My First Five on Friday

It's my first time linking up for Five on Friday. Yay! So let's get right to it:

1. Going Back to iPhone. After switching to a Galaxy a year ago, for the camera, I finally switched back. I'm still getting the hang of it, so if you know of any new apps that have popped up since last August, send them my way!

2. Undateable. I'm headed to a taping of the show tonight. Be sure to look for me in the crowd ;)


3. Social Studio Shop. I'm trying to get back into blogging - like really, not just a few scattered posts here and there - and the workshop that these ladies put on two weeks ago really inspired me! Come back Monday for my recap.

4. Fall. I know everyone else is experiencing winter-like weather but we're late to the party in Southern California.This week we still had 80 degree days, but a few also dipped down the 70s. Major win in my book. Still no changing leaves though, because that's (sadly) not a thing here.


5. Holiday Sales. They're already starting. I snagged a several J.CRew Factory items, including this Factory Printed Drapey Dress. It was marked 50% off + free shipping which is good, but I'm going to keep an eye out to see if it drops even more.

Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!

Guest Post: Vodka Infused Lemonade

Today I'm excited to have Angie from Vodka Infused Lemonade filling in for me while I'm on vacay. She's super fashionable and hosts a weekly linkup on Thursdays. Read more to learn about her blog hop and how to join the fun!

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I'm really excited to be guest blogging here on Leeann's blog today. Thank you so much Leeann for having me. I hope you are enjoying your vacation.

Last week I needed to run to the grocery store and I was just going to put on a maxi dress and head out the door. Then it dawned on me that I could add a denim vest, my heart pendant and my cross-body bag to make my simple maxi dress into an outfit. Have you ever just walked out the door in simple jeans and t-shirt and then saw someone who added a necklace and blazer and thought wow, she sure looks put together??? That's exactly what I was thinking as I was putting together my outfit. Why head out the door in a simple maxi when I can look and feel more put together??? It took me only a few extra minutes and I felt much better about myself.

 

Dress (Gap). Vest (Old Navy). Necklace (J Crew). Watch (Michael Kors). Bracelet (Stella & Dot). Purse (Fossil c/o The Bay).

The key to creating an outfit is to slowly build on it. Start with a blank canvas. In my case it was a simple maxi dress. Next step is to add a cardigan, blazer or a denim vest. The idea is to complete the look. You can also do that with a scarf, once the weather gets cooler. Next add some jewelry. A great statement necklace, bracelets, earrings, watch, hat, you name. The key is to add some subtle touches. Then add some cute shoes, in my case I decided on some sandals. I then completed my look with a cross-body bag. Again the purse can bring the entire outfit together. It may seem daunting but play around with your jewelry, with hats, scarves, purses, shoes. It's exactly like dress up!!!!!!

 

The next time you're putting together an outfit, consider adding some finishing touches like jewelry, hat, scarf, fabulous shoes or cardigan/blazer/denim vest to make an outfit out it.

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Told you she was adorable! Now here's where the fun comes in. If you're blogging about fashion, head over to Angie's to link up for her weekly blog hop, Tres Chic Fashion.

   

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

One of my favorite bloggers, Setarra of Quaintrelle, has a new linkup that takes place the last Friday of each month called #ResidentTourist Link Up. The goal is to be a tourist in your own nook of the world. Fun right? I may be a few days late but wanted to join the party, so today I'm blogging about a local adventure I took last week to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve!

Antelope Valley is in Southern California, but about a two hour drive from where I live so I'd never been. I'd heard about the poppies - California's State Flower - and always wanted to visit so each year but they are only in bloom from mid-March to mid-May when the conditions are right. This year we had a few days of rain, and for our constantly-in-drought-region, that was all the poppies needed to spring up all over.

These images don't really do the flowers justice, but the poppies were so beautiful and plentiful!

Be sure to check out #ResidentTourist Link Up! And if you live in SoCal, a trip to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a must. With the rain we got this weekend the conditions are expected to be even better than those I experienced.

That Awkward Moment

I don't go to movies often because they're expensive and I'm cheap (more on that in a sec) but I've been wanting to see That Awkward Moment so Saturday night I went with two of my sorority sisters/college roommates. I mean, a grown up Zac Efron, yes please!

I thought the movie was a straight up comedy, but it was a romantic comedy so it wasn't exactly what I expected. I thought I'd be cracking up the whole time. It was good, just different than I expected. If you're a fan of the former High School Musical stud and go in knowing it's also a romantic(ish) film, I think you'll enjoy it and you def won't feel like you've wasted money on a movie.

