The Row by MK&A Olsen

THE ROW

There are things that I like, but at the same time, I feel like MK&A could have done a lot more. It's very minimalist, which is fine, but there are too many of the same things, at least in my opinion. Some pieces are growing on me but overall there are a lot of other lines that I like much better. Then again, I'm much more of a ruffles-and-pearls-and-big-accents type of girl.

Book Review: High On Arrival

***** (5/5 stars)

     I just finished reading High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips. I'm sure a lot of people have already read it but I just now got around to it this week. I didn't know that much about Mackenzie Phillips prior to reading it, but I had seen her on Oprah and on So Weird on the Disney channel when I was younger. I couldn't put the book down - it is crazy that someone who had been through everything she has is still alive. It made me think that I should be thankful for my own life. There was a lot of press about her possibly making up the incest that occurred between her and her father, but after reading her book, I don't doubt her for a minute. Her story is absolutely shocking, and it's incredible that she has been able to turn her life around and have such a positive attitude, especially in terms of her father. She doesn't blame him and isn't even angry for what he did to her. Her relationship with her father is something that no one will ever truly understand besides her, but it was definitely insightful reading her story and looking into a life that was completely outrageous in comparison to my own.

"I am amazed to be alive, and I am wildly in love with this great life"

- Mackenzie Phillips

P.S. I'm off to New York today, so I won't be posting again until Monday. Have a lovely weekend!

What I Wore: Chi-City

     I'm back from my trip to Chicago - it was wayyy too short! - but it's always nice to be home. I had a great time and did a little shopping, so you'll be seeing everything soon in more What I Wore posts. The actual purpose of the trip was for my brother to visit DePaul University, but I was able to get in a few other things during my stay. I had never been to Shedd Aquarium so that was good to finally go, although if you go anytime soon I have to say, do NOT pay extra to see "Fantasea" because it's for small children, unless you want a good laugh. But every one of our family trips has one huge fail, so that was it for this one...

waiting for the subway

Forever 21 skirt & cropped jacket

delicious pizza from jack's in the theatre district

blue man group!

giant fish in shedd aquarium

I ♥ Ronson dress

Pretty Good bow tank, Domaine white jeans

     Also, because I'm a HUGE Kanye fan (except for his recent antics; i.e., being rude to Taylor Swift) and in honor of Chicago (his hometown), here's a few videos of him performing at a meeting at Facebook headquarters (slightly odd, but they nonetheless got me SO EXCITED for his new cd):

Inspirations

     Hi all, sorry for the lack of posts yesterday! I'm off to Chicago this morning and I'll be back for a quick post Wednesday, then off to New York for a long weekend. The last few days I've just been working and getting together with friends, although I did spend a day in Ann Arbor (I can't wait to move back in September!) for the art fair. I'll leave you with a few things I've found interesting/cute/inspiring over the last week or two:

• How sassy is this lace dress? If anyone else was wearing this it'd be trashy, but somehow this woman looks so chic...
• My Wonderful World of Fashion: click here to see select pages featured in this grown-up coloring book for the fashion-inclined
• Oh, how I love a well-dressed man (I couldn't resist putting him in here)
• I would die to tour Etsy's headquarters
• One of my favorite bloggers, Melissa, wrote about this inspiration "Take A Chance" wall at Cheree Berry Paper that Kate Spade helped design. 
• These guys would be so fun to hang out with for a day...

Have a wonderful next few days!

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who entered and has been reading my blog!

Pretty Patterns

     I love wrapping gifts and making cards for friends and family. I just put together a special gift for one of my good friends and I can't wait to give it to her. Lately I've been really into japanese tape (check out this site) and patterned packaging tape. I've seen some packaging tape at JoAnn's, but it was about $5-6 dollars a roll! So expensive compared to the $.60 I paid for each of the two rolls I bought in the clearance at Michael's. They had about five different patterns, all of them super cute. Here's the gift I put together for my friend:

I had to blur out what it said or else she would know that it's for her & what it is!

Wishlist Wednesday #5

1. Tier Cascade Faux Chandelier, $48

2. Spiral Notebook, $8.00 or 2 for $10

3. Keep Calm and Carry On book, $8.99

4. Nautical Stripe Pillow, stores only

5. Fred Teacupcakes Molds, $16.97

     Last night was my first visit to Michigan State (I know, it's taken me long enough) but I had a wonderful time. Many thanks to my good friend Meaghen for letting me stay with her! This morning we grabbed breakfast with another friend from high school, visited downtown Lansing for lunch and then stopped by a cute market. We also stopped in Urban Outfitters, which led to today's wishlist post. 

