Spring, Please!

Everyone: it is officially spring and I am joining all the other internet voices in welcoming it! After what has been a grueling winter, I'm thrilled to anticipate chirping birds, farmers market flowers, pastels, and dewey mornings.

Realistically, the aforementioned joys will not occur for several more weeks (it's supposed to be colder next week in the Midwest!) and snow will endure into April. However, days are getting longer, my friends!

Photo via Instagram.

{Spring Threads}...Wedding Edition Part One

Spring is coming to a close, which means that wedding season is in full swing. Almost every weekend I see limos, veils, and tulle turning around the corner. As we all begin to attend the busiest season of love, here are some of my favorite looks for every sort of venue. Our first type of wedding is the relaxed evening ceremony. Perhaps it takes place on the beach, in a beautiful garden, or in a church. Either way, sticking with a simple, but bold dress is a great decision.

If you somewhat mimic the setting sun in this purple maxi, you'll look great without distracting. Plus, you'll look wonderful in those candid pictures we (kind of) dread!

Let the stars and setting sun set your earrings a glow with glittery gems.

For spring events, I kind of love gold nail polish. It's glamorous and still sophisticated. 

A bright pink lip is all you need for your spring smile to bloom.

A natural woven clutch is perfect for a relaxed, polished look when toting along all your necessities. 

If you're outside and in a maxi, stick with a great flat sandal. Dancing will also be much more enjoyable. 

Sick in Spring?

There is nothing worse than being sick in spring, wouldn't you agree? I felt so incredibly alone in my stuffy misery this weekend, with all the girls and boys in their tanks and shorts. The sunshine was great, but sometimes when you're sick, all you want is a rainy day. But it's spring, so why not embrace it as you heal? While I love a "warm" smelling candle, with wool socks in the winter, spring requires something a little happier. Here are some of my go-to spring time cold essentials. 

     Instead of straight up Vaseline, go with a beautiful rose salve, to keep your lips and red nose soft. Bonus, it has a lovely floral to it, so when you can smell again, enjoy!

     Step aside, Vanilla Bean candle, and hello Lavender! It's both calming and invigorating.

     Seriously, catch some zzz's. Even in the middle of the day. If it's nice enough, sleep outside to enjoy the Vitamin D! (I would feel very decadent with a monogramed pink pillow!)

     Herbal tea is your friend. Coffee may be tempting, but go for a floral herbal tea, as opposed to ones with cinnamon and spices. 

     Lavender pillow and body mist is amaaaazing. I swear by it. 

     In the spring, go for honey-herb throat lozenges. These are the best I've ever had! Also, the berry is good.

    Obviously, stay hydrated, but stay away from your Camelbak, which tends to be home for a lot of germs!

     Have hair ties on hand, because you never know when that fever will come rushing.

     They're also nice for you to take a walk. Go out, get some fresh air if you're feeling up to it! (These sweet sneakers would make me happy, no matter how down I felt.)

{Weekend Update}...Spring Jam

Essentials: meds, water, lozenges, and rose salve for they dry, dry nose.

This weekend my campus hosted its annual Spring Jam, which is a great way to kick off the finally beautiful weather, as well as encourage the hyper-un-productivity of the last three weeks of school. I was really excited to go this year, with a chill headliner, and a great outdoor movie, but...I caught a bug!

I took a three hour nap on Friday afternoon, then proceeded to go to bed that night at about 7:30, and slept for fourteen hours straight, despite the drunk singing, sirens, and squealing tires outside my open window. Needless to say, I was pretty sick. Despite feeling a little less fabulous than normal, Abby and my roommate still coaxed me outside for iced coffee and reading in the sun on Saturday, and then a quick walk for burritos, chips, and guac on Sunday to really get in the summer spirit.

With just some sleep, tissues, and sunshine, I'm already starting to feel better!

