Gameday Outfits

We are headed to Tuscaloosa this weekend for Family Weekend, and I am so very excited to be on campus with our girl. We have decided not to attend the game, my dad is having surgery today, but we will be tailgating and watching the game with him.  So ... insert all the fun outfits.  I will be there from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon and plan to dress the part the entire time we are there.  I pulled items I have plus a few I snagged, to create a plan that works for both games, tailgates, and showing team spirit at home. 

It's Giving ... Fall Feels

Only three days until the first day of fall ... and this morning, I think I felt the first tiny crisp in the air.  With that, I am now all into the fall vibes, and all the fall looks. 

Happy Monday!

The New Speedy ...

A few of you spotted my new purse on Instagram while I was shopping at the Fresh Market over the weekend.  If you recall, my car was broken into in February while I was stopping to grab a slice of pizza from a local spot.  I was in the restaurant for about 25 minutes and found my back passenger side window wholly gone.  It was unreal to me, and I remember having to put my hand in the space to realize there was no longer a window.  It was such a fast and clean break, it left very little glass in the window.  The car was another story altogether. When I first inspected the car I thought all was intact, but after my husband informed me that my purse was not in fact at home as I thought, I realized it and its contents were stolen. 

(the stolen bag above)

Things Of Note ...

How can it be mid-September? Is anyone else shocked that we are in the year's fourth quarter?? It has flown by, and honestly, I need time to slow down a bit, I want to savor it more. We are a bit more than a week before the official start of fall and I have not finished my summer bucket list. I need to get on it, maybe at record speed. We shall see how well I do. 

Labor Day Sales

Is anyone else craving a little shopping and a lot of relaxing?  I definitely prefer to shop during a sale, so here are the sales on my radar.  As I find more, I will add to the list, so check back.  I hope you are safe from the hurricane whatever you are doing this weekend! We had heavy rains and winds but nothing, and I thought it was intense.  I pray for peace for those who have been affected and who still could be. 💗

It's Closing Time

About two weeks ago, I watched a video from one of the girls I follow on TikTok as she was talking about closing up her apartment for the evening.  Her words, "to set me up to have a great morning," really stuck with me.  I love mornings, I am a true morning person.  A lot of times while I am pouring my first cup of coffee I will see things that need to be handled, and before I know it I am knee-deep in tidying and prepping for the day, and I never really get to sit and enjoy that coffee. 

Happy, Happy Monday ...

With strong coffee in hand ...let's tackle this Monday!

College Prep - The Links

If you missed yesterday's post ... first read this, and then this one will make much more sense.  Here are the links, the details, and all the in-between.  

What We Packed For College

I was very overwhelmed at the idea of packing for school.  I clearly remember my move-in; clothes, bed linens, a bedside light, and a few things I wanted from home in a trunk my stepmother had gifted me covered in school stickers. The move in 1987 was not the same as the move in 2023.  Plus I had half a room plus a shared bathroom for four in the two joint rooms and the shower curtain, etc. was provided.  Now we were talking about a suite ... so her own room, a shared bathroom, a den, and a kitchenette.  The girls and their moms divided up the shared spaces, which made it a breeze, but other than that, I was clueless about what she would "really" need. 

Fall Blooms With Lake Pajamas

On Monday, Lake Pajamas released its fall collection, and, per usual, I am smitten. There is something about sliding into Pima cotton at the end of the day that feels like the best hug.  I have shared many times about my love for pajamas, and it will not shock you to find out that I have two pajama drawers, one of which is filled with Lake. I have two favorite PJ companies, and Lake is one of the two. Once you try them, it is hard to quit, the softness is really like no other. 

Things Of Note ...

Well, hello.

I can't believe it's been over two months since I blogged.  I have never taken this kind of time away and didn't mean to do so this time.  I did not plan to take the summer off, but looking back, I am super thankful I did.  I needed it.  I needed to completely plug into our family and my girl before she started her journey in college. I look at the photos and videos on my phone and know it was so good for me and us. 

S&L at up to 40% off ...

