Friday, May 30, 2014

interview: jeff timmons of 98 degrees and men of the strip

I had a major life moment today, y'all. I got to talk to Jeff from 98 Degrees. If you woulda told me back when I went to my first ever concert [which was theirs] that I'd one day talk to them, I woulda hit you or something for being ridiculous.

He's heading a new movie/show on E! that airs this Sunday.... all about the real life Magic Mike [and he says it's also part Sex In The City]. A group of hott guys, learning how to strip... hell yes you can count me in.

We talked about the Package Tour [when I saw them last year], how the guys on the show come from all different backgrounds including the NFL, WWE, and MMA... and how his wife and family think about this whole new career of his.



He was SO awesome to talk to! Normally I chop up my interviews pretty good, but I felt like it was a fun and casual conversation.

Jeff also said that a lot of the guys are using "Men of the Strip" as a platform to get into another career, and he's fully supportive of that. That's pretty freaking awesome.

Here are the clips I referenced in the interview:


I'm pretty pumped to watch Sunday night. Feel free to live tweet it with me [and Jeff]!

love,
elizabethany

Thursday, May 29, 2014

wearing: simple love

My schedule has been nothing less than crazy busy lately, so getting dressed happens very quickly. Luckily, I had the great idea of trying this tank on its own. 

-tank is from my clothing swap party
-Express jeans via TJ Maxx
-pink flats from H&M [$5!]
-bracelet from BlueLans and necklace was a gift. Earrings from a beach shop



I really do love those shoes, but the whole swing-back style is so painful on my achilles. Am I the only one who struggles with them?! Luckily I carry some tan athletic tape in my purse, so I normally fold up some toilet paper then tape it on to the back of my ankle.

It's so simple, but I really did love it. That tank is hella comfortable and I'm so glad my friend didn't want it anymore.

love,
elizabethany

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

photo diary: race day at bug out 75

For me, Memorial and Labor Day are not complete until I've spent a day at the racetrack. Unfortunately I haven't been able to make it to the Bug Out in a year or so, but I was finally able to make it out to the new track/location over the weekend! 


The Bug Out is one of the biggest Volkswagen events on the East Coast. It's full of pretty cars and trashy people coming together in a beautiful way. My bro got to have the car for the drag races, so I played photographer for a while.

That's my pops in his homemade car. 

Here's Mikey winning! [He made it to the semifinals!]

Then here he is losing by red lighting. [Haha, sucka... I've won and you haven't! #givemethecar]

But most important thing I realized while playing photog- he never, ever looks at the road in front of him. Luckily it's a straight track, I guess... but his competitors should probably start worrying a little more. 



BTW [classy, nice, fun, and worthy] ladies, he's multitalented. 

The race used to go down in Manassas. I went to probably 40 races there... so now that it's in bum-eff southern Virginia, it was hard to get used to... but even a hard-headed girl has to admit when the track is beautiful. I might have to take out my brothers legs come September so I can race. Don't tell him that, though.

I did get to hop in for the slalom, though! It's a little different than it used to be. They set up the most confusing set of cones to weave in and out of throughout a parking lot. I'm gonna let you know right now- I sucked. That heavy ass car with no floor doesn't turn easily. Also, my driver's side door flew open in the middle of it. That was exciting. Racing while reaching out to shut a door.



Just so you know what I mean about the whole "no floor" thing. It's really safe. 

The Ploger racing team normally dominates these races... but we ended up with two engines blown, and three people out of the drags thanks to red lighting. [That means they started to early, for you racing newbs.] It wasn't our best showing for such a milestone race- #75!! We looked cool in the chrome wheel, though.


And if you never saw the video I made last time I got to race, click here duh!

Until next time!

love,
elizabethany

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

my kick-off to the wedding season

You know you're getting old when your entire summer is planned around weddings all over the country. That's my life this summer.

The first one was Jared, part of my gymnastics family, and his beautiful bride Tara.


I wore one of the dresses I got during my giving-zero-effs shopping spree last weekend. It's from H&M and was a whopping $13. [Unfortunately I can't find it online for you.]

Kept it pretty simple everywhere else, since the dress is so busy. Black open toed pumps, pink lipstick, and a pink purse I got from my clothing swap. [It was perfect for holding a pair of shorts and shoes inside.

I keep it classy with a hair tie on my finger instead of wrist...... 

And if you're wondering why I would need to bring a pair of shorts to a wedding, it's because gymnasts like doing handstands. 
I'm the one with my knees bent about to get taken out by a tall guy. I love that everyone is so disappointed in the groom just falling in the middle.

And of course, we had to do a team picture of sorts. 

BUT... none of this is even close to the best part of the night. You know how much I love surprise dances or skits or plans or whatever... and the entire bridal party & more did an entire scene from Pitch Perfect.


HOW GOOD IS THAT?! The bride is former Miss Virginia, host of a morning news show, and basically one of the most all-around talented people you'll ever meet, so it's no surprise that happened and was so fantastic.

It's always good to be reunited with people I haven't seen in forever, but it's even more special to look at a couple and have zero doubt that they'll last forever. SO many smiles while watching them all night. So CONGRATS to Jared and Tara!

love,
elizabethany

Thursday, May 22, 2014

wearing: graphic skating

I'm just so glad it's finally nice enough to break out the skirts and dresses. They make getting dressed for work so much easier and more fun.

We had Magic! in the studio yesterday [they sing the "Rude" song... interview and videos coming soon!], but I woke up late and had to throw something together. Insert go-to skater skirt and a graphic tee.

