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Milanos Music

05.31.13

I feel like the only appropriate way to start this post is with a quote from Grease. “Sandy, you’ve changed! “Tell me about it, stud.” This quote has literally been coming out of my mouth for years now – it’s from my favorite part in the film when Sandy reveals her new, biker chic look to Danny for the first time. Well, I can hardly say that I’m Sandy, but this outfit sure made me feel like I had at least a tiny ounce of her spirit in me.

Picking a spot to take these photos at came easy – Milanos Music Center. Their rocking music shop has been a Valley staple since 1946 when it opened as an accordion studio. Growing up everyone went to Milanos to pick out their first musical instrument, including myself (the flute, if you were wondering). Today it still stands as a well loved, and well visited music center. It’s one of those places everyone knows about and loves, and to be quite honest, it will always hold a very special place in my musical heart. Like their website says, “Milanos Means Music.”

A classic red lip (my favorite red from NYX Cosmetics – their jumbo lip pencil in Plush Red), and this dreamy skirt from Lily & Violet really pulled this entire outfit together for me. I love the whole idea of playing a character when you get dressed everyone morning, and how different outfits can make you feel different ways. I guess that’s why I love personal style so much – the options are endless and it’s all just for fun!

Outfit details:
Faux leather jacket: c/o Jcpenney
Top: Target
Bracelets: Threads & Kate Spade
Tulle Me Twice skirt: c/o Lily & Violet 
Sandals: Madewell

The weekend is almost here and Scott and I have some major packing to do. Our trip to Louisville, Kentucky starts Monday and we still have quite a few things to knock off our to-do list before we march onto that plane at 7am (so early – will need LOTS of coffee).

What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re local (or even not), have you checked out Milanos before? Did you get your first instrument there? Did you know that one of the members of Jimmy Eat World family owns the shop? Now that’s cool!
-Chelsea xo

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Liberty Date

05.28.13

With our new everyday routine in full swing, Scott and I have been trying to squeeze in date nights whenever we can. Two weekends ago we headed to one of our favorite local restaurants, Liberty Market, because we heard they were serving up peach cobbler as their special weekend dessert. Since we’re both peach lovers, we figured it was a good enough excuse to get out and have a date night. Liberty Market has been one of our favorite local restaurants for years now, and every time we go there we seem to run into somebody we know. It might be cheesy, but Liberty Market really feels like home!

On another note, the outcome of visiting my sweet friend Courtney at her work always to leads to me walking out with a Madewell bag in hand and a much “needed” purchase. I say needed, but really when the sales are that good and you have a best friend who is an enabler (haha – love you, Court), it’s hard to say no. This striped dress was the outcome of one of my recent visits to see Court. Since I’ll be spending most of my summer this year in Phoenix, I figured I was in need of a few more dresses to combat the summer temperatures I know we’ll be getting soon. Today it’s only 91 degrees, and we have the most beautiful cloudy skies shading us from the that blazing Phoenix sun. Crossing my fingers it stays this way for a few more weeks!

That fiancé of mine sure is cute! We’ve been having so much fun calling each other fiancé and fiancee lately, and dreaming about our wedding day. I feel SO lucky that I get to marry this sweet man. I’ve been dreaming about this ever since we met 6 1/2 years ago, and I just know that being married is going to be the most amazing experience ever.

I received these darling Cricket wedges from Blowfish Shoes earlier this month and I feel almost shocked that they are just now making their way to the blog. I’ve been obsessed with these lately, and love how I can wear them with a very casual outfit for running around town, or for an afternoon at work. Today they are an extra 25% off and you get free shipping on the Blowfish Shoes website. I just might have to pick up the tan color as well!

For dinner at Liberty Market, Scott had the special – a pulled pork sandwich with some delicious green beans, and I had my favorite Farmer sandwich with a side of potato salad. For dessert we split a mini peach cobbler, which was delicious and made with locally grown peaches. It’s crazy to think that peaches can grown in this hot, hot weather we have down here, but it’s pretty nice because they get harvested much earlier than most peaches do. Which is great because peaches are my favorite fruit EVER!

