Pura Vida bracelets

'“Pura Vida” (pu·ra vi·da) means "pure life" in Spanish. Enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune and not taking anything for granted embodies the Pura Vida Lifestyle. It's about being free and living life to it's fullest with no regrets or taking anything for granted; it's an attitude.'

I have been increasingly aware that I am your typical wannabe "tree hugger." Encouraging all of my friends to recycle, using my reusable bags every time I go to the grocery store (I will turn around and go back if I forgot them) and I seriously want a bike. But I want to start doing more. It's a serious lifestyle change that I'm starting to implement more and more in my life.

Pura Vida is a saying I've seen all over my Instagram as a name for yoga retreats, etc. and I recently found the Pura Vida bracelets IG account and website. They have an incredible story and are such an inspiring company. Have a cause you like to support? They probably have a bracelet for it.

Today I bought my first two and I plan on getting many, many more.

Abalone Obsession anklet

Sunset Surf Obsession bracelet

If you want your own, use this code to get 50% off your first order! This offer only lasts for 24 hours so get shopping!!! Also, the first three people to use the code free_ship in their checkout gets free shipping. Enjoy, and remember: live your own Pura Vida.

*This post was not sponsored by Pura Vida. All opinions are my own.

Finding yourself

Lately, I've been exploring my mind and my soul to truly connect to who I really am.

This has a lot to do with yoga. I've been a fan of yoga for years, I went for my first class when I was somewhere around 16 and I've recently become more dedicated to it.

I finally took the plunge and joined a studio: Hidden Dragon in OKC. I'm still getting a feel for all of the classes, but I think this is the perfect place to extend my practice and explore my spirituality.

If you've never tried yoga, I highly recommend dropping in for a class at a studio near you. A lot of people are so intimidated by it, but there is no reason to be. There are several modifications to every pose and a yoga studio is a place of safety, love and absolutely zero judgement. It's really a calming experience!

Have you tried yoga, and if you have, did you enjoy it? I'd love to hear!

Weekend getaways are awesome

Over the weekend my mom, sister-in-law and I traveled a few hours south to Dallas for a girls weekend and the Dave Matthews Band concert.

Basically, I'm depressed that I'm not still there.

We bought the tickets back in February as a gift for my mom's birthday. I grew up listening to Dave Matthews and I'm still a HUGE fan of their music. I thought it would only be appropriate to make it a family trip since DMB holds such a special place in my heart thanks to my mom! Here's a peek at our weekend...

Our hotel lobby

We stayed two nights at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas. It's historic with contemporary touches and... also perfect. In addition to a fresh complimentary breakfast all guests also get two complimentary drinks during happy hour and cookies and milk before bed. I mean how much better does it get?

Just steps from our hotel

My Sunday morning coffee run-the streets of downtown are peaceful yet alive

The Magnolia was in such an amazing area downtown. I had no idea what it would be like before we got there, and we were so pleasantly surprised! We were within walking distance to anything our hearts desired. We drove to the mall and took the hotel shuttle/taxi to the concert, but other than that, we walked everywhere and the weather was perfect.

Patios at every turn-we never had a meal inside

"the eyeball." Outfit details: maxi skirt//Target, tee//Gap, purse//Urban Outfitters, necklace//Lush (OKC)

I have no words for how amazing the concert was... Our tickets were on the lawn and I wouldn't have had it any other way! It truly was an experience.

headband//Urban Outfitters, dress//Urban Outfitters, chambray shirt//H&M, sunnies//Target

It was so good that I actually may go see him again this week!

Peace and blessings, Dallas.

Ellie Alexa

When I was 17, I got a dog for my birthday. I knew I wanted a Maltese, I knew I wanted a girl and I knew I wanted to name her Ellie.

Fate stepped in and we found a perfect baby who's name was already Ellie, so obviously, she had to be mine. Born on July 25th, 2009, she was the smallest of her litter from both a small mom and dad which meant a perfect fit for me since I wanted a teacup-size dog. (She's much smaller than most Maltese grow to be.)

