Friday Five July 30th

Free waffles, spa-less facials, Netflix for sunglasses AND a great song of the week? *the crowd goes wild*

Keep reading below for the five best things of the week you need to know about.


ONE / Google Photos
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Google Photo food truck that was serving Waffles and Dinges! You literally paid for the food by playing a game. You had 20 seconds to find an item of their choice on your phone.

I got "mountain" so I just started scrolling. The whole thought behind this was that our photo albums on the phone are a mess and super unorganized. But with Google Photo you can find everything you want in a better way. I didn't manage to find a photo in time, but I was awarded a free waffle for the hard work.

They have this algorithm where you can literally search "concert" or "beach" and all photos with those things would immediately pop up. The whole idea is pretty cool and I've been using it for the past week-- it's so much easier to sift through my content!

*this part of the post was in partnership with and sponsored by Google Photos. But I legit would have done this anyway.. FREE WAFFLES!

TWO / Heyday
I was introduced to HeyDay from a friend last week and I just had my first facial there last night. It was SO fun! Think of it as DryBar but for facials. They explain it as taking the facial out of the spa.

You have the choice of a 30-minute or 50-minute facial and last night I chose the 30-minute but I ... 1. fell in love with my girl, Alexa and 2. Am already trying to book a 50-minute one to get rid of my blackheads.

Believe it or not I've actually only had one facial before in my life. It was the day before I left for college as a going away present and I hated it. They were way too rough on my skin and I left having more irritated skin than ever before. I'm (obviously) fair skinned and I also have supper sensitive skin so after that experience I have always stayed far, far away from facials.

But this one was great! I don't have a single bad thing to say about it and seriously my skin has never felt better!


THREE / Nordstrom Sale
Guys, have you heard?! The #NSale is here! Hahah if I don't see another post about the sale, I'd be happy. I recently just picked up some fun items though but you will NOT be seeing me in them until it gets cold.

People wearing sweaters in this heat need to GTFO and is a very long rant for another day. ANYWAY here are some things that I picked up over the past week:
Red Plaid Poncho / Colorblock Poncho / Grey Turtleneck / Burberry Sweater / Suede Mini Skirt / OTK Boot

You can check out my full post here!

FOUR / Ditto
Want to RENT designer sunglasses like Prada, Ray-Ban, Karen Walker, Illesteva and MORE? (Answer: yes) Well let me introduce you to Ditto. The Netflix of sunglasses. It's basically the coolest thing ever and I'm obsessed because I always find myself falling in love with one pair for like a month and then moving on.

With Ditto, it's not bad to do that! I rent and then return! HOW COOL! I want literally everyone to try it out and because I love you, I want to give you a month free. Use COVERINGBASES at and ta-daaa your first month is on me! This way you can honestly check it out to see if it's something you like without committing your whole life to it.

You'll thank me, I promise!


FIVE / YouTube
Guys, I'm trying to get back into it. I just posted a video yesterday (about sunglasses ... go figure). And I have two more that need to be edited. What type of videos do you want to see? I need some major #inspiration and #halp.

YouTubing if difficult peeps, for reals.

------

5 Products I'm Loving:
Red Plaid Capulet
Grey Slip on everyday sneaks
#Merica (kind of) Clare V. Clutch
Meli Melo Thela Pink Bag (saving up for this!)
Perfect Leather Jacket or Perfect Leather Jacket? 

5 Blog Posts of the week:
Color Me Courtney's Apartment Tour - when can I move in??
Brighton The Day's Drawstring Tee Dress - the girl can rock everything she wears
A Southern Drawl's Wide Leg Pants - Graces looks BEAUTIFUL here!
Rhyme and Reason's Off the Shoulder Top - gimme does hydrangeas
Franish's Snip Snip! - love the cut (and the shoes ;) )

Song of my week: Search Party - Sam Bruno

Listen to this and just try not to dance along! You can keep up with my favorite music on spotify here!

Friday, July 31, 2015

Friday Five July 30th

Video: Sunglasses Collection

Yay for being back on YouTube! I've been HORRIBLE so please forgive me. Better late than never, amirite?? Today I've got the highly requested sunglasses collection to share. Please only nice comments as I do realize I have wayyyy too many. 

Good thing for crazy sunglasses hoarders like myself, we can now rent sunglasses! Yes, Redbox for sunglasses are here. You can rent ones from Ray-Ban to Prada so what's not to love? It's only $19 a month and with this code [COVERINGBASES] you get your first month free!

So if nothing else, you can check it out for a month and see how you like it (you'll love it). So keep reading below for all the links and the fun fun video I just made!

(In Order of Shown):
Amazon Cases (with dividers) / Without dividers (and all the colors)

TORTOISE: 
Isaac Mizrahi / Dolce & Gabbana / Le Specs Mirrored / Le Specs Runway / Replica Dior

CLEAR SUNGLASSES:
Dior So Real / Saint Laurent / Oliver Peoples / Sole Society

MIRRORED:
Revolve / Steve Madden / Illesteva

RAY-BAN:
Ray Ban Mirrored Clubmasters / Ray Ban Mirrored Circle Ray Ban Aviator Mirror Silver/Purple/Blue

Ray Ban Aviator Mirror Men's / Ray Ban Aviator Gold / Ray Ban Aviator Black

Ray Ban Wayfarer 52 / Ray Ban Wayfarer 55

FINAL TWO BLACK PAIRS: 
House Of Harlow / TOMS Matte Black

Watch the full video here!



RENT Your own designer sunglasses here and use code: COVERINGBASES for your first month free!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Video: Sunglasses Collection

Affordable Wrap Dress Leota

 Leota: Wrap Dress / Steve Madden: Stecy Heels [similar here and here ] / Prada: Black Purse [old; similar here] / Mini Monogram: Necklace / YSL: Lipgloss / David Yurman: Pearl Earrings 

I've always been a really big fan of wrap dresses. Created by the ever-so-fabulous DVF, this dress is perfect for all women. There is something so flattering about a wrap dress that makes me want to live in them.

What's not so great is the price tag for some of those little numbers. While I own a few, it's not a normal thing I like to buy. Because of that, I'm always looking to save money here and there. 

When I was shopping online, I found this amazing dress and I thought it was worth a shot. Sure, it's a little more than some might spend on a dress but compared to the usually higher prices these dresses run for, it was a steal.

The moment I tried it on I knew it was mine forever. Even Andrew walked in on me wearing it and was like, "woah." He told me it was his favorite thing I own so you know I had to keep it! 

What I love about it is how versatile it will be in my wardrobe. It's a dress perfect and classy for work (to wear with heels or flats) but also great for a night out with my girlfriends. It's just the right amount of sexy and sophisticated. It'll also be a great transition piece because of the sleeves and fabric. 

Fall will welcome it with open arms because of the print and style but summer is still holding on strong because of the fabric. It's very breathable and the stretchy material doesn't wrinkle. Really, it's the perfect dress.

It's also comes in maternity sizes (hellooooooo Dittie) that I thought my sister -- who is reading this right now -- might enjoy! 

SHOP MY LOOK HERE:

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Affordable Wrap Dress Leota

World Trade Memorial & Observatory

I've been wanting to visit the 9/11 memorial and museum since it opened, but as you may know, it's not an easy thing to do. I knew it was going to be very emotional but I also knew that it was something I wanted to honor and see.

So on Saturday Andrew and I went downtown to visit the memorial, the museum and then made our way to the top of One World Trade. The whole day was emotional but amazing and I wanted to share our time with you all.



What initially started this adventure was the opening of One World Trade Center Observatory. I first heard about it on the TV in a taxi and knew I wanted to go right away (I love skyline views). I found a day that worked for the both of us and thought while we were down there, it would be the best time to also visit the museum and memorial.

I bought tickets for both places (the 9/11 memorial is free, the museum is what we needed tickets for) and the times were set. Getting down there was really easy with the subway station nearby. Our museum tickets were at 4p (we got in at 3:50p) and the line to buy tickets was really long. I would highly suggest picking a time and buying tickets in advance (you can do that here).

I left two hours between our museum ticket time and our observatory time but I probably could have used about another hour to really see everything. Just be sure to keep that in mind when booking!

I didn't take any photos inside the museum as I really didn't feel right and my phone was in my purse the entire time.

While I don't want to talk about my time at the museum, as I feel it was a personal experience that every person should 1. go through, and 2. feel on their own. I will however give a few overall takeaways. 

This was by far the best put-together museum I've ever been to. I cannot say enough great things about how it was laid out and presented and my experience was unreal. The layout of the museum starts with artifacts and memorials and then the main part where the day is told by time -- each hour in the sky and on the ground -- with newspapers, videos, photos, phone calls ... everything. And as you go through it has sections dedicated to each event that day. All were exceptionally covered.

It was very in-depth (which was extremely hard at times) but also so very educational. I know my generation might be one of the last who fully remember 9/11 (I was in 5th grade and for the most part too young to understand the complexities of what was happening) but I know that for all those younger generations, the events from that day will always be truly remembered because of this museum.

In all honesty, I am unsure what else to say because I don't want this to come off in a weird way or anyone take offense to it. It's a very sensitive subject and while I would love to speak more about my time and the memorial, I will leave it here. 

Just trust me when I say everyone in their life should go once to the museum and memorial, take in all of the emotions and learn what is has to offer. Your experience will not be one you forget. 

After the museum we walked over to The One World Trade Center. Oh man, is it a beautiful building. 

If you're looking to do both of these in the same day, I would suggest starting at the memorial first. It symbolizes so much more and gives you a deeper understanding and meaning to the building doing it this way. It was really heartwarming to be at the top after the memorial. 

