[allistewart]

My mom just sent this to me with the caption, "I I fits, I sits." I am dying. #daymade #collie

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Is it too soon to throwback to yesterday, when I landed the best babysitting gig ever? #puppylove #bigtex

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Snoozin' and treats. #puppylove #adventuresindogsitting

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Farmers market in the morning, puppies in the afternoon. #inlove #sadlynotmine (at Google Austin)

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That time when a whole Farmer's Market took place in my office. Thanks #googleatx and @jbgorganic! (at Google Austin)

[allistewart]

Met Gala 2014 Favorites

"Playing dress up begins at age five, and never truly ends" - Kate Spade

About a month before my senior prom, I decided to lay out. It wasn't a particularly sunny day, so I didn't think to put on sunscreen. Four hours, a finished book, and one nap later I was channeling a freshly boiled lobster. Sunburn. All. Over. This wouldn't have been an issue, except for the fact that I was meant to go try on prom dresses the next day. If the pain of the burn itself wasn't punishment enough, the memory of fresh sunburn against beaded straps seared itself in my memory for years to come. Not to mention, my skin clashed with every color dress imaginable. Sunscreen is my friend.

I should have remembered this on Sunday morning as I boarded a party barge for my friend's birthday. Who needs sunscreen when you have mimosas? This girl.

Anyways, as much as I'd love to be dressed in a vintage gown, elegantly walking the red carpet - I am glad to be at home enjoying a nice aloe mask and living vicariously through pictures of the Met Gala. Is it a coincidence that my three favorite looks from this evening are worn by three of my favorite actresses? 

Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Emma Stone always make such elegant choices at big red carpet events; but today's looks are particular winners in my book. I love the champagne and gold beading on both Blake and Leighton, both embody that Old-Hollywood style that I would so wish to embody if given the chance.

However, Emma's tone-on-tone hot pink crop top/maxi skit ensemble is so simply elegant, it's brilliant. This is a look that anyone could translate into real life, whether it's for a wedding, a formal dinner, or a night out. Also, her side-swept braid is so effortlessly chic. I might just have to play dress up and recreate this look - after my sunburn heals of course :]

[allistewart]

Target Haul - May 5, 2014

I'm sure that everyone can relate to this, but - I went in to Target and bought stuff I don't need. Going to Target after work is a weekly thing, if I'm being perfectly honest. One minute you go in looking for Q-Tips and Easy Mac, and the next you walk out with all sorts of new goodies.

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Babe Walker's new book "Psychos" since I turned to the last page on the original "White Girl Problems". I've followed Babe on Twitter for god knows how long, and she never ceases to make me smile. If only my life were so fabulous (ridiculous). 

Since I needed Q-Tips, I very quickly found myself in the beauty section. To my great surprise and enjoyment, my Target makeup aisle got quite the makeover in the past week or so. You know you have a problem when new lighting and organization in the makeup aisle can make your day. They had a $5 off $20 promotion going on, so of course I found about $25 worth of stuff to buy. 

A new Revlon end-cap called to me, stocked with the brand new Colorstay Moisture Stains. I picked up London Posh - a shimmery nude - and Cannes Crush - a pinky coral.

I was disappointed by London Posh's color, as it looks much pinker in the tube, but really applies as a true nude on the lips. After doing some post-purchase research, it seems that I am not the only person to feel this way. Some bloggers mentioned the stains changing color as you wear them, so maybe it does end up pink? Who knows! I look forward to using these though, as they seem very moisturizing just from my first impression in the car.

I got my fingers on Essie's "Cute as a Button" nail polish. Such a cute, hot coral color. Perfect for Spring!

Lastly, I repurchased Rimmel's Natural Bronzer. I can't seem to spend more than $5 on a bronzer after using this for the past two years - it is so cheap and does the job so well. I royally burned my face, shoulders and chest while on the lake this past weekend; so I do see this helping to even out my complexion in the very near future :[

Speaking of, I bought a giant bottle of aloe as well (not pictured). 

[allistewart]

Want it Wednesday

Every time I buy a new purse, I always feel like I play it safe. Camel leather is my all time favorite. I feel like as far as risks in life go, picking a colorful purse should be on the safer side. Apparently not.

This year, I think I'm closer to going a bit bolder with my hand bag. Here are a few that I currently <3. If only I had the ability to have them all...

Rebecca Minkoff pink clutch / Rebecca Minkoff leather cross body purse / 3 1 Phillip Lim green satchel / Rebecca Minkoff leather cross body purse / Rebecca Minkoff Colorblocked Marlowe Mini Clutch | SHOPBOP / Tory Burch Robinson Adjustable Chain Mini Bag | SHOPBOP

[allistewart]

South By Sunshine

Last week was one of the absolute busiest I have had in quite a while. South by Southwest is a huge tech, music, and film festival that descends upon Austin each year - and makes March, which is already my birth-month, even better. 

