Showing posts with label Shopaholic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopaholic. Show all posts

2.20.2019

Weekend Recap

Happy Hump Day, readers!

I don't consistently post weekend recaps (or consistently post anything, haha) on the blog these days, but every now and then a really great weekend comes along that's worth documenting here. This past weekend was one of those weekends and I'm excited to share it with you...and that we're halfway to this coming weekend!

Our weekend started with the absolutely perfect Valentine's Day dinner party hosted by our friends Blair and Davis. Our friends, Emily and Frank were also in attendance and whenever the six of us get together it is a guaranteed amazing time!


Blair's tablescape was equal parts formal and whimsy and absolute perfection! I loved how she had cute details like the sparkly pom poms on the table and those marble and gold foil candlesticks were stunners!

 

We even each got our own bag of Lindt truffles at our place setting as favors! No detail was spared!


Just as important as the tablescape is the menu! I took sweet potato ham biscuits, shrimp and grits cakes, and cheese crackers, compliments of The Orderves Company (more on that in a post coming soon!).


Blair and Davis outdid themselves with our dinner menu. We feasted on salad, beef tenderloin, and lobster pot pie! Blair even made extra puff pastry in the shape of lobsters for dipping! No...detail...spared!


For dessert, we had Shyndigz Oreo Cake. So grateful for these wonderful friends and can't wait for our next get together!

Saturday morning, I taught barre and then my girlfriend Amanda and I hit the road to Raleigh. In snow and rain, no less! Right before Christmas, I had ordered a chair from Beau Dandy Goods in Raleigh. Bryce had just been to Raleigh for work and was planning to head back in a few weeks, so Ashleigh was sweet enough to offer to hold the chair so I wouldn't have to pay high shipping costs. Well...Bryce never made it back to Raleigh and doesn't anticipate a trip there soon, so Amanda and I decided to road trip to get the chair...and it was so fun, y'all!

The weather had cleared by the time we crossed the border into North Carolina. After picking up the chair, and meeting the sweet golden retriever, the "Beau" of Beau Dandy Goods, we headed to brunch at Hummingbird at the recommendation of Ashleigh, Beau's mom.


Hummingbird had a cool vintage meets industrial meets girlie vibe and we loved it! The food was also deeelicious! Amanda and I both chose the Shakshuka, which was burnt tomato, eggs, herbs, and feta baked in a Le Creuset gratin dish. We were very hungry from barre and our time in the car and it did the trick! It was a definite comfort food and it was as if an Italian dinner entree had merged with brunch! I also ordered grits on the side that were cheesy perfection, and Amanda ordered hash brown that were also tasty.

 


Our next stop was Cameron Village for shopping! Charlotte's Inc was at the top of both our lists as we've followed them on Instagram for quite some time. I didn't save any pictures at Charlotte's, but I did get this dress for 70% off and these earrings in the turquoise! We also popped into Uniquities and The Impeccable Pig and then discovered Steven Shell Living on our way out and decided to pop in! It did not disappoint!

 

I fell in love with these gorgeous oversized fern prints that were a steal for just $69! Ferns are a personal favorite and were a big theme in our wedding floral scheme, so I knew I had to indulge. I thought a pair could make a fabulous statement and chose the two on the right below. The maidenhair was a must, because it was one of my favorite details in my wedding bouquet and last summer Bryce planted a maidenhair with black stems like the print in our garden. I picked the second, more traditional fern, because I thought it paired best with the maidenhair in terms of color and scale.

 

Our last stop was Vita Vite at the suggestion of a sorority sister who lives in Raleigh for a quick bite before hitting the road. It had a great energy and vibe and art was displayed for sale all around the restaurant.


Amanda and I were both still somewhat satisfied from brunch so opted for cheese and charcuterie for dinner. We also split a baby chocolate eclair, because as it turns out, Amanda had never had an eclair before...she liked it!

 

We hit the road and made it home in time for each of us to snuggle our pups and head to bed. We both agreed that getting out of town was good for the soul and invigorating! It made me think I really need to do impromptu day trips, or even just a night away more often! One of my favorite things about Richmond is that we have so many cool destinations within just a few hours of us and I want to take better advantage of that moving forward!

