Friday Five

1. I am in the home stretch! I have my big qualifier exam in exactly a week (really dreading this-it's on three subjects and all multiple choice) and then finals. But in less than two weeks I will be FINISHED with my first year of graduate school. I feel like it flew by!

2. This summer I have a lot of fun things planned! A family trip to my beloved Sun Valley, Idaho (first time I can go since my older nephew was a baby!), a road trip with my sister (she's moving from Charleston to Denver), a trip to Las Vegas, a bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs-so much to look forward to! I will be catching up on TV, finally unpacking at my new place, and just enjoying summer vacation. I will still be working but no homework feels like a real vacation!

3. The Anthropologie dresses I ordered (see post here) arrived and both of them are even cuter in person. Especially the bow back one! They are perfect for the bridal showers and awards banquet I have this summer.

4. I ordered this console from West Elm for my entryway and it is on backorder for a few more weeks. I had a 20% off discount code plus free shipping. The color is so pretty!

5. I think I am addicted to Halo Top icecream. So far I have tried the mint chip and chocolate. I have not been able to find the birthday cake one yet. Sometimes I just crave a little icecream and this is guilt free!

Nautical Keds tennis shoes

I am in love with the pink seahorse print! I think all of these designs are perfect for spring/summer!

* This post contains affiliate links *

Keds x Kate Spade pink seahorse , $85

Keds x Kate Spade blue seahorse , $85

Starfish Keds x Kate Spade, $75 (two colors)

Anchors, $50 (four colors)

Crabs, $55 (two colors)

Taylor Swift x Keds anchor, $55 (two colors)

Nautical dresses

This spring/summer I have two bridal showers, a bachelorette weekend, a school banquet, and several trips. I have a few dresses that I rotate between, but I would like to add at least one new (nautical) one. Here are the options I have found so far. The two Anthropologie ones are my favorites, especially the bow back one.

* this post contains affiliate links *

Raddery sailing print dress, Jack Wills, $90 | Berru poplin dress, Anthropologie, $158 | Abderdy belted oar print dress, Jack Wills, $80

Bow back shift, Anthropologie, $148 | Tritone shift, Anthropologie, $248 | Shoulder tie sundress, Hanna Andersson, $102

My bedroom

I was previously using a bedside table that had three small drawers. It worked for awhile, but I found that I was only putting things into the first drawer and then I had a huge stack of books on top. Since I am usually reading at least one or two books at a time (for school and for pleasure) it made more sense to get a table that had space to stack BELOW and then maybe just one book on top! I had a 20% off coupon for Pottery Barn so I got the Lonny bedside table and Chloe dresser you see below.

I kept the navy accents I had in my previous apartment: the lampshade, wooden monogram, and print. Then I added a navy headboard to match those and my new sheets. I can't wait for the bedside table and dresser to arrive!
* this post contains affiliate links *

DIY lampshade, featuring Kimberly Lewis Home set sail wallpaper | Wooden monogram, Southern Nest (c/o), $58 | Embroidered sateen bedding, Garnet Hill (c/o), $40-80 | Lonny bedside table, Pottery Barn, $349 | Tufted headboard, Cymax, $300 | Open Book print, ElizabethMayville Etsy, $15-20 | Chloe dresser, Pottery Barn, $700

Guest bedroom inspiration

PHEW! This semester is busy, busy, busy! I can't believe in just over a month I will be finished with my first year of graduate school. I have moved into my new place. I have barely unpacked (only the essentials really), but I am looking for inspiration for my guest room. Right now it has a million boxes and all of my stuff I don't have time to put away yet. But eventually it will be my office/guest bedroom. I am going with a navy and yellow theme. I already had a comforter for the bed that works well with those colors. Then I saw the pillows and bath mat and knew I wanted to go with yellow accents.

Crewel embroidery dot pillow, Target, $21

throw/accent pillows for the bed

I love the yellow sailboat. Might need to add that and the yellow vase!

Threshold botanic bath mat, Target, $16

This doesn't look as yellow in person

Comforter for the bed (found this at Ikea last summer or the one before)

Headboard/frame for bed:

5 things I'll miss about my apartment

In no particular order...

my view... I have floor to ceiling windows/glass doors in my living room. In the last few months I have spent a lot of time studying/reading/writing on my couch and looking outside.

my storage... my current place has a linen closet, hall closet, and pretty big pantry in the kitchen. New place just has one closet BUT it is much bigger than my current main closet so there's that

my pool... I didn't use it often but it was nice to have the option, especially in the summer!

location...  I am moving under 2 miles away so there isn't much of a difference. But it does add a few minutes to my commute to work and school thanks to wonderful LA traffic. I hate to complain because I have been so spoiled by my current commute to work (under 10 minutes!) but traffic is traffic and it's not fun! However, I will no longer have to enter/exit my drive way/parking garage on a really busy street. That's huge!

the general feeling... From the moment I moved in, this apartment has felt like home. I have spent four years in this apartment. I feel safe and cozy and at home here. I hosted several parties and sleepovers here. So many memories! But I am ready for a change and this move is giving me the best opportunity to downsize. Plus I know I am going to LOVE my new place too!

