Daily Dose of Design: September 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Recent Happenings + Link-it to Me Link Party #21

 photo e460acc6-431d-499b-a16e-2228a9198c97_zpsd7ivkzlo.jpg

Happy Tuesday! This week is off to a super rainy start and I'm hoping that leaves us with some nice refreshing cool, Fall air! I spent the majority of the day cleaning and organizing my closet, working on some mugs for Sip of Sass Designs and taking lots of blog post pictures for some upcoming posts. I've been focusing a lot of time on planning out my posts and if you aren't already doing so, I highly recommend it! It's helped so much in the long run and knowing that I have a set editorial calendar has made me much more organized. It's also been very helpful to try and jot ideas down when I think of a new idea for a post with as much detail as possible so that when I'm near the computer, I can start writing out the actual post. I feel like organizing blog work is never ending - but I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE it! I don't go five minutes without thinking about something to do with my blog and that's just the way I like it : )

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Creating a Gallery Wall with Maria's Watercolor Designs

 photo resized DSCN5550_zpswvtpmfvv.jpg

As you probably already know, I'm a complete design junkie and can never stop decorating any given space. I recently re-arranged the furniture in my bedroom because I can never stop moving things around and also because I wanted to have room to create a gallery wall! I've always loved the way that gallery walls look and the many ways that you can arrange what you're hanging. For this post, I wanted to have my entire gallery wall finished and ready to photograph but the beauty of creating a gallery wall is that it never truly has to be finished (seems to be my motto doesn't it?) because you can always add to it and make it larger - space permitting of course. So of course, I found two more things I loved for my wall and just purchased them - this print which I found at Home Goods and this map print.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Bar Cart Essentials: For an Awesome Cocktail Party

 photo bar cart essentials for an awesome cocktail party_zpshzobqkmj.jpg

Since I just recently turned 21, I have had this idea that I want to throw cocktail parties! I've been to one since my birthday and it was so much fun. It's basically like a tea party for adults! ; ) Although I had fun, since I'm a design junkie and a bit of a perfectionist, I couldn't help but think about the differences that I would have had at my own cocktail party. When I think of a cocktail party, I think of glamour, champagne and a luxe look all around. Cocktail parties are a great way for anything whether it's a celebration, party, a way to watch a premiere/finale of a TV show or even a "just because" get together with your girls! Immediately, I began thinking about what I would want to have at my own party and I love what I came up with:

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

All things Fall + Link-it to Me Link Party #20

 photo e460acc6-431d-499b-a16e-2228a9198c97_zpsd7ivkzlo.jpg
Can anyone else believe that we only have a week and a half left of September?! This month (and this year) is flying by! It's definitely starting to feel SO much like Fall in New York and I'm loving every second of it! The leaves are starting to change to gorgeous reds and oranges and we've been able to keep the windows opened to get the most beautiful fresh air! I even got to wear my first cardigan of the season yesterday and I was way too excited. I'm heading to the mall tomorrow to buy some Fall scented candles to start burning too and I cannot wait! 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Things to Remember for Bloggers

 photo things to remember for bloggers post pic_zpsmf1kgclu.jpg

No matter what niche your blog is a part of, it's so easy and very common to get caught up in the world of blogging. Even if two bloggers are a part of the same niche doesn't mean that their blogs are similar at ALL. I can't even begin to describe how many blogs I've come across within my niche(s) that have a completely different approach to a topic or even a different style of writing. No one snowflake is exactly alike - similar to bloggers - no blogger is exactly alike! It's also SO important to not get caught up in your numbers and social media but to remember why you started blogging in the first place.

Recently, I've been trying to get myself more organized in hopes of not focusing as much on my stats but more about what I love about blogging. I think it's important and completely necessary for all bloggers to remember such things once in a while to be able to remember what made you want to go down the path of blogging and what it does for you.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Favorite Fall Outfits

 photo fall outfits sized for post_zpsks2e2hjg.jpg

For both Spring and Summer, I put together some of my favorite looks for the season(s) as inspiration both for myself and for you guys. I had to do the same for Fall since warm sweaters, a cute vest and boots are my favorite things to wear!! Summer is by far my favorite season, but nothing compares to Fall clothes and the colors of Autumn. It's still been fairly warm (but beautiful) here, but I'm definitely starting to be able to feel in the air that Fall is just around the corner and it's making me so excited! I love everything about Fall - especially the clothes I've been buying for the season!

