Peck Life

Blurry

It’s 11:01 pm on Sunday night and I’m struggling with a coherent post. I’ve had a bit of a blogging block lately – not sure why? Oh wait, maybe it’s because I’ve been super un-motivated to do ANYTHING. ha!

I spent most of today trying to figure out what to wear to Alt Summit. I was able to go shopping for a few hours to try to find some accessories, shoes, and the last bit of outfit essentials. I’ve never seen so many odd looks from pre-teen girls in Forever 21 wondering why I’m trying to fit into “regular” clothes with my huge belly. {P.S. – there was WAYYYYY too many polka dots in that store…I’m worried I’m already getting “over” them, even though I have a few dotty things I adore. What’s the next trend?}

I feel like I have most of what I need but it doesn’t feel put together – accessories are missing/non-existent….and some stuff is just too “plain”. I need pizzazz for Alt in the form of 3 evening looks and 4 day looks. Maybe I also need a stylist. I’m teetering on dressing the part of how I know everyone will be dressed and just doing my own thing and being “me” – a.k.a. – I’m pretty sure I can’t pull off a huge chunky necklace. I have 2 dresses coming in the mail this week so let’s hope they fit…otherwise, it’s back to the drawing board for the evening looks! Ahh!

Ok, off to bed. My alarm is going off in 6 hours!

Photo by me – our blooming amaryllis!

Daily Deal Lovin'

As my “free time” seems to shrink, I’ve come to rely a lot on online shopping. More recently, I’ve become a huge fan of daily deal sites – high quality goods at flash sale prices. Things go quickly but if you check daily, you can score. I love that there is new inventory daily, great prices {although always good to double check because sometimes you can find it cheaper}, and quality brands that I would already be buying otherwise.

*I should note that I don’t usually do a lot of shopping but between the holidays, Sky’s Birthday, Alt Summit, Babies for myself and a few of my other close friends, and moving – I’ve been on the hunt for a lot of different things!

Here are a few of my favorites:

*For a $15 credit on your first One Kings Lane order, click on the image above!

*For a $25 credit on your first GILT order, click on the image above.

Do you have any other favorites I’m leaving out? What do you think of sites like these? Have you found any really great deals? One of my favorite purchases to date has been these curtains {in yellow}. It was a steal!

As you’ll see, clicking on the images above will take you to the site where you can sign up or see what’s on sale today! Some of the sites above contain my unique referral link and some do not. Although in some cases I can get bonus dollars for referring people, I’m not featuring these with that intention; I just really love this method of shopping and wanted to share!

Pondering a camera bag.

{top to bottom, left to right: Georgia nautical from Jo Totes, Posey 2 bag from Kelly Moore, a non-camera bag from Aldo, Cargo camera bag by BUILT NY, The SLR Sloop from Photo jojo, and the Crumpler Haven camera bag insert.}

For my upcoming trip to New York {2 months away!!}, I’m on the hunt for a versatile bag that will serve as my single purse + camera bag all in one. It can’t be too big and bulky, and I'd love for it to be cross-body, but has to somehow fit my DSLR, one lens, wallet, phone, iPod, gum, and my 653 lip glosses. There are tons of cute camera bags out there and I LOVE them….but why are they all so expensive? Unless it's one of these, I can't justify it. I don’t understand what makes the bag so special, other than sectioned padding inside? I’m leaning towards buying a regular bag/satchel and getting a camera bag insert that can convert the “regular” bag to a “camera” bag. I’m just worried there’s something I’m missing as to why that’s not a good idea.

{Camera straps from Union}

As for straps, I’m planning to get/make a slipcover for my default “Nikon” strap because the leather camera strap I have currently {via eBay} is just too thin. I actually have some yellow/white striped fabric left over from this bookcase project and there are quite a few tutorials online so maybe Josh can help me sew something. Did you know that my husband is a better seamstressman than me? He really is. I love these but they are not in the budget.

Do you have a favorite camera bag? Or, any suggestions about camera loot in general? Please and thank you!

Summer Beauty: Beach Bum

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

Do you ever have the luxury of enjoying one of those days where it’s so unbearably HOT that your one and only plan is to lay on the beach, dip in and out of the water, and drink margaritas all day? Can you tell that I’m seriously craving some balmy summer weather? Living in the Pacific Northwest, days like this are extremely rare but when they do happen, the last thing I want to do is stand in a humid bathroom putting on makeup.

