shrimp burgers and sunshine

Saturday morning was one of those perfect days that just demand you spend some time in the sunshine. Even though it was a little windy (in typical March fashion... roar!) Taylor and I bundled up and headed to the beach. We picked up shrimp burgers at Big Oak. If you ever make your way to this coastal town, Big Oak is an institution. In all honesty, I think it's half the reason Taylor keeps coming back. (The other half? My sweet pup.)


Last September we talked about a transitional wardrobe... one that works between seasons. As important as it was in early fall, it is equally essential in March. The principles that I stick to in September serve as a guide during early (almost) spring too. My number one? Don't try to force it. If you try to fight the weather, you will lose. Instead, choose bold, happy colors, lightweight layers, and fun accessories. 

 [proof that it was particularly windy by the shore]

 [As much as I prefer flats for spring, I equally despise cold toes. So for Saturday, I stuck with my trusty boots. To take this outfit into warmer weather, I'll trade the boots for flats, and lose the vest.]

[I firmly believe spring is more of an attitude than a season. Bright stripes and this bold cocktail ring give a fun, unexpected twist and lend an air of playfulness- which is what spring is all about!] 


Bottom Line: Trade boots for flats. Save the sandals and shorts for when you've got a fresh pedicure and your sunless tanner has really had a chance to do work. And have fun. 

Irene

[As I was cleaning out my drafts, I found this post- unpublished- from August. I'm not sure why it never posted, but on this cold, rainy morning it seems appropriate.]

Just as quickly as she advanced upon us, Irene has passed, leaving only minor damages in her wake. It has been a long day in coastal Carolina, the beaches were pummeled from the wee hours of the morning until shortly after dusk. Trees are dismembered, their branches lay strewn about. The electricity sizzled out hours ago, and the flood waters are sure to linger for a few more days.
But we are safe. 

Renewed thankfulness for the little things: Old Audrey Hepburn films (Roman Holiday) red wine (Robert Mondavi) and warm brownies (even if you have to bake them in a bundt pan) 

[August 27, 2011]

It's funny to me how similar things are 5 months later. The details are vary slightly (Sabrina, Dreaming Tree Cabernet, dark chocolate covered almonds) but the effect is still same: a deep, cleansing breath, a feeling that every little thing is gonna be alright, and deep, overwhelming gratitude.

winter doldrums

The days are short (but getting longer) the air is cold (but feeling colder) and the light that glimmers at the end of the tunnel seems awfully dim. It happens every year. The holiday season goes out with a bang, and then I find myself lost in the quiet stillness of the days that follow. One minute I'm driven, inspired to do great things, and suddenly I oscillate to feeling unmotivated, tired, and underwhelmed. I'm doing everything I can to fight it. From little things, like extra lattes and bright manicures to the bigger, more important stuff, like pouring myself into a project that I am passionate about and diving deeper into the Love Letters of my Savior. 


Sometimes beating the winter blues means allowing yourself that extra hour of sleep, indulging in a great book and an even better glass of wine, and taking the time to tell people you love and appreciate them. And other times it means rallying, going for that run when you don't feel like it, turning down dessert (on occasion, only because it makes it taste even sweeter the next time) and understanding that you can't do it on your own. 

transitional wardrobe

And so it begins... that awkward phase between summer and fall. Temperatures still soar during the day, but after months of cut-offs and flip flops, I find myself coveting all things cozy. Developing a transitional wardrobe is something that has eluded me for years. I could never quite strike the balance between seasonally appropriate and comfortable for the given climate. This year, rather than fighting the elements and trying to make boots happen all too soon, I've selected a few pieces to make the transition from summer to fall a little easier. These are my essentials:


1. Cropped Pants 

(I prefer J. Crew's Minnie pants. Prefer meaning adore.) 

They are not nearly as hot as jeans and they make your legs look miles long. Timeless, classic, chic. Black is a perennial favorite, but I'm loving my newly-acquired khaki pair! Wear them now with sandals and in a few weeks with flats or pumps. And as winter rolls around, tuck them into boots and nobody will know the difference.


2. Lightweight utility jacket

I'm not going to lie, I wear this thing year round. Pants, shorts, jeans, dresses... it goes with everything. As it gets cooler I like to layer it over a hoodie for a downtown, metropolitan vibe. Mine is from Gap, but I've spotted similar versions at J. Crew and Urban Outfitters recently. 


3. Scarves (lightweight) 

[I purchased this one this morning!]

