wise words wednesday {31.}...

I have this friend, her name is Ashton. I met her via Blog Land and she has become one of my best friends. In fact in a couple of weeks I am hopping on a plane to Las Vegas to spend the weekend with Ash, and our other bestie Lauren, who I also met through blogging! Anywho, Ashton is wise beyond her years and she gives some of the best advice. I jokingly call her 'Mama Ashton'. Some of her best advice is only a couple of words long, "Pull your life together." Thus inspiring this weeks wise words...

{31.} Wise Words...

This week I will attempt to pull it together. I also know that if I don't, I can sent a rant filled email to Ashton and Lauren and they will still love me through it.

xoxo

must have monday {13.}...

After spending the weekend in the Bay Area and shopping my little heart out, (literally. when I got home and added up how much I spent my heart stopped for a few minutes), you would think I would be over swooning and shopping. But no. I am not. I am still ALL about it. What can I say? I love to shop. End of story.

Ok...not end of story really. I am super excited that in one month I will be hopping on a plane to Las Vegas to see Adele in concert. Jealous? Well if you aren't when I tell you I am also meeting up with Lauren and Ashton, you will be. I am so excited to see two of my besties and have a blast in Vegas with them. I am not so excited about being in Las Vegas in August. Seriously. Anyone who has been there knows it is pretty much like living in an oven. This sparked a shopping frenzy for some cool summer dresses, because jeans when it is 120 outside are a little ridiculous. That is what inspired this weeks, 'Must Have Monday'.

Enjoy...

{1.} 'Demeter Maxi Dress'-ModCloth

I am seriously loving on this fierce maxi dress. I mean the shoulder alone is super foxy. So, while wearing an all black dress in Las Vegas during the day may result in death, rocking this little number out to a fabulous dinner would be cool and hot all at the same time. You can find this gem over at ModCloth for only $59.99!

{2.} 'Peaceful Evening Dress'-ModCloth

Now this dress would be perfect for a day out and about on The Strip. Yes. I did just make 'The Strip' a proper noun. I am loving how delicate and pretty this little number is. I think it would be perfect for a day of shopping and running around. I also love how with the right shoes and accessories you could make it a bit fancier. This is over at ModCloth for $42.99.

{3.} 'Let's Go On A Dot Dress'-ModCloth

I want this dress in the worst way. I love items that can be worn a bunch of different ways. I could see this as a bathing suit cover-up, a flowy little dress, or belted with some high heels. It also has pockets, if a dress has pockets I typically deem that dress as legit. Once again head over to ModCloth and pick this up for only $49.99!

{4.} 'Second Verse Dress'-ModClothThis is such a fun and classic take on the LBD. I mean what woman doesn't own one? This just seems like such a classy little number. Once again it is black. Yeah, yeah. I like to wear black. So, this would only be used as nighttime wear in LV. Do we love? It is $99.99 at ModCloth!

{5.} 'Catchphrase Dress'-ModCloth

I love how comfy this dress looks. It would be so cute with some shiny gladiator sandals and a cute hat. Anything that is made out of jersey knit makes me think of pajamas. I love pajamas. For $42.99 you could have this to lounge, shop, and play in!

Okay fellow fashionistas, what is YOUR way to look cute and feel cool all at the same time? Also, if anyone has any must-do Vegas suggestions please share in the comments section! Happy Monday pals!

xoxo

wise words wednesday {24.}...

This weekend I decided I was going to get stuff together to decorate my new office at work (Okay...I have had it since January 3rd, but I have been busy and haven't had time to decorate. For shame!) I have a pretty spacious office...it has two desks in it, but no one uses the second desk. Basically it is a pretty blah space at the moment. I decided the best thing to start with is a picture collage. I mean what is better than pictures of those that we love to perk up a space? Nothing, in my humble opinion. So, I started to peruse my picture archives and I put together quite a lovely collage. As I looked at my finished product I examined it and felt so blessed. Why? Because of the crazy amount of love I have in my life. Here is just a little gander at the different kinds of love I am lucky enough to have...

