Channeling...

...1950s Italian movie star on holiday in Capri

When I get dressed I often imagine some sort of story behind my sartorial selections. Sometimes I'm channeling "this is the exact same outfit I wore yesterday... and the day before," but usually the details are more juicy, like "Swedish botanist on safari in Kenya." Between the Clubmasters, the dainty lace skirt, and the cheery pink scarf, yesterday I was feeling very Sophia Loren circa 1954. 

[details, details]

Clubmasters- Ray Ban

Scarf- gift from Easter bunny

Tank- J. Crew 

Skirt- J. Crew (gift from TBT!) 

Purse- Steven by Steve Madden

Watch- vintage Timex

Ring- vintage (stolen from momma)

Shoes- Report

In my cart...**

When I'm home I don't do much grocery shopping, mainly because my mom does it for me. (Be sure to check me out on MTV's True Life: I'm a 21 year old college graduate living off my parents. Win. Kidding, I'm really not as pathetic as I may seem, promise) 


Here are a few things that I do, however, make sure we have on hand.
Greek Yogurt

Umm... packed with protein and delicious. Seriously, why did I wait so long to try this stuff? (My favorite brand so far is Chobani.)


Talenti Gelato

I had tried the Double Dark Chocolate before (delicious) but Sunday I picked up a pint of Sea Salt Caramel and it is beyond amazing. It's the perfect alternative to driving all the way to Charlottesville for Splendora's. 


**This post could also be titled "Things you can eat if you recently had oral surgery." Not that I did, I've just been eating like it I guess. Whatevs.

Listening to...

Gloomy weather today in coastal Carolina, and even though a formidable forecast seems to beckon one back to bed, life continues to forge along, full speed ahead. As much as I would love to curl up with a book and listen to this song on repeat all day, the are jobs to be done, appointments to be kept, and projects to be started. So for now, I will finish the last few sips of my latte, listen to the pitter-patter of tiny raindrops on the window, and be grateful for peaceful mornings and the calm before the storm. Stay dry, mes amours...

rise and shine

When I'm not making blueberry muffins from scratch or whipping up a delicious breakfast pizza, I typically enjoy cereal for breakfast. And always a latte. Or three. With the juiciest peaches of the season, I stumbled upon what is, quite possibly, the most delicious combination yet:

MultiGrain Cheerios, Cinnamon Life cereal and fresh peaches. If you close your eyes you just might think you're eating peach cobbler for breakfast, which, I assure you, is a good thing. 

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday! Ok, so I'll admit it. I've been a little off on the guilt-frees, but I'm never without a good excuse explanation. You see, what had happen wuz... Guilt-free Friday typically signifies the start of the weekend. But now my weekend starts on Sunday. So Friday is kind of like Thursday, and I still have my two busiest days left before I get to kick up my feet for a little r&r. So, I've come up with a solution. From now on, I will schedule all spa/salon services for Friday afternoons, that way I can get in the guilt-free mindset. Perfect, rrright? Kicking things off with a mani/pedi today, and I'll be darned if I see a single chip before Sunday. Hope you have a pampered weekend too, dahlings...


Hey! It's ok...


if a triple-digit heat index justifies a Teen Mom marathon


to drop $250 on a handbag without batting an eye, but to feel physical pain when it costs more than $50 to fill up your tank. Foreign leather goods? Yes. Foreign oil? No. 


if 97% of your pop culture references are outdated. And you're not even old enough to rent a car. When did 21 become so old?

[polish of choice for today is tart deco by essie. 

if you like it you should check out jordan's blog and win it. holler]

voice

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 

“This is the way; walk in it.”

-Isaiah 30:19

When I was doing my devotional this morning I saw where I hi-lighted this verse sometime back. It's funny to me how God shows me something and then 6 months later it is still completely relevant and applicable to my life, often times ringing true more than ever.

Graduating from college is a major crossroads. Yes, it's an accomplishment. Yes, it is exciting to be finished with school. But it can be pretty scary too. As I am figuring out my next step, I find myself constantly worrying about the future. I stress about timing and get anxious when things don't seem to go my way. But at the end of the day, I know that God's plan is better than mine. So for now, I am learning to trust Him, to listen for His voice, and to find strength and peace in Him alone. 

[This song came on k-love yesterday as I was driving to work and it couldn't have been more perfect.]

girl crush

Ok, so I know I might be a little late jumping on this bandwagon, but as I have been catching up on Mad Men I have developed a bit of a girl crush on January Jones. I mean, we could totally hang...

[Gotta love a girl who enjoys a glass (or three) of cab]

Ok, so maybe I channel my inner Betty Draper all too often, but what I really love (besides red wine) is January's style. She seamlessly transitions between casual-understated and polished/perfectly tailored.

[Images via People, Google, and Pinterest]

Whose style do you adore?

want/need/have.to.have

I have had the luxury of spending the past 5 days in the sun, bouncing back and forth between the beach and the boat (and, on occasion, reporting for work with sandy toes and sun-kissed skin.) Did I mention I love Emerald Isle? Because I really do. And family. And friends. 

With the exception of my iPhone, I have been completely disconnected and it has been great. I did happen to do some seaside pinning (the Pinterest app is really putting a damper on my social skills) and I happened across this little beauty while basking in the sun one afternoon...

