May 2016 | Page 2 of 3 | Life's Candy Jar

Pops of Color

May 16, 2016 by Rachel Barkules

I always love the look of white denim and a denim jacket. There are so many different ways to wear this look just by changing up your top and accessories. I wanted to play up this simple look with lots of color.

My top is a great basic to have in your closet! It comes in tons of colors! I love it in hot pink, such a fun color to wear in the spring & summer. I just got these yellow earrings, I love them so much more than I thought I would. I was hesitant to order them, I thought the yellow might clash with my blonde hair and fair skin. But to my surprise, I love them!

I have been obsessed with this bracelet! I got it this week and I have worn it every day. I love the size, shape, design and the color of gold. Gold jewelry can vary in color so much. This is the perfect shade! And it is so versatile, I have worn it with so many different outfits.
Read More

Tie Dye Maxi Dress

May 13, 2016 by Rachel Barkules

I love maxi dresses, I’m pretty much obsessed with all dresses. It’s a one and done outfit. Just add shoes and accessories and walk out the door. I think about this when I see the price of a dress. Considering it’s an entire outfit (and an easy outfit!), if it looks good and is a reasonable price I always get it!

I get so much wear out of dresses. I wear them all the time. I used to feel weird about putting a dress on for casual events. Then I had a daughter and realized I put her in a dress for everything, even playing outside and getting dirty. So why can’t I?
Read More

New Hair, New Woman

May 12, 2016 by Rachel Barkules

Last week I took the plunge and cut several inches of my hair. I cut about 3 inches 2 months ago, then 4 more inches last week. I have been thinking about cutting it for a while. It’s been 10 years since I have had short hair and I’ve been itching to do it again. I have seen so many celebrities cutting their hair and I love the way it looks! Jennifer Lawrence and Sarah Hyland inspired me with their hair!

The final push I needed to go for a shorter cut was the fact that my hair was very damaged and the blonde wasn’t even. Having blonde hair as blonde as mine it is very important to go to a colorist who really knows what she is doing. Not just to get you the color you want, but also keeping your hair healthy. Hair health needs to be #1 priority! Damage doesn’t really show how bad it is until 6-12 months later. A year and a half ago I thought I was highlighting my hair in a safe way, but it turns out I wasn’t. I didn’t know it until last fall so I switched colorist.

My old colorist was overlapping the bleach. Then last July she used a toner to pull all the yellow out, to give me that white blonde I asked for, and it turned the bottom half of my hair orange. She didn’t tell me and quickly covered it up. I left the salon that day with streaky lavender hair (I was not happy!). Luckily it washed out after a couple washes. As my hair grew out the bottom of my hair was a slightly orange blonde. For the last 6 months I have been trying to get it fixed. Turns out, extremely damaged hair doesn’t do what you want it to do.

Which brought me to the decision to cut it off. I was so nervous to cut off all the length! I’ve had long hair most of my life, I feel like I’m looking at a different person when I look in the mirror. I am still getting used to it. But I am so happy to have healthy hair! And I love changing things up. I get bored having my hair the same way all the time. After all, it is just hair and it grows back. Why not have fun with it!

Colorblock Shift Dress

May 11, 2016 by Rachel Barkules

I wore this dress to lunch last week with John & Caleb (Sofia was in school). I had been living in leggings all week at home because Caleb had pink eye :( By Friday I was ready to put on something pretty and get out of the house! It was 80 degrees that day, which made it the perfect day to wear this dress that had been sitting in my closet for over a month!

This dress is so comfortable to wear. And kept me very cool on our warm day. Shift dresses are great for summer, very versatile! This dress would also look great with a pair of black tall gladiator sandals. Or throw on a black leather jacket for cooler nights. My shoes felt great walking around all afternoon. I can’t wait to wear them with jeans. I think I found a new favorite shoe!
Read More

HUGE Instagram Photo Round-Up

May 9, 2016 by Rachel Barkules

I love any warm day that I get to be outside enjoying the sunshine!!

Sunglasses ($60!) | Top | Bracelet Set | Earrings | NARS ‘Turkish Delight’ Lipgloss

I love any time I get to spend with my sweet kids. Mother/daughter time is priceless to me!

Sofia’s Dress: Matilda Jane

On our way to dinner before the open house & art show at Sofia’s school.

Tory Burch Bag | Jeans | Top & Jacket several years old | Bracelet

Some times basics can be the most hard to find! I swear by these ripped jeans!! I have had them for about 2 years, I still love them and they still fit & look amazing! This v-neck tee is my favorite! I own it in 5 colors. And this chambray top is so soft and comfy! I wear it more than I want to admit :)

Jeans | Tee | Chambray Top | Boots, so similar for less

Fresh mani deserves attention! It’s a gel polish by Ibd, color is ‘inky pinky’.

Chloe Bag | Sunnies | Bracelet | Ring Set | Jeans

On our way to celebrate my nephew’s 1st birthday! I love a 1st birthday! It’s so fun and it feels like such an accomplishment as a mother to make it thru your babies first year. Happy Birthday Oliver!

Top | Jeans | Shoes, similar for less | Full post Here

Sofia: Jacket & Dress from Gap | Shoes

Caleb: Top & Shorts from Gap | Shoes

A few pretty things on my vanity.

iPhone Case | Candle | Earrings | Perfume

One of our good friends turned 40! There was a surprise birthday party to celebrate! It was so much fun! Tons of friends celebrating, dancing, drinks and laughing! It was extra fun because it was on my birthday weekend so it was 1 long weekend of celebrating :)

Jaclyn is the most generous sister and gave me a Celine bag for my birthday! My 2 all time favorite designer bags are Givenchy and Celine. I didn’t have a Celine and she got me my first! I was so surprised and excited! Thank you again Jaclyn!! :)

One of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up is to take a walk after dinner. It is such a great way to end the day.

I love the fun pop of color on top with white denim!

Last weekend the kids had a 3 day weekend. It was cold and raining the entire time (bummer!). So we stayed in, cuddled, watched movies, played games and ate tons of food… all while staying in our pj’s the entire time! The kids decided to give me my Mother’s Day present early, this super cozy robe, so I could enjoy it over our loungy weekend. It was very much appreciated as I didn’t take it off the whole time!

Robe | ‘eat cake for breakfast’ Sleep Shirt