 

One of my favorites is having a massive July sale; at up to 40% off, you want to take advantage of it.  We have several S&L pieces, including this cart, and have loved each and every one of them.  I have a second smaller cart, a tray or two, bed linens for our second guest room, and many small items we use regularly. And how could I forget Millie's beloved dog bed? Everyone asks about it when I post her in it, and it's on sale too. I have chosen some of my favorites for you ... and at these prices, you definitely want to check it out. 

Happy 12th To Waiting on Martha

If you live in Atlanta, you are very familiar with Waiting on Martha Home.  Nestled on the corner of the Vinings Jubilee, this shop has everything for home, baby, entertaining, lounging, and more.  It is one of my favorite spots to shop for myself and others and has the best customer service in the city.  If you ask for something in the shop and you don't see it, they will check the warehouse for you and have it there before you can even blink. The girls are amazing, and the owner, Mandy Kellogg Rye may be the best in the business. 

My Favorite Tunic

I have a new favorite item in my closet, and I am thrilled to share it with you today.  I work with Holly Shae a ton and while I was in Seaside, I stopped in a store that Holly had recommended, Cabana, and found a darling tunic in one of her darling designs.  I snagged it thinking it would be perfect for our beach bonfire, which it was, paired with white shorts and sandals.  After wearing it Tuesday night and again on Thursday evening I could tell I would be wearing it a lot and decided to purchase a second tunic in a different print.  I know have two and would truly wear them on rotation if no one would notice, they are that good. 

She Wear Seashells ...

 

Yep, she does wear seashells by the sea, I mean the beach, and so do all of her friends.  When Mary told me the book release would be at the beach, we knew these Print Fresh shell pajamas were necessary.  Not only are they so comfy and cozy, but they are also so friendly with the different options in each pattern and the many size options.  Each of us wanted a different set which made these photos so fun, you get to see all the different choices in one place.  My go-to is always the long set or the short set, but I have loved the cami as well. For these photos, I have on the nightgown, which was really comfy as well.  Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the choices, they are all really good. 

Florida Friends ... Sale!

My darling friends from Florida have released a second collection with Lisi Lerch, which might be better than the first.  I love all things Florida and this collection speaks to my shell-collecting, sun-worshiping self in the best way.  With accents of rattan, palm fronds, and coral it is hard to choose my favorites.  During our recent trip to Florida, I wore a few pieces from the collection which made me love it even more.  Well, until I see it is 40% off for a limited time which makes it a MUST-have. 

Piece of Cake

My girl and I are headed out of town late Sunday afternoon for a fun few days in Seaside.  I am super excited; I love car trips with her, but also, because my friend Mary is launching her second book next week!  We are meeting to celebrate her and have the best few days laughing and cheers-ing this fabulous new book. If you are new to Mary Huddleston and her fabulous delegate all life ... you will love her.  She is the queen of tables, sources, great life tips, and an all-around great time.  She makes me laugh the hardest, whether with or at her, and trust me, she will love that comment. 😉

Lake Summer ...

Did you think I was sharing that it would be a summer at the lake?  Oh, I wish, but no.  I have the best news today as Lake Pajamas has released its summer collection, which is oh-so-good.  Think Americana meets Palm Beach ... perfection. I always think Lake's best collection comes out for summer, as I love a good red + blue theme all summer.  

Things Of Note ...

Oh, my list for this blog post is so long.  I have had a list running of things I needed to share and it was more than time to share it all.  I have some darling and fun things to share with you, along with a few new to me businesses, and those are always so fun!!

Let's get to it ... 

College Mom Transition

On Sunday I shared on Instagram that I had hit a wall with my emotions.  After being in Tuscaloosa for two days for orientation, my husband traveling constantly, and knowing so much is changing, I was overwhelmed with my feelings.  I shared because I want to be transparent in case someone else feels the same and thinks they are alone.  They aren't, anyone in this transitional phase feels weird, and we are all in this together. It is a strange feeling. Me, I have been a mother, and very hands-on, for 26 years and now that role is changing somewhat, and my emotions are all over the place.  I am sure our relationship will still be close, and I will work hard for that, but things will be different, and I am adjusting slowly to those things. Sunday was a hard day in this journey, and I had to wholly lean into it for the afternoon.  The evening was better, but wow, these emotions are heavy. 

