These shorts are one of my new favorite buys! I got them for a steal ($11) in April at the Banana Republic outlet and once it got warm enough to wear them I wore them twice in a 3 day span! I had been wanting this color and style of short of a while but could never find the "perfect" pair. I think these are it! They'll definitely come in handy for my (eventual) safari trip! That's a long way off though.

Camisole: made by Grandma,  Shorts: Banana Republic, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Astrapi' (Net-a-Porter), Sunglasses: Chanel

Yes, I'm wearing a long sleeve, dark colored shirt. Yes, it's the first week of Summer. Do I care? Nope! Ha ha. Yesterday was a little dreary so I decided I wanted to wear my Free People flares. I wasn't in the mood for a tee or a tank top so I went with my striped crop top. The fabric is thin enough that it didn't make me overheat. This was my first time wearing this as an actual crop top and not with something high waisted and I actually quite like it!

Fun note: The shoes that you can't really see were my first ever piece from The Outnet way back in 2011. I did buy something in early 2010 but had to return it because it didn't fit. So I've been a customer of theirs since the beginning, always fun to think about!

Happy Friday!! I'm leaving this afternoon for my third year helping out my friend's Teen Wolf convention, Howler Con! My job is taking one of the actors to his various panels, photo ops and autograph sessions. It's a fun, and busy, weekend. But this year I need to worry about watching the Game of Thrones finale on Sunday! AHH! I'll either be rushing home after the con to watch or staying an extra night at the hotel, ha ha.

Top: Zara, Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Espadrilles: Burberry (The Outnet, similar), Necklace: Geoclassics

Notice anything different? .... I CUT MY HAIR! Last Thursday I got a long overdue haircut and chopped off about 6 or 7 inches. Oddly enough it's now about the same length as it was in this week's throwback look from 3 years ago.  I also slightly changed the look by using a different belt and making the tee look a little more cropped.

Sadly this will probably be the last you see of these fun wedges. When I got home after wearing this one of the straps completely came out from in between the wedge and the leather sole. If I can't fix them it's the end of the line. But they've had a good run of at least 6 years.

(ignore the stupid baby hairs! They're finally growing longer, but now they're always in the way...GROW FASTER!)

Dress: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Lord & Taylor), Tee: Everlane, Sandals: Steve Madden (Marshalls), Necklace: Marc Jacobs

The Original: 

This outfit is from a couple weekends ago. I wore it to go out to breakfast with my family and then to do some random shopping (Christmas Tree Shop and Trader Joe's.) It was a beautiful day so we drove my Dad's Mustang with the top down. I do love Summer! Probably not the best idea to wear dark jeans, but they looked great with the camisole so I did it anyway. What we do for fashion, right?

Camisole: eight sixty (similar), Jeans: Free People 'Jax' Patchwork Skinny Jean, Sandals: Isola c/o Marshalls, Necklace: Acanthus

Sometimes all it takes to make an outfit go from frumpy to cool is to tie it up. When I first had this outfit on, I didn't have the shirt tucked in so it looked a little wonky. I didn't want it tucked so I decided to tie it and show some skin. So scandalous!

Top: thrifted, Jeans: Current/Elliott, Sandals: Malu c/o Marshalls

It's all about the red, white and blue! Wearing, once again, my favorite summer sweater! It's so light that I can wear it even when its 80 degrees. If only they had made this in different colors, I may have gotten more! Totally worth it.

Sweater: Club Monaco, Jeans: Current/Elliott, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athena' (Gilt), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto), Necklace: Isabel Marant c/o Luisaviaroma

Another look that has been in constant rotation over the years (with different shoes.) This is the perfect Summer sweater because it's so light. It is great for when there is a slight chill in the air or if you go to the frozen section of the grocery store. If only I had known when I bought it 5+ years ago, I would have gotten more colors! And the dress is one of my absolute favorites, gotta love Marc Jacobs!

