8.29.2014

The ABCs of Labor Day Sales

TGILDW....(thank goodness it's Labor Day weekend)!

This post is getting to y'all late.  Teacher work week made things crazy around here!

In honor of my first day of school on Tuesday, however, I thought I'd share the ABCs of Labor Day sales with y'all...

A
is for
Extra 20% off all sale items between now and September 1st: Shop here!
*Also worth noting, Richmond teacher friends: Our local Anthro is offering 15% off in store between now and September 7th with your teacher ID!

Was $168, now $71.95
I am picturing this with tan riding boots for fall!

B
is for
Up to 50% off several jewelry styles between now and September 1st: Shop here!

Was $42, now just $28.
This necklace reminds me a lot of this Stella & Dot necklace I have been eyeing, but is just a fraction of the price!

C
is for
30% off full-priced items, 50% off sale items:  Shop here!

Was $128, now just $89.60.
And this comes in a fabulous lavender color, too!

Will you be shopping this Labor Day weekend?

What are your go-to shops for Back to School fashion?

Have a great LONG weekend!

Shop even more sale picks using the widget below!


8.26.2014

Back to School Meal Planning

Happy Tuesday friends!

First things first--thank you!!!  It took courage for me to open up to y'all about my challenges on Friday and I couldn't be more grateful for the support and love I received from the blogging community.  I've received comments, emails, texts, and even snail mail from blog friends since opening up and it means a lot.  One of my goals over the last several months has been to do a better job of responding to reader comments via email.  I have done a pretty good job with this, however, right now is one of my busiest times of year as a teacher, so I have not yet gotten to share a personal thank you with many of you.  In the meantime I hope this public thank you here will suffice!

With the start of teacher work week yesterday and the first day of school for students just one week away, I thought it would be a good time to do some meal planning.  I've mentioned on here before, that Bryce and I have a hard time with meal planning.  Our schedules are both hectic, and Bryce also often works late, meaning that trying to get dinner on the table with regularity can be tough.  Over the summer we have gotten into better meal planning habits, though, and I am hoping they will continue into the school year.  It's going to be tough, but I thought the perfect inspiration would be some exciting new recipes to try....and...why not share them with y'all?

In the coming weeks, I am hoping to get a chance to meal plan and cook these dishes:

I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet and have a feeling this grilled corn on the cob combined with quinoa will give me a taste of summer even after the start of school!

Bryce and I eat a lot of chicken and both love cashews...even better, these are baked and not fried (aka: guilt free)!

Natalie's recipes never disappoint, so I'd love to try her spin on this Southern classic.
(ps: Check out my favorite recipe of Natalie's I've tried thus far here)

Let's face it--Mondays suck!  That's why I love the idea of a casserole you can prep ahead of time and just pop in the oven Monday night while you pour yourself a stiff cocktail!

I have been craving a low country boil the last few weeks and am thinking these kabobs might have to make an appearance for Labor Day this weekend!

And finally, for once the weather cools down...

There are few things I enjoy more than a warm soup on a cool fall night!

So there you have it!  Here's to hoping these recipes will inspire me to stick to meal planning!

How do you meal plan?

What are your go-to recipes?

If you have a good one, I'd love to feature it!

Have a great day!

8.22.2014

Loving...

Happy Friday readers!


Fun plans for the weekend?

We don't have much of anything on the agenda, but I am really looking forward to it.  Bryce and I have been needing some down time, just the two of us, and I think this weekend will provide it.

I mentioned last week that I've been struggling personally.  I'd be lying if I said 2014 had been a good year so far.  It hasn't been.  In fact, I think it's been the toughest year of my life thus far.  The first week of the new year went wonderfully, but since then things have been tough.

While I'm not comfortable sharing the details of my problems on the blog, I will share some of the emotions I've been facing.  It feels good to get it out.  If you haven't gathered from reading my blog, I'm pretty Type A.  I know what I want out of life, I set my mind to that, work towards my goals, and typically things go as I would like.  When they don't, I struggle.  For nearly nine months now, despite any and all efforts, my life hasn't felt on track.  I've felt completely out of control and helpless.  I've also had some major pity parties.  In fact, just last week I was joking that I was going to start just being a negative person.  Whenever I try to be positive and hope for the best, I end up feeling disappointed.  I joked that perhaps if I just expected the negative, I would be pleasantly surprised.  I soon realized, however, that is completely the opposite of who I am.  So instead, I am trying to push through and not focus on people and situations I can't control.  I am going to focus on being the best "me" I can and eventually (*hopefully*) things will work themselves out.  Shew...that was long winded, huh?  It needed to be said, though, and leads into the first two things I am loving this week, here goes!

