TGIF, snow... again.

Welp. Apparently Louisville has been on the national news because of so. much. snow. Oh, by the way, it's March! I am pretty sure that the entire country is yearning for spring because this record low temperature and record high snow is getting old. Anyways - I hope most of you didn't have to deal with the same mess that Kentucky got slammed with this week because it is no fun!
How has your week been?

1. Snow Day Pros

Normally when there is a snow day I still have to go to work, which is kind of disappointing. I have the opposite school schedule as all of my friends, so the days they want the school snow days, I usually don't because I know it means I'll still have to make my way through the snow to work. Luckily (?) this snow was so bad that my boss emailed me Wednesday night and told me not to worry about coming in. And it's a good thing he did because the snow was even worse that they predicted and certainly outstayed its welcome.

2. Snow Day Cons

I was supposed to go to a concert on Thursday night and it got cancelled because the band couldn't get here. I 100% understand that, but I was still so disappointed. The band is called Sundy Best. They are a band from Kentucky and I am obsessed, but I've never had the chance to see them in concert. Luckily they have already rescheduled and I'm still available! I'm not really sure how to describe their music, I guess it's kind of country - but more of the twang and less of the more recent "pop." A lot of their songs are about Kentucky, so that is a huge reason why I like their music so much. Don't y'all always find it comforting when you're listening to music and you just get what they're saying? That's how it feels when I listen to Sundy Best, so needless to say, I am going to be very excited when April 2 comes around!

3. Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred

The worst part about this snow is that I haven't been able to go to the gym for the last two days. I know it doesn't seem like that long, but since I'm doing the DietBet that I told  y'all about last week, I've tried to be really dedicated to a set schedule of working out. One of my friends likes to do the Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, so I thought I'd give it a try since its available on YouTube. It was so much more difficult than I anticipated for a 25 minute video, but I am so glad I did it. If y'all are looking for a quick workout I would highly recommend trying it out, I'll definitely be doing it again - if I can make myself. 

4. Cricut Explore Air 

My future mother-in-law called me a few weeks ago to ask if I would like a Cricut for my birthday (which is still a month away) because there was a new one out and she knows how much I love to craft. Of course I said yes! It arrived in Knoxville this week and she's going to give it to me when we pass through there on the way to Hilton Head and I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I have been looking at so many different projects to try and I have no idea how I'm ever going to get anything else done. Ever. I know it is supposed to be so easy to use, but I also know it does about a million different things, so I really hope I can use it to its full potential. Do any of y'all have a Cricuit? I would love to hear some tips, I'll take any and all! 

5. Spring Scarves, is that a thing?

I used to think "summer scarves" were ridiculous. But then I realized how easy it is to throw on a well co-ordinated scarf and instantly look put together, or throw a bright scarf on over a grey tee and you've brightened up your whole outfit. Enter, my new appreciation for summer scarves. MondayDress just posted this picture of new scarves they have and I think I want them all. They are so bright and colorful and remind me a lot of a Lilly scarf, but with a much lower price tag. What do y'all think? 

Have a great weekend, y'all! What are your plans?
xoxo 

linking up with: 

  Oh Hey Friday | Friday Favorites | Five on Friday | Casual Friday | xoxo Rebecca

Mix it Up Friday

TGIF, Gap favorites

Even though my "spending freeze" is over, I've still been trying not to go overboard with my shopping. But, I am a girl and I always want to shop so I thought I'd share some items that are high on my radar right now and see what y'all think.
Yes. All of these are from Gap. No, this is is not sponsored - I just really love Gap and I have some Gap Rewards $$$ burning a hole in my pocket right now, so I have been frequenting Gap's website a lot lately.

1. Shift Dress in "Port"

The color of this dress is about 95% of the reason why I think I love it so much. I am not big into wearing a lot of blacks and greys and other dark colors, but I felt like a dress in this color could slowly get me used to wearing some darker colors. 

dress

2. Color Block Ponte Dress

I'm still not sure how I fee about the color block aspect of this dress because that style can be so hit and miss on how it looks, but I think this would be a great piece for the winter/fall and could easily be dresses up with heels and pearls. 

dress

3. Fair Isle Sweater

I am obsessed with Fair Isle recently and I love this sweater. My only hesitation is that it looks like it fits kind of short and I generally prefer my sweaters to go a few inches past the top of my jeans, if I decide to get this I would definitely need to try it on first. 

sweater (and in green!)

4. Mock Neck Sweater

Last year I wanted so badly to find an over-sized sweater that I really loved and I never could. I ended up just buying an XL in a regular sweater (from Gap of course!) and that worked out pretty well. I think this sweater is exactly what I was looking for though, it looks soooo soft and comfortable with just enough texture to keep it from looking too sloppy. 

sweater

5. Fair Isle Scarf

This would be a great way to work in some fair isle without looking like I was trying too hard, right? I think my hardest decision here would be deciding what color to get? A solid would probably be easier to pair with other things, but the multi-colored one is SO festive and could pair well with neutrals. What do you think?

scarf

Of course I want all of these things right now! ha! What do y'all think? What have you had your eye on lately? 

Have a Great Weekend Y'all!

xoxo

linking up with

living in color | Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday | high five for friday

Favorite Fall Staples

As it starts to get cold I find it harder and harder to get dressed. I just want to throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater and be done, but sometimes even that just feels like too much effort. I know this sounds so lazy, but I'm going to associate part of these feelings with it corresponding with the end of the semester as well.

