Vintage Blue

Blue and blush, need I say more? I've always had a certain love affair with this combination of colors. My mom even decorated our house in shades of blue and rose. The navy background of the dress lets the subtle blue and blush tones of the roses stand out, yet blend in perfectly together. The shoes I have on even color coordinate to the dress with their navy background and pink polka dots. The icy blue of the purse makes a nice neutral shade to stand against the dress and the jewelry all blends together beautifully with shades of gold and pink in them. What I really love about the outfit is the vintage look and modern feel it has. It's a balancing act between how much skin is showing really. The dress allows for a flippy skirt because the arm length is three quarters long.

Dress LC Lauren Conrad, Heels Payless, Bag TJMaxx, Scarf Vintage.

A classic way to add polish to your handbag is to simply tie a scarf around the handles or chains. Voila! Instant sophistication.

I've always had a soft spot for this pair of shoes. The peep toe, ruffled bow, and pink polka dots against a navy background are reminiscent of the 1950s, yet have the heel height to bring them into the now. Simply adore them.

Benefits of Green Tea

Every morning I look forward to drinking mint green tea. It not only soothes and calms, but gets me ready for the day ahead. This tea comes jam packed with health benefits and also contains less caffeine than black tea or coffee. As someone who becomes too jittery with caffeine this tea wins my stamp of approval. Looking to try a new morning pick me up? Look no further than green tea and reap the rewards. Trust me, your body will thank you later on. A little added bonus, by squeezing a citrus juice into your tea, I use lemons, this boosts the power of the antioxidants and keeps them in the body longer.

• Contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea
• Polyphenols have been shown to decrease tumor growth. Drinking green tea over long period of time has also been shown to decrease multiple cancers.
• Prevents dental cavities
• Lowers stress levels
• Reduces risk of heart disease
• Naturally cleans teeth and freshens breath
• Improves arthritis by reducing inflammation throughout the body
• Can help in weight loss by increasing metabolism
• The catechins in the tea give your immune system a big boost by creating an antibacterial state within the body. This helps in preventing sickness and disease.
• Great for skin due to its high content of antioxidants and inflammatory properties.
• Spritz some green tea onto the face to draw out impurities and get a gorgeous glow
• Steep the tea for 15 minutes and allow to cool for a few hours. Rinse hair with it and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Make sure to shampoo and condition afterwards as normal. This gives lack luster hair a boost of shine.

Birds of a Feather

Peacock Feathers and Mint Mirages

This simple Spring outfit contains three of my favorite things. One being peacock feathers, the other two being the colors mint and blush. It's a color combo that never fails for me. The shirt is from LC Lauren Conrad and the skirt from Forever 21. I piled on blue and green jewelry, especially the peacock necklace, which also happens to come from Forever 21. My favorite accessory here, the Steve Madden purse from TJ Maxx, blends in so perfectly with the outfit. Its blush tone and flower applique make it the epitome spring time carry all. The outfit feels fresh and feminine, plus has the luxury of being lightweight making it a great transition piece into the warmer summer months ahead. On a quick side note, the peacock naturally replaces its feathers annually, making it a symbol of renewal, which also co-indices with the symbolism of Spring being a renewal of the earth.

Sweet Treats

Blueberry  Crumble Cake

My sweet treat indulgence for this week is a delicious blueberry crumble cake. Keeping true to my retro roots, the recipe comes from a Retro Baking book with a healthy update, while still keeping the flavor and decadence alive. Enjoy this treat while taking a break from the day and sipping on some tea of coffee.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup truvia baking sugar
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 2 eggs, seperated (reserve the whites)
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of fresh blueberries

Grease and flour the bottom of a 12x8x2 inch rectangle pan. In a large mixing bowl sift together flour and sugar. Using a fork cut in butter until mixture becomes crumbly. Measure 3/4 cup of flour mixture and set aside. To remaining flour mixture beat in baking powder, salt, egg yolks, and milk; beat about 2 minutes. In a small mixing bowl beat egg whites until stuff and still moist. Gently fold into batter and pour into pan. Spread blueberries over batter and sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Modern Muses

Current Day Lovely Ladies

Lauren Conrad

This series of Modern Muses celebrates the lovely ladies of today. While my retro ravens of the past inspire me to live as elegantly as I can, these modern beauties have a flair for the by gone era, while still being contemporary chic.

