Friday, April 30, 2021

Spring Gardening Finds



 
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The weather is finally starting to consistently be warm (as I say this, it will probably snow, ha!). So I've been in full-on 'gardening' mode. 'Gardening' is a big reach, really. I bought myself another hydrangea plant for my birthday and have to transfer things into new pots... but it makes me feel like I somewhat know what I am doing. Since we are still having cold temps at night, I've been bringing my plants in each night. It's kind of a pain, but when I see them all sitting together, I feel accomplished! 

Last year I just started off with basil and it started doing so well that I added in one hydrangea plant. I was actually about to throw away my hydrangea plant from last year because I just assumed it was dead. Well, it started sprouting leaves!!! I was so surprised it survived winter in a planter! 

So this year, I added another hydrangea plant. I've also restarted my basil indoors. I really want to try and grow some other herbs, too! It makes cooking so much better always having fresh herbs on hand. My mouth is watering just thinking of tomatoes, burrata, and fresh basil. I am thinking of adding cilantro, rosemary, and mint. 

If you told me a few years ago that I would be planting things and caring for them, I would have said you were crazy. I have never had an interest in plants or gardening. Actually, the only reason I ever even started growing basil was that the plant cost less to buy than a pack of basil, so I figured why not! But now that I have figured it out a little, I find it to be really enjoyable and the outcome is SO pretty. 

Shop the Items:
I just transported my hydrangea from its plastic pot from the nursery to this adorable planter. I got everything I needed from Walmart. Walmart Home has such a good selection of everything you need for creating an outdoor oasis. 

I was literally using a cup to scoop dirt and kitchen scissors to cut my plants. So I upgraded and got this Pruning Set and Gardening Tool Set. I now feel a little more legit! Planters can be SO expensive, it is wild! I found this one and loved the look of it and was shocked to see how affordable it was! 

Thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Lately

Holy cow it has been a week and it is not even over yet. I have been the busiest I have been in a very long time. I like to be busy and constantly working/doing things, but boy, I forgot what that was like!!! I barely had time to even open my Instagram app, ha!! Not too many snaps from this past week as I feel like when I am on my computer a ton, I never do anything worht noting. 

I'm am looking forward to the Derby this weekend and we are also getting my favorite sushi this weekend, too! We have a decently 'busy' May to look forward to as well! Can you believe we are at the end of April? I feel like all I do is talk about how quickly the time flies but honestly, I cannot believe it. It really makes me feel so OLD!

Wearing:
I got this sweater from Amazon and it might be one of the best finds in terms of clothing. It's such a classic and really nicely made. I got a size medium. I have been wearing it non-stop! 

Eating: I have a love for hot dogs and these from D's six pack and dogs were just to die for. YUM YUM YUM! The one on the left is one I 'created' but the one on the right was a 'Cuban' hot dog. 

Drinking: This canned vodka soda was amazing. 

Sale: Did you all know the Theory outlet is online?! I had no idea until recently and they have great prices on a lot of timeless items and wardrobe basics. 

Watching:
 Did you all see the first few episodes of a new season of Handmaid's Tale?! I haven't watched yet. It's one of those shows you kind of have to be in the right headspace to endure so while I'm excited, I'm also not exactly in a rush! 
Loving: I'm really not a huge lipgloss person, I much prefer a balm or lipstick, but this lip gloss in the color Ma Puce is SO good. It feels super hydrating and not at all sticky or goopy. It's really smooth and easy to apply. 
Wanting: Love this lace top so much! 

Pittsburgh: On Friday, we went to the Standard Market downtown with friends and it was really great! We sat outside, it was a little chilly but they had heaters so we were perfectly warm. I had a tuna bowl which was good and everyone else got chicken sandwiches and they also said they were great. They had a watermelon cocktail that was SO good, too. Definitely a fun place and worth the visit! 

Traveling: Did you catch my Old Edward's Inn and Highlands, NC travel guide

Quoting: 'The most important decision you will ever make is to be in a good mood.' // See more of my favorites, here.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
I'm sharing all of the details from our trip last week! My fiancé planned it for my birthday this year since last year was my 30th birthday and it was spent in lockdown. This definitely made up for it and we had the best time. I didn't realize how popular this resort is- I had so many of you saying you have been and loved it or have trips planned in the coming weeks and months and are so excited! 

I wanted to get this travel guide up as quickly as possible in case it helps any of you all in planning! I also wanted to note that all of these photos were taken on my iPhone. I wasn't planning on creating a travel guide as this was the first trip my fiancé had taken together on our own since 2019 so it was really important to me to be off of my phone and be very present/not creating content so the photos were just quick snaps and are not up to my usual travel guide standards. But this post was highly requested so hopefully, it can help in planning your future trips! 

Where did you travel?
Last week we went to Highlands, North Carolina. Highlands is an adorable mountain town very close to both the Georgia and South Carolina borders. Highlands itself is the CUTEST town. It has a Main Street which is lined with the most charming little locally-owned shops and restaurants. 

How did you get there?
We drove from Pittsburgh. However, we actually only drove from the lake in Hiawassee, GA, which is an hour to get to Highlands. I cannot believe that we haven't been to Highlands before because of how close it is to Hiawassee! If we would have driven straight from Pittsburgh to Highlands, it would have been a solid 9-hour drive. Last Friday, we stopped in Charlotte to stay with my sister and her fiancé, and then we all drove to Hiawassee Saturday morning. We stayed at the lake before our trip to Highlands because it's such a long drive and by doing this we would be able to arrive the day of our reservation without having to wake up at the crack of dawn and driving 9 hours that day. We also drove back from Highlands to Hiawassee once we checked out so we would have another day at the lake to relax and have fun. My parents were also at the lake so they could watch Henry as Old Edwards Inn does not allow pets. 

But, it's my understanding that Highlands is a pretty 'easy' drive from cities like Charlotte and Atlanta. I put easy in quotes because the roads are SUPER windy.

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Cottage Deluxe King Room
Where did you stay?
We stayed at the Old Edwards Inn in a cottage deluxe king room. There are a LOT of room options at this Inn!! Now that I have been there, I 'get it' but it was a little confusing on their site. All of the rooms are really beautiful so I guess you really cannot go wrong. The resort has a decently large footprint in the town, but it's very easy to walk the entire thing in just a few minutes so even your location, in my opinion, doesn't matter too much. The options are The Inn, Hickory, The Lodge, Falls Cottage, and Residences. 

The Inn is the main building where the restaurants and bar/lounges are. This is set up more like a traditional hotel with several floors of rooms and a beautiful (small) lobby. I would think this would be the most desirable location during the winter months because you would not have to leave the Inn to get to a restaurant. 

Hickory is located right by the pool and fitness center and right across from the spa, so if you plan to do a lot of swimming or exercising, this might be for you. Each 'section' of rooms has different looks to them so I think if you're trying to decide, looking at the photos on their website will be the most helpful. 

The Lodge is where we stayed and I asked my fiancé what made him choose it and he said it was literally the only room available, haha! We loved our lodge room so much. These have separate outdoor entrances so it almost looks like you are staying in your own cabin in the woods. I think it is like 2 or 3 'cabins' all stuck together as one 'unit' but it all felt so private, I really couldn't tell definitively. You can also park right out front of your room which is convenient (not that we really ever needed our car while we were there because it was all so walkable). It all felt very private. The ceilings were vaulted and we had our own little screened-in porch and that let out to a spacious back patio that was fenced in and felt very secluded. In the mornings, they provide complimentary morning coffee service, but just to note, you have to go outside to get to Art's which has a front desk and concierge as well as a bar and lounge area (of course you can also have it delivered by room service). It's just steps away so it's not like you have to trek, but you'd have to bundle up if it were cold outside! Also to note, the coffee was great- this is something important to me when I stay anywhere. It wasn't too acidc or watery. Our room was beautifully appointed. It had heated floors in the bathroom (which is always the best) and Frette linens on the bed and in the bathroom. It was spacious and well decorated in a tasteful, casual way. 

Falls Cottages, are from my understanding, like larger Lodge rooms. We didn't really venture over to the cottage area because that was behind the lodge area so we didn't really have any reason to wander over there. 

And then lastly, they have residences which are stand-alone houses which would be good if you are going with a big group. They also have another property called Half Mile farm and it looks equally as fabulous- I want to go there and stay in one of the cabins... it looks like something out of The Holiday! 

Where did you eat?
There are 8 different locations you can eat on the property: Madison's, Hummingbird Lounge, Art's at the Lodge, The Spa Cafe, The Wine Garden, Four65 Bistro, and The Grill Room. We went to 7 out of the 8 spots (we didn't make it to the grill room). That's just what is on the Old Edward's Inn property, there are restaurants and all of that outside of the Inn but we spent most of our time at the actual inn as we were only there for two nights!

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Madison's
Madison's is located in the Inn and is more upscale and feels dressier. We ate there for dinner one of the nights and we both agreed it was truly one of the most spectacular meals ever. The food was top notch and the service was just as wonderful. We made friends with the sommelier as he was from Pittsburgh! He was fantastic and I was so impressed with their selection of wines- we ended up getting a bottle of Billecart Salmon to celebrate, and I would not call the champagne obscure by any means, but I don't often see that on wine lists, so I was just really into their selections! This is the kind of place you can order lots of courses, take your time, and get all dolled up (and not feel overdressed). It was pure bliss. It's only open to hotel guests for breakfast and dinner and I think it is open to the public for lunch. 

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Hummingbird's
The Hummingbird lounge is also located in the Inn and is the most handsome lounge. It's like a true old-school lounge with wood paneling, velvet, plaids, a fireplace, and big windows. It felt like there should have been a jazz trio playing in the corner. You can order drinks here and the full Madison's menu. I am personally glad we actually ate at Madison's vs. the Hummingbird because it has a different vibe, but it was really enjoyable to have cocktails there. 
Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Spa
The Spa Café is for spa guests only, so we ate after our massages. You can eat in your robe. It's a typical spa menu with lighter fare like chicken salad, charcuterie board, etc. I got asparagus soup and it was absolutely incredible!! 
A Paloma at Art's
Art's at the Lodge isn't really a dining area but more of a bar and coffee lounge. It's upscale cozy in decor and had two nice big fireplaces. They serve coffee in the mornings and cocktails in the evening. 

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Wine Garden
The Wine Garden is only open seasonally because it is outside but this was one of my favorite spots because it is just so beautiful. Tables with umbrellas and a little waterfall and beautiful flowers all around. It's well worth eating here. The food was incredible. I had a pimento cheese burger and oh my goodness!!! 
Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
Four65 Bistro
Four65 Bistro feels slightly separate from the rest of the Inn, I think it might be separately owned but it seems to be on the Inn's property and that is what you can order while you are at the pool. The food is Italian. Think Neopolitan pizzas, sandwiches, etc. It was absolutely delicious. We shared a pizza and sandwich and both were just delicious. The cocktails were great, too. The atmosphere was very pretty and looked very different from the rest of the Inn's property. 


Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

What did you do?
There is a lot to do in this area, but we really booked this trip more for total relaxation. There are lots of waterfalls you can visit and hikes and fishing and golfing, but we didn't do any of that. 

We spent a morning/afternoon at the spa which was incredible. We did a couple's massage and it was truly a treat. The spa is pretty large and luxurious and they had a ton of options to choose from. 
Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

We relaxed at the pool one afternoon. It is heated so even though it was decently chilly outside, we were more than happy in the warm water. They also have a hot tub which was really nice. While we were there, we had the entire pool to ourselves. 

We walked around the entire town one afternoon and went in and out of all the adorable shops. They had a cute Christmas shop where we snagged an ornament to remember our trip! They had everything from cheesy little gift shops to beautiful high-end furniture stores and even a store that was basically a mini Saks. They also had a shop that wasn't on Main Street called The Summer House and it was filled with the most beautiful interior decor you could imagine. Loved that store so much! 

We also went to Clayton, GA, which is about halfway between Highlands and Hiawassee. The town is SO cute. It's about a 30min drive from Highlands, but I highly recommend it if you have the time. It's similar to Highlands in that there are a lot of little small businesses and café's/bakeries/restaurants. I especially loved Butler's Galleries in Clayton. It was a huge antique store and they had SO much good stuff. We also heard Cashiers is cute, too, but just didn't have the time. 

Is this kid-friendly?
We didn't see any children while we were there but I don't see why you couldn't bring children. They had some lawn games set up outside in one area and the pool doesn't have a deep end so I would think kids would enjoy those aspects. I obviously do not have children, so I'm really not the best judge for this. I wouldn't say it necessarily looks like a place that caters to children, but I don't see why you couldn't bring them and why they wouldn't enjoy it! To me, it seemed more of a romantic getaway or a getaway for girlfriends. 
Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina

Travel Guide: Old Edwards Inn Highlands, North Carolina
This was our little patio
Anything else we should know about?
Old Edward's has nice perks and detailed service. When you check-in, they give you a glass of champagne, my fiancé had it in the reservation that it was my birthday so when I went to the spa, they brought us over birthday champagne (all complimentary), and at turn down one night, they had a birthday card on my bed with roses. They also give you free Dove ice cream bars whenever you want. This made my fiancé so happy! You just ask for one and they bring you one wherever you are. Such a fun little perk. 

One thing to note is that we went on weekdays because that worked best with our driving schedule and going to the lake. I would not necessarily recommend going on a weekday. If we go back, we will without a doubt go on a weekend. This is because a lot of shops and restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays and there are usually live music spots around the resort but only on Fridays and Saturdays. Even in the Hummingbird lounge, they had a big grand piano with a sign advertising music on Fridays and Saturdays. 

On that same note, since it is in a mountain climate, we would like to have come in summer. At night (and even during the day), it was pretty cold. I also packed like an idiot so that was my fault. Or, on the other hand, we think fall would be incredible for the foliage and the overall cozy vibe of the inn. I think Christmastime would be ideal, too, because of the charming town. 

We also both said 2 nights was not long enough, we think 3 nights would be the perfect amount, so we'd likely book 3 nights next time. 

My only piece of constructive criticism (and it's really very minute) is that they had the same cocktail list at every single place. It would have been fun if they had a different list at each place to make it feel more separate. There were also a lot of menu items overlapping at each restaurant. Don't get me wrong, everything we ate was phenomenal, but I think to differentiate the areas a little more would have made things even better.

Another thing to note, it's pricey, but they have another place called 200 Main which seems to be similar but with lower rates- we never saw it (or at least I don't think we did). Outside of the Old Edwards Inn group, there is The Park On Main which we walked past and it looks SO cute. It's dog-themed and you can bring your dog! They also seem to have less pricey room rates but it looks really nice, too! 

Overall, I would highly recommend Old Edwards Inn and Highlands, North Carolina as a whole. We had the absolute best time. It was so relaxing and the perfect, romantic getaway to celebrate my 30th birthday 'do-over'! We will certainly be back and hopefully sooner than later!

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

My Favorite Face Sunscreens

My Favorite Face Sunscreens
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I regret very few things in life but I was a total sunbathing queen when I was a teen and in my very early 20's. I was a lifeguard summer during high school and college and on our club's summer swim team so I was out in the sun constantly. I did not wear sunscreen like I should have. I mean I did sometimes but there were plenty of times I only have SPF 15 on and forgot to apply. 

I guess fortunately, I woke up one day and prioritized my skin's health, and now I am vigilant about sunscreen wearing and being safe while out in the sun. I've tried a TON of sunscreens before. They are kind of like jeans- you need to find the sunscreen that works best for you so it's a little different for everyone. Once you find your 'perfect fit' it's a match made in heaven. 

I wanted to share some of my favorite face sunscreens with you all as everyone is starting to get out into the sun this spring and summer season. 

Tula Protect and Glow SPF 30//  This is now the only sunscreen my fiancé will use on his face and while I like to switch it up, this is still such a good one. He has the small one for his golf bag and then we keep a bigger one in the bathroom. It's like skincare and sunscreen in one so it's more for everyday use than if you are just going to the pool or the beach. It has a sheen to it that's not sparkly or tinted but it just makes my skin look healthy and clear... this is the #1 reason my fiancé loves it because it's like a 'your skin but better' look! Use code SYDNEY for 15% off.

Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 40// The entire Olay Whips line is pure gold. You can put it on your face and it dries pretty much immediately so you can move right on to makeup. This one also acts as a primer as it is the perfect base for under makeup so I typically use this one when I am wearing makeup. 

Obagi Sun Shield SPF 50// This is a newer find of mine and it's tinted. This is the only tinted sunscreen in my recommendations. This tint is very slight so you can wear it on its own but you could also wear it under your makeup. I do find it to be super hydrating and moisturizing (making my skin a little dewy) and so I personally prefer wearing this without makeup. This is a chemical and physical sunscreen so you get the best of both worlds with this and there is no white residue at all! 

Paula's Choice Hydrating Fluid SPF 50// I swear this is the only sunscreen that works on my nose as crazy as that sounds. My nose burns SO easily. No matter what I do, my nose burns. I put this sunscreen on it and it literally saves my nose. I would never part with this stuff. The only issue I have with it is that it is really watery in texture so it's kind of annoying to apply. So sometimes I will literally just put it on my nose and use a different sunscreen on the rest of my face. I am not sure if any of you have this very specific issue, but if you do, this might be the answer for you!

Elemis Marine Cream SPF 30// I saw so many people doing ads for this on Instagram, so consider me influenced because I bought the marine cream. It is pricey but I LOVE it. It's so hydrating, lightweight, and works so well under makeup. The marine cream is what I'm currently using under my makeup. I would definitely recommend this and it's just icing on the cake that it has SPF in it. 

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40// This is a pretty magical formulation and another one that my fiancé also really likes. It's like a gel formula and once you apply it, it's like your pores disappear and your face becomes matte. So it's the perfect primer for under makeup but it also really makes my skin look much more flawless. Unlike the Tula sunscreen, this one doesn't have a 'sheen' to it, it's just very matte and truly feels like a traditional primer. This is especially a good option for you if you tend to get a shiny face mid-day! 

Friday, April 23, 2021

Decorating Mistakes


Decorating Mistakes

Have you ever made a poor decision when it comes to something in your home? This entire home process has been a learning experience. I've learned a lot of what I really love and don't love about our home. I've also made a handful of decor mistakes. 

I'm not beating myself up over these decor mistakes, it is all a learning process and everything can be 'fixed'. But I thought this little mistake was worth sharing. 

I ordered this light fixture from Ballard Designs, a brand I have ordered a ton from in the past few years and have always been pleased. I really love Ballard Designs and find their items to be of quality and the prices are always very reasonable. The fixture was going above our dining table. I ordered it because it reminded me of another light fixture I had been eyeing from Serena and Lily, only the Ballard Designs one was a fraction of the cost. It was a look for less. 

So I received the Ballard Designs fixture in the mail and had my dad install it for me. When I pulled it out of the box, I thought it felt/looked a bit cheap. I was pretty surprised as I had never really ordered anything from Ballard Designs that was cheapy and poorly made. I knew I should have returned it, but it would have been a pain and I really wanted a light fixture put up asap. I also thought because it would be hanging from the ceiling, you might not notice it as much. Spoiler alert: you do. 

So, in my haste, I had my dad hang it and it's been there ever since. Every time I look at it, I get a bit annoyed with myself that I didn't listen to my gut and return the light fixture. Even my dad didn't love it when he was installing it!! 

As soon as I finally saw the pricier light fixture in person, I could immediately tell the difference between mine and the Serena and Lily one. Lesson learned

So the moral of the story is to, first of all, stick with your gut, if you don't absolutely love it, return it (even if it is a hassle), and secondly, sometimes budget buys are not always a good choice. Lastly, everything with decorating and creating a home takes time and there's no reason to speed up the process just because you're impatient... I'm normally pretty darn patient and I've really seen it pay off on scoring some amazing things for our home, but this was definitely a result of me being impatient! 

It's like that saying 'buy the best and you'll only cry once'. It's so true! 

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Lately


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I am back in Pittsburgh after several days away and was greeted with SNOW! Ick!! Luckily, it's already starting to 'warm up' a bit today and hopefully, that will be the last of it until next winter.

Today is going to be all about playing catch up. On laundry, emails, DM's, etc. I honestly feel a little overwhelmed, but I know I'll feel so much better as I tick things off my list one by one today. 

Henry is finally getting a bath tomorrow. I usually have no issues getting him bathed regularly at our local groomer. I call like a week before I want to bring him in and have never had issues getting an appointment. However, this past time, I called trying to get him a bath before Easter and they had no openings until this Friday! I ended up calling a few other groomers in the area and they were all booked - some until JUNE! Isn't that wild?! Needless to say, I'm thrilled he is finally getting a bath. We can bathe him in the tub here at home, but it's a real pain and the groomers do a much better job. But, I'm glad to see all of these groomers are doing such good business!

Wearing: My favorite white skinny jeans


Eating: My aunt made this quiche recipe and it was SO delicious. 

Eating II: I want to make these spinach feta greek burgers, they sound amazing! 

Watching: Have you all seen any good movies lately? I was just talking to my fiancé about how we haven't seen a really good movie in a while!! 

Listening: Love this feel-good song, Breathe Be Happy

Loving: A pink limo island pool float. SO GOOD! 
Wanting: I keep forgetting the derby is right around the corner. I've been looking all around for a dress as it's one of my favorite days! I just bought a few more of these white tee shirts because they have been out of stock in white for a while. They are the BEST. 

Pittsburgh: The Arts Fest was canceled last year, but it looks like they will be doing a hybrid model this year! It's one of my favorite things Pittsburgh does! 

Quoting: 'It will only affect you if you let it affect you.' // See more of my favorites, here.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Swimsuit Roundup

Swimsuit Roundup
A year or two I did a major overhaul of my swimsuits. I don't know why but I hadn't thrown some out in so long and they had been well worn. Some suits I had for years but never ever wore. So I did a major edit and got rid of all but like 4 or 5 swimsuits. It felt so good to have sort of a 'fresh start'. I have since been building up my collection again and I'm very choosy in what I select. 

The suit you see in the photo above was one I bought for our honeymoon (ha!) back in January 2020 (which is why mine is a textured fabric and this year's is not textured). It's by Solid and Striped and the style is called the Anne Marie. It's a pretty classic one-piece style and one of those swimsuits that's just a really good basic and something I feel good in. 

As you all know, I do love the classics and more traditional styles, but when it comes to swimsuits, I also don't mind something fun and different. I really enjoy a bikini, but it's hard to find one that's not too skimpy in the rear (anyone else have this issue?!) and I don't love the high-waisted bikini trend that's been all over the place for the past several years. It looks great on others, but they're just not for me. 

So I thought I would do a little roundup of some swimsuits I have been loving lately. I seem to add a suit or two each summer and have started a pretty good collection that I feel good about. I think the most important thing when it comes to a swimsuit is that you feel good in it! 

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Tweed Jackets


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There is something about tweed that I just love. It's very Chanel-esque and such a classic. One of my favorite ways to wear tweed is over a monochromatic outfit- usually all black or all white. It's just easy but I also think it looks so polished and can be dressed up or down. 

One of my favorite sources for affordable tweed is Mango. I don't always have great luck with their stuff, but I have never been disappointed with any of their tweed pieces. They usually release lots of different styles each season and I try to keep myself from buying them all! 

We are currently in Highlands, NC and I brought both of these jackets and have been wearing them often here because it is a little chillier than I had thought! They have been the perfect item to throw on over simple outfits. 

Shop the Outfit:
These are two tweed pieces that I have recently picked up that I wanted to share with you all because they are both so nice! The Blue Tweed Jacket is a bit more oversized and skews a bit more casual with the dropped shoulders. Whereas the Cream Tweed Jacket is more polished and fitted so it can be a bit more dressed up. They both run true to size and the quality is nice, especially for the price.

Monday, April 19, 2021

For the Hydrangea Lover

A few weeks ago, I was not having a great week. You know one of those weeks where nothing goes right and it seems like it will never end? They happen, it stinks, but you move on. Well, I got a package in the mail. It was a total surprise. It was this beautiful Hydrangea ring dish from my sweet friend in Alabama, Maggie

We became friends in the most serendipitous encounter. I was with my parents and sister in New York one December a few years ago. We had just walked out of our hotel and were walking down the block and I hear someone call my name. It was Maggie! She had said she reads my blog and I instantly knew exactly who she was because we had chatted before via social media. Ever since then, we have stayed in touch and one thing we share a love for is hydrangeas. 

Maggie is an accomplished Orthodontist with her own practice and a wife and mother of two. To say I was flattered that she took the time to think of me and send such a beautiful surprise is just so incredibly humbling and I can tell you right now, I got a tear in my eye from her thoughtfulness when I opened the package. 

My first point in sharing this story with all of you is that in a world that can sometimes seem so harsh, it's such a big reminder that there are SO many wonderful, thoughtful, selfless, and just downright kind people. Whenever I open my Instagram app and I see Maggie's stories or posts pop up, I instantly feel happier- her posts are just filled with joy and I think she is someone that is truly making a difference in so many ways. And so I wanted to brag on her a little bit because I admire her and aspire to be like her. So if you need an orthodontist in the Birmingham area, check Dr. Maggie out

And secondly, I wanted to share because she introduced me to this beautiful brand Susan Gordon. Oh my goodness, her pieces are STUNNING. And then it turned into this flurry of me coming across so many things for hydrangea lovers. And so many of you sent me some hydrangea ideas in my DM's, too, which was so thoughtful, and this whole hydrangea world was just opened for me, haha!!! 

For the Hydrangea Lover
Shop the Hydrangeas:
So I wanted to share some hydrangea things so if you want to spread joy to your hydrangea-loving friends, you will be able to too! Rifle Paper Co. launched an entire hydrangea collection, which many of you sent to me via DM when they started sharing it on social media. I mean could it get any cuter?!

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Saturday Shopping

I am currently at the lake so my weekend has started off on the best foot! It's always a long drive but always so worth it and love that Henry is always able to join us, he loves it! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend, too! A few Saturday finds for your browsing pleasure...

Friday, April 16, 2021

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day Gift Guide
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Holy cow, May and Mother's Day is sneaking up on me!! It's on Sunday, May 9th which is just 3 weeks away. I really can't even believe we are halfway through April now! 

My mom is the absolute best and I love any and all reasons to give her gifts and spoil her. She and I are similar in a lot of ways, but she's also someone that does not treat herself too often. She is truly the definition of selfless and all her life she has always put my sister and me first. To say I am thankful for all my mother has done for me and our family would be an understatement. For me, Mother's Day is such an important holiday! Celebrate those women who do so much and give so much! It's so much fun to show someone how much you love them!! And while gifts are truly just 'things' and it's the sentiment and thought that always counts the most, I am someone that LOVES to give gifts. 

So today I wanted to round up a bunch of gift options. Some things that are not included in the collage but are more experiential would be a fun weekend getaway, someone to detail/clean their car (I don't know, maybe this is just me, but I LOVE a clean car), a spa appointment for a massage, a trip to get a mani/pedi, or a cleaning service for a month or two. 

You can see 2020's gift guide, here. Most of the items from last year's guide are classics and so they are mostly available this year, too, if you need some more ideas!

Whenever I put together gift guides, in general, I like to pull items from my own life that I really love and would love to receive as gifts. I do put some items in there that I do not personally own, but I mostly try to include things that I can give my full stamp of approval on! 


This is a photo I took of my mom last summer and one of my favorites. I was testing the lighting on my camera and she just looked adorable!!! The second photo is another from last summer!
 

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