Happy {Panama} Friday

Friday is here!
Duh, Ains. Ok, you all noticed? Perfect, moving on.
Have I mentioned this time next week, I'll be in Mexico?

Fact of the matter is, I will. I'll be headed to Ixtapa on behalf of VIE on Thursday to attend Food and Wine Magazine's annual food and wine festival. Club Med Pacifica is treating us to an all-inclusive getaway, and yes, I do feel amazingly lucky and grateful.
I'm pretty set for my trip, except for one thing. A long while back, Celia over at Willow posted about the perfect beach hat: the Panama Jack hat. Since then I've been scouring stores everywhere for one.

I fell in love with this one from J Crew, but the deal-chaser in me is curious as to if I can find one for less. So, during your weekend outings, if you see a panama hat for a steal, send me a note to let me know!

In other news, congrats to one of the sweetest and classiest friends I have, Miss Amy Yauger, on her soon-to-be name change to Mrs. Threadgill! Sending you all the love in the world today.
Happy Friday dears, enjoy it!

{Images via my Pinterest}

On Wanting Less

I'm getting personal again today.

My first year as an official post-graduate school grad is quickly coming to a close, and I realized in contemplation yesterday just how much I've learned this year.

Money does not grow on trees. Living on a budget is hard. 

Appreciate what your parents do for you. Take advantage of living close to them while you can.

Sometimes you have to eat cereal for a week to afford the shoes/weekend trip you want.

Dogs are like children. Consider yourself warned.

The world doesn't really owe you anything at 23/24/25, so appreciate where you are. 

Responsibilities don't go away. Take care of them.

Neither do problems, so take care of those, too. Yourself.

Sitting at a desk all day is not healthy, so treat your body right and squeeze in your workout.

It's easy to get lost in a career, so make sure you're cultivating your own interests.

You are not going to accomplish all your dreams/wants/intentions this year. Chill out.

But I think the biggest thing I've had to come to grips with is now a new motto of mine: want less, be better. It's no secret I am an avid wish list maker. Wish list for my closet (this is a huge struggle for me). Wish list for my home. Wish list for my wedding to unknown hubs. Wish list for life. But since I am for the first time financially responsible for myself, I can't run out and buy a couple of new things when I get sick of my closet. Want less. Since I'm tied to a budding career, I can't take off every weekend to Nashville/Atlanta/Mississippi like I want to. Want less. In order to want less, I have to distract my fashion-obsessed, wanderlust mind with a goal. Be healthier. Be stronger. Be smarter. Be more well-rounded. Be an inspiration. Be creative. Be better. 

Want less here. Be better now.

I know many of you dreamers out there are like me in that we're waiting for our dream life to begin. But waiting for how long? A sweet old friend pointed out the other day that our God knows the desires of our heart, and has always provided them for us. And I stand by the age-old phrase, good things come to those who wait. So here I am, waiting to figure it all out. Does that happen... ever? Lord knows, I have no idea. But I am, waiting that is, with His hand on my shoulder, listening to Him say, Be still my child, and know that I am God.

Want less of this life. Be better. Be fulfilled.

Just saying it out loud makes me feel better.

Ramblings on Life and Time

This post is a dump of mindless thoughts, but oh well. 

This morning has been a madhouse. 

With friends in town, a sister on the way, a work schedule, a (not followed so well) blog schedule, and the everyday presence of chores, errands, and caring for my main (canine) man, I'm not so sure where I left my head this week. This morning I was literally running out of the house while simultaneously trying to pull on a pump and call my mom. Completely overwhelmed is an understatement, but in the best way possible—to complain right now about all these blessings (minus the chores, duh) would be insane. So I'm not. I'm simply saying, life is cray.

Most of the time I chalk these hectic times up to the fact that I think I often fail at time management. But I realized something this morning, as I made my to-do list for the afternoon and wondered if I could squeeze in a workout: is it really that I'm so bad at time-management, or is it that I'm just not willing to leave something out?