Father's Day Edit

Did that sneak up on anyone else?  Just me?  Oh great!!  I have rounded up the things Nathan has and loves, along with some amazing things that you can order today and will arrive in time to celebrate the Dads in your life next weekend. And ... if it is on sale, I marked it because you know those men love to know you bought it on sale!!  😉

Hill House Love

I know I have mentioned before that I am a huge fan of the Hill House Nap Dress.  I own a number of them and wear them quite often.  There are a number of reasons I love this dress, the biggest reason is its versatility.  It can be worn a number of ways, is super comfortable, and is just a great all-around dress for the price. Today's blog post is all about this dress, why I think you need one in your closet, and my favorite prints.

Dorm Edit Vol. 1

Is this really my life?  I just had three small children, and in a blink of an eye, the last one is headed off to college in August.  I promise you it is a shock like no other to the system.  But here we are ... and I am happy to help her gather anything she wants and needs. So cue the dorm preparations ... 

All The Woven Goodness ...

There is just something about summer that makes me crave all the woven goodness.  Wicker, leather, cloth, anything really with a weave, and I crave it.  I think it just gives me all the summer vibes.  There are so many great options out right now ... I hope you find something fun to add to your summer wardrobe for all those fun dinners and trips we all want to have. 👒

Bar Inspiration

Summer is here for us and I am making a list of things I want to do around the house while I have a more relaxed schedule.  We do have some plans for June, but most of it is pretty open, hence the project list. I am not taking on anything crazy yet, but I also have some things I want to do. One will be a Dutch door for our laundry room, some color for our bar cabinets, and some "gardening" in our front yard. First up, our bar needs some color to give it some interest.  I am thinking of something fun and something very green. 💚

Daisy Perfection

I have the absolute best news for you, my darling friend Kate of August Morgan, is once again designing clothes.  Kate has the best designs with effortless dressing in mind and I absolutely adore everything she creates.  At the Atlanta market, in January, I got to preview her new designs and was smitten by every single one.  I was thrilled when she shipped me this darling Yellow Daisy dress and have now worn it twice.  It is just like every other piece she creates, beautiful on with beautiful fabrics and unbelievable details.  Every single dress I own of hers is my favorite, and you will love her and her darling clothes.

Memorial Day Sale Roundup

Oh ... the sales we will shop!!  It is LIVE, all of the fun Memorial Day sales are on, and there are some great ones!

Memorial Day Edit

It is almost here!  The unofficial but truly official start of summer is coming!  I am really ready for this summer where usually I am really sad about the end of the school year.  Understand me, I am struggling with my daughter graduating, but I am also ready for the long days to relax and soak up our family time. This summer is so special, our last before she starts college in the fall. 💗

Print Fresh Summer Sale

Oh, this will be such a good day.  My beloved Print Fresh pjs are on sale!!  The Print Fresh Summer Sale is always so good, but I think the patterns included in this sale are some of my favorites.  The fun taxis and leopards above is just so fun, but the pattern I love the most, Good Dog in Vintage Rose, is also on sale.  I almost want to get a second pair just to make sure I have a backup when the first pair wears out. The sale is 20% off items that are already on sale with code SUMMER. There are 11 pages of items on sale ... that is just huge, and so many fabulous prints are up for grabs. In addition to pajamas, you can also grab sheets and travel bags, wallpaper, and more.

Classics ... On Sale

I love a great classic piece.  Something you can wear year after year and it doesn't ever seem to age, these pieces are the winners in our closets. One of my favorite brands for classic pieces is having a sale, and the pieces I picked for you are excellent options.  I love all the blue and white; each piece would pair well with shorts and white jeans, and even slide from spring and summer into fall with a light sweater.  In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of them.

Plus, they are on sale.  So win, win. 

Things Of Note ...

Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was beautiful and filled with some good downtime.  I spent Saturday and Sunday relaxing and tackling some things on my to-do list that I had neglected for two weeks.  We are finished, I think, with graduation events, and now I am playing catch up with things I have had to put on the back burner. I did my laundry, ran some errands, started thinking about dorm décor, napped, watched Queen Charlotte, and gave myself some mental downtime.  I needed it and am starting the week feeling refreshed and ready for a great week. 

