What I'm Loving Wednesday

It has been quite awhile since I linked up with the lovely Jamie,

but I wanted to share with you all what I am loving lately,

for her What I am Loving Wednesday link-up!

(I wish I looked remotely this nice while moving, or ever for that matter)

via

I am loving that I am NOT moving this year!

I hated moving in and out of college, then I subletted the summer after college,

then moved out in September for a year lease, and then moved to where I currently live.

Suffice it to say, I feel great watching people move in and out of my building, knowing I don't have to deal with any of that this year! Yay!

OPI's Got a Date To-Knight

I have been wearing this pink lacquer for about a month now,

and it is the perfect pink in my opinion.

San Pellegrino Limonata Soda

I am addicted!

It is so refreshing. The market I stop at on my way home carries them, and I can't resist getting one!

I am loving that Downsized is back!

Do you watch?

The second season just started, and I am glued to my TV on Tuesdays at 9 pm.

What are you guys loving lately? Let me know! :)

xo

V

Rebecca Minkoff

Facebook, tweet, or blog about the Rebecca Minkoff Endless Summer Sale to win this gorgeous bag from her collection!

I have been in love with Rebecca Minkoff's bags ever since I purchased her Studded Devote bag about two years ago.

I would love to be the lucky winner of this bag!

Her entire collection is to-die-for!

Be sure to check out her endless summer sale.

The sale ends on Friday, September 2nd at midnight, but new styles are added everyday, so keep your eye out if you have something specific you're looking for!

xoxo

V

The Best Movies are from Boston!

But really, it's so true.

Everyone that grows up in Massachusetts is called a "Masshole" at some point in their lives, mainly for their die-hard "I LOVE BOSTON!" mentality.

Despite my love for Boston, I have tried to avoid this stereotype as much as possible.

But there is one thing I can't help:

I love movies about Boston.

and I think they are the best movies out there.

Exhibit A:

Good Will Hunting: Oldie but goodie.

Exhibit B:

Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Be hotter!

Exhibit C:

The Fighter: I secretly love sports movies, and Amy Adams is hilarious in this movie. And Jon Hamm (aka Don Draper) is also in it.

And Blake Lively is trashy for once in her life. Win.

Exhibit D:

The Town has tons of action, and I love all the scenes from the North End! They drove right by my apartment, and where TM and I went on our first date. Oh, and that bank robbery in the North End? That's actually where I drop off my laundry! Which makes me feel like a lightweight celeb.

Exhibit F:

John Slattery.

I die for this silver fox.

I realize this isn't a movie, but he is from Newton. And he's so hot on Mad Men. I got sidetracked when I included Jon Hamm from The Town. So I'm including him too.

What do you guys think?

I love the fact that most of the movies are based off real life stories. And I love seeing all the neighborhoods I walk through everyday and love living in.

Do you love movies about Boston as much as I do?

Or am I just a crazy Masshole?

Other movies from Boston: 21, Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River, Fever Pitch, Summer Catch (Cape Cod, but still!).

Are there any movies about where you are from that you love?

xo

V

Olivia Palermo

Cobweb lace blouse and pants

Olivia Palermo absolutely kills it in head-to-toe Tibi

at the Our Idiot Brother Cinema Society Premiere.

This girl can pull of seriously anything!

How gorgeous does she look?!

Yes, I'm jeal.

But fortunately, the print comes in a much more functional dress.

Do you like Olivia's look?

xo

V

dreaming of fall....

...and of this cable belted cardigan from the J.Crew factory.

with leggings, cognac colored boots, and a skinny vanilla latte in hand.

J.Crew is featuring free shipping on all factory items until tonight at midnight

(Sunday),

so I am going to snatch this up before it's gone.

Are you looking forward to fall?

Or wishing summer would never end?

xo

v

black + white

top - white coral mod bracelet

bottom - black onyx mod bracelet

both, $139 on GiltGroupe

I am totally embracing the arm party trend, started by none other than the ManRepeller herself.

I totally irritate everyone around me in my office with the constant noise of my bracelets banging against my desk.

And conveniently avoid that fact.

Anyway,

I digress.

