Life Lately

So I am finally getting settled into my NEW CITY! I just recently moved to Pittsburgh for my fiance and started working at an advertising agency.

It is so crazy that I am starting this new chapter in my life. I feel after you graduate college it is so easy to become lost. I am so happy that I finally found a job in my field and I truly feel like I belong there!

I mean how gorgeous is this city?! I definitely cannot wait to explore and make it feel like home. 

Happy almost Sunday FUNday :) 

Kendra Scott Scavenger Hunt

Head over to Kendra Scott for their Halloween scavenger hunt! Different codes are hidden in the alternate view of the products. They even have some hints on their instagram page!


Below are the one's I have found so far!

Happy Shopping! 

Xx

Red Dress Boutique- Shark Tank Episode

I have been obsessed with the Red Dress Boutique ever since I found it sometime last year or so online. At first it was the clothes that drew me in, then the new arrivals twice a day. Then I read the story behind the business and felt truly inspired!

I am also OBSESSED with the show Shark Tank! My fiance and I watch it religiously. I always joke that it brings out my love for entrepreneurs and local businesses. In college I was always one for supporting the local stores! Anyways... I teared up during the episode that featured the Red Dress Boutique a couple weeks ago. To see someone so passionate about what they do makes me so happy! That is honestly what it's all about!

As an aspiring entrepreneur I love seeing how other businesses begin. The best part is how realistic the owners were about when they started. They talked about the struggle, but in the end the payoff was unbelievable. 

Not to spoil the episode... but they got a DEAL with two sharks! I can't wait to see what the future brings this company, but until then I will continue to obsess over the daily arrivals :) 

Happy almost Halloween! 

Dots of Happiness Rep

Happy Tuesday!

I am so excited to announce that I was approved as a Rep for Dots of Happiness! Dots of Happiness can fuel any monogram obsession! They have everything from necklaces to home decorations.

Below are some of my favorites:

1. Floating Greek Letters Necklace: Obviously as a sorority alum I LOVE anything greek! These necklaces come in so many different patterns. Perfect for Big/Little or Initiation gifts!

2. Monogram Envelope Clutch: I have been obsessing over clutches lately. Add a monogram and I am totally hooked. You can dress it up or down! Perfect gift item for the holidays coming up. 

3. 1 Letter Lilly Monogram Wall Hanging: I cannot wait to have a front door someday... just to hang wreaths, and of course MONOGRAMS! Lilly Pulitzer adds a perfect touch to any home! 

As a rep if you buy any items make sure you use the code (TaylorA) in the where did you hear about us! You click "Other" and then you can put in "Taylor A".

I hope you have as much fun looking at monograms as I do! 

Xx

New Fall Launch- Men's Suit Collection

So far September has been filling up my social media feed with weddings galore! At the wedding I just attended on Saturday I was taking notes not only of the bridesmaid dresses, but of what the groomsmen were wearing for when I start to plan my own wedding!

Bonobos new Fall Collection offers a variety of suits for the groomsmen in the wedding, or guests attending! I am loving the new fabrics featured in this collection. When a suit a tailored it makes all the difference. Bonobos offers a Standard and Slim fit combined with Short, Regular and Tall sizes, so each suit has a custom fit.

Fall is my favorite season because of the crisp air, beautiful leaves and of course the fashion! For the final nights of outdoor gatherings these wool suits will compliment warmth with style. And for those extra chilly nights a topcoat can complete the look.

Definitely check out the new Fall Men's Suit Collection by Bonobos for your man to update their fall closet, as you update yours!

Hope you all have a blessed week! 

Tassel Jewelry

All summer on Instagram I have been seeing amazing tassel pieces of jewelry that I absolutely LOVE! At the end of July I saw post by Southern Curls & Pearls on how to make them yourself!

So on Labor Day Weekend I decided to make a couple with my little sis!

Here is how they turned out:

You can pick a variety of bead & thread colors to make them unique to your style! I think they are the perfect transition from summer to fall! I got all of my supplies from Michael's, and overall it was pretty cheap. Make sure to use any coupons you have there as well (I know I always get them over email). 

