28.

two days ago i turned 28 years old.  with each passing year i keep thinking  i'm still so young.  i still have so much life to live.  and in so many ways, that is true.  i am still young and i do still have so much life to live.  but there's just something each passing year that just makes me stop dead in my tracks.  how am i 28?!

there's been so much hate and negativity out in the world lately.  and i just feel like life is way too short to be so hateful towards another.  there is just so much love to give!  being positive and spreading as much love as i can makes me truly happy.  things can truly be as simple as putting someone else's feelings before our own.  doing something that will make someone else happy instead of thinking "i don't want to".

my dad always taught me that sometimes in  life we have to do things that we don't want to do.  and this lesson has truly helped in my relationships and i'm so grateful he put so much emphasis on that growing up.  i think his purpose was to prepare me for the real world- getting a job, going to college, and doing adult things.  but it has helped me be selfless in my relationships with others.  which, let's face it, we are constantly interacting with others!

so here's to another beautiful year of life and to spreading love...because i think the world needs it!


||  t-shirt c/o makemechic  ||  jeans c/o charlotte russe  ||  bralette (similar)  ||  heels (similar) ||

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photographs by blissfulkaos  

last month junior and i stayed in philadelphia for a little weekend getaway.  my sister is getting married next month and so we haven't really gone on many getaways this year.  i guess we could have totally squeezed in a few getaways here or there, but with the wedding coming up, there's always something to do or help out with.

getaways with my hubs are always my favorite.  i swear, it's like a reset button for our marriage.  just being in a new scene and doing something that isn't our normal routine.  it does wonders for us and our sanity!

we booked a room last minute on hotel tonight (not sponsored at all, but if you book with them and want $25 off, use code RAORELLANA at checkout).  we stayed at the sonesta philadelphia rittenhouse square, which i loved.  if you're local and have a car, they do offer valet (for an additional fee).  it's nice to not have to worry about parking and just enjoy.  we walked around most of our stay (the location of the hotel was ideal) and used uber a few times as well.  (again, not sponsored, but if you are a new user and want a free ride, i got the hook up!  just kidding, they offer codes to everyone and this is mine: ralizabetho).

these pics were from right before heading out to dinner.  i took some pictures of junior, who was literally just standing around or just sitting there but doesn't he look like he's actually posing for me?  i mean, he's a natural!  *heart eyes*

i got this dress at express on sale.  they have a few sizes left but i've also linked some other dresses below (because one can never own enough dresses).  and these shoes are the most comfortable sandals!  i got them in the beginning of the season and am obsessed!  i can wear them for hours and not be in pain!  cute and comfortable...i'm here for it!

||  dress  ||  shoes  ||  purse (similar)  ||

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photographs by blissfulkaos  

something about looking good that makes me just feel good.  and in turn, that makes me more productive.

i totally notice a difference when i come to work with my hair up, wearing the same, old, dingy work clothes and worn out work shoes, doing my make up so half assed that it's basically all gone by the end of the day that i usually don't feel like doing anything.  i work slower, i'm not motivated and i don't feel like myself.

but when i put just the smallest effort in actually styling my hair, and doing my make up and picking out a cute outfit for work (where, let's face it, i spend most of my days), i actually feel motivated, i work faster and am more productive.

it could just be me, but i had this conversation with my girlfriend and she totally agreed.  so take my advice!  make the extra effort for yourself and then see  how you feel.  wear the bright lipstick.  try the new hair style.  wear the heels.  and then come back and tell me you didn't feel like a million bucks ;)


||  top c/o makemechic  ||  jeans  ||  heels  ||  choker  ||

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photographs by blissfulkaos  

i think junior and i found a new beach that we love!  it feels secluded because it is in a state park, island beach state park (so there aren't shops or restaurants or anything around).  sometimes that just how we like it!  we drove down one day on a friday after work and so no one was on the beach except for one family who was packing up to leave when we got there and one lone fisherman.  it was so perfect!  we watched the sun set over the sand dunes and took it all in.  i hope to go back several more times on friday evenings throughout the summer and really hope we have the entire spot to ourselves again!

i am obsessed with this gold dress.  it is see through and i thought it would be perfect as a bathing suit cover up.  it's super delicate so i am certainly going to hand wash and hang dry this piece but i think it is going to be a staple for my beach wardrobe!

i have a long weekend ahead so let me get to it ;)  love you guys!  and thank you always for your love and support!


||  gold dress  ||  bathing suit top  ||  bathing suit bottom  ||