-tee from New York and Co. 
-skirt from ASOS
-old gold t-strap sandals
-gold chain bling from Charlotte Russe
[estimated total: under $30]


I feel like skater skirts don't do much for the figure. There's not much being shown off when you're wearing a tee with them, but they sure are comfortable and easy... and SO versatile. 

AKA... get one if you haven't yet. Duh.

love,
elizabethany

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

wearing: pretty and gray

Not safe: Going on a shopping spree after looking at your bank account and thinking "wow, there's a lot of money in there." I'm well aware of the dangers, and yet... I did it over the weekend.

The first thing I get to show off: this floral cut-out/open back shirt from Forever21. I know it's going to become one of my go-to's.

-top from Forever21
-old gray zip-up jeans
-jelly sandals also from Forever21
-pink earrings from Charlotte Russe
-bracelet from BlueLans



Summertime is the best time, and colorful eyeliner or eyeshadow combinations are just part of the fun. I airbrushed the rest to make my eyes stand out but now I feel fake. Never again.

I stocked up on some dresses and staples... can't wait to share more!

love,
elizabethany

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

how to: get a thick bohemian braid

Are you as obsessed with the thick, bohemian braids as I am?! If my hair isn't down [and even half of the time when it is], there's always a braid involved. I was always jealous of the girls with the thick hair because they had the most beautiful braids. THEN... I discovered the trick!

It's called "pancaking" and it made all my dreams come true. 


It's the easiest, simplest, most obvious thing ever! All you do is pull the outer part of the braid out a little bit before securing it with a rubber band or bobby pin! 


My new favorite hair girl Abby from "Twist Me Pretty" taught me the trick in this fab video.


So BAM! How awesome did your life become?! Mine was made, so I'm hoping you feel the same accomplishment.

love,
elizabethany

Friday, May 16, 2014

friday hangover 051614

You should know that it's exactly one month until my birthday. Write it down, get me a gift, and plan on a rager that weekend.

K.. now... Waddup Internet?!
Have a fab one!

love,
elizabethany

Thursday, May 15, 2014

wearing: purple and lace

Do you have any weird fashion rules you've given yourself? For some reason, I can't convince myself that wearing my hair up with a lower-cut shirt is perfectly fine. I don't know why I think it's not a good look, but most of the time, I fine a higher collar when planning to throw my hair up.

So this time, I knew I wanted to do my side-braided-teased-pony, and needed to find a top. This lace tee with pleather lining was perfect.


As I'm typing this, I realize that EVERYTHING I'm wearing is from Forever21, including the earrings and shoes.



How fab are these?! And they're probably the best fitting/most comfortable flats I own. I need to see if they have more of the same, but different. They were only $8!


Playing with purple on my eyes is my favorite. Both of the purples are from Urban Decay, called Fishnet and Ransom from the Deluxe palette.



French braid the sides, tease the top, double band it for some extra kick in the back, and I feel like a rockstar.

This was actually for a day when we had Haim in the studio. We didn't get to record anything, but they were hilarious. Turns out, one of them accidentally slapped Chingy in the face one night when trying to excitedly high-five her friend at a club. Oh, the LA life. 

Someone took the picture on 2 instead of 3. Woops. 

Welp. See ya.

love,
elizabethany

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

poll!: help me decide how to paint this furniture!

After your help with my hair turned out to be extremely beneficial, I'll probably start leaning on you to help me make a lot of decisions. I'm pretty terrible at them most of the time. 

Today's bother: How to paint my chest. Toy chest. Seriously. It's filled with nothing but games and toys. 

Originally I wanted to do it all bright blue.. then I decided to only do the top blue, and the bottom gray. Now that I've gotten the colors [and they're probably way brighter than they should be], I don't know if that's the right decision!

Here's a look at my living room as a whole so you can get a feel for it. [Keep in mind it's still in the middle of the from college to real life transformation.]


The coffee tables and my tv stand/shelves are white, and I'll probably end up painting the futon frame gray.... or whatever color you suggest.


Here it is so far. I quickly threw on some of the gray just to show ya the contrast... and some blue to see how it would look down there.


Is there a way to add black paint to gray and make it a little darker?! It's gotta work, right?! That gray is just too close to white for me to love it right now... but still, I gotta make a decision. Help a girl out!



I feel like I'm trying to bring too much color into the room, but like... I LOVE COLOR. And this dark purple/bright blue-ish turquoise have been the colors of my living room since junior year. Why go back now?

If you have any other ideas/tips, comment or tweet me and I'll send you loves and kisses! Or mostly just loves.

love,
elizabethany

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

the fabulous fashion at lady gaga's concert

Because I work at night, I don't get to experience any of the epic shows that come through the city... BUT.. after seeing what people wore to Ke$ha's show last year [btw I refuse to remove the dollar sign] and seeing examples of little monsters at previous shows, I had to see it for myself. 

It took 45 minutes to get to the Verizon Center each way, and I only had 25 minutes to get some videos and dinner, but seeing the people there really is something special and worth experiencing.

[If anyone knows of any secrets to making sure the quality doesn't suck after uploading, holler atchya girl.]

Here's some screenshots










These two had people FREAKING OUT, and rightfully so. Look at homeboy's face to the left. That was everyone as they walked by. They took pics and signed things. Maybe they were someone important and I'm oblivious, who knows.

I thought I went all out for 90s concerts... Pfft. I'm gonna sit my ass down now. Props, Little Monsters.

love,
elizabethany