Gifts for your Bestie {Under $35} 11.18.2014

Pier 1 Ring Ornament | Shop Dandy Christmas Mug | Old Navy Socks

Smashbox Eyeshadow Palette | Design Darling Monogram Stationary | Anthropologie Wine Bottle Opener

Aerie Blanket Scarf | Loren Hope Stud Earrings | Forever 21 Beanie

Heart & Arrow Print | Starbucks Gift Card | Essie Winter 2014 Mini Set | Kate Spade Tumbler

I've so been looking forward to my Holiday Gift Guide Series, and what better way to kick it off than with fun, fabulous gifts for your friends?? I'm someone who absolutely loves picking out gifts for people, and my best friends are so fun to shop for. Over the past couple of years I've started putting together gifts made up of several smaller things so that I'm able to give them a bit more! Plus, I think it's fun to open a few different things anyway.

These adorable gifts are all under $35 (and start at just $5), so you can easily mix and match without breaking the bank! Christmas is just 5 weeks away, so get your shopping on ladies! :)

xo,

Jacy

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Insta-Lately 10.27.2014

I'm sure you've noticed by now that I cut several inches off of my hair into a 'lob' (apparently it's the thing to do right now), and I'm loving it! My hair doesn't grow super quickly, so growing my hair out for my wedding took quite awhile, but after getting my wish I was ready for something new and fun (and healthy)!

LOFT tee | J.Crew Factory necklace (on SALE + extra 25% off today!) | Revlon lipstick in 'Berry Haute'

 

 One of my goals after the wedding was to start learning how to cook and to be able to make several home-cooked meals each week (which I've done). My next goal after that was to start in on green smoothies, which I did this past week! I know that that's a pretty simple goal, but these things just do not come naturally to me haha. Fortunately I've loved how they've turned out so far and I'm already getting the habit of making one in the morning to take to work :) Any favorite healthy smoothy recipes for me??

Margaret Elizabeth druzy bracelet | H&M cardi (similar) | H&M black skinnies (on sale! | size up) | DV by Dolce Vita wedges

I somehow didn't own a pair of black flats (yes, insane), so I was so happy to find this gorgeous leather Franco Sarto pair at TJ Maxx! The good news is that I found them online for you all as well (I sized down 1/2 size)!

 I've also been wearing this leopard scarf a bunch and as always, I've found accessories like this are really the best way to add some interest to your basics and remix your outfits!

Sole Society scarf (similar) | H&M jeans ('denim blue') | Piko tee (via June & Beyond Boutique | found here online) | H&M bag (similar here, here) | DV by Dolce Vita booties (2 sizes left here | similar)

Cozy fall evenings are my absolute favorite! I also wanted to share this little centerpiece idea on here because it's SO easy and cute! I just bought around 6 mini pumpkins and arranged them in a glass bowl :)

 

Now that the weather is cooling off I've found myself craving warm coffee and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a cup and a book! Too bad work gets in the way of that ;)

 

Easy but cute outfits like this one have become my weekend go-to when I'm running errands so that I'm still comfy but get to wear some of my casual favorites. This top is actually a sweatshirt and I love how soft and long it is (and the color)! This was snapped on a busy Saturday morning where I got to photograph a precious basketball clinic for special needs kiddos in our school district.

H&M sweatshirt | H&M jeans | Franco Sarto flats | Nikon D5200 w/ 55mm lens

 

Based on the fact that I've already painted my nails with it twice in the past month, Essie 'Chinchilly' is definitely still one of my top 3 favorite polishes.

 

 This is probably not a big deal to most, but as a taller girl I haven't owned a cute pair of PJ pants in years because I can never find them long enough! I am rejoicing though that I found this stinkin adorable pair at Target that are so cozy (and long enough)!

I couldn't find them online, but just bought them a couple of weeks ago in-store. I love these too!

I snapped this after taking outfit photos one evening because this hat and lipstick are my very favorites at the moment!

Sole Society hat | Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in 'Crush' 

 AND, an Insta post wouldn't be complete without a picture of my little love, Russell! Russ is somewhere between 6 and 7 months now (I tell him every day to stop growing) and he's still as cute as ever! Unfortunately, he's learned that he can jump up on our kitchen table, and is also in a very destructive phase at the moment. Much to my chagrin, this means that cute decor is still not in the cards.

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Thanks so much for reading! As always, I would love for you to keep up with my blog and everyday life via Instagram at @jacylenore!

