vsco. grid.

Find me at:  a_wilmer.vsco.co
A life without inspiration isn’t truly living.  If you know me, then you’re probably aware of my constant need to stay inspired. Whether it be an especially moving quote, the latest collection from so-and-so fashion designer or a spot-on Instagram photo, I’ve found that the little things in life are what keep me going the most.  For those moments when writing has grown stale (and writer’s block has gotten the absolute best of me), photography is a breath of fresh air.  Though I’m an amateur photographer at best, I appreciate how naturally it comes.  It’s something that I can enjoy without having to stress it’s all about composition, lighting and aesthetics. Done. Not to be mistaken, though, the photo editing process (all those darn filters!) is an entirely different story. 

Whenever I travel or visit a new place, I always try to snap a photo or two.  I love looking up at buildings and capturing interesting angles.  There’s no doubt that my desire to document everything stems from my time in Vienna.  In the midst of an exciting new city, it’s far too easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everything around you and miss out on what’s right in front of you. I know that I’ve said it before, but my advice remains: don’t forget to look up, and look up often.

Now for the purpose behind this post…

You guys, VSCO Grid is a game-changer.  Longtime fans of VSCO Cam, meet your latest obsession!  I love how it provides me with a place to store all of my favorite snapshots you won’t find any #ootd posts here (those are reserved for my Insta).  These are the photos that instantly make me happy and remind me of my passions.  I’m not kidding when I say that it keeps me going.  Like I said, it’s a game-changer.  

Not only does VSCO Grid flaunt the most aesthetically pleasing, minimalist interface possible, but it allows you to connect with a network of like-minded photography enthusiasts.  Get ready to be inspired!

Are you on VSCO Grid?  If so, leave a comment sharing your Grid I’d love to check it out!

xo,
A

3

summer.

Nothing says summer like salt water taffy.  

xo,
A
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june. the. list.

This is a tad late (halfway through the month already?!), but today I’m sharing with you my lovely roundup of things that I’m currently coveting for the month of June.  I have another busy catch-up week ahead, so I’m just going to let the items do the talking!


1.  So Well Composed Pen Set (Kate Spade)- Every self-proclaimed KSNY girl needs a set of these pens in her arsenal.  I mean, just look at them, they’re so quirky and utterly perfect.
2.  Kitschy Faux Stone Cocktail Ring (Forever 21)- I apparently have an affection for this kitschy floral design...back in April, I spotlighted the exact same necklace version of this ring.  It was from Forever 21, too!
3.  Cotton Piqué Short in Gemstone Print (J.Crew)- With the official arrival of summer so close, I can’t help but want every pair of shorts in sight.  It’s safe to say that J.Crew is a top-contender for some of the season’s best shorts options.  Besides this gemstone printed pair, I also have my eye on these polka dots and these chambray sailboats.   
4.  Lightstitch Skirt (Madewell)- The vintage-inspired embroidery and femininity of this skirt make it incredibly hard to resist.  Pair it with a knotted chambray shirt, tuck in a silk blouse or throw on a slouchy cashmere sweater in the fall...I think you see where I’m going with this. #endlessstylingoptions
5.  Kiki Stamped Ballet Flats (J.Crew)- I guess you could say that summer whites and creams are getting the best of me. Regardless, these Kiki ballet flats are the epitome of sophistication. The only thing missing is a little white dress...
6.  Saline Sunglasses (Westward Leaning x Olivia Palermo)- I’m currently obsessed with Olivia Palermo’s sunglass collaboration with Westward Leaning.  Normally one to gravitate toward either black or tortoiseshell sunnies, I surprised myself by instantly falling for this “matte frost” pair.  
7.  Blanket Cut Out Dress (Tibi)- The stripes featured in this Tibi dress are super cute, right?  Available in cactus green and pale blush, the colors could not be more spot-on.  AND those sweet side cutouts  just perfect!
8.  Shine Stripe T-Shirt (aerie)- Whoever dubbed lightweight tees as boring and basic is surely mistaken. This one from aerie is so nonchalant and effortless that it’s meant to be tucked and tied for simplicity sake.
9.  Women's Faux-Leather Tassled Bucket Bags (Old Navy)- I’ve seen this bucket bag in person and have been debating whether or not I should get it.  For just around the $30 mark, it seems like it would be the ultimate summer bag for running errands. I just don’t know that I really NEED it...
10.  The Grass is Always Greener Large Notebook (Kate Spade)- In classic Kate Spade kelly green, this notebook makes me want to handwrite everything  who needs a laptop anyway?!
11.  Maison Kitsuné Stripe Skater Skirt (J.Crew)- Fact:  There are few color combinations more Parisian than navy + cream. Whether paired with a chambray shirt or lightweight sweater/sweatshirt at dusk, this stripe skater girl has “cool girl” written all over it.

What summer must-haves are on your list?

xo,
A
2

cutoff. shorts.


Phew!  What a week this has been!  You know how sometimes you enter into a week thinking it’s going to be a breeze and then out of nowhere it suddenly becomes borderline crazy/busy?! Well, I think that’s how I would best sum up my week, but not necessarily in a bad way.  Since I’ve been a horrible blogger as of lately  no post on Monday (oops!) I obviously had to get something up for today.  For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram, I realize that you probably have little to no sense of my personal style. While I won’t be posting my daily outfits here on the blog anytime soon (sorry, if I did, then they would be headless shots only!) I did want to share two of my recent #ootd posts, which coincidentally enough show me wearing my prized elephant necklace.

As it’s almost “officially” summer (the countdown begins NOW, only eight days away!), I’ve been in a complete shorts-state-of-mind. Although I’m really loving my 3’’ J.Crew chinos, I’m quickly becoming obsessed with my denim cutoffs from Madewell.  I purchased them back in November (it was actually on Black Friday!) from J.Crew Outlet and they were such a steal. Besides the major “pop of color” that they bring, they’re also extremely comfortable and effortless.  Not to mention that they have an undeniably youthful feel to them, which I love.  Long story short:  if you’re ever on the fence about buying shorts from Madewell, then I’d strongly recommend it!

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite cutoff shorts from around the web, have a look below:


Are you digging cutoffs as much as I am?  What’s your go-to shorts style?

xo,
A
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national. donut. day.

Every month, I’m always so intrigued by all the random national holidays that seem to pop up.  Seriously though, have you ever done a quick Google search on the “bizarre and unique holidays” in June (or any month for that matter)?  Well, I did just that, and I’m so glad that I did because otherwise I would never had known that today was National Donut Day!  Actually, I take that back. I’m sure that I would have eventually found out that it was donut day – but by then, it would have been too late.  Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk DONUTS.  

The fact that I’m dedicating an entire post to donuts probably leads you to believe that I’m a #donutfreak.  In a way, that’s partially true.  If I’m going to be completely honest though, I actually enjoy looking at donuts more than I like consuming them.  Don’t get me wrong, donuts are okay.  My favorite kind to eat is a simple cinnamon sugar twist since I’m not fond of icing, those oh-so-Instagram-worthy cute pink donuts covered with rainbow jimmies (or sprinkles) are off limits for me.  Sad, but true.

Whether you like how they taste or not, you can’t hate on donuts.  Even if you consider yourself more of a Ladurée macaron-kind-of-girl, there’s still something to be said about a mini-sized donut.  Finding donut-inspired items was much harder than I thought where is Kate Spade’s donut printed sweatshirt, donut-inspired bangle and coin purse when you need them?

national. donut. day.

1. Donut Worry (SS Print Shop)- This is the absolute best inspiration you could ask for:  when all in the world seems bad, just remember, “donut worry…”
2. Coffee and Donuts Mug (Indigo)- A humorous “just because” gift for your BFF/partner in crime.
3. Donuts Pen (Nordstrom)- The pen that you write with says a lot about your personality.  If you’re dough-dough for donuts, then this just seems fitting.  
4. Donuts:  The Ultimate Recipe Guide (Barnes & Noble)- While I would never attempt to make my own donut (#disasterwaitingtohappen), perhaps you’ll have more luck?
5. New York Doughnut Map by All You Can Eat Press (Urban Outfitters)- If you’re interning in the Big Apple this summer or have a trip coming up, you’ll want to get your hands on this NY Doughnut Map.  Just as the description reads, life is too short for bad doughnuts.  #truth  
6. Dylan's Candy Bar Donut Pendant Necklace (Dylan’s Candy Bar)-  This donut pendant necklace from Dylan’s Candy Bar is surprisingly stylish and on-trend.  It’s so quirky that it works.
7. Ceramic Donut Coin Bank (Forever 21)- Trying to revamp your work station?  How about investing in this ceramic donut coin bank watch the change add up and then treat yourself to the most scrumptious donuts you can get your hands on.   
8. Donuts Journal (Nordstrom)- The next time inspiration strikes, of course, you’ll want to reach for your donut journal first.  
9. Mmmm, Donut Pool Float (ModCloth)-  Hit the pool in style by drifting away in this ginormous donut float.  Rest assured that all eyes will be on you.  

...and a few more items that are quite donut-y in their own right:



How will you be celebrating National Donut Day?!

xo,
A
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monday. favorites.


According to my Kate Spade planner, it’s June.  What!?  I try my best to avoid commenting on the time, but sometimes it’s just inevitable.  As long as June inches by ever so slowly, I’ll be okay.  Since I can’t even remember the last time I did a roundup of my current “Monday favorites,” I thought that today would be as good of a time as any.  Without further ado, here you go!


- This elephant necklace from Duo (check out this similar style) is a game changer.  I’m not lying when I say that it’s often the first necklace that I reach for in the morning.  It’s just that conventional.  My favorite part about it is the size.  As you can probably tell from the photos above, it’s not your ordinary pint-sized elephant  it’s supersized!

- As I’m a sucker for all things paper, I obviously couldn’t pass up this gem of a notepad (especially since it was on sale + extra 40% off!).  Designed by the stationery brand Knock Knock, this pocket-sized notebook is as witty as they come.  I’m obsessed with the design (less is always more!) and can’t wait to use it for my most important to-do lists.   

- Target was spot-on when they designed their line of J.Crew-inspired magic wallets.  With cute white and pink whales, it instantly reminded me of Vineyard Vines.  While they’re currently sold out at my local Target, they appear to still be available online.  For $6.99, I’d say that it’s totally worth it!  (If you’re not one for whales, then definitely check out the sailboat, polka dot and diagonal stripe prints  they’re all too cute!)

- If you follow College Prepster, then this striped button-down shirt from Old Navy may look familiar.  The only difference is that while Carly’s red and white stripe Huxter popover retails for $180, mine was on sale for around $10!  Granted, I totally understand that Huxter is an all-American brand (made in New England, of course) and is designed with the utmost quality...but since button-down shirts aren’t typically my go-to, I happily went for the budget-friendly option.

- Every summer, I yearn for one pair of sandals that I can wear day in, day out…these nude-colored bow sandals from Gap are just that.  Besides the obvious, I’m bow-obsessed (duh!), they go with everything.  I’m so glad that I’m such a frugal shopper and thought to snag these up back in November for a little bit of nothing.  

What are you coveting on this first Monday in June?

xo,
A
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