My first beauty is none other than Lauren Conrad. She simply inspires me to live beautifully and to possess a charming femininity in all aspects of life. Probably half of my closest is filled with her LC Lauren Conrad line from Kohls. The clothes are modern, but have a vintage feel to them. She not only inspires me, but woman all over the world. Her website, laurenconrad.com, has daily updates of all things lovely, including fashion, decorating, dining, and primping. Lauren is by no means an "old-fashioned" girl, yet she has a ladylike charm that stems from the enchanting women of the past. Her passionate work ethic comes through in all of her endevours including her fashion lines Paper Crown and LC Lauren Conrad, her eco line XO Eco,  being an author, and finally the co founder of The Little Market. I admire her greatly for her ambition in wanting to leave the world in a better condition with eco chic items and the free trade agreement, while also styling ladies with her great fashion sense. In conclusion, Lauren motivates me to be the best version of myself possible. There is no other person that could be my first modern muse.

“I love anything really feminine. I love any sort of girly detail - anything with a bow or a heart on it, I’m immediately in love with.”

— Lauren Conrad

“Blogging is a great way to show your talents and interests to prospective employers, while adding an edge to your resume. If you blog consistently it shows your dedication, passions and creativity - all of which are key attributes employers look for in job candidates.”

— Lauren Conrad

“As a designer, you are flattered to see anyone in one of your designs, whether it’s on a red carpet or passing by you in the market. It’s this wonderful little high every time.
”

— Lauren Conrad

“If you’re putting your name on something, it’s really important to be a part of it, or else people will just do whatever they want with it. And then it’s not really you, and it won’t be true.”

— Lauren Conrad

Photos: laurenconrad.com, ilovefashionnews.nl, justjared.com

C'est Magnifique

We'll Always Have Paris

Ah, Paris, the one place that just by saying its name brings upon images of romance and style. Humphrey Bogart telling Ingrid Bergman "we'll always have Paris," the memory of a happier time for the doomed couple. By the way, my favorite movie has always been Casablanca. There seems to be a certain chicness to French styling that no one else has. It exudes elegance without even trying. The classic black and white stripes bring an effortless cool to this outfit, while the red shoes, bag, and lip add a nice pop of color. The black midi skirt ties the look together and practically makes you want to twirl around in it all day. A black hat finishes the look by adding mystery, something every French woman seems to have. Jouir!

Happy May

May Day

May 1st brings the arrival of May Day, a springtime holiday celebrated with festivals to announce the sign of rebirth. The origin of the holiday dates back to 1886, when workers in Chicago walked off of the job, demanding an eight-hour work day, something that was not yet common during that period. This was a "rebirth" for many workers and a victory none the less. This signaled the International Worker's Day as being May 1st around the world, but the United States did not yet establish the holiday for fear of the Haymarket affair, which stood for revolution at the time. The Haymarket affair started out as a peaceful rally for the workers, but quickly grew out of control when someone threw a stick of dynamite into the crowd. The U.S. was afraid of riots starting out, something the Haymarket affair was known for, so instead changed the holiday to what we now know as Labor Day and moved the date to September. Another possible reason the U.S. tried to further itself from International Workers Day could stem from the Bolshevik Revolution happening on May 1st 1917.

Current day seems to celebrate the holiday more for the arrival and blossoming of Springtime. The festivals usually have dancing, singing, cake, and food to celebrate. On a personal note, my grandmother was named May Day Queen when she was in high school. Whatever the holiday means to you, be sure to get out and celebrate the warm weather and sunshine. Let the festivities begin!