Outfit details:
Dress: Madewell
Bracelets: Kate Spade & Pandora
Bag: Kate Spade
Cricket wedges: c/o Blowfish Shoes

This morning I had a great meeting with my team, and this afternoon I have some errands to run before I settle in to do some work tonight. Scott and I are going on a trip to Louisville, Kentucky next week and I would love to hear if you have any suggestions of places to check out while were there. We love all of the tourist spots, but would also love to hear any coffee shop, restaurant, and and other neat recommendations you may have. Thanks in advance!

What do you like to for date night? If you’re local, have you checked out Liberty Market before? What’s your favorite way to keep cool in the summer?
-Chelsea xo

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Scottsdale Art Show

05.23.13

I’ve always been an art enthusiast, and can usually be found wandering around the art galleries of Phoenix during most first and third Fridays (art walk nights). So when I heard that Scott and I’s friend David Quan, or Luster Kaboom, was going to be having a show for kids at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, we knew we couldn’t miss opening night. At this point, the evenings were still cool and layering was an option (even though I might argue that it still is, as I sweat throw my layers of clothes). I donned my all-time favorite denim vest (its been hanging around my wardrobe for almost seven years now), and a comfy pair of Minnetonka Moccasins, ready for an evening out in old town Scottsdale.


Pre-show Scott and I stopped by Cartel Coffee Lab for some iced coffees, and took a little walk around old town Scottsdale. Even though this area is a major tourist trap, it really does have a sweet charm to it. Just the other day we stumbled across a 1950s-esque ice cream shop, a few cute boutiques, and one of the area’s neatest Mid-Century Modern hotels! Sounds like we’ve got a few new places to try out and explore a little more this summer.

Outfit details:

Top: Bass Pro Shop (yup!)
Cardigan: c/o Marshalls
Vest: UO
Bag: Coach
Bracelets: Vintage & Threads
Deerskin Soft-Ts: c/o Minnetonka Moccasin

I’m heading out for a busy day of work, driving around Phoenix, spending time with my dad, sipping on iced coffee, and most likely taking oodles of photos along the way. Even though I’m pretty much already addicted to Instagram, lately I’ve been even more into posting (not just checking everyone’s cute puppy and baby photos – but really, those are the best). You can find me @chelseabirdd, and also on Twitter @chelseabird.

I always love finding new people to follow, and would love it if you left your Instagram and Twitter names below so I can check out your feeds!

Later, dudes!
-Chelsea xo

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Double Fringe

05.22.13
The days are getting longer and the suns seems to be getting hotter and hotter. Gone are the days where the sun would set at 5 p.m., and now the the light shines bright until almost 8 p.m. Summer is on the horizon, and this year I’m looking for a fresh perspective on the season that has also been my least favorite. This season I want to feel renewed, full of optimism and ready for any adventures that may come my way.


Recently, while the days have been outstandingly hot I’ve been finding refuge indoors, and in the shade of buildings and trees. On this day, Scott and I were wrapping a few things up at my parent’s new property, and I decided that hiding from the sun in the shade of our airplane hangar was ultimately the best option. As of now, there are no airplanes in sight on the lower grounds, but when you look up to the sky you are bound to see one flying by. There is one tiny blue and white plane that flies over us all day, every day – back and forth, back and forth. I’m assuming that whoever is in the pilot seat is training, taking full advantage of the open air above us and beyond.

This purely me mixture of a denim dress and Minnetonka boots has been a favorite lately. I’m sort of obsessed with these Double Fringe Tramper boots, and love the festival vibe they give off. I don’t foresee any festivals in my near future, but you can bet your bottom dollar I will be wearing these when I finally make my way to one.

