I published a blog post a while back with some pictures of my bedroom decor and felt a little inclined to share some pictures of what’s in my living room.

Books you may recognize that were once in my room are now on a mirrored tray with some of my favorite flowers. Confession, the flowers are fake, I’m not great at keeping plants alive and with as much as I’m gone, fake flowers are the most efficient for now. The book “Things Every Woman Should Know” is my favorite to flip through and read when I have free time.

I remember seeing this on Pinterest, taking an old chair and putting a lamp on it with books. This sits next to my desk where I work.

I enjoy collecting books and holding onto them for fun reference, whether it’s for fashion inspiration, cooking recipes or travel, they’re fun to have around the house.

A couple of colored glass vases from TJ Maxx to brighten up my window sill, as you  may notice it was raining when I took this photo. Having something bright to look at in contrast to dreary rain helps in keeping things bright and cheery.

One of my new favorite things, a beautifully hand sewn pillow that I was given by a friend when she was vacationing in Mexico.

For more inspiration feel free to browse through some of my boards on Pinterest, home and office.

Running in the Seattle Half Marathon last November 2012

I recently set a goal for myself to run 12 miles per week. Typing that out and now reading it back aloud sounds tough, it is, but after two consistent weeks of meeting that goal I feel awesome. Sometimes I forget how cool goals are, hopefully that doesn’t sound dumb, I just mean it feels good to plan to do something or things and accomplish them. Am I right?

A couple of new habits/hobbies that I have picked up over the last year have been running and making yummy smoothies. I’ve done both throughout my whole life but it hasn’t been until this last year that I’ve stuck with both really consistently. I ran my first half marathon back in November of 2012 and am signed up to run my second in June of this year. I guess the story here is to tell you how awesome running is and to share a favorite smoothie recipe of mine that I like to make when I’m through exercising.

Until March of last year (2012) I don’t think I had run any more than three or so miles in my life. But after going out and buying a new pair of Nike running shoes and putting together a good running mix on Spotify I made running a habit that’s now an essential part of my routine. What I’m trying to do is encourage you to try running, and see what you think about it? Setting goals to run and actually keep running has been one of the best and most fulfilling things I’ve done. I keep a Pinterest board up of inspiration that you can find here if you are interested in seeing a little more visual inspiration.

Now for the smoothie recipe, it’s quite simple, you’ll need…

Half an orange

A couple slices of pineapple

4 strawberries

4 ice cubes

A blender

Combine all these fruits into your blender for a sweet and delicious fruity treat. This amount made about a glass and a half if you’re wondering how much this serves, so depending on how hungry you are you could easily add a little more or less fruit. Enjoy!

What healthy habits are you getting into these days?

]]> http://www.mollieinseattle.com/2013/05/smoothie-recipe-and-running/feed/ 1 http://www.mollieinseattle.com/2013/05/staple-saturday-great-skin-care/ http://www.mollieinseattle.com/2013/05/staple-saturday-great-skin-care/#comments Sat, 11 May 2013 22:11:48 +0000 mollie http://www.mollieinseattle.com/?p=5874 In my next series of Staple Saturday I’m going to talk a little bit about skin care and some of my favorite products. Staple Saturday for those of you who are new here is a series I’ve started on my blog where I share one thing that is a staple to me.

I hate to say it but having a solid skin care routine helps with graceful aging (insert cringe). I know aging sounds like a scary word but it’s never too late to get started with taking care of your skin so that it’s remains looking healthy and young as time passes. For the longest time I bounced around using lots of different types of moisturizers and hydrating creams, they were all ok, but never felt quite right. That is until I was introduced to intraceuticals’ line of Rejuvenate products while getting a facial at the Four Seasons here in Seattle (facials are important too btw). After consistently using these products my skin feels so much healthier and clear, I don’t really need to wear foundation anymore because my skin is so bright and hydrated.

I do a good amount of travel, which if any of you have been on an airplane you’ll probably agree that airplane air is dry and always does a harsh number on your skin, especially your face. Even being outside walking around with all the gross toxins in the air, it’s important to show your face some love and help make sure that it’s hydrated, balanced, clear and happy. Happy skin I’ve learned means a great deal, therefore they are my staple.

1. intraceuticals Rejuvenate daily serum

2. intraceuticals ‘Rejuvenate’ Hydration Gel

3. intraceuticals ‘Rejuvenate’ Moisture Binding Cream

intraceuticals ‘Booster’ Collagen Serum, intraceuticals ‘Booster’ Vitamin C+3 Serum, intraceuticals ‘Booster’ Antioxidant Serum, intraceuticals a’Booster’ Vitamin A Serum

These are the intraceuticals Boosters, they’re great for added protection to your skin. My favorite right now is the Vitamin C booster just because it helps brighten my skin which I love. It’s nice having these to select from depending on how my skin is on a certain day, depending on if I’ve traveled, been in the sun a lot, am tired etc.

A great way to learn more about intraceuticals and try them out before investing in a full line of their products is to go to a Four Seasons Spa and request their pure oxygen infusion facial. Having a good skin care routine is vital to happy and healthy skin, I love using intraceuticals and if you haven’t yet found a line or routine that works for you I highly suggest checking out their products. This line of products has drastically changed the way my skin looks so much so that I’m completely hooked.

My good friend and fellow blogger Alyson from Crushing on Clothes had a fun idea for she and I to collaborate, she wanted us to style something that we each have and love using. After several phone calls and Pinterest’ing ideas we concluded that our Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC bags had to be it. I like to call mine the “hands free essential”. Who doesn’t love shopping and walking around without the hassle of holding up your purse on your shoulder, bending your elbow to keep it on your arm, you know what I’m saying right?

Alyson and I had an amusing time walking around Pike Place Market, a favorite Seattle spot of ours, snapping photos and sharing how we each like to wear our bags. I would like to point out that I’m wearing stripes again (I know, kind of obsessed with them) and that each of our shoes match our bags, I don’t think that was consciously planned but I like the way our pictures turned out with the colors matching. Pretty much this is my everything bag, I’ve taken it all over with me, it was a lifesaver when I was in Spain last summer and it’s versatile for running errands and going out here at home. I think my favorite part about the bag is the chain, it makes the bag almost feel like jewelry when it’s around my shoulders.

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC shoulder bag // Gap Essential striped crew  T // Gap slim cropped pants // Pink bubble necklace (only $9.50) // Melissa Shoes wedges

To read more about why Alyson loves her Mini MAC and how she went about styling it be sure to stop by her blog. I know I had a lot of fun doing this so who knows, maybe you’ll see Alyson and I working on something else in the coming months.

Do you have or currently use a “hands free” type of bag? Photos by @katiarenee

Gap essential striped crew t // Stephan and Co. necklace // Gap lavender blazer // A.J. Morgan Badiwad sunglasses //REPORT coral loafers

White pants have been on my shopping list for quite sometime; they are an absolute staple for spring as they are so versatile for day and night outfits. I found this pair at the Gap for $50, they’re the Gap’s skinny mini skimmer khaki’s in white. Tip though, you might want to buy a size smaller than you normally would as I found that throughout the day they stretch out a lot. As I was shopping the Gap for these pants I noticed a big sale going on so took a peek (everything on sale was an additional 25% off). I walked out with this lavender blazer for $27 and this striped t shirt that was only $9, if I could say “omg the most amazing deal ever” in multiple languages to express my thrill I would, I’m always down for a good deal.

I wore this outfit to work during the day and then later in the evening for dinner I changed my shoes and put on high heels, pulled my hair up in a bun and wore darker lipstick for a fun nighttime look.

Do you like to wear white pants? For me they’re a must, so is a great blazer and fun statement jewelry. Yay for spring being here! Photos a la @katiarenee

The story here is that jewelry is important. Whether it’s from Forever 21 or Cartier, wearing jewelry adds drama, color and elegance to your outfit. This is something I’ve known and had in the back of my head for a really long time. Growing up seeing my mom wear beautiful jewelry, my grandmother always looking so elegant in hers, I knew it was something I wanted to also wear. For whatever reason though I had this weird hesitation with jewelry, I guess in wanting to make sure it matched perfectly or that I wasn’t wearing too much jewelry that clashed, so for a while I just didn’t wear much of anything other than diamond studs and a necklace here or there.

Going into 2013 however, it was a serious resolution of mine to take my style a step further and start wearing jewelry. That may seem silly to some but for me it was a big step forward. I shared a blog post about wearing all blue and have since received a lot of emails from people asking me where the jewelry I’m wearing  is from. This post I hope is the first of many to come of me sharing in more detail some of the jewelry I myself wear and where it’s from.

I try to find ways to wear my Falling Whistles necklace as often as possible, since it’s silver and lightweight it really works well with casual and more formal outfits. I wear it to work, when I’m out with my friends and on errands. What’s really great about it is that by purchasing one and wearing it, I’m helping promote peace in the Congo (fashion that gives back, my favorite kind!)

The ring is called the L. Erickson Stella ring,  it’s ivory Tokyo in color and a ring I literally wear almost every single day. I wear it on my ring finger on my right hand. I had no idea how much I would love it, it’s a ring I get lots of compliments on and again goes with just about every outfit.

The beautiful blue earrings you see were gifted to me by INPINK.com. Bright colors are my favorite as mentioned in a previous blog post and when I saw them, I knew they’d be perfect for summer. I like that they’re studs because they fit nicely in my ears, once they’re in I forget they’re there, until someone stops me and asks where they’re from.

I have the Michael Kors ‘Blair’ rose gold watch, it’s a beautiful color with some rhinestone detail around the face. This is definitely a great piece to have, I wear mine all the time and enjoy the versatility of the rose gold. A girl needs a watch to tell time and have a pretty looking wrist while doing it.

The bracelet you see to the left of my watch is a David Yurman piece that I really cherish and know it’s the kind of jewelry that I’ll pass down to someone a long long time from now. I remember seeing them in magazines growing up and always wanting one, last summer I finally took the leap and got one, I’m already eyeing a few others that I hope to own someday.

I like to call this Marrin Costello beauty my magic bracelet, although it’s called the Bowzer bracelet in silver. It’s magic because every time I’ve worn it something extra special has happened to me. Laugh if you will but I’m totally not kidding, aside from it being the good luck charm that it is, it’s comfortable, versatile and handmade in Los Angeles, CA by the incredibly talented Marrin herself.

What kind of jewelry do you like wearing? Any new brands or styles you all recommend? I’m always on the hunt for new and fun pieces.

Nordstrom relaunched their Savvy department into an awesome boutique-like destination inside their iconic department stores. There you’ll find beautifully mechanized blouses, sweaters, necklaces, shoes and more, most items range from about $19-$98. It would be very difficult to not be inspired by all the top trending and high style items organized within the department. I’m really excited that Nordstrom has created a place for twenty somethings like me that is budget friendly and won’t the compromise in quality clothes. I found items like black pencil skirts that I could totally wear to work, cute cropped tops for summer, cozy sweaters for traveling and flirty dresses for nights out with my girlfriends.

Honestly out of everything this was probably my favorite ensemble (Leith beach short and Leith Beach shirt), the bright pattern felt so right for the upcoming warm weather season. Wearing it made me feel compelled to drive to the airport and catch a plane to Hawaii.

How fun are these bubble statement necklaces? Great for summer, at work and on the weekends.

Amy picked out some awesome bright colors, this yellow tank had a really intricate beading detail around the arms.

Aside from the beach shirt and shorts this is the jacket I am still thinking about, this faux suede jacket felt so incredibly luxurious Amy and I were incredulous that it was only $92. Hello amazing deal for something you can wear forever.

I created a Savvy wishlist on Pinterest of some of my favorite pieces from my shopping visit. I hope you’ll take the time to check out the new department and see what you can find for yourself. It really is a one stop shopping destination within Nordstrom where you can feel fancy and on trend while staying within budget.

Gap cropped pants in pink // Hinge floral blazer from Nordstrom // Dolce Vita white snakeskin sue pumps

I created a draft for this post a few days ago and am now coming back to it to add my text. Since beginning this draft I posted a preview photo on my Facebook Page and got a funny comment from a friend who said that I’m always “lurking” in that alley. I had to laugh because yes most of my photos as of lately are taken in the alley behind the building where I live.

To jump in, we all know or most of you know I think, that pink is my favorite color. Any chance I get to wear the happy hue I take it and run with it. Kind of like you would a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes if they were on the clearance rack at some department store (I highly doubt that would ever happen but you know what I mean.) I paired the pants with this new floral blazer I scored at Nordstrom. I have to say I felt about as springy as one could get considering all the colors and pattern I had on. I chose to wear this outfit last Saturday for a fashion conference at the Art Institute of Seattle, myself and my good friend Sydney Mintle got to talk with high school seniors about the career possibilities in fashion blogging. YES THERE ARE CAREER POSSIBILITIES IN FASHION BLOGGING. It was a really awesome experience, I love public speaking very much and enjoyed connecting with the students there, learning their goals and dreams as well as answering all of their questions.

Francesca earrings that I bought for $9!

I decided to wear Julep’s Daisy nail polish with some bracelets and a ring.

I realize the idea of wearing florals for spring is kind of like a “duh” or “obviously”, I can’t help but think back to the scene in The Devil Wears Prada where Miranda Priestly is sarcastically incredulous in learning that floral was a groundbreaking spring trend. If you’ve seen the movie I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I plan to wear this blazer well into fall/winter, so I’m excited I have it to test and try with a variety of outfits. Don’t be shocked if you see it back on my blog again soon!

Pictures taken by @katiarenee 

Maria- Kitties and Couture

Connect with your readers! Building a community is one of the most important parts of blogging, in my opinion, no matter how long you’ve been blogging for. Respond to the comments they leave for you, even if it’s a simple “thank you.” Think about it: someone took the time to engage with your content, so why not engage back? The same goes with Tweets that are sent to you, comments on your Instagram, etc. It’s all about networking and building the connection and relationships with other likeminded people that will keep coming back to your blog for more.

Follow along with Maria on Twitter 

Abbey- Along Abbey Road

The most key element of having a fashion blog is taking quality photos. A nice camera is an essential investment and those professional-looking photos will be what sets you apart!

Follow along with Abbey on Twitter

Amanda- Fashionablee Me

One of the best tools we have in the blogging world is each other! From fun collaborations (like this!), to showing love on Instagram or Twitter, supporting and building relationships with other people is so important. I have been so blessed to have met really close friends through blogging and there are endless opportunities to help each other grow. So be creative– put together a style challenge blog post, ask for a guest post, or if you have the chance, set up a brunch or happy hour for a local group.

Follow along with Amanda on Twitter 

Krystal- The Style Book

Photo by Lydia Hudgens

My biggest tip is to keep your blog completely original! People read it to see YOUR sense of personal style so be sure to make it your own and stay true to your voice!

Follow along with Krystal on Twitter

Natasha- The Chic Curve

The most important thing to me when I blog is thinking…will I be proud of this post in a month? In a year? If I doubt that, even just a little bit, it’s back to ideation mode. I never publish anything just to post; I only post things I love, and hope in turn, my readers will love it too.

Follow along with Natasha on Twitter 

Alyson- Crushing on Clothes

I’ve been blogging for 2 and a half years now, and one tip I’ve learned is to be authentic. Don’t wear something just because you think everyone else will like it – wear items that YOU love and cherish. I personally love bright colors, fun prints and giant sunglasses, so you will see me wearing these things often on my blog. People will come to your blog to see your own unique style, so you want to be sure to be yourself. If you are wearing what everyone else is wearing – what makes your blog different? Have a unique perspective on the trends and wear them in a way that you love.

Follow along with Alyson on Twitter

Jen- House of Jeffers

Know the value of your blog and abilities. The temptation to do things in exchange for something gifted is high, but know you’re worth more than free swag. Take inventory of the time and energy you are putting into your blog. How long it takes you to write a post, editing photos, promotion through social media, so when a company asks you to do something that falls outside of the regular parameters of what you do, it’s time (and okay) to ask for compensation, or to say no. After all, gifts don’t pay the bills.

Follow along with Jen on Twitter 

Adiel- It’s Because I Think Too Much

Be aware of fashion trends, but don’t live by them. If a trend doesn’t suit your own personal style or flatter your body type, you don’t have to wear it. It’s more important to be true to you!

Follow along with Adiel on Twitter

Tiffany- Tiffany Style

Snap a picture of your outfit before you head out the door. Sometimes, you can’t rely on mirrors, and all it takes is a quick snap of a photo to notice that your outfit would look better with a cinched waist or a different shoe.

Follow along with Tiffany on Twitter

Marissa- Style Cusp

Take great photos. Our market is so visually stimulated right now thanks to the evolving of Instagram. Invest in a quality camera and a photo editing software (like Photoshop Elements or Photoshop) that will take your photos to the next level. Photos create a personal connection with your readers and give opportunity for your blog to be viral (hello, Pinterest!) I recently bought a new Canon Rebel and have been using Photoshop (somewhat obsessively) to really make my blog photos stand out!

Follow along with Marissa on Twitter 

I hope you finish reading this post as inspired as I am, all of these ladies are incredibly smart, talented and stylish. I encourage you to check them all out. Feel free to drop questions in the comments if you think of anything else you’d like answered. Big thanks to all of these fabulous fashion bloggers for taking the time to share some of their experience on my blog!

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

Bony Levy Diamond Stud Earrings starting at $575

These Tomas Large Cubic Zirconia & Sterling Silver Stud Earrings are a great option for only $17 if you’re not quite yet ready to make the investment of real diamond studs.

If you’re really ready to take the step into investing in a classic pair of diamond studs these Tiffany solitaire diamond earrings are your go to. They run around $1,125 but if you consider the cost per wear (that will be another blog post coming up) they’re probably pretty inexpensive, $1,125/300 (say you only wear them about 300 days of the year) = $3.75, practically nothing!

Alright so there we have it, my first installment of Staple Saturday, what are your thoughts on diamond studs? Do you own a pair already that you wear all the time? I know the ones I have, I can’t live without.