MIA and Friday Favorites

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I've been MIA for a week. Sorry (did anyone notice?)  I don't have any real excuse other than general life and writer's block.  (I stayed active on Instagram, do you follow there?) But I'm back to today, and I have ideas coming up. So, back to our regularly scheduled program....

As I mentioned, been active on Instagram, and have found some fun little boutiques/shops from around the country that I never knew existed, but have some very cute stuff.  Thought others might enjoy knowing about them as well.
 

Jess Lea Boutique

A little on-line only shop that has bright colors and cute styles, and seems to be a blogger favorite.  And she offers FREE SHIPPING on all orders. It's currently stocked with some cute summer styles.  I'm particularly loving these pieces:
 

You can follow Jess Lea Boutique on Instagram too here, for new arrivals and styling ideas.
 

Entourage Clothing

Another one that offers FREE SHIPPING, and nothing is over $42. Can't beat that.  They have some cute patriot pieces up right now for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, and a lot of cute sundresses, tops and rompers.  Pretty big inventory selection too. 
 

You can follow Entourage on Instagram here.
 

Perle Market

Another one with FREE SHIPPING, and most things are under $50. Doesn't have a huge selection, but there are cute, affordable pieces and accessories, even some for your mini-me.
 

Follow their Instagram for updates and styling ideas.
 

Morning Lavender

Feminine and pretty pieces.  Free Shipping over $75, but hey, you can get a couple pieces for that much.  They just launched a Bridal Shower Collection (tis the season) so you will undoubtedly find a lovely dress for a shower or wedding you have to attend.

Morning Lavender can be followed on Instagram here.
 

Friday Favorites - Forever 21

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Forever 21 has really stepped up their game lately.  I've been visiting them more in the past several years since they added the Love21 line, which was aimed at a -- how shall I say it? -- post-highschool/post-college aged shopper.  The sizing of those items is more real, less tiny (so why can't everything be sized real? I digress....)  They recently renamed the Love21 shop to Contemporary, and in addition the chic-ness of their offerings seems to have gone up.  Honestly, I think I could completely replace my entire closet with their items right now.  While the quality isn't the same, I can imagine finding some of these styles in Anthropologie or BCGG, don't you think?

Here are few of my favorites for the summertime:

 
 

Any you'd like to add to your own closet?

And while you're thinking about that and what you have, won't you make a quick stop at yesterday's post to see how you can easily help your own community by taking a selfie?
 

Hello Friday - Links I Love

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Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead.  Here are some fun things I came across on the web this week.
 

 
 
  1. I will probably have to invest in all three of these products.  We all know how important it is to use sunscreen daily, which it think (hope) most of us do first thing with our daily face application.  But the proper use of sunscreen requires reapplication during the day. Who does that once their makeup is on?  These products help solve that problem.
  2. Even if you don't have kids, if you've ever been around them, you can sympathize and join in the laughter found on this Instagram account: average parent problems.
  3. I am excited to look now for cheap, cute little dishes (99 cent store maybe?) and get some rope and beads and make these darling hanging planters.  Hanging planters are a perfect way to add more greenery to your home while keeping it baby-safe.  These look so easy!
  4. Just a little interesting fact explaining the purpose of the extra lace hole in your gym shoes. Huh, who knew?

Friday Favorites - Warm Weather Footwear

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While I was hoping we'd have a bit more rain this spring, I don't think it's worth doing any more planning on that happening.  So, moving on and embracing the wonderful SoCal weather we're having is making me want to summerize my shoe collection (that's my new word: summer-ize, like it? :) )  And that means sandals.

friday favorites

Here are some of my favorite affordable finds (mentally adding to my closet as I type):
 

Friday Favorites - Check these out

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Another TGIF has arrived.  For everyone headed to Coachella this weekend, have fun and be safe and stay hydrated (supposed to be in the 90s).  For the rest of us, have fun and be safe as well doing whatever fun your weekend holds.  And if you have a few minutes to browse the web, may I introduce you to a few blogs that I enjoy on a regular basis (I check them out pretty much every day as part of my Bloglovin' feed.)

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  • Lace and Locks - by Kim Le.  This is a fun one for me to follow and share because Kim Le is a girl I know from high school.  She is now a super talented  wedding/engagement/boudoir photographer and an entrepreneur, with her own online boutique and this style blog for petite women.  I'm about a foot taller than her, so we're dressing for different body types, but I totally appreciate her sense of style and she has great taste.
  • J's Everyday Fashion - by "J".  This style blog is for most of us. Most of us have budgets, very practical, less than even 3-digit budgets.  Even with 20% off sales, most of us can't afford a $500 dress.  J takes high fashion/deisnger looks and styles her own version with affordable pieces, and she shows how she keeps to her budget and invests in versatile pieces.
  • Style by Emily Henderson - by Emily Henderson.  If you ever watch HGTV then you might recognize the adorable Emily Henderson.  She has a great home makeover show that I loved.  She has a fun personality and it comes through in her design.  Her blog is fun and inspires my home décor ideas.

And to wrap up the week, a flashback Friday image to make you smile from exactly one year ago: silly faces with mom and a bald Little Dude.