Travel On Over

Happy Thursday!

I am guest posting today for my friend Ashley while she is on vacation in Mexico!

Come check it out over at

 a {little} dash of ash!

In The Buff

I don’t know about you but my feet are eagerly awaiting the end of their winter hibernation (aka socks and boots) to be free in the glory that is spring shoes! Nude/neutral shades of shoes are definitely where it’s at this season and these are some of the top contenders as far as I am concerned. These babies range from reasonable to not-in-my-wildest-dreams in terms of their price tag (Oh Mr. Zanotti with your flawless designs and fabulous details, why do you tease me so?!). Aside from making your legs look uberlong, the neutral color provides the perfect compliment for some super bright toes!

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*Btw Endless.com is one of the best shoe shopping websites. EVER. Free overnight shipping, free returns and millions of shoes? Yes please!

Girl Crush: NP

Okay so clearly I am about 4 months behind on this, because girl was everywhere during Black Swan mania, but since I am catching up on the backlog of magazines I have stacked up I just recently came across this spread of Natalie Portman from Marie Claire. How gorgeous does she look?! And I secretly kind of want to be her bff.

Images via Marie Claire

Mint Chocolate Dessert

Minty frosting met a chocolate brownie, was smothered in chocolate and it was love at first bite! This chocolaty treat is a delicious mint chocolate party in your mouth and is super easy to whip up. Like any good dessert it is chock full of butter, so not exactly bikini body friendly, but oh so worth it!

Melted chocolate...

Mint frosting...

Amazingness!

Get the recipe here...and enjoy!

I'm In Miami Trick

Guest Post: a {little} dash of ash

Hello readers of Ten Scenic Drive, I am Ashley from {a {little} dash of ash}!  Kristin asked me to guest post while she is trend spotting in Miami!! So jealous... can't wait to hear all about her trip!  In the mean time, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite things -- arm candy! :) Last week, Kristin made me a super cute bracelet (see blog post below), so I thought it was only perfect to officially thank her on her blog, as well as share a few inspiration photos of different bracelet combination :)  I'm loving layers of bracelets - two many is the perfect number!  I've noticed lately that every time I am out shopping I pick up a new bracelet and every time I go out for the night I'm stacking them all up! :)  My favorite combination is a chuncky bracelet, a few studded skinny bracelets, a big watch (Michael Kors), and a fashion piece or two (like the bracelet that Kristin made me)!  If I am feeling a little more adventurous, I throw in a few bangles on top!  Enjoy and stop by my blog for my daily inspiration! 

Loving this exact styling!

JCrew Bracelets - my absolute weakness!

Great color - and the buckle is a must have!

For a simple day!

I haven't done the layering on both arms yet -- but it's super sexy!

And... I need that watch! :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images found via {Pinterest} and {Daily Crush}

Lip Service

Coral and red and pink, oh my! Looooving these pop colored lips! I'm not sure I am brave enough to pull this off just yet, but I am totally crushing on ladies painting their pouts in these bright fun shades.

Sprung!

Happy Monday and 2nd official day of Spriiiiiing! Time to break out the short shorts and sundresses, stash your sweaters far far away, get your spring clean on, or whatever else it is you may do to welcome the warm weather. It is a fanfreakingtastic 65 degrees in Columbus today, a perfect way to kickoff the season (except for the rain that doesn't seem to want to leave, EVER) but I will take it!

 D&G 2011 images via Fashion Gone Rogue

For Japan With Love

I am pretty new to this whole blogging thing, but it became obvious on day one  what a connected, supportive and amazing community this little blogging world is. The ladies of Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours have joined forces to create "For Japan With Love," a site dedicated to raising money for the relief efforts in Japan. Money raised will be donated to ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity and one of the first organizations on the scene to provide aid to those affected . In addition to raising money, they have also called for a day of silence in the blogging community this Friday to raise awareness and show support for the cause. Even though moments like this can leave you feeling completely insignificant and helpless, this is also the time to create a supportive community and help in anyway possible. So check it out and get involved! http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

Going Green!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

Inspiration

I am truly inspired by people who use their platforms to go above and beyond for a great cause! I honestly hope one day I am in a position to do the same. I was super stoked when I read about jewelry designer Alexis Bittar's donation plans for the Tsunami relief efforts in Japan. This insanely talented designer will donate 100% of all proceeds made on his website next week to the Catholic Relief Services to benefit Japan. How awesome is that?! Not to mention, his designs are Aahhhmazing. (You may have spotted some of his sassy baubles on Jason Wu's runway last month). Through similar philantrhopic efforts last year Alexis donated over $60,000 to relief efforts in Haiti. So here's hoping he can whack that number out of the park this time around. Click here to get your shop on! Making a donation to a cause in need + some gorgeous jewelry to boot?...Not too shabby!

If these fancy gems aren't quite within your means at the moment, Miss Lady Gaga has designed $5 "We Pray For Japan" wristbands available on her website. All proceeds go to the Tsunami relief and you are able to give an additional monetary donation there as well.

Cassandra of Coco + Kelley is one blogger taking some serious action for this cause! For all of you March Madness fans, fill out a bracket and join the Blogger pool on her site Coco + Kelley! Half of the $ collected will be donated to a tbd charity to benefit relief efforts in Japan and the other half goes to the winner. Pretty much a win/win.

There are so many people and organizations banning together to get behind Japan in this unbearable time and it is extremely inspiring...Check out Refinery 29 for some other great ways to get behind the cause!

Black & White Stripes

Loving the black and white stripes for interiors. While I am typically a color fiend, there is something very fresh and clean about this classic look that seems to be sneaking its way into everything these days from fashion and accessories to pillows and wallpaper. Add these to the wish list of decorating ideas...for my amazing house...which is also on that list!

Images {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6}

Honestly, WTF

I was feeling a little crafty this weekend so I turned to one of my favorite blogs Honestly, WTF for some inspiration. Along with great editorials and fashion photography, the ladies behind this site post some fantastic DIY tutorials for supercute accessories. These are the kind of DIY's that you can whip up in an hour...you don't need to dedicate an entire Saturday to these projects (aka the tufted headboard I have been dreaming of making shown here). They posted a while ago about this grown-up friendship bracelet inspired by Aurelie Bidermann's Do Brazil bracelets which I tried out last night with much success.

I found these curb link chain bracelets on eBay for about $10. The embroidery thread and mini chain can be found at any craft store. Head on over here for the step by step instructions!

Sunday Brunch: Bacon, Egg & Cheese

This is what I like to call a gussied up egg mcmuffin...a toasted english muffin, white cheddar cheese, a poached egg, crispy bacon and drizzled with hot sauce...YUMMY!

You can find me over at a {little} dash of ash today doing my first guest post! Come check out my picks for Ashley's Fab Five Friday series!

I have recently discovered the Weekly Gratitude series featured on some blogs I frequent and decided to join in and share what I am thankful for this week!

• Thank you to all of you reading this right now (yes you!) for checking out my blog. Your comments make me happy!  
• Thank you to my friends who helped me move last weekend, because I could not have lifted my mattress and box spring onto the roof and through the 2nd floor window without you and your muscles.
• Thank you to The Arnold Classic Fitness Expo for being in town last weekend and providing the most awesome people watching ever.
• Thank you to my desk neighbors Natalie and Hannah, for listening to Ashley and me talk about blogs all the live long day and pretending to be interested.
• Thank you to my Hunter boots for allowing me to stomp through puddles like a little kid during the past week of non-stop rain to make the miserable walk into work that much more enjoyable.
• Thank you to Charlie Sheen for infiltrating the entire media world with your crazy-pants antics and making us all feel just that much more normal.
• Thank you to my fun-loving parents who just celebrated their 57th birthdays by rocking out 2nd row at the Bon Jovi concert...I hope I am as cool as you are when I grow up.
• Thank you to the weekend...I looooove you I loooove you I loooove you! And I am so happy you are here!
• Thank you to daylight savings time, because sunshine is awesome and my pale white self is in some serious need of vitamin D!

Totes Magotes

As I tried balancing a purse, a computer, lunch, a coffee  and a dog while heading out the door this morning, I decided I absolutely need to get myself all one of these supercute spring carry all totes!

1. J. Crew racer tote 2. Fleabags The Original Flea 3. Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Mini tote

Cheers for everyone who got the "I Love You Man" reference in the post title...and if you didn't, do yourself a favor and rent it asap!

40 Days and 40 Nights

For all those enjoying Mardi Gras hope you had a fabulous time celebrating Fat Tuesday! Which now brings us to Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Although I am not a super religious person, giving up something for Lent is one tradition I still hold onto from my Catholic high school days. In attempt to benefit my bod and my wallet this year I am going to attempt to give up my routine afternoon sweet fix and focus on adding more nutritious fruits and veggies into my life. I have quite a love affair with food, usually the unhealthy-really-bad-for-you-but-terribly-delicious kind. My friend Natalie once told me she would marry a chocolate chip cookie if she could and I couldn't agree more. So here goes nothing...see you at Easter delicious sweet treats!

I love you, I love you not...

I have always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with J. Crew. I am always so pumped to get their catalogs in the mail and as I flip the pages my wish list grows as I oooh and aahhh over every look. But then when I actually go to the store I am always disappointed by how few things I actually want to buy. Their styling is fantastic and the brand has gained major fashion cred in the past few years thanks to the genius creative direction of Jenna Lyons. But their fits...eh not usually so hot. As per usual I am loving everything in their Spring look book (in particular the bright candy colors, the side ponytails and red hot lips, and the fabulous accessories) so hopefully this is the season of turning this relationship  into a love/love situation!

Color Me Happy: Orange!

After seeing so much orange on the runways back in Sept. there was no doubt orange would be popping up everywhere this spring and I am loving it! I need some orange in my life asap...so bright and fun! 

Tory Burch, Gucci, Jill Sander, Emilio Pucci

1. Essex Small Scout by Kate Spade  2. Orange Hunter rain boots  3. Orange plaid bikini by Gilly Hicks  4. OPI Hot Sass nail polish 5. Ray Ban retro cat eye sunglass 6. Down Undies by Gilly Hicks 

Sunday Brunch: Lemon Avocado Toast

Yum! I had this delicious dish at Cafe Gitane the last time I was in New York and it has quickly become one of my go-to favorites to make at home. Thick crusty slices of whole wheat bread toasted, 1/2 of an avocado smashed on each slice, fresh squeezed lemon juice, a pinch of sea salt and crushed red pepper.  Pair this baby with  some cheesy scrambled eggs and a mimosa and you have yourself a perfect little brunch!