my top five spring activities in seattle

happy friday, everyone!

if you haven't noticed, i am a bit 

behind over here. work + school + babysitting +

blogging + aspiring to have a social life is

kicking my butt. sadly, blogging has 

taken a backseat, but don't worry, this little

blog isn't going anywhere.

disclosure: a special thank you to justfab for providing me the

adorable bomber jacket featured in today's post. as per usual, all

opinions are my own. thank you again, justfab!

spring has finally (somewhat) arrived in seattle,

and i am determined to put away all my

cold-weather garb. give me all the floral prints

and open-toed shoes, please!

with the arrival of spring comes a bustling 

calendar, but i thought it would be fun to share my

five favorite things to do during spring in the greater

seattle area. for those of you not from seattle,

my apologies (and do you have any similar activities

or destinations near you?).

1. visit the cherry blossoms in the

quad at the university of washington. 

(you can follow 'bloom updates' here.)

the cherry blossoms were a gift from japan in

the 1930s and moved from the japanese garden

in the arboretum to uw's campus in the 60s.

they are a trademark on campus and worth

braving (crazy) campus parking and crowds to see

in person. my friends and i had a

wonderful time wandering through campus

to take these photos!

2. speaking of flowers, it is time for the annual

 skagit valley tulip festival. 

the girls and i visited last year (it was my

first visit in ages), and the colorful

tulips were stunning! we made sure to arrive

early and lucked out, as the day was chilly

and grey. despite our seemingly ever-present

rain, fellow seattleites weren't too keen on trekking 

through muddy tulip fields during a spring rainstorm.

this allowed us to capture some fun

(and very pretty) photos, with few tourists

in the background.

^^^ a quick lipstick refresh ^^^

3. take a stroll through pike place market.

bring your reusable shopping bag,

as you're sure to come home with fresh

flowers, delicious coffee grounds, pastries

galore, and other handmade/handcrafted goodies!

i recommend swinging by 

ghost alley espresso for an iced americano.

it is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s.

4. attend a food festival (seattle hosts numerous

food-related festivals each spring). 

at the top of my list this year is the 

'meat and cheese festival' at mccaw hall.

tickets and additional information can be found

here. food trucks, bacon and beer, tacos, and

numerous other tasty festivals

are making their rounds this spring, too.

5. keep active by taking a walk on the

elliott bay trail. something about the warm

weather makes me want to get outside! i greatly

enjoy going on walks (neighborhood walks

are great, too), but scenic, waterfront

walks are my favorite. the elliott bay trail

is 10 miles roundtrip, flat, and takes you

through sculpture park. it is gorgeous!

photos by jenn from hello rigby

jacket: c/o justfab, blouse: lush clothing,

jeans: nordstrom, sneakers: style & co (via macy's),

purse: thrifted (via seattle goodwill),

rings: assorted (forever 21 and target)

what are some of your favorite spring

activities? my wish list of places i hope to

go this season is ever-growing, and i cannot 

wait to enjoy the sunshine!

xoxo.

an ode to bell sleeves

it is no secret that bell sleeves are prominent

this spring and summer (in case you missed them,

i am sharing other bell sleeve styles here and here).

 they are seemingly everywhere --

on dresses and blouses, even adorning casual t-shirts. 

i have picked up a few bell sleeve items this year, and they act as a

 fun 'pop' to your outfit! say goodbye to your otherwise

plain short or long sleeve clothing. i hope

the bell sleeve trend is here to stay!

i picked up this bell sleeve dress at local

seattle boutiqe, endless knot (and for those of you

not from the seattle area, endless knot now has a variety

of pieces available online!). i love supporting

local small businesses, and this adorable boutique is no 

exception! they have new clothing, jewelry,

and other accessories in store weekly. i am never disappointed, as styles

 range from casual t-shirts and shorts, to much dressier

skirts and tops. i recently tried on a few pieces that will be perfect for the 

office, too. i am currently lusting after a few summer must-haves,

such as this structured dress and these high-waisted

shorts. the price point varies as well, so it is a great

shopping destination, regardless of how small or large

your budget may be.

i am eager to wear this particular dress to brunch, 

barbecues, and a bridal shower taking place later this month.

it can easily be dressed up or down, depending 

on your shoes and other accessories. i recently wore this dress

to a saturday market with white converse -- the print and

sleeves make it flirty and fun, yet versatile!

and when they say 'beauty is pain,' they mean 

looking cute can be excruciatingly painful, right?!

