Packing my bags and hitting the road

I am wrapping up the week early and heading north to the beach in New Jersey for a weekend get-a-way with family.  The weather may not look ideal for beach bumming, but my bags are almost packed and I am ready to go.

 I thought I would share a little of my outfit choices for the weekend before it iswas rolled and stuffed into my luggage (rolling really is the best way to pack).

I can not wait to wear these amazing new lounge pants. 

Pants: New York & Co | Shirt: New York and Co | Sandals: Tommy Hilfiger

Obsessed with white pants may be an understatement.

Pants: Joe Fresh | Shirt: H & M | Sandals: American Eagle

 

Pants: New York & Co | Shirt: Target | Wedges: Target

Now I am not quite sure where the weather may lead us, I figured you can’t head to a beach house and not throw at least one bikini in the bag.

 

Bikini: Victoria’s Secret | Beach Cover: Target

 

I did manage to stash in a dress and workout clothes because, well I am a compulsive over packer… opps! 

 

I love to include outfit pieces that I can mix and match that can leave me set for any situation.  What are your favorite things to pack for a weekend away?

Like That | Love This - bedding

 

When we moved into the new house I had visions of a beautiful white and fluffy bed in our master bedroom.  Brandon thought a black dog and white sheets spelled disaster, but I was determined.  I scoured for the perfect comforter set that would fit into our “buy everything for in the house and still have money to pay for the house” budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I instantly feel in love with the Vlaencia White Pintucked Duvet from Crane & Canopy!  The pictures make me want to crawl right into that bed!

While the price is great for quality bed linens, it just wasn’t great for us, so I was back on the hunt with my heart still set on pintuck.  And then target happened, because it is amazing, the Threshold Pinched Pleat Duvet Cover Set was just what I was looking for!  We went with the king size comforter on our queen sized bed for the perfect oversized look.

 

 

 And if the thought of having to wash, dry and wrangle a giant duvet into the cover is daunting, you must watch this video from the Meredity Vieiro.

 

We tried the technique this weekend and my mind was blown!!  So incredible!

 

Weekend Update

This weekend had a little bit of everything.  Fun times with friends, honey-do lists and lots of relaxing.

 Friday night we went with friends to the Eric Church concert and stayed out way past our bed time.  His concert was one of the best we have been to, a great musician and a great night all around.

We spent a lazy rainy Saturday morning at home and spent the evening out at a work promotion event.

Sunday after church my sister and I had a FaceTime closet cleaning session.  We went through both of our closets and purged and organized our wardrobe for Spring.  Beth was there to help talk me through what needed to go, what needed to be replaced, and where we could wear all the cute outfits I could make with what was left!

Then I headed outside when the sun finally came out and prepped the new hanging baskets for the front porch!  I have dreamed of a Southern Living-esque front porch with big boston ferns for years and can’t wait to complete ours!

 And the rest of the night was spent with a little Law & Order marathon and prepping for the week ahead!

How was your weekend?!

Weekend Maxis

I love a good maxi dress!  It is the perfect solution to a Saturday morning spent staring in the closet for an easy outfit to wear.

 I stumbled across this piece last year when searching for a bridal shower guest outfit.  Thank goodness for Instagram love and the “yes get it!” replies I received during my dressing room dilemma (the hardest dilemmas in life right?!) because this great piece came home with me.

 

Dress: cato | Jacket: Joe Fresh Brand | Purse: Target | Sandals: Ralph Lauren

 

 

Gotta love the detail! 

 

What is your go to for an easy Saturday look?

Nail Envy

Chatting about nail polish the other day with a girl friend we learned we are polar opposites.  She said nail polish makes her feel as though her nails are suffocating.  She wears it rarely, and can only leave it on for short periods of time.  The thought of that floored me!