These Jewelry by Anzie bracelets are adorable, and I am loving how much they would stand out amongst an arm party full of beautiful bracelets and bangles.

Or look gorgeous just by themselves.

Catch them while you can on the GiltGroupe sale, available until Sunday,

(please e-mail me at vlambloves@gmail.com if you need an invite),

or visit her online site to see more of her gorgeous baubles.

xo

V

Lauren Merkin

Have ya'll heard of Lauren Merkin?

She makes the most stylish clutches + they make the most perfect birthday gifts.

My favorite style is the Eve, and I have a gorgeous midnight blue clutch that I use pretty much every weekend because it looks great with any color.

Her online site features a discounted clutch/bag every Friday during the summertime,

and this week's featured clutch is her best one yet.

This is the Eve clutch, in the black and white embossed stingray.

I think it is gorgeous.

At nearly $80 off its full price, I am super tempted to indulge.

It is very similar to the pewter metallic bubble print that RC and I bought CB for her birthday two years ago.

The quality is unbeatable,

you surely will not be disappointed with anything you purchase from her.

Check out the fabulous Eve clutch, along with the rest of her line here.

Happy Friday!

xo

Product Review

I received the Wei Tibetan Chrysanthemum Correcting Eye Treatment Pads in my August Birchbox (blogged about here), and I tested them out this week. The site describes them as

Tibetan chrysanthemum soothes the delicate eye area and minimizes puffiness while soy, raspberry, and green tea leaf extracts lighten dark circles. Seaweed and peppermint add a little kick for a refreshing, zesty feeling.

I must say, my eyes feel and look fabulous after one use. They were extremely relaxing and have a very subtle herbal scent. I liked that they were cool feeling, it was very refreshing and I sensed a little bit of peppermint. You leave them on for 10 - 15 minutes, and then apply a thick eye creme afterwards (I used Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Eye Creme). My under-eye area looks much brighter and feels great.

I would absolutely use these once a week for a Monday a.m. pick me up to get the week started (or maybe on a Saturday/Sunday morning after a night out). They are sold in packs of 10 sets (2 pads per set, one for each eye) for $60. I would also like to bring up that Birchbox gave me 2 sets (if we do a little math, each set costs $6, meaning I got $12 worth), which I think is a great sized sample as each Birchbox is $10.

xo.

H&M Dress.

Beloved readers..

I need your advice.

I bought these dresses at H&M a few weeks ago (yes I bought it in cream and black), and I can't decide if the top of them reminds me too much of ice skating attire.

I originally thought them because they seem like fab (and inexpensive) dresses that I can wear around the holidays with cute tights and a statement necklace, or as last minute back-up formal attire.

I hope you all enjoy my makeshift way of hanging these (on a lamp?) so I could take a photo of them. I can't tell you how many times I hung them on the door and they fell. Fail.

Thoughts?

xo!

P.S. Today is my half birthday! I cannot believe in six months I'll be TWENTY FIVE. Eek!

Bourbon-Poached Peaches

TM loves bourbon, so I am going to test out these bourbon-poached peaches recipe I found in Martha Stewart Living. It would also be a fabulous gift to bring to a dinner party or housewarming (plus, it is a much more manly way for your bf/hubby to have dessert!). You can even print out these darling labels here. xo, lamb.

• 4 pounds peaches (about 12)
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped, pods reserved
• 1 cup bourbon
• 
  

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. Cut a small X into the bottom of each peach. Boil peaches for 1 minute.

2. Transfer to ice-water bath. Let cool slightly. Peel and pit peaches, and cut into 3/4-inch-thick wedges.

3. Bring 4 cups water, the sugar, and vanilla seeds and pods to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add peaches and bourbon. Simmer until peaches are tender but still hold their shape, 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Transfer peaches to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Cook syrup over medium
   heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Pour over peaches. Let cool completely.