     It's so nice having new friends at college but there are always a few people from when you were younger that will have your back no matter what. Thanks for being there, Meg! :)

What I Wore: Forever 21 jean shorts and leopard zip-up sweater, Charlotte Russe tank

Capitol Building

Lansing City Market

One last thing! For anyone who's a student, Amazon is having an awesome deal right now (click link for details). All you have to do is sign up using a .edu email address and you get Amazon Prime for a year for free! That means free two-day shipping :)

* One more day to enter the giveaway! *

Traveling Chic

     I'll be doing a lot of traveling in the next week and a half and I'm getting so excited. I've been making lists in my head, and here's a few travel essentials that I'm lusting after: 

$8.50

I know this isn't a travel necessity, but it's the PERFECT shade of purple. It's classy but still fun for a summertime vacation.

$13

How cute, right? Maybe this will make up for the lack of stamps in my passport, hah. 

$7 each

Something about stripes gets me every single time. They're the perfect size, and they don't just have to be for makeup.

$19.99

Conair has finally made a hair dryer sassy enough for someone who loves leopard print, AND it's small enough to fit in your carry-on.

$53.90

I would love to carry this bag around the city during the day or use as a carry-on for the plane.

$70

I tried these on a few months back at Puma, and I still regret not buying them. They are incredibly comfortable. So cute for still being somewhat of a tennis shoe!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway before Thursday at 11 p.m.!

Shades of Gray

Ph8 tank, Forever 21 lace skirt, H&M gladiator sandals

    I love anything with lace and when I saw this skirt a few months back at Forever 21 (of course...my favorite store), I had to have it. It was great in the winter and when I saw it hanging in my closet, I knew it'd be perfect for summer too. These sandals have quickly become one of my favorites this summer, but I was a little hesitant to buy them at first. I've never been a fan of the gladiator trend, but these caught my eye.

     I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Mini Baked Alaskas

     Every Christmas, my grandma makes a giant baked alaska and it's become one of my favorite holiday treats. It's only the middle of July (we have quite a long way to go until December!) and I've been craving it, so I decided to make mini baked alaskas. The one that my grandma makes has peppermint and  mint chocolate chip ice cream with brownie on the bottom, but these are a little less holiday-ish. I used pound cake for the bottom, hot fudge and regular chocolate chip ice cream. Even though my grandma's will always be the best, these were still pretty good!

P.S. Here's the link back to the $60 gift certificate giveaway for Friday, July 23!

The Heidelberg Project

Love Culture blouse, Forever 21 denim shorts, Pitaya bow belt

     Detroit's Heidelberg Project is INCREDIBLY inspiring. Not only does it have a touching history, but it also is bringing hope to a city that so badly needs it. This was my first visit, but I definitely plan on returning. If you ever get the chance to visit, you definitely should! It's an experience and really showcases the enthusiasm and talent that the people of Detroit have to offer. 

[this polka-dot house was my favorite]

[my brother, adam]

     When I was in middle school, my spanish class took a trip to "Mexican Town" and the best part was La Gloria Bakery, so I took a side trip after visiting Heidelberg Street. It is so cheap and incredibly delicious. As you walk in, you take a tray and pick out all of the baked goods your heart desires. The best is the caramel churros (fried dough similar to a doughnut that are rolled in cinnamon or filled), especially when they're fresh baked and still warm.

churros - chocolate, strawberry, caramel & cinnamon

raton de chocolate (brownie rat)

empanada de queso (cheese turnover)

"i love you" sugar cookies

Don't forget to enter the tinsel* giveaway before Thursday, July 22, at 11:00 p.m.! 

tinsel* giveaway!

     I can't wait until I live on my own for the sole reason of being able to decorate my own apartment. I have always wanted my own vanity, especially because the ones in these photos are so gorgeous: 

{all images via weheartit]

With that being said...

     CSN has very kindly donated a $60 gift certificate for one lucky tinsel* reader to use at one of their 200+ online stores. CSN products include furniture, home decor accessories, bedding, and luggage, just to name a few. All you have to do is leave a comment (blogger account not required) below with your email address before Thursday, July 22, at 11:00 p.m. to enter to win.* The winner will be announced next Friday, July 23! To increase your chance of winning, post this entry via your blog, twitter or facebook and then post a new comment with the link back to it for each. 


*Your email address will not be given out or used for any other purposes than to email the winner. The giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers only, however there may be international shipping fees for Canadian addresses.

Fizzy Berry Cream Soda

     Yesterday I tried this recipe for Fizzy Berry Cream Soda found on Gwyneth Paltrow's blog, GOOP. When I first started reading her blog, I found it so odd that it was actually a celebrity blog that I was reading. But she really knows her stuff and has a lot of interesting information to share! As for the recipe, I thought it was pretty good, although I did add a tablespoon or two of sugar to make it a bit sweeter. For some I'm sure its great without the sugar, I just love everything sweet so I added some to taste. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but the more I drank it, the more it grew on me. Try it out and let me know what you think!

     I would also like to say thank you to everyone for all of your kind comments! You are wonderful and I have also been enjoying all of your blogs as well.