3.30.2015

Monday Musings

Happy Monday chickies!

I've got a post filled with random musings for ya today!

Did y'all have a good weekend?

Mine was an especially great one! Bryce was out of town until early Saturday evening, but I caught up for drinks and dinner with some of our friends Friday night.

Saturday I went to barre and otherwise chilled until Bryce got home. That evening we headed to Bryce's stepbrother's house for grilling out and then headed to the club to see his other stepbrother's band, Soul Fly, play! It was the "One More Saturday Night" event and we had an absolute blast listening to Grateful Dead covers and other jammy music! Tie dye was in abundance (as were fried oreos) and we danced the night away.

People certainly dressed for the occasion...

These giant paper flowers, in all different styles and colors, 
were all over the club and I was dying to bring one home with me!

I lost count of how many fried oreos I had...whoopsie!

Soul Fly
Bryce's stepbrother is on the far left!

Sunday was low key. We had a delicious brunch at Heritage and then spent the rest of the day running errands and relaxing.

Heritage used a bunch of Bryce's peppers in their kitchen this fall, 
so when we said hello to Joe, the chef, 
he gifted us one of their very own Texas Mike's Hot Sauce!

One of our errands was to local Sneed's Nursery. We bought some herbs to add to our herb garden and also some pretty new flowers to plant. I had fun playing in their adorable playhouse, as well!


We also admired a bistro table and chairs set they had, but they were way out of our price range. I told Bryce that I knew Target had similar options so we ventured there as well....and surprise, surprise, we hit the jackpot at Target!

We got these chairs on sale! 
They also come in fabulous coral and turquoise options, 
but we thought the black would be more versatile and are going to get some fun cushions for them!

As silly as it sounds, this was the first "furniture" purchase Bryce and I have ever made for the house together, and it felt very grown up, haha!

On our way out, we also spotted this beauty:


I literally stopped dead in my tracks and when I saw the price tag knew I had to have it. Surprisingly, Bryce really liked the table too. They only had one in the store, and it had a little bit of a chip in one corner so I decided to check it out online when I got home. And then...

I saw this baby:


Bryce liked this one even more and I am thinking it would be perfect as a "bar cart" type table. 

I was able to double up on online promotions and get both for just $130. I am planning to check them out when they arrive and keep or return as necessary. We might not have a spot for them now, but they are small enough (and chic enough) to justify storing them, if need be! I am even wondering if I should order a second of the first one to have a pair that could someday flank a couch in a formal living room. Thoughts?

If you haven't figured out, I was in a shopping mood this weekend. I think my desire for spring really has me wanting to "refresh" and buy some fun new things!

That being said, I was so super excited to find that this dress is now available for pre-order!


I first saw the dress on Taylor's blog a few weeks ago, and it sold out pretty much instantly. I have been stalking it ever since with hopes it would be resotcked. It is set to arrive by mid-May and I am so excited

And since we're talking about shopping for clothes now, I also will mention that we popped into Anthro during our errands yesterday...

I tried this shirt on and absolutely loved it...
am thinking I may need to order on pay day tomorrow!

I am also absolutely in love with their 
Paper Crown + Rifle Paper Co collaboration 
and was disappointed this lovely dress wasn't available in store!

I can imagine all of these clothing picks with the Tory wedges I am still lusting over...which brings me to something else I've been meaning to share for the last few weeks (like that segue?): Throw A Tantrum's "Summer Fashion Advice on How to Spend $100", featuring none other than moi, on their panel of 15 Fashion Experts! Read my pick of wedges, as well as the picks of 14 other fashionable ladies here. And while you're at it, be sure to check out all the monogrammed goodies on their site. I am especially loving their monogrammed seersucker bandeau and Lilly Pulitzer state hat shown below!


I've also been meaning to share HoosNetwork with my fellow UVA alums. HoosNetwork is an online community featuring articles focused on education, advice, the work world, school spirit, and entertainment. It was just launched in February and I am excited to see it grow!

Since I'm doing all sorts of musing and am adopting the mantra that anything goes in today's post, I wanted to mention a few recent pins...
  1. This pin has me thinking I need to make s'mores and swap out thin mints for the chocolate...
  2. I am pretty sure I need to make these chocolate covered strawberries this weekend..
  3. It's decided that I am going to have a cheese-cake at my next event...
To wrap up the randomness, we bought a spiralizer on sale at Sur La Table yesterday!


I've been meaning to pick one of these up for a while now and it seemed like a no-brainer yesterday since it is marked down by $10. Tonight we are going to go simple and make spaghetti with meat sauce, using zoodles! If you have any other great recipes, send them my way! I am so excited to use this to help cut back on carbs in anticipation of bikini season (and make up for the fried oreos and thin mint s'mores).

