Nesting

Gals, I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm nesting. All I want to do is decorate every room of my house. However, I have those lovely things known as roommates (love you two), so I really only have full artistic license in my bedroom. Which is a problem. Because I've decided I hate my bedroom furniture, and want all new things. And an entirely new aesthetic.

My bedroom is the smallest in the house, and my bedroom furniture is pretty heavy for the space, as it is the ubiquitous medium-brown color of all good Ikea furtniture. So I'm looking for something else. I've also determined that perhaps my taste is not quite so modern? I don't even know what exactly I'm looking for, but I'd like it to be something likes this:

Or maybe I can try out my DIY skills and do something like this: 

or this: 

Or add something similar to this:

So many possibilities!

images from here

To the Zoo!

Sunday Beth, Amelia, and I ventured up to Woodley Park to visit the zoo! I love going to the zoo, but usually most of the animals are in hiding (I always seem to go when it's really hot or really cold) but this time animals were out and about (except the pandas. I've see the pandas outside ONCE in three years). There was even a baby gorilla! So precious to watch him play with the bigger ones.

Do you guys have a favorite zoo animal?

Book Report!

I don't know what it is about summer, but I read a lot. Now, I always read a lot, in comparison to some people. But I don't know what it is about summer that kicks my reading into high gear. Perhaps it's the nice weather, or maybe it's a holdover from school, when summer was the time that I could finally read what I wanted, when I wanted. Regardless of the reason, I've been eating up the books! It's wonderful. Here's a glimpse of just some of the excellent tomes I've picked up this summer:

Anna Karenina, Tolstoy | Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides | World War Z, Max Brooks | Big Bang, Simon Singh | The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin | The Marriage Plot, Jeffrey Eugenides | The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern | Little Bee, Chris Cleave

Have you read any great books this summer? Please share; I'm always looking for something new to read!

Pretty, Pretty

Hi friends! You may notice that there are some aesthetic change happening up on the blog (slowly, slowly). I'm working with the absolutely wonderful Kira, of Her New Leaf, who is designing some new graphics for MC+M! Things might look a little unfinished as we work on ideas and slowly get them uploaded, so bear with me!  And check out Kira's blog and her Etsy graphics shop!

Weekend Update

Hi everyone! I hope you had a good weekend! Did you do anything fun? 

clockwise from top left: manicure choice of the week; a little reading about fashion's favorite cat; perfect night for baseball; followed by Third Eye Blind (whut); cleaned house and Harry Elephante; rainy day in Bloomingdale

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Find Me Today...

Hi guys! Interested to know what I'm currently loving? Well head on over to The Yuppie Files for a glimpse!

21 Wardrobe Staples: An Update

A couple weeks ago, I posted about 21 fashion staples to get a girl through her 20s (as first seen in The Everygirl). These staples, and what I am missing from the list, are always in the back of my mind, so I am here with an update! 

As previously stated, my goals were as follows: 

1. Replace some of my ratty ballet flats. - I can't think about closed-toed shoes yet. My feet are living in sandals.

2. Buy black heels. - check! I have purchased these, and have already worn them to an interview (for which I am still waiting to hear grrrr)

3. Buy more striped tees. - Just purchased two more from TJ Maxx! (one can be seen here)

4. Get another LBD. 

5. Take my nice black skirt, which is now too large, to the tailor and have it taken in.

6. Take a couple of my blazers to the tailor AND purchase a black one. 

7. Buy a pretty bra. 

8. Buy a clutch that doesn't have Coach "c's" all over it.

9. GET A WEEKENDER. I want this one. I want this too, and it can double as a weekender/carry on.

10. Buy some gold jewelry. - sort of? I bought a pair of (fake) gold earrings. 

Clearly, I need to work on this. But, slow and steady wins the race, right? What staples do you have? Are you planning to buy more, or do you follow the trends?

Maxxonista!

I'm so glad that my return to DC has not been met with extremely high temperatures. New England was such a relief, and I'm pleased to see that things are balmy, but not scorching here! It's even nice enough to sleep with my windows open at night!

While I was home, I finally got my eyes examined and picked up some new glasses! Aren't they cute? The frames are by Ralph Lauren and, being black, they're darker than those I normally go for and they're larger. But I love them! What do you think? I really want to order a second pair from either Bon Look or Warby Parker, just to have some variety. Have you used either of those sites before?

Also, I hit the jackpot at TJ Maxx. Always a good thing. I love reiterating my status as a Maxxonista!

Top: French Connection via TJ Maxx (similar) | Skirt: Loft (similar) | Watch: Fossil | Glasses: Polo Ralph Lauren via LensCrafters

August Birchbox Time!

Juuuust when I thought I couldn't love Birchbox more, they send my August box, which contains even more amazing items than the previous two! Seriously, I don't know why it took me so long to sign up for this! While there are always one or two items that leave me thinking, "meh," there are others that just blow me away!  

This month's box was "Beauty 101" themed and, in addition to the items, there was a tiny pamphlet with some really useful information and answers to questions you might have! Here's what I got:

1. Schick Hydro Silk Razor

I'm pretty loyal to my Venus 5-blade, but since it's summer and my legs don't do pants, I'm always down to try another type. Maybe it will work better! Apparently it's blades sense contours (how) and the water-activated moisturizing serum lasts for at least 2 hours after you shave!

2. Miss Jessie's Quick Curls

ANOTHER HAIR PRODUCT TO TRY! You have found my greatest love, Birchbox. I'm always on the hunt for hair products that work as advertised, so I'm excited to try this one. Has anyone used it before? Results?

3. Beauty Fixation Make Up Remover

I saw these on TV somewhere, and am so excited to get the chance to try them! My eyelashes are so long I'm always getting mascara dotted on my brow bone and it tends to smush under my lower lashes too. So handy for these types of things!

4. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur

This will be interesting. I tend to run from anything labeled Juicy Couture... Add in the fact that it has the word flower in it.... (I hate flowery scents barfff). Nonetheless, I'll give it a try.

5. PIXI Beauty Lid Last Shadow Pen (in Graphic Glint)

I LOVE EYE SHADOW PENS. They're so easy and they stay on so well. However, I would get a gray color. Not that I have anything against gray, I just tend to stick to gray/black for liners and this is sort of too fat for that. Oh well, it will mean I get to spend some time experimenting with turning crayon shadow into a smokey eye!

But seriously guys, sign up for Birchbox. It's awesome!

Vacay

Sorry for the recent radio silence! I was in Massachusetts visiting family on a "working" vacation! I had every intention of documenting my outfits and having regularly scheduled posts, but I clearly didn't. It was nice to step away and not worry about things for a while, however. We should be back to regularly scheduled programming, though, starting with these photos I took while at my cousin's lake house and around my parents!