Sunday Bryce and I had brunch at a Richmond favorite, Lulu's (three words: red velvet waffles) with some friends who are expecting their first baby next month. I couldn't make it to the mama-to-be's shower, so this was our chance to celebrate with them. I wore my new earrings!


After that, we headed home, got my chair styled and had a lazy Sunday! We watched As Good As It Gets on Netflix that night with Chinese takeout and thoroughly enjoyed it.


It was a weekend that was one for the books, and one where I truly savored every moment...living out my word for 2019!

Did you have a good weekend?

Any fun plans for the weekend ahead?

Do you take advantage of day trips to places near your hometown?

Have a great day!

11.20.2017

Holiday Gift Guide: LADIES

Happy Monday, friends!

Did you have a good weekend? 

Ours was lots of fun. Bryce and I had a weekend full of quality time together, which was so nice, as he has been traveling quite a bit for work this fall.

I also was thrilled to have plenty of time this weekend to create my ladies' holiday gift guide. I decided, rather than doing several separate guides, to condense it into one bigger guide this year. I still worked hard to come up with an assortment (mostly under $100!) to please all the ladies in your life, though! I did skip the little lady version this year. I always enjoy creating that one, but now being a few years removed from the classroom and also not a mama yet, I thought it best to leave the kid guides to the "pros." 

Enjoy!


I hope you have some great new shopping ideas! I do love creating these each year, and usually end up making my Christmas shopping list in the process! This guide has many items I already own and love, and then, the rest is filled out with items I'd love to have myself! It does have affiliate links, meaning I can earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking, however, as always, you can be certain that what I share here is genuine. You'll also see that some of the items I share have no affiliate link, because I want to share great gift ideas with you, regardless of whether or not I make a dime!

I'm hoping to have time tonight and tomorrow night to put together a gents guide, as well! I always try my best to have these created in time for Black Friday sales (some of which I noticed have already started early). 

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Who do you have the hardest time shopping for?

For those of you longtime readers, do you like this new condensed guide? 

Have a great day!

7.06.2017

Lilly for RMHC

Happy Thursday readers!

Gotta love shortened holiday weeks!

I hope you had a great 4th of July and are enjoying summer thus far.

Those that follow along on Instagram, know that I've partnered with Ronald McDonald House of Richmond again this year to promote their Lilly Pulitzer Give Back event that is this Saturday, July 8 from 12:00 - 5:00 pm at the Lilly Pulitzer Short Pump store!

I'll be there at noon for styling tips if you want to shop with me!

Allison, their Director of Development and my friend, and I had a great time last weekend visiting the store and styling looks. I've put together a little preview for those of you that are in town and might be able to stop by.

First up, is my favorite look! I browsed online before meeting Allison and knew I HAD to try on this dress!


The Rylan Silk Maxi Dress would be perfect for any summer soiree, especially one that involves dancing! The silk adds elegance to the bold print and the flowy cut makes this dress extra comfy! It runs true to size. 

Next, I wanted to find a look that would be appropriate for both work and play. Summertime is full of happy hours and fun events, and it's nice when you can go straight from work to a social outing without changing your clothes!


I love the versatility of the wrap above! It adds instant chic to an outfit and can be thrown over a tank when you're in the office and then ditched when you're ready for a night out! The Kelly Dinner Pants are perfect for when you want to wear white jeans, but the occasion calls for something just a bit more formal. They also have good stretch, which I find to be a key component to make any pair of white jeans or pants flattering. All pieces run true to size.

I also wanted to make sure you could see how super
cute the "Paradise Pink Bohemian Beach" print on the top is!

Last, but not least, I was sure to get a casual look styled. Shorts with a fun top and wedges are one of my go-to summer looks and Lilly shorts are my very favorite, so I knew where to start!


I am in love with these cobalt blue scalloped shorts! I might just have to get them as a part of this weekend's promotion! The scallops add both a dose of cute and a dose of sophistication! This big tote bag would also be perfect for a summer getaway. The shorts run true to size, but the top runs large. I am wearing a small in this picture, and would have sized down to an extra small, if they had it in store.

Bag Close Up

To browse some of my other favorites, scroll through below:



And last but not least, I wanted to take the chance to talk some staple accessories with you! You'll notice that I am wearing the same accessories with all 3 of these different looks. I actually packed a couple pair of earrings to switch things up while styling, but then felt no need. These pieces are tried and true and have been favorites for years now:

I am guaranteed to get compliments whenever I wear these 
and they are lightweight, which is even better!