Life Lately

I blinked and it's March! I still need to upload my photos from my Oscar party. This was my last year hosting in this apartment because I AM MOVING! It happened very fast, but I couldn't pass up this deal. I love my current place and have so many memories here. Giving my 30 day notice to my landlord felt more like a breakup. I moved in on St. Patrick's Day almost four years ago. My sister had been due with Baby Nautical the week before so I was rushing to get everything done just in case he arrived. Of course he arrived almost two weeks after his due date, on March 20. Can't believe he's turning FOUR this month!

I have midterms next week, back to back. Weeks like that I wonder why I waited six years to go back to school! Graduate school is a lot of work! But I do love my program. I'm making progress on my thesis. That thing is a labor of love!

After midterms I will try to get back to posting regularly again. I am seeing nautical everywhere for spring!

Target Pillowfort nautical items

There has been a lot of buzz about Target's new collection for kids. Pillowfort is worth the hype I think! I especially love the ocean oasis room. I'm curious to read reviews as people start buying and posting. The prices are great but what about quality? Have you bought anything from Pillowfort yet?

* this post contains affiliate links *

Anchor plush blanket, $23

I bought this in store, my local store did not have the full collection yet

Seahorse marquee light, $30 (available in pink and blue)

Whale shelf, $30

Oar plaque with hooks, $20

Anchor plaque, $23

Ship string art, $20

Ahoy matey art, $15

Octopus throw pillow, $17

Great white get-together sheet set, $18-30

Whale plaque, $23

Ahoy matey map art, $17

In search of treasure art, $15

Ahoy wall decor, $15

Anchor lampshade, $13

Column lamp, $40

Anchor fabric storage cube, $10

Visit to the Forevermark Diamonds Oscar suite + Oscar looks

Last week I visited the Forevermark Diamonds Oscar Suite. This is something I have done the last few years and what a treat it is! It's not every day I can say "Hey, I am wearing 40 carats of diamonds!" Just less than one percent of the world's diamonds are eligible to become a Forevermark diamond. Forevermark diamonds are responsibly sourced. That is very, very important! Responsibly sourced means the diamonds only come from sources which are committed to high business, social, and environmental standards AND benefit the people, communities, and countries from which they are from.

Photos from my visit (unfortunately Thursday was one of those days where I had to run out of my apartment with only mascara but I figured the diamonds would still shine ;)

I LOVED this necklace!

These are the earrings that Saoirse Ronan wore to the SAG Awards (extreme close up of my ear-sorry!)

I wouldn't mind this as my engagement ring ;)

This is the necklace Margot Robbie wore to the 2014 Oscars

Several stars wore Forevermark Diamonds this year:

Margot Robbie in Forevermark by Rahaminov Diamond Hoop Earrings set in 18k White Gold 8.59 ctw, Forevermark by Premier Gem Fancy Yellow Pear Shaped Diamond Ring set in 18k White Gold 6.21 ctw, and Forevermark Eternity Band set in 18k Yellow 3.00 ctw

Olivia Munn in Forevermark by Jade Trau Exceptional Diamond Cuff with 12.06 ct Forevermark Exceptional Diamond set in 18k White Gold 17.13 ctw and Forevermark Stud Earrings with Round Brilliant Diamonds set in 18k White Gold 4.84 ctw

Minnie Driver in Forevermark Flower Dangle Earrings set in 18k Rose Gold 3.20 ctw and Forevermark by Natalie K Three Stone Ring with Pear and Marquise diamonds in 18k Rose Gold

Lily Donaldson in Forevermark by Crossworks Ideal Cushion Stud Earrings set in 18k White Gold 4.08 ctw, Forevermark by Rahaminov The Center of My Universe Station Tennis Bracelet in 18k White Gold 6.39 ctw, and Forevermark by Natalie K Diamond Line Bracelet set in 18k White Gold 16.62 ctw

Thank you again to Forevermark for letting me feel like a celebrity for the day!