What's running through your mind on this Monday morning?

What new spring purchases have you made?

Have a great day!

3.25.2015

Spring Blooms

Happy Hump Day readers!

I sure am hoping the saying about March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is going to come true this year. We had some gorgeous weather last week, but this week things have been dreary and cold again! I am ready for April!

Despite the cold, some blooms are still starting to pop up in our yard. I can't wait for everything to come out (especially my grandmother's peonies and irises). Until everything else decides to pop up, I guess gazing at beautiful blooms online will have to suffice...


And here's a look at some of the flowers from our own personal garden from springs and summers past:







And about 99% of that beauty is all thanks to Bryce....I have a pretty black thumb!

What's blooming where you are?

What is your favorite spring bloom?

Have a great day!

3.19.2015

Spring Wish List

Happy Thursday chickies!

Just one more day until Spring (and the weekend)!

Some gorgeous weather earlier in the week has me extra giddy for Spring's arrival.

With every new season, of course comes a new wish list of fun fashion picks! Today I am sharing what I've got my eye on for this Spring...

1.
These sunglasses! I have been obsessed with them ever since seeing Gal Meets Glam wear them here on Instagram!



2.
Y'all know I love a good tunic and I came across this one in my green search for Tuesday's post. If long enough, I think it would be super cute worn as a dress or also over tight white skinnies!


3.
Tory Burch Sandals are also on my list! I have a $50 gift card I've been saving since my birthday and can't wait to use it on a good TB sale! I like both of these pairs.


4.
New Lilly, of course! Lilly has so much goodness going on right now it's hard to narrow it down. This dress is a show stopper, though!


5.
This top is the first spring item I have actually crossed off of my wish list! It was on major sale in store last week and I got it for around $40 with a J. Crew gift card from Christmas. The beaded detail is beautiful, but it is also available in some non-beaded options. It's not marked down as much online right now, but it is on sale with an extra 30% off with code SPRINGSALE.


6.
And last, but not least, these coral jeans are super cute and would brighten any spring look! They are under $70, too, which is a major plus!


What fashion finds are you lusting over for Spring?

What is your favorite way to transition from season to season?

Have a great day!

3.18.2015

2015 Books Read (so far...)

Happy Hump Day readers!

Is it just me, or is this a great week!?

I think all the excitement of St. Patrick's Day paired with some beautiful spring weather these last few days has me in an amazing mood!

Today I am excited to share the books I have read so far in 2015.

I am a shameless bookworm and find so much enjoyment out of spending an entire day vegged out on the couch with a good book.  This year, when beginning to select books, I have often found myself looking to this list that I found on Pinterest. It already had several books I had read (and liked) so I thought it would serve as a good go-to for other selections.

I am currently on my 8th book of 2015 and it feels great. Here's a look at what I've read so far this year...

I will rank each on a 5 star scale and mention a word or two about them!

3 Stars
Good, light read. Semi predictable..tells the story of Kit, 
a Wall Street divorcee and her path to find new love. 
Also interweaves the stories of a few of her close girflriends.

4 Stars
Tells the story of Gabby, a happily married middle aged woman--
Or so she thought...until...she meets Matt.
Will Gabby risk all for an affair with Matt 
or protect the family and life she holds so dear?

5 Stars
Kate, a single mother, struggles to balance work and family.
When she receives a call from her daughter's prestigious private NYC school,
and learns that her daughter Amelia has fallen (or jumped) to her death, 
Kate's world is turned upside down. But...did Amelia really jump?

4.5 Stars
Andy is an assistant DA in a tight-knit suburban town. He finds every aspect of his life
being compromised and put to the test when his son's classmate is found brutally
stabbed in the woods near school. When Jacob, Andy's quiet son, is found suspect of the
murder Andy will stop at nothing to prove his innocence.

4 Stars
Light read, but an especially good one. Alice wakes up after a spinning
accident to remember nothing from the last 10 years. 
(i.e. She doesn't remember the birth of any of her 3 kids, her impending divorce, 
or drama with her sister). The life she awakens to is nothing like the one she imagined, 
so a foggy-headed Alice works to remember and also fight for the life she always dreamed of.

2.5 Stars
This was a disappointment...it was compared to Gone Girl, but just didn't hit the mark. 
Jodi, an accepting wife, is tolerant of her husband's flaws...until he takes it too far
and finds himself a father-to-be with one of his mistresses. What will Jodi do
int the face of this challenge? Will she fight for she and Todd or only for herself?