The first way I am trying to improve myself, is by exercising.  To say my exercise routine is sporadic would be an understatement.  I feel better when I exercise regularly, though, and like the routine of it. That being said, I decided to try a new exercise regimen.  About two weeks ago I signed up for a package at Richmond Barre and am loving it.  The routines challenge my body in a way it's never been challenge before and I'm really enjoying the classes.  I'm also loving these Zella pants I got for barre:


To add to that, I am loving this post, 100 Thoughts I Have During Pure Barre, that my friend Ruby sent me after taking our first class! 

Second up on the Allie Improvement agenda, and loving list for the week, is keeping up with current events via The Skimm.  Throughout high school and college, I was pretty good about knowing what was going on in the world.  Since then, I've honestly been embarrassed at times when someone brings up a major news story in conversation that I know nothing about.  The Skimm makes it effortless, though. Simply sign up, and each morning a quick skim, or summary, of major news events is delivered to your inbox.  In less than 5 min, you'll be informed!


I am loving this kitchen workspace.  Simple, elegant, glam...swoon!


I am really loving this Old Fashioned Print for a bar area.  Not to mention, I have found a new site to love, adore, obsess over in Katie Kime, the site that sells the print!


And finally, rather than ending with an eCard per usual, I couldn't resist this funny in honor of going back to school on Monday!


What are you loving lately?

How do you cope with difficult times?

Have a great weekend!

8.20.2014

Nana's Peach Cobbler

Happy Hump Day readers!

Hope you're having a great week!  I am trying to soak up these last few days of summer, while also getting lots of housework done.  The first few weeks of school are crazy, so I want the house in the best shape possible before I have little time to give it attention.

Today I have a delicious recipe to share with you:  Nana's Peach Cobbler.

This recipe is from a cookbook that Bryce's Nana put together for him as a gift.  It is so delicious! Believe it or not, I have never made it myself.  This is one Bryce always makes.  I had been begging him for one all summer and last week he surprised me with one....y'all it was gone in less than 24 hours!  It is that good!


Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup  milk
3 tsp baking powder
1 stick butter
1 quart of peaches

Directions:
Preheat oven to 370 F.
Melt butter in 9x13 baking dish.
Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder (sift together).
Add milk and mix well.
Meanwhile, heat peaches on stove over low heat.
Pour batter mixture over the butter.
Pour hot peaches on top of batter.
Bake ~25 min or until brown on top.


Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!


This recipe can also easily be adapted with other fruits...it is also great with mixed berries!

Do you have any favorite family recipes?

What are you go-to summer desserts?

Have a great day!

8.18.2014

It's Here!

Happy Monday, friends!

Today is an exciting day, the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale is HERE!


Click here to set up an account and make check out a breeze.

Items go FAST, so a seamless checkout will help insure you get your favorites!

Additionally, be sure to check out websites of Lilly via stores as they participate in the sale too, and sometimes have a different selection.  You can shop my local Lilly store, the Pink Palm here.

Below you will find some of my favorites...get 'em while they're hot!  Chances are some of these will already be out of stock by the time you read this post!

Was $148, now $69
ordered this!

Was $198, now $99

Was $68, now $29

Was $58, now $39

Was $238, now $69
ordered this!

Was $148, now $49

Was $98, now $34

Was $48, now $29

Was $88, now $34

And of course we can't forget the little ladies...



Happy Shopping!

8.14.2014

Hair Care

Happy Thursday readers!

I've had a lot on my plate emotionally these last few weeks, and it's really affected my blogging groove. I'm sorry to be getting away from my normal schedule and appreciate your patience as I work through some personal struggles.

I've had some reader requests for hair tips and thought it would be appropriate to write a post covering my favorite hair products and routine.

I'll start by being honest:  I was blessed with really good hair.  Every girl has things they love and hate about their appearance, and my hair happens to be one of the things I love.

My hair is pretty low maintenance; start to finish my whole routine takes less than 15 minutes.  Aside from a cowlick at my part (which just so happens to be one of Bryce's favorite features of mine, ha!) and a lack of volume at times, I can't really complain.

So while I don't necessarily have any hair secrets to share, I am happy to share some really helpful products I've discovered and my step-by-step routine.

