Hot Air Balloon Festival

I met up with Sprinkles and Booze, Crushing Midlife, and One Woman’s Style at the Hot Air Balloon Festival that the Plainville Fire Company puts on every year.

It was so great meeting up with other CT bloggers to support our local community.

Sprinkles & Booze and Lemonade

Not a Regular Mom on Social Media

We will definitely be doing more of this!

#supportyourctgirlgang

As for the Hot Air Balloon Festival itself?

Magical.

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And after missing out on Independence Day fireworks, I was happy we stayed until the end. Plus, this was hands down, the best firework show I’ve ever experienced. SO close!

I overheard that this was the last one, but I really hope that was just a rumor.

xx

 

 

Hey Connecticut influencers!  Do you want to meet up at local events like this?

Join ConnectiClique!

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5 Ways to Use BAGGU

It should come as no surprise that I am obsessed with totes. I like them because they can be used for so many different things. And if you’re a girl who is always on the go, BAGGU has the perfect everyday tote for you!

5 Ways to Use BAGGU

I use my BAGGU Duck Bag for pretty much everything…

Gym

I won’t lie and say that I go to the gym often, but I was a Personal Trainer for a bit in college and I still enjoy working out.

Mostly classes.

Yoga, kickboxing, and Spinning are my faves.

Gym

Travel

When on budget, every little road trip counts.

A day trip to the beach, anyone?
Travel

Errands

From getting groceries, to picking up the dry cleaning.

Get. Stuff. Done.

Like the boss babe that you are.
Errands

Work

Whistle while you hustle. And look stylish doing it.

But first?

Coffee.
Work

Play

All work and no play? Never!

Make time for what matters and meet up with your besties for brunch.

Mimosas are a must!
Play

Like my phone background? Get it here for free, courtesy of BAGGU!

xx

 

Super grateful to collab with BAGGU for this post.

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Birchbox Book Club: Current Reads

Some people are really good at reading two books at once.

Not me. I can’t even read in the car.

As big a mistake as it might be for me to try doing either of those, I still do…
Birchbox Book Club: Current Reads

I’ve had Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin and Yes Please by Amy Poehler tucked away on a shelf in my bookcase for the longest. Too long.

I received both books from Birchbox and wanted to get caught up with the Birchbox Book Club, so I finally started reading Yes Please. I got a decent way through it and just stopped. Not for any reason, just did.

But then, instead of picking it back up, I started Better Than Before.

I don’t know why I would think that was a good idea. My plan is to finish Better Than Before and then go back and finish Yes Please. They’re both really good reads and if you haven’t read either one of them, you should add them to your reading list!

Next on my reading list is one of the many fantasy novels that the manfriend has. He has a blog, and is sharing on going chapters of what he’s been writing. Maybe I’ll be supportive and start with his…

Maybe.

For anyone who has read Better Than Before, I’m a rebel, what are you?

xx

Easy Flatlay Tips

My favorite style of photos on Instagram are flatlays. They are such a great way to showcase things in a really neat way.

There are tons of resources out there to master the art of the flatlay and I’ve already shared my number on Instagram tip (along with what I use for my white backgrounds), but here are five quick and super easy tips to help you nail them!

5 Easy Flatlay Tips

Think square! I’m all for thinking outside of the box, but for a flatlay you have to get super creative within it.

Move things around, see what works. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more!

Switch things up, try different angles. Who said a flatlay has to be dead on and from above? Zoom in, get close, crop it like it’s hot! You can also try different backgrounds.

Use airplane mode (and make sure your wifi is turned off) if you want to edit your photo in Instagram but save it for later. #latergram (I’ve also done this to brighten up a photo twice!)

Edit! If you want that crisp white background? Brighten up your photo and add a little contrast.

Edit

Bonus tip: Try to remember the four F’s!

Fit (Think square), Free-up (Less is more), Focus (Is your phone’s lens clean? Did you tap the screen where you want the focal point to be?), and Fine-tune (Make any changes and add any finishing touches).

The Fs of FlatlaysIf you want to know what I keep in my Instagram prop box (yes, I have one), go check out this post!

xx

Throw Yourself a Crabby Party

Did you ever have one of those days where you in a meh kind of mood?

Indulging in the act of self-pity is not something that I would typically encourage. But sometimes you just need to.

Crabby Party

The idea of having a literal pity party doesn’t appeal to me, I’d much rather channel my inner happy crabber.

These Woven Pear socks certainly help!

DIY Crabby Party

Think of it as a mini treat yo self sesh.

Movie?

Check.

Fun fact: The manfriend and I saw 27 Dresses on our first date and ever since I’ve been obsessed with Katherine Heigl movies!

Movie

Noms?

Check.

Noms

Wine?

Do you even have to ask?

Wine

Company is optional.

Company

But ice cream is not.

Ice Cream

It’s not an exact science and really doesn’t take much. And, if I’m being totally honest, I’m pretty sure this is how I spend most of my nights anyways…

So get comfy, pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy. But only if you’re 21.

xx

So happy to have Woven Pear sponsor this post!

Vanity Details

Only recently have I become somewhat of a morning person.

I wake up, check my Instagram, think about my plans for the day, and finally get out of bed because I can no longer here myself thinking over the sound of my stomach growling…

But my favorite part of the morning, after coffee, is the getting ready part. I truly enjoy the process of sitting down at my vanity and putting my makeup on.