If you remember we went to the Top of the Rock a little bit ago and I never thought something would be better than that view. My whole theory behind it being that from the rock you can see the two best buildings in the city: the Empire State Building and One World Trade. 

Well, I was wrong.

This view was enchanting.

We got really lucky with the weather and were able to see everything. The whole place was a 360-degree view of what felt like the whole world. Being able to view the city from a new vantage point was encouraging and inspiring.

I knew the building was tall, but being up there that high was unexpected. Everything really gets put into perspective at the observatory and you have these amazing moments of clarity knowing that you're on top of the world.

You don't really know New York until you've been to the top of One World Trade. 

SEE MY FULL LOOK HERE

What I thought was so great was their attention to detail. I don't want to give anything away because the whole experience needs to be had firsthand but it was seriously jaw dropping. From the elevator ride up (yes, the elevator), to the first time you see (unexpectedly) the view -- it was all consuming. 

And obviously this has jumped up to my No. 1 favorite thing to do in the city.

You must go.

I also love this view from the bottom. It was like the building never ended and went as high as space. 

I honestly can't wait for more visitors and friends to come to the city so I can go up again and share this life changing experience with them. 

After the observatory we went to dinner nearby (more on that later this week) and spent the rest of our night downtown. We walked back to the memorial and it was even more beautiful at night.

Then we walked around to the water and back and were able to catch the sunset on what was an unforgettable day. 

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

World Trade Memorial & Observatory

ASTR Side Slit Shift Dress

 ASTR: Side Slit Dress [only $64] / Steve Madden: Sandalia Sandals / Le Specs: Runaways Luxe Sunglasses c/o / Cuyana: Taupe Purse (old) / David Yurman: Pearl Earrings / Necklace: Mini Monogram

I ordered this dress on a whim and was pretty unsure about how I felt about it until it arrived. Oh man, oh man did I fall in love. What initially attracted me to the dress was the crisp white trim along the neckline. It looked so well put together.

Other than that, the dress was pretty bland. I knew it had side slits but I didn't really understand them until I tried it on and actually ended up liking them! So the white underneath is actually the liner of the dress. Weird but cool, right?

Because of the slits, the dress actually had really great movement in the breeze and made the dress a lot more "sexy." It's right up my alley of wanting to be fun and flirty without being revealing. 

I'm also pretty pumped that I finallllyyyy got to show these shoes on the blog. I feel like I've been sitting on them for months now and never actually broke them out. When putting together this outfit, I was debating between wearing these heels or these leopard ones. Both looked great but I decided on the lace ups!

It made the outfit a lot more fun and interesting. And while they are a blush/light pink, they actually went pretty well with the dress. Both items are of course very versatile. I also am breaking out my new sunglasses -- wooo! Besides my wayfarers, I really don't own a tortoise pair so I was really excited to get these in. This won't be the last time you see them!

SHOP MY LOOK HERE:

Monday, July 27, 2015

ASTR Side Slit Shift Dress

Sail to Sable Sizzling in Stripes Navy Dress

Sail to Sable: Sizzling Stripes Dress [shirt version here; different color version here; same shift different print here] c/o / Jack Rogers: Navajo Sandal / Dior: So Real Sunglasses / Old Navy: Red Clutch [LOVE this stripe one!] / Movado: Bold Bangle / Mini Monogram: Necklace 

This dress finally made it to the blog! It has been a long time coming but I'm glad to get it up. I seriously wear this dress all the time-- the first time breaking it on over the 4th of July (duh) and the last (as of now) this past weekend at the beach.

It's a great dress for summer because while it's really high quality fabric, it's not super heavy and it's really breathable. Trust me because I know from experience! It also doesn't show any sweat so that's always a huge plus.

It was fun to pair the dress with red accessories like my shoes and purse to make the red trimming really pop! I actually love this dress so much I have it in pink and navy. I think honestly anything Sail to Sable makes I either own or want to own. They kill it every season!

Other Sail to Sable past favorites from the blog: this captain dress in the Bahamas, the BEST stripe shirt (ever, ever) and my first STS tunic!

SHOP MY LOOK HERE:

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Sail to Sable Sizzling in Stripes Navy Dress

Splurge vs Steal

Sam Edelman: Kayla Boot / Stuart Weitzman: Highland Boot

Gianvito Rossi: Darcy Heel / Steve Madden: Semona Heel

Schutz: Juliana Sandal / Steve Madden: Slithur Sandal 

(Not pictured: Steve Madden "Staarz" $86 [on sale] vs Stuart Weitzman "Lovefringe" $455)

Finding a good dupe is hard to find but when you finally come across one, its totally worth it! Steve Madden is the king of dupe shoes for half the price and I've always been a fan of their quality. So you know even though you're paying half the price, you know you're getting your moneys worth.

Hey, with all the money you save you can buy more heels!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Splurge vs Steal