EASY ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL GIFTS FOR THE GRADUATE

EVERYONE.

IS.

GRADUATING.

Or well, a heck of a lot of people are. Between High School & College, there are so many people out there graduating in May & June, that you're bound to know someone out there you need to get- a gift for. Or maybe you're graduating and you're the one that can hint at gifts you'd like? 

This guide is for one-size-fits-all gifts (like earrings) that are easy to get for the graduating lady. Some are practical (like these) and some are just fun (like these) - but all should fit her just fine!

Plus, all these gifts come with FREE 3 day shipping, so you can spend a little extra on the gift itself :)

So many people get cash or checks when they graduate- step outside of that box and instead give her a wallet to put all that $$ into!

I mean, you can't go wrong with one of these Michael Kors purses. A quality bag that will last years is sure to make her happy!

 If you're not looking to shell out a ton of cash, snap up a pair of these Kate Spade earrings. They go with everything, and are SUCH a steal of a deal!

Ladies these days change their phone covers about as much as in my day we changed our BonneBell Lipsmackers (whoa dating myself there. ouch.). Get a colorful case and you're sure to please.

 If the graduate you're buying for is practical AND stylish, then you have to get her a S'well bottle. I have one of these things and LOVE it. It looks cool and it keeps water icy for days and tea hot for ages. I know a thermos isn't a common gift, but I can guarantee it'll be used constantly!

What are you grabbing for the Graduate in your life?

Or if you're a Graduate- what are you hoping to get?

xo, lp

LIFE LATELY: NEW YORK BOUND!

I've been looking forward to this New York trip for months, and it's FINALLY here.

EEP!

I haven't been to NYC in a reeeeally long time, so I cannot wait to spend a full week enjoying the city. If you're a New Yorker and have any awesome suggestions, please leave them in a comment on Instagram (@lpodlich). 

If you'd like to follow along on my trip, be sure to find me on IG HERE :)

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What's almost as good as New York?

Getting to give one of you fabulous people some $$ to Shopbop! If you missed the giveaway, be sure to enter HERE.

No need to follow a million random accounts you don't care about (like those loop giveaways)- just leave a comment on the blog post and you are ENTERED. BOOM.

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Here's what's good lately:

This was before I cut my hair the other day...got the curl game on lock down lately.

If you want the tutorial, be sure to go HERE!

You're all probably thrilled that tulip season is over, because it mean's I'll stop instagramming them every two minutes...

Rainbow pens. What else is new?

I have been getting the BEST pieces in Rocksbox lately. I just HAD to keep one of these necklaces. SO GOOD.

If you're been on the fence about RocksBox, what are you waiting for? You get to a month FREE to test the waters if you use code "beautyandbeardxoxo". I'm keeping my subscription because I have SIX weddings this summer- and there is no way I'm going to invest a ton of money in jewelry for all of them!

I've had a bunch of people ask me questions via Instagram or Email - so if you are still unsure and want to know anything, don't hesitate to contact me! @lpodlich or beautyandbeard[at]gmail.com.

Alright- that's all I've got folks.

I'll be MIA on the blog while I'm in New York, so I'll see you when I'm back!

Again- if you want to follow along on my travels, I'll be instagramming like a FOOL.

------>@lpodlich

xo, lp

SHOPPING FOR SHOES FOR NYC + A SHOPBOP GIVEAWAY!

UPDATE: Be SURE to leave a comment on THIS blog post to be entered to win. It's the only thing that is mandatory in order to throw your hat in the ring for $50 to Shopbop. If you enter  without commenting, the entry will be invalid. xoxo, lp 

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You guys.

I leave for NYC in LESS THAN A WEEK.

I am beyond ready. I have some fun stuff planned, and because I am crazy Type A, I pretty much know everything I'm packing...except for the shoes. I'm super efficient when it comes to bringing the right amount of clothes for any trip, but shoes are where I fail. Will it rain? Do I need boots? Will there be a dressy even that needs heels? Do I need brown and black flats? 

Packing for this trip is no different. Each time I think I have it down I look at one of my favorite NYC fashion bloggers and suddenly I think I need some black and silver shoes [like these ones!] or those Michael Kors flats [which one of these do I choose?!] that I've been eyeing. 

I think I've narrowed it down to 3 pairs- but I'm looking for your input below. 

(Oh, and if you could care less about my shoe choices, there's $50 to Shopbop in it for you!)

ny images:  one / two  / three

outfit images: atlantic pacific one / two / three

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Black Ankle Boots: I feel like these are a must have because they can be dressed up or down...and are a liiiittle more practical than a pair of heels.

Sneakers: Thank god sneakers are trendy to wear right now. I have a super cute new pair of New Balance kicks that I will probably look like a huge dork in, but I can't wait to try out in the city.

