Happy (24) Weekend

Well, little lovelies, looks like I'm checking another year off the birthday calendar as I bid adieu to 23 and welcome (hesitantly) 24 tomorrow. I'll be celebrating with a show at the Orpheum tonight and dually celebrating with the nuptials of friends tomorrow. So much in store in so little time, but I'll try to snap some pics along the way and meet you back here Monday. 

Also, an early Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there. Don't forget to hug yours!

Daddy, sister, and I at one of his beloved Mississippi State games. But I still hail the Red and Blue, Hotty Toddy tride and true. I get it from my mama. Thanks , Mom.

Happy weekend to you all!

Bubblegum Pop

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Falling for Fitzgerald

I'm pretty sure I've blogged about these books before, but I keep coming back to the glamorous and chic feel of these classics.

I can see them stacked on a bookshelf now, surrounded by vintage treasures and black and white photographs. And how lovely to be able to have all of Fitzgerald's best (my absolute favorite) at your fingertips...

Ahem, For anyone looking for a reason to give me a little gift, any of these will happily do.

(1, 2, 3, 4)

Tuesday Treasures: Today I love

This grilled goat cheese and avocado sandwich. I may or may not have eaten it more than a few times this past week. Perk: it's healthy and tasty!

The idea of a bar cart in the living area.

My favorite is this one from Etsy, but a more affordable option is this one from Ikea (duh).

An understated but elegant open back. I've always been drawn to an interesting back detail and classy cut-outs in general, but this image leaves me longing for one that is barely there:

And last but not least, this messy half up-do is the perfect summer fix-- easy as pie and I can't wait to try.

(bar cart source here; open back source here; hair here)

Go Shorty

Since it is on Saturday, it makes sense, right?

Happy Monday lovelies!

(title: 50's Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday- obvi)

Friday Sidenote

Wanna taste summer?
Make this.

Orzo. Feta. Corn. Basil from the planters on our front porch. The cutest little Mississippi-grown cherry tomatoes you've ever seen. All held together by a slightly parmasian-lemony sauce. 

It's fresh. It's light. You can still put on your bathing suit after eating it (I may or may not have just eaten two bowls).

Seriously, summer in a bowl. Enjoy!

Happy {Summertime} Weekend

And the weekend is finally here, bringing summertime sunshine and days by the pool, farmers markets and afternoon shopping, al fresco meals and mojitos. I hope your Friday is off to a fabulous start. See you back here on Monday!

xoxo

Eye Candy

I could write for days about Pinterest. It's like an expresso shot of inspiration for my day. It's also a vault of lust-worthy decor and fashion finds that leave me far too jealous that I don't own-- I should stick with the DIY and food pins that don't leave me seriously jealous I'm not married to a millionaire that can provide me with such beautiful homes and additions to my closet. Which brings me to this post on some of my favorite rooms I've found on the ever-addicting Pinterest (you can see the full collection here and here). Glamorous, chic, and cozy, these rooms serve for some serious eye-candy. Try not to get drool on your computer:

Secrets

Today I am sharing secrets.
But first, let's point out a few obvious facts:
1. I love fashion, and although I am quite content with my closet's collection, I am always on the hunt.
2. I am broke. Not broke in a vagabond sort of way (thank you Jesus for my many blessings), but broke in a graduate-school-post-grad-who-is-soon-to-pay-too-much-for-rent-after-she-relocates-to-begin-her-career sort of way.
Combined, these factors explain that when my absolute favorite turquoise statement necklace broke last week while in D.C., I began the hunt for some sassy new ones to amp up my favorite simple, classic pieces. Oh, and maybe that didn't break the bank.
My Pinterest addiction led me to this beauty, and I instantly tagged it to my "Wish List" board.

Although $78 isn't too extreme for such a gorgeous piece of jewelry, I knew that I should use those bills to, oh I don't know, maybe furnish my new beach home.
Cue my fashion-saavy friend Layne, and at her recommendation, I hit up the Charlotte Russe website. True treasures there, if you're in the mood to sift through some of the junk. Here's what I came up with:

Tribal for $12.50

Bold for $10.50

Twisted strands for $8.50

Do you love, or do you love? Any one of these would be perfect with a simple tank, a little black dress, or to create some color contrasting. Now, don't go rushing to buy these before I can decide which one I like the best. But at those prices, who says you have to get just one?

Monday Mantra

As I start wrapping up one chapter of my life to start the next, I've been thinking a little about what this past year has been. The decision to continue my education to a Masters degree wasn't an easy one, but what decision ever is? But I made it, nonetheless, and let me tell you, it's been hard. I've been frustrated pretty weekly, academically working long days while still attempting to make time for the people and things I love (and not always succeeding so gracefully). I'd like to say I wore a positive attitude easily, but I (and you, sweet readers, who dealt with me) found that a little more difficult as I was often pressed and strung out like I've never been before.

 But the light at the end of the tunnel is a bright, glittering one at the end of this month.

 And that light makes life so sparkly.  

So here I am now, soaking up what I know in preparation for what I don't know, seeking adventure and change and beauty, all with a certain Sidekick who assures me He's got it under control:

"Seek my face, and you will find fulfillment of your deepest longings. My world is filled with beautiful things; they are meant to be pointers to Me, reminders of My abiding presence."

(-Jesus Calling, seriously the best life-words you could ever think about reading. Check it out.)

So here's to a beautiful new week! 

xoxo