that awkward moment screening

Last night I had the chance to attend an advanced screening of Zac Efron's new movie, That Awkward Moment. I had seen the previews for the movie & I am a huge Zac Efron fan, so I had high hopes for this one. Luckily, it didn't disappoint! I thought the storyline was very cute, while still being clever & funny. Zac also looked incredible. Whoever the wardrobe stylist was did an awesome job dressing the three leading men. I also loved the quirky, off beat style that Zac's love interest, Imogen Poots, had in the film. She also had the most darling short and choppy bangs. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, I would definitely recommend seeing this film when it comes out on January 31st. I think I might just have to see it again!

& just for fun, a #throwbackthursday photo of Zac Efron & I circa 2008 at the Toronto International Film Festival screening of Me and Orson Welles. Such a baby face!

images via: 1.2.3.

loving lately

LISTEN

Kill the Lights - Matt Nathanson

I often pick a song & then listen to it until I get sick of it. This is currently that song. It was pretty much on repeat all day today. Actually his album has been on heavy rotation since it came out (along with OneRepublic's Native & Sara Bareilles' The Blessed Unrest). I absolutely love Matt Nathanson and his music never disappoints. The mood and emotion behind this particular song is incredible. He is also the nicest person ever and so incredibly hilarious. He also is a great storyteller. 

EAT

Justin's Almond Butter 

This spread definitely isn't cheap, but it is a nice alternative to peanut butter and tastes pretty delicious. I've used it so far to make a Thai inspired "peanut sauce" and to dip my apples in. I'm dying to try it in my chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake, but it has been so cold lately that whenever I have made a smoothie I end up shivering and having to take a hot shower to warm up. I'm so over winter!

USE

EOS Lip Balm 

I've mentioned my love for this lip balm many times on here and I just got this new flavor! I've been putting this on 47287928 times a day especially in this cold, windy weather we've had recently in the Midwest. It tastes and smells amazing and is all natural. 

SHOP

Ashley Brooke Designs 

She makes the cutest stationary and the sassiest mugs. Hands down. I want them all! 

ENJOY

Toned Up 

I had never heard of these fitness girls before their Bravo show but I have become so addicted to watching their show! I love how they created a million dollar business off of Youtube videos. They have super fun personalities and have business meetings at the beach. Dream Job!

beauty fix: center parts

I used to be a side part gal. I religiously parted my hair on the left in line with my eyebrow arch. But lately I have been loving the center part after seeing it popping up in all of my favorite beauty and style magazines. I think it especially looks great when paired with a shorter cut and loose waves or undone curls. When I was drying my hair today, I decided to try it. I can't even remember the last time I rocked a part down the middle of my head, but I am loving it. I did discover that my hair doesn't like being parted exactly in the center, but I got pretty close! Do you ever wear your hair parted down the center?

Images via: 1. 2. 3. 4.

2014 resolutions

I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions. I think that come with a lot of pressure and from my experience, they never last very long and it's always a letdown when you fall short of them. I would much rather have a motto for the year that I keep in the front of my mind as I live my day to day life. I came across the quote below on Pinterest (follow me here) and I thought it fit perfectly for my vision of 2014. 

My motto for the year is...

Dream Big

I never had a problem playing make-believe when I was younger. I've always been a dreamer and someone who gets lost in my own thoughts. I'm always creating these elaborate situations, scenarios and visions of my life in my head. I've often been told I dream a little too big sometimes, but if you don't have dreams and goals, what motivates and drives you?

Sparkle More

This is one piece of the motto that I am truly excited to live by in 2014. Everyone needs a little sparkle in their lives, a little glitz and glamour. I'm not a very flashy person and I tend to be more vanilla with my life, but I want some glitter in my life in 2014. I'm not sure how this will manifest itself, but I'm looking forward to approaching everyday with his motto in mind.

Shine Bright

I think this one has so many meanings. Shine bright by trying your best to be a good person, be joyful, be a friend, be positive, be a light in this world. This is something I've been thinking about for many months and I think it is important to set this intention at the start of every day. To find ways to shine. To truly be happy and have that reflected on the inside & outside.  We all could use a reminder to let ourselves shine.

What's your motto for 2014?

sources: 1. 2.

ice, ice baby

 

Today was the first day in over a week where there wasn't snow on the ground! It was very foggy this morning, but the temperature was in the 40's (after being below 0 for the past few days) so I bundled up & headed out to the Plymouth Ice Festival in Kellogg Park to check out all of the ice sculptures! They had tons of finished ice sculptures on display all through the park and downtown area & there were also quite a bit of artists still carving sculptures. It was pretty cool to see them working on the huge blocks of ice! It as a slushy mess on the sidewalks and I was so glad I had my boots on!

                  

It was a fun morning & I was glad to warm up with some Starbucks after walking around outside for a bit!

green puffy coat: Michael Kors

glasses: Ray-Ban

get organized in 2014

One of my goals in 2014 is to get organized. And by organized, I mean ORGANIZED. I'm attacking everything - clutter, clothing, paper, time management, meal plans & recipes, my daily schedule, weekly schedule, monthly schedule, and my business.

But first I need a new day planner. Above was my 2013 planner and it went everywhere with me. As nice as technology is, I like having a physical planner to hold onto & look at. Plus, there's no chance of it crashing & everything being lost. Not that that's happened before...

Here are a few 2014 planners I have my eye on.

I love the black & white stripes and the gold accents.

source 

I love the simplicity & size of this beautiful watercolor planner.

source

Gray & coral stripes. So in love with this design!

source

I'm clearly trending towards stripes for 2014. I also saw a gold & brown kraft paper striped planner at Target that I loved but I can't find it online. I'm hoping to get a new planner within the next few days as it's driving me crazy not to have anywhere to write my plans & tasks down!

Are you a paper & pen kind of gal or do you put everything in your smart phone?

new year's baby

  Today's my Grandma's 91st Birthday. She is a New Year's Day Baby.

 Every New Year's Day my family throws a huge party to celebrate her Birthday. She's the matriarch. She has 4 daughters (including a set of twins - my momma and my godmomma), 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. I think it is pretty cool that we have five generations alive in my family right now.

 My grandmother is an amazing woman and one of the most stylish, sassy & fabulous women I know, even at 91. I admire her so much. She always has her blonde hair perfectly styled, still wears lipstick and eye liner everyday, paints her nails and only recently had to stop wearing her heels. I took these photos of her this past summer having tea at my aunt's house and they capture her perfectly!