Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #56

HI All!!

It’s Friday Eve!!  WOOOO HOOO!!! What are your plans for the weekend!? A picnic or barbecue, whatever it may be I hope you have some fun in the sun.

Speaking of fun in the sun, today’s look is perfect for a summer activity. It’s fashionable, yet functional and its SCREAMS summer! I mixed two completely different outfits to put this piece together.

A perfect summer fun outfit!

I have worn the top in the past with ripped jeans for a more edgy look  here

I have also worn the shorts in the past with a fun top for the summer months here

I got both the top and bottoms from Francesca’s Boutique. I always find something unique when I go into their stores whether it be a piece or jewelry, clothing or accessory.

I was so surprised when I put the outfit together because of how well the colors and patterns worked together. I love a solid shot because you can pair it with so many patterns, materials, and styles of tops. My top was more tight fitting which worked out great since my scalloped shorts with more snug. I finished off my outfit with my gladiator sandals from DSW. I wore gold jewelry to garnish my look.

I wore this outfit for a barbecue, but you could wear it to a summer concert, park, dinner, or a day out at the beach. Always look at what clothes you can mix together, you never know when you ca create a new outfit.

Happy Thursday! Have the BEST weekend.

Categories
Fabulous living

Summer To Do:

Summer is in full swing. My brothers are finished with school and we are getting into a summer routine. The weather is warm, pool parties and barbecues are underway and (I think) things are starting to slow down. Although, I am working a lot this summer I still want to make sure I have some fun. It may seem a bit late to the game but I made a summer to do list. Some things are specific, others are more hopes but I’m sharing it with you today. Towards the end of summer I will share home much I accomplished. When it comes to summer fun… here’s my list.

Summer List
  • Complete Internship
  • Go some place new
  • Take a trip
  • Sleep in
  • See high school friends
  • See one (or more) college friends
  • Read SIX book (one more than last summer)
  • Watch SUITS

    Can’t wait to start this new series
  • Watch Evil Genius
  • Watch Comedians in Cars getting Coffee

    my latest obsession
  • See Mamma Mia 2

    SOOOO Excited to see this movie
  • See Oceans 8

    Another movie I can’t wait to watch
  • See family and spend time with them
  • Try something new
  • Go to the beach
  • Take more walks
  • Eat at a food truck

    With food trucks becoming more and more popular I need to try some!
  • Watch the sunset and sunrise
  • See a concert
  • Spend more time outside
  • Go swimming more often
  • Do more free things (Zoo, parks, festivals)
  • Trip to Pittsburgh
  • Breakfast at iHop
  • Don’t rush as much and be in the moment
  • Smile more
  • Be spontaneous

That’s a round up of my dreams and goals for this summer! I may add things as the summer goes on. But I love to make a list of to-do’s to make sure I get everything in and it’s not August and I realize I have two weeks to get everything in.

Do you make up summer bucket lists? If so, what’s one thing on your to -do???

Categories
Uncategorized

Look of the Day #55

LOTD

Hello! Hello! Hello all! Happy Thursday.  What a busy week it has been. Over the past week, my family and I have been very busy with graduation festivities. Both my brothers graduated this past week, one from high school and the other from eighth grade. Needless, to say graduation has been on our brains. I’m looking forward to this next week for things to start slowing down and to start enjoying summer between work (or at least try to) haha!

Between all the activities this past week, I wanted to share one of the outfits I wore to one of my graduations I attended. I got this dress several years ago, but I LOVE the fit and I always try to wear it to more formal events that I have.

Pop of pink for the start of summer!

This bright pink dress is from Francesca’s Boutique- one of my favorite stores. Not only do I love the color but I always love the material, pattern and cut!! The cut allows several different body types to wear this dress and have it complement them.

Since, I wore it to my brother’s graduation, I opted for a pair of nude heels for a more formal look, however, I have worn wedges with this dress in the past as well as black and navy blue heels with it because it is a bold color.

Due to the event, I decided to dress up the outfit with a pearl ring, necklace and earrings. I wanted my look to be more formal. However, for a more casual look, a bold, chunky necklace would work as would a pair of earrings.

Up close for the jewelry

This dress is perfect for any formal event such as a wedding, dinner, or awards ceremony. Since, it is just one bold color, your can dress it up or down as much as you want with jewelry. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to your wardrobe.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Categories
Fitness

Fit Bit Review

Calling all work out enthusiasts!! This post is for you! Today, I am reviewing my Fit Bit, I got it for Christmas about 6 months ago and have been loving it, so I thought I would take some time to tell you what I love about my Fit Bit and how I use it.

***Please note, this post is not sponsored by Fit Bit and all opinions are my own.  😊 ***

I am always on the go and try to be active for as much as possible. For years, I had always used the Health app on my iPhone in order to track my exercise, but I didn’t like how I always had to have my phone on me to track my steps, calories, and movement. For example, when I would go on runs, I didn’t like having to hold a phone just to track my steps and miles.

A look at the Health app from my phone.

I got the Fit Bit Ulta HR for Christmas and have been very pleased with it. The fit bit tells me the day and time and tracks my steps, miles walked, heart rate, calories burned and active minutes. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it, especially if you love to be active.

Loving my fit bit!!

I personally aim for 10,000 steps, 30 active minutes, 5 miles and burning 2,000 calories a day. Some days I EXCEED my goals, other days I only meet SOME of my goals, and most days I JUST MEET my goals, it depends on my agenda. The Fit Bit has an app that works on your phone where it tracks all these features along with your food and water intake as well as steps per hour and exercise. I use the app every day and find it very helpful. I also love that I can take a run without my phone and still have all my steps logged and synced with my phone. The Fit Bit also tracks your sleep when you wear it at night. The battery is long lasting, I can go a few days without charging it but I try to charge it every night.

I use this app all the time, one of my most used phone apps.

I got my Fit Bit at Target where they have many other styles and series of Fit Bits, but the things I was most focused on were features on the Ulta HR. I like how it is small and slender and not too bulky.

I wear my Fit Bit with every outfit.

If you are a workout enthusiast, always on the go, or love to be active, I would definitely recommend getting a Fit Bit either this style or another one that better suits your needs. If you are not a fitness Guru, I would strongly suggest using the Health app on your phone, I used it for almost four years and got a lot of use out of it until I decided to upgrade it to a Fit Bit with their free app.

If you are on the fence about getting a Fit Bit or just sticking to the Health or workout app, I hope this provides you with some guidance. I have been very pleased with my Fit Bit, if you have a Fit Bit or fitness watch (i.e. Apple Watch) and love it, let me know why.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #54

LOTD

Hello and Happy Summer (I think we are in the clear for summer weather)!!  Yay!! It’s been a long time coming but I think it is safe to take out the shorts, grill supplies and umbrellas as summer is here to stay.

Today, I am sharing an outfit I wore for a Memorial Day picnic. I had a great 3 day weekend spent with barbecuing, seeing family and kicking off summer. It was a well spent holiday weekend. In addition, the warm 80 degree weather made it even better to celebrate the start of summer.

White and Blue for the start of summer!

When it comes to fashion,  I am a firm believer of wearing white after Memorial Day, so I was very excited to break out these white capris.  I have worn all these items with other outfits but, for this outfit I decided to match them all together.

I got these white Capris from American Eagle. I haven’t shopped there in a while, I got them a few years back, but they were a great buy and I have worn them again and again with different outfits in the summer.

I love this top. I got it from Francesca’s Boutique last year. I love the material as it is very lightweight.  I have worn it with shorts in the past but loved pairing it with the capris for a more dressier look.  I also love how it is one shoulder, it really changes up an outfit. The blue and white combo is one of my new favorite pairings.

Since, I went to a picnic, I paired my capris and top with a pair of nude wedges. These are my favorite summer sandals to wear to picnics, grad parties, and other summer events. A wedge is crucial to have in your wardrobe. Whether, it is high or short, a wedge can go with any summer outfit.

My biggest accessory are not having glasses, I finally decided to make a change and get contacts for my 20th birthday. It took some practice but I am very happy with the final result.

That’s a look into my Memoial Day outfit and a start into my summer wardrobe. Have a great weekend filled with sunshine and warm weather.

 

 

Categories
Fabulous living

20 Things I’ve Learned in My 20 Years of Living

New day, new year, new beginnings. Today, a new decade begins for me. Yes, I am turning 20! I’m really excited for not only this new year but also this new decade. A whole lot can happen from 20 to 30.

I’m also excited for new adventures and beginnings with this new year ahead. Besides looking forward to this new chapter, I am reflecting a lot on these past 20 years.