Save the cozy cashmere and wool for when winter arrives. Now is the time for breezy cotton and linen. I keep one tucked in my purse 24/7. 


4. Cognac leather accents 

The warm, supple shade lends an air of distinction (think prep-school charm) & while it may be too soon for riding boots, a leather handbag is perfect year-round. 


What are you wearing to beat the heat but still look chic?

calm before the storm

With Irene scheduled to make landfall right here in coastal Carolina within the next 24 hours, things are starting to feel a little frenzied as final preparations are made. This afternoon we will batten down the hatches and make final decisions regarding evacuation, but for now a deep breath, a latte (or two), and the calm before the storm. Stay safe, kittens! 

 [Hard to believe that the threat of a hurricane is so imminent with such a glorious sunset last night. (via iPhone, not edit/filter)]

[And I know the aerial shots of my breakfast are becoming borderline excessive, but this morning I toasted a slice of pound cake and topped it with cinnamon-dusted peaches. Per-fec-tion.]

hello + pretty things...

Hello and good day to you... The heavy haze of humidity has settled in so thick you would swear it was raining. And so, appropriately, I'm currently enjoying a mid-afternoon cappuccino and chocolate chip shortbread. There's a sweet  pup curled up at my feet and a quiet stillness hanging in the air. It's almost enough to trick me into thinking that morning has barely broken and there's nothing on my agenda for today but to sit and sip, mindfully present and grateful. But alas, real life beckons and I'm swept away in a flurry, still questioning where the hours went...

 

by Caitlin McGauley

by Caitlin McGauley

by Samantha Hahn

 by Inslee Haynes

By Inslee Haynes

[I've been feeling endlessly inspired by watercolors and fashion illustrations lately. These are just a few of the gems I have spotted. What beautiful things are making your day?]

heat wave

Summer has arrived and the heat is here to stay. The first true heat wave of the season always seems especially brutal...

I've been a little shell-shocked this week, and the thought of spending excessive amounts of time outside is particularly daunting. In exchange for hours spent by the pool, I have been working (finally) and running those errands I have put off for far too long. In addition, I have been frequenting my local library so regularly that they are going to start calling me Matilda...

But at least I'me reading, right? I read The Giver last week (exceptional) and started reading Lipstick Jungle but returned it because it was du.mb. This is what I picked up yesterday...

Fahrenheit 451

Lolita
The Mermaid Chair

Have you read any of these? Or The Giver? Any thoughts? 

And in case you were wondering... No, I do not carry my books home in a little, red wagon Matilda style. This Moroccan basket does the trick just fine...

What are your favorite books? I would love some recommendations! (seeing as my next trip to the library will be in T-minus 12 hours if I continue at my current rate... yikes.) 

"I see London, I see France"

Is it rainy where you are today? Here in Wilmington it is cold and gloomy. It suits me just fine, since I have a long to-do list involving a lot of sitting and staring at a computer screen. Fortunately, it is a lot of fun stuff, like updating my portfolio (which I haven't touched it since November... shame) writing some cover letters, and putting the finishing touches on a comic strip! Talk about a fun assignment... I have seriously been falling in love with the Adobe Creative Suite in my Digital Multimedia class (eh, not so much with the $7842685 price tag)


Anyways, I digress. If I did have to go outside on a day like this, I would wear this:

 [rainy day essentials in action: classic trench and Hunter wellies. Words cannot express how much I adore these]

 [I like to do this loop thing with the belt, I think it looks a little more polished than a plain, old knot]

 [This cheery, red scarf brightens up even the dreariest of days, and a top knot is the perfect rainy day hair solution] 

 [jumping in puddles: mandatory]

 [This striped shirt makes me feel très French]

[... and the yellow detail is like a little pocketful of sunshine]

I just love channeling my inner London girl (the trench and boots are just so achingly British) and the striped shirt and top knot are quintessentially Parisian. Who says you can't have it all?

And a big thank-you to Jordan for the post title and photos! :)

Rainy Day Essentials

The lovely Kate (no seriously, I know I say lovely a lot, but Kate is gor-geous) tagged me in a "Top 5 Things I Can't Live Without" post last week, and I have seriously spent 6 days trying to decide what to post! She made a travel essentials list, which was super fun. 


Unfortunately I have been battling a cold and/or strep throat, so I haven't been able to live without: penicillin, Day/NyQuill, ibuprofen, Ricola cough drops, and Mucinex. Eh, not so glamorous. 