I'll have an outfit post for you tomorrow :)

xo,

Jacy

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Spring Photo Diary 5.05.2014

My new favorite spring mani: Essie 'Blanc'
(scarf is old from Aerie) 

The spring blooms have been extra magnificent here this year.

 I went on my first business trip this past week - exciting!
Watch: Fossil | Nails: Orly 'pink waterfalls' | Pants: H&M

My #ootd for Easter! 
Skirt: old F21 | Heels: Target (similar here & here) | Bracelet: Crave Boutique

My favorite lipstick discovery of the winter & spring! Revlon 'Berry Haute'

Fun spring accessories! 

Sunglasses: Anthropologie (similar) | Watch: Fossil | Clutch: Gap (similar) | Nails: Orly 'pink waterfalls'

 Celebrating Easter with my soon-to-be husband!

 Spring #ootd

Watch: Fossil | Necklace: F21 (similar) | Bracelets: F21 (old) | Blouse: H&M (similar)

 Spring/summer brights!

Shorts: C.C. Lake (other color here) | Purse: Rodi Boutique (similar)

I started the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Itsines a couple of weeks ago and the workouts are amazing! I can't wait to see my results and to get in better shape. Check out her website and Instagram - she is incredible!

 More Essie 'blanc' love

 An #ootd from last week!

Blazer: F21 (similar here & here) | Tee: Gap | Bag: The Limited | Jeans: Gap (similar) | Flats: Target (similar)

 I'm on a big pink kick lately, and this wrap blouse is so trendy, yet classic.

Top: H&M | Necklace: J. Crew Factory (similar)

A favorite easy-glam mani! Essie 'sand tropez' + Essie 'set in stones'

This post was a bit long, but I hadn't done a photo diary post in a couple of months, and couldn't narrow down my snapshots any further! For more photos (#ootds, nails, blog looks, shopping finds, spring blooms + more), follow me on Instagram - @jacylenore!

xo,

Jacy

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Spring Beauty | Pastel Polish 4.04.2014

I'm sure most of you have noticed how much of a nail polish addict I am! You'll rarely catch me without polish on, and I go through a semi-intense inner battle every time I'm at Target or Ulta to avoid buying 17492 more colors. I used to be somewhat reckless when buying nail colors (it was a great little pick-me-up in college when I had pretty much no money to spend on myself), but now I've started planning what colors to buy so I'm not wasting my money (because these little things add up).

Mint is such a fun spring color, and Revlon's 'Minted' is one of my very favorite polishes (I couldn't find a link for you all - so sorry). Essie 'Mint Candy Apple' is also a cute mint polish.

I know white isn't technically a pastel...or a even color...but I bought Essie's 'Blanc' last week and I'm obsessed! With two coats I got an awesome opaque white, and it's going to look even better in the summer with a tan.

Pale pinks are honestly a year-round look for me, but I do wear them more in the springtime. Essie 'French Affair' is a brighter, more 'chalky'  pink that makes a girly statement. I wore it for our engagement photos, so I have a feeling I'll always love it :) OPI's 'Mimosas for Mr. and Mrs.' is another one of my favorite polishes, and it's the perfect delicate pink. My best friend used it as the nail color for her wedding last fall (seriously...how cute is the name?), and I'm thinking about following suite. Essie's 'Fiji' and 'Ballet Slippers' are some other gorgeous pale pinks.

Lavender is probably my favorite color (besides black if that even counts), and I love it so much that it's actually my wedding color. I own two different lavender polishes and love both equally. Revlon 'Lily' (pictured) is a brighter lavender, and Essie 'Nice is Nice' is a more pale and sheer lavender.  

What colors (and brands) are you loving right now for spring??

xo,

Jacy

PS ~ I post a lot of photos of my nail colors & manis on my Instagram account - @jacylenore - if you'd like to check them out!

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February Photo Diary 2.27.2014

Valentine's Day nails. Essie 'Bachelorette Bash' + 'Set In Stones'

A relaxing snowy evening. Glasses: Warby Parker 'Crane' in Whiskey Tortoise

 Layered jewels to dress up a casual look. Watch: Fossil (American Eagle bracelet is sold out)

 A few spring pick-me-ups! e.l.f. lip gloss stick and blush/bronzer duo from Target

 Showing off my new crystal lamp scored at Marshalls. Candle is from Target, and picture frame is an old find from Forever 21.

 New statement necklaces I picked up for our engagement shoot a couple of weeks ago. Both are from Francesca's in-store.

 I love storing my most frequently-worn bracelets in this pretty little jewelry dish. Watch: Fossil

 Playing around with Valentine's Day beauty goodies.

Using this fun new statement necklace as a pop of color for my wintery outfits. Found in-store recently at Forever 21 | Different color online here. Lipstick: Revlon balm lip-stain in Smitten

I know February is a shorter month to begin with, but gosh has it flown! After having a little downtime in the wedding planning process, it has picked up with a storm this past week! As you know, we took engagement photos weekend before last, and now are ready to get our save-the-dates ordered this weekend. I'm trying not to think about how long it's going to take me to address those envelopes. And don't get me started on the guest list! It's no fun. At all. There have been some fun things though... I met with my wedding planner this week, and we're setting up appointments for our reception dinner brainstorm, florals & other decor, and hair trials soon. Plus, I think I've decided on a theme for our centerpieces! They're going to be mostly DIY...so that will be quite the adventure for my non-crafty self :) More on the centerpieces later though...

Have a great rest of the week! I'll be back tomorrow with a new outfit post to wrap up my boyfriend jeans remix series :)

xo,

Jacy

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favorite fall 2013 nail polishes 11.04.2013

As you may have noticed, I'm quite the nail polish addict. You'll rarely spot me without any polish on, and when I'm not wearing any it's just to give my nails a mini break. One of my favorite things to try out on my nails is each season's trendy colors. Often times I don't have the money to add a lot of trendy clothing items to my closet (like camo skinnies...*sigh*), so sometimes it's nice to still wear a trend - even if it's only on your nails!

1. Gold + Glitter: Gold and glitter are both having a major moment this year, so this polish is an amazingly glam combination of the two. {Butter London holiday collection in 'Stratford Honey Overcoat'}

2. Navy: Navy is a timeless favorite to wear, but I love wearing it on my nails as well. It achieves the dark polish look without being as dark as black! {Essie polish in 'After School Boy Blazer'}

3. Army Green: Camo, army green and olive green are huge this fall, so why not try it on your nails? {Zoya polish in 'Dree'}

4. Rose Gold: I own this particular polish and it's so pretty! It's metallic and instantly adds glam to a look. {Essie polish in 'Penny Talk'}

5. Dark Gray: Dark gray is a staple fall/winter polish color for me. I own a couple of different Essie ones, but this one from NARS looks fantastic too. {NARS polish in 'Storm Bird'}

6. Emerald Green + Metallic: Emerald is Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year, and will look so glam during the holiday season. {Deborah Lippmann polish in 'Don't Tell Mama'}

7. Dark Cherry / Wine Red: Similar to the 'oxblood' trend of last year, dark cherry and wine reds are still really trendy this fall and winter. {Covergirl polish in 'Wine Stain'}

8. Matte: I think that matte nails are such a cool trend, and instead of buying a bunch of new polishes, just get the look with this top coat! {Essie 'Matte About You'}

xo,

Jacy 

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fall beauty picks 10.02.2013

 I'm unfortunately really sick this week and outfit photos simply weren't an option yesterday, so I elected to do a little fall beauty post. While I consider myself fairly girly, I've never been super into hair and makeup. I wear makeup everyday (except the occasional and glorious stay-at-home weekend day), but I've always kept my makeup as low budget and routine as possible, especially in college. Lately though, I've been becoming so much more interested in beauty products and methods and have really been trying to step up my game! (Having full-time employment over a college part-time job may or may not have something to do with this).

Anyways, these are some products I'm loving as we're getting into fall! I've got all of the specifics below + a few other beauty items that are on my wish list!

xo,

Jacy

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little black [shift] dress 9.25.2013

 Dress: Rodi Boutique (call 417-886-1211 to order| similar here, here & here) | Heels: Steve Madden

Purse: Tobi (found here) | Necklace: F21 (similar)

Bracelets: vintage & F21 | Nails: Essie | Stacking initial rings: Gorjana & Griffin

 I wore this Saturday evening for another shower for my best friend's wedding! The theme was pink and black, so I took the opportunity to wear my new shift dress and then styled small pink accents. It was such a fabulous time and I can't wait for the rest of the wedding festivities!

xo,
Jacy

PS ~ don't forget to enter my Stella & Dot giveaway here!

Get the look: 

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