#notkidding

though on-trend, these shoes are 

the definition of uncomfortable. i do not recommend

wearing new shoes for the first time when taking

photos (!!). you do a fair amount of walking when scouting

that 'perfect' location. i may or may not have taken 

these off for a brief reprieve before changing

into sneakers and heading to my car (followed by applying

bandaids to a few of my toes). sadly, they ended up in

the donation pile; you live, and you learn!

photos by karya schanilec photography

dress: endless knot, wrap bracelet: gigi's,

makeup bag (used as a clutch!): tj maxx, rings: forever 21,

shoes: lc lauren conrad via kohl's, 

marble iphone case: c/o ideal of sweden

who else is ready for the weekend?

i am not sure if this is due to too much caffeine,

or perhaps the fact that it is staying light out later,

but going to bed on time has felt seemingly impossible!

i am eager to sleep in, attend a friend's birthday dinner,

and of course, celebrate father's day with my dad.

what do you have planned?

xoxo.

gingham tops and a donut date

 

do you ever see photos on social media (instagram

in particular) and think to yourself, 'i have to travel there,' 

'i must buy that,' and/or 'i need to eat here!'?

spending a great deal of time on social media, more time than

 i would like to admit, gets my creative juices flowing.

it is a great way to brainstorm and explore fashion trends,

travel destinations, and of course, all the best restaurants.

 that is what i tell myself, at least, and my ever-growing

cell phone data usage ;)

earlier this year, my dear friend (and fellow blogger)

jenn and i saw photos from general porpoise doughnuts,

located on capital hill. we decided a coffee and donut 

(or doughnut) date, followed by photos, was seemingly 

essential. we finally made the trip!

 

unfortunately, we arrived a few minutes before closing,

and the selection was minimal. however,

jenn and i greatly enjoyed (**ahem, inhaled) the

vanilla custard donut. the chocolate marshmallow and 

coconut cream are also on my 'must-try' list;

general porpoise, we will be back!

 

i recently put away my heavy sweaters, jackets, 

and winter-style boots. it seems the sunshine and warmer

temperatures are here to stay (i hope!). living in the pacific

northwest, however, has taught me the importance

of preparedness and layering: always keep a rain coat on hand,

and do not forget your sweater or light jacket after

the sun goes down. despite this, i am incredibly eager to wear

 my dresses, rompers, and sleeveless blouses;

 i believe i am a summertime girl at heart.

i have seen many bloggers and women on pinterest

styling off-the-shoulder blouses. i wanted to try this trend,

but was reluctant to purchase a blouse or dress at a higher

price point -- i was unsure how it would look 

on me (and sadly, this style is not work-appropriate).

while running errands a few weekends ago,

i stumbled upon this blouse at target. i skipped the dressing

room line and brought it home to try on.

i have to say, it might be one of my new favorite tops!

photos by jenn from hello rigby

blouse: target (similar here), purse: nordstrom,

mule booties: dolce vita (via target; exact here), ring: forever 21,

earrings: sugarfix by baublebar (via target; exact here),

jeans: who what wear (via target; exact here - on sale!),

bracelet: urban outfitters

i made the unfortunate mistake of stopping

into target before meeting up with jenn for donuts

and photos. this meant i spent far too long browsing through

the clothing and accessories departments. i brought

a few too many items home with me.

#blogger problems

i hope to style this blue gingham blouse with

white shorts when it gets a bit warmer here!

are you a fan of the off-the-shoulder trend?

and if you're local to seattle, have you visited

general porpoise?

xoxo.

jumpsuit lovin'

 

and just like that, the work week is more than half 

over! you won't hear this girl complaining, as i am 

(already) eager to catch up on sleep, grab coffee with 

a girlfriend, and of course, work on content for le blog ;)

i feel incredibly grateful to have spent memorial day

weekend in palm springs, california. i soaked up my share

of sunshine, and the average daily temperature was 

105 degrees; staying in (or as close to) the pool as 

possible was seemingly essential, as were 

sunglasses and an oversized hat!

my friends and i stayed just outside the city

in palm desert, and if you follow along on instagram, 

you likely saw the palm trees, gorgeous sunshine and 

desert backdrop, and some of the delicious seafood, sandwiches, and

 blueberry lemonade(s) i consumed. my work clothes feels rather 

tight upon returning, but i wouldn't trade our time there

(or the extra calories consumed) for anything!

 disclosure: today i'm partnering with endless knot, a local seattle 

boutique. they graciously lent me the jumpsuit and sunglasses pictured here.

wearing my summer shorts, dresses, and hat

last weekend was a bit of a tease, especially when arriving

home -- it is more than 30 degrees cooler in seattle. while i

miss the sunshine, i am now more excited than ever for summer!

