TGIF: Alton Brown is coming to town!

These temperatures are killing me! We're supposed to go to a soccer game tomorrow and the HIGH is only 47. You read that right, FORTY SEVEN. Y'all, that is cold. What's been going on with you this week?

Alton Brown's Tour

About two years ago we saw Alton Brown on his tour when he stopped in Louisville and it was so much fun! When he announced he was doing it again we knew we had to get tickets, and we invited our in-laws to come as well. My husband's mom loves Alton Brown! I am really looking forward to having visors this weekend, and going to see AB. Have you ever watched his show on the Food Network, Cut Throat Kitchen? It. is. hilarious - I highhhly recommend it. It is similar to Chopped, in that it starts with four chefs, and one is eliminated each round. But instead of weird ingredients, the chefs can bid on sabotages to give to each other. Seriously, check it out. It comes on kind of late on Sunday nights, but I promise the entertainment is more than enough to keep you awake and attentive.

Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

For whatever reason last week I decided I was in the mood for chocolate chip cookies. I don't have a go-to recipe yet, so I naturally searched Pinterest and came across a recipe that promised soft chocolate chip cookies - which is exactly  how I like mine. So I made these. I'm not sure if they are actually really soft, or if I undercooked mine, but the recipe delivered. Five days later and they are still just as soft as when they came out of the oven. I liked this recipe, but I didn't love it. Do you have a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe? I think I'm still on the hunt for one.

Simplified Photo Challenge

If you've been following my Instagram, you may have seen my posts this week marked #SimplifiedPhotoChallenge. This challenge is being hosted by the Simplified Planner and Emily Ley. If you are not familiar with the Simplified Planner, you should check it out. I currently have the Weekly-Academic Version, and I think next year I will definitely be getting the Daily. I just need some more space for what feels like never-ending to-do lists. Anyways, the Simplified Planner created this challenge as a way to encourage you/us/everyone share some photos this month! So far I am 7 for 7! Today's challenge is "Spring Cleaning" which I have been working hard to do all week, so I don't think I'll have a problem marking that one off the list. Head on over to my Instagram and check it out! {@legallysouthernblog}

FitBit Alta

I received the FitBit Alta this week as an early birthday gift and I love it already! It just feels so much nicer than the Flex. It has a screen, as compared to just five dots that light up. Okay, more complex than that, but you get the idea. I will have more on the comparisons next week! Do y'all have a fitness tracker? Which one is your favorite?

Getting Crafty

For my wedding I made a lot  of the decorations we used at the reception, like a. lot. In doing so, I also took it upon my self to monogram and embroider 200 napkins. Yes, 200. I had only had my sewing machine for about 6 months when I decided to take on that project, and in the time that I started until the wedding, that is probably all I used that machine for. Now that the wedding is over, the only things I've monogrammed lately are the cuffs of some of my husband's shirts, and I can finally get back into actually sewing and making things. This week I made two pillow cases - which yes, I realize are not the most difficult things in the world. But it has been so fun to plan that out, buy the fabric, actually do the sewing and end up with something that I  made. Naturally I put them straight on the couch with out a picture, but when I get home this afternoon I'll try to snap one real quick (while the living room is still clean), and put it up on my Instagram (another shameless plug, and reason to follow me). What are some of your favorite things to sew? I seriously want to make like 100 pillow cases, but I know that is 100% unnecessary, so I need some new things to add to my list!

I hope y'all have a Great Weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites 
The Wednesday Showcase

TGIF, heading out for the weekend - again

Kentucky Football

I know I mentioned we were going to the UT game last weekend - which we did - but I am always going to be a 100% Kentucky fan and I was SO excited to see all of the score updates with Kentucky leading South Carolina - and AT South Carolina! Luckily the UT game started about an hour and a half before the UK game so when we got home after the game, I was able to watch the end and watch UK seal the deal! If you aren't a Kentucky fan, you might not understand the excitement, but let me tell you just how exciting it is that we beat South Carolina - it was the first time since 2009 that Kentucky had won a road SEC game. 2009 - as in SIX years ago. Let's see if we can pull off another win this weekend against Florida! GO GATS!

Travel Pro

This is the third, yes third weekend in a row that we are heading to Knoxville. Before that we'd also gone to Hilton Head for a week, and after this weekend, we only have one "break" weekend before we're on the road again. This pretty much par for the course for us during football season, and now with what feels like a gazillion wedding appointments, but I have really turned into a travel/packing pro at this point. (except that I didn't unpack from last week until right before I was packing for this weekend - oops) Plus, I feel a lot more justified in buying all of those super cute matching Vera Bradley items!
Do y'all have any tricks or tips for being on the go all the time?

Dirty Guv'nahs

Y'all. The Dirty Guvs are retiring and I am so sad! They are a band out of Knoxville, and we saw them for the first time New Years Eve 2013, and then again soon after when they just happened to be playing a show here. A couple of months ago they announced they were "retiring" and would have a few final shows. Originally their only show near us was going to be next Friday in Knoxville, and we just knew that we couldn't get down there in time on a Friday. Then they announced a second show (!) for this weekend, and on Saturday - so of course we did our best to get tickets and were successful! I am really looking forward to the concert tomorrow night and so excited we'll get to see them one more time!

Monogram Mania

I'm on the Reese Witherspoon train of thought - "If it's not moving, monogram it." My shirts, my shoes, my computer, my phone, you get the idea. However, I am also just as aware that not everyone shares the same love for monograms as I do. As I'm thinking abot the different gifts that I want to get my bridesmaids it is taking all that I have in my to resist having monograms on every. single. one. What are your thoughts on monograms??

Guilty Pleasure - Real Housewives

Confession time. Watching the Real Housewives of Orange County with a glass of wine in my hand is the best part of my Mondays. Please tell me I'm not alone on this.

Have a great weekend, y'all! GO CATS!
xoxo

linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites 

Wednesday Showcase | Turn It Up Tuesday

appropriately comfortable

As y'all are probably aware (because it's all I seem to talk about), I am in my third year of law school. This means my classmates and I have endured almost three years of interviews, exams, class, moot court, all nighters, you get the picture. It also means that we have endured three years of administration telling us what is is appropriate to wear to class and to interviews and what is not. For the most part I think we're all generally aware of what to wear to an interview, but the amount of people who still look so... sloppy, for lack of a better word, in the day to day is shocking to me. 

I get it, we want to be comfortable. After all, we're in class some days from 8:30am until 8pm, but that is not a excuse to look like you just got out of bed for the WHOLE DAY. Some schools have dress codes required, ensuring that the students are always in business casual attire and I honestly wouldn't mind that. However, even if that is not the case, I think it is still important to look put together. Especially in the case of law school, these classmates are soon to become colleagues. You are going to refer clients to them and hope that they refer clients to you, this is your time to make a good impression because once you are out of school that is what they are going to remember. Maybe it sounds petty that what you wear is that important, but it is. And it is such an easy  fix - why not spend a few more minutes in the morning getting dressed, fixing your hair etc. It will make a difference and I bet it will make you feel better for the rest of the day too, I know it definitely does for me! 

Here are a few of my favorite go to outfits that let me still feel comfortable but look much more put together than a pair of norts and an oversized t-shirt. 

This is one of my favorite go to outfits! First, I am absolutely still in love with Furman, and welcome any and all questions about it. Secondly, the purpose of these outfits is to show you you can still wear something like a crew neck sweatshirt and look put together. I think adding an oxford underneath a sweatshirt make it look so much nicer, and like you're actually trying. Bonus - only the collar and cuffs usually show, so it doesn't even have to be ironed! A cute pair of flats also can really make an outfit look put together. I have these flats from Marley Lilly (in pink w/ navy text) and they are very comfortable, and I always get tons of compliments on them! 

 I featured this dress a few months ago here, and I still think it is just as great. I mean y'all it is made out of sweatshirt material, but looks like a dress. It is so dang comfortable I wish I could wear it everyday. Plus, how cute is that scarf?? I am obsessed with polka dots right now, to the point that I have to actually stop my self from buying more things with polka dots because it's starting to get ridiculous. But, I mean Kate Spade, a girl can only say no so many times. 

This is another super comfortable, yet still appropriate look. What could be easier than black denim and a white v-neck? Then just add a colorful scarf and you're good. to. go. This look also gives you a lot of room to play around with accessories since the basic layers are black and white. You can add a scarf, or a statement necklace, maybe a colorful cardigan. Seriously, the possibilities are endless(ly easy). 

Hair & Make-Up

For the record - I am not saying you need make-up to look put together or that you need to curl your hair every day to be respected. But, what I am saying is that a little goes a long way. Throw on some lip gloss and run a brush through your hair. Sounds obvious, I know, but you'd be surprised how many people literally look like they just rolled out of bed and never walked past a mirror. Stick a brush in your car and run it through your hair at stoplights if you're that worried about time, but just find a way, it's worth it. 

Jewelry
Jewelry is another easy peasy way to look put together with out trying very hard. A pair of pearl studs or monogrammed disc earrings instantly make any look very classic. The same goes for a nice watch or a couple of bangles. I am working hard on my "stackable bracelet game" as I like to call it for this very reason. Having a few go to pieces that you put on every morning can make this such an easy process!

What do y'all think about these outfits? Are they still too casual, or exactly what you need to look put together, yet still remain comfortable for an eight or twelve hour day of class? I'd love to hear what y'all like to wear to class or think is totally inappropriate!

Have a great day, y'all!

xoxo

linking up with:

Style Me Wednesday | Trend Spin | Humpday Happenings | Celebrate Southern
| Pumps and Pushups | What I Wore | Fashion Files | Living in Color

So. Many. Things.

Hey y’all! Wow! It has been a looooongggg time since this blog has seen the light of day. Right before my last post went live, things around here got SO busy. First – I got engaged!! Which is probably one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. Then of course finals were right around the corner. I thought I was going to have time to catch up some over Christmas “break,” but that was the busiest break I have ever had!

