It's spring, baby! Finally. The weather hasn't caught up yet, but I have to say this winter wasn't too horrible, and I'm hoping that no unexpected snowstorms pop up in the next couple weeks. We've got the sun shining here in Minnesota, so it's got me inspired to get ready for all the things spring has to offer. The trends for this season are really lovely - blush/pink tones, Greenery being the 2017 Pantone Color of the Year, embroidered floral frocks, bomber jackets and vivid colors + fabrics to brighten up your shoes. All of that being said, I obviously have to start with the colorful shoe trend this year. I have to be honest - shoes are one of my all-time favorite guilty pleasures, and I'm really excited that there are so many unique shoe trends this season. Color is BIG for footwear this season, and they will be the perfect way to transition into warmer weather. Here are a few sandals, booties and flats that are catching my eye for spring. Who's ready to step into spring with me?!
1. The Boardwalk Lace-Up Sandal ($65)
2. The Kaia Ankle-Wrap Sandal ($110)
3. ASOS LINK UP Mule Ballet Flats ($34)
4. RIFLE PAPER Co. Triple Decker Slip-On (Sold Out, restock in June)
5. Women's Michaela Velvet Ankle Tie Block Heels ($38)
6. COLORFUL ($80)
7. Lilli Heel ($105)
8. Tahari Doe Tie Back Midi Heel Sandals ($89)
9. EYRICA ($69)
10. Daya by Zendaya ($62)
11. Ruby Embroidered Sandals ($79)
12. Tie-front flats in berry print ($148)

March 17th is finally here! Yes, one of my favorite holidays of the year is upon us and I'm getting ready to celebrate. I've been a bit behind on doing so - I usually dedicate this entire week to preparing for the big day, but I've been a bit of a slacker this year. That being said, I had to at least post something that honors the day and I figured I'd share some ideas on how to go green for St. Patrick's Day! If you're in the need of finding someway to incorporate the color into your outfit, or just the day in general, here are five ideas to get you started!

1. Avoid getting pinched - This is by far the easiest way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and a must for anyone who is Irish or just loves the color green. You don't want to get pinched, right? Find anything, literally anything, that is green and wear it! For example, this cashmere scarf would be a lovely subtle accessory to your outfit.
2. Get crafty - If you're looking for a little D.I.Y. this year - look no further than your own supply drawer or craft table. From cake toppers, streamers or even clover crowns, you'll be sure to find something fun to put together on the 17th.
3. Find a recipe - Anybody remember the cupcakes I made last year?! You will have no trouble finding a similar recipe - like green popcorn or another version of a green cupcake!
4. Get your nails done - Make your nails pop with a hint of green! There's no need to go overboard, so keep it classic and clean like @camizzle did on Instagram.
5. Drink up - If you don't drink on St. Paddy's Day, are you really celebrating properly? From green beer, Jell-o shots or even green + gold margaritas, there is no shortage of any alcohol-related drinks to choose from.

It has been so long since I last updated, guys! I do apologize about this, but life and lack of inspiration just got in the way after Valentine's Day. The best part of this long break though? Getting a six day vacation from all the mundane aspects of life in Minnesota - work, job searching, the cold weather and most of all, the seasonal depression. I got to jet off to Florida to visit my aunt + uncle and boy, it was much needed! I'm still on a vacation high, even though it's almost been two weeks since I got back. I'm really glad I did it, mostly because I also got to check a HUGE item off my bucket list - going to Disney World! Yes, you heard right. My ultimate dream of going to Magic Kingdom finally came true and it was like everything lined up into place on the day that I went. My aunt let me borrow her car to drive up to Orlando, parking was incredibly easy, I met a really nice couple from Indiana who showed me around the park, and stayed around the entire day to see the fireworks before the park closed. I'm still pinching myself that this actually happened, but I will remember the trip for a very long time. Head to my Instagram to see some photos from the trip!

Now that life is slightly back to normal, the inspiration to post and be proactive on Mostly Lisa is there again. I obviously have to come back with a series that I quite enjoy, here is this week's Monday Reads! Look out for more updates in the upcoming weeks, and let me know what you're reading lately.

• Fall 2017 Ready-To-Wear collections: Like always, I enjoy keeping up to date with each Fashion Week every season and sharing my favorite looks on social media. This time around was no different, even though I missed quite a lot from LFW + MFW, it's been a lot of fun to catch up and see how beautiful the collections have been. My absolute favorite so far has been Elie Saab! I felt like this woman was a moody princess that didn't take s*** from any man. 
• Oscars 2017: This is a little late, but I have to talk about this red carpet! It just so happened that I got home the day of the show, so I was able to swoon over some of my favorite looks as they were happening. Some of my best dressed: Cynthia Erivo in Paolo Sebastian, Ruth Negga in Valentino, Brie Larson in Oscar de la Renta, Chris Evans in Salvatore Ferragamo, and the entire cast of 'Moonlight'! 
• Who What Wear x Target Spring 2017 collection: I am so obsessed with the fact that WWW has made more runway-inspired fashion available for the masses. Being a plus size woman, it is SO thrilling to not feel left out of a collection that you normally would be. I've picked up a few things from the fall collection, but I can't wait to start wearing some of the spring items. There is a wide range to choose from - a floral bomber jacket, slip dress with contrast straps, layered cuff button up + more!
• Beauty & the Beast 2017: I'm very nervous that this movie is not going to live up to my expectations, but I can't lie and say that I'm not excited to see one of my favorite Disney movies made into live-action. Let's just hope that Emma Watson's voice is not too auto-tuned. 
• The Curvy Con: Sharing this to set a reminder for myself to buy a ticket. I mean, the panel of speakers alone is something I have to see in person!
• Artwork To Put Up Soon: From Plant Planet, these adorable prints are so perfect for spring. Hopefully I'll be able to find some room on my walls to put one of these beauties up.
• Rihanna Channeling Amelia Earhart: Bravo on this editorial, Harper's Bazaar! Bravo!  
• LUSH: If you needed another reason to love LUSH and show your support, add this to your list: they do not use synthetic preservatives to make their products stay fresh - they are self-preserving. This is a really great read, and shows how dedicated this brand is to maintaining their quality worldwide.
• bff bags: ban.do just released this ADORABLE collection of cross-body bags that you and your BFF can wear together. I'm especially in love with this version.
• Libation Studios for Drunk Disney: One of my favorite YouTube channels - Practical Folks - does a series called 'Drunk Disney' where they watch Disney movies and drink while doing so. The quality of these episodes have gotten exponentially better, and they now do a themed drink for each movie that they watch. I had to share this month's video for Beauty & the Beast because it's so lovely and pairs perfectly - Enchanted Rose. I'm definitely going to try and make this before the movie comes out next week. 

This was originally going to be a Valentine's Day Gift Guide for everyone - women, men, children - but I decided to say "screw it" at the last moment and make this a Galentine's Day Gift Guide. I'm all about making this holiday an empowering one, I truly believe that it doesn't have to be superficial and be filled with pressure from yourself to get the perfect gift. Let's make this holiday relaxing and fun, because we definitely need that right now. Here are few items that will let you show your appreciation, love and support for the gals in your life. It was so hard to narrow it down to just these!
1. Fight Pretty Glossy Box ($40)
2. Saucy Jack Nail Lacquer ($11)
3. Piece of My Heart Postcard Set ($10)
4. Kiss Me Sugar Lips
5. Jo Malone™ 'Red Roses' Cologne ($130)
6. Love You, Love You Lots Body Soap ($8)
7. XOXO Paper Pad ($8)
8. Valentine's Day Tassel Garland ($5)
9. Ovaries Before Brovaries Enamel Pin ($7)
10. Jsuzzana Fringe Clutch ($65)
11. Sleeping Beauty Ring ($438)
12. Pin-Up Pout Lipstick ($8)
13. SIP SIP TUMBLER WITH STRAW - WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE? ($14)

If any of you remember Mostly Lisa around this time last year, you may recall a series that I did named "Week of Love", an entire week devoted to all things Valentine's Day. There was one post I did during that week that was a lot of fun to put together - ten ways to wear red - so I decided to return to that theme but change the color for this year. It was pretty easy to decide on what color to choose for 2017, pink, but it was actually pretty difficult to find items that I would want to wear in that shade. I was successfully able to find ten, so please enjoy and shop all these vibrant links below!
1. Plus pink badge knit sweater ($80): A sweater with patches already adorned on it? That's okay with me!
2. pink skies ahead bomber jacket ($180): I feel like wearing this ban.do bomber jacket around would instantly make me part of a bad ass girl gang, so I had to include it.
3. Paneled appliquéd cotton-blend lace midi dress ($9900): Let's just think of this as a dream item, but what an absolutely stunning dress. It's the perfect mash of colors and it instantly reminded me of spring!
4. Priya Bonded Velvet Pleat Front A Line Skirt ($14): ATTN: Bargain velvet steal for only $14!
5. Vans Authentic Neon Splatter ($55): Go find your own "Sk8er Boi" in these comfortable, clean and classic sneakers.
6. whimsies t-rex crossbody ($378): Does anyone else feel like Valentine's Day and Kate Spade New York just kind-of go hand-in-hand? I include them so much in various gift guides, but it's always a little bit more fun when it's for something romantic + girly like this holiday.
7. Banana Socks ($10): The title says it all for me. Wear these with your new Vans - it'll be a perfect match.
8. Girls Pennant Pin ($10): Come on now...
9. Roses de Chloé Eau de Toilette ($122): This new fragrance from Chloe is absolutely stunning. It's very light, but it definitely lasts throughout the day. Not overwhelming either, so you won't get anyone sneezing on you if you're in close quarters.
10. Rose Quartz Amulet Pendant ($32): Rose quartz is currently my gemstone of choice, mostly since it exudes self-love. I'll be for sure wearing one of my own rose quartz crystals next Tuesday.

You may remember one of my favorite series called 'Monday Link-Up', where I would share a few of my favorite finds from the past day, week or month. They were links that were fun to read, watch and shop from a variety of different online sources. Now that we're in a new year, I decided that it would be fun to switch the name up a bit since everything else for Mostly Lisa has done so. The new series is going to be called 'Monday Reads.' It will still be the same format - links to things I've found interesting + unique, but just a little cleaner for this new layout. I realized I hadn't put together a Link-Up since September, so please enjoy this new edition and these intriguing new reads.

• Women's March Minnesota (and around the world): I was unable to go to the March yesterday, I was working at my job the ENTIRE event, but I was tuned in on every social media platform to see coverage on it. It was probably the most inspiring thing I have ever seen, the comradery of women (and even men) around each March brought me to tears. My heart was so full to see women band together for such a great cause + movement - no matter their skin color, sexual or gender identity, age, ethnicity, etc. Everyone was there to support one another with the chance to have their voices heard, and boy, was it heard. We can't stop there, we have to keep pushing forward and strive to have equality in this country. Look at these beautiful photos from Marches around the world, they have me feeling so inspired. Let me tell you as well, he's #NotMyPresident.
• Danielle Brooks: She's killed it on the red carpet, has an absolutely powerful voice and is an activist for women no matter their age. I had to reference her in today's post because I came across this article on Teen Vogue that features her cover of the feminist song - "I Am Woman" and it is mind-blowing! 
• Spring 2017 Couture Shows: Patiently waiting for the Haute Couture S/S '17 shows to begin. They have already started out with a bang via Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition, so many beautiful embellished sweaters and pants. 
• Five Hair Trends for 2017: I am a huge fan of Brit.Co and constantly read their articles of various subjects like; beauty, creativity, current events and recipes! One of their current articles - supplied by The Barefoot Blonde - sparked my interested since it is talking about the current hair trends for the year. If you've seen any photo of me, you know that I normally keep my hairstyle pretty neutral, but I'm really digging the Bardot Inspired Hair! 
• Breaking Down 32 Different Accents: Tumblr can be a source of bad + good, so I was generally happy when I came across this video of a dialect coach analyzing actors' accents. I could definitely watch hours of this, it comes with such ease for him! 
• Conversations With Creatives: I am apart of a great local blogger group called Twin Cities Collective and they recently re-branded everything - including the content that they create. They just announced they would be starting up a podcast featuring local creatives around the Twin Cities, and I wanted to feature it because it just sounds like such a unique way to get to know fellow bloggers and smaller brands that live in the Midwest. We're all really aiming to express our passions, so I really hope that I get to go on it sometime in the future.