This is a sponsored post provided by Tobi; all opinions are my own

Happy Wednesday Gals! 

Today was my son's first day of 4th grade, can someone please tell me where the Summer went? Actually can someone tell me where the last ten years have gone?

I am fighting the back to school blues myself, it is and has always been such a bummer.  So many moms I know can not wait to get back to school and a routine, not me. I thoroughly enjoy spending quality time with Nolan, no routine,  loose bedtimes, and being a beach bum, but alas back to reality.

Blogging has really helped me through some of the dreadful months that I dare not mention by name, but they start with J, F, and M.  Getting collaborations, meeting deadlines, and mostly doing something that I love.  Who knew?  

Today is the first of five posts I will be doing with Tobi.  

I am pretty sure we all have stores we love and frequent, and Tobi has been a favorite on-line boutique of mine for years.  Offering up clean, simple, classic, well made and always on trend pieces. Their customer service and shipping are top notch, which is why I have been a repeat customer.

  I have to say this is one, if not my favorite collaboration to date.  

If you are a frequent reader of S&S you know that recently I have been trying to break out of my comfort zone and try pieces I may not have otherwise. When given to opportunity to shop Tobi, this was the first piece I fell in love with. Not only a maxi, it has a high-low wrap hem. Perfect! 

I was slightly afraid of the plunging neckline and midriff cut-out, but again thinking outside the box. 

I was so pleased when it arrived. It fits as if it were made specifically for my body type. As for the neckline and cutout, I think they are tasteful, but I guess you can be the judge of that.

Tobi offers 50% your first order, how can you beat that?

xx, Elise

What I wore: Dress c/o Tobi / Heels /

 Bag / Sunnies / Necklace Bobbles and Lace similar here

Good morning ladies! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

So the topic of menstrual cycles has always been a little taboo, something most women don't love to talk about or overshare.  The #LetsTalkPMS campaign empowers women to speak up and talk about what normally some would find embarrassing.  I, on the other hand have always been an animated, dramatic over sharer, so here is my story...

Since the moment I got my period at Laura DeSimone's 13th Birthday party, the same day I had my first kiss (a very coming of age day for me), it has been a catastrophe.  Severe cramps and heavy bleeding that lasted 7 whole days.  Along with that there was the moodiness, bloating, breast pain, acne, and let's not forget about ovulation discomfort.  All of that coupled with ovarian cysts, I was put on the birth control pill in order to help with these symptoms.  Sure the pill and ibuprofen helped with some symptoms, but also introduced another host of issues. After having my son, I went on the pill for a short time again, but it made me feel a little crazy, I got daily migraines, and it seemed to help less with my menstrual cycle symptoms.  I would take 800 mg IB to keep at least the cramping at bay, but that did nothing for anything else. It seemed that with ovulation, breast pain, cramps, and combating acne the week after my period there were only a good three days out of the month I was feeling completely ok.

I was told about IntraNaturals, and truth be told I was slightly skeptical. I am a cynic and I don't love change, but a friend of mine had also told me about the herbal remedy so I decided to try it. 
At the first sign of breast pain I decided to take Jayde.
Jayde is a new PMS pain relief product from IntraNaturals that’s 100% natural, herbal, and safe. It’s the healthy alternative to medications and drugstore brands.  I was truly astonished with the results. In addition to the pain relief with breast pain and cramping, Jayde got rid of my bloating, headaches and apparently my moodiness (as commented on by family members).  I have been raving about Jayde to anyone who will listen. Truly a wonderful alternative to pain medicines that only treat a fraction of symptoms.






IntraNaturals are offering 20% off the first bottle of Jayde to my readers with code 'sparkleandslippers'

Xx, Elise 

Happy Thursday! 

Almost Friday again... the Summer weekends are dwindling, and I am trying to make the very best of what is left.  After weeks of record heat, I can feel the Autumn weather creeping in. It has been little less humid, a little more crisp.  The last few years I have tried to embrace the Fall. The weather truly is beautiful but as previously stated (quite a few times) I look at the Fall as the beginning of the end, just a prelude to Winter. 

As most of you know, it is so hard to dress in these transition periods. This Sammy Dress floral maxi has been a Summer staple. It is easy and effortless and it HAS POCKETS!! I have already worn it so many times styling and accessorizing it completely different. Today I will show you how I am wearing it now, vs. still getting use out of it in a few weeks when the weather is cooler... And did I mention it has pockets?! 

NOW

What I wore: Black Floral Maxi c/o Sammy Dress / Sandals / Necklace

LATER

What I wore: Black Floral Maxi c/o Sammy Dress / Necklace /  Booties / Jacket / Bag

xx, Elise

Make sure to check out the Sammy Dress Sale and their Face Book Page

Good Morning Lovelies!! 

I hope you all had a wonderful week and weekend.  It is so hard to come back to reality after a week off. And, what a week I had. I can safely say this was one of the most relaxing vacations I have had in years. The weather was absolutely perfect!  We went to a different beach almost every day and I indulged in a maybe a little too much food and drink, but hey it was vacation.  I feel refreshed and almost ready for my son to go back to school only to get back to a routine. I love Summer vacation just as much as my son. 

Packing for vacation has always been a great feat for me. I know you all know what I am talking about. Bathing suits, cover-ups, dinner dresses, after the beach comfy clothes, work-out gear, different shoes for every outfit.  My car looked more like I was moving cross country than just a week away.  Turns out I over packed, but I would rather have too many options than not enough. Most days I stayed in comfy after the beach clothes, like this ridiculously comfy jumpsuit.  Soft, comfortable, and forgiving.  It has been on repeat since I got it.  

What I wore: Jumpsuit / Kimono / Necklaces similar here and here / Bag / Sunnies / Sandals similar

Here are some vacation snaps

Me and one of my beautiful nieces