What do I keep on my vanity?

Vanity DetailsOnly the basic beauty essentials.

You know, makeup. Which is kind of obvious.

Makeup

Some makeup brushes. A variety.
Makeup Brushes

Hair accessories. (I know that I have really short hair, but these hair ties keep my bangs out of my face without creasing my hair.)
Hair ThingsAnd of course, no vanity is complete with out a mirror. I adore my motivational one from North Detail! Plus, it’s super portable, so I can grab it and go. Get it girl!

North Detail Compact Mirror

What’s on your vanity?

xx

 

 

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Stay Comfy, Be Confident with U by Kotex

Did you know that today is National Underwear Day?

National Underwear Day

Well, when it comes to my underwear, I’m all about feeling comfortable, yet confident.

No matter what pair I decide to wear, I want to stay as clean as possible. The last thing anyone wants is to get their period unexpectedly. Goodbye, cute expensive panties…

You then wish you’d worn the ratty grannies as you try to gently scrub the stained ones.

Even more horrific is when this happens in public… Yikes!

#BringComfyBack

How nice would it be if you just be confident 24/7, without sacrificing comfort?

Stay one step ahead with U by Kotex® liners!

Stay Comfy with U by Kotex

U by Kotex® offers a full line of feminine care products for periods including pads, liners and tampons. Outstanding protection that keeps you one step ahead.

Confidence with U by Kotex

Want to try for yourself? Get a free sample!

There’s also a #BringComfyBack contest! To enter visit bringcomfyback.com and upload your creative pic or gif showcasing your best uncomfy face.

U by Kotex Liners

Each month, one lucky winner will receive a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and U by Kotex products.

At the end of the contest, the most creative selfie will be chosen and the winner will receive a trip to L.A. with a girlfriend, an exclusive U by Kotex photo shoot to be their new social star and $2,000 spending cash!

U by Kotex will be judging based on originality, style and how hard you can make them laugh. So be creative and get crazy!

Uncomfy Face

Who Needs Just One Shower Caddy?

My dad has been renovating our bathrooms and I was trying to hold off until he was finished before sharing this post.

But, again, I have the patience of a two year old.

So, instead here’s what’s in my shower what will be in my shower!

MyEssentials | My Shower

Taking a shower (when not under construction) should be a relaxing experience. Lugging things back and forth is not an option, but I hated it when I would reach for my conditioner and knock over everything else. Picking it all back up was a nightmare, and cutting my finger on my razor in the process is a literal pain.

Well that won’t be a problem anymore, because all my shower products will each have their own home with this seven piece set!

7 Piece Set

Thanks to the MyEssentials Shower Caddy Set, everything has gets is own little caddy and my fingers and toes are all safe.

The set includes:

-MyHook
-MyShave
-MySmile
-MySoap
-MyGrip
-MyHeadstand
-MyHolder

Each piece is unique and some can fit items of different shapes.

Grips, Headstands, and Holders

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Perfect for Umbuntu Oil products.

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Even worked with my Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle

IMG_4482

 

And there’s a hook for your loofah!

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This is exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

My question is, do you brush your teeth at the sink or in the shower and why? I’ve done both, but I want to hear from you all.

xx

 

Polyvore is My Newest Guilty Pleasure

About a year ago I joined Polyvore. I had learned about it at Alt Summit, but I really only used it to do a couple of wish list style blog posts.

This year at Alt, one of the sessions talked about Polyvore in a community sense. I must be a sucker for community, because I have been on it creating sets and entering contests like a madwoman!

I seriously can’t get enough.

You know how you go on Pinterest to “pin a few things” and the next thing you know it’s been two hours? Same concept. Except in stead of pinning outfits that you wish were in your closet to your style board, you’re creating those outfits.

Here’s a little outfit inspo I created using Polyvore:

2 Ways to Wear Overalls

I know I would SO wear both of these outfit options…if I had all those things, that is.
Who wants to go shopping?!

xx

Oh, and feel free to pin…

Alt Summit Summer: I’m Going Again!

Around this time last year, I won a ticket to a conference that would legitimately change my life. Especially the blogging part of it.

I got to hear Joy Cho and Martha Stewart speak. Huge.

I networked and made friends.

I learned SO much about blogging.

And I got to party my little butt off.

It was everything.

I don’t think that it’s humanly possible for me to be any more thrilled to be attending Alt Summit Summer for the second time.

And even more so, because this time I’ll be speaking.

I'm Speaking at Alt!

Yep, that’s right, I’M SPEAKING AT ALT!

I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED.

I’ll try my best not to go Alt crazy on you, but my mind is already going into overtime thinking about things I want to share, like what I’m bringing with me, and what I plan to wear, and what I want to accomplish while I’m there…

No promises.

If you’ll also be at Alt, I can’t wait to see you there! How are you prepping?

Fun fact: I’m a tiny bit shy, but love conferences. If you’re anything like me or even just feeling a little nervous, this will help!

xx

P.S. In case you haven’t yet had your fill of my IG ramblings, make sure to be on the lookout for an Instagram related post that may possibly be coming soon(ish) to Gilit Cooper’s blog, Shoes Off Please.

And, yes, the Gilit Cooper of The Bannerie. Love her!