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Cozy in the Southwest

01.21.13

Last week was a crazy weather week here in the Southwest. On Monday the high was around 45 degrees and the breeze was enough to make you feel constantly chilled at the bone. Come the weekend, however, it was warm and hit 75 degrees in the afternoon. If last week wasn’t a cold snap than I don’t know what is! On the bright side, because it was SO chilly out I really got to pull out the layers and bundle (probably the last time for awhile now!). This Cozy Neighbor sweater from LuLu*s was perfect for keeping me warm and cozy during my evening drive to the other side of town for class, and also through three hours of open debate about social mediate and sites like ASmallWorld (do any of you have an account on this? seems like an interesting site).

On this chilly day I also tried to create my own version of Jennifer Lawrence’s (JLaw…bahaha) Golden Globes makeup look. I’ve always been a fan of deep, golden brown eyeshadow, but pairing it with a pink nude lip was different for me (I wore a light coat of Too Faced’s La Creme lipstick in Naked Dolly).

Outfit details:
Cozy Neighbor Sweater: c/o LuLu*s
Button-up: Levi’s
Typewriter buttons: Jar of Buttons
Jeans: Levi’s
Boots: Cole Haan

This morning I have some reading to catch up on for one of my evening classes, and also a few odds and ends I need to wrap up (like another fun post for Blowfish Shoes – did you check out the first guest post I wrote for their blog?).  I also hope to take it easy for most of the day and catch up on a few of my favorite blogs and get things organized for another busy week of school.

What are you up to today? What blogs are you really loving right now?

-Chelsea xo

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Week 3 Wrap-Up

01.21.13

Lately I’ve been really loving weekly wrap-up blog posts (I always enjoy reading Savannah’s), so I thought I would attempt to write mine own as a way to wrap-up another week of life and blogging.

Scott and I started off our weekend with a double dinner date at Green Vegetarian with our sweet friends Sarah and Josh. Green recently had a menu change, and I heard through the grapevine that my favorite entree had been taken off the menu – cue a moment of panic while trying to decided what to order – so I ended up trying something new and really enjoyed it (a vegan quesadilla and shoe string fries!). After dinner we checked out the Third Friday Art Walk in downtown Phoenix, and met up with a few more friends at The Grow-Op. Saturday started off a little rough with my grandmother going into the hospital (she’s doing well though!), but the day was completely redeemed by a fun birthday/housewarming bash at Kara’s new digs! Today has been just about relaxing, visiting my grandmother, and getting drive-thru iced coffees (thank you, D’Lish).

1. Friday’s outfit. // 2. Neon sign outside of Nami // 3. Subtle Takeover’s piece at the Manifesto art show. // 4. Bundled up on a chilly day in Phoenix.

3 Weekly Favorites:
1. The Cactus Haboob latte from Nami (agave + cinnamon=so good together).
2. MAC’s Impassioned Lipstick
3. My suede Minnetonka Moccasins ankle booties that I haven’t taken off this whole weekend.

2 Hopes for the New Week:
1. Get my Comps Exam situation figured out (I have to pass those to graduate!).
2. My Grandmother continues to get stronger every day.

1 Last Thought:
Scout looks awfully cute snuggled up next to me!

How was your week? Did you do anything fun this weekend?
-Chelsea xo

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Winter White

01.17.13

I have something to admit – I’ve had this dress sitting in my closet since about August and I just now figured out how to wear it. Have you ever had a piece like this in your closet that you love, but just don’t know how to wear it? I know it sounds silly, but truthfully this dress has kept me stumped. The lace overlay, short sleeves, and mustard colored undertone is lovely on its own, but every time I seemed to try it on, something just didn’t feel right about it – until the other day, that is. Pairing it with one of my favorite sweaters, cranberry colored tights (that I will be sad to see come go spring), and my highest pair of wedges – everything seemed to just click. It was like I had a fashion aha moment (one that was way overdue and almost too silly at this point).