Last Thursday, I left work to go downtown and take in the sights and sounds before meeting up with an old friend. It was one of the prettiest days we've had in quite a while, so I had to put together a spring appropriate outfit. I need to take any chance to soak up some vitamin D that I can get!

Every piece of this outfit makes my list of absolute favorite items in my wardrobe, and there are links below if you are interested. The only exception are the earrings, which I found at Target a couple years ago, but the link is pretty similar :)

Old Navy smocked dress / American Eagle Outfitters vest / Madewell wedge sandals / Rebecca Minkoff leather handbag / Rose blush, $30 / Lip treatment / Sadie Green's Inc. :: Nautical and Sea Life Collection :: Earrings ::...

[allistewart]

Time Travel: San Francisco

I have been feeling a bit of wanderlust lately. Blame it on the beautiful spring weather, but all I want to do is go outside and explore someplace new. Since I currently cannot travel due to grown up responsibilities such as my job and saving money, I suppose some reflection will do as a replacement for new adventures. This is about the time I went to San Francisco for 36 hours.

A year and a half ago, I was invited out to San Francisco for an interview with a company that a little blue bird may have told you about. At the time, I had just started a new job here in Austin, but took the opportunity to go out there because I am not one to turn down an adventure. I wasn't sure if that adventure would lead to a new life on the West Coast, or if it would simply be an adventurous day playing hooky more than 1,500 miles away from home. As I am still here in Austin, things definitely didn't lead to a great life change; but I loved the experience nonetheless. 

I flew out early Sunday morning, and after navigating Thanksgiving traffic at the airport, and riding the BART into the city, I checked into the lovely Palomar Hotel off of Market Street. After dropping off my things, I enjoyed a delicious brunch and afternoon running around the city with a friend who had very recently left Austin for San Francisco. Later, she had to get ready for a date, so I left to explore some more on my own. 

I rode the trolley, and hiked up to Lombard street wearing entirely inappropriate shoes. From there, I walked down a hill and caught an amazing view of fog rolling over the bay to Alcatraz Island. After purchasing some moccasins, I walked around the Marina, and got to see exactly what I was most excited about - SEA LIONS. Yes, I am five years old. After watching the sea lions for quite some time, I realized that the sun had set, and it was time to get back to the hotel. 

[allistewart]

Adult Cherry Limeade

Last summer I discovered something life changing - Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka. I know that declaring a vodka as a life-changer is a bit much, but anyone who has tried it will agree that it is the absolute best drink ever. 

Typically, I am a purist and drink it with just a splash of Topo Chico mineral water and some lime; but these fancy La Croix cans just spoke to me from the shelf at Target. This recipe (if you can call it that) really isn't any different than my usual, but who doesn't love a drink dressed up with fruit and a salted rim. Warning - the salt wasn't that great, I would definitely recommend a sugar rim :)

Ingredients

2 shots Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka

4 oz La Croix Cúrate Cherry Lime Soda

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

2 diced Strawberries

Directions

Put everything in a glass over ice. Done.

[allistewart]

Quite easily the best show I've been to. Ever. @lordemusic you are amazing. What a way to kick off this amazing month ahead. #lorde #atx #sxsw #soon #mostwonderfultimeoftheyear (at Austin Music Hall)

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Saturday Funday in the sun. #keepcalmandcarryon (at Weather Up)

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😍 Best TGIT yet! Thanks #googleatx (at Google Austin)

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Also #puppybowl. Basically anything but the Super Bowl. #mackattack #gettinmackedon @sammisosa10

[allistewart]

holy grail: derma e hydrating mist with hyaluronic acid

This happens every winter. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, I end up shedding my skin like a snake. Seriously, it's like my face just peels off and it always happens at the most inopportune times. For example: In the morning when I'm running late for work and already have half of my makeup on? Yup. All the time.

Since "bad skin days" have been a wintery issue of mine since I started wearing makeup in 7th grade almost 11 years ago, I thought I had tried everything. Imagine my surprise when a trip into my Mom's Birchbox stash revealed this little bottle of miracles. 

At only $13 both online and even at Whole Foods, this spray is pretty much the best thing ever. It is the hyaluronic acid that really gets the job done - Derma E describes it as 'nature's moisture magnet' because it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. I spray this on my freshly cleansed face, right before putting on moisturizer. It can also be used to refresh your skin throughout the day. 

You can pick up a bottle of this spray here.

[allistewart]

Happiest birthday to my bestest friend @sammisosa10 #drinkallthedrinks (at Bungalow)