{whatever wednesday}

{New Hotspot: Taha's Twisted Tiki}
Beach atmosphere, adorable coconut cups, over 150 rums to choose from...It's a tropical vacation without leaving the Midwest...The Queen's Park Swizzle=Perfection

{Rant and Rave: The Tinder Application}

If I tell one more person how single I am and they pull our the "Tinder" app, they're going to get smacked in the face.  You've been warned...not literally, RELAX.  I don't Tinder and I don't dress like a cat, so clearly I'll be single forever.  I tweet, Facebook and am a sarcastic smartass, that's enough for me and most others to handle.  I refuse to give in to the new age "Hot or Not" dot com
...for now at least.

{Hairstyle of the Week:  Basket Braid}
Braid "pigtail" type braids, leaving a length of hair down the middle, then braid all 3 sections together.  Voila!  Easy, quick, cute.

{Grammy Awards Best Dressed:  John Legend and Chrissy Teigen}

{Macklemore and Ryan Lewis}

{Favorite Grammy Performance: Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar}
Doode...The stage was on fire and I love watching T-Swizzle can get down in a ball gown.


{whatever wednesday}

 

{Um, Hi:  Vanessa Mooney "The Future May Tell" Ring}

Need. Now.

 

 

{Rimmel London Lipstick: Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in "Kiss of Life"}

Smooth application, semi-glossy, intense long-lasting color, PERFECT shade of red and it smells like fruit.  This lip colour was well worth the purchase.

 

 

{Kills You With Cuteness and Serious Swag: The Five-Year-Old Style Icon}

...This will be my child one day.

 

{Ultimate Giggle Sesh:  Husband Animates a Joke Told by His Drunk Wife}

 {The Avett Brothers: Another is Waiting}

Hops and Shops

Weekend Roundup:

I had been hearing about these boutiques on wheels (mostly vintage), follow a few on Instagram and had been dying to shop at one.  A day or so after I realized all the things I've missed out on, I saw that Rack + Clutch (The first fashion truck to hit St. Louis) was going to be at 4 Hands Brewing Co.  Being a big fan of the 4 Hands Seasonal Chocolate Milk Stout and never being to the brewery before, I decided brews and shopping would be a pleasant way to spend my Saturday afternoon.  One of my friends decided he wanted to get in on the Saturday fun, so we seized the day.

Rack + Clutch had so very fashionable and affordable merchandise (all under $100) and the owner was very sweet.  Winter markdowns had just been done so I scored a pair of peachy nude skinny pants ($10) and a black high-waisted faux leather mini skirt ($18 and to DIE for):

Upon arriving to 4 Hands, I ordered my Chocolate Milk Stout (after all, shopping can make a girl very thirsty), he went with a flight, we settled in and a few intense games of Connect Four occurred.

{left to right}

{Single Speed Session, Pyrus Saison, Morning Glory, PiPa}

After the flight sampling and Chocolate Stout, I went with my next favorite:  The Morning Glory, which is brewed with fresh sweet potatoes, all spice, nutmeg, whole vanilla beans, and aged on Pecan Wood...and oh, so good.  If I remember correctly, the PiPa was the runner up, but it wouldn't hurt to taste test them all again.

Saturday was a great day of "Hops and Shops" and, more importantly, I was able to cover many "new things and experiences" at once.

Not so "Golden" Golden Globes

Sequin, glitz, glam.  Although not much gold was seen (Duh...that would be totes cliché, right?), the stars stunned and shined in gorgeous gowns on the red carpet.  My personal favorites:

Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad

Mila Kunis in Gucci Premiere

 

Olivia Wilde in Gucci

 Lily Rabe in Georges Hobeika

Photo credits:  Jason Merritt/Staff, Just Jared

More Fun, Less Fear

"Today I realized that I actually enjoy doing things by myself. My goal for 2014 and years on is to do at least one thing a week that I've never done before. I went thrifting and got tea alone, found 3 amazing gems, and made friends in fitting room hallways that would give honest opinions and vice versa...as bad as I wanted these shiny thread embroidered GORGEOUS shorts to fit, they made me look like I had a diaper on (nobody likes a chick in a diaper..and my "friend" told me straight). So I finally found my life resolution: To do whatever I want, be more independent, always enjoy the little things, and smile...a lot."

Suddenly, it hit me.  I realized I've missed out on so many things I really wanted to do, due to no one to go with, whether it was schedule conflicts or I just felt uncomfortable going alone since I wasn't familiar with the area.  Had I not decided to go yesterday, I would have missed out on black sequin harem pants...every girl needs a pair, right?...along with 2 other items I've been searching for.

Granted the tea thing may not be a big deal for many people, but the fact if the matter was that I had no idea what I was going to order or if I was even going to LIKE my drink.  I'm typically "I like to study the menu before I decide to go somewhere" type of person.  That's a decent accomplishment, a step out my boundaries and I enjoyed my bubble milk green tea very much.

 

I want to better myself and spending time focusing on insignificant matters is just a waste of life.  Every day, adventure and chance to live is a gift.  Meeting new people and learning new things is an adventure in itself, after all, if you never try, you'll live your life without knowing.