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have already heard me profess my love for this pretty lipstick shade I recently picked up (a special treat to wear on my last first day of school). MAC’s Plumful caught my eye after seeing it on Essiebutton’s blog and Youtube channel (and hearing her profess her love for it didn’t hurt either). After checking out the lustre lipstick at my local MAC counter, I knew it would work nicely with my complexion, and also the current season. Right now, I’m pretty in love with this color and see myself wearing it throughout the rest of winter. I hate to admit, however, I already have my eye on a few spring/summer appropriate lipstick and blush shades (maybe it’s the 70 degree heat that I know is coming this weekend), but I’m totally not into rushing this season! Long live plum colored lips, cozy sweaters, and the hope of seeing some snow oh so soon!

Outfit details:
Sweater: Banana Republic
Dress: I HEART Ronson
Tights: We Love Colors
Shoes: Seychelles

This morning I finished up my second week of the semester. So far things are looking in my favor, but there sure is a lot of work to be done. I still can’t believe I’m already in my final semester! Yesterday and this morning I had two different new graduate students ask me about my experience in the program, and it felt so surreal to be in the position where I actually had experience and advice to share. Wasn’t I just that new student the other day? Yes, yes I was. And now, I’m that crazy graduate student who is almost done with her degree and needs to find a job!
Friends, have any leads for me?
-Chelsea xo

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Too Faced Favorites

01.16.13

Today I thought I would share a few of my favorite products from Too Faced Cosmetics! I know that I’ve already proclaimed my loved of their lip creams (in this post here), but really they are some of the most wearable lipsticks I’ve tried. They are also hydrating, have a wonderful color payoff, and leave your lips with a pretty stain after hours of wear.

I have the colors Naked Dolly, a satin pink, and Stiletto Red, a classic red. Lately I’ve been really loving Naked Dolly, as it’s one of those colors that you don’t have to worry too much about and it matches nicely with my everyday makeup look.

I also really love their Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliners. This product has a wonderful color range, goes on smoothly without any tugging (and has a smudger on the end to help create a smoky look, or a precise line), and truly lasts all day.

Lately I’ve been loving the colors Perfect Black (seriously the best black eyeliner I’ve ever tried!), Perfect Moss (this color goes perfect with my green eyes and is subtle enough for an everyday look, but definitely adds a bit of uniqueness to the eyes), and Perfect Brown (a perfect, everyday brown).

Do you have a favorite Too Faced product? I would love to hear about it! Right now I’m seriously coveting over their new Sweethearts Blush and can’t wait to get my hands on it!
-Chelsea xo

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Wallace & Ladmo

01.15.13

A little while back Scott and I were in downtown Phoenix and decided to finally check out the Wallace & Ladmo mural up close. For those of you who don’t know, Wallace & Ladmo was a children’s television show based out of Arizona that ran from 1954 to 1989. From what I know, the show was taped in the very building that the mural resides on. I personally don’t have any memories of the show, but think it’s so neat that a mural in honor of such a well-loved, local show exists today!

After spending a little time reading up on Wallace & Ladmo, I seemed to fall into a black hole that is “Weird Arizona.” I already knew about a few unique and strange things in our state, like the Family Fun World that never was, and Legend City (an old amusement park that closed up in the 80’s), but was also surprised to learn about the handful of other amusement parks that either closed or never made it to opening day. Oh, and the abandoned domes outside of Casa Grande (these ones). I would be curious to hear if any of you have ever checked these out? I’ve read that they are pretty easy to get to, but since they are on private property you are technically trespassing. Anyone, anyone?

Outfit details:
Scarf: Gap
Sweater: Madewell
Jeans: Levi’s
Purse: Coach
Watch: Fossil
Moccasins: Minnetonka Moccasins

Does your town have any long lost and forgotten amusement parks or other neat attractions? If so, have you ever check them out? I would love to hear about your experiences and see photos if you have them! I’m totally into the idea of exploring abandoned spaces and places and would really like to check out more of these forgotten places in my area in this year.

