Inspiration

I love going to my mom's because there's something about going somewhere different, no matter how many times I go, that seems to leave me inspired at the end of the weekend. Here are a couple of highlights! XO

Looking through old pictures, I love this one of my older brother!

The herbal fair was this weekend and I have been in the market for a succulent... Tent of my dreams!

The lucky winner.

These baskets were so cool-they even had the coolest little baby carriers.

Sunday shopping/relaxation.

Liebster Award

Warning: wordy post alert!
Every Friday, I link up at Lauren Elizabeth to try and gain a little more traffic outside of my Instagram reach. Apparently it worked, because Sarah over at My Simplistic Ideal nominated me for something called the Liebster Award. It's great for the blogging community to do some networking and share interests!

Here are the rules:

• List 11 facts about yourself
• Answer 11 questions from the person who nominated you
• Create 11 new questions
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and let them know

I'm not sure what's up with the number 11, but I'm going with it. Here it goes!

11 facts about myself

Fashion and interior design are just about equal on my love scale

I'm an old soul

I'm a workaholic

I'm going on four trips this summer, a record high!

My life mantra is "Good Vibes Only"

I'm terrified of graduating college

I'm a Libra, the peacekeeper

I consider myself a hipster-in-training

My favorite movies are The Holiday, Bridesmaids and Stepbrothers

I love my Pandora AKA "Pandy." Favorite stations: Ray LaMontagne, Kings of Leon, Bon Iver

I love hosting/throwing parties and events, hence my minor in PR

Sarah's 11 questions

What sparked your desire to begin blogging?

//I used to have a personal blog during my sophomore year of college. It was mainly to document certain aspects of my life for myself and my family, but I realized that I liked writing and sharing with others. When I started Style&Things in December, I wanted to have a strong voice and not-so-personal approach.

Favorite retail store?

//I would say Anthropologie. Although we do have one in OKC, I only go to the one in Tulsa. When I go shopping in OKC, I like to visit local places like Blue Seven or Bow and Arrow Boutique. If I'm in Dallas, I go straight to Urban Outfitters and H&M.

If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

//Doughnuts.

What's your favorite blog you follow?

//Cupcakes and Cashmere. I'm obsessed!

If you could give everyone one tip of advice, what would it be?

//You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you're not happy, take away what's making you not happy. Live to love. Don't make life so complicated.

Hot or cold coffee?

//Both! Depends on my mood.

Favorite place you've ever been?

//I haven't been to many places, I would probably better answer this question after July of this year, but I take a lot of inspiration from the Utica Square and surrounding area in Tulsa. I don't know what it is, but I've always loved it.

What is your dream career?

//Some day I would love to either be planning presentations, parties and runway shows within the high-end fashion market or working for a magazine like Marie Claire, Vogue, etc. styling shoots and shows.

What is a guilty pleasure of yours?

//Carbs. Cookies, bread, cake, pasta, brownies, bread, bread...

If you could give 1 million dollars to any charity of your choice, what would it be?
//I would donate bits and pieces to local causes in my home as well as other cities across the nation.

What is the happiest memory you have?

//My happiest memories, honestly, are when I'm by myself. That isn't meant to sound depressing and I absolutely have happy memories with my family and friends, but it's when I'm alone with my thoughts and feelings and can feel myself changing for the better that my soul is the happiest.

11 new questions
What city inspires you the most?//What's your favorite flower?//Do you think your astrological sign describes your behaviors?//Would you rather go to the beach or to the city?//If you could be anything you wanted to be, what would you pick?//Road trip or airplane?//What's your favorite inspirational quote?//Takeout or home made?//What would you do with 100,000 dollars?//If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?//What celebrity would you choose to be your BFF?

11 bloggers
Austin at Mister Ratcliff
Sierra at Running Wild
Brittany Jo at Knee Deep in Lovely
Amy at Feathers and Bowties
(still adding!)

Thursday Three Chicago edition

First: Chicago dreamin'

Since finalizing plans last week for a trip to Chicago this summer, I have been nothing short of obsessed. It is absolutely what is getting me through this cray-ay-azy week.











Second: Outfit planning

Does anyone else envision in their head a time in the future, then what you'll be wearing? I've been doing this for the trip and I envision wearing these super cute Converse (which are thinner and less clown-like than the regular ones) with a grey sweatshirt dress for a daytime look.










Third: Tips

A blog I follow, A Cup of Jo, posted this the other day about a book called NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette, and her post has some pretty hilarious animated examples. Other than it being a cute idea for a coffee table book, I can't help but wonder of some of the tips are true for Chi-Town!