5. Divide peaches among five 12-ounce sterilized jars using a slotted spoon. (Jars can be sterilized by boiling in water, submerged, for 10 minutes.) Pour syrup over tops. Add vanilla pods to jars if desired. Seal jars, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Chihuly Exhibit at MFA

As I mentioned a few weeks ago here, ES and I went to the Chihuly exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. Dale Chihuly is a glass sculptor who's pieces can be found at plenty of museums and botanical gardens, and even the Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was a fabulous exhibit, I literally walked through with my jaw dropped the entire time.

He is immensely talented. I loved all the bright colors! I am definitely going back to the MFA to check out the jewelry gallery!

Have you seen any of his pieces before?

xo, lamb

SO's Wedding Recap!

Last Sunday,

TM + I went to my friend SO's wedding at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury.

SO and I worked together in high school and college, and she is one of the sweetest gals around.

I was so happy we were able to celebrate her special day with her

(and I got to catch up with KM, who I never get to see! It was lovely).

I ended up wearing the Milly Toffee Ripple Delight dress from Rent the Runway, but I also rented Tracy Reese's Love Story dress, which I blogged about here). You can rent a second style for $25, which I figured was worth it so I would have a choice in case I didn't like the way one of them fit.

The RTR service is great and I will absolutely be using them again. I got the dresses on Friday, and I returned them Monday after the event. I received pre-paid return envelopes and just dropped them in a mailbox on our way back from the wedding.

Here are a few pictures, but before you see them I must preface you...

I washed my hair with lotion instead of conditioner...because I am a moron.

I usually use shampoo + conditioner that hotels provide so it is one less thing to pack, and one less thing I could potentially forget in the room when I leave.

So I grabbed the lotion instead of the conditioner, and then was blowdrying my hair and was like, why does my hair feel extremely greasy, and why isn't it drying?!

TM fearfully informed me of my potential error, because he noticed it right before he almost put it in his hair. Unfortunately, I had no time to wash my hair again. So basically what I am telling you is that my hair looked gross. And it was humid because it was monsooning up until the wedding began, which made me look even grosser. There was steam coming up from the pavement. The End.

delicious wedding cake,

posted in lieu of a picture of the happy couple,

since I didn't ask them if they wanted to be on my blog :)

TM and I.

I promise I don't always look this hideous.

I also had chopped my hair the day before, and I have no idea what to do with it yet!

This is also the only photo we took together. The wedding was seriously so much fun that I didn't even want to leave the dance floor to get my camera, and rationalized that I will have more pictures once we see the ones from the photographer.

My Arm Party.

l - r: Banana Republic mesh bangle, J.Crew blingy bangles, Seiko gold watch, gold braided vintage bracelet (originally owned by my most fabulous g-ma), another two J.Crew blingy bangles.

You can also see the bottom part of my dress, which was tulle with sequins.

Congratulations again to the happy couple, who is living it up in Europe!

xo

lamb

august birchbox

blinc eyeliner - provides a seamless line of color that stays put through rain, tears, sweat, and anything else you throw its way. i am interested to see if i like the fact that it doesn't come off very easily. it is removed with 'warm water and gentle pressure'. i don't use eyeliner very often, but this product is intriguing.

carol's daughter monoi repairing hair mask - a creamy treatment that revives dull or dry strands with natural monoi oil, and leaves hair smelling like tropical flowers. i've heard a lot about carol's daughter products, and i am excited to test out this hair mask. my hair is fine and the ends get dry very easily.

pangea organics cleanser - foaming wash that purifies pores and keeps oil levels in check without drying out skin. i am hoping i don't get any more facial cleansers from birchbox for awhile. i have received them in two out of three boxes, and i am fairly loyal to my facial products because my skin is so sensitive. i will probably bring this along with me the next time i travel (or the philosophy i received last month).

wei tibetan chrysanthemum correcting eye treatment pads - these pads quickly de-puff and brighten the under eye area using natural flow and plant extracts. i think this is the sample i am most excited to try out. the sample comes with two sets of pads (so i can try it out twice). i hope to do a product review of these on here for you all. i have really dark under-eye circles, so i hope these work!

twistband hair tie - a soft elastic, similar to emi jay, which i heard about from elizabeth. i have been wearing this hair tie since i received it from birchbox and will be definitely ordering more colors! my hair is fine and super straight, and i hate that even if i put my hair up for 5 minutes i get a kink in my hair. these are much more gentle, and i can put my hair up bump-free.

