details

xx

harley

Free People Harley Military Jacket in ARMY

I mean, is it even spring if you're not rocking a military jacket over your summer frocks?

xx

NOTD: NAILS INC. Keep It Tonal Nail Polish in Mansion House Street

Two coats of NAILS INC. Keep It Tonal Nail Polish in Mansion House Street. Nude/Caramel Creme.

Let's be honest, nudes rarely pique my interest, but this one reminds me of iced coffee, and I am here for it!

Mansion House Street is a stunning your-nails-but-better shade that is so necessary for year-round wear. The soft caramel undertones keep it from feeling mannequin-hands, and legit make me want to keep it on rotation all. autumn. long. Formula here is fantastic, being both fast dry and long-lasting. Even if you're not a fan of nudes, I think you'll like this one!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

diamonds

xx

BOOK REVIEW: Stay by Bobbie Pyron

”I never realized until it was gone how something as normal as hope lights up your world.”
As clichéd as it sounds, I was drawn to Bobbie Pyron’s Stay by the {adorable} pup on the cover; but the story I discovered within the pages is one that tugged at my heartstrings and truly made me reflect on life – especially the concepts of hope, love, survival, home, perseverance, and blessings. This is a serious book that will leave you shedding a tear {or twenty}, but it is such an important topic to explore further, for all ages, and Pyron has delivered it masterfully.

Fifth-grader Piper has experienced more hardship in her life than those four times her age, but things are going to get a lot more complicated for her family unit. With her father out of work again, Piper’s family is on the move – this time landing in a homeless shelter in Idaho. From the moment Piper steps onto Idaho ground, she feels ashamed. Ashamed of the fact that her father can’t stay with her mother and brother {instead being ordered to a men’s shelter}. Ashamed that she has to dig through people’s castoffs to find a winter coat to keep her warm. And, above all, ashamed that she has to stand in a food kitchen line three times a day for her meals. But it is in this very line where Piper finds a spark of hope in the form of Baby - a sweet dog who belongs to a homeless woman named Jewel.

Unlike Piper and her family, Jewel is unable to get food from the kitchen, or warm up in the shelter on below-zero nights because of her devotion to Baby {who isn’t welcome in either location}, leaving Piper constantly searching for the kind older woman and the pup who makes her smile. Piper finally locates the two in a park, where she visits frequently; but just as Piper’s family’s luck starts looking up in the form of placement in Hope House, and a new job for her father, Jewel and Baby begin experiencing turmoil.

When Jewel is rushed to the hospital with an extreme fever, Baby refuses to leave the park, awaiting Jewel’s return, which doesn’t happen quickly enough. Soon, Baby is snatched up by animal control, who have placed the loyal canine on a 10-day hold. Once the ten days are up, Baby will be adopted to one of the many families waiting in line to take him home, which will break Jewel’s heart. Piper is determined to reunite the two; but doing so will take a lot of work - and require help from all of Piper’s new friends – including Ree, a kindly young homeless woman who lives in the park with Jewel; and Piper’s Firefly Girls Troop, all of whom live in Hope House. It won’t be easy, but Piper is determined; and with determination comes success.

This book! I absolutely love it. Piper, despite being under 12, is a force to be reckoned with who is smart, brave, wise, and selfless. In the midst of her own family problems, Piper wants nothing more than to help someone else, and that is admirable. Though the topic of homelessness, along with mental health issues, and poverty is heavy, Pyron presents them in a way that educates while making the reader empathize. Told in alternating viewpoints {Piper and Baby}, Stay is a story that will stay on the reader’s mind long after the last page is turned; and make one think twice before discounting the camaraderie, love, and compassion seen within the homeless community. Side note: I am currently getting my Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education, and was able to use this book as an accompaniment to a third-grade expository writing lesson plan. I am positive that this book can be used for a wide array of other lessons within the classroom; so I highly recommend for teachers.


Star Rating: ****


xx

NOTD: OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Duomo Days, Isola Nights

Two coats of OPI Muse of Milan Nail Lacquer Collection in Duomo Days, Isola Nights. Deep Sapphire Creme.

First shade I’m rocking from the Fall 2020 nail color collections, y’all!

Duomo Days, Isola Nights is decadent. Seriously. Though described as a deep sapphire blue crème, I get some teal vibes from this beauty, which is ultra-unique for the polish industry. The formula is utterly phenomenal {and with a heavy hand can def be a one coat wonder}. Highly, highly recommend!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

white

xx

bff

Free People BFF Cardigan in PRICKLY PEAR

Need this best fluffy friend in my life! BTW... it's under $50!

xx

NOTD: OPI Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Nail Lacquer Collection in Toying With Trouble

Two coats of OPI Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Nail Lacquer Collection in Toying With Trouble. Pink Fuchsia Creme.

Y’all know how much I love a good berry for the beginning of fall, and this one is serving berry bang!

Toying With Trouble is a dynamite summer to fall shade that will jive perfectly with your cognac, pumpkin spice, olive, and mustard hues this sweater season. Formula is perfect. A little thin during application; but it applies evenly, and has gorgeous depth. Highly recommend for your autumn polish rotation!


xx

d + g

xx

heart to heart

Billabong Heart to Heart V-Back Crop Sweater in RUBY

Obsessing over this beauty - the daring v-back will turn heads {and break hearts}.

xx

NOTD: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Bubbles Only

Two coats of essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Bubbles Only. Burgundy Creme.

It has been. a. minute. since I last used essie, but I am so here for this shade for the holidays!

Bubbles Only is a classic burgundy creme that was meant to be worn at posh holiday gatherings overflowing with good food and gorgeous friends. This one is a dream to work with; but, even more...it does. not. stain. I had this bad boy on for 6 days, and it removed without a hint of staining. Huzzah! Grab this beauty for the holidays and all seasons!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx