Bright Summer Colors

tunic (similar)//pants//scarf (similar)//sandals//tote

photos by Bill Payne 

I've been loving this bold color combo lately. Breezy, bright pieces are perfect for cool summer evenings that are thankfully starting to become more frequent! Once fall arrives, it'll be all about deep, more muted tones, so I am definitely embracing the brights and whites while I still can! 

I hope you're having a great start to your week! I'm in LA today for a super quick day trip and then thankfully home for the next few days. I'm looking forward to a little down time! What are your plans this week? 

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Preppy in the Park {Collaboration}

shirt//skirt (similar)///belt//heels (similar)//necklace//bangle//purse

The few days I spent in New York last week were filled with new memories, incredible opportunities, and endless inspiration. Who would've ever guessed that a "work trip" could be so fun! To start off, I thought I'd share what I wore on Day 2 of Live Smart NYC. I wanted to wear something professional, yet fun and comfortable. This was one of those outfits that looked way fancier than it felt. A soft tee and breezy skirt was especially nice since it was so humid. After the conference, a few of us bloggers decided to stroll through Central Park, take a few pictures, and (of course) stop for ice cream. Honestly, my Smart Girls Group friends are just my kind of people. Though we may be spread throughout the country, this is the one time of year when many of us are able to come together to share our passions, have so much fun, and shamelessly Instagram it all! I'm already missing these girls so much and am counting down the days until next year. Be sure to check out what Caroline, Frannie, and Renee wore on Day 2 of Live Smart NYC! 

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10 Fun Things to Do in NYC This Summer

image via

Hello from New York City! I am so excited to be here reunited with friends, meeting new ones, and being constantly inspired by the incredible speakers at the Live Smart Series! Most of my days are spent at the conference, but there is also plenty of time for sightseeing and exploring in the evenings! This can be a sort of bucket list while I'm in town. I hope to do as many things as possible. Have you been to NYC before? What are some of your favorite things to do?

Window shop on 5th Avenue 

Actually shop in Soho

Have tea at the Plaza like Eloise 

Walk the High Line at Sunset 

Attend a Broadway show 

Head to the top of the Empire State Building 

Take a coffee break at Ralph's 

Relive your favorite Gossip Girl moments in Central Park 

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge 

Attend Live Smart Series (Day Two of this incredible conference begins today!) 

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Healthy and Easy 4th of July Snack

I love the Fourth of July. To me, it means family, fun, fireworks, and plenty of food! Today I'm sharing my favorite festive snack. It is so cute and so simple! All you need is one large box of strawberries, one large box of blueberries, a bag of white chocolate covered pretzels, and a casserole dish. Arrange your red, white, and blue ingredients to look like the American Flag, and you're done! Possibly the quickest, easiest, and healthiest holiday recipe I've ever made. Do you have any plans for Independence Day? I am super excited to be heading to the lake with two of my best friends. Be sure to follow our adventures on Instagram (@hannahgpayne) and Snapchat (@hannahgrace1996)! 

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Live Smart NYC

I am not usually one to be dramatic (okay maybe I am!), but when I say that last year's Live Smart Series Conference completely changed my life, I mean it. My parents surprised me with the tickets to NYC for the conference, and I didn't really know what to expect. Before I knew it, I was scribbling pages of notes, guidance, and inspiration into my notebook. I still re-read those notes from the conference when I am needing inspiration and motivation. Last year, #LiveSmartNYC introduced me to some of my best friends, encouraged me to dream big, and ultimately gave me the push to start this blog.

I am so excited to be making the trek to across the country once again for SGG's Live Smart Series Conference July 10th-12th! Some of the amazing speakers this year include the Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire, Disney's Senior Vice President, and one of my very favorite bloggers, The College Prepster. There will also be great food, fun workshops, and an incredible swag bag!

Getting to meet so many people I'd talked to for so long, hear from the most inspirational speakers, and explore New York City left me feeling on top of the world last year. I cannot recommend going enough. If you're going to the conference or have any questions at all, please reach out to me! I would love to meet up, share more details about Smart Girls Group, or just chat about NYC!

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