i have always enjoyed wearing (short) rompers, as they

are a fun, effortless summer option. no need to plan out

a top, bottom, and accessory, as you have a complete outfit 

with just one item. summer is all about feeling comfortable,

while looking trendy, and a romper is the perfect solution.

photos by bailey makaimoku photography

jumpsuit and sunglasses: c/o endless knot, 

blazer: thrifted (via seattle goodwill), wedges: tj maxx, 

purse: stitch fix, ring: forever 21

this flared jumpsuit is making my 'hippie chic' 

dreams come true! the vibrant print, bright colors, and 

wide leg-style reminds me of 70s fashion that has

been prominent for spring of 2016 and 2017.

 the jumpsuit is sleeveless, with a

zipper down the side (making it easy to pull on and off --

which can be problematic with some romper and jumpsuit options). 

i tried on several jackets and cardigans, but preferred to

dress up this look with a newly thrifted chambray blazer. 

the length is a bit on the long side, but paired with

open-toed, platform wedges, the length was just right!

swap the blazer for a more casual denim vest or 

jacket, and the jumpsuit can transition from day to night.

i love fun, yet versatile clothing items that can be

worn on a variety of occasions.

are you a fan of rompers and/or jumpsuits?

where have you found one that fits well?

xoxo.

little letters, dress over jeans edition

dear dresses over jeans, i love you this trend.

dresses and tunics that are too short to wear sans

leggings, i won't forget about you. i can't wait

to wear you again and again with my ripped jeans.

dear iced americanos with white chocolate,

you are my favorite drink as of late. add a splash

of cream, and i get my daily caffeine and chocolate (or 

white chocolate) fix! you can't be too 

terribly unhealthy, right?

dear skin, stop peeling; just stop! i promise

to continue washing and caring for you, 

and i will be diligent about applying sunscreen all
summer. please. stop. peeling.

**little letters inspired by this blogger/post.

dear nails, i am sorry for chewing you off
last week. and for picking off my shellac manicure.
i hope you grow back soon.

dear bedroom, i know you won't clean yourself,
but really, could you clean yourself? i need
more time in the day to keep up with you!

dear blisters on my feet, i love you
because you result from getting back into
running outdoors, but ouch! you don't look very
cute (especially with sandals) either.

photos by bailey makaimoku photography

dress: zara (similar here), jeans: citizens of humanity,
purse: urban outfitters, bangles: nordstrom rack,
boots: dolce vita (thrifted via seattle goodwill)

dear pike place market, i never grow
tired of exploring here. rain or shine, you
are comparable to the heart of seattle. i greatly enjoy
finding new gems to explore -- like shugs soda fountain
mid photo shoot!

dear ruffles, i hope you never go out of style.
xoxo.

the perfect 'seasonal' dress

believe it or not, these photos were taken this past

weekend (just outside seattle), and i was warm!

this spring, it is seemingly rare to find a succession of 

warm, dry days -- more often than not, we 

combat the wind, rain, and less than ideal temperatures.

blogging in the pacific northwest is not for the faint

of heart; rain or shine, photos are a requirement.

 it can take a great deal of determination

(and patience) when it comes to scouting locations

to take photos. a clear umbrella is currently on my 

shopping list. additionally, i am trying to curl 

and/or style my hair in a way that can be 

better managed, should it happen to rain on days i am 

taking photos. i have yet to 'master' this, and any tips

are appreciated ;) #bloggerproblems

disclosure: today i'm partnering with endless knot, a local seattle

boutique. they graciously lent me the jumper and t-shirt pictured here.

i have been on a major dress-kick as of late.

i wear dresses most often to work, as they are professional

and convenient. when the alarm goes off at 5:07am, 

putting together an outfit (top, bottom, shoes, and the occasional

accessory) is far too much effort. a dress is an entire

outfit with just one piece. on weekends, i have more time

when it comes to planning what to wear, but to be honest,

i really love dresses! 

this denim jumper is incredibly soft and lightweight.

it will be great transitional piece as the seasons change --

i can pair it with a t-shirt or tank this summer and 

long sleeved tops or blouses in the fall. come autumn, add a 

chunky sweater and tights for a chilly day in the 

office or a weekend brunch with girlfriends. 

i love finding versatile pieces (like this jumper)

when shopping. then i don't have to feel quite

as guilty for spending money, right?

photos by jenn from hello rigby

dress & t-shirt: c/o endless knot (similar dress here),

booties: c/o zaful, choker: nordstrom rack,

purse: dooney & bourke (vintage -- gift from my mom!),

rings: target, sunglasses: urban outfitters (similar here)

what items do you prefer to wear during the work

week? are you enjoying all the different denim trends 

this spring? 

xoxo.

a few of my favorites for spring

 despite the month of may being more than half over,

seattle has yet to experience much of a 'spring' season.

rain, rain, please go away!

if you are from the greater seattle area, or familiar with the

pacific northwest, you can likely relate to our weather woes. 

while we are accustomed to a slow start to spring,

this year is seemingly ridiculous (in real life:

i was freezing when these photos were taken).

we have had more rain this year than as far back 

as i can remember; temperatures in the low 50s are

less than ideal -- especially when all i want to do is wear

spring attire and enjoy the sunshine.