--

so far, i am still very happy with birchbox. i was going to do a vlog about my birchbox this time, but my internet in my apartment still isn't working well (or at all, really), so i am in the coffee shop nearby. and it might be slightly awkward vlogging in here :) and, i am super nervous to do one! i bet it's not as easy as it looks. any tips?

xo lamb

The Vault Jewelry Necklace

Bloggy friends,

Sorry for the blog hiatus!

My internet has been on the fritz, and TM fixed it for me today, thankfully...

so I'm back! :)

I recently won a beautiful necklace from The Vault Files giveaway that Gaby hosted for hitting 100 followers.

Can I just say, I never win anything. I was so suprised + excited to see my name!

I won a piece of jewelry of my choice from Gaby's Etsy shop, The Vault Jewels.

All of her jewelry is simple but stunning. I had such a difficult time choosing!

I finally decided on the Nina necklace in gold + baby blue.

I got it in the mail today!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

I cannot wait to wear it tomorrow to work!

Thanks to Gaby for hosting this fabulous giveaway.

Please do be sure to head by her blog and her Etsy shop.

xo

lamb

Friday's Fancies

dress, Moschino Cheap & Chic coral print maxi

sandals, Antik Batik "Akan" Thong

bangles, Cara Accessories bead and metal bangles in turquoise

earrings, Zoe & Morgan golden "Fifi" earrings

ring, Emily Elizabeth "Blake" ring

clutch, French Connection "Panel Princess" wooden bag

sunnies, Rodarte for Opening Ceremony "Lost Boys" sunglasses

Don't forget to head over to Long Distance Loving to see the other looks, and maybe even hit the "like" button on my outfit? :)

Happy Friday!

xo lamb

Pinterest Picks

Linking up this week with Michelle of The Vintage Apple!

I am still loving Pinterest,

so here are some of my favorite chevron pins...

Are you all loving chevron as much as I am?!

Please let me know if you need an invite to Pinterest.

If you would like to follow one (or all) of my boards, head on over here.

xo

lamb lately

After a mini-blogging hiatus last week, I wanted to update you all on what I have been up to:

06.22 -- Post beach day, ES + I went to the Chihuly Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. The only word to describe it is incredible. I can't believe I have never been to the MFA before! I will do a full post complete with pictures from the exhibit later on this week, but here is a preview...

After the MFA, we went to Zocalo and had some chips+guacamole, and then I went to Sunset Cantina to meet my friend's mother who was in town. She was such a doll. MP is one of two of my little Gamma sisters + it was great to finally meet her momma!

06.23 -- I. finally. got. a. MacBook. YAY! I have needed a new computer, so my mother and I went to Apple at Legacy Place and I got the 13 inch MacBook Pro. I love it so far! Perhaps a vlog is in my future?

06.27 -- ES + I went to the House of Blues to see Ellie Goulding. The Bag Raiders opened for her, who remind me of Chromeo. I hadn't listened to either Ellie or the BR before, and I ended up loving them both! After, ES and I got stuck amongst the Sox fans, so we took a break and she played drums with some of the street performers...

06.29 -- TM + I went to Marco, which is on Hanover Street in the North End. We've been meaning to try it for awhile, since the menu was created by the same chef as Pigalle (one of our favorite restaurants). We l o v e d it. The great part was, we could get half portions, so we were able to try a few things. To start, we had the figs stuffed with cheese, wrapped in prosciutto with balsamic. This was fabulous. It came with four, and they were extremely rich so two each was definitely enough. Then we tried the mushroom risotto, eggplant lasagna, and ravioli carbonara with mushrooms, peas and bacon. It was all delicious but my favorite part was the eggplant, hands down. Food coma, anyone?

06.30 -- My roomie, AB, and I went to Christopher Columbus Park to see a movie on the big screen. This happens every Sunday in the summer and I am so bummed that this is the first time we've gone! We saw UP. Um, cutest movie ever. Have you seen it?!

What did ya'll do this weekend?

xo lamb