{24.} Wise Words....

"All you need is love."-The Beatles

{1.} Grandpa and Step-Grandma.

{2.} Brother Jason and Niece Jordan

{3.} The whole H-Family clan

{4.} Future-Sister-In-Law-Bastina, Bff Ashton, and Bff Lauren

{5.} Dad

{6.} Bff-Sister-from-Another-Mister- Jil

{7.} Lifelong-Bff Fabi

{8.} Mama

{9.} Bug

{10.} Brother Jonathan and Bastina

You all made the office picture collage. Why? Just cause I love ya!

xoxo

and the winner is...

Thank you all SO much for entering my giveaway! I am so glad that you all took the time to do so. This will not be the last of my giveaways. I think they are so much fun, and I hope to do a few more throughout the next few months.

Now to announce the winner....

Ashton Dene!!!!!

Congrats Ash!!!! You will have a package of awesomeness arriving in the mail sometime soon! Email me your address when you get a chance.

So, I realize that people are going to think this thing was rigged, but it was NOT. I used random.org to get the winner and this is what it came up with! Am I happy that my giveaway is going to a real life bestie?! Of course! But I would have liked to have been able to give something to every person who entered, so the best I can do is if you use the code 'alwaysalex' when you checkout of the 'Mama Made Shoppe' you will get 15% off ALL merchandise for the rest of the month!

Thanks again to all who participated! I hope you enjoy the 15% off code until the end of February! Hope you are all having a lovely Monday. I know I am. Thank the stars for having President's Day off from work!!

xoxo

must have monday {8.}...

Since last weeks 'Must Have Monday' had a theme, I figured I would theme it up again this week. I love t-shirts. I mean who doesn't love a nice comfy tee? I basically spent all four years of college living in band shirts and jeans, and I live my weekends in them now. So, I decided to go check out the mecca of hilarious shirts, also known as Snorg Tees. Enjoy...

{1.} 'Mexican Standoff T-Shirt'-Snorg TeesThis shirt is so freaking cute. I got to play 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' at work the other day. Are you jealous? Well, go get a degree in psychology and you too can play games with little kids at work. It was pretty legit. And I will admit that when I lost to an 8 year old, I was a little bitter. Super cute shirt that is only $19.95. That is what I like to call a steal my friends.

{2.} 'Moustaches Make Everything Better T-Shirt'-Snorg Tees

This shirt makes me think of my bffs Lauren and Ashton. They have a love for all things moustache related, which I share. Basically if you don't agree that if you add a moustache to something it gets 100 times better...well then I just don't know what to tell you. This shirt is also a steal at $19.95.

{3.} 'Stay Classy San Diego T-Shirt'-Snorg Tees I love this shirt. It makes me think of 'Weatherman' which is a completely stupid, but hilarious, movie. Stay classy and buy this shirt. I mean what is better than a yellow tee, with the BEST state in the United States, and a martini with an olive on it? Yeah. That is correct. Not a thing. Once again, this shirt is only $19.95. Hmm...Snorg I am sensing a trend in your pricing.

{4.} 'It's a Satchel T-Shirt'-Snorg TeesIf you are wondering if I bought this shirt...I did. This shirt also reminds me of my bffs Lauren and Ashton. We have a shared love for 'The Hangover'. That movie is the most hilarious thing I have ever seen, and Lauren, Ashton, and myself quote it in emails daily. We are a wolf-pack. Amen. It was only $19.95!

{5.} 'That's What She Said T-Shirt'-Snorg Tees If I have to explain why I love this shirt, then you are obviously new to this blog. We all know that I have a deep love for all things twss related. Seriously. If you go to the top left corner of my blog and type 'that's what she said' in the search box all will be revealed *ahem*. Once again...only $19.95 for this lovely. I must admit that if this shirt came in a not so fug blue I would have purchased it.