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sweater: American Eagle, Sandals: Michael Kors (DSW), Necklace c/o Marrin Costello, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto)


The Original:

This romper was one of my April buys. It's a tiny bit too big, but that's what you get for shopping sample sale sites...I couldn't exchange for a smaller size - because it sold out - so it was either return it or keep it. Since it was only $27 I opted to keep it. I love the little bit of skin it shows in the back, it also adds a nice breeze when it's super hot out.

I've been meaning to get these sandals fixed but I have no idea if a cobbler would be able to do what I need. Or where there is a cobbler near me.  My friend borrowed them when we were on vacation and it rained so the leather stretched out a LOT. I need to get the back straps shortened so I can buckle them again. When I wore them this day I kind of faked it since I knew I wouldn't be walking a lot. #shoehacks.

Romper: Greylin (Gilt), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clio' (Nordstrom), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto), Necklace: Geoclassics

I was recently given the opportunity to visit The Red Door spa at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT to try out their 50 Minute Signature Massage. The official description for the massage is: This guest favorite incorporates essences of shea butter cream, facial acupressure and foot reflexology for head to toe balance and relaxation.

The Red Door offers everything from facials, massage and body treatments to nail care, hair design, make up artistry and more. I will definitely look forward to trying some of their other services in the future. The moment you walk in the spa the relaxation begins. 


I was a little nervous since I've only ever received massages from my Aunt in her home office (and once while on vacation in Santorini.) I was immediately put at ease upon entering The Red Door.  I arrived 30 minutes early, as the website suggests, to start relaxing before my massage.

You get a robe and sandals to start feeling fully pampered. Soft music also plays in all the rooms and there is complimentary water (and apples!) in the relaxation room. Little touches like this are always helpful when you need to unwind.


I have chronic back pain thanks to gymnastics so I get massages from my aunt once a month. I made sure to let my massage therapist Kat know about my back pain before we started so she knew to spend a little more time there. Kat explained the process of the massage before we began letting me know that she would be spraying an olive oil body spray before applying lotion for my massage. She also said that at different points in the massage heated towels would be applied, which was a great touch on my back, feet and neck.

She made sure to check up on me at different points during the massage to ask if the pressure was okay and if I was feeling any pain.  The massage started on my back, then we moved to arms, legs and feet all while laying on my stomach.  We ended that portion with a foot reflexology massage. After that I flipped over for some more arm and leg work followed by a short facial massage.  One of my favorite parts of the massage was the aromatherapy Kat put near the head cradle so while I breathed I had some lavender and other scents to help me relax even more.


You can book your own appointment via their website or if you want to gift someone one of their many services, head to their gift page where you can purchase a gift card (in a dollar amount,) a gift certificate (for a specific service) or a Red Door membership. Be sure to check out their current promotions as well!

A few more photos from the day.

Founded by day spa pioneer Elizabeth Arden, The Red Door offers award-winning signature services, enhanced specialty treatments and beauty and wellness recommendations, including everything from facials, massage and body treatments to nail care, hair design, make up artistry and more. Importantly, The Red Door provides guests with a unique and unforgettable experience, delivering the highest level of technical expertise and impeccable guest service. With the belief that beauty and wellness work in harmony to make lives better, The Red Door continues to expand, innovate and serve as a leader within the day spa industry.

If you read my wardrobe update post last week you'll already know most of the story on these pants. I have wanted them since September 2014 when I saw Emma Stone wear them at an event. I found them on Net-a-Porter soon after that and they were a bit too pricey ($1500+) so I resigned to the fact that I would never own them.  Earlier this year they were $578 at The Outnet, still too expensive. But then, one fateful day, I checked Yoox and found 3 different versions of the pants and they were an extra 15% thanks to a coupon code I had! So I splurged and paid $247 to add these beauties to my closet.

I was going to wear them right away, but then a company asked if I wanted to review one of their crop tops. Since it was black I decided to wait and wear the pants with that since I had envisioned wearing them with a crop top at some point. The top is a nice sturdy fabric and not too cropped so it was a perfect match for the pants! I also really like the higher neckline as well.

Crop Top c/o Simple Retro (Amazon), Printed Pants: Proenza Schouler (Yoox), Sandals: Simply Vera Wang (Kohl's), Necklace: bought in Greece