Hello!  

Can you believe it was just Memorial Day and 

there are only a few short days left in May?

We can now throw all of the rules away and wear our white pants

 and opened toed shoes without being judged.  

Maxi dresses have always been a summer staple, but I have found 

that is all I am buying right now.  I purchased one over the weekend, 

there are a few in my Nordstrom cart.  Maxis are so effortlessly chic. 

The maxi I am wearing is from Dottie Couture, a popular online boutique I love. 

Quite a few times by the time I feature one of their pieces it is already sold out. 

Below are a few similar maxis.

earrings / bag similar / sunnies / wedges

The maxi I am wearing is from Dottie Couture, a popular online boutique I love. 

Quite a few times by the time I feature one of their pieces it is already sold out. 

Below are a few similar maxis.

1 / 2 / 3 

What are your favorite Summer pieces? 

xx, Elise

I have been off the grid for a bit. 

I was crazy with dance and if you follow me on insta I mentioned I had nasty infection on my face.

After this weekend, things are finally slowing down slightly.  

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off to Summer and my favorite time of year.

We head down for our first beach weekend.  It has always been about seeing old friends, cookouts, heading to the beach and just relaxing.  

However... 

'We don't know them all, but we owe them all'

We are afforded this luxury, this long weekend to eat burgers, catch up with friends and play in the sand because men and woman have fought for our freedom to do so. 

So while you are decked in a festive outfit, drinking your red, white and blue sangria or however you choose to spend this weekend, stop and remember the soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.  

pants / top / headband / bag 

Other cute ideas...

gingham dress / star denim shorts / tiered dress / split neck top / embroidered dress
striped paper bag pants / tassel earrings / eyelet top / white jeans / straw bag
gingham bathing suit / striped romper

How will you be spending your long weekend?

xx, Elise

Happy Thursday!! 

It always seems as soon as the warm weather happens, my social calendar explodes. 

With work, dance, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, shows and parties, my dance card is full! 

Nothing makes me happier than being busy with all fun things, but mama needs things to wear! 

This weekend alone, I have three events! 

I got this dress from at Nora Cora, and online shop I saw on insta.

BIG mistake...HUGE!

I ordered four items at the beginning of January for a trip I was taking mid February.

They did not arrive for my trip.

I inquired about my order status and they sent me a fake tracking number. 

After a few more weeks, I got an email they were out of one item and I would be refunded.

Guess what? I wasn't.

Many weeks later I got two items that were so minute, they would not fit my 12 year old niece. 

10 weeks later I got this dress. My thoughts are, MEH. The fabric is not at all like it was advertised, the slit extremely high, the front is exceptionally low, and the arm holes are HUGE!! 

If I were in a pinch, I could probably pull it off but I feel exposed and not comfortable.

Below is a Revolve round up with some similar dresses.

Mother's Day is only five days away!

What do you get your mom? What do you appreciate getting?

In the past we have done brunch, paint bars, cooks outs, but this year we are having a good old fashion dinner. Truthfully, I am good with a nice card. I don't need anything, but  

I do always love giving or getting gifts I would necessarily buy myself. 

Below are some fun and thoughtful gifts for the moms in your life.

mama knows best necklace 
Isn't this just the sweetest? I love the the mama and baby.   

scrunchies
I was a child of the first generation scrunchies, so I will always hold a torch.
A cuter accessory than a run of the mill elastic, and is way more fun to wear on your wrist, where most of my elastics spend most of their time.  

mapiful
Such a fun way to remember the fun places you have visited. My parents, now retired spend so much time traveling and this custom made Sicily map from mapiful is a beautiful reminder of their time spent there. This year for Mother’s day, Mapiful is taking a moment to give back to all the mums across the world by donating 10% of the sales of our new Mothers day design to Every Mother Counts, an NGO supporting women and working on making pregnancy and childbirth safe everywhere around the world. Use Code SPRING10 (10% OFF valid until 31/05/19)

eye stones
What new mom couldn't use these little gems?  
These stone disks bring tired peepers relief from long hours at the computer, puffiness after a long night, or itchiness due to seasonal allergies. Chill them in the refrigerator and apply on or under your eyes for a rock-solid spa treatment at home.

