9.8.17 Friday Favorites

"So much of who we are is where we have been." 

William Langewieche

Happy Friday!

Last week, my husband and two of our friends traveled to Florida for the week.  We had a great time sight seeing, shopping, and spending time at the beach!  We stayed in Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center, which is amazing!  All of the shopping and restaurants you could ever dream of, all in one spot.

This week, I'm going to share some of my favorite things from our trip!

Here's this week's Friday Favorites list.

1. Lush Ruffle Bell Sleeve Top from Nordstrom

In college and high school, most of my wardrobe was black.  It was slimming, classic, and it probably didn't help that I was an artsy kid.  Nonetheless, I still love classic black tops and dresses.  I found this flowy ruffle sleeve top at Nordstrom in the Town Center for only $24.99! It will be perfect for Fall, and even for Christmas get togethers!  It's also still on Nordstrom's website here.

2.  Pina Colada from the Conch House

One of my absolute favorite places to go when I'm in St. Augustine, is the Conch House.  I've been going there since 2002 and I have to visit there at least once on every trip to Florida.   If you go, you have to get a pina colada and sit in one of the tiki huts at the marina.  You won't be disappointed!

3.  Pineapple Float from Target

You know I have an obsession with pineapples.  So, when I found this pineapple float at Target before our trip, I had to have it!  Sad thing is, the pool was closed for the majority of our trip, at the hotel, and it was never actually floated on.  However, it did make a super cute large window decoration for our room!  haha

4.  Kate Spade Backpack

I've been obsessed with backpacks lately!  One of my shopping goals for this trip, was to find a cute backpack.  When I found this one at the Kate Spade outlet in St. Augustine, I was super excited!  It's small, but still the perfect size to keep everything you need!

5.  Pandora Rose Gold Stack Ring

I've never had anything from Pandora before, but when I was at the Artsy Abode boutique in St. Augustine, I couldn't get over how cute this thin rose gold stack ring was!  I must say, I loved how it looked with my wedding band and engagement ring... and since our anniversary is coming up... Just sayin!

6.  Army Green Sweater from Banana Republic

I love a nice thin sweater that you can throw on over anything!  I found this gem at the Banana Republic outlet in St. Augustine for $11.00!  You know I love this army green, so I was super excited when I tried it on and it was a perfect cozy fit, and for the price! OMG!  It's a must have for Fall.

8.25.17 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I have a special version of my Friday Favorites that I want to do next week.  So, I thought I definitely needed to show some love for my favorites this week.

Here's the list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon throughout this week!

1. CMKreations Ring

My sweet Chihuahua, Louie, passed away July 15.  Growing up, he was the only dog I've ever had and he was absolutely perfect.  My heart has been broken since, and I wanted something to wear everyday that made me feel like he was still with me.  My mom found CMKreations on Etsy and they have the most darling personalized rings ever! Check out CMKreations!

2. Business Boutique by Christy Wright

My husband surprised me last week, by ordering a book for me.  

Number 1, I was surprised that he actually ordered a book for me. 

Number 2, I was surprised that I hadn't heard of this awesome book before! 

"Business Boutique" by Christy Wright is an awesome tool for woman entrepreneurs.  So far, I'm only in Chapter 2 and I'm already in love with this inspiring book!

3. Adidas Tank

So, I will say, this Adidas trend seemed to come out of nowhere, but I am loving it.  Adidas tanks were part of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and they were selling out like crazy!  I feel like this tank with leggings, or distressed jeans and tennis shoes, are the perfect outfits for going into the Fall season.  

4. Kate Spade Backpack

Another trend that I am loving, and that takes me back to 1999, is the backpack.  Backpacks were so handy, much like fanny packs.  haha!  Kate Spade has a ton of super cute backpack styles right now.  One of my favorites is this Watson Lane Hartley bag in Evergreen.  If you know me, you know I am obsessed with this army green color.  So, of course this one is my favorite!  I foresee a backpack in my near future! 

