Tea Talk Tuesday : Darcy from A Memory of Us

      

Darcy from A Memory of Us

Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

Hi everyone! My name is Darcy and I blog over at A Memory of Us (www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com) A little about me -- I graduated college 1.5 years ago. I'm a Nebraska girl at heart but I followed my then-boyfriend, Tyler, to Kansas City, MO after graduating. Monday through Friday I am working as a System Engineer. Tyler proposed to me on October 31, 2013! We are in the midst of wedding planning now and are officially becoming Mr. and Mrs. April 2015! I could not be more excited. These days I am spending my time wedding planning, blog writing, hanging out with my best gals, and just living life to the fullest! 

Where did you go for college and how did you decide on your major? 

I went to Northwest Missouri State University (go Bearcats!) and graduated with a business management major and database management systems minor. My ultimate career goal is project management so that is how I landed on business management. I added in a minor when I realized I was going to graduate in 3 years without one, haha! (I still left in 3.5 years, though.) I chose to focus on computer science because of the demand for programmers. It is definitely challenging and some days are frustrating but ultimately I love writing code... especially when I get the program to do what I want it to! 

What are some of the fashion blogs that inspired you to create your own? 

The first fashion blog I ever read was Pink Peonies. After, I started discovering more that I loved... especially The Sweetest Thing. 

You mentioned that you enjoy watching beauty videos. What are some of your favorite YouTube channels? 

The Beauty Community on YouTube is seriously amazing! Not kidding when I say I can watch YouTube videos all night after work. Missglamorazzi and TessChristine are my absolute favorites! 

How were you able to grow your blog to what it is today? 

Blogging looks like it would be easy and not a huge time commitment from the outside, but really it takes so much time and work! Network like crazy. People are not just going to stumble across your blog in the beginning. You need to get your name out there so comment on other people's blogs and participate in link ups!

What are some of your apps? 

I don't really use anything that exciting... I love Instagram for social media and 7 Little Words for a fun game. 

Where would you love to travel to at the moment?

LONDON! Tyler has already agreed that London will be where we go for our one year anniversary trip! 

How do you edit your Instagram pictures? 

I really only use the filters on Instagram, however I use picfx for cropping! 

What is the biggest opportunity that has come your way since you began blogging in 2013? 

The biggest opportunity is working with brands and being able to write reviews about the products! The best moment was being featured as Lauren Conrad's chic of the week! 

What are the three makeup products that you have to use on a daily basis? 

Foundation (right now I am just using the sephora brand), mascara (Maybelline the Rocket), and I always fill in my eyebrows! I use the NYX eyebrow kit. 

What kind of camera do you use when taking your pictures for “A Memory of Us”? How about lenses?

18-55 mm lens on a dslr Nikon. 

Where can we find you on social media? 

I only use Instagram and my username is _darcyylynn_ . Hope to "meet" you there!! 

Navy Whales

It's no secret that navy is my absolute favorite color, so when my mom brought home this Vineyard Vines skirt after a long week of exams, I was so excited. I've only worn it twice so far, but each time I've gotten a few compliments and have realized how comfortable it is! 

In this look, I paired it with a chestnut v-neck sweater to create a look that would be suitable for a nice dinner. It's also able to be transitioned into fall - just add a pair of flats or cute heels! 

Skirt (similar here) // Sweater // Shoes (similar)

Tea Talk Tuesday : Sloane Kratzman from Sailing the Sea of Style

          

Sloane from Sailing the Sea of Style

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I write a personal style and travel blog called Sailing the Sea of Style. I started my corner of the interwebz in August of 2012, quite randomly but it has turned into something that I will be forever grateful for.

What drew you to sailing and what is one of your favorite memories of sailing?

My dad grew up sailing and it was always been something huge in our family and life. My older brother is a sailing, so it was quite obvious I was going to be one too- ha (-: I've yet to come across a favorite memory.... so I'm not sure. 

What are your 3 favorite travel destinations?

Without a doubt, Florence, Provence, and St.Barths

How have you been able to grow your blog to what it is today?

I am about to be very cliche, but all it takes is passion and dedication. The readers will come as long as you give them a reason too.

Your outfit pictures are absolutely perfect! What camera/lenses do you use and how do you edit your pictures?

