Have an Above-Average Weekend!

With the weather getting even warmer out here, I've been getting increasingly excited about the weekends.

My plans for the weekend are to spend time with friends (since our classes have just finished!), tend to our little herb garden, and make use of all of the greens (seriously, five different kinds) we got in this week's farm share box.

Oh, and repaint the bedroom! Since K and I are moving in together (temporarily for now, since I'm not sure where I'll find a job!), I've been given the okay to redecorate this space a bit. I've enlisted the help of some friends to spruce up the walls a bit, with crisp white trim and this shade from Behr.

Behr Dolphin Fin - 790C-3

My plan for the room is to have everything be fairly neutral with a few (very bright!) pops of color with the help of some accessories and furniture. I'll be sure to post updates once some progress has been made!

If I get extra ambitious, I may also refinish our nightstands, but that project may be overlooked so I can enjoy some rest and relaxation!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

xo

Organic A+: Physicians Formula Bronzer & Blush

Fun fact: I love me a good organic beauty product. Honestly, I enjoy beauty products in general, but after reading about some of the crazy things that go into them, I personally feel most comfortable when I know exactly what I'm putting onto my skin contains.

Although I occasionally still use run of the mill products, I've tried to incorporate as many organic items as possible into my daily routine.

One product that I absolutely love? Physicians Formula Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush.

Physicians Formula Natural Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush

The contrast between the bronzer and blush in the photo from Amazon isn't super great, but this stuff is seriously awesome. It adds the perfect amount of color to my (resoundingly pale) skin without making my face look several shades darker than the rest of my body. As the weather warms up, this is also helping add to the bit of color I get from being outside.

For me, this was a really easy and simple change that eliminates a few more chemicals from my routine. If you're thinking about trying organic makeup or other products but aren't ready to make a total leap, this is a great way to test the waters!

(Sidebar: I have no affiliation whatsoever with Physicians Formula and am not getting any sort of compensation for this review!)

A+ Picks: Spring Sandals

So, yesterday while I was running some errands at work, I caught the front of my strappy sandals on the edge of a metal grate and, next thing I knew, the strap between my toes was no longer attached to the rest of my shoe (basically making it impossible to keep the shoe on my foot).

Since there aren't a whole lot of stores in downtown Raleigh, my best bet was the CVS. Unfortunatley, they didn't have any flipflops (weird, right?), but they did have some super glue to temporarily get my shoe back together (since walking down the street barefoot really isn't much fun).

Since my lone pair of strappy sandals are currently being held together by super glue, I figure it's time to explore options for a new pair.

I love this kind of sandal for a few reasons. First off, they let me wear a sandal to work while still looking presentable, which is always a bonus. They also tend to be super flat, meaning they won't add any more inches to my height (I'm 5'10"). Since they're so low to the ground, it also means that there's less of a chance my clumsy self will get into an embarrassing situation (well, other than walking around carrying a broken shoe). Overall, these are my go-to once the temperature gets into the 60's.

After some perusing of various websites, I found a pair that I absolutely love:

Birkenstock Kairo Woven

Growing up with two hippy parents, Birkenstocks in almost any form appeal to me a great deal. Bonuses for these? The braided detailing on the front is really pretty, the gray color is unique while still being neutral, and they will be super-comfortable and last a really long time (I still have a pair of Birkenstock clogs that I've had since high school!). However, at $130 they are definitely out of my price range.

While I'm still lusting after the Kairo Wovens, I decided my best bet is to go with something a bit more within my budget. Gap always has a great selection of sandals at an (almost always) reasonable price point. 

I found this pair, which actually remind me of the first ones I'd found:

Gap Braided Leather T-Strap Sandal

These seem pretty great, albeit with less arch support, and the metallic sparkle is definitely a fun addition. One of the reviews mentioned that the ankle strap is unusually tight, so I may have to pay a visit to my local store to see how they work for me. 

While there, I think I'll also check out these lovelies:

Gap Crinkle Flower T-Strap Sandal

These are fun and festive, and while I gravitate toward more neutral colors to get as much out of each pair of shoes as possible, I might also be swayed by the other colors, like killer tomato or purple martin. 

Although my internet search didn't immediately yield my perfect pair of spring sandals, I'm certain that any of these will make my feet (and the rest of me) extremely happy!

Welcome!

Since I'm all about cultivating new hobbies right now, starting a blog seemed like a logical step. Basically, this is a place for me to chronicle things that receive an'A+' in my proverbial book. Thanks for following along!