Just a little side note, I am wearing my new favorite 'Cupcakes Make Everything Better' shirt that Lauren and Ashton gifted me. So basically this post is about how much I love shirts and Lar and Ash. The end.

Oh wait! Not quite the end, more along the lines of almost the end. If you all have any places YOU go to find cute tees please share in the comments section! I am always looking for my next fix. Now it is really the end.

xoxo

you know you are awesome when...

You know you are awesome when....

{1.} You know you are awesome when you spend your weekend watching an entire season of a show that started in 2004. I have always been an avid watcher of anything that was on The WB/The CW (minus 7th Heaven...that show makes me gag). So how in the freaking-freak did I miss the most amazeballs show ever, also known as 'Veronica Mars'?! Seriously, if you have not seen this show you better get right with God and start watching. I thank two people for my new found love of this show; Bff Ashton who told me to pull my life together and watch, and Netflix which allows me to insta-watch 22 episodes of awesome via the interwebs. One season down, two more to go. Side note: I want to be Veronica Mars when I grow up. She is a total bad ass.

{2.} You know you are awesome when you spend your weekend being deathly ill and this is what your surroundings look like. I hate being sick and I pretty much almost died. I even documented by almost-death in a vlog. If you haven't watched click here.

{3.} You know you are awesome when while playing with your hair in order to not look totally heinous while making a vlog you come up with a hairstyle that in the moment is meh...but after closer examination looks pretty darn cute. I ended up really liking the beachy waves that I then side braided, only leaving out a view wavy curls. Not the best picture of it...but I kinda dig it.

{4.} You know you are awesome when you spend the weekend hanging out with the most legit humidifier ever. Yes, I actually used this all weekend long to help me breathe. Yes, I did jack him from Bug's room. Don't be jealous folks.

{5.} You know you are awesome when you spend some of your weekend making headbands for your Mama's Etsy store. I really love these and I hope you all do too. I sense a giveaway coming along!Even though I was deathly ill with my pneumonia/bronchitis/double ear infection/sinus infection loveliness...the weekend actually turned out to be pretty relaxing. Thanks Ashton for sharing the amazingness of 'Veronica Mars' with me. You made my weekend!

xoxo

must have monday {7.}...

This post will be the second time that I have dedicated an entire 'Must Have Monday' to my new obsession with shoes. I have always been a strictly comfort gal when it comes to footwear. If it hurt my feet, it was not going to happen. I lived in Vans slip ons (which I still red puffy heart), flip-flops, and occasionally Uggs. Does life get much more comfy? I think not. However, lately I have been going through a fashion transformation. I don't know what it is all about, but I am way stepping out of my comfort zone. I am continuing to embrace my height and not really caring that a lot of my shoes these days put me close to 6 feet tall. As I was perusing the interwebs for some new wedges (i love heels...but wedges are more comfortable when I am running around like crazy at work) I was SO excited to see some old styles that are becoming trendy again! Enjoy the retro shoe porn ladies....(and fellas)...

{1.} 'Jeffrey Campbell Foxy Navy Canvas Platform Heels'-Lulu'sI have a picture of my lovely Mama wearing shoes almost exactly like these. This was back in the 70's...the time of some of the most killer shoes around. Why o' why did my mother NOT save any of her old shoes? Why o' why do I have gigantic feet, compared to her itty bitty size 6 feet. Le sigh. Anywho I want these so bad. The platform toe is 1.75" tall, and the heel is a ginormous 5" tall. I would be a giant, but a fierce giant at that. These retail for $118 over at Lulu's.

{2.} 'Pros and Contrast Heel'-ModclothWhy does ModCloth have the most adorable shoes ever? Why are they always sold out whenever I find some that I really, really want to buy? I mean they are probably saving me from myself, but come on ModCloth! Pull your life together and stock your inventory! These shoes are perfect for a day at the office. I would feel so chic walking the halls in these lovelies. Plus, they come in my all time favorite color combo, black and white. They are classic. These beauties are ONLY $54.99 at ModCloth! Hurry up and buy them!