After careful consideration, I have complied a list of twenty things I have learned in my twenty years of living. Some big things, others not so big and in no particular order. But, all these things have shaped me into the person I am today. Here we go!!

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

Always share. Whether, it’s your toys, talents, or thoughts. Share with others.

Always Smile. A smile can go a long way and even change someone’s day or life.

It can be easy to get caught up with routines and schedules in life. But don’t forget to be spontaneous and go on adventures.

You can learn something new every day. Learn about the world around you.

It doesn’t hurt to ask questions. Always ask whether you are sure or unsure.

Yes, eating healthy and working out are important but get the dessert, I promise it will be worth it.

Work smarter, not harder.

Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown. Always be open to trying new things.

A favorite movie or good book is always the answer to having a rough day.

It’s okay to say No in life, sometimes it may even be for the better.

Doing small things in life, like doing your nails, or changing your hair or spending more time on your makeup, can make you feel like a different

When in doubt, take a long drive and put the music on high to clear your mind.

The hard work you put in now will benefit you in the future.

The tough times in life will make you a stronger person.

Self-care is so important, you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself.

Tell the people in your life that you love them.

Be sure to check in and make time with your friends. Tell them how much they mean to you.

Family is the most important thing in life. Don’t take them for granted.

Live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way.

Live, Love, Laugh, Dance.

Well, I’m off to celebrate with some friends and family for my birthday. See you all on Thursday!!

 

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #53

LOTD

Hello All!

Happy Thursday! We are almost to the end of the  work week and then there is a long weekend ahead for Memorial Weekend! How are you celebrating the holiday weekend? Pool party? Cookout? Fireworks? I’ll be spending time with family and at some fun barbecues. I’m ready to kick off summer!

To start off today’s look of the day, I do have a disclaimer, last week I promised to share more business outfits and I will, but I wore this outfit over the weekend and I couldn’t resist sharing it. I’ll be sharing more business casual outfits coming up soon!

I will admit, I am a short girl, I’m only 5’3”, so most of the time, I can’t wear maxi dresses or skirts. If I do wear them I typically have to wear them with heels or wedges or I must find short maxi dresses or skirts which can be a challenge. When I do find a dress or skirt that works, I immediately pick it up. I love how they are flowy, comfortable, versatile and great for traveling.

Fun for the summer sun!

Onto the dress details. I got this maxi dress from Old Navy a few years ago and I love to wear it since it hasn’t gone out of style. I chose navy blue since it is a neutral color and you can mix and match it with other colors and patterns. The fabric is so soft which makes it even more comfortable to wear. Plus, can we talk about how cute the open back is?! I love the cut out and it adds a great style to this simple dress.

How cute are these shoes?!

I decided to pair my maxi dress with a pair of leather peep toe boots. I got them from T. J. Maxx and they were a great buy!  I will only be able to wear these for a few more weeks since they are more of a spring and fall boot. I love how the navy and brown work so well together. Also, the heel makes sure that my maxi dress won’t drag on the ground. Another must for us short girls!

I love the open back and this purse went great with the outfit.

I was looking for a more unique purse and realized this would be the perfect opportunity to use my new bag from my trip to Chicago. I got it from Bloomingdales. It was the perfect size to hold a sweater, my phone, and wallet. I love how it really changed my outfit and made it more fun and functional!

I hope this gives you a new idea to mix and match your summer outfits up. What is something essential you always have to have with you when you are out and about? Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day with your family and loved ones. Have a great start to summer!!

Categories
Fabulous living

Spring Semester Recap

What a semester it has been!!!  Not gonna lie, in January, the semester started out as a rocky one. But, I was determined not to let a few bad days change the outlook of my whole semester. Thank goodness, that I didn’t because this semester turned out to be my best semesters yet!!!

Throughout the course of this semester, I truly felt that I came into my own. I found my tribe of friends to lean and gain support and that made all the difference. Without a strong support system both at home and at school, it is very hard to navigate yourself through life.

During the semester, I took on more roles, and wore many hats in these short months. I took on 18 credits, added another work study to the mix, and took on a leadership role in my other job I have at school. Although my job has its stressful and unpredictable moments, I had truly had the best staff and coworkers. We all got along great and were able to have fun as a one big family. When work got tiring or stressful they made the job 100 times better.  I am so lucky to have made so many long lasting friends because of this job. Whether it was staff meetings, Sheetz runs or late night adventures we all had the best time together.

