carolina weekend

This past weekend, Chris, Melly and I drove to Clemson to meet friends for the UNC game. We rented an adorable lake house in Seneca and drove in to campus to tailgate and go to the game.

It was my first actual Southern football game (I've tailgated before but never gone in. Not quite sure how I made it four years without attending one!) and it was so much fun. They are truly a production!

From the company to the weather, the weekend was absolutely perfect. Minus a Tarheel loss, that is!

PS: Right before the game I snagged this dress from Anthro on a major sale. It's not online anymore but if you're looking for a good fall dress, look for it in stores. I kept calling it a naked dress because it's so light and airy. :)

this is how we do october // weekend

This weekend was all fall, fall, fall. A bonfire, spiced cider, haunted house, homemade soup kind of weekend. A warm day, cool night kind of weekend. A happy kind of weekend. 

Friday, we celebrated Melissa's birthday. We had friends over for a bonfire (+ s'mores!) in our backyard. We drank cider and ate pumpkin cupcakes and everyone brought a fall brew to share.

It was the third year Mel and I have had birthdays since meeting. It was so fun to look back on the last few years, which have been, undoubtedly, some of the most transformational of our lives. With transient friendships, a variety of boyfriends and all of the emotions that come with each new year, every birthday has looked wildly different. I'm so excited to see what her year ahead holds. 

Saturday, Duke, Sam and I grabbed lunch and then I packed until the cows came home. I'm a really terrible packer because I always just use/wear whatever my mom and sisters bring on trips. They always remember everything. Extra shirt? Check. Shoes? Check. A toothbrush? Check. 

They totally enable me. 

I made a hearty pack list, ran around the house pulling every item I needed together, then sat on my floor in the middle of it all, trying to jam it into a hiking pack, along with 300 Sharpies, clothes for the kids and dental supplies (all of which were donated, so generously!). It was a challenge but, fortunately, I love challenges.

Saturday night I went to a pitch in with some friends. We shared our dishes, sat outside in the perfect weather and talked over the glow of a newly carved pumpkin.

After that, all of us went to Containment, the new haunted house at Atlantic Station. Guys. I can't even. It was so scary. I love scary things, so I was really happy about this. But it was probably the scariest haunted house I've ever been to. 

{photo taken pre-scare}

Sunday, I woke up with hot yoga and Robyn's vegan gluten free buckwheat pancakes. After that, I made meals for the week, including soup and a new pesto recipe (to share later!). I love slow Sundays, when the house is clean and smells delicious. 

After that, Abby came over to go for a walk and to get iced coffee. We sipped our coffees on the porch and talked in the glorious fall weather. Fall just beggggs for iced coffees in the sunbeams, don't you think? 

Sunday night, I went to church with Duke and Sam, then they came over to eat up the soup. Between a great church service, warm food and good conversation, I was filled to the brim. 

After that, I crashed into bed, with visions of Africa dancing in my head. Three days, friends!

What did you do this weekend? I hope it was the best!

bright&happy thursday

Am I in trouble? This morning I thought: I'm kind of ready for spring clothes...

I haven't even worn tights yet this season! I've barely even busted out my favorite cardis! I've still got piles of layers to work through...!

Although, I think it's more just a matter of wanting to wear bright colors - whether it be a kini or a coat need not matter.

So today, clad in a coral belt and neon headband, I greet you with a little extra spring in my step. Here's to a neon November!

Oh man. How much do these pencils make you want to color!?

one, two, three, four, five, six

heyyyy you guyyyys

Lately I've been trying to apply a "when in Rome" mentality to every aspect of my life. For example: While living in the south, I feel it's completely necessary to tailgate whenever possible, and go to a NASCAR race. When in Rome, right? You wouldn't spend a spring in Indianapolis and miss the Indy 500. I've got to respect the ways of the south, too.

And this season, I'm trying to do everything fally I can possibly think of. From carving to layering my clothes to Haunted Houses to Halloween parties, I'm walking around like a pumpkin spiced autumn addict. When in Rome fall.

As part of this effort, I recently tried making a pumpkin smoothie in lieu of my typical A.M. banana version. And while it was incredibly tasty, you need not be fooled by the word "pie" in the recipe title. It's not exactly the sweetest of smoothies. However, it did make for an excellent breakfast and kick-started my last two mornings with some pumpkiny love.