{3.} 'Honey Pie Wedge'-ModCloth
I die. I freaking die. I really need these shoes in my life. They are so fun, so cute, so retro, so foxy. These shoes are so far out of my normal style, but that is what this post is all about! I am branching out. I really want to branch out with these shoes. I am trying really hard to be (and stay) on a budget, but these shoes might make me break the rules. They are $115.99 over at ModCloth. I am going to try to fight the urge to order them. I will keep you updated with how I do with that little goal. Stay tuned...

{4.} 'It's a Jungle Out There'-ModCloth

These shoes I would never have gone for, because one has to be pretty damn fierce to rock these. A few months ago Ashton emailed me a picture of these and I fell in loooove. I told her it was her fashionista duty to purchase them. She did. She also brought them with her on our trip to Flo-rida and I tried them on (it is awesome we wear the same size shoe) I have been dreaming of them ever since. They fit like a glove and are SO edgy and fun. I want them in my closet...actually on my feet. These are only $42.99 at ModCloth. That my friends, is what I call a steal!

{5.} 'Almond & Indigo Heels'-AnthropologieRemember how I mentioned a few shoes ago that I am trying to stay on a budget? Well, when one is on a budget they MUST stay away from Anthropologie. I have been doing so...until today. That is when I happened upon these retro gems of shoe glory! I am normally not a fan of wearing a lot of brown, but these shoes make me want to wear nothing but clothing that matches these heels. I would wear them every single day for the rest of my life (why yes I do tend to exaggerate). I will NOT be buying these shoes. Why? Because they are $388 over at Anthro. One day...one day...

Now that I have shared my current shoe loves, share yours! What shoe trends are you feeling? Where do YOU shop for shoes? I am always open to new sites/stores to look at! Share away in the comments section my fellow fashionistas. Also, Ashton can I just have your leopard shoes? The end.

xoxo

the three best friends reunion {3.}...

It is now time for the final installment of 'The Three Best Friends Reunion'. I am sure you are all sick of hearing/reading about it, but like I said in Part 1, I am stretching this adventure out because my life has been extremely boring as of late. I present you with the last picture explosion of my trip to Flo-rida.

The Three Best Friends Reunion Part {3.}...

The day of Lauren's wedding Ashton and I knew she would be a super busy bee. We also knew Lar and her wedding party would need all the space of our joint hotel room to get all beautified. So, Ash and I decided to peace out and get out of everyone's hair while they were getting ready. We went to see 'Tangled' in 3D...it was the cutest movie of my life. Then guess who we ran into at the movie theatre? Yep. You guessed correctly...we saw The Biebs. Holler.

After our lovely movie date, Ash and I booked it over to get Lar's wedding gift. Yes, it was last minute but only because we didn't want to have to check it on the flight, or ship it out there. It doesn't even matter, because we got her a killer present. lol However, the GPS is a big fat liar, and we ended up taking WAY longer than anticipated. We ended up having about 45 minutes to shower, do our hair, makeup, and get dressed. Basically if Ash wasn't there to help me pull my life together we would have never made it on time to see Lauren get hitched.

I think we pulled ourselves together quite nicely in the 45 minutes we had to get ready. Ashton looked fabulous. Her dress was all kinds of fierce.

This was our table, we once again sat with an amazing group of people. Aren't Lauren's flower arrangements beautiful?! I loved them so, so much.

If you think Lauren's flowers were awesome...check out the wedding favors. Um...who DOESN'T love a good coozie. I mean really? Best. Idea. Ever.

Not sure if you all got the memo yet, but I absolutely adore these girls. They have become two of my closet friends, and I am so happy that I met them through this little ol' blog of mine. Anyone who says that you cannot make 'real' friends online has zero clue what they are talking about. I am so happy that Lauren invited Ashton and I to be a part of her special day. I am even more happy that we were both able to be there. I cannot wait for the next adventure the three of us have. Seriously...it will be so very epic.

xoxo

the three best friends reunion {2.}...