I use a Nikon D3200 with several different lenses, but I must give more credit to some my primary photographer, Alexandra Gibbs.

Who are some of your biggest fashion inspirations?

Less "who", but more "where & when". For inspiration, I look to the Euro cities of Stockholm, Coopahagen and London. And of course, the 60s and 70s. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Two words: no.clue. 

What are your three favorite outfits that you’ve featured on your blog in 2014? All time?

These three are some of my favorites- 1,2,3

What are you most looking forward to about high school?

Just a new adventure.

What are your favorite parts about the city?

The endless culture and new experiences.

What three locations would you recommend to a friend to visit when they are visiting NYC?

1- The High Line

2- Lunch at BG

3- Brunch at August and shopping on Bleecker St.

Where can we find you on social media?

@sailingseastyle

xoxo

What's in My Purse - Kate Spade Little Minka

It's been a while since I last shared what's in my purse, so I thought it was time to update you all! I recently received the Kate Spade Little Minka as a "congrats! you survived freshman year!" from my parents. I had seen so many bloggers using this bag and knew that I had to get my hands on it - and it's just as great as  I imagined. It can easily be converted from a handbag to a crossbody, and fits even more than you can imagine. 

My Purse Essentials : 

Kate Spade Little Minka

Notebook and Book // I need somewhere to write my blog ideas and lists - this Tiny Prints notebooks does it all! And if I'm not reading from my kindle app, I always make sure to throw my current read into my purse just in case there's a need to pull out my book! 

OMG! I wish I Had A ... Kit // This small cosmetic bag holds it all! Some of the essentials I put in this bag include - hair ties, nail clippers (I am constantly breaking nails!), lipsticks and/or glosses (NYX, Stila, Bare Minerals, Maybelline), Perfume, lotion, Chapstick, flash drive, and hand sanitizer. 

Kate Spade Coin Purse (similar)

Heaphones

Advil

Phone + iPad Mini

Pens

Compact Mirror

What do you keep in your purse at all times?
xoxo

Little Black Dress

{ cue Sarah Bareilles song }

For the longest time, I never had a classic, timeless, and young LBD in my closet - which is considered one of the most essential pieces in a woman's closet! I found that perfect Little Black Dress. It isn't too grown up, but (I feel that) it still shows maturity and it won't ever go out of style! 

I have worn this dress only once here, and the material is perfect and so comfortable. I will be styling it for the second time the 18th for my solo concert performance. I'm thinking about adding one of my scarves, possibly a pretty teal one or my look-alike Barbour scarf. 

What sold me on dress had to be the dainty pleats after the defined waist line. It adds the perfect amount of playfulness! 

Dress (similar here and here) Banana Republic has great LBD options! // Pearl Strands (old, similar here) // Shoes (similar here) // Rings - Versona, Handpicked // Nails (OPI)

How do you style your LBD?

xoxo

Independence Day Inspiration

Happy Fourth of July! 
I love the high energy of everyone in Charleston on the Fourth. I have the pleasure of living in a city where there are many great places to watch fireworks and celebrate Independence, so tonight myself and my family are heading out to Sullivans Island to watch the "boomers", as my little sister calls them.  I love getting dressed up for holidays, indulging in new dresses and ensembles to wear just for a day, but when it comes to the Fourth, I've got it covered with red, white, and blue. Throughout the past week, many of my favorite bloggers have been showcasing what they're planning on wearing, which is definitely helping with my own outfit inspiration!
{ via Moda and the Mar }
{ via Classic With a Twist }
{ via The Blonde Prep } 
{ via Styled Snapshots }
{ via Atlantic-Pacific } 
{ via A Preppy State of Mind }
{ via Southern Curls and Pearls }
{ via Southern Curls and Pearls }

{ via Citrus and Style }

What's your favorite look? What are your exciting plans for the Fourth of July? 

xoxo

P.S. Sorry for not posting yesterday ladies, I was getting lots of scheduled posts ready for my time away at camp! 