Is that immature? There are things I have to do, and things I want to do, and instead of sacrificing the want-to's, I just squeeze them all in with the have-to's. Sure, one day that will change, but right now, I'm 24, and I'm pretty sure I should keep going with the best of them—because I want to squeeze every second out of life while I have the opportunity to. Because right now, I'm not yet willing to compromise the things that bring me joy for the small burdens of everyday life. Because right now, I am young, and tied to essentially nothing but my career and responsible for nothing but myself. 

Anyone else have this problem? I'd love to hear how you keep up your daily duties while maintaining that sense of youthful abandon that I was told this week us young'uns spearhead life with. Until then, I'll just keep listening to this song on repeat (yes, this is the strangest video but just listen to the audio) and assume that everything is going to be ok:

{All images via one of my Pinterest boards here}

Tuesday's Monday Mantra

Well hi there Monday, er, I mean Tuesday. I was a little out of commission yesterday, but a mantra for the week nonetheless. A simple and sweet reminder to notice those tiny little moments. Here's to what's sure to be a fabulous week!

{source}

Happy {Friend} Friday

I'm ecstatic about this weekend.
The girls are coming to town.

You know the girls. The girlfriends, knowers of my innermost workings, keepers of our best memories, favorite people on this planet (except for my fam who continues somehow to put up with me through thick and thin).

Many of whom I haven't seen in, oh, about six months. How does that even happen, you ask? Because although I adore my quaint beach town, I'm a good eight hours away from these lovely ladies. And as many of you know, work/life gets in the way from the monthly road trip we originally promised.
So here we go. A whole week of girlfriend time (though, sadly, the whole crew won't be here), starting last night when sweet Haley graced me with her presence and an armful of sweet homemade treats at about 11 pm. Going to sleep was hard, to say the least. 
To top it all off, Sister will be here Wednesday, but that's a whole different excitement. Bring on the soulful conversations, giggles, and cocktails. I'm armed and ready.

Happy Friday dears, see you Monday!
xoxo
(all images via my Pinterest board here)

Spring-spiration

Today I woke up and I knew that it was spring.
Yes, I realize I'm slightly obsessed with this season (and maybe my excitement has lingered a little too long—but come on, I live at the beach). But really. You know that feeling you get— you know the one. When somehow all the elements surrounding you come together, you breathe it all in, and you feel spring in the air?
That happened this morning.
I was taking 'ole Camp on a walk around the neighborhood, the breeze was softly fluttering, the sky was the most magnificent shade of azure blue, and I could hear the waves crashing in the background. (If you haven't ever visited South Walton in the spring or summer, then seriously, plan your trip asap.)
Before I knew it, I took a breath, and bam—it was spring.
And then I remembered, no, I couldn't pack my beach bag and head down the sugar sand beaches. Instead, I dressed, gulped a cup of coffee, and headed to the office. Where I have been daydreaming about springtime and its possibilities ever since.
A few spring inspiration board images for your Thursday.

Yes, life is good and yes, I promise to not post again about how much I love springtime.

All images via my Pinterest here.

Dashing Wednesday

Dashing in today during a super busy week—so sorry for missing Tuesday. So much to say, but it will have to wait until tonight when I can sit down with my laptop to prepare a proper post. So much on the agenda for this weekend, month, and spring in general.
I am so thankful.
Until then, two bright pops of neon that made my day and my wish list.

The second is clearly J Crew here, but who can help me find a pair of beloved neon skinnies like above? Direction appreciated.
While we're at it, how about an oldie-but-goody that has me tapping my toes?

And don't you forget to check out the new issue of VIE online here for a few appearances from yours truly.

Happy Mid-Week Wednesday!

Monday Mantra

Happy Monday dears.

Happy {VIE Release} Weekend

Well here we are again...

The temps are warm, there's a lot on the agenda, and most importantly, the March/April issue of VIE just hit the shelves! This issue is chock-full of celebs, style, and travel, including a fantastic piece on Nashville by one of my favorites, MCK. Check it out (for real) here.

Happy weekend lovelies! Enjoy it!

xoxo

Hello March

March for me means one thing.
Spring.
And where I live, spring basically means summer—which is totally my time.

If there's one thing we look forward to here on the coast, it's the time change. Why, you ask? Because spring forward means longer days, later sunsets, and bringing out our white pants. Thank you for coming March, we're so happy you're here.