#abc13

My sister in law, Reachel from Cardigan Empire was my date

This weekend was the 2nd annual Arizona Blogger Conference and I was really glad I got to go--every time I push myself to go to social events that I don't feel completely confortable at, I am glad I did and I end up meeting someone or many someones that I get so excited about.

This conference had many high-lights, but here are a few:

Dani (from Sometimes Sweet) inspiring me to make at least a weekly effort to spend 20 minutes free-writing, no editing, no stopping, just writing. She said we all have a story to tell, so get telling it. I've always loved her, and I'm happy for every opportunity I get to mingle with that sweet lady.

Getting to meet Sarah Hubbell of the beautiful Emma Magazine. She's funny and incredibly smart and super friendly and easy to talk to--now let me tell you, that's a hard combination to find, so i was lucky to spend a few minutes with her.

And who could forget this surprise! I've been kindly teasing Chelsea about getting married for a few months now, and BAM! she got engaged right before my eyes. I love them.

And lastly, I was so happy when Georganne called me over to meet Katy, my sister and I have been admiring her handmade dolls for over a year through instagram and last week when I went into Frances, I got to see them in real life and find out she actually lives in Arizona, so it was just really fun to meet her, and as a side note, if you follow her on instagram and think she has the greatest hair on planet earth, rest assured you are correct. amen. (why didn't i snap a picture with her?!)

brittany's from brittany's notebook

megan from and here's to you, mrs. robinson

Adrianna from Le Mode Accessories

hello gift bags!? let's not lie, it was a big reason for me wanting to attend this event

lock me up, but don't throw away the key.

photo by wes johnson

I wanted to thank everyone that commented/emailed/tweeted suggestions for Europe! I tried to respond to everyone, but lots of you don't have your email connected to your blogger name, so I couldn't email you back--i did respond in the comments though. Anyway, thanks again!

Today after church I've got to lock myself in my room and make myself pack!   If I'm lucky, I'll get done in time to sneak in a little break to watch the new episode of Granite Flats.

  I made this hair tutorial after watching the show and admiring the  hair and costuming! There  are so many things I'm grateful for about being born when i was, especially as a woman, but sometimes i  see 'period pieces' and i just really wish i could have lived back when you always had your hair perfectly done and dresses and petticoats were the norm :)

Anyway, if you want to check out the show that inspired it all, you can watch all the episodes free here, or on your roku.

If you could/had to live in any time period other than the one we are in now, which would you choose?

April 24th.

Today i went out to Frances in Phoenix. A few months ago we got the sweetest, most exciting email from my friend Sarah Rhodes, telling me that she's working with Georganne, the owner of Frances, to make a Summer Style Guide and they wanted Marcus and I to be in one of the shoots.
Getting ready for the whole thing, we got to meet the coolest people, running the most beautiful shops and it made me really proud and excited to call the Phoenix area my home.
It's so cool to get to interact with creative, positive people that are doing something they love and are passiate about, and who are willing to help and support other people and business that are trying to do the same.
That's kind of what this whole Style Guide is about--its a collection (a beautiful and fun one, i might add) of Frances' favorite things, places, activities, shops, and restaurants in Phoenix to inspire you this summer.

You're definitely going to want to check it out!
They're having a big magazine launch/anniversary party May 3rd, that unfortunately we'll be out of town for, but when i went into Frances to buy a pair of shoes that i wore (and fell in love with) at the shoot, Georganne was in the store and pulled me into the back room to get a sneak peek at the rough draft of the magazine--it's so fun, you guys! And getting to know her, even for the few minutes I had, was a delight and a highlight of my week.

She even mentioned she would send me a few extras to giveaway on the blog, so if you're interested, I'd be happy to do that :) 

(and don't worry, if you're totally sick of seeing me and marcus, we only take up a page or two!)

And if you live in the area, I strongly encourage you to go to the party this May 3rd! These people are so awesome, and you're going to want to meet them and see all they're up to.
I'm pretty sure if I had to come up with two of the nicest, most genuine people i know at the moment, it would be Sarah Rhodes (the photographer) and Georganne (the owner of Frances and Smeeks). They're the best. That's simply the truth.

The whole point of this story was, that today was a really great day.

i hope yours was too.

<<what i wore>>

crop top//nastygal sale $11 (buy similar here)
sunnies//amazing $9 (buy them here)

earrings//c.o. sheinside $10 (buy them here)

dot trousers//c.o. oasap (buy them here) 

dara re-mix wedges//frances

world watch//urban outfitters $30 (buy it here)