Hey there! Welcome back to the blog or if it's your first time here: Hello! Nice to meet ya! This (long overdue) post is all about my must-have summer essentials. I'm not gonna lie, it is an eclectic set of items, so if you find yourself thinking "hmm ok" dw I'm prolly thinking it too. I hope you enjoy and maybe even find some new things you wanna try out! WAIT! Before I get into it, I just wanna plug my Summer Redemption playlist. I created it myself and added some bangerz! It's so lit I deff consider this a summer staple. You can check it out here (Apple Music). If you wanna quickly pause to go bump this playlist while you continue reading, I wouldn't be mad at it (tbh I'm pretty about it). 1. DON'T THROW SHADE, WEAR 'EM Feeling lazy and don't wanna do your makeup? No problem just pop on some shades! Wanna look fleeky and also protect those eyes of yours? Look no further! They really are a versatile accessory that I think everyone needs not just in the summertime, but all year round tbh. Most of my shades are from either Francesca's or Sunglasses Warehouse. Sunglasses Warehouse is great for those "on trend" glasses that could potentially go out of style soon. That way you can snag some trendy shades without breaking the bank. 2. BUMP THOSE BEATS IN THAT SUMMER HEAT I have this cute little portable JAM XT speaker that I use every single day. The sound quality is actually really nice for a tiny speaker like this. You can bring this with you poolside or to the beach, it even has a clip so you can hook it to your pants. It allows you to bring your music literally everywhere you go. In fact, i'm actually using it rn while I make this post (listening to my fire playlist ofc *always plug*)! 3. PLAN IT LIKE IT'S HOT I use this adorable Recollections planner to keep my day on point. It has a bunch of lists that I reference throughout the day so I don't forget anything important. It's slim and sleek so you can deff pop this in your purse when you're on the go. I also picked up some adorable stickers (Recollections) to give my planner an extra pop! These items are super cheap at Michael's, so if you're ballin' on a budget you can still cop 'em! 4. PORTABLE ILLUMINATI SHIELD This Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick has been an absolute life saver this summer. It's so small and portable, I always have it with me. It literally applies the same way you would use a glue stick. This one is my favorite sunscreen stick bc I find it's not as greasy as others. I absolutely hate getting any kind of sunburn so this product gives me life! 5. BIZ-CASUAL FEET SNUGGLERS These Jack Rogers have been my go-to sandals since the beginning of time. I have worn these bad boys from places like the beach to fancy nights out with the gals. Ofc you don't have to get these exact shoes, but I think everyone should have their own kind of staple nude sandals. A pair that you can literally wear with anything and everything. BUT if you were planning on splurging on sandals anytime soon, these Jacks are my number one suggestion! Hey! You made it to the end of the post! I hope you enjoyed reading it and found something new you wanna try. If you have some summer staples that you wanna share, feel free to leave them in the comments below! Happy summer stapling! (lol what?) With Love, Maria
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Hello friends! Last Wednesday my pal, Carla (aka Little Saint) and I took a day trip to Longwood Gardens. I've personally never been, but Carla has ever since she was just a youngin'. She quickly became my trusty ole tour guide (shout out to Lion Ambassadors) and showed me around. We had a lot of fun and even got some stellar pics! Everything about my outfit is listed at the end of the post. Be sure to check out Carla's post on her blog for more! Italian Water Garden Peirce-du Pont House Topiary Garden Main Fountain Garden The Conservatory Jean Jacket: Talbots (similar) Blouse: Gap Factory Shorts: J. Crew Factory (no longer available-similar) Shoes: Franco Sarto (similair) Sunglasses: Francesca's (similar) Camera Strap: Etsy-28PaperClips Hope you guys enjoyed this post! I had a lot of fun at Longwood Gardens (shouts to Carla) and I highly recommend. Spontaneous day trips are a summer must. Make sure to put aside some time for you this summer. Happy adventuring! With Love, Maria Follow me on Instagram: @maria_canlas
Follow Carla on Instagram: @carlasanta42 Check out Carla's blog: Little Saint Style Follow Longwood Gardens on Instagram: @longwoodgardens
Hello blogosphere! I'm back from my (8 month) slumber. I know its been a hot min since I've posted anything, so here goes nothing. Let's see if I remember how to do this...
This past weekend I went to Cape May, NJ for a little weekend getaway. I had a lot of fun, even though it was still a little chilly. Here's a quick recap on this fun (and much needed) trip!
Sailor in Stripes
The first day was still a little rainy so I wanted to wear some cool blue tones to match. It was quite cloudy so I brought a sweater along just in case I got cold (yes I tied it around my neck and yes I know it's extra). It was also super windy so pls pardon my hair, it literally did whatever it wanted.
Top: J. Crew (similar) Shorts: Vineyard Vines Sweater: Old Navy, similar Shoes: Jack Rogers Necklace: Etsy
(Seer)Sucker for Cable Knit
On the second day the sun decided to shine, so I broke out the sunnies! Ngl, the sunglasses made the look. I wanted to wear my warmer summer colors since it was so nice. It was still a little windy so I wore a sweater (yeah it's the same sweater, I just love it too much).
Sweater: Old Navy, similar Shorts: British Khaki, similar Shoes: Jack Rogers Necklace: Etsy Sunglasses: Francesca's, similar
Ocean Side Food
Right by the beach, there was a cute little seafood place called Quincy's Original. They had the best shrimp and lobster roll I have ever tasted! Everything about them was so cute, from their menu to their plating. Absolutely adorable and nautical!
Hope you enjoyed the blog! Sorry for being MIA for so long, but I'm back (and hopefully for good)! Make sure you get to plan a weekend getaway at least once this summer.
