Flower Friday + Link Love

Happy (finally) Friday! This week has felt impossibly long, which is the biggest tease when it's been so nice out. Sorry to all my friends back in Iowa who have been dealing with snow the last two days-I can't say I miss any of that crazy weather! May is easily my favorite month, although I'm probably biased since it brings my birthday with it. It's also an incredibly nostalgic month for me-not only did it usually mean the end of another school year, but May also brought dance recitals (there's a certain type of weather during this month that makes me feel as though I should be heading to a rehearsal) and the beginnings of summers at the pool. Life doesn't get much better than spending your summers outdoors, every day, working at a pool with your friends. I'm hoping I get to spend enough time in the sun this year that my hair gets at least half as blonde as it used to, even though I work indoors now!

Speaking of May, how gorgeous are those flower arrangements? We never have too many blooms in my apartment, but I'm planning on finishing my deep cleaning projects this weekend & setting up a few pretty arrangements to bring a little bit of sunshine in! Peonies and lilacs are at the top of my list right now. I hope everyone has an equally enjoyable weekend ahead of them, but if you need a little weekend reading/web browsing, here's some of what's caught my eye this week:

Refinery29 shared a fantastic article on easy steps to get yourself debt-free. Not included: a little bit of willpower (my mantra: I will not shop at Zara, I will not shop at Zara...).

Speaking of shopping, these yellow sandals need to find their way to my closet before I head to Mexico next month, and at under $100 they're a steal (no credit card required)!

I don't own a single collared shirt, but being friends with Jessica is slowly convincing me, & her recent post on styling a chambray shirt has me thinking that a chambray might be my first!

The days are getting longer & brighter, which means more sun exposure-time to stock up on my favorite sunscreen (non-greasy & great under makeup).

Kiley featured a bag from the Port Leather Company this week & a custom bag has ended up on my wish list! (Isn't the mint one she carried gorgeous?)

These West Elm vases would be a perfect addition to my already colorful apartment for all the fresh flowers I plan on keep around this summer.

The Everygirl featured co-founder Danielle's apartment this week & I fell in love with this little etsy print hanging in her bathroom! It will make a great housewarming gift for a friend who's moving soon.

I'm still searching for the right dress to wear to a wedding next month, but if I had unlimited funds this pink Oscar De La Renta dress would be it.

I loved Victoria's post last week about some of the best DIY bloggers & projects around the web. They're easy enough even the DIY-challenged can give them a try.

*all images via