I on the other hand can not stand my nails to be bare.  I have very weak nails, one of those family traits that I gripe about with my sister because she can feel my pain.  My nails have always been paper thin, peel easily and because of those lovely traits I find it hard to keep regular nail polish on for more than a few hours.  I feel in love with shellac manicures a few years back.  They were the perfect solution to keep my nails fresh and strong, but living a bit far from my favorite nail salon make those bi-weekly treats a bit harder to come by.

Enter – Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy. 

This long wear nail enamel is one of the best products I have come across in a while.  It comes in a vast array of colors, but let’s be honest I use the same neutral colors and my “crazy” color is this light pink.  The two-piece set is easy to use (you will need the color polish plus the clear top coat) and has lasting results.  It goes on incredibly smoothly and dries faster than regular polish (win-win)!
 

I am always trying new polish to get the perfect mani and have also had my eyes on the at home gel kits (with the light to cure).  This is next on my “to try” list.

Have any of you ladies tried the Revlon Colorstay or the at home light kit?  Any tips?

You've Got to Cherish It

Another weekend has come and gone and as the dog and I watch the rain outside we decide it is time to prep for the week ahead.

But first we have to talk about the wonderful, sunny day filled weekend we had! 

Friday, I headed to the Old Dominion University campus for a work training class.  The campus is beautiful and really had me missing college.  Made me want to pull a Billy Madison moment, grab a college kid by the cheeks and yell “Stay here, stay as long as you can, for the love of God…. Cherish it!”

The classroom setting made me consider a masters degree, cause I am a nerd and a junkie when it comes to learning new stuff (and collecting certifications and degrees).

When I headed back home to the real world I couldn’t get over how nice of a day it was so we spent the whole afternoon outside playing frisbee with the dog and washing the car, which turned out to be a waste because the pollen here is out of control!

Saturday morning we woke up to another windows open kind of day and headed right outside to play in the yard.  Some laps with the dog and at home mani later, it was time for us to get ready for our friend’s baby shower.  Lori and Buck are adding another little girl to their family this May and we are so excited.  I took this opportunity to wear my new green dress at it was perfect.  The shower was at the beautiful home of Lori’s friend and the house on the water was a perfect backdrop to the day.

Sunday, Brandon headed to work and I headed to church, with a quick stop in Target, where I grabbed that amazing pineapple bowl I was eyeing.  I couldn’t stay awake to hit the online sale and the target near us had a smaller than most shipment, but I scored that great bowl, and a few other target home décor pieces so I will count that as a small win!  I had lunch after church with a new friend who is new to this small town life new too!  In an area where everyone is a local, we are figuring out this new lifestyle together!

Sunday afternoon involved a trail walk for work pictures for an upcoming guide.  The umpteen laps we took in the park to get the right shot successfully got me to my 10,000 steps for the day.

Thankfully we got the perfect shots in before the rain came and Sunday evening was spent lounging and soaking up every bit of weekend time!

How was your weekend?  Are you a Lily Lover that spent their Sunday in line?

Brunching Wear

With the 'no white pants before memorial day' long gone, I figure it is acceptable to pull out the white skirts too.  With a floral overlay pattern on the skirt and a distressed look to this chambray top, this outfit is a definite go to for a Sunday brunch with the family.

The Details: 

top: Target | Skirt: H & M | wallet and wedges: Target

Lilly for Days

Back again today to talk about the other pieces from the Lilly for Target line that have caught my eye.  It is taking some restraint to not want to scoop up every home piece and decorate the house in the brightest of patterns.  I mean, how cute is their hammock?  Nothing says summer like lemonade on a summer day while lounging in a hammock.  

Well before I obsess any more on Lilly deck decor, let me show you the other picks from Target I am eyeing.

Bags, blankets and bows oh my!  What pieces are on your wishlist?  Find your favorite pieces here?

Loving Lilly

The upcoming Lilly for Target collaboration has me giddy and so impatient for the weekend!  

The line will be available on Sunday, April 19th.  The line will be online as early as midnight CST (I have not seen an exact time yet) and in store on Sunday when they open.  The lookbook online is a great way to check out the pieces and price out what you are drooling over. 

I went ahead and scoped out some of my favorite pieces and am sharing my clothing picks today.  The Lilly line comes complete to Target with a girls and toddler line, home line and beauty line as well.

Some pieces will only be available online, so when planning your Sunday shopping trip, be sure to note which ones you will not find on the store racks.

What dresses and prints are you loving from Lilly?

Spring Weekend Recap

This weekend’s weather was the epitome of spring.  With a family reunion at my in-laws the perfect weather was a welcome surprise from the purposed storms that the weather man was reporting all week.

Brandon and I spent an idyllic Saturday at my in-laws soaking up the sunshine and enjoying time with family.  Lunch included a pig roast and corn-hole.  Brandon and I enjoyed a little quiet time in the hammock, before all the little ones decided they wanted to join in and we had one big swing.  The night ended with a huge bonfire in the yard complete with marshmallows for roasting.

On Sunday we woke up to another windows open kind of day!  Maxi dress season is back and I took full advantage with one of my striped favorites for church. 

If only the days could always feel this good!  

Jump - Jump

Jumpsuits are everywhere these days and the more I see them the more I am convinced they are a must-have for spring.  I am mentally hanging them in my closet, setting aside neutral wedges and picking the perfect clutch with a pop of color to complete the look.

  

While I know they are the perfect look this spring, I am not one to spend a lot on such a trendy piece so I have rounded up some great jumpsuit picks that won’t break the bank this season.

1  ||  2  ||  3  ||  4  ||  5  ||  6  ||  7  ||  8

Though # 3 may fall more overalls than jumpsuit, I had to share that piece too.  That one definitely will be finding a home with me soon!  Whoever thought overalls could look so good. 

What are your thoughts on the jumpsuit trend, love it or leave it?

Nose in a Book

During the winter I can’t seem to get into reading books, I’ll flip through magazines and blogs but just can’t seem to commit to a whole novel.  But when summer comes I am always on the hunt for some great reads.  Whether it’s reading a new book on the back deck, poolside or on the beach, I get sucked in.

I just finished Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  It’s a great read but be prepared to not put it down.  It is a definite page turner, and now I am ready to fill up my tablet with new great reads.  

Here is what is on my reading wish list.

Yes Please | Amy Poehler

Big Little Lies | Liane Moriarty

Leaving Time | Jodi Picoult

The Nightingale | Kristen Hannah

The Husband’s Secret | Liane Moriarty

And a great way to save money on all these new books is by using the e-library at your local public library.  Even our small town library has a great selection of books that go straight to your tablet, phone, e-reader, etc.  Once you have an account you can normally take care of all your book rentals online too!  Just a great way to be brainy on a budget!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a great one! 

Friday was spent soaking up the sunshine while site visiting for some upcoming events.  And any excuse to get out of the office on a Friday in Spring is heaven sent.

After work I hit the mall for one less look for a new dress for Saturday’s wedding and lucked out with a perfect look wedding guest dress (and another great new dress for summer… there was a big sale, I couldn’t help myself)

For theWedding

I mean, how could I not grab this one too!

Saturday’s wedding was a beautiful ceremony at a vineyard in New Kent, Virginia.  The barn reception site was picture perfect and it was an amazing night with great friends.

Sunday we headed to my parent’s home for Easter brunch.  It was a loud and full of family… just the way I like it.  We each got our Easter baskets (because my mom is the best and even adult kids need Easter baskets too!) and the bunny made a special visit to take my nephews on a bunny hunt.

After brunch we headed to visit Brandon’s family and our adorable little nieces dressed in their Sunday best and stopped at Lowe’s to pick up some gardening supplies to get our home ready for Spring.

Now back to the work week and planning my spring cleaning plans (fun, I know)!