the fourth.

Hope everyone enjoys their Fourth of July.  My husband and I are taking the rest of the week off to relax and spend some time together.  I'm so excited!  Leaving you with some sparkly goodness that reminds me of this amazing holiday.

{cake}, {drinks}, {signage}, {headband}, {sparkler}, {pool}, {sequins}, {americana}, {bag}, {bracelets}, {picnic}

sonoma getaway x2.

I spent 3 of the past 4 days in Sonoma, and I gotta say it was amazing!  I started with a girls getaway to The Fairmont, where we lounged by the pool, hit up a few wineries, and ate a delicious meal at the Girl and the Fig.  It was pretty much the perfect relaxing getaway.  I decided to create fun little gift bags to give each girl when we arrived (a la a bachelorette party, even though this wasn't one).  I mean who doesn't love a little bag filled with some girly essentials?  I used this template to personalize each bag (printed out on iron-on-paper) and adhered to canvas bags I picked up at Michael's.  Each bag contained a bottle of water, a magazine, a striped straw, candies, and nail polish. I named each polish after the girls (Jen's orange polish was named "Tan-JEN-rine Orange").  I thought I was being really clever and funny...ha!

Next up, it was a birthday bash for my dear friend Amanda.  We rented a shuttle bus and drove back up to Sonoma with 18 of our friends.  SO.MUCH.FUN!  I created a little "lunch box" for each guest, including a water bottle, snacks, a straw, a personalized plastic cup to sip on mimosas on the drive up, and a "It's Amanda's Birthday!" party pin.  We stopped at three wineries (Viansa, Sebastiani & Cornerstone) and picked up lunch at the Sonoma Cheese Factory to enjoy on the lawn of one of the wineries.  We brought along picnic blankets which created the perfect little lounge feel.  Ok, and have you been to Cornerstone Winery?  I never had, and I gotta say it's a must see.  They have this amazing garden featuring art sculptures that is truly breathtaking.  I was obsessed with these cloud-like structures made of wire mesh with glass teardrops hanging from them.  It was visually stunning!  Sonoma, I already miss you and can't wait for a return trip.

{all images by me}

relax.

I'm signing off a day early this week. Excited to spend a few days relaxing with some friends poolside.  I'm also co-hosting a big birthday party that I've been busy crafting away for.  It's gonna be a good weekend!

{image}

beauty.

What is your beauty routine?  My daytime look is straight hair worn down with a swipe of mascara and a touch of lip gloss.  For the evening, I've been creating beachy waves and adding a bold lip.  Isn't it sooo true that you always want what you can't have?  When I was younger I didn't quite like my stick straight hair, always wanting something with a little more volume.  But now I completely love my straight hair.  It's so easy to do, and I can easily add in a little curl to achieve some body.

{straight hair, wavy hair, lips}

little quotes.

I spotted these two adorable little journals at Target today, and I instantly fell in love with the quotes printed on their covers.  Both of these ring so true to me right now.  I think they would definitely make perfect little gifts for any girl in your life.

{photos from my instagram @modernsequins}