However, maintaining a quick skin care routine can have its benefits by providing sun protection and ensuring that you look presentable, just in case plans change. Also, let’s be real, something needs to get rid of  the blotchiness and dark circles, right? With that, I bring to you my summer beauty beach routine! A quick and easy way to look fresh, protect your skin, and get out of the house quickly!

I’m really in love with that eye shadow/blush/bronzer compact – it’s from Physician’s Formula. Anytime something has multiple uses or saves space in my makeup bag is a huge WIN, plus it’s sparkly. It’s also perfect for summer travel! Pair your beautiful face with: a beach hat, sunglasses, drinks, snacks, and some good reading material and you are set for the day!

Do you have a favorite summer product that you can’t live without? What’s your beach routine? I would love to hear!

Bangs

A few weeks ago, after wavering back and fourth for a very long time and being so inspired by this and this, I finally took the plunge and got bangs – something I haven’t had in over 10 years. It was one of those things I needed to get out of my system…knowing I would continue to regret not doing it if I didn’t do it. The grow out will one day be very painful, I know. But, I’m so happy I did it. I feel much more like “myself” now. Weird how a haircut can do that!

{Yes, I take pictures in our laundry room. The lighting is good!}

{This picture is funny, I feel like it doesn’t really look like me}

{The problem with wind…}

Perfectly Pantone

This book just came out and I HAD to have it. Simplified pantone in board book form – perfect for Sky, the coffee table, or anyone who needs a little more color in their day. I really really love it. I was going to save it for his Easter basket but….yeah….that didn’t happen.

In other Pantone news, these gorgeous tarts have been floating around the interwebs and they are too magnificent not to share. They were created by the lovely Emilie Griottes. It’s too bad her blog is in French, it looks like something that would be my favorite.

Oh, and PS – remember how I wrote about my love for this year’s “color” – tangerine tango? Welllll…..the list of products just keeps growing! Sephora now has an entire makeup line {thanks to how about orange for letting me know!}. It’s pretty amazing – the nail polish and glosses are perfect. I tried a more orangey-red lipstick the other day and I think I like it better than the deep berry red that I have. So SUMMER!

Feeling Minty

This Seattle winter is really getting me down so one coping mechanism as of late has been to focus on spring, think about the summer to come, and envision what it would be like to live somewhere warm where you can grow lemon trees and hang out at the beach in February.  When I close my eyes, I think of coral, cantaloupe, MINT, frilly yellow, and green green grass with cups of lemonade, flip flops, and that sunscreen smell. Oh spring HURRY UP! And PS, Anthropologie, why don’t you have this swimsuit in stock anymore?

{from left to right, top to bottom: gorgeous kitchen via house of turquoise, cake stand from vessels and wares on etsy {beautiful shop!}, rose cabochon ear studs from earrings nation on esty, madeleine tote from chloe, mint velvet sofa from one kings lane, recycled paper pencil set from write with moxie on etsy {yet another fun shop!}

Eat, drink, and be merry

It’s fair to say the entire weekend has been centered around food and gathering. It’s the perfect thing really….eating, talking, visiting, eating more, drinking, dessert. I’m a happy camper.

Saturday night, I met up with a few of my favorite bloggin’ girls for dinner at Z’Tejas in Bellevue, followed by frozen yogurt, which led to mall standing {it could probably be a pastime} and roaming through Forever 21. Part of me felt like I was in high school all over again. Oh, and PS….the mall was so crowded! Bellevue, hello?! Remember when you were tiny? I LOVED seeing these ladies and we had such an awesome time commiserating about life, blogging, raising young kiddos, working, target, colored pants…all of the important things.

Left to right: amanda, jill, chelsey, fiona, chelsea, melissa, mandy, amy, ashley, mandy, me, stephanie, and kiara.

This is Chelsea. She makes me laugh hard! She has a cute daughter named Lily {just like our doggie} and another little bun on the way. You should check out her blog because she’s adorable. <3 {Linking up with Mandy at Harper’s Happenings! On me: pants/kohls {again}, shirt/marshall’s, shoes/ruche}

Aren’t these hats the best? You can get your very own at Forever 21! We got shoosh’d for taking pictures, ooops!

