Life Lately (2)

Some weekends are all about blowing off steam… while others are all about resting after a long week. I’ll admit, I often switch between the two, but this one has been all about the latter. Sometimes it just feels so good to lay low, rest, get exercise, see family, get work done and generally take care of yourself. Anyone else agree with me?!

Anyway, this post isn’t a total snoozefest – I promise! Here are a few things I’m excited about right now:

1) Lumen Optical Bucktown Grand Opening

I’ve been searching and searching for a new pair of glasses that I could love wearing all the time… and if you follow my insta-stories, you may have seen that I finally found them at the beautiful new Lumen Optical location in Bucktown! If you’re wondering which ones I chose, I’ll be wearing them at the Grand Opening event I’m co-hosting on Tuesday – and I’d LOVE to see you there!!! Hang with me, the lovely Rachel Bires and DJ Matt Roan (yes, he’ll be DJing during the event!) between 6:00-8:00pm, drink some Chloe wine, grab a goodie bag… AND Lumen is even giving away a pair of Ray-Bans! Not a bad way to spend a weeknight, right?!

If you’d like to come, simply send an email to mmara@skirtpr.com. Feel free to bring friends/significant others, too – and of course, let me know if you’re coming so I can keep a look out for you!

2) Beauty & The Beast

Like most little girls growing up in the 90’s, my sister and I loved Disney musicals – especially Beauty & The Beast. When we found out they were making a live action version, we agreed to see it together… so, we went on Saturday (with Mom!) and it did not disappoint. Watching the cartoon we’ve seen millions of times come to life in front of us, as adults, was an incredibly magical form of nostalgia that I’m not sure I’ve ever really experienced before.

Sure, there were a few things here and there that the Musical Theatre nerd in me could nitpick, but by the end, any critique was so irrelevant. I felt like a kid again as soon as it started, and I, of course, burst into tears the moment the music swelled leading up to Belle singing “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere!” (My favorite part forever and ever.) I’d like to say that was the only time I cried, but we all know that’s a lie ? To be fair, there is so much to learn from this “kids” movie about love and acceptance… lessons a lot of adults could stand to pay attention to. Plus, I kept getting swept up in the magic of the production numbers and the beauty of the story each time one of my favorite melodies started to play.

The thing is, no matter what you think of the movie, Alan Menken’s score for Beauty & The Beast (and Aladdin and Little Mermaid and…) are some of my most treasured pieces of art. How lucky was I to grow up with his music all around me? How lucky were we to have such a beautiful soundtrack created for our childhoods? Such an incredible gift.

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3) Monica Vinader comes to Nordstrom

As a style blogger, you might assume that I’m really into jewelry, but to be honest, I’m way more into quality over quantity. Enter: Monica Vinader. Her pieces are timeless and incredibly well made – the kind of classic jewelry that you will own forever. My latest obsession? These diamond earrings. ALL the heart eyes, right?! ???
I’ll be out of town this weekend, but you can see their pretty pieces in person at Nordstrom on Saturday! Check it out and say hi to the team for me!!

4) Pinch of Yum Healthy Muffins

You may have seen these muffins on Instagram a few weeks ago, but holy MOLY you need to make them!! Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of Pinch of Yum‘s recipes, but this is my new favorite. All you have to do is blend up oats, bananas, dates, eggs and baking soda and bake for 15 minutes. Seriously, couldn’t be simpler. I add a hefty amount of cinnamon and a little bit of peanut or almond butter, and it’s delicious. Finally a muffin with all clean ingredients that you can feel good about! Also, if you aren’t going to eat them all fast enough, wrap them in plastic wrap and pop ’em in the freezer. Top with extra nut butter, Earth Balance, or ghee. (Or real butter, I won’t judge ya ?)

5) It’s the First Day of Spring!

I partnered with Rent the Runway to celebrate the first day of my favorite season, Spring! Even though it’s not quite warm enough for bare legs outside, this Saloni dress gives me all the warm weather feels. This is the first time I’ve ever worn one of their dresses and I’m in love. Everything they do is so feminine, floral and fun! And can we talk about this new Tory Burch bag?! To be honest, renting it kind of made me want to buy it for myself. Swoon!

Dress: Saloni c/o Rent the Runway | Trench: Kate Spade c/o Rent the Runway | Bag: Tory Burch c/o Rent the Runway | Sunglasses: Loft | Necklace: Vrai & Oro

How was your weekend?! Will I see you at Lumen tomorrow?!