Blog break

I'll be back from my hiatus soon!

Monday motivation

Source: distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com via Megan on Pinterest

Thursday randoms

I was so excited for the Prabal Gurung for Target line when it came out a few weeks ago. There are so many fun, bright pieces and I could see myself wearing many of them. I scooped up this bright aqua racerback tank for only $19, and I can't wait to pair it with a bright bandeau and skinny white pants for spring. (Also, does anyone else LOVE the Prabal Gurung commercial out right now? It gets me every time.)

I also recently decided to dig out my favorite and most-used nail polishes from underneath my bathroom sink to put them on display and remind myself to have my nails painted more. 

Some of my favorites: 

I recently paired the Essie Crocadilly magnetic polish with Essie's Beyond Cozy as a party nail and was very happy with the outcome. I like Essie's magnetic nail polish colors because you can wear them either magnetized or not, and they look great either way. 

What are your favorite party nail combos? 

Wishful Wednesday

{wishful wednesday}

J.Crew, you've done it again. I would not have a problem with you sending me all of these things. K, thanks. 

Neon azalea classic wide bangle //  Golden knot earrings // Liberty invitation clutch // Pinch Provisions for J.Crew Minimergency Kit // Seville Stripe Espadrilles 

First, I love the bangle and earrings because they are pretty decently priced pieces of jewelry for J.Crew standards. Next, I am OBSESSED with this Liberty print and I've decided I must have this clutch for spring. And how cute would it be to pair the espadrilles with the clutch for a mixed-pattern spring outfit? 

Finally, I just love the idea of the Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit as a gift for a friend who always seems to find herself needing a hair tie, emery board, nail polish remover, etc. I'd buy it for myself, but as my friends know, I already carry a mini-pharmacy in my purse. 

Nailed it

A few Wishful Wednesdays ago I posted about some jewelry that had been on my radar. I ended up buying the Nailed It bangle from Jeweliq, and I absolutely love it. 

I've previously posted about how much I love Jeweliq. Everything on their site is $25 or less, and they always have free shipping. And seriously, I'm a sucker for free shipping. 

When I purchased my first item from Jeweliq, they included the sweetest note, and I secretly hoped I'd get another one this time, which come to find out, I did! 

I can't say enough about Jeweliq's awesome customer service. It's little things like this that truly make a difference when shopping online. 

Here are a few other items I'm currently craving from Jeweliq: 

Tiny anchor studs // Infinite love necklace // Textured rolo links bracelet

What's your favorite item from Jeweliq? 

(I was not compensated in any way for this post. I just wanted to again share how awesome I think Jeweliq is.)

Happy heart

I hope you all get to spend today with the ones you love the most. 

I will be working this evening, but I'm glad was able to celebrate last night with my best friends. (I was also rocking a pretty pink mani with a sparkly party nail.)

{CoverGirl's Pink-Finity + Essie's Set in Stones}

Wishful Wednesday

All of these pieces of jewelry have been on my radar lately, and I'm pretty sure I'll end up buying myself at least one of them for Valentine's Day. No shame in that game, right?

Stella & Dot On the Mark necklace // J. Crew anchor ring // JEWELIQ Nailed It bangle // Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster Bracelet // JEWELIQ Forget Me Knot ring

Favorite things

{CoverGirl nail polish}

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I love all of the spring shades from CoverGirl, and the best part is, these are almost half the price of Essie nail polishes.


{Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream}

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My super dry winter skin has vanished after using this product. It's so thick, so a little bit goes a long way. And I always trust the Cetaphil brand. I swear the face wash has completely changed my skin for the better. If you're struggling with dry skin right now, I highly recommend trying this!

Thursday randoms

Elizabeth shared this Buzzfeed gem with me yesterday, and I am so obsessed. 

What It's Like To Be A 20-Something As Told By "Mean Girls," "Bridesmaids," And "Girls"

So funny, right? 

.........

I'm also loving this YouTube video. 

Dancing babies (and Gangnam Style) get me every time. 

..........

Also, everyone should head over to Because Shanna Said So for the awesome Michael Kors watch giveaway. Here's to hoping I win!! 