Happy fall you guys! (I'm not quite so southern as to say happy fall y'all. but maybe someday :) When in Georgia, right?)

no more tarzan

Now that it's October (rabbit, rabbit) I am prepared to admit that summer is over. And, with the change of season comes a change in lifestyle as well. Since May, I can count on (less than) one hand how many nights I've spent at home. Not to say I've been weeknight partying, I'm too old for this now that I'm in Club 25, but I've just packed my nights with activities - dinner with friends, new workout classes, committees, sporting events, dates, outings, etc. And last week, it hit me that I can no longer sustain this. I'm deadso. And so, I'm vowing to slow it down this month.

You see, I have always had somewhat of an addiction to busyness. As Shauna Niequist puts it, "I love days when you're always leaving something early to arrive just a touch late at the next place, like pearls on a string or Tarzan swinging on vines, feet never touching the ground."

This is how I've felt my entire life, but it's safe to say that over the course of the last few months, I've overdone it just a bit. So as October begins, I'm making it my goal to sleep more than six hours each night and abstain from making plans at least one, but preferably two, nights each week. I'm confident these two baby steps will help me get things back under control, so that cleaning out my purse and mailing a letter don't become activities that sit on my to do list for weeks.

As my mom reminded me last week when I had a teeny tiny meltdown because I couldn't find time to get Ashley a baby gift and pack between yoga and meeting friends for sushi, balance is the key to life. And just because I've let things get slightly off balance does not mean I've failed (which was what I asked her during my super rational breakdown) but it does mean it's time to reeavalute just, exactly, what is essential to maintain.

So, in November, I'll be sure to report back on how this trial month goes. If all goes according to plan, I'll return as a super-rested, happy-as-a-clam-girl.

Happy unbusying!

image via

candy carrrn

On my birthday Alpal not only surprised me, but also brought me my first bag of candy corn for the season. And now, I report with a happy heart and slight sugar high, it is officially gone.

I'm more than happy to offer my address if any of you want to send me more...

Happy candy corn season!

image via

'tis the season

So you might say that I'm not really great with football. For example, it wasn't until way too late in life that I learned what a first down was (AKA senior year of college at an NFL game). And this year when I joined my first Fantasy league, I didn't know you actually had to do something with it every week (wha??).

But, there is something I love about football season. Everyone is just so happy and primed to play. From Saturday morning to Sunday night, people are ready to be social. Especially in the south. And I love it.

This weekend, when I wasn't "watching" (aka at a party where it was on) football, I was outside. And the combination was glorious. Fall came early in Georgia, with seventy and humidity-free sunny days. The highlight of my weekend was a bonfire, where everyone brought a dish - including some phenom chili - and we all embraced the amazing weather.

I wish, with all of my heart, it could stay like this until March, when it turns to spring. It's so happy.

PS: Don't worry. There were definitely s'mores at the bonfire. Di di di!

image via

I promise it's love.

So I decided yesterday's post was a little misleading, based on the amount of people that asked me: why don't you like fall?

It's not that I don't like fall. In fact, I actually love it. It offers some of my favorite things: tailgates, pumpkins, Halloween/haunted houses/candy corn, great date opportunities, crisp beautiful weather, great clothes (boots! layers!), festivals, Hocus Pocus watching...

It's kind of amazing.

However, what I don't like about it is that it means summer is over. I realize fall shouldn't be blamed for this, but it's hard not to associate the end of one season with the beginning of the other.

But I guess I'll try to work on this, because fall doesn't deserve to get a bad reputation in my head.

So, for all of you who were worried that I was some sort of fall-hating crazy, I assure you, I'm a lover of the season.

And after an amazing UGA southern-style tailgate this weekend, my love for it has grown even more...

Happy Wednesday :)

falling

For one little baby second I got really excited for fall today. It was weird. I'm not sure what it means. Am I becoming more open-minded? Or is this girl just that cutie?

The times are changing, my friends.

(Don't worry. I still love summer the most.)

image via

holding on to summer just a touch longer...

Even if you all are ready for fall. I'm not quite there yet. Admittedly stocking fall fashions, but not quite ready to give up my kini.

images: 1, 2, 3, 4

oops...

I accidentally bought a dress from the Juniors section at Target...

and now, I'm completely obsessed with it as a transitional piece for fall.