This year at least once a week, I'm going to go somewhere or do something I've never done before (insert a little influence from Breakfast at Tiffany's).  I plan to document every milestone, whether it's a new fitness class, new restaurant I've tried, new meal I prepared, and so on...This way, looking back a year for now, I can recall all the things I did and how far I have come.

{whatever wednesday}

{Amazing Store: Widow Surprises Couple}

Enjoy every moment, every dinner and appreciate everything.  This sweet, heart-warming, inspirational story brought tears to my eyes and is a reminder that a simple gesture can make a massive impact.

{Wise Words}

{Fun Little Wordsearch:  What are your three?}

The first three I found:  Fun, money, intelligence.  Sounds like 2014 will be a good year.

{Urban Outfitters:  Pins and Needles Bomber Jacket}

Teddy bear like, super soft, fuzzy and adorable.  I'd be okay braving this bitter weather snuggled up in this bomber (AND it's currently on sale).

{Runway look I love:  Burberry Spring 2014}

{whatever wednesday}

{An ounce of adorableness:  Just a man recreating romantic movies with his BFF as the co-star}

{CAH}

Finally got to enjoy this game while snowed in on from the biggest snowstorm STL has seen in a while ::pictured below::.  Hours of entertainment, laughter, and awkward raunchiness were provided...along with eggnog and pizza.

{Look of the Week:  Sandra Bullock in Alex Perry}

Sandra Bullock stuns in a pink and orange dress by Alex Perry at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.  The delicate orange sleeves take on an unusual color block style.  Her look is flawlessly completed with Brian Atwood nude patent pumps and metallic Jimmy Choo clutch.

{Matthew McConaughey in a suit because who doesn't love a man in a suit?}
Also, at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, Matthew McConaughey looked suave in a Saint Laurent metallic gold blazer with black satin lapels. 
Really digging the "Rat Pack" look.  Gents, take notes.

{Katy Perry ft. Juicy J : Dark Horse}

Photo Credits: Splash, RCFA

Meet the new color that's going to rule 2014...

We've tangoed with tangerine, fashioned our luckiest shade of Leprechaun green and now, Radiant Orchid blossoms as Pantone's 2014 color of the year.  This soft, fairy-like purple may come as a bit of a surprise, in comparison to the bold shades of years past, but it's a guarantee to be seen everywhere from fashion and makeup to appliances and décor.

"While the 2013 color of the year, Pantone 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark imagination.  An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.  It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with beguiling charm," Eiseman adds.

 

Ready to jump on board with this enchanting, relaxed hue?  Well, don't kiss all those Emerald goodies goodbye just yet.  Radiant Orchid + Emerald = A splendid, unexpected color combination to sport all year.

Look 1: Cozy Glam

Hat: ASOS

Sweater: Chinti and Parker

 

Look 2:  Weekend Wear

 

 

Sunglasses: Emporio Armani

Sweater: T by Alexander Wang

Hat: Forever 21

 

Look 3: Flower Child

Flower Crown: Rock N' Roll Ophelia available at ASOS

  

Look 4: Cocktail Party



Skater Dress: Forever 21

Look 5: Biker Babe

Moto Jacket: BB Dakota

 

.Here's to the New Year.

For me, as I'm sure it was for many others out there, 2013 was a year full of triumph, tribulation, discovery, and adventure.  As hard as some of the times were, it taught me a lot...to take the good with the bad, stay strong, keep your head above, and remember that no matter what you're going through, there are still those who genuinely care.

Overall, I’m not one for resolutions that can’t be kept.  Some people set their resolutions too high and are only left with disappointment and guilt when they're not achieved.  I like to think of my resolutions as more of goals to live by and ultimately, end up with the decision to be a better person than the year before.

Take better care of yourself:  physically and mentally
Whether it is taking your makeup off every night and using fancy schmancy skin care products religiously to not stressing out over missing a day at the gym.  The realization of when you need to stop, take a deep breath, nap, or could use a good laugh.

Pay closer attention to relationships with family and friends, the ones you can always depend on at the end of the day...Genuinely appreciate the time spent with them, because one day, you may not have the chance.

Read more.

Stress less...especially about petty things.  Stop and question if what you're getting worked up about is going to matter an hour, week, month, or year from now.

Be polite.  It was drilled in our heads as children to always say "please, thank you, and excuse me"  So many adults forget that these simple manners can go a long way.

Never miss the opportunity for a new adventure.

As hard as you try, sometimes you just can't do it all and will end up spreading yourself too thin...and as difficult as that can be to accept, it's occasionally the damn truth.

It's okay to be incredibly selfish now and again in order to focus on yourself and what you love.  After all, if you're not happy with yourself, you won't be happy with anyone.

As okay as it can be to be selfish, know when to be selfless.

Don't waste time on the people that don't matter-If they honestly want to spend time with you, they'll make time for you.

Be more kind than necessary.  The strongest people are sometimes fighting the hardest battles.

Get organized and better at time management.

Stop being so hard on yourself about things you can’t control.

Always, always be you and know that you are fabulous.

This list is full of great and attainable resolutions to live by in 2014...and it made me giggle a bit. 
25 New Year’s Resolutions Every Person Should Actually Make For 2014

Now, I'll leave you with some words of wisdom and wish you health, happiness, and for 2014 to be everything you could dream of and more.

xo,
Allison