Washington, D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Review + Tips

Washington, D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Review + Tips

We recently took a trip to see Rob’s parents in D.C. and my mom came with us for her first visit! Even though I’ve been a few times now, this experience was totally different because we explored in a new [to us] way. I wanted to be sure we covered as much ground as possible in the short time we were there so I booked a hop-on hop-off bus tour. There is just so much to see and do, which requires a lot of walking, so the logistics alone can be time consuming. I figured if we did the bus tour we could take a loop around the city to see the monuments from a reasonable distance and then decide where to go. It worked out perfectly! We were able to sit comfortably on the top level to enjoy the sunshine and breeze as we listened to the tour guide divulge tons of information on the buildings, history, politicians, and socialites of D.C. It was entertaining, educational, and fun all at the same time!

In the spirit of keeping things real, I have to admit I wasn’t originally overly excited about the tour. I thought it sounded a little cheesy and a lot touristy, but figured it would be the best option for our group. I was only partially right. It was definitely the best option, but wasn’t cheesy at all. I LOVED IT…so much in fact that I want to do it in New York next time we go!

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Summer MVPs

Summer MVPs

I can hardly believe we’re already into September. This was our first full summer in our home and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We upgraded from a small balcony at our previous condo to a [small] yard at our new home and it’s been pretty amazing. Being able to grill out and sit comfortably on actual lounge furniture while allowing our dogs to run off leash somewhere other than a dog park has been – wait for it – LIFE CHANGING. We’ve been soaking it all in, but this summer has still flown by! The past few months have been jam packed with concerts, weddings, social events, and trips with family and friends. Definitely one for the books!

Since it’s still warm here in the Midwest I wanted to take time to round up some items that reached MVP status in my book this season. These are things I wore or used on repeat and lots can be carried into fall!

dress (similar here & here – ON SALE) | hat – ON SALE (love this one for fall – ON SALE) | slides |shades

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Creamy Pasta with Asparagus + Smoked Salmon

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus + Smoked Salmon

A little over a week ago I made this BH&G recipe and have been dreaming of it ever since. It’s quick, easy, and delicious. What’s not to love?! I have a feeling this will be on rotation at our house now. Definitely a fan favorite!

If you’re not into seafood just switch out the salmon for chicken or go completely meatless and add more veggies. You can even get crazy and throw in some parmesan…the options are endless! The sauce packs a ton of flavor so I’m confident this dish will be good either way. I modified the measurements slightly to make it a bit saucier and added garlic to make it even more flavorful. Because garlic is life…amIright?

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Neon Wish List + How I’m Wearing the Trend

Neon Wish List + How I’m Wearing the Trend

It’s no secret neon everything is trending this summer. While I typically stick to more neutral pieces, it’s been fun to add some brightness into my wardrobe. I love that the bold colors instantly make me look more tan…plus, it’s hard not to feel a little extra cheerful when wearing them!

One of my favorite neon pieces in my closet is the bright orange maxi skirt featured below. I’ve worn it recently a couple different ways: 1.) with a black one piece swimsuit as cover-up at the beach and 2.) with a simple cropped tee while exploring an adorable northern Michigan lake town with some good friends of ours. I felt comfortable + confident each time I wore it and have a feeling I’ll be reaching for it quite often over the next few months!

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Memorial Day Sale Wish List

Memorial Day Sale Wish List

I hope everyone has had a safe and fun holiday weekend so far! Ours has been filled spending time with family and friends, taking our dogs to local parks and several pet-friendly patios, and creating lots of memories at the IMS during Carb Day and the Indy 500. May in Indianapolis is the best! We’ve had so much fun, but a little recovery time is in order. Today we’re going to hang around the house and hopefully get our outdoor space ready for summer. Just a few things left and we’ll be all set!

With so many sales going on today, I wanted to share what I have my eye on…

wide-leg denim | blush espadrilles | outdoor glasses | rug | bucket bag | resin hoop earrings | eyelet tank | maxi set | initial anklet | gingham mules
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Everyday Makeup

Everyday Makeup

Spring always seems like the perfect time to freshen things up! Whether it’s our homes, wardrobes, gardens, or beauty routines it’s nice to make changes + improvements that just make us feel better. I recently went through all my makeup + skin care products and tossed things I wasn’t using (or were expired) and organized everything else. I’ve been loving how everything looks and how easily accessible my products are.

Going through the process really made me evaluate my morning routine and how much time I was wasting simply digging through my ridiculous inventory. I came to grips with the fact there was no need to keep so much around because I have my go-to makeup products and don’t stray. My skin is fairly sensitive so for years it was really tough + frustrating to find products that gave me the coverage I wanted, but didn’t negatively impact my skin. I’m happy to say I now have a ten minute makeup routine that gives me confidence in the way I look, but is gentle on my skin. Not to sound too dramatic here, but it’s seriously taken so much stress from my life. Today I’m sharing my lineup and how I use each product.

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Spring Dresses Under $100

Spring Dresses Under $100

There are tons of great dresses out right now so I decided to round up some of my favorites under a hundred bucks for you guys. With events popping up this time of year – brunches for Easter + Mother’s Day, bridal + baby showers, graduation parties, and weddings – it’s the perfect time to add a few dressy pieces to your wardrobe. The ones I’m showing range from a casual t-shirt dress to a more formal lace midi, so there’s something for everyone and every occasion!

clockwise from top left: rainbow stripe dress | jumpsuitON SALE + add’l 50% off for a limited time! | leopard slip dress | floral dress with buttons | t-shirt dress$18! | floral chiffon dress$34! |
lace midi dress | midi dress with buttons | pleated dress | floral slip dress

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A Twist on the Classic Oxford

A Twist on the Classic Oxford

I’m so happy spring is finally in the air! We’ve spent a lot of time outside the past few days and it’s really put some pep in my step! It’s kind of incredible to think of the affect the weather has on my mood, motivation, eating habits and willingness to leave my house. When it’s cold out I come home and immediately change into sweats, and it takes some serious persuasion to get me to leave. So, the sunshine and higher temps we’ve had in the Midwest recently have basically transformed me into a whole new woman! I’ve enjoyed getting ready and going out, even if it’s just to the grocery store. New season, new me. My sandals, warm weather tops, and light jackets have come out of hiding and I’ve added a few pieces to my closet for spring, too. I’ve gravitated toward a lot of neutrals when shopping so I can mix and match everything into summer.

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How to Create a Welcoming Guest Room

How to Create a Welcoming Guest Room

We’ve had several guests stay with us since we moved into our home last summer. There have been times I’ve been prepared and felt like the space was put together and welcoming, and unfortunately times I threw everything together last minute and missed a thing or two. We love having visitors and I never want them to worry about being a burden for having to ask for something. I want people to walk in and feel at home having everything they need within an arm’s reach. I recently compiled a list in hopes of accomplishing this.

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