Outfit details:
Dress: Levi’s
Necklace: Gift from my folks
Bracelets: Jcrew, Kate Spade, & vintage
Double Fringe Tramper Boots: c/o Minnetonka Moccasin

I’m out for an afternoon of work and sipping on iced coffee (the only way to keep cool in this heat, am I right?). Don’t forget to enter the Minnetonka Moccasin giveaway! You’ve got a chance of winning your very own pair of these festival worthy, darling boots.

What are you up to today? How do you plan to make this summer the best it can be?
-Chelsea xo

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Closed – Minnetonka Moccasin Giveaway!

05.21.13
Today we have an amazing giveaway from Minnetonka Moccasin! They are offering one Tea Talk reader their choice from the three styles featured above – the Double Fringe Tramper Boot, the Deerskin Soft – Ts, and the Leopard Kilty Moc.
To enter you must:
1. Be a follower of the Tea Talk blog via GFC, Bloglovin, or email.
2. Leave a comment with your favorite Minnetonka product!
Bonus entries!
1. Follow them on Twitter.
2. Like them on Facebook.
3. Follow them on Pinterest.
(Please leave additional comments for each.)
Sorry, this giveaway is open only to U.S. readers.
Entries will be accepted until Monday, May 27th at 11:59 MST, and the winner will be announced the following day.
Good luck, and a big thank you to Minnetonka Moccasin for hosting such an amazing giveaway!
-Chelsea xo

EDIT: The winner is #84 Bebe Bird Beck! Thank you to everyone who entered, & to Minnetonka Moccasin!

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Week 20 Wrap-Up

05.21.13

1. My sweet pals Elsie and Emma recently launched their A Beautiful Mess app and I was so excited to check it out. I been loving the photo filters, and the fonts – you really can’t beat Elsie’s adorable handwriting! // 2. “Would my fiancé like to look at wedding magazines?” “Yes, I think she would.” Melt my heart! // 3. Had a very parisian moment with these goodies from NYX Cosmetics the other day.  4. Loved spotting some of my favorite local couples in the Frances Love’s Summer Guide.

3 Weekly Favorites:
1. Seeing The Great Gatsby with my fiancé. Growing up I loved the book, so I was excited to see how the new film adaptation would be. Considering movies are always a little different than the books they are portraying, I did really love the film. The costumes were magnificent, and the locations were incredible. The only issue I have is with the non-3D version feeling like it’s trying to be 3D (weird angles and shots), but you win some, you lose some.
2. Spending time with my dad. It’s as simple as that! 
3. Seeing Star Trek and slightly nerding out. 
2  Hopes for the New Week:
1. That I get CS6 loaded onto my new computer – can’t live without it! 
2. That my transition into my new routine goes smoothly – a continually hope.
1 Last Thought:
I’m looking for fun places to visit/check out this summer in the Phoenix area/state of Arizona, and would love to hear what are some of your favorite places to visit/eat/shop at in these areas?
How was your weekend? What are you most looking forward to this summer?
-Chelsea xo
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Closed – Minnetonka Moccasin Blogger Spotlight

05.20.13

I am SO excited to announce that I am featured as Minnetonka Moccasin’s Blogger Spotlight! Being featured by one of my all-time favorite brands is truly such an honor, and I couldn’t be more happy with how my featured photos and interview turned out. To read about my Minnetonka story, whose style inspires me, what song I currently have on repeat, and what city is my favorite and why (hint, hint – spreading the PHX love!), check out my blogger spotlight right here.

Thank you so much to Minnetonka Moccasin for having me, and for always being so inspiring and downright amazing.

-Chelsea xo

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Spring Must List

05.19.13

Looking to my Fall Must List I wrote back in October of last year, I once again thought it would be nice to gather my thoughts and write a Spring Must List before our current season heads out the door. As in the past, I am again following along in the footsteps of MAV from 3191 Miles Apart, and hope this list will help me in organizing all of my must-have, must-do, must feel for this lovely, and life-changing season.