Here's my favorite looks for this season that I've put together so far:

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Pins I'm loving + Link-it To Me Link Party #19

 photo e460acc6-431d-499b-a16e-2228a9198c97_zpsd7ivkzlo.jpg

Happy Tuesday! The weather is beautiful here and I'm looking to all things Autumn and it's making me super excited for the start of this cooler weather to start! Today was meant to be a very productive day but that hasn't really happened.. I sat down this morning to get some homework done and then work on some upcoming blog posts and I made the mistake of turning Bravo on and I've been watching My Fab 40th ALL day! I tweeted earlier how it's just like the old MTV show My Super Sweet 16 but with alcohol - it's hysterical and I'm officially addicted!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Cheesy Avocado Melt

 photo IMG_1191_zpsblxbj2sz.jpg

I hate to admit it, but I'm a somewhat (my mom would say more like VERY..) picky eater! I'm not sure why because I do love to try new things, but for some reason I still am very indecisive when it comes to food - especially lunch. Once I find something I love to make, I eat it for weeks straight and then get tired of it and want to try something new. I know, sounds ridiculous but I think I've solved that problem by finding a recipe that includes every single one of my favorite foods! When I was younger, I absolutely did not like avocados but for the past three or so years they've been my favorite food. If a recipe has avocado in it, I will try it in a heartbeat! To make my avocado obsession even better, they're one of the best foods for you and I can eat them guilt free!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

My first Stella & Dot Trunk Show: gorgeous jewelry for great prices!

 photo b55ff138-9b61-40fe-b60a-36665bfd8c3e_zpsnr6tfg6o.jpg

There's no better accessory to dress up an outfit than jewelry!! I can never have enough and am always looking for new pieces to add to my collection and for new stores to shop at for jewelry too. I'm so excited to have teamed up with Stella & Dot to host a virtual trunk show featuring some new (and gorgeous!) exclusive Fall pieces along with every other gorgeous piece of jewelry that Stella & Dot has to offer! My favorite part about these shows is that you get to shop from the comfort of your own home, in your own time and of course - in your comfy clothes on the couch!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

My 21st Birthday + Link-it To Me Link Party #18

 photo e460acc6-431d-499b-a16e-2228a9198c97_zpsd7ivkzlo.jpg

First of all, I want to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday yesterday!! I appreciate it SO much! I had such an amazing day and couldn't have asked for anything better! I went to the Yankee game (on the most beautiful day of the summer might I add) and got to see my favorite team win SUCH a good game to see! I then went to a brand new shopping center on the way home that is literally like a small town of nothing but stores! It looks like NYC with so many tall buildings and sidewalks with pretty flowers but instead of skyscrapers there's nothing but endless stores and shopping! My jaw hit the ground the moment we drove in - it was every shopping lover's dream!

Monday, September 7, 2015

The best Labor Day sales!

 photo labor day sales resized_zpsi5nwrazq.jpg

Happy Birthday to me!! I'm officially 21 and am so excited because my birthday fell on Labor Day this year! When I first saw that my 21st was on a Monday I was sort of bummed (even though I don't have school on Tuesdays) but once I realized it was a holiday I was SO excited! My birthday has only fallen on Labor Day a few times and this is the first that I remember. I'm excited for a day in NYC including the Yankee game and going into Manhattan! I cannot wait to share pictures with you guys!

Yesterday I went shopping because of the TONS of Labor Day sales going on! I usually would have gone today, but since I already had a big day planned I decided to go on Sunday. I'm so glad I did because every store had amazing deals! The mall near me is one of my favorites; they've done a lot to upgrade it over the past couple of years and it's really turned out amazing! If you follow me on Instagram, you likely saw that Anthropologie just opened! I knew it was opening but didn't know it would be during my trip there yesterday. I was so excited that I no longer have to shop Anthropologie only online and can go into the store! It's huge - they combined two stores that closed to make it a bigger space and I am in LOVE! Here's what it looks like inside:

Saturday, September 5, 2015

End of Summer Refresh: Clearing Clutter for Fall

 photo 454aa81e-1d9b-4356-b034-060d95cf8434_zps8www8mba.jpg

Happy September!! It may not really be considered a summer month anymore, but in most places - including New York - we still have super warm and beautiful weather until at least the last week of September. I love the warm weather and how long it lasts but I also love redecorating for seasons as many times during the year as I possibly can! Even though the weather is still warm and I'm still sitting by the pool every day, there's ways to start a Fall de-clutter and move some accent pieces around to give any room a refresh; without pulling the pumpkin and red/orange leaf decorations out of storage just yet.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

What I'm Loving + Link-it to Me Link Party #17

 photo e460acc6-431d-499b-a16e-2228a9198c97_zpsd7ivkzlo.jpg

Links I'm loving:

-Using Bloglovin to promote your blog
-Tips to use when going wine tasting; I love this because I'll be 21 in a week and am so excited to go wine tasting this Fall!!
-This cowl neck sweater is SO perfect for Fall and I love the colors it comes in!
-Simple ways to help grow your blog
-Insanely beautiful (and likely equally as yummy) caramel apples to make this Fall
-The best printables and planner tips for staying organized