I am going to stretch out this reunion series of posts...because my life has been mega-boring and this is ALL I have to blog about. I apologize ahead of time, my friends.

The Three Best Friends Reunion Part {2.}...

After a day of shopping and getting our nails did, it was time for Lar's rehearsal dinner. It was so sweet of her to include Ash and myself in this small little gathering. She put us at THE BEST table...with super cute place cards and everything. Hmm...wonder what that says, oh yeah 'Alexandria'...which was weird because only my mother calls me that.

Here is a lovely photo of Ashton with her place card! Like I said...we were at the best table in that joint. We sat with two of Lar's bridesmaids, Amanda and Amber, Amber's mom and step dad, and her girlfriend Nichole. They were hilarious and we had a blast. Just a few words ladies..."I like to buy my food retail." The end.

Ashton, Lar's bridesmaid Amanda, and myself hanging at the rehearsal dinner. Ash and I look like giants. We both had fierce shoes on. Mine were SO fierce my toes were numb for like the next two days. That is the price we pay for fashion. Holler.

These are some of our awesome table-mates. From right to left: me, Ashton, Lar's bff and bridesmaid Amber, Amber's girlfriend Nichole. Basically I adore these two gals! They were so much fun, and absolutely hilarious. We ended the weekend being total besties with both of them.

And the piece de resistance, THE Three Best Friends. Has anyone else noticed that Lauren is always in the middle of our pictures? Yep, the world is LarCentric and we are all just living in it. I just love these ladies. Words cannot even sum it up.

xoxo

the three best friends reunion part {1.}...

Does everyone remember the epic San Francisco adventure I had with some of my ibffs (now real life bffs)? No? Well click here and here, then you can be all caught up.

Now I will get to the point of this post. At the beginning of December Ashton and I journeyed to Flo-rida to see our bff Lauren get married! This meant the MOST stressful flight experience of my life...which included frantic Nook tweeting to Ash, and sprinting through the Hot-lanta airport to catch my flight. Overall, it worked out...thankfully. It was also SO worth it. We had a freaking blast. Since I have quite a few pictures, I am basically going to do a few posts about our adventure. Please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the picture explosion.

The Three Best Friends Reunion: Part {1.}...

This is perhaps the most sicknast photo in existence. I mean ew, especially when it comes to my horrible face. Oh wells, this was our "Reunnnittted and it feeels sooooo gooood" picture. Disclaimer: This was taken after a day full of running through airports and that is why we look like this. Whatever. I still love this picture because I love these ladies.

The next morning Ash and I got to sleep in, while Lar was having her brunch. Lauren was sweet enough to get us an adjoining room next to hers, and let us use her car the WHOLE weekend. Thanks for everything Lar. She also recommended that we go to a restaurant called, 'Another Broken Egg.' It was bomb.com my friends. We ordered some beignets as an appetizer...they were bite sized orgasms. Holler.

Here is the lovely Ashton, thoroughly enjoying her delicious breakfast. I had SO much fun hanging with her the entire weekend. She is hilarious and gives amazing advice. She is lovely, funny, and has one of the biggest hearts. Ash, I love your face sister from another mister.

Not only did Lauren totally get us a free hotel room, she also treated us to manis and pedis. It was so sweet of her, but that is Lauren for you. She was super sneaky about it...but we got her back for it. Trust.

Here is a MUCH better Three Best Friends Reunion picture. The first was taken WAY too late, after WAY too long of a day. This was taken after a good nights sleep, some makeup, and fierce outfits. Holler.

So, these are just the first batch of photos from the trip. Many more will be coming your way. What I can say now is that I had an amazing time, and that I love these girls so much. Anyone who says that you cannot find 'real' friends online...is full of it. These two are lifers. Ladies, I love you both and I miss you both. Our next trip needs to be planned STAT!

Until Part {2.}...

xoxo