Wandering the Web: have a fun weekend

Is it just me, or does everyone feel better after a four-day work week? It's been busy here, and I'm ready to pour myself a drink and relax because I don't have any plans set for the weekend yet (don't you love that feeling?). But I am hoping to convince Adam to take me to see this movie, and I'm about to start reading this book.

I hope you have a great weekend, and here are some of this week's links from around the web...

1. 13 varieties of spiked lemonade to try this summer. (Esquire)

2. If Mary-Kate and Ashley still made mystery movies. (Buzzfeed)

3. This USB turns random objects into a button for your computer. (Co. Design)

4. I can't stop listening to this song.

5. The cutest bachelorette bash supplies. (Southern Curls and Pearls)

6. Just added this book to my reading list.

7. These shoes came in the mail yesterday and I am so in love. (Old Navy via Damsel in Dior)

8. Chocolate dipped almond butter banana bites sound delicious. (A Healthy Slice of Life)

Swimsuits for every budget

under $30: one / two / three / four // under $50: one / two / three / four // under $80: one / two / three / four

For me, Memorial Day is the true beginning of summer. The weather is (usually) warming up and the sun is (usually) shining most every day. The holiday weekend was mostly gray and rainy here, but I did get a couple hours in by the pool and pretty soon we'll be heading out to the lake on my dad's pontoon, which is one of my favorite things to do come summertime. And all that time by the water means a few new swimsuits are in order.

I'm not a swimmer, so I really don't need a lot of swimsuits...but they're just so pretty! I wanted to stick with the theme of swimsuits on a budget, because I'm not one to spend a lot of money on swimwear. But for those who spend a lot of time at the beach or anywhere else that requires a suit, it might make more sense to invest in more expensive pieces. Plus, how great is that tropical one-piece?

P.S. summer wish list, mix and match pjs and brands I love

Taking time to detox

As a journalist and blogger, my life revolves around computer screens and social media. I work all day in front of a laptop, and then I come home and blog all night on a laptop. Sounds a little redundant, doesn't it? Now don't get me wrong: I love being a writer and all the resources the Internet provides. It's just that sometimes it can all be a bit overwhelming.

I am always scouting social media and local news outlets for story ideas at work, and then at home I am reading dozens of other blogs and sites for potential story ideas for miscelenious. That, combined with the constant pressure to be "present" on social media day in and day out can be really stressful — especially when I'm trying to have a life. I've recently begun using a couple different scheduling sites for social media, and those have been incredibly helpful. But sometimes you just need to step back and take a break — a real break — from all of it.

That's what I did over Memorial Day weekend (and yesterday), although I'll admit it was sort of unintentional. Even though we didn't have any set plans going into it, Adam and I spent the weekend together and hanging out with friends. It was my first weekend off crutches and I was ready to get out and get back into a somewhat normal routine. I had my computer with me all weekend and my phone is always by my side, but for some reason blogging just didn't enter my mind. There was never a conscious moment where I thought I should be working on next week's content or taking photos — I was just focused on the here and now of whatever we were doing, even when we were just watching TV on the couch.

Once I did realize that I had been MIA for most of the weekend (aside from a few Instagrams here and there), I noticed how great it felt to disconnect. I wasn't rearranging my plans to write my next post, or convincing Adam to go somewhere just so I could take pictures. We just relaxed and enjoyed our time together. It was rejuvenating to give my mind a break for a few days, and I realized how important it is to detox once in a while and just "reset" yourself.

Don't worry, I'm not giving up blogging anytime soon. I still love the work I do and everything that goes into it, but now I'm just more open to taking time away from it once in a while. I used to think I had to be "on" all the time, but when you're working full-time as a creative, it can be hard to come up with fresh ideas constantly. That's why it's necessary to pause everything and not put out forced content for the sake of having content. After a detox, it's easier to think clearly and creatively because you're not stressing about it. So that's my goal for this summer: to take time to detox.

What do you think — do you ever take time away to detox your mind? I'd love to hear... 

P.S. Small town vs. city living and taking time to be thankful

Wandering the Web: have a great (long) weekend

Happy Friday, babes! What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend? I'm hoping to spend the majority of it poolside with this book. The weather is beautiful today, but it's supposed to be rainy again for the next week, so I'm just hoping it holds off until we go back to work!

Have a great weekend, and here are a few fun things I found around the web this week...