Cushion peach champagne sapphire set in rose gold. 

Sapphire is my birthstone, but honestly I had never even seen a peach champagne sapphire before. (And you know how I feel about all things peach.)

Want/Need/Have.To.Have 

Ok, call me Veruca. Whatevs. 

Primp.

What they don't tell you about college is to appreciate the little moments. The things that seem insignificant, until one day you're sitting in front of your vanity with Frank Sinatra crooning soulfully from your iPhone.

 Suddenly you'll have the urge to switch the Pandora station to Ke$ha in hopes that your good friends will magically pop up, the impromptu dance party will commence, and all will be well in the world.

The one thing I miss most about roommates is primping, which, I've decided, is a team sport. 

let me see your grill

Just when I thought peaches couldn't get any better, they did. We decided to grill out pork chops one night last week, and on a whim I asked my dad to throw some peaches on the grill too. I didn't want your typical grilled fruit topped with vanilla ice cream though, I wanted savory grilled peaches to complement the pork. 


My dad, being the grillmaster he is, knew just the trick. He drizzled some olive oil on the peaches before putting them on the grill. Then he hit them with just a touch of barbecue sauce. The result was delicious. The peaches were ridiculously tender. All the natural sweetness was preserved, but the fruit took on a whole new depth of flavor with the smokiness from the grill and a lingering hint of spice from the barbecue sauce. 

[My dad's rule is that I shouldn't marry a boy unless he can cook an entire meal on the grill]

[And for dessert? Grandma's peach ice cream, of course!]

You really, really ought to try this. It is so simple!

[Photos taken with Instagram, nail polish- tart deco by essie]

nesting

After spending the weekend moving Taylor into his new place, it is safe to say I have nesting fever. True story: on Taylor's move in day he gave me Ina Garten's newest cookbook How Easy is That.

His explanation: "It's like when it's one kid's birthday, but you have to get a gift for the other so they don't get jealous." He knew I would envy the unloading and organizing, the new bedding, the furniture, countless trips to Target... everything associated with getting settled into a new place. Until I get a big girl job, I cannot even begin to scour Craigslist for residential listings. Insult to injury, upon returning home Sunday evening the latest Pottery Barn catalog was waiting for me. Teeming with inspiration and beautiful ideas, I want it all. 

[Taylor's parents gave him their old leather couch. I am trying to figure out how to steal it without him noticing or I need to come up with some creative way of financing this one]

[if it has "reclaimed wood" in the name, I'm pretty much sold]

[an outdoor area for entertaining is essential- the catalog featured a Sangria and Tapas party that was absolute perfection]

[and bonus: (from BHG, not PB) I love the idea of finishing off a porch ceiling with bead board or hardwood] 

priorities

In the event that I should just so happen to actually land a big girl job sometime within the next 46 years* I figured I should be prepared. I have spent the past few weeks upping my "big girl wardrobe" game, and even if I never get a job, I'm gonna look the part. 


Saturday morning I went shopping with my friend Carrie. LOFT was having a big sale, GAP was having a big sale, I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me/my wardrobe. 


Favorite purchases?

 Floral Tile Print Pencil Skirt

Sparkle Tweed Trouser Skirt

I really, really love these. Because when you're barely 5'4, most pencil skirts make your legs resemble small tree stumps. But these hit right above the knee, so they're stylish while still being conservative. And, since we are smart, economical working girls, we know that these work year round with the simple addition of tights. (But don't expect me to be caught dead wearing sensible shoes.)

So tell me, how do you keep it smart & stylish in the office?

p.s. LOFT's big summer sale is still going on (40% off all sale stuff... so scurry on over, loves)

*46, because after that I reach retirement age, and let's face it, do you think this girl is gonna be working in her 70s?

home again, home again

After a luxuriously relaxing vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I am left with the peaceful, easy feeling that can only be attained after such a serene getaway. Some find it strange that I would choose to escape the salty air and balmy evening breezes of this coastal town. I traded days spent basking in the sun and evenings spent gazing at the stars for hikes up rugged terrain, breathtaking panoramas, and meals alfresco without the slightest trace of humidity. The beach will always be home to me, but sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what one needs...

Kicked things off with dinner on the terrace overlooking the 18th hole

For breakfast: homemade whole wheat pancakes topped with local peaches and cinnamon sugar

Happy as a clam mussel

Celebrated the 4th with lunch a cute French bistro in downtown Charlottesville, and my love affair with goat cheese has become borderline obsessive

The beach is lovely, but who can pass up a view like this?

 Ended the trip with dinner at Duner's... more mussels, wine, and a great evening.

Guilt-free Friday!

Another blur of a week and it's Friday again. Isn't it funny how that happens? The hazy days of summer seem to melt together. Looking back with a renewed sense of peace and gratefulness... for family, friends, freedom and opportunity. Enjoy this holiday weekend, and remember what this nation was founded on: nationalism, adventure, a little civil disobedience, and a lot of faith. Until we meet again...


Hey! It's ok...


To reward yourself... fresh cut flowers, chocolates, excessive amounts of carbs


If you never get those word verification tests right on the first try.


If you plan on drinking red wine all weekend for America.

Happy Independence Day, loveyloos! 

God bless America.

[image via Pinterest]