As an Event Coordinator my most asked question is, "Where should I start?" Thinking about the final event can seem extremely daunting and overwhelming so I wanted to share my tips on how to get you started and to keep the momentum going.  1. Idea Dump: When planning any event I always have a million ideas and thoughts running around in my head - put it in writing! I will either idea dump all my thoughts into a notebook or a google doc page (sometimes even an email draft if I don't have my computer or notebook). This allows me to see what I'm working with and organize it from there. For example, I'm planning a baby shower later this August for one of my closest friends. I have an email draft with running ideas so I can add to it when a thought pops into my head (i.e., the grocery store, work, etc.). Remember: this is the rough draft stage, it doesn't need to be pretty. I have yet to solidify a theme for this shower because we are catering to the baby's gender! Thus, I'm still in a rough draft stage. 2. Vision Board: This my friends is where I direct you to Pinterest. I start a lot of secret boards for events I am planning and pin any and all inspiration from there. I can then share the board with the bride, mom-to-be, etc.! Pinterest can also seem overwhelming but I use it for very specific items. For example, instead of overwhelming yourself and searching 'wedding,' try something specific you want like 'garden wedding with fairy lights.' Below is a snapshot of my party board - take a peek if you need some amazing inspiration! 3. Free Resources: There are so many free resources that can aid in your event planning. While I have my likes and dislikes about all of them they are a great place to go to get you started. The Knot, Loverly, Wedding Wire, brides.com, Glitter Guide and laurenconrad.com all house great resources to get you started. If I were you, I would download a checklist or guide/timeline and go from there. These checklists give you a rough idea of what needs to be planned/confirmed and when. 
4. Gather Notes From Friends: Word of mouth is by far the best way to gather intel. People's experiences trump anything you will find on the internet. For example, I've been racking my brain for ideas on games to play at a baby shower. Not cheesy games - chic games 😂, if there is such thing. I asked around and I found what people liked and didn't like and also found out that if you don't have something to fill the time, those baby showers can be boring! Ask around and take notes - your friends and family are some of the best resources you have. 
5. Take The First Step: With any event, getting started equates to taking action. Setting your date and booking the venue are the best places to start. For me, planning the shower is on temporary hold until I know the gender, however, I already knew what style of event I wanted to have and when - so I booked the venue. Once you have vendors booked, your stress level will significantly decrease. Start somewhere, anywhere, and solidify those large and small details! 

This month of April is good, too good if you ask me. There are so many exciting clothing/home launches and collaborations - this is certainly an exciting month! I wanted to share all of them here so you don't miss the launches and so you can start saving your pennies.  Gal Meets Glam Collection: This is probably the most exciting. I have been following Julia Engel and her blog, Gal Meets Glam, for years. On April 20th, she is releasing her new dress line! The team has shared sneak peeks for the past 30 days and I am giddy with excitement. I love dresses, but I feel like I never find exactly what I'm looking for. Julia's style is so classic that I know there will be a perfect dress for any occasion. You can see all of the sneak peaks here sand follow online her dress journey here! Hunter x Target: This collaboration is amazing, insert all the heart eye emoji's here. This Saturday,  April 14th, Hunter for Target will be released into select stores. I frequently don my cotton candy pink Hunter boots and I'm so excited to add a few more pieces to my collection. First and foremost, the price is significantly less than Hunter boots normally are. We are talking $80 and under! Second, they will have rain gear too - umbrellas, rain jackets and totes are just a few.  I wear my Hunters all the time, they are the easiest boot for me to slip in to when I have to take the dogs outside. Here in Iowa, we are still in our "second winter" so rain and snow can be expected until May, making rainbows a staple in my closet.  Opalhouse: Target's latest home decor line that is certainly a stunner. It's right up my alley it's almost as if it were made for me. From the Rattan accent chairs to the adorable woven picnic basket there is definitely something for everyone! This collection launched early April so check your nearest Target for all the Opalhouse goodness. 

I cannot tell you how deeply I miss Europe. The culture, food, people and landscape is so different - I love it. At the beginning of this year, I knew I wanted to take a trip...just didn't know where or when. I was so excited when one of my favorite bloggers wrote about how she is hosting a trip to Portugal, I jumped at the chance and the rest is well, history in the making.
In August, I'm headed on a 10-day trip to Lisbon, Porto and Lagos (have you seen their beaches!?). I'm in the initial stages of planning but thankfully we already have an itinerary that we are going off of so that makes my planning a lot easier. I haven't lucked out in finding a lot of books that I like but I really love Lonely Planet's version. It has great reading tidbits in the beginning and pull out maps to use (I do plan to tack on the international plan to my phone for this trip lol). I also loving using blogs to plan trips, I find that others' experiences are the best recommendations.