Bryce gave me this bracelet for my birthday 4 or 5 years ago and I have worn it non-stop since!
It is a timeless style and can be easily stacked with other bracelets or a watch.

This cuff can be dressed up or dressed down and makes a statement while still being delicate! 
I wear mine multiple times a week.

These sandals (which are under $30, by the way!) are my favorite!
I love them so much, I actually bought a second pair on sale at the end of last summer.
I  may even buy a 3rd since they brought them back again this summer. They literally go with everything and are incredibly comfortable. Can't recommend enough...I wear mine at least 3-4 times a week!

Have you bought any Lilly yet this summer?

Have a great weekend!

11.22.2016

Holiday Gift Guide: Ladies

Happy Tuesday friends!

If anything can pull me out of the blogger cave I've been in, it's certainly the holiday season!

I have so much fun putting together these gift guides every year and sharing my holiday decor!

I do about 95% of my Christmas shopping each year online during Black Friday, so it's always nice to put these together leading up to the major sales. By the way, did you see that Shopbop already started their Cyber Week sale? It's their typical buy more, save more model and you can save up to 25%!

Today, I have 5 gift guides to share with you for all the ladies in your life. 

First up is my personal favorite guide this year! When shopping for the girlie girl, you can't go wrong with pink, glam, and sparkle!

Next up is gifts for your bestie! This is the gal pal that you're sure to always have fun with, so gift her things that are as bright and fun as she is!

I'm certainly a "nester" myself, and I'd be thrilled to receive any of these gifts to spruce up our home! By the way, if you haven't checked out Rewined Candles, you should! The candles are under $30 and the Rosé scent is my favorite; it is fresh and certainly not overpowering! I don't know about y'all, but I just can't justify spending $50 or $70 on a candle! Also, I finally got the chance to take a peek inside Beautiful and it did not disappoint...in fact, I've added it to my very own Christmas wish list!

These gifts are sure to please the lady who you can always count on for the best eats. Daily Bread is actually a cookbook written by my friend Michelle's mom, and the recipes are super yummy!

And last, but not least, we can't forget the little ladies! I'm majorly swooning over those Uggs!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Which gift guide is your personal favorite? 

Have a great day!

5.13.2016

Five on Friday: Mark & Graham Edition

Happy Friday readers!

This week has been a long one, so I am glad that the weekend is here!

Our weather has been dreary for the last two weeks, and even chilly, making the days drag on! I am hoping for some sunshine this weekend!

For today's Five on Friday (linking up with the fab April, Natasha, and Christina), I'm sharing some of my favorite recent Mark & Graham finds.

Do y'all shop Mark & Graham? Every time a new catalogue arrives I get a little bit giddy. Their pieces are of utmost quality, the monogramming options are endless, and every order comes with complementary gift wrapping, making them a go-to for gifts...and a frequent flyer on my annual holiday gift guides.

Here's what's most on my Mark & Graham radar of late:

ONE
(on sale!)
I have been swooning over this tote since last summer! I'm a sucker for anything gingham...and pink, and think this tote back is the cutest! That being said...I need another tote like I need a hold in the head, so I haven't bit the bullet. Can y'all relate? 

TWO


Every time I see a hankie, I automatically think of my grandpa, who always had one of hand for tears or sniffles. These are so sweet, and have a vintage vibe. I think they would be perfect mother of the bride and groom gifts for a wedding!

THREE


In the latest catalogue, I was drawn to their new insulated collection...perfect for the river, beach, or summer cookouts! The have an insulated tote, lunch box, casserole holder, single wine tote, double wine tote, and even a pannier to carry a picnic on your bike!

FOUR
(on sale!)

I love a stylish barrette, and have quite the collection of J. Crew tortoise ones, but I am also loving these metal monogrammed options! The classic gold is my favorite, but the trendy rose gold is fun, too!

FIVE
(on sale!)

The Derby may be past, but a good julep cup never goes out of fashion and the hexagonal shape of this one is a great modern twist! I love julep cups for summer cocktails, with a big scoop of crushed ice; but julep cups also make lovely vases. Hydrangea season is coming!

Have you shopped Mark & Graham before?

What are your go-tos for gifting?

Have a great weekend!
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4.22.2016

Five on Friday

Happy Friday readers!