-Chelsea xo

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I Can Feel The Chill In My Bones

01.14.13

Good morning, freezing Phoenix (and to all of you living in other parts of the country and world). I woke up this morning to freezing temperatures in Phoenix – literally – and I’m a bit in awe of how cold it really is. The weather channel just announced that right now it’s around 38 degrees outside, and it’s supposed to only warm up another 10 degrees. To say we’re having a bit of freak weather around here would be an understatement! However, I intend on fulling enjoying it! Very rarely do we get such cold temperatures in this part of the state, so I plan on bundling up the best I can and drinking one too many cups of hot coffee to keeps my bones warms. Also, how crazy is it that in D.C. and around the East Coast it’s twice as warm is it is here! HA!

I wore this outfit when Scott and I first met up with Alyssa at  The Coffee Shop in Gilbert. This dress was a birthday present from a few of my favorite ladies, and I loved that it was so easy to style up for winter even though it’s a spring/summer dress!

On Friday Scott and I finally went to see Silver Linings Playbook, which I LOVED! I thought the script and the whole premise around the movie was amazing, and I really enjoyed Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence’s performance. To be quite honest, movies that have more of a real life feel to them, including offbeat characters, are usually always my favorites!

On Saturday we were lucky enough to get to hang out with Alyssa again, and had a great time showing her around two of our favorite spots in Phoenix. Sunday was a very lazy day and was spent mostly at home, except for an evening coffee date to Cartel Coffee just to get out for a little bit (and sip on delicious hot coffee).

Outfit details:
Scarf: Madewell
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Dress: Madewell
Tights: We Love Colors
Bracelets: Kate Spade
Purse: Coach
Gabby booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

This morning I have a few things to wrap up before class tonight, and then I plan on starting some homework that I have due later in the week. It’s still so crazy to think that we’re already back in the swing of school, as only a few years ago were we going back in late January (ohh, those we were the days).

What do you have going on today? How was your weekend?
-Chelsea xo

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East Meets West Meetup

01.12.13

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting up with a longtime internet friend of mine, Alyssa. Five plus years ago Alyssa and I met on Myspace (oh, Myspace), and since then we’ve kept in touch. Alyssa and I share a love of writing, coffee, and Sylvia Plath. She also writes beautiful poetry of her own and occasionally posts her writing on her Tumblr, Musty Pages (check out her feed – it’s seriously lovely!).

Alyssa, Scott, and I met up at The Coffee Shop in Gilbert for breakfast and coffee (coffee seemed mandatory for this meeting, as we are both coffee fiends!). I had such a great time talking with her about school, Arizona, and what it’s like in her home state. I’ve never visited Pennsylvania before, but after hearing Alyssa’s stories about diners, coffee shops, and taking the train into Philly, I now want to visit even more (I bet Philly is beautiful in the summertime!).

It really was so wonderful to finally meet Alyssa, and I loved that we already felt like longtime friends even though we had never officially met until that day (ok – it has to be said, the internet is awesome!).

Have you ever met a longtime internet friend? If so, what was your experience like?

I’m off to get coffee and catch up on grad school work (already playing catch-up – oops)!
-Chelsea xo

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All Roads Lead Me Here

01.10.13

Now that I’m back on  my regular school schedule, I find myself spending much more time driving around in my car, which in turn leads to much more time spent listening to some of my favorite new and old music. Yesterday I found myself digging through an old cd case and seeing in there cds that I haven’t listened to since high school. Needless to say, I spent my drive to and from school that day listening to old “mix tapes,” which included songs from Bright Eyes, Tilly & The Wall, and Architecture in Helsinki, and also a new favorite song that I just can’t stop listening to – Taylor Swift’s This Is The Last Time (featuring Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol!).