Wishful Wednesday

Here's what I'm wishing for this week:

1 // Kate Spade Mini Bow Earrings
2 // J. Crew Liberty Schoolboy Blazer
3 // Red Valentino Large Bow Tote
4 // JEWELIQ Nailed It Bangle 

Currently obsessed

This pretty lace Red Valentino embroidered silk-organza dress is so dainty and pretty, but in pairing it with black tights and dark accessories, it would really give the dress an edgier appeal. If you know me, you know I love a good Michael Kors watch, and in my opinion, no outfit is complete without one. Lauren Conrad platform heels, Deborah Lippmann Dark Side of the Moon nail polish and a Ted Baker clutch finishes this look. 

Wishful Wednesday: J. Crew accessories

J. Crew is killing it with their accessories right now. They're also tempting me with their three-times-a-day emails detailing all of their pretty-fabulous-must-have spring clothes. 

What I'm wishing for today: 

Summer straw hat // Ray-Ban original aviators // Mougin & Piquard for J.Crew Minuit watch // Thread-wrapped belt // Liberty floral scarf 

I know I always rave about J. Crew, but seriously, this is why. Do I need to explain any further?

Friday's fancies: black + white

As I was trying to come up with ideas for this week's Friday's fancies black + white theme, I kept thinking of that old joke: What's black and white and red all over?

The answer? This outfit. 

Tahari Graphic Print Shift Dress // Zina Black Studded Block Heel Lace Up Boots // Kate Spade Pucker Up Lipstick in Adventure Red // Ann Taylor Envelope Clutch

Sonder

I saw this on Tumblr the other day and I haven't been able to get this idea out of my head since. 

via

I've found this is something that I've often thought about, but never really knew what it was called. This awareness of the complexity of other people's lives is such an interesting concept to me.  Each day, the strangers you pass appear, for the most part, as part of the background of your life, just as you were part of the background of theirs. Whether it's the person who holds the door open for you or the person standing behind you in line at Starbucks, you never know when you may see these people next, or if your paths will ever cross again. What you do know, however, is that for one small second, you played a part in their life that day. 

This may be me getting too deep and philosophical, but if you take a minute to think about it, isn't it such a fascinating idea? 

I'm really interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this. Do you have the same fascination with the idea of sonder as I do? 

Wishful Wednesday

I'm currently wishing for...

{the opportunity/warm weather to wear this type of outfit)

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{this beautiful coral Kate Spade watch}

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{this fun Valentine's Day-inspired manicure}

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 {and these cute Sam Edelman flats}

Friday's fancies: Outfit crush

This week's Friday's fancies are all about outfit crushes, which is fitting because that's all I've been posting about lately. My inspiration behind the outfit crush is this pin — I'm still crazy about the colored-denim trend. I'm loving the mint skinny jeans paired with nude accessories. 

Theory Tollie Cream Cashmere Sweater // Michael Kors Mid-Size Golden Stainless Steel Camille Chronograph Watch // J.Crew Factory Skinny Jean in Garment Dye // J.Crew Biennial Hobo // Prue Nude Pumps

Wishful Wednesday

Right now, I'm wishing I had this fun outfit in my closet. All of these pieces are on final sale right now at J.Crew, which means you get an extra 30% off on them, and free shipping when you spend over $100 (use code STYLEFIND). 

I want to be more adventurous in mixing patterns, and I think I could just maybe pull this mixed-pattern look off. I'm loving the fun cap toe heel and the bright yellow bag, too. 

Dotted silk shell / Edie grand bag / Toothpick cord in ribbon bow print / Etta cap toe patent pumps

Lena Dunham + Girls

As most of you know, I am obsessed with Girls on HBO. Sunday night is now my new favorite night, and in preparing for the show's second season, I watched the first season twice within a period of a few weeks. I think Lena Dunham is absolutely brilliant, which is why I'm so happy that she won the Golden Globe for best actress in a TV Comedy/Musical and that Girls won for best TV Comedy/Musical.

I think the reason why I like Lena so much is because she seems so genuine and real, and the confidence she has in her body is so refreshing. She wouldn't even let a rude comment from Howard Stern ruffle her feathers.  

In the show, her character Hannah's one-liners are so awesome (not to mention the speech she gave Adam in the fourth episode of the first season was so real and raw I think every girl could relate to it). I'm dying to get my hands on her book, which is a collection of essays called “Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned." And I loved that during her acceptance speech at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, she stopped midway through to take off her shoes. I also love this story about why she mentioned Chad Lowe in her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes. 

More than anything, I think she's an inspiration to people who are out there right now following their dreams and fighting for what they believe in. She also just seems like she'd be a really cool friend to have. 

via IMDB

Here's to counting down until Sunday at 9 p.m.!

Thursday funnies

"Instagram dat joint"

Also, the 20 reasons to remember to log out. 

You're welcome.

Wishful Wednesday

{wishful wednesday}

Right now, I'm loving this look:

Oasis Faux Leather Skater Dress 

Lucy Houndstooth Tweed Clutch 

ASOS Twinkle Lace Booties

NARS polish in Domiva 

How to apply Essie magnetic polish

So I was browsing the aisles of Target the other day looking for important things to buy like new nail polish when I came across Essie's new line of magnetic "reptile" polish. I had seen the Sally Hansen version, but since I like Essie more than practically anything else, I decided to fork over the $10.99 and try it out. 

Needless to say (and if you know me, this isn't a surprise), I didn't read the instructions before I applied the polish. So two dried coats of Crocadilly (a nice dark green) later, I'm sitting in front of my TV watching reruns of Girls wondering how I'm supposed to make the polish get all wavy and magnetic looking. Earth to Megan. Obviously the polish will not do anything after it's dried. I so should have read the instructions (which, by the way, are printed in like 2 point font on a sticker on the side of the nail polish). 

Long story short, I started over, then I thought I'd share with you how you're supposed to go about applying it, just in case any of you out there were staring at your dried nail polish wondering how you were supposed to get this snakeskin/reptile look. 

So here you go:

{How to apply Essie magnetic polish}

Apply first coat and let dry. 

Next, apply your second coat of polish one finger at a time. While the polish is still wet, hold the magnet as close to your nail as possible (without touching the magnet to the nail, which is harder than it sounds). Try to slowly move the magnet across your whole nail, so as to spread the pattern out. 

Let dry and apply a topcoat, preferably one that dries fast so you (a.k.a. impatient people like me) don't mess anything up. There's nothing worse than ruining a fresh mani. 

As you can see, my nails don't look perfect (the pattern doesn't reach across each nail all the way and the pattern isn't the same on each nail), but I'm pretty happy with the final result and have already received lots of compliments. And I'm pretty sure I'd even wear the polish by itself without the magnetic effect, too. 

So there you have it. Happy crocadilly snakeskin reptile nails, everyone. 

Current obsessions

I'm currently loving:

{Girls on HBO}

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Elizabeth and I watched the whole first season last weekend, and I cannot wait for the new season to start on the 13th.
....

{Essie's Stroke of Brillance}

This polish is a fantastic sparkly blue and was perfect for NYE.
...
  

{Mumford and Sons' "Hopeless Wanderer" from their new album}

Literally can't stop listening to this CD. "Hopeless Wanderer" and "I Will Wait" are on constantly on repeat. 

...

{Lauren Conrad Beauty}

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Not that I didn't already love LC, but this book now has a permanent residence on my bedside table. It has so many great tips — from makeup and skincare to what types of ingredients to avoid in products. This is definitely a must-read for everyone. Thanks Elizabeth!  

One year blog-o-versary!

I can't believe it's been a year since I've started blogging! Last New Year's, I wanted to make a resolution and actually stick to it. I decided to create this blog, and I'm so proud of everything it's become (even when I go for a little bit without posting regularly). My blog is my cathartic, creative writing outlet some days, and other days, it lets me express my current obsessions, which usually end up being items from J. Crew that I totally don't need but absolutely must have. Most of all, though, it has allowed me to interact with so many great people. The blogging community is wonderful, and I feel like I have made so many friends through my blog, even though I haven't actually met many of you. I look forward to reading my favorite blogs each day and continue to be inspired by you all. 

Looking back on the past year, I've had my share of ups and downs, but I always think of the beginning of a new year as a time to kind of start over, whether it be righting some wrongs, vowing to try new things, or just becoming an overall better version of myself. 

I have so many things to look forward to in 2013: finishing grad school and hopefully finding my first "real" job. I'm nervous but excited, and I can't wait to see where this year takes me. 

As my BFF Elizabeth and I said on New Year's Eve together, this is our year. We can just tell.