Nail Polish Favorites: Summer 2012 (A)

1. "Racy, scorching coral." (Haute as Hello)

2. "Hot supercharged pink." (Knockout Pout)

3. "A light, bright green." (Navigate Her)

4. "A flirtatious soft purple." (Playdate)

5. "A flirty and pretty tropical aqua." (Turquoise and Caicos)

Love, 

A

Nail Polish Favorites: Summer 2012 (C)

I (C) received a request for us to each do a top 5 favorite nail colors this summer...Here are mine! In the summer, I am all about bright and fun colors. A's will be here tomorrow!

Essie Mojito Madness via

This color is basically the bomb. I've been wearing it a ton this summer and have received a million compliments every single time. It even made it into my June favorites.

Essie Splash of Grenadine via

Essie Splash of Grenadine is a staple. I love love love it. It's such a great summery pink that many of you have had!

Essie Lapis of Luxury via

This is a color I've had since it came out (2010) and I have loved it since. It was one of the first colors I actually bought myself, and not borrowed or used at a nail salon!

Essie Tart Deco via

This is another super popular and fabulous color from last year. I love the coraly peachy perfection of this one!

Essie Turquoise and Caicos via

Yet another cult favorite. I love this one and it actually took me forever to hunt down. I never had luck finding it!

What are your favorites!?

Love,

C

Pool/Beach Bag Necessities

It's summer. We all love to go to the beach and pool. Here are our necessities when we go to the beach and pool!

• The Bag. See a post on that soon!
• The Sarong. Good for running to the pool bar to grab a bite to eat.
• The Headband. Crucial for keeping the hair out of your face, also a fashion statement.
• The Wet Bikini Bag. What you need to store your wet swimsuit in, see post on C's innovative idea on this one! 
• The Earbuds. Great for laying out and listening to music.
• The iPhone/iPod. Great for listening to music, and relaxing.
• The Shades. Any of your choice, so crucial for sun protection.
• The Croakies. Great for running in and out or hopping in the pool. Also so cute.
• The Tumbler/Water Bottle. It's so important to stay hydrated! We love lemon water in ours.
• Sunscreen. Don't forget this one!
• The Hat. Either sun hat or baseball cap is great for wearing around the pool and protecting your face.
• The Magazine/Book. Great for poolside reading.

What do you need in your bag?

xoxo,

A+C

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Summer Whites (Bags)

The "whites" that we are lusting over-Bag Edition!

Tory Burch via Nordstrom

Longchamp

Rebecca Minkoff

Michael Kors

Kate Spade

XOXO,

A+C

Is It Memorial Day Yet?!

For most of us, its a bit too early to be thinking about bathing suit purchases. Memorial Day: The long awaited day when most Country Clubs or Pool Clubs open their pools and the swim season officially begins. We may or may not have about a month (on the dot) until Memorial Day...but when has that stopped us from doing some (online) window shopping? We know you're going to 'Ooh and Aah' over these too. 

We love us some seersucker. 

via J. Crew (only available online)

Polka dots and ruffles? Yes, please.

via Splendid

Pin-up chic. 

via Marc by Marc Jacobs

Loving this stripe color combo.

via Ella Moss

The anchors always get us. 

via Shoshanna

You know we couldn't leave Lilly out!

via Lilly Pulitzer

Love, 

A+C

How To: Market Yourself For Summer "Work"

So, summer is drawing near for many of us. Those of us who don't already have a job and are not preoccupied with other activities might be wondering how we can make money without an "official" job. Here are some ways to market yourself!

Via

• Make flyers to distribute. Are you a pro house sitter? pet sitter? babysitter? birdsitter? (I did have a friend who was asked to watch over some birds...) Make a flyer or two! No, these don't have to be posted all over town, but you can have some on hand to give to neighbors, family friends, or others. A great way to advertise is through your church!
• Calling Cards! Say you coincidentally run into a family at your neighborhood Starbucks. You get to talking, and she happens to ask if you babysit. It's good to be prepared. No need to be fancy! Just make them yourself and print them on cardstock.
• Word of mouth. Your family can easily pass along your contact info to neighbors. Definitely explain your responsibility, patience, love for dogs etc.
• Email! You know that your neighbors spend two weeks in California every July? Drop them an email soon, and tell them how much you would love to help!

Market yourself well ladies!! Check back tomorrow for a continuation of this topic!
Love,
A+C

Ideas To Earn The Money

Well, now that you know how to market yourself, here are some ideas of what you can do!

We might be a little too old to this...

Via

• The standard: Babysitting!
• Petsitting, housesitting 

Onto more "Creative" Ideas

• Crafting. Are you an expert at something? Spend a lot of time on Pinterest? Find some cute things that you could spread the word about and make them! Fun and practical.
• Craft Camp. I remember going to one with college aged girls as "counselors" It's easy, and you can do a few different weeks. Keep browsing Pinterest etc! This is pretty good money actually. 
• Local Camp. A family friend does this for a few weeks every summer. She basically takes a group of kids around to local attractions. From museums to parks to landmarks. They also try different places for lunch and snacks. Also pretty good money, and fun for yourself!
• Party Help. You know your neighbors have a handful of summer pool parties. Shoot the breeze! Offer to help serve, clean up, or bartend (if you're of age.)
• Plant Watering. We don't mean hardcore mulching or anything, just simple watering or planting. If you've got a green thumb and elderly neighbors, this can be great.
• Pool Maintenance. This is for pool aficionados. Neighbors would love someone to help them out while they travel or if they are older. Also, you can offer to lifeguard (if you're certified, of course.) for pool parties with younger kids.
• Baking. If you're great at it, offer to help your family friends by baking for a brunch!

Via

Hopefully these sparked an idea for you lovelies!

Love,

A+C

PS-Welcome home to A!!

How To: Find Volunteer Opportunities for the Summer

Alright, we all know giving back is super important. However, not all of us have the time, or even know where to start. Many of us will have time over the summer, and now is the best time to start before things fill up!

Via

1. Figure out the kind of work you want to do. Do you want to work with the physically challenged? impoverished children? the elderly? animals?
2. Once you figure that out, do a google search for sites in your town. Once you have a little bit more of a handle on your city, it's going to get a lot easier.
3. Talk to your family and family friends. Someone is bound to have connections for you. Bonus: lots of volunteer work could eventually lead to an internship!
4. If you want to go abroad, look some more. You'll have a harder time finding these trips, but they can pay off! Check around through churches and youth groups, and national programs as well!
5. If you pick something local, spend or shadow there for a day. You'll know if it is the right fit before you commit totally!
6. Try to get others involved!
7. If you fall in love with your organization, raise awareness! It can be a great way to open doors for other people, and it can be as easy as tweeting or posting a facebook link!

Via

So, instead of sitting around this summer, get out there and do some volunteer work!!
Love,
A+C