Outfit details:
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Dress: c/o Modcloth
Tights: We Love Colors
Gabby booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

This morning I finished up my first full week back at school, and then spent some time wrapping up a guest post that I’m excited to share with you all in the coming weeks. Now I’m heading out the door to my local Coffee Bean for a 50 cent drink! In celebration of their 50 year anniversary, today from 2-6 p.m. Coffee Bean is selling 12 ounce, 50 cent drinks – chai tea lattes, english toffee lattes, and english toffee iced blended drinks! I assure you that I am in no way affiliated with The Coffee Bean, I just really enjoy their drinks (especially when they are cheap, cheap).

What are you up to today? What have you been listening to lately?
-Chelsea xo

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January Pupdate

01.08.13

Today I thought I would share a little pupdate on Scout Walker Brown! We brought Scout home in July (see one of his first Instagram pictures!), and have since shared a few updates here and there on the blog. Scout recently had a doctor’s appointment (just the usual puppy stuff) and the vet informed us that he now weighs a whole 12 pounds (I remember when he weighed only 4 pounds – awwwh), and that he has a crazy sweet disposition (now, he already has all of us wrapped around his tiny puppy paw, but hearing this from someone else made me realize even more how lucky we are to have such a great little guy in our life).

On a daily basis, Scout is a big snuggler and would rather stay in bed than get up early (he’s definitely not a morning person – which is too funny to me!). He also loves to play and likes to throw his own toys around until you join in on the fun. Right now his favorite toy is a multi-color string that has lots of “tags” to pull at, and he also loves his Halloween spider that is starting to look a little ratty. I’m convinced that Scott is his favorite person in the world, as he gets SO excited when he comes over ever morning and demands his full of attention with tons of kisses and hugs (yes, Scout literally hugs – it’s in the books that Cavaliers are said to give hugs). He’s also still big on naps (he’s a growing boy!), and has found his favorite spot on the couch (he much prefers to sleep on our laps, however). Overall, he’s a big lover that is just as happy to go out on a walk and play as he is to follow you around and sleep on your lap for the afternoon – he really is an easygoing guy! Happy 8 months, pup Scout!

Do you have any pets? I would love to hear about them! I’m a huge animal lover at heart!
-Chelsea xo

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My Last First Day Of School

01.07.13

And here it is, my very last first day of school EVER. Man, it really seem to sneak up on me. It feels just like yesterday I was attending a local community college, dreaming of the day I would finally make it to ASU. I also remember when that day finally came, and how quickly my time at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication went by. And then there I was walking the stage at my college graduation, wearing a tiny heel and just hoping I would make it across the stage without falling (and I did, thank god). In the fall of 2011 I started my first semester of graduate school on a new campus, and now today I sit here getting ready to head out there for my very last first day of school. Truthfully, my mind just feel blown. How did all of this time go by so quickly? Well, all I can say is that it all certainly didn’t go by unnoticed, as the past six and a half years have been some of the best years of my life.

This semester I have a pretty full schedule, and because of it I’ve made a promise to myself that I will take each day as it comes and just do the best I can. I really want to enjoy my last semester of college, and plan on taking advantage of every opportunity that I can. I also want to try and amp up my school style for my final semester. I’m thinking lots of dresses/skirts, fun makeup and comfy boots and booties for walking around campus (like my new fav Gabby booties from Blowfish Shoes)!

Outfit details:
Cardigan: Eddie Bauer
I HEART Ronson blouse: c/o Jcpenney
Peony lipstick: c/o Radiant Cosmetics 
Skirt: Express
Tights: Target
Gabby Booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

I still feel like I owe it to this blog to write a full post on my grad school experience. Since I still have one semester left, I think I’ll save that talk for a few months down the line when things are starting to wrap up and I can really look back at everything I’ve accomplished.

For those of you heading back to class today or sometime soon, good luck! I would love to hear about your favorite campus style, and what kind of classes you’re taking this semester! Let me know!

-Chelsea xo

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