[DIY flower headband]

I tend to not really buy into many trends, usually because they don't work for me. Physically, I don't like the way I look in what usually pops up in fashion. One thing I finally came around to this year was the flower headband. Keep in mind, I live in Miami, Florida, which feels sometimes like the EDM capital of the world. This means that all winter long, people were coming here wearing hippie floral headbands to go everywhere: the mall, the beach, dinner, I mean everywhere. I guess it was about time I started liking it. So now I'm headed to the Zac Brown Band concert this weekend and I decided I wanted a flower headband to wear. So I'm making one!

Here's what you need:

[Ashland flowers from Michael's (couldn't find them online)][Scissors][hemp string]

The only things I really had to buy were the flowers, because I already had hemp and scissors.

Steps:

First, I connected the flowers. They have wire backing, so I simply intertwined the wire and made sure the flowers were close enough together so that when I put the headband on, you wouldn't be able to see the wire.

Second, after connecting all the flowers, I doubled a piece of hemp and wrapped the entire headband. I started from one side and wrapped around, covering about half of the green wire until I got to the other end. I left some extra string at the end of that side, to use to tie it later. I doubled up another piece of string and basically did the opposite. Unfortunately, I had to keep everything taut when I was doing this, so pictures were out of the question. Here's the finished wrapping.

Obviously, it's not the most professional looking thing, but it feels comfortable and you can't see the wrapping when it's on. Here is the final headband!

And of course, I couldn't show you this DIY without a selfie to show what it looks like on!

So there you go! Ultimately this DIY took me about 30 minutes, only because I was trying to be very delicate with the flowers when I first started. About halfway through though, I decided they weren't that fragile and really started speeding up.

Now I can't wait for the concert to wear it!

"if you wanna fill your bottle up with lightning, you're gonna have to stand in the rain."

-kacey musgraves

[what i'm listening to]

Ever since the "Nashville: On the Record" episode of Nashville, I've been obsessed with the music from that show. I mean, put Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio in a room with a mic and a guitar and you're guaranteed to have some great stuff to listen to. So I finally bought some songs on iTunes and that's literally all I've been listening to the past few days. Here's the selection I have on repeat:

1. It Ain't Yours to Throw Away - Sam Palladio

2. A Life That's Good - Lennon and Maisy

3. I Ain't Leavin' Without Your Love - Sam Palladio, Chaley Rose & Jonathan Jackson

4. Lately - Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen

5. Black Roses - Clare Bowen

6. Don't Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet - Hayden Panettiere

7. If I Didn't Know Better - Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen

8. This Town - Clare Bowen & Charles Esten

What's on your playlist right now?

"music is a safe kind of high."

- jimi hendrix

[skyebird]

I've always considered myself a food lover, but lately I'm trying to be a bit more adventurous. On a recent trip to Orlando, I decided to do some exploring and came across this delicious little place called Skyebird. They call themselves 'a juice bar and experimental kitchen,' which is super accurate. All you can see are raw ingredients and juices and the cooks were just trying new things right there. After perusing through their menu and coming to a decision, I ordered the Romaine Heart Tacos with Cheesy Kale Chips and a Strawberry Lemonade to drink. Soooo good and surprisingly filling! It's lovely too because Skyebird is located inside of East End Market, which is a big building with several different vendors inside. It's like an indoor farmer's market, with a bread shop, a meat shop, a cheese shop, a coffee shop, a wine shop and a small nursery. There was even live music playing outside! Every shop looked delicious too; it was hard not to stop and order from each one.

I would definitely suggest stopping by if you're ever in the Orlando / Winter Park area!!!

"people who love to eat are always the best people."

- julia child

[summer reading]

I was sick last week, and finally on what would've been the sixth day of working through it, I called in to work. Going in to work was prolonging my sickness and wasn't letting me be all there at work either, so it ended up being just what I needed. I realized then that I haven't touched a book since February. THREE MONTHS! That's an eternity considering my love of reading. So I picked up the book I'm in the middle of right now and decided to make a list of books I want to read this summer. Now, six really isn't many, considering I used to read 1-2 a week. Now with a full-time job in this adult world, I'm going to have to aim a bit lower. But here's my list of six novels I've decided I have to read this summer.

