Guest Bedroom Reveal

I'm so excited that the guest bedroom is complete! We've been working on it for the last couple of months trying to compile everything that we needed because the only thing that was in there was my vanity. I think it turned out to be so adorable and cozy and I just love it! 
I might add a couple things like a plant for some greenery and a big mirror above my vanity eventually but this is the room about 98% done and I'm very pleased. I went for a monotone color scheme with just a pop of color in the tassel pillow and a simple piece of artwork on the small wall next to the closet (not pictured) to pick up those colors as well as the chalkboard easel that picks up the teal. The curtains that are in the room are from the previous owners and while they're not exactly what I would've picked out, I've kept them for now because they are white and flowy, which did go perfectly with my "vision."
I think the chalkboard easel is SO cute and I loved the phrase "Be Our Guest" on it because it's obviously fitting to be in a guest bedroom. I think it just makes it so warm and inviting. Another great idea for a piece like that would be to put your wifi password for guests so they can easily connect to your internet!
Another piece I love so much in the room is the tassel pillow from Anthropologie. I was slightly hesitant about it at first just because it is a little different, but it's velvet so it's super soft and the multi-colored tassels added a little color to the room, but didn't make me commit to a color.
I also added some magazines and other reading material to the night stand since there's not a TV in the room so our guests had some other form of entertainment if they wanted .
I'm going to do my best to list/link where everything in from in case you're interested:
Headboard: Wayfair Mattress: Costco Bedskirt: Bed Bath and Beyond Shams & Duvet: Ballard Designs Quilt: Old; already had Sunburst Mirror: Burlington Coat Factory (spray painted) Wall Sconces: Thrift store Night stand: Thrift store (already had) Lamp: Home Goods Chess Piece: Target (old) Chalkboard Sign: Gift from Kirkland's Accent Chair: Wayfair Tassel Pillow: Anthropologie (sold out of multi-colored) Vanity: Ikea Vanity Chair: Ikea
If you want to take a look at my inspiration you can check out my last Home Decor post here and see how it measures up.
I hope you like it as much as I do!
Happy Friday!!

Alex and Ani Bracelets First Impressions

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that I started my Alex and Ani bracelet collection on the 16th. I've been wanting to start a little collection for months now and I decided that I was just going to do it!

There are a few things that I want to make sure I cover when I talk about these so I'm going to divide my "review" into categories so here goes!

The Packaging: I bought my bracelets from Reed's Jewelers so I'm not 100% sure if they're packaged the same everywhere, but I would assume so. Mine came in a little black box with "Alex and Ani" written in a gold metallic and on the front of the box where you pull it up to open it, it has a gold foil American flag in the shape of a heart. Not that it's the most important part, but the packaging gets a thumbs up from me, I think it's classy, cute and on trend.

Each bracelet that you get has a meaning behind the charm and comes with a card for each individual one explaining the traits of the charm. There is also a nice write up on the back going into more detail which I think is a really nice touch and something that I'll keep.

The Design: What I really like about the design of their bracelets is that they are easy to take on and off. You don't have to mess around with trying to close a clasp or a lobster claw, you don't have to ask a family member or someone at work to help you- you just adjust the size and slip them on. I definitely appreciate the simplicity of getting them on and off because I'm the type of person that won't bother with jewelry if I'm going to struggle with it.

Some of their bracelets are leather, some are beaded, some have just their classic charm. They have a lot of finish options, from the Rafaelian gold and silver that I got to shiny silver, shiny gold, gold/silver plated, gold filled, rose gold, etc. so there is something for everyone.

Also, a lot of the bracelets come with 3-4 small charms in addition to your main charm that say "made in USA", "infused with + energy", the recycle symbol because they're recycled material and if you got a special bracelet for a charity or something along those lines a charm will tell you that too. I just like them because I feel like they're neat little extras that are included.

Just in general, I think that they are simple, pretty and easy to stack together and with other pieces.

The Concept: The overall concept is sustainability, economic growth, being made in America and utilizing positive energy. Each symbol has a special meaning and is "intended to empower the wearer." I highly recommend you read their "About" page to learn more in depth about their process.

Overall: Their bracelets range in price from $25-$300 with a majority of them being around the $28 mark. I feel like the price is reasonable for a nice quality piece that's made in America. Also, I do like that they make higher quality pieces like sterling silver, 14k gold filled, etc. and of course that they help remind me to think positively. 

If you're interested in their bracelets I would recommend you go to a store before you buy online just so you can try them on and get a feel for them first. Even though my Reed's Jewelers experience was just fine, I would also recommend you try to go to an actual Alex and Ani store because Reed's doesn't have a huge selection and at mine things get sold out quickly. 

What I'm interested to see is how they are over time and whether or not they tarnish because there are a lot of restrictions with these which does make me nervous. As of right now, though, I'm pretty happy!

Let me know if you have any of these and your experience with them!

Spring/Summer Sandal Picks

1/2/3/4/5

Yes I know it's still February and parts of the country and probably many other countries in the world are covered in snow, but I'm already planning my spring and summer sandal picks for this year. I feel like the general consensus is that most people aren't to keen on winter so I didn't think you guys would mind seeing this type of post so early in the year ;)

I don't mind winter so long as I have the appropriate gear, however, I will say that I'm pretty excited for some warmer weather after adding all these babies to my wishlist.

In the past when it comes to sandals and flip flops I've always gone the cheap route. The problem is that every time spring and summer roll around I'm buying new pairs of cheap sandals or wearing beat up pairs because mine had to be thrown out or I'm still wearing a pair that I shouldn't be anymore...(reallyyyy guilty of this!) But I decided that this year I want to invest in a few really nice pairs that I'll have for many years to come. I chose pretty neutral colors so that they would be versatile for me and I figured that if I want something brightly colored or super trendy then I wouldn't mind going the less expensive route because they're less likely to still be in style years down the road.

Let me know what you guys think of my wishlist so far, tell me your favorites and if you know of any that I should add!

Too Faced Melted Kisses Set

I was so excited to receive this Too Faced Melted Kisses set for Christmas! I thought it was a great deal at $25 to be able to try four different colors when one full size is around $22 alone. I literally took these photos on Christmas morning because I wanted to photograph them before I started using them so excuse the berry candle holder...;)

I know this set isn't available anymore, but I will say that you got a nice range of shades in it...a nude, a pink, a bright pink/fuchsia and a deeper wine. Also, I like the smaller size because it takes forever to go through a full size lip product as it is and some lip packaging is bulky and this is nice and small.

I had heard a lot of talk about the applicator on this product and I am a fan of it as it seems most people are. It makes the application process so easy and the color just glides on. Speaking of the color, these are very pigmented. The only one that seemed to have issues was the "Peony". It's fine now when I've worn it, I guess it just didn't want to cooperate when I swatched it!
As far as the colors themselves and my opinion...the nude is a little dark for me, I typically prefer lighter pinkier nudes. I'm sure "Nude" would look good on people with a darker complexion, but at least for right now, it's not my favorite. "Peony" is a nice color, nothing over the top about it. "Fuschia" is very bright and for myself, I have to have a subtle makeup look going on to wear it because it's very overpowering. "Berry" is my favorite and is the type of  dark berry or wine color that I gravitate toward in the fall/winter months.
The finish on these isn't quite matte, but definitely not glossy either. They have a creamy texture that's comfortable on the lips. The lasting power is okay, not amazing, but decent. What I don't love is the way they wear off because you end up with a ring around your lips and the product worn off in the middle which isn't the best look...
Overall, I do like this set, but the products themselves are a really nice option for a pigmented lip gloss in a sense. I would definitely recommend giving these a shot and there are a few other colors that I've seen and am interested in trying next.
Have you tried these? If so, what is your favorite shade?