1. A guide to tipping for every occasion. (Real Simple)

2. A life-sized kaleidoscope. (Architizer)

3. The most gorgeous quilts for little ones. (Cup of Jo)

4. 5 apps for blog productivity. (A Girl, Obsessed)

5. This made me laugh. (Buzzfeed)

6. Tiny chocolate chip cookies — plus a bunch of pretty cakes. (Sprinkles for Breakfast)

7. How to order the perfect glass of wine for your tastes. (Cup of Jo)

8. A beautiful white dress for summer. (Asos)

Brands I love (and why I love them)

People often ask me where I shop or where I buy most of my clothes, and honestly, I have a hard time answering. Depending on the time, I could say I shop at many different stores or just one or two. When I really think about it, though, I tend to come back to the same group of brands for certain things. If I really spent the time to think about it, this list could go on for a while, but I'll keep it simple and only tell you about my top four most trusted brands.

ASOS. The amazing assortment of high-quality and affordably priced clothing is enough to make Asos anyone's favorite brand. I love all the unique, eclectic styles that you can't just find at the mall. Everything you buy here looks personal to you, which I love. But on top of that, it also offers free shipping and returns, which is HUGE when you're trying to guess sizes in different styles. They make the whole process super easy, and in my book, customer service is the key to good business.

Baublebar. Jewelry and accessories can add up really fast, so it helps to have a go-to place for affordable products. Baublebar offers beautiful, high-quality jewelry at a reasonable price. They update their inventory often, so there is always a great rotation. Plus, their Guest Bartender is a celebrity-curated selection that always kills it. I get a lot of my earrings from here, because they always have new styles.

Express. I've been shopping at Express for a long time, and I've recently converted to wearing only their jeans because they are the only ones long enough and comfortable enough for me. Also, they go on sale all the time. Which is the second reason I love Express: SALES. I can't pass up a good sale or coupon, and Express has them all the time. It's also a great place to find professional clothes and jewelry.

Bare Minerals. I'm not a big makeup guru. Honestly, I don't even know that much about it. I find one brand that I like and tend to stick with it. My mom got me started on Bare Minerals when I was in high school, and I've been using it ever since. It is the only foundation I trust on my face because it goes on very smooth and looks natural. I only use the powders because I think they're more comfortable and allow my skin to breathe. The other thing I always buy here is my eyebrow pencil. I haven't tried many brow pencils, because once I found this one I stopped looking. It's that good.

What brands do you use most frequently? 

P.S. Summer wish list, mix and match pjs and beautiful iPhone cases

5 great happy hour specials around Des Moines

For the last year, one of my main responsibilities at work has been covering the nightlife section, which means I write an article each week about a different bar in the Des Moines area. I know, rough life, right? ;) But I've researched and visited a lot of bars and restaurants around here, and I'm beginning to know my way around fairly well.

I'm not saying I know all the hottest spots — there are approximately a billion (or at least a couple hundred) places to get a drink in Des Moines — but I do know a great happy hour special when I see it. And since everyone needs to take some time for happy hour once in a while, I've rounded up 5 of my favorite happy hour specials in downtown Des Moines and West Des Moines.

1. Cowboy Jack's / West Glen
3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight / $2 rail and call drinks, select beers; $4 house wines; half-off select appetizers
This might be THE best happy hour around — and it happens twice a day! My mom actually meets her friends here after work about once every two weeks, and I don't blame her. Cowboy Jack's has great appetizers (try the calamari!), and you can't beat $2 drinks. The really great part? Happy hour continues on Saturdays, which is extremely unique.

2. Eatery A / downtown
3-6 p.m. / Half-off beer, wine and wood-fired pizzas
Disclaimer: I've only actually eaten here once. BUT that's all it took for me to fall in love. Adam and I went to Eatery A for our anniversary last year and tried one of their amazing wood-fired pizzas. We thought they were reasonable at full price, so the half-priced happy hour is pretty amazing. The wine was equally delicious.

3. Johnny's Hall of Fame / downtown
4-6 p.m. / 50-cent wings; $2.25 domestic draws, bottles and wells; $7.50 domestic pitchers
Any place that offers 50-cent wings is my kind of place. Johnny's has great food all around, and the atmosphere is so lively and fun. Plus, you can't beat those drink prices, especially if you're going with a group.