Last weekend in squares

Thursday and Friday: Dallas Career Day, Dallas, TX

Thursday night dinner with friends: California Pizza Kitchen

Unintentional matching and a one year friendaversary

Morning keynote speaker: Stacey Shieffelin

First class: fashion show production

Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Owner, RSC Show Productions

My trend board entry//Navy for F/W '14

I wish I would've attended this class! Fashion Illustration

Freaking out over the afternoon speaker, Cameron Silver, owner of Decades

Maj improvement from last year's picture!

Friday night and Saturday: Oklahoma Fashion Week, OKC, OK

Friday night OFW party at KD's

Appreciation for the city, Saturday before call time

Beautiful views from the penthouse of the Devon tower

Backstage patience before the first show

Beginning of the second session

Leia Smethurst photography

Leia Smethurst photography

Leia Smethurst photography

Thursday Three

Last Thursday I was headed to Dallas (elaboration later!) so I'm back at it again this week for Thursday Three. I don't like to pre-prepare TT posts because I like to have it "in the moment" A.K.A. on Thursday, not before or after, so you can the most up-to-date info ;)

First: Bare lashes

I personally LOVE this look and I've been trying to get it down for weeks. The Zoe Report just posted their take on how to get it right and I'm definitely going to take their pointers next time I want to go natural.















Second: Scary

Easter weekend is coming up... here are some really hilarious/creepy pictures of Easter bunnies gone wrong.





















Third: Refresh the trend

As my obsession with booties continues, now on my list are Spring booties. These ones from Sole Society are just perfect, don't you agree?

Frugality

I have always been a bargain hunter. I hardly ever buy anything clothes, shoes or accessories-wise that isn't on sale. I'm not cheap--I just know how to find good deals!

A couple of weeks ago a good friend of mine asked if I could do a post on how to find the best deals. So, here are my tricks!

RetailMeNot
Download this app and next time you're at a store about to check out, search it there first to make sure you can't find a coupon code or sale you can use to shave a little more off. If you're shopping online, you will often find promo codes for percentages off and free shipping! This app is how I found out that all students and teachers get 15% off all of the time at J. Crew... I couldn't believe I was missing out on that one!

Plato's Closet
I want to reference Plato's directly because it has hardly ever failed me. My favorite thing to get there? Jeans. The best thing about getting them there is that they are already perfectly worn, and who doesn't love a perfectly worn pair of jeans? And the best part: if you're low on cash, take in a couple of things you haven't worn all season and trade them out for something new. Win win!

Email lists
Go to your favorite store online and sign up to receive emails. You can unsubscribe at any time, but say it's a Saturday and you receive an email from J. Crew that all of their sale stuff online and in stores is an additional 50% off. Head there ASAP to get the good stuff!

Thrift stores
Everyone knows that thrifting is hit or miss, and it usually takes time and commitment to really get in there and see what you can find! Take a day and grab some friends for a lunch date and thrift shopping. I have found some great things, and if you aren't scared of thrifted shoes, that's almost always where I find the best brands and quality!

Sale rack, duh
If you are a true bargain hunter, the sale rack is your best friend. You know where the sale section is in every store, and that's nothing to be ashamed of! Ask yourself: is this top going to go on sale in two weeks when the seasons change? Yes. Should I buy it now for twice the price? No. You have to have a sale-driven mindset to get the best deals!

National Card and Letter Writing Month

It's true--April is National Card and Letter Writing Month.

I died when I found out, because as someone who is obsessed with the simple hand-written note and fun stationery, not to mention I'm a freak about thank you notes... this is really exciting for me.

Stationery

1//Crane&Co. 2//Etsy 3//Rifle Paper Co. 4//Papyrus 5//Kate Spade

Cards

1//Emily McDowell 2//Etsy 3//Rifle Paper Co. 4//Rifle Paper Co. 5//Anthropologie

As always, don't forget about your local stores! In the Edmond area, you can find a lot of the brands mentioned above at stores like Chirps and Cheers, The Paper Lion and Muse by Lucca. This way, you'll be original (not your typical card from Target) and your money is going back to your community!

Thursday Three

First: Welcome to Spin Class

Before submitting this post today, I had already started this one, thinking this article was just cute and funny and I should share it.
That was before my friend Taylor talked me into going to spin with her this morning at 6 a.m.
I actually loved it (it was hard work!) but this article is still funny and quite ironic since I started classes this morning.



Second: Unbelievable

I love articles that highlight foreign places because I'm convinced I was born with extreme wanderlust. However, this one is different, because it showcases a ton of places that really don't look real but they are. It's incredible to see what's out there.









Third: Champs

If you know me at all, you know I love champagne. Cupcakes and Cashmere (my favorite blog if you haven't noticed) recently put a short and sweet post together about things every champ-lover should know.