1. The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

3. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

5. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

6. May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein

What's on your summer reading list?

"set your life on fire. seek those who fan your flames."

- rumi

[my wynwood experience]

As you know, I went to Wynwood with my parents this past weekend. It's such a fun place and the food was so delicious, I had to do a post just for it. We first walked to the restaurant to put our name on the list (the wait was 45 minutes). Then we walked over to the outdoor bar in Wynwood Walls, grabbed a beer each and walked around. There was a showing in the gallery space inside the walls area, and I actually really like some of his stuff!

We walked into Wynwood Doors too:

We walked through some other galleries, which I didn't photograph. And then Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, where we had some delicious food (some of which I forgot to photograph).

Pork Belly Skewers (like grilled Chicharron)

Ropa vieja empanadas (with a cilantro creme sauce)

Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp, and bread that came with it)

We also had (and I DEFINITELY recommend) the guacamole and brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious, and surprisingly filling.

Basically Wynwood is a really cool area with awesome restaurants and a great art scene. I don't go there often enough but after this past trip, I decided I need to go more often.

"it's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

- henry david thoreau

[productive weekend]

This weekend was sort of a big weekend for me. I had four days off in a row, so I had time to get things done at home. I also got paid, so the time finally came for me to make my next two big purchases: a new TV and bike!

I was also able to spend time with my parents and do some exploring with them, which was nice. We ended up spending an evening in Wynwood, which is an art district here in Miami. It was amazing, with street artists everywhere, galleries open to peruse through, and music coming from everywhere. We ate at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, which is basically in the Wynwood Walls. The food is delicious, the service is great and the ambiance is unbeatable. So obviously, that was the highlight of my evening.

And then of course, I have to show you all the #selfie collage from Mother's Day. (If you didn't already see it on Insta.)

"sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- dr. seuss

[missin' ole rocky top]

So I just got wind that I have four days off in a row. Off course, today is the first day and I just found out about 20 minutes ago. Basically, what could have been a four day getaway is now just going to be thoughts of what could have been. My first was, 'oh, man, I could've gone home to Knoxville.' Now, I'm not one to mope and waste my time thinking of what might have been, so I'm just going to make the most of this mini-vacation while here at my new home. BUT, I will get a taste of home by wearing some things I picked up on my recent trip to Knoxville.

I purchased this tank and necklace while on a random day trip to Market Square. We had the whole day to explore before heading to the airport, so we walked around, ate a delicious meal at Stock & Barrel, and did some shopping.

I got this Tennessee necklace at Bluetique!

This is basically a staple now, from Nothing Too Fancy.

"rocky top, you'll always be home sweet home to me! good ole' rocky top, rocky top tennessee!"

[drunken monkey coffee]

Anyone who knows me knows I love coffee. My friends and I literally joke that I just need an IV and I'll be good to go. So when I was in Orlando, I decided to look for a local spot rather than go to Starbucks or Einstein's. What I found? Drunken Monkey Coffee. Yes, the weird name did make it more appealing to me. The place itself is very simple, with mismatched furniture and dish ware. They had a small area for a DJ to spin, and couches reminiscent of college house parties. It was a charming place with a small, simple menu of coffee and some sandwiches and snacks. If the food wasn't made in-house, it was made locally and most of it was organic or gluten free or something like that. Unfortunately, I couldn't get pictures of the place itself, but I was able to photograph my food. I had an american coffee with a baby breakfast burrito.

If you're ever looking for a low key, local coffee joint, you should definitely stop by Drunken Monkey Coffee. You won't regret it!

Happy Monday! Have a great week!

"all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast."

- john gunther

[summer fashion]

It may sound odd considering I live in Miami, but I'm so excited for summer to be here. Despite the year-round warmth, we try to still dress for the season here. So now that it's finally spring and summer is just around the corner, I can already feel the inner hippie coming out.

I don't go crazy Coachella style, but I'd like to think I become a little conservative boho. Here are a few picks I've either bought already or are on my to-do list.

beaded tank

grey tank

roll up shorts

slim boyfriend capris

tribal print dress

tank dress

green vest

booties

HOW I STYLE THE VEST AND BOOTIES

"people will stare. make it worth their while."

-harry winston