– our weekly farmer’s market pickup – blueberries for him and blackberries for me –
– Lula LaShonda blending into to our interiors –
– coming home to bruschetta, wine and Happy Endings dvd’s –
– tiny succulents at our neighborhood garden shop –
Christian and I recently rode our bikes to brunch and stopped by the Chapman campus along the way. The campus is so beautiful and lush – it always reminds us of our days at Ole Miss. So the question is – are we the cute newlyweds with nostalgia or the creepy random old people cruising the campus where we didn’t go to school? The verdict is still out.
I can’t share this Tvachia bag without telling y’all a little backstory. Based out of Atlanta, the leather comes from Calcutta, India and is drum-dyed and natural, an age-old process that dyes the leather throughout and produces the highest quality product. The color in Tvachia bags becomes deeper and richer over time, giving you a unique, one-of-a-kind bag. A portion of the proceeds benefits a non-profit organization in India that provides education to under-privileged children and helps women in the area form self-help groups. It’s pretty neat to know the handbag you’re carrying isn’t just a handbag and actually represents a whole lot more than just a cute purse.
hoodie and gray tee – c/o Cheeky Peach Boutique | denim – Paige | boots – Frye | bag – c/o Tvachia | scarf – Zara, similar here and here | earrings – c/o INPink | sunnies – Ray Ban | ring – Studio Manhattan Vintage | lipstick – Armani
Thanks so much for reading and entering and stay tuned for more fab giveaways to come! XO –
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I saw an instagram recently that said there were only five Saturdays until Christmas and my jaw practically dropped. It is seriously right around the corner and the holiday parties will be here before you know it. This little collage is my inspiration this year for classic party attire with a twist – pieces that you can still continue to wear different ways but have that extra element of fun for a party vibe.
And how great would this vest be with that classic LBD? I may live in Southern California, but the fur vests come OUT my friends. Oh yes.
And that fur-trimmed top and mini skirt? Yes please.
What is your go-to for holiday parties (besides cocktails (my fave) obviously)?
Lastly, thank you to all who entered the Lulu & Georgia giveaway last week! So glad you guys loved this giveaway as much as I did. I’m excited to announce the lucky winner is….
Jessica Mabry!
Keep your eye out for LOTS of fun holiday giveaways coming soon. Thanks for reading and participating – your involvement makes these fun giveaways possible! XO –
– the view on our drive home from Big Bear –
– pumpkin spiced coffee with a view (mug here) –
– the cutest thermos (from Ikea) I ever did see –
This has been such a fun week – celebrating our wedding anniversary and making Thanksgiving plans – one of the many reasons I love November I knew I wanted to get married in the fall because the cool, crisp weather, changing of leaves and fall holidays are my absolute favorite time of year. The first day of October always brings so much excitement for the months to come and I try to savor every minute! Speaking of – Christian and I have never had an actual Christmas tree because the first year we were honeymooning and he was interviewing for medical residencies and the second year our apartment was the size of a shoebox so we skipped it (Bailey ran through the screen door in that apartment multiple times, I could just see her knocking that tree down in an instant). THIS year, I finally have the opportunity to have a beautiful tree and Mr. Scrooge is all, “I don’t think we need it.” He’s crazy right?? WE MUST get a tree, right??
After such a romantic getaway weekend (photos to come!), Christian is working this weekend and I plan to do some really sexy things on my own – like clean out my closet, work on this blog, do a little early Christmas shopping and bake a sweet potato pie. I’m WILD! Speaking of shopping, it wouldn’t be the weekend if I didn’t keep y’all in the loop with the latest and greatest sales going around. Check it out:
J.Crew Factory: 40-60% off (bought this and this for Christian)
Madewell: 25% off with code FALLBACK (I’m dying for these jeans)
Kate Spade: 25% off with code BEMERRY
Old Navy: 25% off with code SAVEMORE (love their workout clothes)
J.Crew: 25% off with code SHOPNOW (I snagged this shirt – it’s perfection)
French Connection: 30% off with code FCFF30
GAP: 30% off with code HAPPY (want these)
Bloomingdale’s: 20% off with code HOLIDAY (want everything)
Macy’s: 25% off with code GIFT
Also, I couldn’t wrap up this week without thanking y’all for all of your heartfelt responses and advice to Wednesday’s post. I loved hearing your own relationship advice and lessons – it was beyond inspiring. Thank you so much for all of your well wishes and tips!
