happy 4th of july!

My favorite thing about Independence Day is that my family celebrates it literally for days. The weekend long celebration started last night and will continue going strong until Sunday.

I made yummy patriotic cupcakes for a picnic.

We bought a ridiculous amount of fireworks which I could not get to fit into one picture. I wish I would've taken one of all the debris from last night's 2,500 dollars' worth...

I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th! The rest of mine better include a hot dog, more fireworks, and a long afternoon at the pool.

you are so sweet, dancing to that beat

Have you guys listened to Far, Regina Spektor's new album?
I already love it.
I can't say that I have a favorite song yet.
If you have heard it, what's your favorite?
Oh, Regina, how I have loved you since high school.
Thank you for giving me something new to listen to.

11:11

Do you lovelies make wishes at 11:11?

I do every time I catch it,

But now that I've read its Wikipedia article,

I'm a bit creeped out.

{Photo via weheartit}

?!

What is this? I was baffled when I saw this photo from Australia Fashion Week on Nylon.

the bahamas

Just as I expected, my spring break getaway to the Bahamas with my best friend Adriene, her older sister Lauren, and their mother Lori was exactly what I needed to cure the month-long funk I was in.

The four of us had so much fun exploring the Atlantis Resort and the city of Nassau. The weather was far from beautiful most days, but the one or two days of sunshine we did have made it worthwhile.

I wish I could write out all the stories of the things Adriene and I did during our short stay in the Bahamas, but I don't think I could find the appropriate words to convey just how much fun we had.

This gorgeous bar off the casino became "our spot," and it's certainly where we spent the majority of our time, talking, laughing, and scheming.

After flying back to the States, I spent two blissful days in Alabama hanging out with Adriene and our other friends who I hadn't seen since last summer. It was so nice to catch up with them before heading back home for a few days to visit with family and friends. I returned with scalded, sunburnt skin, funny souvenirs, and a bad cold that I can't seem to shake (I blame it on the eight dirty airplanes I spent several hours in over one week).

coco avant chanel

I've always had an unhealthy obsession with the life of Coco Chanel (I even named my hamster after her in high school), the French language, and fashion. Perhaps these reasons are why I'm beyond excited to see Coco avant Chanel, a Coco Chanel biopic which releases in France next month. Played by Audrey Tautou, Coco Chanel sports such Parisian classics as the timeless pencil skirt, classic pearls, the ever-popular striped shirt, and Chanel’s own creations, the tweed “Chanel suit” and the little black dress. And that is in the movie trailer alone!

The only downfall to Coco avant Chanel, which translates to Coco Before Chanel, is the movie's lack of subtitles. Even as a French minor, I can barely understand most of what's being said in the trailer.

[Photos via AlloCiné]

oh la la

This woman's outfit is splendidly perfect. I know it's a little late considering that winter is passing, but I love the look of all black with one pop of color. I seriously adore everything about the outfit; the contrast of the black shirt and tights with the pink skirt, the timeless black coat, the fur hat, her red hair. I thought she was Jenny Lewis at first glance. My ultimate girl crush!

[Photo via Garance Doré]