so guilty secret, I’ve had these shorts for two years and I think I’ve worn them more than a major of the socks that I own. & for someone who can’t fall asleep without socks on (I’m awful I know), that’s a lot of socks. The basic old time Lilly print is absolutely my favorite considering you literally can’t go wrong with the classic pink & green. Nothing says summer quite like it. As for this shirt, I picked it up in KC back over spring time and i LOVE it to pieces. it’s so easy to wear plain with any type of shorts, or I’ve also been adoring pairing it with colored denim. also it is comfy as heck and a half so that’s always a plus! As for my heart sunnies, I usually can’t find a ton of goodies in Urban Outfitters that are my style, but I have been looking around for a pair just like these and when I found them just browsing around i knew it was fate. I ended up wandering around the store for a bit and stepped out of my comfort fashion zone and actually found a few cute pieces I may pick up before college.

Big thanks to my “shanager” Shan for shooting with me in some real fun humidity yesterday. all the love to ya.

until next time, xoxo, Ally

And just like that, we are in the second week of July. It seems like the first 8 days flew by faster than a firework and here I am awaiting the end of summer already. But who can blame me when I have my annual family friend trip down to the lake and COLLEGE approaching here very soon! I had college orientation for KU this past week and would post some pictures except I only snapped some shots of our Lawrence eats…halfway through devouring them…so maybe college pics with come when college comes. Until that time, here’s some links I’ve been hooked on lately!

1// Carly comes in clutch once again ladies.What to bring to college post because I think I have a small addiction with these things.

2// So i’ve wanted a Swell water bottle for the longest time but have never been able to get myself to purchase one at their steep prices. However, THIS one in champagne gold is literally my soul color and i MAYYYYY have to bring out the card and make it a deal before college rolls around…

3// going of that last link, Paper Source is a GREAT website in general if you’re ever looking for a gift for a friend. There are all those knick-knacks no one REALLY needs but everyone secretly wants all in one place!

4// this isn’t really a link but I’ve been having a trillion and one people ask me what I get to drink at Starbucks during the summer so here ya go: iced vanilla coffee with coconut milk & whip!

5// you all know how I feel about good old snail mail, if you feel the same way, this is worth the read

6// with good reason of the fun (and shockingly fashionable) fruits, i , along with everyone else, have fallen in love with the pineapple. Check out this post with all things pineapple! & did i mention the writer goes to my future school?!?!?!?! AHH COLLEGE AGAIN!

7// considering it is summer and I find myself using food as an outlet to hang out with my friends, this guide to dining out and still being healthy has everything you need

8// heading to the DryBar is still on my bucket list, and they have similar blowout locations in my area, but this article on how they became what they are today is super fascinating.

9// vegan chocolate chip cookies gosh darnit sign me up.

10// lastly, HAPPY JULY AND HAPPY FRIDAY to the longest 4 day week of the year.

until next time, xoxo, Ally

Working with companies and brands always makes me feel like such a big girl blogger (cheesy but it’s like a dream come true and literally so much fun). Finding companies that support beliefs that encourage young girls is one of my favorite online shopping habits and is becoming more and more common these days #girlpower.

212 West is absolutely no exception. After reading their “story” page on their website, I was beyond sold. Not that the gorgeous jewels didn’t already have me dying to work with them. Basically in short, they stand for expression and helping people make a statement. uh, cool as heck! Another AWESOME aspect of 212 West (https://212west.com) is that every patriotic necklace sold sends a portion of proceeds to Operation Freedom, that helps with dogs of troops. Two big paws up from me! You can read more about it here! You can read more about it here! They are a provider of necklaces and charms for women that come with “bars” each holding a term/word and therefore meaning. There are preselected word combos ranging from patriotic slogans to runner slang, or you can create your own like I chose to! They’re each a little different which makes them all the more special. So onto the meaning for my choices.

Lucky. Love. Live. 

Three words that can be interpreted thousands of millions of ways, but to me, it’s that we are all lucky to live a life we love. (The love and life are switched but just work with me here pals). Onto a preachy blog post, in 3…2…1….ACTION!

Let me set things straight: your life, is YOUR life. You get to do whatever the heck you want. Which, in turn, means you get do DO whatever the heck you want. That being said, you’re also control of you own happiness. Everything that you choose to do is allowed to make you happy if you let it…so do things you love.

These can be big outward things: hang out with your best friends, volunteer at your church or school, go shopping for a new pair of shoes (because cmon…you KNOW it makes you giddy), go out to catch a movie or grab a bite to each with your friends, or literally climb a mountain if that’s what floats your boat!

(Actually don’t float a boat on a mountain but you catch my drift…haha actually hope the boat catches my drift then you’ll really be settin sail!) (<–I’m sorry) 

ORRRR do things that inwardly and quietly make you happy such as: taking a walk at golden hour (sunset or early mornings are as gold as they get), taking an extra long bath, going to sleep an hour early, making yourself a yummy breakfast just because, telling yourself that YOU love YOU.

From the chances and opportunities we are given, to the friends and role models we encounter..we are just straight up #lucky. Never think anything in your life was put there on accident, it’s luck, a blessing, if you will. Use these lucky signs to really, TRULY, love every second of the life you’re given. I promise, happiness will come your way if you do things that make you happy…sounds simple enough right?

moral of the story: I’m in love with this necklace and am hoping to snatch one for my mom before i leave for college (don’t read this mom thank you) and think they are the perfect gift for someone in your life who has a thing for words…sounds a little like myself. The gold/bronze/silver options you’re given make it easy as pie to match your necklace to literally any outfit given, but ripped boyfriend jeans and white shirts have been my ISH this summer. They’re two staples that are SO easy to work with once you find the perfect pair of jeans and comfiest shirt, plus you kinda automatically look like you’re a celeb who is out on a grocery run! or maybe that’s just the scenario I imagine myself as…either way…it’s my favorite outfit literally ever.

IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE FROM 212:

https://212west.com

if you want to read about their stellar cool story and meaning behind the bars:

https://212west.com/pages/about-us