Baseball Caps

Happy July! (Can you believe it?! We are over halfway done with 2014!!!)
A few weeks ago, I shared my favorite looks that included the famous floppy hats. Along with floppy hats, I've seen the trend of baseball caps grow and grow - there are endless pictures across Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram, as well as a few of my favorite blogs!  After spending close to an hour scrolling through my Pinterest Style board, I found a few of my favorite looks, and remembered how much time I spend on Pinterest. 
{ via }
  { via } 
{ via } 
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{ via } 
{ via } this is definitely a look suited for winter, but it comes to show how versatile baseball caps really are!
{ via } 
What are your favorite baseball cap looks?
xoxo

These Shoes Were Made for (Beaching)

I love summer shoes! There is so much variety, so many beautiful color options. After spending too much time on social media (Tumblr and Pinterest especially) I have loved seeing how other bloggers and teens style their favorite summer (comfort) shoes.

For me, once the weather is suitable for open toed shoes, they're coming out of their boxes! Here in Charleston, our summer shoes come out as early as the end of March/early April, so trying to find cute pairs to tide us over from then until September/October is both a challenge and fun! 

My go to shoes for summer have to be my Jack Rogers and some casual sandals from Target! (You cannot go wrong with Target sandals. who's with me?)

Gap Two Band Woven Sandals // Gap Espadrille Wedge Sandals // Platinum Classic Jack Rogers // Authentic Original 2 Eye Boat Shoe // Morganne Suede Flats // Classic Espadrilles Sandals // Abbee d'Orsay Flat // Rainbow Leather Flip Flops // Sperry Saylor Wedge // Leta d'Orsay Black Flat // Gap Classic Leather Sandals

I really wish I could pull off some type of wedge (or heel in general) but I'm so cautious about it because of my already 5'10" height. 

Let's not forget to mention that by putting together this look book there are now 11 new pairs of shoes I really want need. 

What are your summer comfort shoes? 

xoxo

  

6 Can't Miss Blogs

I've shared some of the blogs I can't go a day without reading previously on the blog, but over the course of a few months, these favorite blogs have shifted and now there is a new group of blogs that I'm excited to share with you! 
During the school year, reading blogs is the very first thing I do in the morning - alarm goes off, iPad/phone comes out (this is probably very unhealthy but oh well), and I'm checking Social Media and catching up with the same blogs on Bloglovin. Now that it's summer, I've had time to search around and find a few more blogs that are absolutely darling and that completely catch my eye every day with every new post. I've added their buttons to my home screen on my phone and have also followed each of the blogs on Bloglovin. 

ONE :: The Blonde Prep, Frannie  Frannie loves to cook and dress classy, and both definitely shine through on her blog. Frannie is constantly sharing some of her favorite recipies and I look forward to trying some of her recipies in the near future! (Doesn't this salad look delicious?!) Frannie recently started running and eating more raw fruits, which I really admire since I recently took up biking and have been struggling to find motivation some days! Her blog helps tons! 
TWO :: Citrus and Style, Caroline Over time, I followed Caroline on social media sites and was so excited to find out she had a blog for herself! Her blog title explains it all - she has a love for citrus (cooking, lifestyle) and style! Caroline writes great motivational posts, such as ways to stay in shape! (And I can't forget to mention her impeccable outfits!)
THREE :: The College Prepster, Carly Heitlinger I will always love Carly's blog. Her posts are constantly being bookmarked by me and I find myself always referencing old posts at various times throughout the week. Carly also loves to read, so I definitely look up to her for book suggestions and I think that if we were every to chat about books, we would instantly click.  And I can't get over that adorable puppy, Teddy, and her boyfriend, Garrett! And her life in NYC makes me want to live there. #someday
FOUR :: History in High Heels I found History in High Heels while packing for Italy because of her intense Travel section on her blog. I fell in love with her classic and fun posts, and now that she is in Italy herself, I have loved following along on Instagram and by reading her posts and viewing her outfits. I am so jealous that she is currently in my favorite travel destination - I wish I could go back and be one of her students! 
FIVE :: Sailing the Sea of Style, Sloane Kratzman I was introduced to Sloane's blog by my friend Kira and since then I have loved viewing Sloane's outfit every day. She is a rising freshman who has impeccable style and lives just outside the big apple - what's not to love?! Sloane has so much going for her and her blog and is definitely one of my new inspirations! 
SIX :: York Avenue, Jackie And last, (but not least!) Jackie from York Avenue has the picture perfect life in a flat in NYC. I live vicariously through her UES lifestyle and her blog simply covers all the bases - reading, style, and food. 
What are your daily reads? I love adding to my never ending list! 
xoxo