Can you believe May is practically here!?

I hate that April has been a bit of a slow blogging month for me. I am ready for and have high hopes for May!

Today I'm sharing 5 random tidbits for the Five on Friday.

ONE
The Tory Burch Spring Event is here!!!!



My patience has finally paid off...Tory Burch's big spring sale is here! She is offering up to 30% just about everything with code BLOOM. I've known that she usually hosts this sale in April, and often launches it on a Thursday so I have been monitoring my inbox like a hawk! Yesterday my dreams came true and I was finally able to order the much coveted Lexington Wedge! They've already are shipped and are due to arrive on Monday...I can't wait!

And if I wasn't on a budget, I would certainly splurge on more items during the sale. Like these...



and these...



I'm not always a biggest fan of Tory clothing, but she's killing it this season, right? And if I had my bikini bod in shape, I'd be splurging on some swimwear; like these...



And I of course, always swoon over her handbags. Like these...



Have you shopped the sale yet? What did you score?

TWO
Southern....C....Summit!


I can't believe that this time next week, the Southern C Summit and my trip to Charleston will be wrapping up. I don't know what I'm most excited for...the amazing swag bag; drool-worthy welcome brunch; poolside yoga; or books, bites, and sips, just to name a few! Be sure you follow along on Instagram to join me in Summit adventures!

THREE
Chicken Balti Al Fresco


Those that follow on Instagram saw that last night Bryce and I had the first al fresco meal on our patio for the season! It was a gorgeous night and a real treat after Bryce's travels earlier in the week. What made it even better was that Bryce took all the initiative on dinner...he meal planned, shopped, and cooked. I was in heaven! We tried a new recipe Bryce had seen on the show Mind of a Chef and it did not disappoint. You can find the Chicken Balti recipe here.

FOUR
La Croix Cocktails...yes, please!


I've shared my love of La Croix, particularly coconut on social media before. Those of you that follow along on Facebook particularly liked this link that I shared. That being said, I figured I'd share on here, as well: "9 Cocktails Made with LaCroix, a Sparkling Water with a Cult Following." One of my go-tos at home, is simply Coconut La Croix with a lime wedge (or two!) and vodka!

FIVE
Seeking Dry Shampoo Recs!


Cracking up over this eCard right now! I got my hair done early last week and talked to my hair dresser a lot about the appropriate frequency for washing hair. I have fine hair that tends to get oily pretty fast and never quite understood how people could go days between washes. She explained that it's really about training your scalp for less washes. When you shampoo every day, it dries your scalp out, and in turn you produce more oil. I'm on week two of washing my hair every 2-3 days and it's going okay so far. I use baby powder as dry shampoo as necessary, but am thinking I may  need something better, particularly for day 3. Any recommendations?

What's been on your mind lately?

Have a great weekend!
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4.18.2016

Little White Dresses

A sleepy Monday over here, my friends!

Every so often I battle insomnia and last night happened to be one of those nights. I am literally running on fumes today as I got less than 2 hours sleep last night...not a good way to start the week!

This weekend Anna, my best friend from UVA, came into town. She is getting married in September and was in town from New York City to attend to wedding tasks, but she set aside some time for me on Friday night. Prior to her moving up north, we saw each other every few months, and now we're lucky to get in one or maybe two good, long visits a year. That being said, time with her is cherished! I picked her up from the airport on Friday night and we headed to a local favorite, Stella's. We were the last ones to leave the restaurant and then made our way to her brother's where she was staying. We opened a bottle of wine and parked ourselves on his porch swing, talking into the wee hours of the night. I came home so happy and relaxed from my visit with her.

During our conversation, she gave me the task of helping her to find a rehearsal dinner dress. I've never been known to turn down shopping and got right to it!

 A little white dress is a staple in every Southern lady's closet. And regardless of whether you're a bride or not, it's so fun to pull out crisp, white dresses this time of year, so I decided to share my finds with you.

Anna's rehearsal dinner will be at a rustic location on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She is giving her fiance, Charlie, the reins in terms of choosing a menu for the night. It's looking like a good old fashioned Southern barbecue might be in the cards. That being said, I immediately knew an easy sundress would be in order for this laid back night.


(Anna, this dress screams you!)



(this is my personal favorite!)






Do you own a little white dress?

Have a great day!
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