candle
Who doesn't love a aroma filled space? Whether you like floral, sugar cookies or a fresh linen smell,
You can't go wrong with a candle for the mom you are celebrating. 

beach bag
This has always been my go-to gift. With Mother's Day falling just before the summer season, I love the idea of a new beach bag filled with summer necessities.   

night shirt
I don't mess around with my PJs, and this trendy palm print is perfect for Summer nights! 

facebook portal
A perfect gift for a grandmother that is far away from from her grandchildren.
Being able to facetime helps to bridge the distance.   

constellation bracelets
Wearing your children's initials has always been popular, but what about their astrological sign?
A more subtle approach to having your children with you all the time. Beautiful by itself or if you have more than one child, adorable to stack. 

Tory Burch sandals
Summer is coming and these trendy sandals are always in style.

hydro flask

The latest water bottle trend and this model holds an entire bottle of wine and features TempShield™ double wall vacuum insulation to keep your favorite wine at the perfect temperature. 
You're welcome! 

bath tub tray
I love taking baths, but  I don't do it enough.
This bath tub tray is the ultimate bath accessory.

How will you celebrate Mother's Day?

xx, Elise

Happy Friday Eve! 

I am unapologetically girly!

 I love makeup, nails, clothes, shoes, all things sparkly, chiffon, lace, pastels, you name it, I love it all. 

I am going to go out on a limb and make an assumption that if you are here, reading this blog, you too love most things girly.    

This past weekend I was getting a tea and the woman behind the counter said:

Woman: Ugh, your nails are so long 

Me: Yes, they are

W: How do you do anything?

Me: Ummmm, with ease

W: When you have kids you won't be able to have those nails!

Me: I have a son...

W: How do you clean?

Me: Just...fine

W: Do you have a job?

(dumbfounded)

M: Yes, and I type all day long with these things! can you even believe it?

At this point I grabbed my tea and left.

Situations like this are not too infrequent. 

I am constantly getting comments about my clothes, my hair, 

my make-up, what I eat, etc. 

I have been perceived and called vain, shallow, bougie

spoiled, lazy, high maintenance and entitled by people that don't know me.

 After such jabs I have been told: 

'That stuff isn't important to me'

That is great!! It is important to me, as are so many other things.  I think the misconception is that it is the ONLY thing that is important to me. 

'It just isn't a priority'

This is also valid. If you don't mind rolling out of bed and facing the day as is, that is your prerogative. That being said, I would not say to you, 'I would never walk out of the house like that.'  

'I just don't have the time'

I am a single mom to a 12 YO boy, in addition to S&S, I have a full time job.  After my 8-4, two or three nights a week I am either teaching or taking a dance class, the other nights I am attending either a football, basketball or baseball game.  By the time we get home, homework is done, showers are taken, it is passed 10 before I get into bed to watch a show and unwind. Then 5:45 a.m. my alarm goes off and it starts all over again.  Don't tell me about not having time. 
   

lipstick sweatshirt / leopard slip ons / Sunglasses

We live in a time where women really want to be heard, and I am one of those women! 

I am a feminist (don't gasp, it's not a dirty word), I believe in equality in the way that I embrace differences, but everyone should be treated with equal respect. I feel like somewhere along the way, in order to have strong opinions, ideas and convictions you had to appear less feminine and the woman who are feminine are seen as weak, shallow and not intelligent.

We need to throw away these stigmas and support other women,
people that are different or have different views or opinions.

We need to stop judging books by their covers. 

Hi, I am Elise, I am an avid makeup enthusiast.

I love getting a mani and pedi, shopping is my therapy.  

I also love cheeseburgers, true crime, discussing politics, podcasts and reading. 

I am a music trivia nerd, a movie buff and so many other things.

  Have you ever been a victim of girl shaming?

xx, Elise