Happy traveling! Happy vacationing! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
America's favorite weekend just passed, and I really hope y'all enjoyed it! This year especially, I had a lot of fun. So much so, I decided to blog about it. That way I could share all my memories with you guys! Without further ado, here is my fourth of July recap!!
In the Kitchen
Food on the fourth is always important. It's no Independence Day without summer's staple fruit: watermelon! There was no way I could not have some this past weekend. I also tried something new this year. I made an American flag pie (stars & stripes, the whole works)! I have to admit, it came out a lot better than I thought it would. If you want the recipe, you can check it out here!
All-American Outfit
Shirt: Lands' End Shorts: Vineyard Vines Shoes: Sperry (similar) Watch: Juicy Couture
The 4th of July is the one day the whole country agrees on a dress code. Red, White, & Blue. This was the perfect outfit for the day! I decided to go with my fav button down with the tiny blue anchors, along with my trusty navy blue shorts. I love this classy New England look!
Patriotic Pick-Me-Ups
On the fourth, you can never be too patriotic!! Even my dog, Pierre, was feeling those 'Merica vibes. I had a USA flag bandanna from Michaels that I tied around his neck, and voila! He became an all-American pup. All of the items I bought were very cheap. I got the napkins from Walmart, the flask is from Marshalls, and the glitter & koozie are from Target. Easy way to keep it patriotic on a budget!!
Even though everyday is Independence Day, on July 4th you get to make memories that last a lifetime with the ones you love. I love this country of the free because of the brave! I hope you enjoyed reading this post!!
Happy July! Happy summer! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles, & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
Over Memorial Day weekend my friend and fellow blogger, Shannon Germain aka The Time Traveling Foodie, and I planned a little dinner party. She created the whole menu and handled all the food aspects of the dinner party. If you would like to know more about Shannon and her side of the night, check out her blog here. Otherwise you can read my perspective of the dinner party!
The Invitations
Sending out the invitations was one of the things on my to-do list. This made the dinner seem a lot more formal than a usual hang out. Instead of just making a group message, I also wanted to give the girls a cute reminder that can also double as a keep-sake! We wanted everyone to know that this was going to require their best behavior & summer outfits!
The Dinner Table
The dinner table is one of the most important aspects of the party (not to mention the most Instagram-able). The set up determines how formal the evening is. We were able to use the Germain's old family china for the salad plates and silverware, giving the theme a little personal charm. The floating candles and flowers were set in mason jars for a rustic feel. This gave the dinner party a classy yet summer artsy tone.
The Guests
From left to right: Julie, Me, Lindsay, Anna & Sarah
LC X MC
The people you have over for an intimate dinner party like this is very important. When you're with good company, nothing else matters. Shannon and I decided that a party of six was the perfect size. We didn't want to overwhelm ourselves by inviting too many people. At the end of the day, as long as you're with the ones you love, everything will be just fine.
The Food
Good food & good people are all you really need to have a good time. Shannon pulled out all the stops with hors d'oeuvres, a delicious poppy seed salad, and a very filling entrée of lemon chicken, asparagus, and potato gratin stacks. For more on desert and the rest of the great eats, check out Shannon's post on The Time Traveling Foodie!
The Dinner Convo
They may be old friends, but the conversations will never be. You never run out of topics with the right company, but every once in a while, the convo needs a little steering. Shannon and I came up with a few conversation starters that can bring us to new discoveries. The topics ranged from cute and reminiscing like, "how did you meet everyone at the table?" to juicy and interesting like, "share something you haven't told anybody". By the end of the meal, there was definitely a lot of laughter at the table.
The Goody Bags
I was in charge of making the goody bags and handing them out to our guests. I wanted the goodies to stick to the theme of the night. Shannon and I both decided that "The Day After" kits would be best. I went on Pinterest and looked for ideas of what to put in the bag. I stopped by Target and picked up a pack of Kleenex, face wipes, mini packs of Advil, breath savers, and some Shout to go. It was a cheap and cute way to show our appreciation for their company!
"We didn't realize we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun."
At the end of the night, everyone was having a great time. No matter what we were doing or what we were eating, I knew we would all have a lot of fun. With a little planning and coordination, Shannon and I were able to pull this off, and I know for a fact you could too! I hope you enjoyed reading about my lively night with my friends, and hopefully you do the same this summer! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me! As always, if you have any type of blog post you want to see, please let me know! Happy planning! Happy partying! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles, & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
Hey guys! My name is Maria and this is my first blog EVER (please go easy on me)! I am very excited to share my life with you guys, and hopefully you're excited too! Anyways, I thought no better way to introduce myself than with photos. Now not only can you can learn a little bit about my life, you can picture it too. I am a Freshman at Penn State, experiencing everything for the first time (definitely getting way too excited over little things). I am also an excessive Instagram freak, and take my "Instagame" very seriously. Instagram is where "Artsy Maria" comes out of her shell and tries her hand at being hipster (where my picture from orientation can be found). On Instagram, I love posting my "photography experiments". I will also try and keep up with my Gallery on my blog for more "professional" photos. Other than Instagram, I LOVE coffee!! I am pretty sure that caffeine runs through my veins. I love trying out new places to grab a good "cup of joe", but of course an occasional (maybe more than that) Starbucks run is good for the soul. I have many other social medias that I update as well, they can be found on the contact page. I hope you were able to get a glimpse of my life, but if you want to read a little bit more about me or why I chose Penn State to be my humble abode for the next 4 years, you can check out the "About" tab. I hope to post about anything and everything that interests me and hopefully you too. If you have any suggestions on what kind of content you would like to see, please leave comments in the "Contact" tab.
Thanks guys! Stay preppin', stay smilin', and most importantly, stay dreamin' With Love, Maria |
Meet MariaHello! I'm a professional shopaholic & monogram aficionado studying at Penn State. I hope you enjoy my blog!
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