Obviously, taking on all these new things felt like a lot and could be a bit overwhelming at some points. Like for example, starting my day at 6:00 am and working through 1:00, yes, I had a few of those days but they were filled with fun memories braided through the stressful moments.

One motto that I used towards the end of the semester was “Live Mas” or “Living my Best Life”, a lot of my close friends were either graduating or moving to different building so during my last few weeks of school, I made sure I went out and did things with my friends to savor our last few days together, whether it was Dairy Queen trips, late night drives, or playing card games while working the late shift, I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. I’m so glad I found so many wonderful people because of this job and school.

Here we are at one of our first events of the year.

Lastly, something that made this semester so great was working on myself and being my true authentic self. I learned and worked on this a lot with the help of my friend Olivia. We met a year and a half ago because our boss suggested we meet since we are so similar. Every chance we get we thank our boss for introducing us, we immediately hit it off and have been close every since. Not only can we talk about the easy day to day topics, but we often talk about the challenging stuff too. Olivia, is one of the hardest working, caring, driven, and “mom like” people I have ever met. She has been a wonderful mentor but an even better friend to me this past year. She has taught me a lot but the most important thing I have learned is to be my authentic self. Olivia, thank you for making this year the best one yet.

Here is a second picture of her, as we were moving out. I love this quote– a constant reminder of girl power

This has been such a good semester for me both in and out of the classroom. I have excelled in my studies, formed long lasting friendships, made countless memories but most importantly, I lived my best life as my authentic self. Here’s to hopping I grow even more as a person next semester.

LIVE MAS THIS SUMMER!!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the day #52

LOTD

Hello All!

It’s officially the start of summer (or work season for me)! This will be a busy summer for me as I will be doing an internship and working part time. I’m super excited to learn new things and be exposed to new experiences!  Due to these jobs, I will be working in a professional setting and I will be wearing a lot of business casual outfits this summer. The next few looks I will be sharing will be geared towards a business style.

It’s all about looking professional today on the blog.

Today, is my first professional attire look, I got these navy blue, dress pants from The Limited. I love how they can go with any bold blouse, sweater set, or cardigan.  The length on them works great if you want to pair either a ballet flat, small pump or stiletto with them. The quality is also long lasting, I have had them for a few years and have worn them on numerous occasions.

Along with the blue dress pants, I am wearing a bold pink and navy-blue top alongside the pants. I wanted to break up the solid pattern with my pants. I got this silky long sleeve top from Francesca’s Boutique. Previously, I have worn this top with cotton skirts, leggings, and even jeans, it is so versatile. I personally like to wear this top with business looks, but it never hurts to mix it with other outfits.

Lastly, I wanted to rave about these navy-blue pumps I am rocking on my feet. I got them from DSW, several years ago. I don’t wear them too often since I typically wear black or brown shoes, but I love how these neutral shoes really break up my outfit.

That’s a peak into my closet today on the more formal side of things. If there is ever a look you want to see styled. Let me know in the comments below! I am always open to new ideas and styles. Have the best weekend!!

Categories
Fabulous living

One Year Reflection

1 year, 365 days, 52 weeks, and 104 blog posts later…what a year it has been.

This has been a year of joy, happiness, learning, love, and new experiences.

The idea to start a blog came to me over a year ago. After a long first year of college, I wanted to do something for myself through the summer. That came in the form of the birth of Elspeth’s Day by Day. I spent the first few weeks of my summer vacation researching how to start a blog and reading lots of blogs. I decided to give it a try for the summer AND I LOVED IT. I loved the idea of not only practicing my writing by blogging every week, but I loved the idea of sharing things that I have learned through life. Whether it was fashion, organizing, fitness or even the difficult things in life like battling homesickness or being independent. It is a great feeling to be open with your struggles and have others say they my post helped them through something. It is a very humbling experience. I have loved it all. This blog has been a great creative outlet for me especially during the school year, whenever I needed a break from the stressers of college, this was the perfect channel.

A huge thank you to all of you for reading and sharing and commenting on my blog. I appreciate your support so much. Whether you have been an avid reader since Day 1 or you are reading this for the first time today, thank you for your time and attention. It means so much to me. I never thought I would make it a year, but I did it and it has been a joy the whole time. I can’t wait to see what the new year holds, new ideas, new posts and new content. Season 2 is coming soon!!!

Thank you again for all the love and support this year! If there is anything you want to see on here during this next year of blogging, please let me know in the comments below!

XOXO