4. Bar Louie / West Des Moines
4-7 p.m. / $3.25 drafts, $4.25 wines, $5.25 martinis, half-off select appetizers and flatbreads
Bar Louie holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first bars I wrote about when I started my job. It had just opened up and I took my mom there for martinis at happy hour. I ordered my first-ever dirty martini (and impressed the bartenders for drinking it). Anyway, Bar Louie has a all sorts of great cocktails, but the flatbreads are the real winners.

5. The Stuffed Olive / downtown
4-6 p.m. / $2 off tapas, beer and wine
Speaking of martinis, The Stuffed Olive (formerly The Standard) has a martini menu the size of a small book. For real. It's a classy place, so the prices are a bit higher than the other bars on this list, but if you're in the mood for it, it's definitely worth it.

Enjoy your happy hour :)

P.S. Creme Cupcakes + Desserts, Eatery A and RoCA

Book review: 'Crazy Rich Asians'

I've had this book on my reading list pretty much since it came out last year, but I just hadn't gotten around to reading it yet. (Typical me, I know!) But I found the perfect time to do it after my surgery, which happened to be very good timing because I just found out that a sequel called China Rich Girlfriend is coming out in June. That part doesn't exactly thrill me because I like to know ahead of time that I'm getting into a series — anyone else like that? Also because I'm just not sure I can handle much more of this story...

As you might infer from the title, Crazy Rich Asians is about just that: several Asian families who are unfathomably rich. We're talking hundreds of millions and billions per family. To them, money, social status and lineage are extremely important, and anyone who falls outside of their parameters is thereby unqualified to become a member of their clan. When Nick, a son of one of the most prestigious families in Singapore, brings his American-born Chinese (not so fondly known as ABC) girlfriend Rachel to meet his family, she is greeted with a not-so-warm welcome.

That's the main story, but there are also several side stories following other members of Nick's gigantic family, as well as a couple others. This to me was a little bit overwhelming, because there were dozens of names to remember, tons of facts both relating to the family histories and the geographies of several parts of Asia. It all became a little cluttered, and I found myself wanting to get through several parts so I could get back to Rachel and Nick's story.

Jetting off to private islands for bachelorette parties, owning multiple houses and properties all over the world, a spur of the moment trip to the jewelry store that results in a multimillion-dollar purchase — and those are just a few examples. Kevin Kwan's book is apparently based on some of the real families of Singapore, so for most of the book I was in disbelief that real people could actually live and act similarly to the people in this book.

For that reason, Crazy Rich Asians became a little exhausting for me to read, which is why I'm a little hesitant to read the second one. But overall it was an entertaining read, and I ended up reading the second half in a matter of hours because I couldn't put it down. The author does a great job of building this crazy world and drawing the reader in, but it's the characters themselves that made me want to pull myself back out.

Have you read Crazy Rich Asians? If you did, what did you think? I'd love to discuss!

P.S. Reviews of Yes Please, Where'd You Go, Bernadette and Reconstructing Amelia

Wandering the Web: have a fun weekend.

We made it! It's been a long week here, but that's mostly because Adam has been in New York for work all week and (the big news) I'm counting down my days on crutches! I'm supposed to be able to walk again on Monday, and I am SO excited. I'm finally getting pretty dang good at the whole crutches thing, but my legs are itching to get back to work! I hope you all have a great weekend, and here are some fun things I found around the web this week...

1. Plates specifically designed to give you an Instagram-worthy food photo. (The Kitchn)

2. An interview with Ben Savage. (Vulture)

3. Which dance movie do you belong in? (Refinery 29)

4. An expert shares her tips for bridal manicures. (Glitter Guide)

5. Homemade mango frozen yogurt sounds like the perfect summer treat. (Peace Love Shea)

6. Everyone has an opinion on Verizon buying AOL — and they're hilarious. (Mashable)

7. Diane Keaton interviews Emma Stone. (Interview Magazine)

8. Three ways to up your Pinterest game. (With Grace and Gold)

Summer wish list

destroyed white jeans / colorful wedges / tassel earrings / statement necklace 

tassel bracelet set / YSL lipstick / floral romper 

I'm currently taking a break from shopping and between new season essentials coming out, major sales and having lots of extra time for online shopping — it's not been easy to keep my wallet closed. That's why I thought a summer wish list would be a kind of compromise.