Black Ballet Flats: Like I mentioned above, there are some Michael Kors Flats [aren't these so cute?] I love and think they'll go with juuuust about everything I'm bringing.

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Shopbop is such a fabulous sponsor of this blog they're offering up $50 to ANYTHING at Shopbop, just cuz they're think you're just as cute as I do.
Unlike those stupid giveaways nowadays that force you to follow 90 instagram accounts before you're entered to win anything, all this requires is for you to write a simple comment on this blog.
Yup.
Do that, and you are entered to WIN. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win- if you're anonymous, it makes it pretty hard to get ya your $$.

There are options for extra entries to help your odds, but they are not at ALL mandatory.

Good luck m'loves!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo, lp

PSSSST: Want to travel along with me to NYC? Follow me on Instagram for some snaps of the Big Apple! (@lpodlich)

MAY BIRTHSTONE: EMERALD

Oh May birthday girls- you are some lucky ladies to have Emerald be your birthstone. Y'all must have been throwing a party back in 2013 when it was the Pantone color of the year. 

Whenever I think of emeralds I think of pirates treasure of gold and gems...which according to Wikipedia is a pretty dumb thought since most of them in the world are in Colombia, which is less pirate-y and more drug lord-y.

If you love emerald things- it's nearly impossible in May to find something that is in that color family. I don't know who decided birthstones, but clearly they were drunk the day they put a fall/winter color as a birthstone for spring/summer. #justsayin.

All that aside, it still is possible to find some awesome emerald-like jewelry [like these] or phone cases with varying deep green hues [how great are these?]. So while they're few and far between, just be thankful you have such a glamorous birthstone!

Here's the May favorites:

This month's picks include:

That cocktail ring is insane but fabulous, right? [more emerald-y jewelery HERE]

3 stellar phone cases with assorted green hues [shop them all HERE]

A green clutch, good all year long [more green pouches HERE]

This Tory Burch keychain- the best of the dark-emerald-meets-summertime combination. [find the TB keychains HERE]

Tassel green shoes, because...why not? [shop green shoes HERE]

Happy Birthday to all you May ladies!

Hope you find a great emerald gift to yourself out there!

xo, lp

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Missed your birthday month?

Go back in the archives! 

March: Aquamarine

February: Amethyst

April: Diamond

#followfriday: INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR!

I haven't done a #followfriday in a while, which is a dang shame, because there are some AWESOME people on Instagram to follow!

First things first, if we're not already friends on Instagram, let's make that happen, mmkay?

Find me here ---> @lpodlich

These ladies are insanely creative, colorful, and are great at taking pictures that are extra pleasing on the eyes! Some I've been following for years, some not quiiiite that long- but they're all equally awesome.

Here they are:

@linesacross: FINALLY! Someone who loves #everythinginrainboworder just as much as I do!

@sugarandcloth: If you're still riding on the macaron train, you've got to follow Ashley.

@laurenwager: I recently started following Lauren's feed, and it's every Pantone lovers DREAM.

@cestmaria: This feed is full of pastel goodness, coming all the way from Mexico. She makes some amazing Pantone creations that totally blow me away!

@aurelycerise: Aurelie's pictures from Paris are full of surprise and whimsy- her feed is unlike anyone else's I follow.

@studiofleurette: Flowers. Flowers. Flowers. Gorgeous floral magic. Need I say more?

@fhasselhof: Fran's feed is a peek into the life of the most fashionable Med Student out there. Fuh real.

@domestikateblog: If I ever need help throwing a party, this lady would be first on my list to reach out to for help. Her DIY skills are out of this world!

@gabyburger: Gaby's images belong in a magazine, all day, errryday. Do all Canadians have this much style??

@ali_vinciguerra: I can't decide what I love more about AV's feed- her classy New England style (and new house design!) or her sweet sweet pictures of her new baby boy.

@alongobucco: She works for a magazine, so her taste level is WAY above mine, you've got  to check Alyssa out!

@vickiee_yo: One day it's pineapple donuts, the next it's fruit cookies... Vickie's sweet treats are UNREAL!

@nikkirap: I vicariously live through Nikki's meals. She eats at the best restaurants and cooks the most amazing looking dishes!

@kelleydigioia: Kelley is the best because she keeps it real. She's got mad style and the cutest pups on earth.

@hol_fox: This lady makes Martha Stewart look like a baking scrub. Seriously perfection!

@onefinea: Ashley is the epitome of "live colorfully"! Besides her spot on wardrobe, her babe is insanely cute!

Who do you love following on Instagram?

Leave their handle (or yours!) in the comment section!

xo, lp

(psst find me here --> @lpodlich)