we've got more bounce in California

Happy Monday loves! Hope you all had a great weekend! Before I introduce you to a fabulous blogger today I HAVE to show you my Cara Box!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Cara Box, its a monthly exchange that Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals puts on. Its such a cute idea. You get paired up with another blogger, get to know them, stalk  follow their blog & based on the theme you send them a gift! Its such a fun and creative way to meet new people in 'Blogland.' PLUS you don't even have to be a blogger to participate. Non-bloggers can join too!


SO May's theme was Regional. Basically you send your person a box based off where you're from. Of course I was obsessed with this theme, I can't get enough of California! So my partners were Kaitlyn of Wifessionals & Samantha of Hooah & Hiccups.  Since Kaitlyn is the creator behiind this adorable exchange I couldn't disappoint  BUT you'll have to check out her box HERE 


SO Samantha was suppose to send me a New York themed box, because thats where she's living at the moment but she had a girl moment & actually sent me a California Themed box! I didn't care though, it was fun to see what she would include in her box compared to mine.

So as you can see she sent me the perfect items to take with me to the beach! We've got your headbands to keep my beach waves in check, a fashion magazine to read while I tan, obviously I'm gonna need some fabulous shades to block the sun, some bright pink nail polish for my toes and to round it out & I think this was my favorite, the pink handmade koozie to keep my drink cold. I LOVE that she took the time to make this koozie & I love the song she quoted on there too. Everything was really perfect. But besides all the fun gifts her card & words to me were so sweet...she has become such a good bloggy friend of mine & I had so much fun getting her box!

what can I say?! I am sunglasses obsessed....you've seen how many pairs I own...



Want to sign up for Junes CARA BOX?! Check it out HERE 

& now I have the pleasure of introducing you to another fabulous blogger! I really do have some wonderful sponsors...but what can I say, Messy Girls Do it Better. Everyone will love this girl & her blog. There is something for everyone. She has such a outgoing, personable personality that you feel like you've known her forever. She's an animal lover & a gemini...so you know she's pretty amazing! Plus if you love beer, you're defiantly going to want to check her out. So without further ado meet 

Hello lovely Messy Girls! 




My name is Megan and I blog over at Growing Up Is Actually Kind of Fun. I'm so happy to finally be sponsoring Kelly this month!

Twitter -- Facebook -- PinterestHere are some of the fun things you'll find that I enjoy writing about:

Craft Beer: LOVE it. I think there's a beer for everyone! I did a whole series on it in April that you can find HERE.


Travel: Hiking around Colorado. Driving around the US. Flying around the world.


Army Life: I'm a super proud Army spouse!


Cooking/Crafting: I try, I really do. I share all of my (mis)adventures in adulthood.



My dog: He's the cutest border collie/pit bull mix on the planet. Seriously, just look at this face.

Here are some fun facts that might get you interested in checking out my blog!

Between my husband and myself, we have tried just short of 800 DIFFERENT beers since April 2011 when we started tracking them


We spent last Christmas and New Years in Dubai. I rode a camel. In a real desert. How cool is that?!

I got married to the same cute boy twice. Once in Portland, Oregon in a 5 minute ceremony (followed by milkshakes and an Irish Pub). Again a year and a half later when he came back from Afghanistan in a real wedding ceremony in Texas. I think this means there are no take-backs...



I absolutely LOVE Kelly's fashion fearlessness. I envy it. I tend to stick to classic pieces with trendy accessories, though once in a while I find something I love and branch out. One of my favorite sites for fun, modern-retro clothes is ModCloth. Their dresses are fantastic. And they occasionally do the "Stylish Surprise" where you pay a flat $15, pick your size, and they mail you something awesome worth at least twice as much!
How about I give you a chance to get something nice for yourself? Enter below for a $25 giftcard to ModCloth.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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california love

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i love you California...you're the greatest state of all....sound familiar?! thank you Jeep for the shout out in your latest commercial

SO its defiantly no secret i love where i live....

im a California Girl to the max.....born & raised

i have lived up and down the state of California so Cali & I know each other pretty well

so when I came across The Home T i was instantly obsessed....

a t-shirt representing my home - YES PLEASE.....& then I found out that a portion of profits are donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research & i was sold! 

when my Home T arrived I was so excited to try it on....I couldn't believe how soft the material of the shirt was. I was in love...& haven't worn anything else to bed since -

and then it got me thinking of why I love California so much....SO

"....you can stand in the sand in a bathing suit at the beach & look at the snow caps in the mountains.... "

one. the weather - we are so blessed to have mostly sunny days year round...there are times im in a bikini in december!

two. the beach - i get to see this every day

i've been in that house on the cliff

three. the diversity of people



four. san francisco - i've walked across the golden gate bridge...a must do for any tourist 

five. the food....any kind of food you want from any part of the world is within 45 minutes

six. hollywood & beverly hills - the land of opportunity, celebrities & make believe

six. surfer boys.....shaggy hair, bleached blonde from the sun, dark tanned skin...need I say more?

seven. big bear & lake tahoe - in a matter of hours you can go from the sand to the snow

the BF is a pretty bad ass skier

eight. we are always in the know.....always current with the trends

nine. wine country...in both the northern & southern California

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ten. there is SO much to do that I couldn't possibly end this list at 10....what can I say, we're a pretty cool state

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The Beach Boys were right when they sang...."i wish they all could be California girls"

purchase your own Home T - HERE 





why do you love your state so much? 

PS. the MINI project is LIVE on Wednesday

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and the winner is.......

happy Friday lovers!!!! the time has come! time to announce the winner of my Moroccan Oil Hair Products Giveaway! There were over 100 entries, so thank you everyone for entering & I really wish all of you could win! so i did this the old fashion way.....

i let my mom pick the lucky winner!



so without further ado the winner is............




Nikki of The Pink Growl

congrats girl! I'll be emailing you soon! 

for all you losers...bahaha im kidding....don't worry the next GIVEAWAY starts on Monday!

my baby maxx

And lastly, I am guest blogging on a old friend of mines blog today! She is beyond fabulous & you might recognize her as one of the models on E! News when they do they trend report!

fabulous right!? So please go & check out my guest post on the beautiful Chantelle's blog

 Shopping For Distractions

& follow along on her fashion adventures through the states!

no seriously, why are you still here? go check out her blog!

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coast 2 coast

Greetings, fellow followers of Kelly's blog!  I am Jessica of I'll Take That in Purple, and today I have the honor and privilege of sharing some of my New York City words of sartorial wisdom with you!  When Kelly asked me to guest post, I decided to bring some of the east coast to her west coast based blog.  And since I sometimes get a creepy hankering to go around photographing fashionable New Yorkers without their knowledge, I did what only seemed natural and appropriate: My New York Sunday via Instagram.  

Behold!

My morning started with a latte...

At Peels!  They have a build-a-biscuit bar.  I reluctantly opted out...

(As Kate Moss says, nothing [not even biscuits] tastes as good as skinny feels.)

Because I skipped the biscuit, my gal pal and I decided that we deserved crepes.

To hell with Kate Moss!

Ahh, SoHo in the Springtime!

Fashionable patrons who don't know they are being photographed.

The maxi dress is out in full force!

I love this girl's Christmas themed color-blocked ensemble.

(Note: I don't know these people.)

And this girl I actually do happen to know... but what's a picture, really, if it's not candid and slightly creepy??

This one's my favorite.

HOLY PANTS!  This guy is my hero.

Apparently animal pants are trending this morning.

Somehow, my (normal) denim jeans feel so inadequate...

OMG shoes.....

It's official... I can't go even one day without some vintage shopping.

I should note that, while trying to photograph these necklaces, I was scolded for photographing the seller's 'art' without first asking permission.  I love New York...

I mean, really.  Where else can you find a wall like this? 

Hopefully I was able to provide a momentary distraction while Kelly is out vacationing somewhere exotic and fabulous! 

Please visit me at my home sometime (the figurative one that lives on the Web is fine, but do let me know if you feel so inclined to come all the way to the big apple)!

Thanks for having me, Kelly!  Always a privilege. 

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