Outfits of the Month

What I wore in March. 

date night outfit

{mixed print bodysuit - vici // jeans - abercrombie // black heel sandals - target // fringe bag - tory burch}

striped sweater scarf

{black sweater tank - roxy // striped sweater scarf - bliss & belle // jeans - abercrombie // leopard sandals - loeffler randall // red bucket bag - tory burch}

mixed brights

{pink striped button down - loft // white jeans - express // sandals - target // mutli-color embroidered bag - tory burch}

soccer mom

{white ribbed tank - amazon // olive green button down - american eagle // denim shorts - target // black dodgers hat - anthropologie // sneakers - new balance // belt bag - gucci}

striped flares

{henley bodysuit - express // striped flare jeans - amazon // block sandals - target // bag - chloe}

neutral knit

{knit tank - vici // white jeans - levi's // sandals - target // bag - chloe}

sunshine yellow

{smocked top - target // jeans - abercrombie // woven sandals - dolce vita // straw bag - coach}

weekend errands

{striped tank - vici // leggings - amazon // sneakers - dolce vita // belt bag - gucci}

Cocoa Beach mural festival

{striped romper - o'neill // straw hat - brixton // lace-up sandals - t.j. maxx // belt bag - gucci}

bold maxi dress

{printed dress - dvf for target // straw bag - coach // aviator sunglasses - ray-ban}

Easter Bunny Cookies

Cookies are my love language and baking holiday versions are extra special. For Easter, I made my classic chocolate chip cookies with a festive spin by adding pastel m&m's in the shape of a bunny. They turned out so cute! Love the little crunch the candy shell added to an already delicious treat.

ingredients

1 cup (2 stick butter), softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 3.4 oz package of vanilla pudding mix
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 package of pastel m&m's

directions

{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate m&m's by color. Cut some of each color in half to make the ears.

{2}
In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, one a time. Add in vanilla.

{3}
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the stand mixture. Stop halfway through to scrape down the bowl and ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

{4}
Add in the dry vanilla pudding mix. Sprinkle in the mini chocolate chips and fold in with a spatula.

{5}
Scoop dough with a 1-inch cookie scoop and place on a non-stick baking sheet at least one inch apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edge are golden brown and the center is slightly undercooked.

{6}
As soon as you take the baking sheet out of the oven, you need to act fast to add the m&m bunnies before the cookies cool down too much and they won't stick. 

On each cookie, lightly press 2 whole m&m's side by side in the middle. Then gently place two halves of the same color, (chocolate side down) above the whole m&m to form the ears. Repeat for all the cookies. 

{7}
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a air-tight container and enjoy at room temp or freeze for up to a month.

Save vs. Splurge

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to what they spend money on. I definitely have items that I look for deals on, and other areas that I lean into quality and therefore spend a bit more. Below I'm sharing a few categories that I save vs. splurge.

{SAVE}

mascara

I've tried so many expensive mascaras (Diorshow, ilia, etc.) but keep coming back to my drugstore fave: L'Oreal voluminous butterfly in blackest black.

shoes

Ok, hear me out: shoes get the most wear of any item of clothing and I'm not one to get shoes re-soled by a cobbler. I'm all about the Target dupes - the best sandals and heels at that sweet spot $20 - $30 price point. By the time they are worn out, I'm ready for a new trend anyway.

work lunch

I meal prep 4-5 lunches for the work week, every single week for Greg and I. Not only is it more cost-effective, but so much healthier than going out to a restaurant or getting something delivered multiple days a week.

{SPLURGE}

skincare/face makeup

Not all of my face makeup and skincare products are pricey, but a select few I invest in since they actually provide results. For example, the Summer Fridays cc me serum is my holy grail for fading dark spots and teenage acne scars on my face. I'm also a cult follower of the IT cosmetics cc cream with SPF 50 - I wear it every single day.

designer bags

My personal favorite splurge: designer purses! They hold their value more than any other item of clothing or accessory. A bag makes or breaks an outfit - even if I'm running to the store after yoga, I look more put together with a statement bag.

quality groceries

I cook dinner at home at least 5-6 nights a week. Health is a priority for me, and cooking for my family is one of my love languages. I aim for quality ingredients - organic chicken with no hormones, fresh and in-season produce, etc. Not everything I buy is organic though. For instance, bananas & avocados have a peel so the pesticides don't actually reach the part of the food you consume.