Lastly, don’t forget to enter the $100 Lulu & Georgia giveaway! Seriously I was on their website two nights ago and added like five things to my cart…obsessed. Have a beautiful weekend – XO –
Monday, 11/10, marked seven years with Christian and two years of marriage. He’s my best friend and partner in this roller coaster of life. I stole the words of Carrie Bradshaw (and had them embroidered on our wedding day handkerchiefs), “it’s just me and you.” I try to remember that along with what our minister shared with us during our pre-marital counseling, “remember to be kind to one another.” Simple words but always a good reminder.
I’ve shared bits of our wedding here, but I wanted to share with you guys some photos that I haven’t shared publicly before – some of my favorites. Thanks for sharing the trip down memory lane with me!
While Christian and I have been together for many years, we didn’t live together until we got married and this has brought along some new lessons. I actually realized a few weeks ago how much Christian really knows me when I called him while I was sitting in an hour of traffic to go just 15 miles from my work to our home (we recently moved closer to the hospital now that he takes home call and it’s made my commute a devil). Christian patiently listened to me vent, told me he understood how frustrated I was and why I was angry and talked to me the entire way home so the drive would go by faster. When I got home he had a glass of wine ready for me on the patio from a bottle we picked up on a trip to Santa Barbara and told me we were going to ride bikes to the circle to have dinner at Gabbi’s. Now that’s a man I’m lucky to call my husband! Now if only I could learn to be more patient and calm like him.
As our dear friends read at our wedding, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12: 9-18
To my love – let the breakfast in bed, late night swims, drinks on the patio under the bistro lights, kitchen dance parties and early morning coffee dates continue. Love ya boo –
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I am so thrilled to be participating in the “12 Days of Giveaways” this year with Lulu & Georgia! I’m giving you guys a little extra help with your holiday gift giving by sharing my favorites above and offering $100 to one lucky CBL reader.
All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below by following CBL + Lulu & Georgia on Facebook (CBL / Lulu & Georgia), Pinterest (CBL / Lulu & Georgia) and Instagram (CBL / Lulu & Georgia). Poof! You’re entered to win.
I’ve stumbled upon a lot of hilarious quotes lately and I’ve been sharing many on CBL’s Facebook page. I wanted to gather some of my favorites as of late…what does it say about me that many are about food? #notashamed
What words are inspiring you this Tuesday? Thanks for reading y’all – XO –
Happy Halloween to all of you from Lula LaShonda!! #threelegsandfabulous
She usually reverts to the same witch Halloween costume, but it looks so good on her why mess with a good thing?
Have a fabulous and safe holiday – I’m typing this with a mouthful of Snickers…but it’s bite-size so it’s like, not even real candy, right? Good thing I have this guide to help me match my vino to my candy – thanks for sending, Mom!
Thanks for reading – XO –
I’ve always loved the J.Crew preppy look on others, but it just doesn’t feel “me.” I don’t really know how exactly to describe my style – feminine while still a little edgy, classic meets trendy, or as my husband would say (literally I just asked him), “baggy.”
This is about as preppy as I get, but I really love the way this outfit turned out. I was playing in my closet and wanted to pair these killer pants with a sweater, but just the cashmere sweater with the pants just wasn’t enough. It needed a little something else – enter the classic button down.