Check it out, plus other tips for fall fashion, on my post for the Examiner.

Happy fall!

photo via frappelattes

Won't you join me?

In celebrating the start of a beautiful month of October. It's seventy one degrees, the sun is shining, and it's Friday!

I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow and planning on attending my very first Oktoberfest.  I almost can't think of a better way to kick-start the month.

And while I am, of course, looking forward to the festivities and planning to accomplish a number of my fall goals, this summer-like weather has me craving ice cream.  All day I've been lusting after these Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches.

And, as if the world of ice cream couldn't be more perfect, I just learned today that Ben & Jerry's is currently working to develop anti-aging ice cream.  

Isn't it a wonderful Friday?!

Photos via Wiley Valentine

new love

It's a very rare item in my closet that makes me wish for fall. I typically cling to my favorite sundresses for as long as possible. I often find myself standing in front of my closet in October wondering if I can either (a) stretch my white skirts this far past Labor Day or (b) begin working winter white this early.

However, in New York I bought the Small Gold Lion on Leather Bracelet, in brown, by Alexandra Beth. It's heavier than most of the other bracelets I own and doesn't fit easily in to my jewelry repetoire, especially considering I wear the same two bracelets every day, but I absolutely can't get enough of it. 

I find myself constantly trying to build entire outfits around it, which is challenging since I'm also simultaneously trying to fully embrace the last of my light yellows, seersuckers, and white linens. 

My love for the bracelet is enhanced because the creator, Alexandra Beth, is a recent Emory graduate who is friends with Katie and Emily.  Honestly, what's better than supporting a young artist and busting out of your typical style rutt?

sparkles

Since last summer, I've secretly wanted a fully-sequined skirt. However, I feel they're outrageously priced, considering you can wear them very rarely. Unless it's New Year's Eve, in which case you can wear them all the time.

Simultaneously, I'm also loving shorts that flare at the legs and look like skirts (but no, not skorts!). This Stradivarius is especially cute.

My two loves collided in Who, What, Wear last month with the new Whitney Eve Cyd Shorts in Sparkle (#5 below). They're set to come out this month and I'm already preparing myself to say no.

I attempted to convince myself I wouldn't seriously want something so sparkly by trying on the Metallic sequined bell skirt at J.Crew last weekend. I realized my plan completely failed as I stood there with Emily, trying to somehow convince her that $275 was not that bad, considering how many individual sequins were on it.

I'm thinking maybe I was right, that the price was worth thousands of tiny sequins, seeing as it's sold out...

planning ahead

Even though I love the weather fall brings, I'm completely terrified of what the season means: winter is next.

My fear of the fourth and final season leads me to enjoy the crisp autumn air less than I would otherwise.

And although I refuse to admit it is almost fall, primarily because that would take attention away from my (and Jordano's)birthday, I am already dreaming of what would make for a great winter escape.

The Hacienda Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa, Mexico is the recent object of my lust. It was formerly a nobleman's private estate (whoah). Currently, they're offering three nights for the price of two, which makes me believe other people are also planning ahead for January...

Bon boyage, anyone?

Where's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown?

"The pumpkins are getting smaller and the trick or treaters are getting fatter," Jay Leno.

This summer I was on a mission to make Jim this Jell-O no bake peanut butter and chocolate dessert. I searched the store high and low, only to find the Publix by my house did not carry it.

Since I was already at the grocery, I decided I'd make Jim pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes, since they're his favorite. However, after looking in every fathomable aisle (we're talking even the frozen section) I couldn't find pumpkin.

Finally I found someone to help me. I asked him where the pumpkin was and he informed me that there was a pumpkin shortage. In Georgia? I asked. Not just GA, everywhere.

Since it was only July and I was skeptical of his credibility, I didn't worry.

That is, until Jay Leno announced there was a shortage tonight.

Apparently, a chilly, damp summer in the Midwest and New England has caused crops to struggle. Some farmers are reporting as little as one tenth the pumpkins as last year. Crops are down, prices are up, and pumpkin will be hard to find.

Personally, I almost don't see the point in beginning fall if I can't be guaranteed pumpkin lattes, ice cream, and muffins. Pumpkin makes fall perfect. So, until I can be certain there will be pumpkins to carve, I'm going to stick with summerfall.