 

 a few weekends ago, three bloggers and i

packed our bags (many, many bags!)

 for a day trip to the skagit valley tulip festival; i shared my first 

outfit here. we met in the morning and drove an hour north 

of seattle to the infamous tulip fields. although the tulips were

nearing the end of their peak, we greatly enjoyed the vibrant

colors and gorgeous blooms!

we were fortunate to visit towards the end of the 

tulip season, as the groundskeepers were less strict about 

foot traffic in the fields. i did not recall this, but you are 

**technically** not supposed to walk between the rows,

as it can harm the tulips. we were very cautious, however,

 when taking our photos.

it's no secret that voluminous, bell sleeved tops

and dresses are prominent this spring. while i've

always been a bit of a hippie at heart (my mom often says 

i was born in the wrong era), i added

a few new bell sleeved dresses to my wardrobe.

other trends i am loving right now?

fringe (on clothing and accessories), chokers,

tropical prints, ruffles and all things 70s-inspired.

 

 

photos by jenn from hello rigby

dress: zara (exact here), bracelet: nordstrom rack,

boots: hunter gloss rain boots via nordstrom (short version here),

purse: steve madden via tj maxx, ring: forever 21

i picked up this floral print dress at zara

a few weeks ago (exact style linked above -- it's

very budget-friendly, too). it was fun and festive with my 

pink rain boots. i wore wedges with my previous outfit

and was rather unsteady on my feet, trekking through

gravel and mud. rain boots were a much better 

(and more practical) shoe choice.

what trends are you loving right now?

did you visit the tulip festival this year? my good 

friend and fellow blogger, ana luiza of 'northwest blonde'

is sharing a guide to the skagit valley tulip vestival on her blog.

stop by for tips on what to wear (including what to pack for 

your day trip), the best route to take and

dining options along the way!

xoxo.

your (last minute) mother's day gift guide

  'mother's hold their children's hands 

for a short while, but their hearts forever.'

-unknown

the weekend could not come soon enough!

i am eager to relax, catch up on sleep, enjoy more tacos

(it is still acceptable to celebrate cinco de mayo, right?)

and, of course, to spoil my mom on her special day.

i may or may not need to finish up my mother's day 

shopping, as this week month has gotten away from me.

if you're like me, you may (unfortunately) have 

procrastinated in picking out the perfect gift for mom. however, 

i have rounded up a few last minute gift ideas that are 

budget-friendly and sure to make mom feel loved. after all, 

mother's day is her day!

for the fashionista:

1. alex and ani 'i love you mom' expandable wire bracelet

 my mom and i are avid collectors of alex and ani

bracelets. worn individually or layered with other

pieces, these bracelets are a fun, meaningful way to

to commemorate travel, life's adventures and celebrate those 

we are closest with.

2. ellen degeneres 'langston' ballet flat

these 'love' striped flats are perfect for spring. mom can 

style them with her white denim, floral dresses or 

favorite pencil skirt for a chic, polished look.

3. 'love love' code charm necklace

this unique necklace is only legible when the wearer

gives it a spin! it is 14k-gold plated and will have

mom thinking of you every time she wears it.

for her everyday use:

4. charlotte tilbury 'instant glow' palette

this all-in-one palette instantly adds radiance 

to mom's skin. the palette includes an eye brightener, 

eye enhance and smoke, face bronzer, cheek swish, 

cheek pop and face highlighter 

5. scalloped faux leather tote

a large bag is imperative during the work week.

mine is typically packed with my wallet, book, water bottle,

cosmetic bag and lunch for commuting to and from work.

this adorable scalloped tote is large enough

to store mom's essentials.

6. glint metallic lightweight wrap

this lightweight, blush wrap (with a 1" fringe)

is trendy yet practical for layering up on those

chilly spring days. the metallic sheen adds a bit of glam

and can be worn over a denim jacket or with

all mom's favorite sweaters and dresses!

for the beauty lover:

7. give your mom a brighter smile with a customized teeth 

whitening kit from smile brilliant

i began using smile brilliant's teeth whitening trays 

before the holidays. past whitening systems have been

harsh and increased the sensitivity of my teeth.

smile brilliant is different! each kit includes whitening and

desensitizing gel. you can see my full review, including before

and after photos here. smile brilliant is graciously

offering $25 off your kit with the code 'diaryofthisgirl25.'