Must-Have:
Light-weight dresses
Red sandals
Iced coffee
A Mason Jar Tumbler from The Mason Bar Company
Engagement ring (check!)
One good read
Delicious salads
Farmer’s Market goods

Must-Do:
Go to a Farmer’s Market
Dine at the new Phoenix Public Market
Explore the paper butterfly exhibit at the PHX Art Museum
Experiment with spring makeup looks
Go on an adventure
Go swimming
Eat a snow cone
Make something with peaches in it

Must Feel:
Confident
Excited
Strong
Brave
Adventurous
Satisfied
Refreshed
Content

What is on your Spring Must List? Please feel free to blog your own list and leave a link below, or leave me your list in the comments section. I would LOVE to read what’s on your list for this season!
-Chelsea xo

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All Tied Up

05.15.13
Now that our days in Phoenix are hitting the 100 degree mark, I’ve been pulling out my short-sleeve tops, skirts, and dresses, all the while trying to avoid too many layers and heavy fabrics (but really, I still love wearing my cardigans in those chilly shopping centers and movie theaters). At the Arizona Blogger Conference a few weeks back (just a few hours before I got engaged – eck!) I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely lady (Hi Carlyn!) from Minnesota that is working with Lily & Violet, an online shop and brick and mortar store in Minneapolis, Minnesota (wish I could make their grand opening party this weekend!). It was SO neat to meet someone from so far away who came to Phoenix just to check out the city and catch a ballgame. From what I can tell, folks from the Mini-Apple have a ton of pride for their city, just like us Phoenicians do (Phoenix residents if you’re getting all J school on me)!
Lily & Violet’s All Tied Up Blouse has become a warm weather staple recently. I love the sheer, breathable fabric, the cute bow and dainty ruffles, and the scalloped pattern, of course – perfect for running around town or for time at the office (my new outfit challenge!).
Outfit details:
Jeans: Levi’s
Bracelets: Kate Spade, vintage, & Jcrew
Purse: Kate Space
Sandals: Madewell
Today I’ve spent some time with family, checked out the spring/summer goods at Frances Vintage, and did a little shopping with my fiancé at Madewell and H&M. 
How has your day been? Have you ever checked out the Lily & Violet shop? They have SO many cute pieces for spring and summer!
-Chelsea xo
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25!

05.14.13

On May 2nd I celebrated my 25th birthday! During the months before my big day I kept thinking about what my 25th year would hold – graduation, finding a great place to start my career, and transitioning into a whole new “everyday” schedule. What I didn’t know, however, was that I would be ringing in my special day with a sparkly ring on my ring finger and an amazing guy to call my fiancé! WOW! What a way to begin my 25th year!

Scott and I started off the day by having breakfast at one of our favorite local spots – Matt’s Big Breakfast. We’ve been going to Matt’s ever since my days in J school, and since we were there early/not on a Friday – we walked right in (gasp! this never happens!). We thoroughly enjoyed our meals and sipped on all the coffee our hearts desired! Matt’s, you really know how to do breakfast the right way!

This guy (my fiancé – ohh) did every thing to make sure my special day was the best it could be! Thanks darling for treating me like a queen!

May 2nd was also an extra special day because my family finally closed on a property they’ve been working on buying since last September. It was amazing to see my folks sign a huge stack of papers and have their dream property finally be theirs. Congrats, Mom & Dad!

Outfit details:
Dress: I HEART Ronson
Purse: Kate Spade
Sandals: Madewell

From the looks of it, 25 is going to be a grade A, golden year! It’s amazing to think I started this blog back when I was newly 21, and now I have so many memories (four years full of them!) archived here and ready to look back on whenever I would like. That’s truly one of the major reasons why I love blogging so much – it lets you capture and archive a memory forever and forever, and that, my friends, is something that is SO special.

How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
-Chelsea xo

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