely fabulous time at Rebecca's soon-to-be flagship store.


Along with meeting dozens of fabulous bloggers at the party, I got to meet Rebecca Minkoff, the designer, herself! She was so so so sweet and it was such a treat to get to chat with her for a minutes before she headed out.


Thursday morning my dad and I had breakfast at Maison Kayser. Oh my gosh, was this place cute. I had my first cappuccino and a chocolate croissant {so typ} and the waiters were absolutely fabulous deck out in their stripes and suspenders. So french; so fab.


The rest of Thursday consisted of shopping up and down Madison and 5th avenue. I had a fabulous time, although I only made three purchases {unfortunately, my purchase from the Kate Spade 789 Madison store was lost on the plane #depressed}

Thursday evening was blowouts at Dry Bar and Dinner at The Smith. Let me tell you, the blowout was easily one of my top moments. You had to experience it for yourself, it is unreal. As for The Smith, the Mac and Cheese was to die for. We ordered two of them because it was that good!


Friday morning was a jog around the Jackie O. reservoir at Central Park. The jog was about a mile and half, so it wasn't bad at all. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and it was for sure the best jog of my life {thus far}.


So I said that the blowout was one of my top moments but ahh, Friday afternoon literally had my whole life beat. High tea at the Plaza was a dream come true.


I ended up picking the chocolate tea, but they accidentally messed up my order and served me the Eloise tea instead. I'm so happy they did because the food was to die for. I had 13 miniature desserts in typical Eloise fashion, accompanied by two scones that I drowned in lemon curd, and four different sandwiches, two of each kind . I absolutely loved the sandwiches. There were two cucumbers, two peanut butter and jelly, two strawberry and cream cheese, and two grilled cheese. The strawberry and the grilled cheese were rawther mahvelous {as Eloise would say}.


In Greenwich, we partied hard ;) at the yacht club. I was still clad in my Lilly since we had driven to Greenwich a little after our trip to the Plaza, so expect an outfit post soon!


On Saturday afternoon I made myself the most wonderful {virgin} mimosa. Ah, it was good.


I had an amazing time at the Red Sox game on Sunday. SarahBelle93x was there, and although I was sitting across the whole entire field from her, I still went to her section and tried to find her. Unfortunately I did not meet her {or see her...} but it's the thought that counts... ha


#feelingnautical I had been craving a lobster all week and I was head-over-heels excited when my aunt announced she was taking me out for dinner Tuesday night!


The shopping in Boston on Wednesday was so much fun! I had a blast popping into the adorable Vineyard Vines! {Bonus: every boy who worked there was an official preppy hottie aka my future boyfriend}


After shopping I tried Pinkberry froyo for the first time! I had the pomegranate flavor and it was no doubt the best froyo I've had in my lifetime. It was so delish.


Finally, Wednesday night I enjoyed some fabulous Boston fireworks to conclude my trip!

For more pictures, remember to follow my new instagram, @theblondeprep!

xoxo