Melificent

What I Wore: Travel Duds

I’ve decided that all clothes from Conversation Pieces are the perfect travel duds. They are soft, easy to pack and basically go with everything! This past weekend I visited New York City with my girlfriends and my wardrobe mainly consisted of pieces from the site. I can’t sing their praises enough. Both the hubs and I are headed to Europe next month and I plan on going straight to Conversation Pieces to stock up on all my last minute cold weather items.

Outfits aside, I totally need to gush about NYC and its gluten free options! I never struggled once with meals – everyone was so accommodating and understanding. I figured I would share where I ate each day so that any of my fellow glutards could follow in my footsteps if they visited the Big Apple themselves. On our first day, I had a great dinner at Bistango including gluten free garlic bread (!!!), delicious wine options and seafood pasta. My tummy was so happy. So happy in fact, that the meal carried me through the rest of the evening (complete with 90’s dance party). Success!

Tunic; c/o Conversation Pieces
Jeggings; Nordstrom Rack {similar}
Cardigan: c/o Conversation Pieces {similar}
Nameplate necklace; Bauble Bar {similar}
Boots; Target

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Nails of the Month

1. Party nails; So I am just not impressed with Essie’s new formulas lately! This is the second time I try a new summer shade (in this case, DJ Play That Song) where I have to apply a ton of coats for it to only be semi-opaque. What’s going on! So not impressed. I decided to add a party nail (because, well, why not) using O.P.I.’s The Living Daylights. They just blow Essie out of the water with their glitters, don’t they?

2. Leopard mani; I was SO excited to try this fabulous manicure from the lovely Jen Fabulous. It was so much fun to recreate, especially now that I have dotting tools! I first did an ombre over the nails and then used the tools to make the leopard spots randomly throughout the nails. I got so many compliments from strangers with this one – I can’t wait to do it again!

3. The Big Blue; Hated it! Yet another Essie flop this month. When I saw Bouncer It’s Me sitting on the shelves, I HAD to have it. It looked so vibrant and perfect for the summer. When it went on though, it was a different story. So blah and flat. I was not impressed. I actually liked it a lot better on my toes than on my nails. The more I try these neons, the more I think that they need to be layered over a white base to really have the impact they are meant to have.

4. Little Mermaid nails; This was yet another fun Jen Fabulous nail tutorial. Of course, Jen’s looked glorious, while mine looked…questionable at best. I was headed to Disney for Labor Day weekend, so I definitely wanted a Disney-inspired manicure. After several failed Mickey silhouettes, I decided to try my hand at this Little Mermaid one. Things were looking great until Ariel’s seashell bikini top. Oops.

Being Melificent: Love

Let me preface this by saying that I, by no means, am an expert when it comes to love. I didn’t have an official boyfriend until I met my husband at 21 (at least, no one ever called me – or treated me like – their girlfriend), my first kiss was when I was 18 and before those things, I mainly fantasized about 90’s rock stars. With that said, my husband and I often get asked what makes our relationship work, so I figured I would make it the topic of my next Being Melificent post.

The hubs and I have been together for 11 years now, with nearly 6 of those as husband and wife. During our time together so far, I have come to view the following as some reasons we have stood the test of time and see no end to our little love affair:

1. It’s the little things; this tends to be my motto overall, but I really think it is what can make or break a relationship. At least here in Miami, people can be so superficial (i.e., If he didn’t get you a 2 karat engagement ring, it’s time to kick him to the curb). Learn to focus on what is really important in a relationship (and life): moments, the way something made you feel – NOT material things. A perfect example are weddings. People get so caught up in the details, color schemes and chivari chairs, that they forget to focus on their LOVE for one another. Honestly, my top 5 weddings have made it onto the list mainly because you can feel the love radiating through the entire event, not because their centerpieces cost them thousands. One of the memories I cherish the most involving the hubs is a night we were listening to Silverchair’s Across the Night as we were cleaning, and he spontaneously whipped me around and starting slow dancing with me all around the house. Hold on to those, remember those, not the number of gifts he has given you. None of that matters in the end.

2. We still date; this is so important to me! My husband and I have never stopped dating each other. We try to plan a date a week where we go try/discover something new in or around our city. Harkening back on #1, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, as long as we are together. It keeps the relationship from getting stagnant and monotonous, and instead brings back the romance, excitement and FUN. So instead of spending Saturday afternoon on the couch watching reruns of Sex & the City while you are both sitting next to each other, but independently Internet surfing, go out and explore together. I promise having that one-on-one time on a frequent basis will remind you of why you fell in love with this person in the first place!

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Lovable Friday

1. A Letter from Fred; A friend posted this on his Facebook, and I decided to listen as I was driving home from work. Well, needless to say, I think everyone driving by me thought someone had just died because I was sobbing in my driver’s seat. This is such a touching and heartfelt story about an old man and his undying love for his recently deceased wife. I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience a love this powerful and, as Frank put it, REAL. Just have your tissues ready.

2. Sherlock; Add another TV obsession to the list. Sherlock is just incredible. I love the beauty shots of my favorite city, the way the show is filmed and the incredible cast. It gives Sherlock Holmes a new modern side that you have never seen before. At a running time of 90 minutes an episode, you really have to commit, but it is so worth it. Seasons are only 3 episodes long, and trust me, they leave you wanting more. Plus, is Benedict Cumberbatch not the cutest? I totally adore him and his Asperger-ness.

3. *Nsync reunion; I have a confession to make: I used to be one helluva Nsync fangirl back in the day. I went to more shows than I can remember, learned all the dance moves and yes, even had a Lance Bass marionette (figures I loved the gay one). So when they reunited (even for a brief 2 minutes) on last weekend’s VMA’s, a little piece of me reverted back to that 18 year old hyper fan. Seriously, I screamed, jumped and possibly shed a few tears. But what a tease! I demand a reunion tour!

4. Jelly boots; These clear ombre-like boots are killing me. Mainly because I don’t know if I should add them to my wardrobe. Sure, they are fun and different, but will they stand the test of time? My vote is probably no, but I am not one to adhere to any of those silly guidelines anyways. Plus, this would give me another reason to buy more fun socks! Good talk, self. Good talk.

5. Black Milk’s Harry Potter line; As my best friend, Elsie, would say: “Just shut up & take my money.” I share that sentiment in regards to Black Milk Clothing’s new Harry Potter line that is slated to debut September 10th. Leggings, dresses and swimsuits decked out in marauder maps, deathly hallows and house crests? Say no more. How much were they again?