I am feeling significantly better today and the dreary weather here in Wilmington provided the perfect inspiration for my essentials list...


Rainy Day Essentials... ready, set, go!


1. A gorgeous trench coat

A stylish and sophisticated alternative to the ever-present North Face. Of course the iconic British luxury brand Burberry does these best, but there are plenty of chic options out there if you aren't quite ready to break the bank (mine is by Jones New York.) 

2. Hunter wellies

[via]

What can I say? The Brits know their rain wear. These wellington boots seriously changed my life. I cannot even imagine walking to class in monsoon conditions without these little gems, and they are infinitely more comfortable than my former rain boots. I opted for black, which I adore, but a cheery red or yellow would be fun too (because sometimes you just need a splash of color a on dismal day like today.)

3. Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup for lunch

Today I swapped the tomato soup for some of my grandma's homemade oxtail soup (yeah, the name freaked me out too, but then I realized it is just veggie beef) Yum.

4. Save It For a Rainy Day by Starbucks Entertainment 

I think Starbucks makes the absolute best CDs. Seriously, their Christmas albums are always swoon-worthy. This CD features so many great artists and is perfect for snuggling up indoors or for blasting on your iPod as you trudge to class. (Ryan Adams' version of When the Stars Go Blue is perfection) 


(p.s. You might as well go ahead and grab a grande nonfat latte while you're there, because everyone needs a little extra caffeine on a rainy day.)


5. Some sort of mindless activity that requires no effort whatsoever. Trashy television, a sappy romantic comedy you have seen 100 times before, a Nicholas Sparks book that you know how it is going to end but you still cry like a baby for the last 25 pages, etc. Today I'm thinking nail polish, Food Network, and something (anything) chocolate. C'est la vie, kittens. Stay dry! 

skillet cookie

Is it dark and grey where you are? I woke up feeling a little overwhelmed this Monday morning (just as you should after a luxuriously relaxing weekend) and I can't decide if it really is particularly dull outside or if I had just grown accustomed to the constant companionship of the sun these past few days.


Anyways, I'm busting my little buns to get some coursework completed in hopes of arranging a last minute trip to Wintergreen to play in the snow this weekend. Should I succeed, I will most definitely be recreating this little beauty, it will be the perfect treat after a day on the slopes. 

Last night my mom made this giant chocolate chip cookie in an iron skillet and it was per-fec-tion. She followed this recipe, but took it out 10 minutes early (good call... moms know everything) I will most definitely do the same and I'm toying with the idea of adding pecans.  

side note: remember when my mom made these yummy cinnamon rolls in this same iron skillet? I'm noticing a trend. A very tasty trend, indeed. 

there's nothing sweeter, finer...

Is there anything more delightfully beautiful than waking up to a blanket of fresh snow? As I peeked out my window this morning I half expected to be disappointed by dark, dreary skies and gloomy puddles on the ground. But instead a winter wonderland lay waiting. It's funny how snow can do that... an ordinary sidewalk becomes an invitation, an adventure waiting to happen. For now though, I am content just pouring another cup of coffee and watching it fall. 

[the view from my cozy spot in bed]

[If only we had a fireplace in our little apartment! This picture is from the last time it snowed.]

Cozy

The flurries that fell yesterday morning helped ease the day-after-Christmas blues. By about 10:30 everything was covered with a beautiful blanket of snow. After venturing out briefly, we spent the day playing Scrabble (I won), baking more cookies, and dreaming of this delicious soup we had a few weeks ago.


It is delightfully rustic and delicious, loaded with vegetables and perfect for a blustery winter day. 

And while we're talking cozy... Whether you played in the snow all day or you stayed fireside and watched the flurries fall, this yummy little drink is the perfect thing to warm you up!

Just prepare spiced apple cider as per directions (I used Alpine Sugar Free) and add butterscotch schnapps to taste. Enjoy!

roasting

This time of year is the awkward puberty phase of the seasons. Wednesday marks the official start of fall, but today the high in good old Wilmington is 94. Gradually mornings have started getting moderately cooler, but afternoons still resemble sub-Saharan conditions. It leaves me feeling understandably conflicted. I'm burning the pumpkin spice candle at both ends, but there is just something unnatural about making pot roast when I feel like a pot roast myself! 


Regardless, I have been craving this and I have vowed to make it to commemorate the first day that temperatures stay below 80 (and the 10 day outlook doesn't look very promising.) 


Update to follow. 

From The Confused Homemaker (isn't the name of that blog just the best?)