And let’s be honest, anything looks great next to this personalized python tote. Love at first sight!
cashmere sweater, eBay, love this one and this one | pants c/o | dress shirt – Express | heels c/o Shop Prima Donna | bag – c/o Mimic Design | necklace c/o INPink | pave bracelet c/o | sunnies – c/o People by People | statement ring c/o | lipstick – pink velvet | assorted bracelets
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I have a lot of spots I adore in New York. After living there for a summer and visiting more times than I can count, some of my favorite gems include Ess-a-Bagel, tea at the St. Regis, the booths at Bryant Park at Christmas time (Manhattan Vintage in particular), lunch at L’Ecole, any meal at Cafeteria, walking around Pearl River Mart, dinner at Rosa Mexicano – I could go on forever!
However my brother recently added a go-to spot to the list – the chocolate chip cookies at Levain Bakery. It’s so tiny and hidden you might miss it (confession: I walked past it twice and didn’t notice it), but once you get inside and smell the intoxicating aroma of baked goodness…you can’t buy a chocolate chip cookie fast enough.
My mom found a replica recipe years ago and made them for the family when we were all at Watercolor in Florida. Christian, the man with an endless sweet tooth, has been begging me to make them ever since. I refused because they have so much butter. I finally caved and found this recipe. I reduced the butter to one and one-fourth stick (it called for two) and still think they came out great!
I’m sure if I just put all the butter in there they would be even better…so if you try the recipe as is, let me know what you think!
Happy eating! Thanks for reading and let me know if you try this recipe! XO –
– this super fun new keychain from Etsy –
– bringing back some Mississippi McCarty cups my sister gave me to California –
– the fact that my workplace has now taken a professional headshot of not only myself but also my kids (sidenote – this photo makes me want to take the ombre out of my hair and go dark again…what do y’all think?) –
– Halloween-inspired blooms scattered around the house –
Happy Friday!! I’m so excited to have some downtime this weekend after several fun and busy weekends in Mississippi and LA. I need to play a little catch up and get inspired in the kitchen again…I can only eat so much grilled chicken and roasted vegetables before I’m totally bored. I need to take more advantage of our crockpot, but I feel like I can only find good soup and chili recipes and it’s not quite cold enough for that just yet. Do y’all have any suggestions?
I cannot believe it is almost November, my absolute favorite month because it’s the month I married my (mostly) dreamboat husband! Last year, for our one year anniversary, we chose to explore the vineyards in Santa Barbara and stay at the Bacara as our gift to one another. This year have chosen to sneak away to a cabin in the mountains, and Christian told me last night gifts were back on. Help! Do you have any anniversary gifts that you particularly loved or loved giving? I’d love to hear.
I hope y’all have an amazing weekend – thanks so much for all your helpful advice! Happy giveaway entering! XO-
When Altuzarra announced their collection for Target, I marked that precious date in my calendar. I was in the car after church shopping from my phone and added this python pencil skirt to my cart pronto!
The side slit takes me back to the early 2000s when slits were all the rage. Do y’all remember that? When every pencil skirt or dress seemed to have a side slit?I’ve never been a huge skirt slit gal, mostly because I lack confidence in these gams of mine, but I’m trying it out and it does make a fitted pencil skirt a little more comfortable – so that’s a bonus!
skirt – Altuzarra for Target, available here | sweater – Lulu’s, similar here | trench coat – Burberry, vintage, similar here (on sale!)! | heels – Lulu’s, sold out, love these and these | sunnies – Ray Ban | clutch – c/o Shop Prima Donna | lipstick – Urban Decay Venom | date place necklace – c/o TAudrey | #winenot necklace – c/o Bad Bad Jewelry | shark tooth ring – c/o Favery | tassel earrings – Etsy | cuff – c/o Brahmin, love this one
Did you score any great pieces from the Altuzarra collection? Alexander Wang for H&M is coming 11/6 – mark your calendars! And don’t forget you can get 25% off full-priced items right now at J.Crew with the code TGIFALL. Happy shopping and thanks so much for reading – XO –