5 Stars
A slower read, but well worth the effort. Tells the stories of Lavinia and Belle. 
Lavinia, an orphaned Irish indentured servant on a Virginia plantation and 
Belle, the young woman, entrusted with the care of Lavinia, 
who prepares delicious meals for the captain and his family from her kitchen house.

And I just started (and am definitely intrigued by) this book:


Have you read any of these books?

If so, what are your thoughts on them?

Do you feel the same way as I do?

Also..do you have any great suggestions for me to read next?

What are you currently reading?

Have a great day!

3.17.2015

Go Green!

Happy St. Patty's Day, my little leprechauns!

I hope that whatever you're up to today it's fun and filled with green goodness!

I have some fun activities planned for the kiddies today: We are making leprechaun traps this morning, reading a St. Patrick's Day book, and just might get a special visit from some mischievous leprechauns this afternoon. I heard they are bringing cupcakes and gold coins from the end of the rainbow...

Being that it's my 4 year blogoversary this week, I am attempting to post all 5 days this week. It is crazy to think that for the first 6 or so months blogging I did this without fail. Oh, how times change.

My very third blog post was quite similar to today's actually. You can read it here!

Green is one of my favorite colors so I love the St. Patrick's Day excuse to wear it!

In honor of the holiday, I thought I would wrap up some of my green favorites for you today!


Click on an image in the collage to get the details!

And you can shop even more green things below! I am dying over that green evening gown and am thinking I need an event to wear it to stat!



What are your favorite green things?

How are you showing your holiday spirit today?

Any fun plans?

Being that it's a school night, I will most likely just relax!

Have a great day!

PS: Have you entered my Lilly for Target giveaway? It is for Instagram followers only. Click here to enter!

3.16.2015

4 Years Ago Yesterday...

Happy Monday readers!


I am jumping for joy this morning as yesterday marked this blog's 4 year blogoversary!

This space has become sacred to me over the last 4 years. It is a place for me to be completely, honestly me and it is all mine. I can't believe all the twists and turns my life has taken since that very first blog post. I vividly remember returning back to school after spring break and spending a bored night deciding I would start a blog. It was a completely spontaneous decision and I hadn't even really been a blog reader before starting this journey. Little did I know how quickly I would become addicted to the blog world and all it has to offer.

The last year has been a whirlwind (and tough), as y'all know, but it has been a really pivotal year for the blog. On my last blogoversary I relaunched myself as Alexandra Bee Blog and said goodbye to my original identify of "Sundresses and Smiles."

So now, sit back and enjoy a little party for this blog's 4th birthday.


Grab a cupcake and enjoy the party's entertainment...a roundup of my favorite posts from the past year! 



Be sure to check out the ones you've missed:

04/14: Dearest Tory
07/14: BLT Bites
11/14: Holiday Gift Guides: Ladies, Gents, & Stocking Stuffers

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for Alexandra Bee Blog!

One of the goals I have in the coming year is to boost my followership up to 700+! I'd like to pass a warm welcome to several new followers in the last few weeks and can't wait to make even more friends in this 4th year of blogging!

And PS--- Be sure to checkout Instagram this afternoon for an exciting Instagram only giveaway I'm hosting with several other fabulous ladies! The timing certainly is serendipitous! 

Have a great day!

3.12.2015

Dreamy Bathrooms

Hello my pretties!

Is it Friday yet?

After all my snow days over the last few weeks, this full work week has felt like a doozy!

Thank you for all your great comments and info on my handbag decision from Tuesday's post (see here). I am definitely leaning toward the Gigi Mini Taylor Tote, but still would love to find a local retailer that sells Annabel Ingall to test the Small Isabella Tote out as well. Does anyone know of a Richmond spot that carries Annabel Ingall?

Today I am posting about dreamy bathrooms! One of my favorite respites when I am feeling overwhelmed is a piping hot bath. Last night was one of those nights. I went to barre after school and then visited my grandma with Bryce. She broke her hip in January and my mom had called to share that she wasn't doing well. After a somewhat tough visit last night, a hot bath was calling my name. (You can see our bathroom in this House Tour post here.)

As I relaxed in the tub, all I could think about was this gorgeous claw footed tub that I pinned the other night:

Isn't it lovely?

As you can imagine, next my wheels got turning thinking of all sorts of other dream bathrooms and all the ways I would renovate our bathroom. Once I got out of said hot bath, I immediately went to Pinterest to ogle over other dreamy bathrooms. Here is a peek at some of my faves...






My non-negotiables in said dreamy bathroom would be a large soaking tub, dual sinks, and sumptuous white towels (preferably with a monogram). I also clearly would love marble and fabulous wallpaper. 

It doesn't hurt to dream, right?!?

What elements would be in your dream bathroom?

What do you do to relax and unwind?

Have a great day!