Graduation Dinner

With all the fun graduation parties and events, my girl felt a bit overwhelmed.  It has been a long, but super fun, two weeks.  She does not like the spotlight on her in any way, and convincing her to do something to celebrate was not easy. She is 100% her dad and flies under the radar when celebrating themselves. I was able, after many conversations, to convince her to let me cook dinner for her and her girlfriends.  I decided on a long table on the deck with simple linens, white flowers, and a meal I knew they would love. 

Coffee Bar

Last week our Keurig stopped working.  Why do they never give you any notice?  I am a girl who wakes up thinking about that first cup of coffee, so a coffee maker that breaks is just so wrong.  Plus, it was right before all the graduation festivities were starting, and the last thing I could manage was a broken coffee maker.  I cried; yep, all the emotions had been building, and it all came out when the coffee maker died.  My poor husband was utterly freaked out and immediately started researching a backup plan.  We have a French press, so all was well, but our Keurig let me down. 

Go To Grad Gift For Girls

I have always enjoyed reading graduation gift ideas and should have made better notes of great ideas as I am in the thick of it. So far, my daughter has attended six parties and has thirteen left.  Most of the parties are for girls, but we have a number of them for boys.  Next week I will detail what I gave to each person for others in my boat in the future, but I do not want to give anything away before it happens. She attends a very small school, so we know these children well; some of them even feel like family. With that being said, there are tiers of gifts depending on how close they are, and how much we want to spend on each. Yes, cash is always king, but I also wanted to make the gifts personal. 💗

My Thoughts for Young Mothers

Happy Monday ... and happy late Mother's Day to you.  We are in the middle of two crazy graduation weeks and I am loving and soaking up every moment.  But wow, is it intensely emotionally and physically exhausting. Last night at a party my friends and I were talking about how unreal it all feels since we see each other and the kids repeatedly.  Come next week at this time I will be very, very sad it is all over. But with each closing door, another opens wide ... and I am so excited for this journey for her.  She is going to love it!! 💗

Hat Holding Beach Tote

Weezie Towels launched the cutest summer collection ... including my favorite new product, the Hat Holding Beach Tote.  Yes, you read that correctly, this bag holds your favorite hat when it isn't being used.  You just slide it into the side of the tote, and BAM, it is safe until you need it again. Not only does this bag hold your hat, but it is large, waterproof inside for all of your wet pieces, and perfect for use all day in the summer.  You can head out in the morning for sports, the pool, the beach, etc. and then even take it to an alfresco dinner or eat poolside, and it looks just as good as any other tote.  

Things Of Note ...

Happy Monday!!!  We have had a busy few weeks and have two more of the same, with my daughter graduating from high school. Between exams, senior thesis, lacrosse banquet, last day of school, grad parties, and all the logistics, it has been a bit of a whirlwind.  And, it isn't over yet.  This mama is just trying to enjoy it all, not think too much, and embrace it as it comes.  

But ... it is a focus, that is for sure. 

Mother's Day With Canvas Style

Mother's Day is creeping up on us; it is officially 12 days from the day we celebrate the most important woman in a lot of our lives.  She has been there since the first second, always shows up, says yes, and holds it together with dental floss and pins.  Every single woman, mother or not, loves to feel and look her best, and Canvas Style makes that happen at such a great price point.  I have gathered my favorites for you, but the whole site is filled with goodness for every occasion. They carry it all from fun gatherings, like Derby + Cinco de Mayo, to inspirational pieces. 

The Finished Closet

Two weeks from the day I began, I finished my closet.  I finished it within an hour of my husband returning from his business trip, literally in the nick of time.  I promised myself, and him, that he would not come home to a mess and stuff all over our room, and taking up residence in his closet.  It was close, but I made it happen. To read the plan and understand what I wanted to do, check this post. 

Mother's Day Gifts Edit

 

I have the best Mother's Day roundup for you, along with ideas on how to gift it, what to pair with it, and how to gift it.  I think gift-giving is about the thought behind it, the time spent choosing, and how it is gifted.  No matter what you choose, add idea number 18.  It will mean the most and be the best gift she has ever received.  💗

Tips For Setting A Beautiful Table

A beautiful table doesn't have to be hard to create; it can be really easy.  I love setting the table.  It was always my job as a child at home, and now that I get to play with all kinds of "supplies," it has become even more fun.  I think of it as dressing the table for dinner, which makes me happy.  Plus, since my husband is a great cook, it is the easiest way for me to do my part.  Here are some easy and great tips for creating a beautiful table in your home. 

Dorm Essentials

I am so sorry blog posts are sporadic right now, we have two weeks before graduation, and there is so much to do.  Starting May 1, it is something almost every day, or more than that, until she graduates on May 13.  So many events, parties, and gathering to do before then.  I am just trying to keep my head above water.  Yesterday I spent the morning getting my hair cut and colored, and even though it was three hours, I felt like I should be doing something work-related; I sat and enjoyed my time with David.  We chatted, realized we had met, and became friends almost thirty years ago.  So much life has happened for both of us, and neither of us could even believe "our" girl is about to graduate.  It is wildly surreal. 

My Closet

Last weekend while I was cleaning up our room and bathroom and putting away laundry, I hit a wall.  I have needed to purge my closet forever and just keep putting it off.  There were shirts in there I have not worn in six years, but I loved them and wanted to keep them.  After trying to add another dress to my bevy of stunning dresses and having to push clothes aside I hit that wall.  I needed to make a change and really clean out the space.  As I was doing so I realized my organization wasn't working for me anymore and I needed to fix it. After pulling out some clothes and really diving into the purge I realized I needed to spend a few weeks and really give the closet the love she deserves!

Jacket Love

As you may know, I am currently working on my closet.  It is overpacked, and definitely needed a purge, along with some new organizational work.  Out of all the things I am parting with, a great jacket would not be one of them. I love a jacket; they are so helpful for so many different outfits. I have several of them and wear them so often to complete an outfit.  You can add them to a jeans and shirt outfit to elevate it, add them over your shoulders to keep warm, and carry it just in case you need an oomph for your outfit.  I don't think a great jacket or blazer is ever overrated, they are really so useful.  Recently I spotted some darling ones currently on the market I would definitely purchase.  Sharing this today just in case you have a love for a great jacket just as much as I do. There is just something about that extra piece that always works.

Introducing Audi & Alf ...

I love getting emails or direct messages from small businesses introducing themselves to me.  I am a champion of small business, as I own two myself.  When I get a notification and read their introduction, I check out their products.  Often we aren't a fit for one another for one of many reasons, but when we are, the magic happens. 

The Cardinal Hotel

When you take that trip to Winston-Salem that I recommended, book your stay at the city's Kimpton property, The Cardinal Hotel. Originally the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. headquarters, the building is the architectural muse for the Empire State Building in New York City.  Built in 1929 in just two years, this 22-story building is quite an icon. When planning for the hotel, Kimpton saved every piece of the hotel they could while adding their signature details to create a fabulous and unique hotel experience.  

Six Things I Bought + Loved Vol. 24

Good morning from sunny Georgia!!! I am thrilled to be back on a schedule, feeling much better, and just starting the week off with a bang.  I have the best post for you today, one of the most popular, six things I bought, loved, and have on my radar. 

Happy Easter!

I hope your weekend was terrific; ours was simple and perfect.  When we came home from the beach on Wednesday, we were joined by my parents to celebrate back-to-back birthdays and then Easter weekend.  Easter week is always great, with flowers in bloom, temperatures typically mild, and a sunny weekend is a significant plus.  Easter always feels like the beginning of the year for me in many ways. Winter is behind us, spring is going strong, and the promise of His grace always feels fresh and new. 

My Trip To Winston-Salem

I had the honor and privilege of touring Winston-Salem last week as a guest of the Visit Winston-Salem. Since I had never been to the area, it was an exciting invitation, and  I knew little about the city except for the tobacco connections and was open to adventure. I received my itinerary, packed for three nights and four days, and headed north. 

Are You Getting Emails?

My email service for the blog has stopped working.  I am unsure how that happened or when, but several of you emailed me telling me you are no longer getting my blog posts in your email.  Well, that just will not do.