Despite not wanting to make the effort for whatever reason, I still refuse not to look at least somewhat put together on a daily basis. I've found that pairing a vest with almost any outfit can really make you look put together, and the same goes for a scarf. Even if it was something I just threw on, it makes it look like I tried. At least I think so, maybe no one is honest enough to tell me that I still look as exhausted as I feel. The best part about these pieces is that they add a warmth and layering factor, which can be especially important during this transitional weather.

I have also become obsessed with boots in the last few years. Maybe it's because prior to law school I was in South Carolina most of the time and the weather there was much warmer and there was less of a need for boots, or maybe I just didn't know what I was missing. Having a great pair or two of boots can make all the difference in the fall and winter. Not only do they look cute, but they can really help keep you warm as well!

Here are a few of my favorites: 

1|2|3|4|5

I like the idea of having some neutral scarves that go with everything as well as colorful ones to brighten up a dreary winter day. I tend to have a lot of color in my wardrobe already, so I've been "collecting" scarves that are neutral in color, but still have some kind of pattern or design to them, like the black chevron one. It will go with pretty much everything!
Check out some other great ways to style scarves here - Spotlight of the Week: Scarves

1|2|3|4|5

Like with scarves, I tend to be drawn toward neutrals when it comes to vests as well. This makes it ten time easier to just throw one on and not have to worry about if it's going to match whatever  you're wearing. 

1|2|3|4|5

When it comes to boots I pretty much stick the same style - just below the knee, and about the same color - a brown/cognacish color. I have the monogrammed boots featured here and pretty much wear them everyday. I really like the quilted ones as well, they look so nice and also so comfortable!

for more southern inspired posts check out Celebrate Southern

What are some of your favorite fall staples? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all! 

xoxo

Tailgating Essentials

We're about halfway through the football season and I have already been responsible for four tailgates. "Responsible" makes it sound like a bad thing, let me clarify, I have already been able to enjoy planning four tailgates. Not to mention the dozens and dozens I have attended and planned in the past.
Let me tell you, it takes some planning, but it is all SO worth it. Here are a few things that I never go without.

Large Tote Bag or Basket

At some point I may include a true "Tailgating Checklist" which would include a lot of small things like napkins, forks, trashbags, etc. and you need somewhere to put all of those things. I have a big Lilly tote/cooler or an LL Bean tote that I usually stick to. I think the Large or Extra Large is ideal for the LL Bean totes, I use the Large and have never had to worry about having enough space. You need something that is big enough to hold all of the paper products and miscellaneous items you need as well as any day-of odds and ends you want to toss in. A bag or basket would be fine because ideally this will remain in or near the car, so it doesn't need to be super easy to carry or anything like that. Here are a few options that I think would be perfect.

1 | 2 | 3

Cooler

There are literally hundreds of coolers, but some are better than others. My boyfriend has a Yeti, well actually he has two, and we always use those. They are definitely on the more expensive end, but those suckers work. They work so well that we can actually pack the cooler the night before with ice and it will still be cold for the entire day of tailgating.
If we are going to grill and have frozen/cold food we try to take two coolers. It's not that I'm all that worried about cross contamination, but sometimes we just need the extra space.
I also have a Lilly tote cooler that I will occasionally put my champ and OJ in, mostly because I want to take any excuse I have to use it. Depending on what else we're bringing, sometimes this serves as our catch-all bag as well.

Tundra (45) | Roadie 

Hand Sanitizer

One Word. Port-a-Potties. Some do have that weird hand sanitizer foam in them, but that is not something you want to count on. This is one easy item to toss in your bag and one that you will definitely be glad you did!

Food

Recently we have been plagued with noon kick-offs which makes it much more difficult to plan food wise. Depending on how early we want to get up is really the deciding factor. Last year for the Tennessee-South Carolina game we were in Knoxville and started tailgating at 7am. This tailgate included breakfast sausage, biscuits, and hashbrowns - all on the grill - and it was great. One game this year we just picked up a couple dozen donuts and some beer cheese and that worked out fine as well.
When the game is set for a 3:30 or 7:30 kick-off it is much easier to plan out what kind of food and how much to bring. It is important to make sure you have enough food to go with all of the drinking that is probably going to occur. We always tend to overdo it on food, but I would much rather that be the case than to have too little.

Drinks

This is also something that definitely depends on what time the game starts/what time you want to start tailgating. As I mentioned, we have had a lot of noon game this year so I have been having a lot of mimosas and bellinis - no complaints here. We generally try to have a small variety of drinks, usually some beer and occasionally bourbon, but again, it really depends on the length of the tailgate.

Water 

Because duh. But seriously, you need to bring water or gatorade or something that isn't alcohol. This is good for hydration, but also sometimes you just want something else to drink and this is often forgotten when you are picking up things last minute.

Layers 

Tailgating and football games are an all day affair. At least in Kentucky, Tennessee, and most of the South that means the temperature can change by twenty degrees from the time you start tailgating to the time the game is over - especially towards the end of the season. Enter: layers. A vest will be your best friend. I have found that as long as it is not forecasted to be literally freezing, a vest is generally enough as long as you are dressed relatively warm otherwise.  It is so much easier to take a vest off and on when you get hot or cold and it is much lighter to carry around. Scarves can also be a key player in dressing for the day and keeping you warm when the sun is coming up and when the sun is going down.

Check out some other great southern traditions at: Celebrate Southern Link-Up!
What are your tailgate essentials?

Have a Great Day, Y'all!
xoxo