Christmas was so wonderful, and then I went with my fiancé’s (!!!) family to New Orleans – my first time there. Y’all. If you haven’t been to New Orleans, you need to go – ASAP. It was so fun! Even though it was a little colder than we were anticipating (and hoping for), we had such a great time ringing in the new year there.

Soon after we got back from New Orleans it was back to class.  Despite finally being in my 3L spring semester, I have had some tough classes so far – and a moot court competition.

Also, I finally got a sewing machine and I. am. obsessed. There will be much more on this later, as I have already made my own skirt, and let me tell you - I even impressed myself on this one. The machine I got also has an embroidery feature which is awesome - hellllllo monograms!

This weekend we went to Clearwater, Florida to compete in the National Tax Moot Court Competition. It was a great time, and even though we didn’t win, our school advanced further than prior years and according to our coach and the other teams we still had a very impressive performance.

I’m writing this as I’m on the plane back to Kentucky and I am not looking forward to returning to the cold weather at all. However – at the tournament we had the opportunity to meet so many other competitors from other parts of the country and a few girls who are in law school at Suffolk told us they hadn’t been to class more than three days all semester! I cannot imagine having that many snow days. I would go crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love having a break every now and then, but I can get so restless and to be out of school that long just sounds so miserable.

When I was at Furman we usually had about one snow day each semester. Of course, in South Carolina it only takes a 60% chance of snow for them to cancel class, but it was always a welcomed break. The only negative there is that no one in South Carolina knows how to deal with snow, so it just took a few flakes to shut down the whole city. My roommate didn’t even know how to use the dual scraper/brush. It was certainly an adventure.

Anyways – please accept my apologies for such a lengthy absence. I am working on so may posts for the up coming weeks.

Interview tips – attire, questions, etc. Professional advice – how to get a job, how to network, etc. and a few other miscellaneous law school items. I am also always open to suggestsions so if there is something specific you want to hear about please please please let me know. Either comment below or email me at legallysouthernblog@gmail.com.

Thanks for following along y’all, have a great day!

xoxo

Wear-to-Work Wednesday

If I haven't mentioned it already, y'all should know that I love shirt dresses. Love, as in I have no fewer than eight or ten of them. I just think they are so comfortable and versatile and can be dressed up or down. Because I have so many, it isn't uncommon to wear a couple in one week. I have two that are similar to the ones below. I like having navy as an option because it is neutral and let's me play with fun jewelry, but I also love to have colored options like the pink one to brighten up a Monday.

Dress | Boots

Now that the weather is cooling down, I pretty much always wear boots with these dresses, but in the summer and on warmer fall days they also look great with the sleeves rolled up and paired with flats. 

Dress | Boots

What is your favorite outfit to wear to work? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all!

xoxo

The Autumn Tag

Source

Over at Makeup Pixie there is an Autumn Tag going on and I wanted to join in on the fun! I am definitely more of a summer girl, but this is my second favorite season and I am always ready to pull out my favorites scarves and sweaters. 

1.  Ok we're talking coffee's - what's your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks/Costa/Cafe Nero etc?

Confession: I tried my first Pumpkin Spice Latte this year and I did not love it. My go to drink in the fall has to be the Salted Caramel Mocha at Starbucks. Usually I don't allow myself to "drink calories," but I figure if I limit myself to only enjoying them in the fall it's okay :). 

2.  Accessories - what do you opt for, scarf, boots, gloves?

I have some monogram boots from Marley Lilly that I am obsessed with. I just started getting into boots last year and I haven't turned back since. 

3.  Music - what's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?

I don't know if it is the leaves changing or the constant tailgating, but in Autumn I always am in the mood for folksy/country music even more so than normal. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Avett Brothers and Sundy Best. 

4.  Perfume - what's your favourite scent for this time of year?

I really only perfumes for Winter and Summer, so Autumn is an in between time where it really depends on that day's weather, since it is every changing. My go to summer is Este Lauder, White Linen and in the Winter it's Dior, Miss Dior. I'll be honest, the first reason I even picked up Miss Dior was because of the bottle, it's pink and it has a bow, but I really love it. 

5.  Candles - what scents will you be burning this season?

In a very traditional way, I love the "Autumn" scented candles. Pretty much any candle that has an Apple Pie scent to it is welcome on my coffee table anytime. 

6.  What do you love most about Autumn?

Football Season. Tailgating. Leaves Changing. Road Trips. Pumpkin Patches. Apple Picking. Apple Cider. Christmas Anticipation. Hot Chocolate. Curling Up Under a Blanket. Crisp Mornings. Cool Evenings. Sweaters. Boots. Scarves. Corduroy. 

7.  Favourite makeup look?

Well, I am working on it, but I don't usually make the conscious effort to change my makeup routine with the seasons. That being said I tend to go for warmer look in general, but especially so in the Fall. I do pay quite a bit more attention to the colors on my nails depending on the seasons and these are a couple of my favorites lately. 

Doutzen's Nude

Take It Outside

8.  What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?

I am running a 10K in November and have started training for it. It has been so great to spend time outside and really enjoy the leaves and the weather and I am so looking forward to doing that regularly for the next couple of months. 

What is your favorite part about the Fall?

Have a Great Weekend, Y'all!

xoxo