When she was eight weeks old, this happened

*excuse the braces

I FELL IN LOVE. Anyone who has ever owned a pet can relate when I say it truly is like you just adopted a baby. And I did. I adopted a furry baby. And she was perfect.

Now, I may be bias, but my Ellie Alexa is quite possibly the best dog ever. She loves wearing clothes since naturally I trained her young. She is like a rag doll, not the least bit wirey and LOVES cuddles. She has the best personality-she's funny. Her hobbies include sunbathing on the patio and loving on everyone. Oh, and she also knows her middle name--call her Alexa and she will come running.

To get back to the point, I AM GETTING HER BACK! Since moving out during the summer of 2012, she has lived with my mom since I did not have enough time or money to have her with me. So this summer when I move into my house and will be starting my last year of school, she will come to live with me! Be prepared for Ellie-related posts in the near future.

Here are some other oldies of my babe and I!

2009

2011

2013

Best of: Met Gala 2014

If you're going to take a fashion risk, it better be at the Met Gala.

Here are my personal favorites from the night!

1//Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda, 2//Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta, 3//Karlie Kloss in Oscar de la Renta

1//Blake Lively in Gucci Première and Ryan Reynolds in Gucci, 2//Derek Blasberg with Lily Allen in Chanel Haute Couture, 3//Jay Z and Beyonce both in Givenchy Haute Couture, 4//Claire Danes in Oscar de la Renta and Hugh Dancy in Prada

1//Selena Gomez in Diane von Furstenberg, 2//Allison Williams in Oscar de la Renta, 3//Liu Wen in Zac Posen, 4//Sarah Silverman in Zac Posen

1//Brie Larson in custom Prada, 2//Gabrielle Union in custom Prada, 3//Sarah Paulsen in custom Prada, 4//Ming Xi in Michael Kors, 5//Florence Welch in Valentino Haute Couture, 6//Margot Robbie in custom Prada

1//Anne Hathaway in Calvin Klein Collection with Francisco Costa, 2//Zoe Saldana in Michael Kors with Michael Kors, 3//Dakota Johnson in Jason Wu with Jason Wu, 4//Kristin Wiig in Balenciaga with Alexander Wang

Emma Stone in custom Thakoon and Andrew Garfield in Band of Outsiders

Shailene Woodley in Rodarte

Audrey

A legend

An icon

And a beautiful person

Happy 85th birthday to the one and only Audrey Hepburn.

The merging of two worlds

*Image from Nina Styling and Interiors

After one week in the Interior Design major at my school, I switched to Fashion Marketing.

I do love fashion and I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had and people I've met in my major, but there's always been a part of me that just barely regrets not sticking with interior design. It was my first love, and everyone knows you don't just forget your first love!

Last weekend while traipsing about the sale room at Anthropologie, I saw a lonely book on the top shelf. The Stylist's Guide to NYC jumped out at me because of the word 'stylist'. I immediately thought it would be about fashion styling, which is a career I'm interested in, but low and behold...

It's written by an interior stylist.

*Pause for OMG moment in the Anthropologie sale room.*

I thought, I'm getting this. I don't care anymore. About anything. Need this book.

It seems as though my two loves are merging into one. Bonus: research I've done shows that a lot of top interior stylists work in London. Win win WIN!

Thursday Three

First: How to order wine

I've recently been training my palette to enjoy more rich flavors of wine. This article from Bon Appetit shares some very helpful tips on how to effectively order wine at a restaurant.
















Second: New finds

I love finding new websites to shop on, and thanks to Pink Peonies I discovered Sosie! The prices are great and while a lot of the clothes are a bit too trendy for me I love this LWD-little white dress. It can also double as a fun cover-up for those poolside days that are coming soon!



















Third: Redecorate

Over the weekend, I thought, "I want a new bed." The ad went up on Sunday night and my headboard and footboard were out of my bedroom by Wednesday evening. Today, I purchased my new headboard (pictured) for HALF OFF at Wayfair.com! I'm so excited to see how it transforms the current look in my room.