5.  Pumpkin Spice Tee from Bad Habit Boutique

I am one of those people who may or may not already be decorating their house for Fall, waiting for everything pumpkin spice to come in the stores, and patiently waiting for football, cooler weather, and bonfire nights.  Who else is with  me?!  I absolutely LOVE this adorable tee from Bad Habit Boutique.  Yes, pumpkin spice IS my favorite season!  ;)

6.  Tassel Bookmarks by Painter Designs

I've always loved having a planner.  Even in today's technology driven world, I still love to be able to jot down ideas and my plans for the upcoming weeks.  I created these fun, rose gold, tassel bookmarks as planner accessories, or to save your place in your favorite book.   Check them out on my Etsy shop. 

Jury Duty Fashion

So, last month, I got a letter in the mail that we all dread...  A jury duty summons.

However, last week was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.  It really consists of long hours of just sitting and waiting.  So, if you've never had to do it, don't stress over it!  Just think of it as time to turn off your phone and get away from the outside world.  Kind of like a vacation... Well, not really.

If you've been working for yourself, like me, sometimes it's hard to remember what you wore in the "real world" when you had to actually get "dressed up" everyday.   Lately, me getting dressed up means that I wear my "nice" yoga pants or Nike shorts.  This week, I took it as a challenge to pair some of the things I haven't worn in a while, accessorize, and just go for it!   This post breaks down what I wore each day and maybe it will inspire your fashion too for jury duty, or for work.

Day 1:

Since it's been nearly a thousand degrees here in the South every day this month, I tried to wear something that was cool, but something that I  could wear a sweater over, for how chilly it was in the courthouse.  

This pink top actually came from Sam's Club a couple of years ago and is the perfect length.  

The black dress pants are from The Limited and are a staple in my work wardrobe.

The strappy Steve Madden shoes are from Belk.

The tan cozy sweater is from Old Navy last year.  

Day 2:

I went with the same idea each day of wearing a sleeveless top and a sweater.  

This white peplum top has adorable embroidered edging around the bottom and it came from Old Navy for only $8, this Spring!  

The black dress pants are from The Limited.

The animal print kitten heeled flats have been one of my favorite pairs of shoes for so many years. I've even had to get the heel replaced once and I paid maybe $6 for them at Target on clearance over 5 years ago.  I don't know what I would do without them!

The tan cozy sweater is from Old Navy last year.  

The tassel necklace is one of my designs.  Check it out on my Etsy shop! 

Day 3:

I am loving the whole palm print this Summer!  So, when I found this top at TJ Maxx AND it had pink tassels around the bottom of it, I had to have it!    

These black dress pants are perfect!  They're from Express and have the best stretch to them.  These are the "Columnist" fit.

I also love these chunky tan heels from Belk.  They truly go great with any outfit!  They're made by New Direction.

The off white cable sweater is from Belk several years ago.  I feel like it's one of those timeless pieces that you can keep forever. I love the detail around the front of it too.

The necklace is one of my designs.  Check it out on my Etsy shop! 

The bracelet is also one of my designs and is inspired from the Bourbon and Bowties bracelets.

Day 4:

This burnt orange, rust colored shirt has been one of my favorites for over a year now!  It's from Anthropologie  and goes perfectly with dress pants, jeans, or just about anything!  It's slightly longer in the back and the front is silk and blousy.  

The black dress pants are from The Limited and are cropped skinny leg.

The tan heels are also from Target and are Merona brand.  I bought this pair and a coral pair last year and paid about $8 a pair on clearance.  So chic, and no one would ever know they were $8 shoes!

The tan cozy sweater is the same one from Old Navy last year.  

The bracelets are my design and also some of the bracelets that I wore on my wedding day in 2014.

Check out this blog post for details from my wedding.

6.30.17 Friday Favorites

I think I should rename these posts "Monthly Favorites." haha!

Blogging is no joke when you're working, a photographer, jewelry designer, painter, doing graphic design, and being a wife.  It's hard to make time to fit it all in and I feel like it's gotten even more difficult during the Summer months!

Here's my Friday Favorites list of the things that have caught my eye and made me swoon throughout the month of June.  Hey, that rhymes!

1. A Blissful Nest - Kitchen Inspiration

I've always loved a round or bay window sitting area in any room of the house.  So, I fell in love with this beautiful white kitchen, with mint island, and round breakfast nook area, that A Blissful Nest shared this month.  She has the most gorgeous home inspiration on her blog.  Can I please just vacation in this kitchen though?!

2.  Off the Shoulder Top from Target

I've been such a sucker for the off the shoulder trend this Summer!  I love this blue and white striped off the shoulder top, with cut out embroidery, from Target.  I found it at my local Target and they didn't have my size.  So, I ordered it online and it's the perfect top for the Summer!  It's super cute with navy shorts or white pants if you want to dress it up a little more.  Best part is that it's only $24.99!  (If you plan on purchasing, you might want to go down a size, because it does runs a little big.)

3. Nike In-Season Trail 6

If you know me, you know that I have been faithful to Mizuno for my running shoes.  Now, I still don't think anything can replace them for running...  However, I love these Nike In-Season Trail 6 shoes for walking and everyday wear.  They have a sleek and trendy design and are super comfortable!  The coral color sold me on these, but I literally just bought another pair,  in black and white this week.  They have a memory foam insole which is simply amazing!  I have been wearing them every chance I get! 

4. Hazel and Olive Paradise High Low Palm Maxi Dress

Hazel and Olive always have the cutest outfits and tops!  When they posted this dress on Instagram this week, I instantly thought I needed it for a beach trip this Summer, or maybe a cruise...  I wanted to plan a vacation around this dress!  I love the palm print and the high low cut of it.  So stinkin cute!

5.  Iced Coffee Recipe

This week, my mom decided to make iced coffee and made up her own recipe.  The results were amazing!  I can't get enough of it!  Check out my blog post for the recipe here.

6.   Pearl and Gold Oyster Shell Necklace

Us Southern girls love our pearls.  You know what else I've been loving lately?  Oyster shells!  I've made several oyster shell necklaces lately, and this one might just be my favorite!  Check it out in my Etsy shop!

Iced Coffee Recipe

Last week, my mom made the best iced coffee ever!  She was tired of paying crazy prices for different brands at the store that had all kinds of preservatives in them.

So, she decided to make it herself and the results were amazing!

Ingredients -

• Coffee
• Ice
• Fat free milk
• Can of sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla flavoring

Here's the recipe:

• Make a full pot of coffee (regular or decaf, whichever you prefer).

• After the coffee is brewed, pour the coffee into a pitcher or gallon container, and add ice cubes to cool faster.

• In a bowl, pour in a can of sweetened condensed milk, a cup of fat free milk,  a teaspoon of vanilla and mix together.

• Pour the sweetened condensed milk, fat free milk, and vanilla mixture into the fully cooled pitcher of coffee.

• You can add more fat free milk to the pitcher until its full, or is the desired color or taste.

You could also add chocolate for a mocha flavor! 

5.26.17 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday yall!  I've been swamped lately and haven't had time to compile my Friday Favorites list, but this week, I wanted to make sure that I got it together!  It's almost June!  I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend!

Here's this week's Friday Favorites list... The things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week.

1. Tiffany Blue Kitchen on Better Homes & Gardens

When Better Homes & Gardens posted this beautiful kitchen this week, I fell in love!  The Tiffany blue accent wall, with the white cabinets is just classic and clean.  I'm always a sucker for a subway tile backsplash and dark wood floors too.  Love everything about it!

2.  Pulte Homes Office Space

As much as I love my office, how cool is this area that Pulte Homes posted on Facebook this week? I'm in need of more storage space for shipping supplies for my Etsy orders, and for more cabinet space, in general to organize better.  This would be perfect!

3. Abbey Grim's Photographer T-Shirt

Where are my photographer friends at?!  This shirt is life!  Abbey Grim has it all right!  Photography is not for the faint of heart.  You do way more than just hold a camera for hours at a time.  I'm more sore after photographing a wedding or marathon for 6 hours, than I am when I run a 5k.  I've directed weddings, as I've shot them.  I've put the bride's makeup on.  I've wiped up baby spit up.  Photography ain't easy, yall!  ;) 

4. "Me, Myself and Lies, a Thought Closet Make Over" by Jennifer Rothschild

Earlier this week, I saw something about this book on social media and I remembered that I had bought it five years ago, during a Bible Study.  I decided to get the book back off the shelf and start working through it again.  All of the notes that I had written in the book 5 years ago about myself, my insecurities, and my thoughts were still relevant today.  We all need to think about how we treat ourselves.  What we think is important and it makes us who we are.  Us over thinkers and worriers, need to be more aware of how we put ourselves down sometimes.  Stand up for yourself and love yourself!

5.  Necklace by the Lucky Feather

Us girl bosses need a little pep talk every once in a while.  How cute is this "Getting it done" necklace that The Lucky Feather posted on Instagram this week?  We got this, girl bosses!

6. Tassel Necklace by Painter Designs

Sometimes I make a tassel necklace that I just fall in love with.  This gold, coral and aqua necklace was one of those!  Love!  Check out my Etsy shop!

New Patriotic Napkin Rings!

I'm so in love with these adorable burlap red, white and blue napkin rings!

You may remember the burlap bunny rabbit napkin rings from Spring.  Before Easter, I sold over 230 of those precious little bunny ears!   Since those did so well, I knew that we needed to create something similar with burlap, but for Summer.  My mom came up with this design and I absolutely love it!  Last week, she finished an order of 70 of them, for a wedding in Washington.  I'm so thankful for her!

Please check out my Etsy shop for these burlap, red, white, and blue napkin rings and many other Painter Designs items!

4.28.17 Friday Favorites

I've been totally inspired by the beach this week!  I think I'm in desperate need of a vacation, to feel the sand between my toes!  That inspiration, is where I'm channeling this week's Friday Favorites.

Think Palm Beach.  Palm Trees. Bright colors. Warm sun.  Cocktails.  Pool Party. ;)

Here's this week's Friday Favorites list, the things that caught my eye and made me swoon.

1.  Lyford Cay Villa Pool from Veranda Magazine 

This week, Veranda Magazine shared this gorgeous 1960s home in the Bahamas on their Facebook page.  How beautiful is this pool and backyard?  Not only could the homeowners swim in crystal blue Caribbean water, they can relax in this dreamy backyard sanctuary.  I can just envision perfect poolside cocktail parties with pineapple swizzle sticks, long flowy dresses, and gold flip flops.

2. Wheaton Whaley Designs Towels

Fellow Greenvillian, Elizabeth Wheaton, owner of Wheaton Whaley Designs, posted these tropical towels this week on Instagram.  I am so in love with this pattern and the pop of bright pink!

3. Sugar Magnolia Cake Boutique Confetti Cake

Sugar Magnolia Cake Boutique always shares gorgeous cakes!  This one really caught my eye!  I haven't always been a fan of the new "naked" cake trend, but I absolutely love it on this funfetti inspired cake! The pops of color make this tiered cake simply perfect!

4.  Milly Black Peplum Gown

When I saw this Milly banded-shoulder peplum gown this week in my Neiman Marcus email, I fell in love.  There's nothing more classic than a simple black dress, but this one has a touch of trendy.  It's the perfect mix of classy and fun.  Pair it with some simple gold flip flops, bright earrings, and it's the perfect dress for a Summer cocktail party. 

5. Jack Rogers Pineapple Flip Flops

As a Southern girl, I love my Jack Rogers!  These gold pineapple Jack Rogers are perfect for Summer and any outfit!

6.  Painter Designs Turquoise and Pink Tassel Necklace

Nothing says Spring and Summer to me more than the combination of turquoise and bright pink.  I've always loved these two colors!  Check out my Etsy shop to order this necklace and other new Spring and Summer trends!