Let's be real, with the price of movies, who want to risk paying for a one that ends up being lousy? Most of the time I just wait for films to come out on DVD. But I love the experience of a theater. This year I've seen exactly ZERO Oscar-nominated movies. That sucks! BUT I just found a great solution for movie lovers, MoviePass.

It's a card that you pay for monthly, with an annual membership, that allows you to go to the movies an unlimited amount of times with no blackout dates. And it's easy to use, just download the app, check into the theater and movie you want to see, and use your MoviePass VIP card to pick up your ticket at the kiosk. Simple. And there's still time to catch up on all of the Oscar-nominated films.

Sounds pretty awesome right? Well stay tuned because I have a MoviePass giveaway coming up!

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You're turn! Join the Monday Morning Gossip fun with my co-host Kimberlee of I Have a Degree in This and me. Here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!

2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to our blogs.

3. Add your link to the list below.

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My Weekend...

Another beautiful weekend in Southern California. It's one thing to have 80 degree temps, but another for our flowers and trees to be in full bloom. It's like our little section of the country didn't get the memo that it's winter!

Aside from enjoying the pretty spring-like conditions, I also celebrated a friend's birthday Saturday.

It was great seeing my friends and catching up...until the bar lost my credit card. I tried ordering a drink but they couldn't locate my card. After an hour of them "looking" for it I asked for a status update and one of the bouncers came up to get the story. As I start to explain, another bouncer came over and asked what happened. When I started to tell them, the second bouncer put his hand in my face and said "Shut up, I'm not talking to you!" SERIOUSLY?! After another 45 minutes and yet another bouncer finally found my card. All good? Nope. He then told me I had to buy more drinks because I wasn't at the $10 minimum to use my credit card. So pissed! I tried buying another drink almost two hours earlier but they lost my card! I was not giving them any more of my money and demanded to speak to someone in charge and eventually the owner heard my story and comped my huge $8.50 bill.

Most ridiculous experiencer ever. It's one thing to lose my card, but another to disrespect me in the degrading way I was. And I was sober which the staff commented on (don't let the double fisting above fol you, I'm convinced there was zero alcohol in my drinks) so it's not like I gave them any reason to treat me poorly.

I know only a few of my readers live near me but for the sake of spreading a bad review online, I want to specifically call out the establishment. Do not go to Margarita Rocks in Upland, Ca. Complete shithole.

Even after that drama Saturday I did have a great weekend. I hope you all did as well!

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You're turn! Join the Monday Morning Gossip fun with my co-host Kimberlee of I Have a Degree in This and me. Here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!

2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to our blogs.

3. Add your link to the list below.

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Giveaway! Celebrating My 6th Blogiversary + 1,000th Post!!

It's a celebration here today! In addition to Monday Morning Gossip, I'm also celebrating my six-year blogiversary (which was actually Dec. 29) AND this is my 1,000th post. Triple yay!!! Obviously that means it's time for a giveaway. Here's what I've got for ya...

I wanted to host a giveaway that was a little different from the usual gift card prize so I'm giving away a one-year magazine subscription to one winner. That person can choose from the following publications: Better Homes and Gardens, Cosmo, Marie Claire, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, or Lucky.

The giveaway will end next Monday, January 13 at 12pm PST and the winner announced the following day. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You're turn. Join the Monday Morning Gossip fun with my co-host Kimberlee of I Have a Degree in This and me. Here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!

2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to our blogs.

3. Add your link to the list below.

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I'm in Seattle!

photo courtesy of Jason Hoover

Happy Monday! It's especially happy for me because I'm currently in Seattle staying with my gracious host, Christina (who you should be following because her blog is amazing ;). On the agenda today is brunch at the Space Needle and an underground tour of the city.

I'll be back with a full recap soon! In the meantime, you know the drill. Linkup with my co-host, Kimberlee and I and share your post! If you're new to the blog hop, here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!

2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to Join the Gossip.

3. Add your link to the list below.

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Summer R&R

Oh, Monday. You always creep up so quickly, you sneaky jerk. At least I got a little R&R in this weekend. Saturday, I saw The Lone Ranger and had oysters and a lobster roll at one of my favorite restaurants. It was the perfect lazy summer afternoon. Sunday, I did a little shopping. And on both days I took a few naps. No complaints here!

Since we do have to start a new work week, here's a little inspiration to kick off your Monday!

You're turn to gossip! If you're new to the linkup, here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted
2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to Join the Gossip
3. Add your link to the list below.

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