During the week, most of the time I let my hair air dry and don't wash it every day.  As a kindergarten teacher, it's perfectly acceptable to go to school with wet hair thrown into a bun as I walk out the door. If I haven't washed it a particular morning, I'm a huge fan of the baby powder trick.  Because my hair is thin, it gets greasy really fast.  An easy solution, however, is just to rub baby powder in your roots.  I typically avoid my part, and also flip my hair over so that baby powder is never applied directly to the top.  In college I tried a fancy Bumble & Bumble dry shampoo and actually found the baby powder to be preferable.  It saves me time, and also helps my hair to stay healthier, because I typically only blow dry it about 3 times a week.

When I do go through the effort of getting dolled up, however, here is my routine:

1. Wash & Condition:  I don't have any one go-to shampoo and conditioner.  I go through phases and tend to switch it up.  I will say, though, that I am a big fan of John Frieda and Biolage products.

2. Brush:  After my shower, I brush my hair using the Olivia Garden Round Brush shown below.  I like it because it is very easy to clean and the round vented design allows me to give my layers some shape and body when blow drying.  My hairdresser often uses a paddle brush when styling my hair, so I'm also interested in trying one of those...


3. Oil:  After brushing, I put 1-2 squirts of Pureology Precious Oil in my wet hair.  I rub it in starting about halfway down through the ends.  Because I do highlight my hair regularly, I like to provide all the conditioning I can to keep my hair smooth and moisturized.  This is definitely a product to use sparingly, though, and I avoid putting it anywhere near the front of my hair or scalp.


4. Mousse:  I mentioned that one of my few complaints is that my hair can lack volume.  I have a lot of hair, but it is naturally straight and thin.  At times it can look a little flat and limp on my head.  To help with this, I usually rub about a golf ball sized amount of Kenra Volume Mousse Extra into my scalp and roots, making sure to poof it up a bit, before blow drying.

5.  Blow Dry:  I usually just dry it using my hands and brush to target specific sections.  To help with volume, I sometimes will part it in weird spots and dry it the opposite direction of the way it will eventually lay on my head.  I also flip my head over and dry upside down for a minute or two which adds volume.  I use a Hana Air Dryer that I was gifted a few years ago and LOVE it.  It makes my hair so soft.  You can read my full review of it here.


6. Fluff:  Most of the time I stop at step 5, however, I just added step 6 for special occasions.  I recently was introduced to Bumble & Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish by my friend Michelle and absolutely love it.  You simply spray it at your roots and then work it in with your fingers fluffing your hair up.  


And there you have it! My hair routine.  

This is the end product of steps 1-5 on a particularly good hair day!

And finally, two other tips:

1. I have found that long layers are very helpful in terms of increasing volume and body!

2. In this post, I asked for tips on curling hair, because I am hopeless with a curling iron.  Responding to my request, sweet Cambron recommended a curling wand and it was a total game changer.  I can now curl my hair with ease!  I have this Conair one and love it.

This was my hair on just the second attempt with the wand!

What does your hair routine involve?

Any other tips for adding volume?

Have a great day!

8.11.2014

TB Private Sale

Happy Monday readers!

I am posting with exciting news today:  A Tory Burch private sale just started!


Those who follow along on Instagram know that while I was in Orlando last week, I shopped at the Tory Burch outlet, so I will not be partaking in this sale.  I still couldn't resist sharing the deals with you, though!

To shop all sale items click here or keep reading to shop my favorites listed below.

Was $250, now just $99!

Was $195, now $149!

Was $350, now just $199!
I just got this at the tan and LOVE it!

Was $250, now just $119!

Was $185, now juts $79!

Was $235, now $189!

Will you be shopping the sale?

What is on your wish list for fall?

Have a great day!

8.08.2014

Daydreaming

Happy Friday readers!

It has been a wonderful week in Orlando...just what the doctor ordered after a particularly tough few weeks.  I am ready and happy to make it home today and to celebrate my dad's 55th birthday tomorrow (his actual birthday was yesterday)!

Today I am sharing some interiors that are particularly dreamy to me.  I could spend all day every day flipping through design mags or scrolling through Pinterest looking at images like these.  I try not to overly share them on here, though, because, like me, most of y'all go to Pinterest for that.  Every now and then however, it's nice to let the pictures do most of the talking and to just enjoy looking at pretty things!  Here are some of my recent faves:

I like spaces that are eclectic...


I like spaces that are punchy...


I like spaces that are full of lots of different patterns...


I like spaces that are calm and clean...


I like spaces that are bright and livable...


I like spaces that feel personal...


I like spaces that are both traditional and modern...


I like spaces that inspire creativity...


And apparently, I like spaces that are blue and green...  

I just noticed that trend amongst all these favorites and think they are the perfect colors to fill a home!

What design trends are you loving right now?

What types of pretty images fill your daydreams?

Have a great weekend!