HELLO, GORGEOUS: INTRODUCING THE DAYDREAM COLLECTION BY WARBY PARKER

Hi everyone! It's no secret that I am a sunglasses junkie (this should suffice as evidence) so when Warby Parker got in touch with me about helping launch their brand spankin' new collection I was over the moon!

It's called the Daydream Collection and I think it's appropriately named because the last few days I've found myself daydreaming about owning a pair! Some of the frames are completely new while others are tried and true designs  that have gotten a spring overhaul! After looking through the entire collection, I've picked three of my personal favorites to show you all...

These were definitely the first pair that caught my eye. They are the Topper Crystal sunglasses and to me they scream summer! The clear design of these sunglasses is what attracted my attention because I don't think I've ever seen something like them before, and I've certainly never owned a pair like this. I like the roundness of the frames (it suits my face better) and I could see myself wearing them with my more "grungy" looks.

The Piper Petal Tortoise sunglasses are another favorite of mine! I love the cat-eye shape of the frames, it reminds me a bit of 50's fashion. I've owned a few pairs of tortoise sunglasses in the past however this particular print is quite unique I think. Think poodle skirts meets Audrey Hepburn.

My last pick out of the Daydream Collection is this pair, aka Madison English Oak. The shape of the frame is similar to my Wayfarers, which I like. The grainy, wood look reminds me of an old-school surfboard for some reason and that makes me think of California. Which makes me happy, because I miss California <3

I think the Daydream Collection by Warber Parker has something to offer everyone with a true smorgasbord of designs, frames, and colors. You know that you've found a great pair of sunglasses when you find yourself planning (or wanting to plan) entire outfits around them, and I definitely believe this to be the case with this collection! When it comes down to it, fashion is really about inspiration and when a piece in turn inspires you to be more daring or  more true to yourself that's when you know you're onto something.

Want to know something really exciting? You know you do. As of today you can go to the Warby Parker website and order any of these lovely pairs of sunglasses for yourself! And even better for every pair of glasses purchased, Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to someone who needs them! I don't know anything better than treating yourself to a quality product and helping someone in need at the same time :)

until next time,

AN ASSORTMENT OF SNAPSHOTS

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures from the last week or so :)

the mad hatter took a selfie with me!

Right now at Hollywood Studios (soon to be renamed apparently, boo) they have the carriage from the new Cinderella movie, so I had to take a perfectly princess-like picture with it!

Hollywood Studios is really starting to grow on me...after all it is home to two of my favorite attractions, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster (<3 Aerosmith <3) and this beauty of course!

i'm in the second row on the right if you're wondering lol

I'll leave you with this gem of a ride photo! Rocketing from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a millisecond is only slightly terrifying...but being serenaded in my ear by the sweet, sweet silky voice of Steven Tyler sure does calm me down ;)

until next time,

MY 10 PERSONAL SUCCESSES

Hi everyone! Today's post is going to be a tad bit different because it is actually an assignment for the class I am taking at Disney called Creativity and Innovation. My teacher Ellen (hi ellen!) asked me and the rest of my class to highlight ten successes that we have experienced in our lifetime. Seeing as my blog is my creative outlet, I decided to post my ten successes on here for you all to see!

1. getting accepted into the disney college program

How could I leave this one out?! It has been a life-long dream of mine to work for Disney in some way or another, and getting accepted into this program is what made my dream come true! I worked my butt off to get to this point in my education and I am truly proud of all that I have accomplished.

2. graduating from high school

Woah, talk about a flashback! I never doubted for a second that I would graduate from high school (clearly, i'm a nerd) but it was a big deal considering the fact that I went to school for 13 years before I could do it!

3. getting accepted into college(s)

Psych! I didn't even get into this college (UCLA) but I wish I did...isn't it beautiful? I got accepted into three other colleges though, so not all hope was lost!

4. surviving my move across the united states

I don't have a picture for this one because at the time of the move I had no desire to document it. I didn't even want to acknowledge that it was happening. I had to leave the place that I loved, my long-time friends, my boyfriend at the time and his family. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The successes that I have experienced as a result of my move by far outweigh the hardships I faced during that difficult time. Like...

5. studying abroad in england

need i say more?

6. being in a successful long distance relationship

We met in a slightly non ideal situation (i was leaving england approximately a month and a half after we met) and we are currently in a non ideal situation (mike lives in england, i live in america) however we make it work! And that in itself is a triumph. Or so I've been told by the dozens of people that have told me that they could never do it!

7. distinguished community service award

In high school I completed over 250 hours of community service in a variety of places! Volunteering at my local SPCA was definitely my favorite :)

8. sticking with french all four years of high school

I loved my French teacher and I feel like that was part of the reason why I stuck with it for so long! I don't think French has been too useful in my life just yet, however I did speak it when I went to France much to the dismay of the Parisians I encountered...

9. changing my major halfway through college

I wish I would have chosen English from the beginning but I guess it took me a while to realize that it was always the right path for me. Ever since I changed my major I have felt more confident in myself and my schoolwork.

10. starting this blog

As I have said before, I started this blog as a way to keep myself busy while Mike and I were apart. Of course, I also started this blog because I have a passion for writing and a love of beauty and fashion among many other things. I would consider Essentially Shannon to be a success and I only hope that it will continue to grow!

What are some of your personal successes? Let me know in the comments down below!

until next time,

RAY-BAN: CLASSIC, COLORFUL, AND A TRUE STYLE INVESTMENT

Hi everyone! It was a beautiful sunny day in Orlando today and I was in the mood to shop. I had the day off so I headed to Downtown Disney to do some damage. And boy did I do just that. Behold, the beauty that is my new pair of Ray-Ban Bicolor Wayfarers *insert heart eye emojii here*

I've wanted a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses for basically as long as I can remember. I've always loved the Wayfarer style because they fit my face the best and they look so classic! It's kind of hard to tell in the picture because of the way the lenses are, but the lenses are in fact purple! (if you want a better idea of what they look like here you go) I walked into the store on a whim and I saw these on the shelf and knew that I was going to walk out with them. I rationalized my purchase based on the discount I got (20 percent, thanks Disney!) and the fact that I wear sunglasses every day of my life so I will surely get my use out of them ;)

The lady in the store told me that my sunglasses are limited edition so they came with this nice vintage Ray-Ban case and box! I'm so in love with these sunglasses it's kinda crazy!

Do you have Ray-Bans? What style and color? Or if not, what kind of sunglasses do you have? Let me know in the comments below :)

until next time,