The merriment continued on Sunday for a brunch spectacular at Salty’s on Alki. I’ve always wanted to try it so as a final 30th birthday party celebration with all our family and a couple close friends, it finally happened!

The amount of food is out of control. Anything your heart desires…it’s there. Crepes, omelets, pasta, tons of meat, oysters, crab, shrimp, pancakes, bacon, eggs benedict, 50 million desserts….enough to keep you full forever. Sometimes I get a little weary of buffets…because there are a lot of hands on the same pair of tongs..but really, this was completely fine and the food was soo soo soo good! They even bought us warm towels to wipe the germs with!

We reserved a private room downstairs and I’m SO GLAD WE DID. The main dining room was packed, like standing room only! It was so wonderful, we had tons of space, a gorgeous view of Seattle, our own private deck, and the kiddos could run all over without disturbing the peace. Such a perfect way to lounge while you stuff your face.

This is my best friend, Fallon. I love her a lot…that’s why we make hearts, yo!

Aside from all this consuming and quality friend/family time, the last 2 days of festivities was topped off with a very VERY special birthday gift:

I am like, indescribable, over the moon excited. Not only is blogging one of my favorite things in the entire world and I’m super giddy to learn, hear great speakers, and be in the presence of people I’ve followed and loved for YEARS, BUT….New York City, man. It’s been a dream for as long as I can remember. The one thing I need to do before I die, the pinnacle, the PEAK! I can’t even think about it without getting butterflies. I am SO SO SO excited.

Burlesque me baby.

In honor of my upcoming 30th birthday, I gathered a group of friends for a Saturday night on the town that started with dinner at Wild Ginger, followed by J’Adore – A burlesque Valentine at the Triple Door, and ending {at least for Josh and I}, at Hotel Monaco in downtown Seattle. We decided to splurge and not make the hour drive home at midnight {it was TOTALLY worth it btw}! Dinner was kind of “eh” compared to previous visits to the same restaurant and the show was….comical….but still fun and entertaining. I’ve never been to a burlesque show before – the amount of PASTIES they must go through, eeeek! {Linking up with Mandy at Harper’s Happenings! On me: shirt and pants/kohls, tank/target, shoes/ruche}

{don’t mind my squinty eyes, not sure what’s going on with my face!}

A few highlights and low-lights for you {and so I can remember too}:

SWEEEEEET

• Valet parking included with our hotel stay!
• A peach bellini at dinner, delivered from afar by my best friend, Fallon, who couldn’t make it.
• All the wonderful friends/family that came with us to celebrate!
• Post show Purple Café drink with Clint and Malia!
• The BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH EVER at the Library Bistro. Let me just tell you….HOMEMADE HOT APPLE FRITTERS covered with CINNAMON AND SUGAR, served with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. I DIED. Then, I had shredded CORNED BEEF covered with a layer of POTATOES, covered with 2 giant POACHED EGGS, covered with HOLLANDAISE SAUCE. And then I died again.

BLAH

• I don’t really have any good photos, nothing was in focus and I was scared to use the flash.
• I will always associate this hotel with “where I was” when I found out Whitney died.
• Watered down drinks at the Triple Door.
• Wanting just a simple chill night out with all my close girl friends but instead it turned into a bit of a planning nightmare and not everyone was able to make it. I learned my lesson and it will probably be a very long time before I attempt this again.
• I’m old – going to bed at 2 am and waking up at 7:30 is NOT A GOOD IDEA. No more for me.

Steppin' Out in Curls

Yesterday was a fun {super blustery but SUNNY!} day. We dropped Sky off with Nana and Papa and had the afternoon to ourselves! There was lunch at El Toreador {because where else do you go for the best EVERYTHING EVER!?}, a little thrifting, late afternoon Dick’s milkshakes at the park, and of course, Target.

I thought this would be a perfect day to try some no-clamp curls courtesy of Sarah at Whoorl {you can thank Mandy for introducing me to this blog}. Sarah is beyond adorable. I pretty much love everything about her. They turned out SOOOO magical and I can’t wait to do this to my hair more! I always default to the flat iron but I’m kinda sick of it so this is a great alternative and something I somehow was never able to achieve with my curling iron before. YAY for good hair days!

{Linking up with Mandy at Harper’s Happenings! On me: sweater/forever21, scarf/gift, leggings/target, skirt/marshalls, boots/dsw}