First off, I am crushing majorly on two things I've never cared for before this year: white jeans and rompers. I never liked white pants much because they can get dirty so easily, but I've seen so many cute styles with them that I'm falling in love. Same with rompers; I really like the ones that look like dresses. The added comfort of shorts make them the perfect answer to a windy day.

Second is the tassel trend. While I'm still not quite as head over heels as many of the bloggers I follow, it is definitely starting to grow on me. These earrings and this bracelet set from Baublebar would add such a fun look to a white dress.

This necklace: Oh my gosh, I die. [Insert heart-eyed emoji a zillion times.] I saw it when I was shopping online for a Mother's Day gift and I couldn't stop staring. I can see it with a fabulous LBD for date night or a white off-shoulder top for daytime. Love.

Finally, bright pink lips and these gorgeous wedges. I love a good pink lip in the summer and, of course, wedges. This pair is especially fantastic with the tropical print. I might just have to buy them as a celebration for getting out of this boot at the end of 6 weeks :)

Hope you all enjoyed my summer favorites! What are you shopping for right now? 

P.S. Springtime favorites, mix and match pjs and Lilly for Target

Small town versus city living

I moved to the Des Moines area right about a year ago, and it's still amazing to me how different it is from the town I grew up in just 75 miles away. I lived in Tama-Toledo (two separate towns but, for all intents and purposes, the same) for 18 years. For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to move to a bigger city. I had my sights set on New York (much to my family's horror), because I wanted to go somewhere completely different from home (plus, all the magazines, celebrities and fabulous things are in New York). What I didn't expect, though, was to find a city so different so close to home.

7 books to add to your beach bag this summer

When it comes to summer reading, I've always preferred more light reads, typically of the love story and chick lit varieties. But I've had a couple of darker mysteries on my reading list for a while now, so I had to include them in my summer reading list. Plus, I think it's good to mix it up a little, that way you have something to open regardless of your mood.

This summer's book list is made up of recently published books that range from Gone Girl-esque dramas to teen romance in the magical New York summer. So whether you're going to the beach (can I go with?) or just taking a few days for a relaxing staycation, these are the books that should be by your side.

Mix and Match: pretty PJs

top row: blue sporty bralette / coral racerback bralette / green bralette / yellow crossback bralette

middle row: blue cami / gray tank / striped cami / bottom row: floral boxers / palm print shorts

Maybe it's the fact that I've been restricted to wearing pajamas and workout clothes for the past couple weeks, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about getting some cute new PJs. Aerie makes some of my favorite pajamas, and they have the most adorable patterns out for summer. I also love their whole collection of bralettes, and these four are some of my favorite colors and styles right now. 

One thing I love about all of these pieces is how well they mix and match. I used to be a generic T-shirt and gym shorts kind of girl when it came to sleepwear, but I'm starting to want a more styled selection that still feels fun and fashionable when I lounge and drink my coffee on the weekends.

Which pieces are your favorite? Are you a fancy PJ wearer or a T-shirt and shorts gal? 

*This post is not sponsored in any way. All opinions are my own. 

P.S. The brights are back and the Express One Eleven collection

Wandering the Web: Have a great weekend

TGIF has never described my feelings better than it does today because I. am. tired. Adam and I went to see the new Avengers last night (amazing — go see it right now), and it was such a long day for me. I'm still getting used to the whole "three flights of stairs on crutches" thing, so doing that twice in one day was a little tiring. It's just reminding me that I really (like really) need to hit the gym once my foot is healed! Who knew hopping up stairs would make me SO EXHAUSTED. But the good part: I only have a little more than a week left on crutches! :)

Anyway, I'm hoping to have a quiet night to relax and then go to the winery on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day. Do you have any big plans for the weekend?

1. "What I'll tell my daughters someday." (Oh Joy)

2. When did "broga" become a thing? (Refinery 29)

3. This would make my morning routine much easier. (Four Generations One Roof)

4. 12 outfit ideas for when you have nothing to wear. (Who What Wear)

5. A love triangle between a woman, her mom and her mother-in-law. (Buzzfeed)

6. Berry buttermilk popsicles look like my new favorite dessert. (Brooklyn Supper)

7. 8 books to read in May. (Vulture)

8. The real cost behind that $10 manicure. (New York Times)

5 blogs to help you become a better blogger

When it comes to blogging, I don't think anyone knows absolutely everything there is to know about it. Even the best bloggers can still learn something new. When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. I searched Pinterest and Google to find articles, tutorials and other blog posts that could help me do different things — anything from coding to creating my own social media buttons.

That's why I think it's really helpful to follow other blogs that share those kinds of tips and tricks, because blogging isn't a competition. We're all trying to make our blogs the best they can be, in our own unique ways, and it's nice when we can help one another to do that. I don't know what I would have done without these resources, which is why I'm sharing some of my favorite blogs for finding tutorials, helpful hints and just plain good advice.

1. The Wonder Forest. Dana Fox is a designer/blogger/business owner/creator who offers an array of content on her personal blog. As a web designer, she knows a lot about creating a successful blog, and you can even purchase complete templates that she's created here. Dana has created a few different businesses, so she really knows her stuff. She also offers online courses — I'm taking one called "Get Noticed" right now and it's really good.

2. by Regina. For anything business-related, by Regina is a great resource to have in your arsenal. Regina is a successful entrepreneur/blogger/girlboss who shares tons of advice for anyone looking to grow their blog, business and/or brand. She's extremely smart and she's funny, so her posts are educational and fun.

3. I Can Build a Blog. This is another blog created by Dana of The Wonder Forest. This blog's purpose is to help other people become successful bloggers, and it offers all sorts of blog-related tips and how-to's. She posts anything from HTML cheat sheets to places to find free stock photos.

4. A Southern Drawl. If you recognize this name, you're probably thinking, "that's a fashion blog, what is she talking about?" But hear me out: Aside from her lovely outfits, Grace also posts photography tips written by her boyfriend Andrew. These are everything from shooting indoors to buying the right lenses to using the right aperture. He really knows his stuff, so if you ever have a question about anything camera-related, I'm sure you can find the answer here.

5. Sweet Electric. Even though it's a beauty and lifestyle blog, Sweet Electric offers a lot of great tips for bloggers as well. Knowing that everyone is different, Zoe offers up advice that has worked for her and that she things could be helpful to others. She also has good beauty posts, which is always fun :)

I hope this post helps you find a few new resources to up your blogging game, or maybe even inspired you to take the plunge if you've been thinking about starting a blog.

What are your favorite blogging resources? I'd love to hear what you've found useful!

For more tips, you can follow my Pinterest board where I Pin all kinds of blogging-related articles.

Beautiful iPhone cases from Scarlet & Gold

Top row: tiger lilly / pineapples / mary, mary / oh how he loves us

Bottom row: beige dipped / paint party / peace / navajo

I've been loving bright, tropical prints lately, and pineapples are my latest obsession in fashion. It seems crazy — I've never had the desire to have pineapples printed on my clothes before. But now I see them on everything in every store and I love it! Especially this pineapple iPhone case from Scarlet & Gold.

I recently came across this shop on Instagram, and it has such gorgeous prints and phone cases. I've always loved fashionable phone cases, but had a hard time finding ones that looked great and still kept my phone safe — after all, if I'm spending hundreds on a phone, my No. 1 priority is not breaking it.

So when I saw these at Scarlet & Gold, I instantly fell in love. Not only are the designs absolutely gorgeous, but they also come with silicone inserts to protect them against falls. I'm eyeing the pineapple print (obvs), the tiger lilly and the beige dipped with the geometric print. How will I ever decide?!

Which case is your favorite? 

*This post is not sponsored in any way — I'm just very excited I finally found so many beautiful and functional phone cases in one place!

P.S. My favorites from the Lilly Pulitzer collection and the perfect home office

Book review: 'Yes Please'

Add this to the list of books that took me way too long to start reading... Yes Please has been on my list since before it came out, and it was sitting in my bedroom for a couple months before I finally found the time to devote to it — even though it only took me a couple days to read.

It only took me the first two days of my post-surgery recovery to read Amy Poehler's first masterpiece (I say first because I'm fairly certain she'll publish another one some day, probably when she's adorably old). It's been a looong time since I've read a book that quickly, but Yes Please really flew by. It was consuming and easy to read, and I didn't want to put it down. Amy Poehler is an excellent writer, which is a surprise to no one. Yes Please was fun, lighthearted and full of quirky advice she's accumulated throughout the years.