I hope you enjoyed this fun DIY! 

Independent Beauty Consultant

I absolutely LOVE running my Mary Kay business that I started in January 2013. Empowering women through makeup and how it makes them feel beautiful on the inside and outside is so inspirational!

I could play with makeup all day everyday! Below are some of my favorite new items that Mary Kay has to offer!

Attached is the eonline booklet for Fall 2014:

http://ecatalog.marykay.com/us_en-us/GetLatest.aspx?d=www.marykay.com&m=0&t=Look_Book

The Midnight Jewels Collection is to die for, and so much fun for fall. It features beautiful emeralds, and deep purples. The Nail Polishes come in two fun colors: Sapphire Noir and Night Diamond. (Page 6/7)

I am loving the new holiday items they have for sale. For a limited time Mary Kay is offering Holiday scented lipbalms and hand lotions. They are perfect stocking stuffers!  (Page 24/25) 

                

I would love to help you find some new fabulous products that you love! If you want any of the products listed above you can shop with me on my personal website:

http://www.marykay.com/taugustine12/en-US/_layouts/MaryKayCoreLocator/ContactMe.aspx

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselved to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." - Mary Kay Ash 

                              

Liebster Award: Get to Know Me

Thank you Cassie from Ramblings of a Southern Belle for nominating me for The Liebster Award to get to know me better!

Below are the rules:

1. Post 11 facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you, and then create an 11 question set for the next group of nominees
3. Choose 11 people to nominate and link them in the post
4. Let your nominees know they've been tagged- and no tag-backs!
5. Nominate blogs under 200 followers

First 11 facts about me: 

1. I just graduated from college with a degree in Managerial Marketing, and a minor in Entrepreneurship

2. Diet Coke is a lifeline 

3. I am the oldest of 3 

4. Delta Gamma Alum #GoGreek

5. Denver, CO native, but have lived in OH since the age of 7 

6. I just got engaged!!! (Fiance is in the pic above) 

7. Dog Person for sure 

8. I believe you should always be kinder than you feel 

9. Total bookworm 

10. I've watched basically every season of the Bachelor/ Bachelorette 

11. I am an eternal optimist and strive to be Charlotte York 

Questions from Cassie:

1. What made you decide to start a blog?- I have always loved following blogs so I figured why not!
2. What is your favorite topic to blog about?- Fashion/ lifestyle 
3. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mashed potatoes 
4. What is your favorite color? PINK & Turquoise 
5. Where is your favorite place to shop? J.Crew 
6. What is your favorite eyeshadow palette? Mary Kay
7. Where is your dream vacation spot? Maui #futurehoneymoonspot
8. If you could go on a date with a celebrity, who would you pick? TAYLOR LAUTNER 
9. What is your favorite Starbucks drink? Either Pumpkin Spice, Iced Coffee, or Carmel Light Frap
10. How would you describe your style? Preppy & Girly 
11. What is your dream job? Owning my own Boutique! 

My 11 Questions

1. What is your favorite Pinterest Board? 

2. What's your go to accessory?

3. McDonalds or Starbs Iced Coffee? 

4. What Ice Cream Flavor describes you? 

5. How often do you go shopping?

6. Favorite Pattern? 

7. Which celeb would be your bestie? 

8. What's your sign? 

9. Fav Designer? 

10. Dog or Cat person? 

11. Favorite Book? 

Below are my nominations! If you choose to participate please mention who nominated you!
1. Behind her Monogrammed Macbook 
2. Stay Fabulous
3. Charm on a Farm 
4. The Total Prepster
5. With a Wink and a Twirl
6. Lavishingg
7. Middle of Somewhere 
8. A Little Seersucker Sass
9. Sweet Southern Pearl
10. Sequins & Sea Breezes 
11. East Coast Pearls

 I can't wait to get to know you ladies better as well! 

Have a blessed week! 

xoxo

Book Review: The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc

I love to read especially during the summer, so I picked up a few books at Half Price Books! Usually I don't go in with titles in mind, and just pick out what looks good. The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres seemed like the perfect sassy summer read.

I definitely expected it to be more of a chick lit- easy read, but it was dark. This book is set in the summer of 1956 in Gentry Louisiana. The story follows a strong female lead Sissy, and her search for her all time happiness while following The Southern Belle's Handbook.

Each chapter starts with numbered advice of The Southern Belle's Handbook that Sissy has created in her mind growing up. I loved the strong female storyline but it was just too dark for me. The plot definitely has a twist towards the middle!

The book was also divided up into sections of past and present which kept it interesting. It did take me about month to get through because I don't think I was as invested in the characters as I wished to be.

But overall it has a good story line if you need end of the summer read!

I also have a Goodreads account! You can keep track of your progress while reading, and keep lists of what you want to read next. I just went through today and added more "want to read" titles. Below is the link to my Goodreads account if you want to follow me!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5522183-taylor

Happy Reading! 

Erin Condren Life Planner

I am a huge fan when I comes to planning and organizing! All through college I had either Vera Bradley or Lilly Pulitzer planners. I figured this year I would try something new!

Erin Condren has a stationary and party planning company, and she is known for her Life Planners! She was also a Delta Gamma at UCLA.

My favorite part about the Life Planners are the way you can customize them! They have so many covers to choose from. They are also changable so if you get sick of the cover half way through the year, you can pop on another front & back. You can also add on sticker sets, notepads, basically anything!

I chose the Taffy Stripes in pink with my First and Middle name!

   

 

I also picked up some pens from Target to help color coordinate and organize! 

Better Late than Never- July 4th Post!

I actually went home for the fourth of July and was able to spend the holiday with my family and fiance! The day before the 4th we actually went downtown to Red White and BOOM in Columbus. This is like a huge deal at home, everyone from the suburbs (me) floods downtown for this million dollar fireworks show! There are also fun bars and food trucks to keep you busy before the firework show at 10pm.


For Red White and BOOM I wanted to keep it casual and fun! I went with white skinnys from American Eagle (it was chilly), an anchored and striped tank from Nordstrom, a jean jacket from Loft, and my Red White and Blue Toms!

The actual day of July 4th, my brother, fiance and I went out on the boat!

That night we met up with my friend to watch the fireworks by our house. I just changed into jeans, my toms, a navy sweater and linen tank from Loft.

Never to late for some 'Merica lovin! Hope you all enjoyed the 4th as well! 

Baubles & Bits

I've been traveling back and forth a lot this summer, so here are some of my essential jewelry pieces of the moment!

1. Anchor Watch- Betsey Johnson

2. Monogrammed Necklace- FrederickEngraving

3. Pearls

4. Navy and White Pearl Bangle- CWonder

5. Monogram Bracelet- Marley Lilly 

6. Anchor Monogram Bracelet- Marley Lilly

15 Facts About Me

1. Born in Denver, CO but grew up for most of my life in a suburb outside of Columbus, OH 

2. Starting Skiing at age 4

3. Majored in Managerial Marketing 

4. Was president of my sorority Delta Gamma

5. Just recently got ENGAGED (New MONOGRAM) 

6. Oldest of 3 siblings & am very family oriented 

7. A love for dogs

8. Diet Coke is a way of life

9. I own everything and anything anchored 

10. Someday I hope to own a clothing boutique 

11. Fav Movie: Legally Blonde

12. Pink is my color 

13. Positivity is the key to life 

14. I love people who give good hugs 

15. I truly believe nice people finish first in life 

I just started a new instagram account! Follow me at: @anchorsandmonograms 

The Lucky Knot

I came across a store that combines so many amazing preppy items in one place: The Lucky Knot! Brands including: Lilly Pulitzer, Lauren James, Smathers & Branson, Kiel James Patrick, and so many more.

As for The Lucky Knot brand itself I am beyond OBSESSED with their anchor hats! The polka dots are such a perfect accent. 

Also these needlepoint hats are a must in any summer wardrobe!

They also carry such cute nautical clothing & jewelry-- perfect recruitment attire for Deegees! 

Definitely a website worth checking out!