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc

Spring Challenge...Get Outside

For the record: I don't run, and I really don't care for exercise. However, today was so incredibly gorgeous I just had to go enjoy it! I've recently caught a bit of a cold...nothing severe. Just the stuffy nose and sore throat. My mom gave me perfect advice and said, you need sleep and fresh air! So I did both. I've been taking naps, but also took a short jog around campus, and yikes! it was rough. I soon realized that a whole winter (and then some) of little to no exercise had caught up on me. But afterwards, I felt proud of myself, so I'll try sticking with it. My friend told me you just have to keep going and someday, it feels good, not painful!

So this spring, let's promise ourselves we'll go outside more. Run around, take a walk, rollerblade, whatever. Just make sure your heart is pumping and fresh air is rushing past your face. It's time we got out of our office chairs and library cubicles! 

Photo via

Follies

Ah-I've been pretty lax about posting some favorite poems recently, but here is a wonderful one to get you through the last weeks of winter! Doesn't it make you think of sun tea, fragrant bouquets, and hammocks?

Follies
by Carl Sandburg

Shaken,
The blossoms of lilac,
    And shattered,
The atoms of purple.
Green dip the leaves,
    Darker the bark,
Longer the shadows.

Sheer lines of poplar
Shimmer with masses of silver
And down in a garden old with years
And broken wall of ruin and story,
Roses rise with red rain-memories.
        May!
    In the open world
The sun comes and finds your face,
    Remembering all.

Photo: 'flowers cover everything' by Jen Gotch

{The Last Weeks of Winter}...What to Wear

We're more than a week into April, and a winter storm advisory for the southern half of Minnesota was issued! I have no qualms about rain; after all, April showers bring may flowers. But snow? Lots of snow? I'm getting that spring itch, but feel so trapped by wintery mix weather that keeps blowing in. So how do you deal with those last, very late and long weeks of winter?

1. Use a multi-purpose make up stick for a barely there blush and lip tint. It will mimic that gorgeous winter flush look, while hinting at spring. 

2. Trade your heavy winter trench for a warmer spring jacket. It will be great for transitioning between snow and rain. 

3. Wear these blush studs that look like little ice crystals. 

4. Spritz on a bit of light floral perfume. I love Daisy Eau So Fresh (but the limited edition Sunshine collection smalls amazing!) by Marc Jacobs. 

5. These icy-pale nail colors are cool, but summery with pastel flecks in the blue. Also, word has it white is the "it" color for spring and summer.

6. A durable canvas tote that isn't overly springy with dark blues, but definitely alludes to warmer weather with pale lavenders and hot pinks. 

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

{Spring Pins}...Confectionary Dream

Here are some bloom and swoon worthy pins. I've been loving all these feather-softt flowers and neon pastels that look like a candy shop window display.

P.S. Aren't you so ready for daytime showers and fresh grass?

Photos: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 /

{Weekend Update}...Spring Break!

Snow, glorious snow!

It's spring break over here, but it sure doesn't look like it! As I baked a delicious chocolate buttermilk cake for my dad's birthday yesterday, poor Abby shoveled five inches of snow! And it snowed even more. It may not look (or feel) like Miami, but it's break nonetheless, and I'm just happy to be home with my family relaxing. A vacation is a vacation, right?

Abby, Dad & I checked out Bad Waitress.

A cozy Friday morning before my last class. 

Photos via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

To make a prairie

After the mounds of snow, it seems about time to have a light little poem. This is one of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson, because it could (if you wanted) be read in a single breath. To me, it is whispery, it shouldn't be said loudly. Perhaps this is even one of those poems you never read aloud, but rather say to yourself under your breath. It's quite a lovely image, don't you think? Revery. Such an important thing to remember sometimes.

To make a prairie (1755)
Emily Dickinson

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few.

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram

{Weekend Update}...Bridal Shower

This weekend I went home with Abby to throw my best friend Becca her bridal shower. My mom is amazing and had the house decorated in the most beautiful purples, tulle, candles and gems. Bonus: the food was amazing. Think almond cake and frosting with a raspberry filling. Right? We had tons of fun doing the traditional "dress the bride" toilet paper game, had engagement ring pops, and enjoyed lots of paper and bows from present time!

P.S. The weather was gorgeous; I really started craving spring.

Photos via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram