Blue + White Stripes

I can't seem to get enough of all the blue and white stripe things right now. Maybe it's because I'm having a baby boy and I've had my eyes one one too many blue things. Or maybe it's because stripes make me think of the warm summer days that I'm so ready for. I don't know what it is, but I'm all about it. I realized that I wore blue and white stripes to work last week, four days in a row. Sorry, not sorry. So for all of my fellow blue and white stripe lovers out there, I've got some pretty things for you to flip through today! Happy Monday!

Styles for Spring

Happy Spring my friends! I'm so excited it's finally here. There's something about the time change, fresh blooms and warmer temps in the air that are an instant mood lifter! The new season also leaves me with the urge to shop. I'm trying to refrain due to my growing belly, but I thought I would still share some pretty little things I came across, all perfect for Spring.

For the Love of Blush: Valentine's Gifts for Her

Give me all the blush things, please! There is something so pretty and calming about this color. It also gets me really excited for Spring! And what better time to compile a list in this color scheme than with Valentine's Day right around the corner. Husband of mine, if you're reading this, you have plenty of things to choose from. : )

Reflecting + A Giveaway with Jord Watches

Do certain times of the year ever remind you of specific memories and big milestones in your life? It happens to me all the time. That and well my Timehop app quickly reminds me daily of what was going on in my life in previous years. This time four years ago, I was attending the last of my bridal showers, finishing up my wedding plans, and my husband Whit and I were moving into our very first home together. 

It's hard to believe we bought our house four years ago. I thought Whit was crazy the day that he told me he wanted to put an offer in, as I quickly realized that would mean we would be moving in just two months before we said "I do." It was a bit chaotic at the time, but I'm so thankful we did it. It was so nice to come home after our wedding and honeymoon to a home that was ours. 

We've done little projects here and there and still don't have everything exactly how we want it, but rumor has it we never will. Who knew owning a home would be so much work? But on that same note, who knew that turning a house into a home would be so rewarding. They say time flys when you're having fun. And on that note.....

I have an awesome giveaway for you. Today it's one for the the guys! I was so excited for the opportunity to partner with Jord watches. Whit loves a good watch and I couldn't wait for him to get one of these versatile beauties to add to his collection. 

These are very unique men's watches because the band is made out of wood. This particular watch is made out of dark sandlewood and looks so sleek with the emerald green face. Don't worry, if you aren't into the emerald green, there are other color options to choose from. 

I also love that Jord offers engraving. An engraved wooden watch makes for the perfect gift! They have so many beautiful options to choose from. The full selection can be seen here. The watch itself also comes beautifully packed in a nice wooden box. I'm a sucker for good packaging. One thing to note if ordering one of these, specific measurements of the wrist are necessary in ensuring they send the right size for a proper fit.

In case your wondering, Jord also offers a unique selection of women's watches as well. I'll be adding one of these to my wishlist! 

I'm excited to share a giveaway with you for one a $100 E Gift code to use on of these dapper men's watches! Click here to enter!

The giveaway will close September 10th at 11:59pm. As a reminder, winner receives $100 E Gift Code. All other entrants receive a $25 E Gift Code. The $100 and $25 Gift Codes will expire October 31st, 2017.

Watch Gift Ideas

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites

I'm pretty sure most of you are aware of Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale by now, unless you've been living under a rock. And I'm sure your inboxes and news feeds have been flooded with new outfit posts and giveaways, so I apologize in advance. I won't blow up your social feeds, but I did want to share a few things that I'm loving from the sale. I've included some of my favorite clothes and shoes as well as things for the home. The sale is currently running now through August 6th and you can beat their free shipping and returns policy! Stock up before these deals are gone!

I realized after the fact that most everything I saved in my favorites is black. Many of the items posted come in a variety of colors. I guess I've just got winter on the brain.

For the Home

Tassel Love

Who doesn't love a good outfit with tassels? Whether it be earrings, a straw bag, a beach cover up or a cute little dress, tassels make an outfit more fun and playful, and I can't get enough of them. A playful pair of tassel earrings paired with a simple dress makes the perfect statement. And why shouldn't your beach cover up be just as fun as your swimsuit? I love finding great cover-ups that can be worn out to a casual dinner after a day at the beach. A cute and comfy tassel top paired with shorts creates an effortless fun look. These are all the fun looks that I envision with some of the tassel pieces below. Click the arrow to the right, to view more of my favorites. 

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale

The Nordstrom Half Yearly sale is in full swing and today I'm sharing a few things that caught my eye! *There are quite a few pairs of shoes on my list.) The sale runs through June 4th, so scoop up your favorites while you can!

24 Dresses to Wear to a Spring Wedding

I have a bad habit of feeling like I need to buy a new dress for every wedding I go to. I'm not the only one, right? I have a closet full of dresses but sometimes it just feels good to put on something new. Last weekend Whit and I traveled to Jacksonville, Florida for a wedding and this was one of those times where I wanted something new. I had ordered a dress I loved a few weeks ago and unfortunately when I tried it on, it just didn't do anything for me. So last Friday night before we left to go out of town, I found myself in a dressing room, frantically trying on dresses. I found several gorgeous ones, but not all of them fit my petite frame and others were out of stock in my size. But I did find not one but two, that I really loved. Needless to say, my dress mission inspired this post. I figured if I couldn't buy all the pretty dresses, I could at least share them with you all. The one I'm wearing in this photo is linked the below. So if you're in need of a dress to wear to an upcoming Spring wedding, I've got you covered. 

Spring Favorites

Happy first day of Spring! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by sharing a few favorites, perfect for the season! I'm dying to get my hands on a ruffle sleeve blouse like this baby blue one, a pair of these gorgeous tassel earrings and a fun bag for summer. What are some of your favorite pieces for spring?

Valentine's Day Look # 3 + Recipes for Dinner at Home

Valentine's Day Mini Series No. 3 | Pastels

I wore this dress to work the other day and received a lot of compliments. Most of which were about how "springy" I looked. Maybe I just have warm weather on the brain and it's starting to show through my wardrobe choices. I feel like there is so much that can be done with a simple dress like this. I thought it would work well for a Valentine's Day inspired outfit by pairing it with a red coat and a few other fun accessories. I mentioned yesterday, I'm all about wearing something I already have in my closet and transitioning it into the perfect outfit with the help of some accessories. I love this dress! I think it will be perfect as we approach Spring as well. It's a great casual piece that can be dressed up or down. And the good news, it's on major sale. You can find this dress and more on Tobi. 

Photos: Jennifer Collins Photography

I added some tassel earrings, a pink lip color, chunky nude heels and a red coat to pull together a casual and fun look for Valentine's Day.

Dress: Tobi Shoes:Sam Edelman Earrings: Shopbop Bracelet: Bourbon and Boweties Scarf: similar

You can definitely make a home cooked meal in a causal dress like this. Plus it's fun to dress up a little, cook a delicious dinner and enjoy a nice evening at home. No reservations required! 

Here are a few recipes perfect for a meal at home with your sweetie one or a Galentine's dinner with the girls. Warning: most of these aren't figure friendly, but you have to splurge every now and then.

Cocktails:

The King's Honey

Whiskey Champagne Cocktail

Strawberry Moscowmule

Strawberry Rose Gin Fizz

Appetizers:

Bang Bang Shrimp
Creamy Mushroom and Brie Soup
Winter Greek Salad
Pear, Date and Burrata Flatbread with Crispy Sage
The Perfect French Onion Soup
Gouda Cheese Fondue
Parmesan Garlic Knot Hearts
Dinner:
Mini Beef Wellingtons
Spicy California Shrimp Stacks
Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Cheddar Pizza
Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon Cream Sauce
Beef Tenderloin with a Red Wine Mushroom Sauce
Caramelized Figs and Ravioli with Rosemary Brown Butter & Crispy Prosciutto
Beef Short Ribs with Mushroom Risotto
Pan Seared Salmon
Brown Butter Mashed Poatoes

Dessert:
Classic Creme Brulee for Two
Mocha Truffle Bars
Cappuccino Soufflé for Two
Apple Pie Rolls
Boozy Red Velvet Trifles 
Beer Brownies
Chocolate Semifreddo
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Berry Sauce

What are some of your favorite Valentine's Day inspired meals?

Valentine's Day Look #2 + Free Printables

Valentine's Day Mini Series No. 2 | Pops of pink and red

Photos: Jennifer Collins Photography 

Valentine's Day cards and candy grams...you all remember them, right?!? I recall being in middle school and putting together valentine's day cards for the whole class. I would always make sure to give the extra sweet ones to the cute boys in hopes I would get one in return. Then in highschool, it was all about the candy grams. I vividly remember someone standing in front of the classroom reading out names of those who received a candy gram. It was always an exciting mystery to receive that super sweet heart shaped sucker, with a love message attached, which was way more important than the actual piece of candy. No one cared about the sucker, it only mattered who gave it to you and what the message said. To this day, I still enjoy a sweet little Valentine's Day card, the more grown up versions of course. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite free printables, perfect to give to your loved ones.

But first....

I also wanted to share another little outfit inspiration. This dress is much different than the dressier one I shared yesterday. Today is about getting Valentine's Day ready by wearing a dress that's already in your closet and adding a few pops of pink or red accessories to pull the outfit together. Adding a bright lip color, earrings, bag or simple coat can transition a basic work dress into one that you can wear for the occasion. Whether you have plans for a low key night out or a galentine's brunch, this shift dress from Tobi fits the bill for multiple occasions. Did I mention it has pockets? I don't know what it is about it, but I'm a sucker for any dress that has pockets. It's also loose fitting and really comfortable.

How cute are these free printables?! 

  Love these quirky love cards!

Watercolor Valentine, because watercolors are always so pretty.

These cards provide a good excuse to buy donuts.

These sarcastic v-day cards are perfect for those that don't want to take it too seriously.

I am obsessed with every one of these food and beverage themed cards! These unfortunately aren't free printables, but you can check out the website for ordering.

Valentine's Day Look #1 + Date Night Ideas

Valentine's Day Mini Series No. 1

I know this series may not appeal to all but I promise it's not all sappy love stuff. I want to make it fun and exciting! This week I will be doing a Valentine's Day mini series, sharing all sorts of things from gift guides and sweet recipes to outfit inspiration and free printables.

So whether you're going on a date with your significant other or have galentine's brunch plans, I'm sharing three different Valentine's Day looks this week in addition to some other fun stuff. When I was in college there was always some function or event going on that I felt the need to buy a new outfit for. Needless to say, I ran out of room in my closet and ended up with a lot of pieces that I didn't absolutely love. This post isn't only about a Valentine's Day inspired outfit, but it's also about finding ways to make what you have in your closet work for different occasions...like Valentine's Day. :)

             

Photos: Jennifer Collins Photography 

I absolutely love this first dress. The lace details are everything. I spring at the opportunity to dress up any chance I get. This is perfect for a fancy evening out to dinner, or attending a formal function. I'm also holding onto this little number for an upcoming spring wedding. Between special occasion dinners, formal events and weddings, I think I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this gorgeous lace dress. And side note, I found it on Tobi.com, which is a great website with tons of cute inexpensive dresses. I think mine may be sold out, but you can find two similar ones here. 

So find a reason to get dressed up this Valentine's Day and head out for a night on the town! Here are a few date night recommendations!

1. Fine Dining: Ambiance is everything. My husband often chooses restaurants based on the way they look inside. It really sets the tone for the evening. So find a sexy restaurant, make a reservation, get dressed up and indulge in a meal that you wouldn't normally prepare at home.

2. Book a local stay: Stay cations can be a lot of fun, especially if you're like me and are constantly on the go. Book a room at a romantic hotel and enjoy an evening in your home town. Head out for dinner and then have cocktails at the hotel bar. Pretending to be tourists can be fun.

3. Sunset Cruise: We are so fortunate to be surrounded by water in beautiful Charleston, SC. If you live on the coast, book a late afternoon cruise, take in the little views and enjoy the sunset.

4. Attend a show: Whether it's a Broadway show, musical, play or concert, but tickets to see a live show. It's a great way enjoy time together and do something different.

5. Wine Blending: Love vino? Find a place that offers wine blending classes. Learn a little more about it and take home a special bottle the two of you prepared.

What are some of your favorite date night ideas?


Photo Credit: Jennifer Collins Photography 

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale | My Picks

My Christmas list was rather short this year. When asked what I wanted, my response was simply money. Whit and I are planning on redoing our bedroom in the coming months so we knew we should start saving. But let's be real here, I had to reserve a little spending money for all of the after Christmas sales. I especially look forward to the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale every year. There are so many things I would love to get my hands on, some of which aren't on sale. I've put together a little wish list of some of my favorite pieces from the sale to share with you today. Get your shop on, this sale ends Monday!

Popsugar Must Have Box | September Review

Hello Fall! 

If you've been following along, you may recall me mentioning these Popsugar Must Have box subscriptions that I've been receiving lately. Well, I'm officially hooked! I think the boxes have gotten better and better each time I've received one. One of my favorite parts about the box is the mixture of items you receive. I love that it's not full of all of one type of product. 

Here's a peak at what was inside the September box!

Inside the box:

Jack & Lucy Bicoastal Wide Brim Hat | Similar style here. 
I am a huge fan of hats for the Fall, especially if it means covering up a bad hair day. I was thrilled to find this when I opened my box. 


NCLA MANI-ER Tool Kit | Similar kits here and here. 
I rarely make it to the nail salon and norally end up doing my own mani pedi's at home. Tools kits like these make things easier. 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
I had never tried this particular conditioning mask before but I'm so glad I've discovered it. Someone like me who gets highlights regularly needs to deep condition once in a while. I try to do so at least once a month to keep my hair healthy. This is great for people with color treated hair. 

FLINT™ Lint Roller
Sorry but you can never have enough lint rollers, especially if you're a pet owner like me. 

Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in The Warning
Love this shade of lip color. You can't go wrong with red. I thought this might be too powerful when I first saw it, but it one adds just the slightest amount of color, leaving a glossy finish. 


The Gluten Free Bites Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites
I'm going to be honest here. I opened these and saw the word coconut and was immediately disappointed, but only because I don't like coconut. However I always try something at least once, so I gave them a chance and I actually liked them. I could do without the coconut, but the dark chocolate filling won be over. 

I'm excited to share a special coupon code for $5 off your first must have box, using code  SHOP5!

POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try. All opinions are my own. 

Pretty Little Things

Happy Monday! I have lots of pretty things to share with you today. I came across most of these last night as I was browsing online. There were too many cute things not to share. 

Row One:

-How great is this t-shirt!

-I could see these pillows in the center of a big white fluffy bed.

-This delicate and sexy bra would be perfect peaking out of a blouse. 

-The perfect grey tennis shoes.

Row Two:

-I love the simplicity of this backpack. 

-This white bell sleeve top would be great for Fall. 

-I'm obsessing over cutout booties.

-Still loving the tassel trend, especially on this bracelet. 

Row Three:

-Making a to do lists isn't so bad when you have a pretty floral agenda.

- I would love to have a few of these pillows on my couch. 

-The perfect hat for Fall. 

-Who doesn't love a good candle. 

Row Four:

-I've been eyeing this clutch for far too long now. 

-Trying to find a good reason to purchase this dress. 

-This tote would make a great gift. 

-The choker trend continues. 

Summer Sips with Bonefish Grill + A Giveaway!

I can’t recall the last time I had dinner at a Bonefish Grill Restaurant. My in-laws love it, so we often dine there when visiting them, but it’s been a while since we've been.  However, a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a private event at Bonefish and was quickly reminded of how good it is. I mean, who doesn’t love their signature bang bang shrimp? Today I’m excited to be able to offer you a $50 Bonefish Grill gift card! Keep reading to find out how you can win. 

Photos by: Justin Falk Photography

The bartenders were mixing up fresh watermelon martinis and strawberry rose martinis, which were my favorite.

In addition to the ever so popular bang bang shrimp, there was also ceviche and Ahi tuna sashimi, all of which was delicious. 

Not only were we treated to seafood bites and refreshing cocktails, but also a few of my favorite retailers were there selling some amazing things. 

Bourbon and Boweties had a beautiful table full of arm candy calling my name. 

One of my favorite candle companies – Rewined Candles was there with their new Blanc collection. There isn’t a single candle that doesn’t smell good. But I have to admit, my all-time favorite is Rose!

Aviate was also there with a few fun things, including hard to keep stocked CHS hat!

I had such a great time! It was the perfect excuse to eat, shop and socialize. Thanks to all the vendors and especially to Bonefish Grill hosting such a fun event. 

And now for the good stuff. Head over to my Instagram feed where you can enter to win a $50 gift card to Bonefish Grill! That's plenty enough to get you a few strawberry rose martinis and the bang bang shrimp, of course!