8. philosophy's 'amazing grace' gift set

i received my first amazing grace perfume as a gift 

earlier this year. the scent is fresh, feminine and 

will seemingly appeal to a variety of wearers (as giving

perfume can often feel risky). 

for the fit mom:

9. fitbit 'flex 2' wireless activity and sleep wristband

does your mom enjoy keeping active?

utilizing a fitbit is an excellent way to track daily 

steps, active minutes, water intake, sleep and more! this sleek, 

modern wristband can be worn to the office or at the gym.

10. brooks 'ghost 9' running shoes

it is no secret that i love brooks running shoes!

i have now gone through a few pairs and greatly

appreciate the support they offer my (aching) feet after

a run. the 'ghost 9' is available in a variety

of colors, depending on your mom's preference. keep

mom comfortable stride after stride.

11. bose 'soundsport' in-ear bluetooth headphones

i have to admit, i was initially skeptical of 

wireless, bluetooth headphones. what can i say, i

am a creature of habit. however, i received wireless

headphones as a christmas gift, and i will never go back!

they're incredibly convenient when on a walk, 

at the gym or to simply wear while doing chores at home.

the sound quality is far better than that of other

headphones i have used in the past.

have you finished your mother's day shopping?

how do you typically celebrate?

a very happy mother's day to my mom as well

as the other mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers

godmothers and dog mothers! 

xoxo.

a mother-daughter date in the city

mother's day is just around the corner.

whether you're a mother, stepmother, godmother, grandmother,

(i think dog-mothers count, too, right?) -- it's almost

your day! and in response to my younger brother, fyi: mother's 

day is this coming sunday, may 14th ;)

how do you typically celebrate? 

i am still searching for the perfect card, which usually

features a dachshund, as our family adores

our wiener dog and all things wiener dog-related.

additionally, i picked out a few small gifts i think 

my mom will enjoy. however, nothing compares

to having professional photos taken together; karya worked her

usual magic and captured our mother-daughter date

in the city earlier this week. 

disclosure: today i'm partnering with endless knot, a local seattle

boutique. they graciously dressed my mom and me for an afternoon in the city!

as per usual, all opinions are my own.

a day in the city requires new dresses!

my mom and i were fortunate to be outfitted by seattle

boutique, endless knot. located in belltown, endless knot is

a small, contemporary boutique that offers clothing, shoes, 

jewelry and other fashion accessories for women. many of the

 pieces are made in america by female business owners 

(designers include weston wear, salaam and prairie 

underground). upon entering the store, i was overwhelmed

by the gorgeous colors and prints, all of which

i wanted to bring home with me!

aztec-inspired prints, florals and ruffles

are prominent this spring, and our dresses showcase

these trends without feeling overly 'trendy.' while i am

more than willing to explore various fashion trends and styles,

my mom prefers items that are classic and versatile --

pieces she can wear to work, but also when traveling,

spending time with family and friends, and of 

course, when shopping with her favorite daughter. 

we were fortunate the weather cooperated and 

allowed us to wander the downtown area sans raincoats.

during our date, we also enjoyed cupcakes and

peeking into numerous storefronts, followed by dinner

at mexico cantina y cocina in pacific place. 

what can i say, i just can't say 'no' to tacos!

i feel very blessed to have a mom (and dad!) 

who continue to love and support me. 

during my recent job transition, i cannot tell you 

how many times i called my parents -- often feeling utterly

discouraged. my mom offered words of 

encouragement, saying 'you'll find something, megan.

just be patient.' as per usual, my mom was right.

living a mere twenty minutes from one another 

helps greatly, too (particularly when dad is out of town 

and mom calls to invite me to happy hour). 

i am eager to celebrate, and subsequently spoil, 

my mom this weekend, as she repeatedly puts the needs

of my brother and me before her own; this weekend, 

mom, it's all about you!

photos by karya schanilec photography

on megan:

dress, purse, bangle and rings: c/o endless knot,

loafers: bc footwear (similar here), bracelets: alex and ani

on mom (erin):

dress and bangle: c/o endless knot, sandals: kohl's,

denim jacket: eddie bauer, crossbody bag: monsac 

despite celebrating mother's day earlier this week,

 my dad, brother and i have a special afternoon

and evening planned for mom. it may or may not include 

cheeseburgers and a leisurely bike ride; don't worry, 

bailey (our dachshund), you will be a part of the celebration, too!

xoxo.