Honestly, I'm having a tough time reviewing it, because it wasn't quite what I expected — though I still can't exactly put my finger on why. Amy was candid and honest, which I loved, and she was inconspicuously motivating. I think that might be what caught me most off guard. Amy makes me want to do everything and experience everything because it genuinely seems like she has. She's such a badass lady, you know? She hasn't taken free rides to the top; she worked her butt off to get where she is now, and there's no sign of slowing down. And I think that's something we could all use in our lives, both professionally and personally.

I think everyone could find something useful in Yes Please, so I'm putting it at the top of my list of recommendations. Oh, and in case you need the perfect snack pairing: lightly buttered popcorn and mini York Peppermint Patties are the perfect complement to this book ;)

Have you read Yes Please? What did you think about it? Let's discuss in the comments!

P.S. More book reviews: "#GIRLBOSS", 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' and 'Reconstructing Amelia'

A guide to summer concerts in Des Moines

One of my favorite things about summer in Des Moines is the live music that seems to be happening around every corner, at every bar, winery and concert hall you can think of, which is why I decided to make a little guide to some of my favorite spots to see live bands in the area this summer.

My favorite place is Simon Estes Amphitheater in downtown Des Moines. In my opinion, it's one of the coolest music venues in the city, and the rates are super affordable. They don't typically have huge-name artists, but Grace Potter, Eric Hutchinson, and The Ting Tings will all be performing this year along with a bunch of others. The photo above is from Fitz and the Tantrums last summer (amazing!). This venue is a great place to check out artists who are on their way to getting huge, and it's all open seating on a grassy area overlooking the river, so it's beautiful (plus you can even sit across the river or on the bridge and listen for free).

For a more relaxed setting, there are several wineries and breweries that have live music events throughout the summer. Some of my best memories from last year were taking a picnic basket and chairs to the wineries and listening to local bands while sipping new wines. It's so relaxing, beautiful and just a lot of fun. My preferred winery is Penoach, which has an amazing variety of wine and offers pizzas and tastings with some of their concerts. Another great one is Jasper Winery. It has different food options in case you forget to pack your own, but the lawn fills up fast so it's best to get there early.

And then there's Wells Fargo Arena. This year we've got Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews Band, Nickleback, Shania Twain with Gavin DeGraw, and Taylor Swift on this year's lineup. Now those are some big names. Adam and I already have tickets to see Ed Sheeran, and my sister and I surprised my mom with tickets to see Shania Twain. These shows can get a little pricey, but they always seem to be worth the money.

Finally, the amazing Iowa State Fair. Ten days of entertainment, beer tents, livestock and anything you can eat on a stick. It's definitely an experience everyone should have at least once in their lives, although my favorite part has always been the concerts. Year after year the fair manages to bring in some amazing headliners, and this year is no different. Casting Crowns, Justin Moore, Def Leppard, Reba (as in McEntire), Carrie Underwood, Alabama, The Fray with Andy Grammer, and Meghan Trainor are all on the 2015 schedule. I've already got tickets to see The Fray and Andy Grammer, and I am SO excited.

It's going to be a beautiful, musical summer here in Des Moines :) Where are your favorite concert venues? Will you be getting tickets to any of these shows? Let me know in the comments!

Wandering the Web: have a lovely weekend.

Raise your hand if you're excited for the weekend! Honestly, every day feels a little weekend-ish to me currently since I spend all day in my living room, but I can still get excited about Friday :) I actually have zero plans as of right now, because Adam hasn't been feeling well this week and there's not a whole lot I can do yet. (Let me tell you, getting up and down three flights on crutches is exhausting, so it has to be really worth it!)

The Des Moines Farmers Market opens tomorrow, so if you're in the area I highly recommend checking it out! What are all of you up to this weekend?

1. I can't wait until I can get out and see the new Avengers sequel. (Vulture)

2. Mean Girls turned 11 yesterday. Was it really that long ago? (Who What Wear)

3. These fresh fruit margaritas would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo. (LaurenConrad.com)

4. This shirt makes me smile.

5. Yet another reason to love Anna Kendrick (as if we needed another one). (Kate Spade)

6. A personalized tote would be a great gift for Mother's Day. (Oh Happy Day)

7. How to get a beach body. (The Nib via Cup of Jo)

8. Everything coming to Netflix in May, including Legally Blonde 1 and 2. (Refinery 29)