Itinerary:
Day 1-3: I will first arrive in Lisbon and spend three days touring the city. A day-trip to the colorful city of Sintra to view the Palacio de Pena (the most colorful palace you ever did see) is on the agenda as well.

Day 4-6: Off to Porto! I'm so excited about this city, look how colorful it is. It's also the home of port wine...and the word is, you can find it cheap! I've already started outfit planning, I know that sounds silly but in a colorful city such as porto with fabulous port wine - this is what I imagine myself to look like💃🏻.

Day 7-9: Heading South to Lagos! If you google Lagos, then you'll know my excitement. I've be craving a tropical vacation for years and since I'm going in the peak heat season - Lagos' beautiful beaches will perfect.

If you've ever travelled to Portugal please comment below and let me know your must see's and must do's!

Taking care of my skin is one of my number one priorities. I have had my bouts with skincare issues and I am finally in a place where I know my skin and what it needs at any given time. One of my favorite "treatment" regimens is masking. Masking is the perfect way to target particular skin concerns and it's a routine that you can switch up often. I don't just have one mask that I use, I have multiple that I gravitate towards depending on what my skin needs. Whether my skin is dry, dehydrated, lack luster, oily, inflamed, suffering from acne, or just needs a boost - there are masks that treat all types of issues.  If you really want the masking process to work you must first have the proper skin routine. Washing your face twice a day, removing all of your makeup before bed, hydrating, applying SPF and drinking tons of water are all excellent routines to get into. My routine, looks something like this: 1. Wash my face every morning with cleanser (based on skin needs) 2. Follow up with facial spray 3. Apply serums 4. Moisturize with oil-free moisturizer that contains SPF 30 5. Remove makeup with micellar water or wipes once I'm home 6. Cleanse my face with my Clarisonic and cleanser (based on skin needs) 7. Mask 3-4 times a week  8. Apply toner and/or facial spray 9. Apply serums 10. Finish with a night cream Note: I use my PMD (personal microdermabrasion device) once a week, usually on Sundays. I also use my Clarisonic every single day. Both devices are essential to keeping my skin healthy and looking radiant. I plan to do a post on all of this in the near future! As I mentioned above, I have a few masks that I gravitate towards. The ones listed below are on my current skin regimen but I frequently try new ones whenever I visit my local Ulta Beauty store.  1. Mario Badescu Flower and Tonic Mask: This mask is my absolute favorite. Any breakout or skin irritation this mask helps to soothe and aid in the healing process. Whenever I feel like my skin is oily or prone to breakouts (especially around that time of the month) I will use this and my breakouts will disappear! I recommend this for all skin types.  2. Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask: Everyone can use an extra boost of collagen. I don't use this mask very often just because scarring, acne, and oiliness are the top of my facial concerns. However, this is a great mask that promotes skin's elasticity and the collagen helps to plump and firm fine lines and wrinkles. Recommended for combination, dry and sensitive skin types (my skin is naturally more oily thus why I don't use it as often)! 3. Mario Badescu Special Mask For Oily Skin: This is another great mask for oily and acne prone skin types. The Kaolin, otherwise known as clay, in the mask absorbs oils and lifts them to the surface while minimizing large pores. The calamine in the mask provides astringent and soothing properties for mild acne.  4. Korean Beauty Retinol Sheet Mask: Retinol is great for all skin types as it boosts cell turnover to revitalize and rejuvenate your skin. Korean beauty products are all the rage in my opinion, the Korean culture has naturally beautiful skin but the products they use are derivatives of vitamins, minerals and various plants. Use these masks when your skin looks and feels dull and sluggish.  5. TonyMoly Sheet Masks: These are my favorite sheet masks. All of them are free of parabens and loaded with all natural ingredients. The best part is that there is a mask for every type of skin concerns. I've tried almost all of them but on my next trip to Ulta, I'll be picking up the Ginseng for elasticity, Olive for radiance and the Peach for vitalizing. 
What are your favorite face masks? Comment below so I can try them!

Although the weather doesn't feel like spring here in Iowa, that's not hindering my love for dressing as brightly as I can. It's officially spring and this is a perfect transitional outfit, with some added layers if you live in the midwest and north! The star of the outfit? The shoes!! As of late, I've been gravitating towards easy-to-wear pieces that are very comfortable. Sneakers are just that. I love this pair of Keds (mine are from the Keds and Rifle Paper Co. collaboration), they would be super cute with a white spring/summer dress or with denim and a plain tee. It's also no secret that I love to mix prints, so I added my gingham boyfriend button-down for another pop of color. 💕 Shop My Look: