Friday’s Five

– beautiful terrariums from Dewy Flowers in Los Angeles –

– seeing my favorite living celebrity at the Rose Bowl (swoon) –

 – a seriously mouthwatering BLET from Tart –

– this dog at the farmer’s market who was in heaven –

– writing thank you notes after an exciting meeting with my new Lady Gatsby stationery –

 Other mentions:

  • This BBQ chicken pizza that is screaming my name.
  • This blog that has me seriously thinking my hair is totally boring.
  • My latest addiction to all things Gregory Gorgeous.
  • These 23 precious pictures that definitely made my day.
  • The racy preview for Passion – Rachel McAdams new movie coming out in August.  I love some Rachel McAdams, who doesn’t?

I’m so thankful for such a fun and exciting week.  A few exciting meetings, getting together with new friends, a mention in the OC Register, some seriously swoon-worthy treats that I can’t wait to share with y’all and finally…a haircut!

Christian has this Saturday off…his first day off in several weeks, so I plan to go along with whatever he wants to do. He’s been working like crazy – leaving for the day at 3:30am – yikes!  I wouldn’t be surprised if the only thing he has planned is sleeping in and being served breakfast in bed.  Luckily, that I can handle.  What are you plans this weekend? Thank you so much for reading, sharing your comments and making this blog so much fun for me! XO –

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DIY BluePrint Cleanse

I recently took to juicing in my Vitamix now that I have a nut milk bag to drain some of the pulp.  I have heard so much about the BluePrintCleanse and have been curious to see what all the fuss is about.  $250 for three days worth of juice seems a little pricey when there are so many DIY recipes out there, so I thought I would give it a whirl!

I like to put my juices in cute glasses because deep down in my heart it makes me miss chips and salsa a little bit less. Some of these juices really are so good – like the pinapple-apple-mint juice and cashew milk.  I think I’ll keep making these even when not on the cleanse.

Did I follow this cleanse exactly like I should have….no.  I slipped a quinoa-spinach-avocado-egg dinner one day and maybe had a handful or two of yogurt covered raisons another day.  BUT I mostly drank the juice, and I just wanted a healthy eating head start.  I felt energized and awake each day and would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to kick start a diet or change things up.

Let’s start with the overall grocery list of what you’ll need.  These ingredients cost me about $40 at a local community-owned grocery store.  I would recommend a farmer’s market or local supplier if you have one available!

The first juice is the green juice that you’ll drink first and third a day for three days.  I like to make all the juices for the day the evening before.  That way I have a full day’s worth and I can have a fresh batch everyday.  Do whatever is easier for you!  If you want to make one day’s worth of juice at a time, double this green juice recipe.

The second juice you will drink each day is pineapple, apple and mint.  Use more or less mint to your liking – whatever you prefer!  I love mint so added a small handful.  This is definitely my favorite juice.  I can picture adding a little rum and an umbrella straw and sitting on the beach…

The fourth drink you’ll have each day is the spicy lemonade.  This is similar to the master cleanse drink that I tried in college for about four hours.  This lemonade is by far my least favorite drink of the day.  Confession…day two and three I skipped the cayenne pepper.  Whoops!  Clearly I’m not a rule follower.

The fifth juice is carrots, apple and beets.  Be sure to wash your cutting board and blender/juicer immediately after making this as to avoid any beet stains!  And definitely don’t grab the pitcher with slippery fingers and shatter the pitcher on the floor, leaving a really fun beet juice murder scene.

The sixth and final juice of the day is the delicious cashew milk.  You can use raw almonds if you would like. Whichever you choose, be sure to soak the nuts in a bowl of water for at least three hours before blending.

 

And that’s a juice cleanse wrap!  Would you ever try this?  Do you have more willpower than me?

Talk to me.

Thanks for reading and good luck if you plan on trying the cleanse! XO –

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Kendra Scott Color Bar

I was thrilled to recently be invited to try out the Color Bar at the Fashion Island Kendra Scott boutique.  I have always shopped her jewelry in boutiques or online and was so excited to visit one of her actual stores for the first time.

Y’all know I love some Kendra Scott baubles, worn here, here and here, to name a few.  I find her pieces perfect for both day and night, and I think that is one of the main reasons I have always been so drawn to her jewelry. The Color Bar is so neat because you can actually create your own one of a kind pieces – necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets – they have it all.  I was a lady on a mission and knew I had my eye on some Darby earrings, although the Gwen earrings were coming in a close second.

 

I have several pairs of the Danielle earrings.  I can’t get enough!  I think the simplicity of the style allows the colors of the stones to really come through.  I could only peruse for so long before I had to go straight to the Color Bar.  It’s an enormous digital screen covered in jewelry…any bauble-lover is going to be drawn to it, right!?  So many options…but I kept going back to cobalt blue.

The winning pair!  I’ve had my eye on these Darby earrings for a while (I blogged about them over a year ago here) and cobalt blue is one of Kendra Scott’s big colors for fall – so it was meant to be!

And now the fabulous ladies at the Kendra Scott Fashion Island boutique make the custom beauties right in front of you – voilá!  You can use the Color Bar online, but I must admit it’s so fun to watch the KS girls make your prized piece right there at the counter.  A really neat experience if you have a store nearby.  They were telling me that lots of brides and bridesmaids will come in to design pieces to go with bridesmaids gowns – how cute is that!?

Of course, now I’m just craving all the beauties below (sigh). So many new colors I love – peach! Mint! Ivory! A big thank you to the fabulous ladies at the Kendra Scott boutique at Fashion Island.

Thank you for the opportunity to try out the Color Bar and for your kindness and help! I spy a dog bowl at the door…maybe next time I can bring Bailey and we can create a custom bedazzled collar for her so she can feel as special as I did. She also happens to look fab in cobalt blue.

Thank y’all for reading! XO –

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Pleated Maxi Dress

I fell in love with this KNT by Kova dress from Urban Outfitters the first time I laid eyes on it in New Orleans. The pleated skirt and revealing back, ooh la la!  I’ve worn it to a few fall weddings but it actually is the perfect evening dress for California nights.

 I have yet to fully get the hang of the crisp evenings here but I’m working on it!  Adding the bling and shades made me feel like a modern day Audrey Hepburn (wannabe).

 

dress – Urban Outfitters / necklaces – vintage, love this one and this one / heels – Zara / earrings – Birds on a Wire (c/o) / bracelets – Forever21 (no longer available, love this one and this one), J. Girls Jewels (c/o) / clutch – vintage, similar here

 

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Hiking on the Coast

Christian and I recently went on our first hike together in Laguna Beach.  I always thought I would enjoy hiking, and I was excited to experience my first hike in the mountains with the husband.  While walking, we took a peek at the campgrounds.  Christian claims himself as the “outdoorsman” and loves to be outside whenever possible.  I’ve usually resisted activities such as camping, using the Southern humidity and mosquitos as my excuse.

My excuses have all been used up and since Christian somehow managed to store the air mattress, cooler and camping tent in our 850-square foot apartment…I have agreed to go camping with him.  The Real Housewives of Orange County went “glamping” (glamorous camping) last season…so maybe I can tell myself I’m glamping rather than roasting weenies over a candle, since our grill remains in Mississippi.

Any of you girly-girls like to go camping?  My only kind of camping is something like this:

My sister and I watched this movie so many times I think I have the entire thing memorized.  I now have a copy of it on dvd…which I’m sure I’ll bring on our “camping trip.”  Love the tailoring scene, dancing scene (“do the Freddy”) and of course cookie time.

Below are some photos of our day hiking and walking around Laguna. Any of you have some camping survival tips? Do share!!  Thanks for reading – XO –

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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DIY Distressed Denim Cuffed Cutoffs

I instagrammed a photo of these last week, and I’ve been resisting taken scissors to my entire jean drawer.  The longer length feels a bit more polished than my roomy Levi’s cutoffs and the cuffed leg is a cute finishing touch.  I distressed these in a few spots but that’s optional.  Think about where you’ll be wearing these and if that’s a good addition to your shorts!

These were a pair of bootleg 7 For All Mankind A-pocket jeans that I hadn’t worn in years – now they’ve been reborn into summer shots and I plan on wearing them all over town.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • jeans that need a revamp
  • measuring tape or stick
  • chalk or a fabric marker
  • a pair of scissors (I keep a pair with my sewing supplies that is only used on thread and fabric so they’re extra sharp)

DIRECTIONS:

I think the key with getting DIY denim shorts the right length is to put them on often to make sure you  like the way they’re looking.  Slip on your jeans and think about where you’ll want them to hit.  If you plan to cuff your shorts add about two inches to your desired length and make a clear marker with chalk or your fabric marker.

Take the jeans off and use the measuring tape or stick to draw a straight line across the jeans.  Cut on the line and slip them on again to make sure you like the length before moving onto the next leg.

I use the now cut pant leg to measure where to draw the line on the untouched leg.  Line them up at the seams and draw another straight line in preparation for cutting.

If you want to distress your jeans in a few places, check out this tutorial on how to do that.  It’s really easy!

Now wear your shorts with everything and throw on a fedora or panama hat.  What do you think?  Is this something that y’all could get into?  I’ll show you how I wear mine tomorrow.  Thanks for checking in and reading!! XO –

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Veggie Burger Slider Recipe

 

My favorite meal in Jackson was the Local 463 veggie burger.  It was just…everything.  My sweet sister-in-law sent my mom, sister and me this recipe and she was right – it’s veggie burger perfection.  I made these into mini burgers and served them on a Hawaiian sweet roll.  Christian and I were fighting for the last one – something about the “mini” factor makes me feel like I can eat 17.  This is also part of the reason I like mini things…because I often lose count.

Make these!!  You won’t regret it.

Dress your sliders to your liking and eat away!  Delicious – a big thank you to my sister-in-law for sharing this fab recipe. We enjoyed ours with red onion, tomato and avocado and served the burgers with watermelon, fries and dill pickles.

Thank you for reading!!  XO –

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Vintage Sundress

When Christian asked where I wanted to go for my birthday dinner, I said I wanted to go somewhere where I could wear this vintage dress of my Aunt’s and have a view of the water.  My plans revolve around what I want to wear…it’s the sad truth!

According to my mom and her friends, Malia dresses were the dresses to have in the 60’s and 70’s.  My mom had several…and tragically got rid of them years ago.  Luckily my Aunt Ree came to the rescue and gave me two of her adorable vintage Malia sundresses, and I have loved them for years.  I wore them in the Grove at Ole Miss on game days, to the square for nights on the town, and I brought them all the way to California and had to wear one on my birthday (don’t miss out on the weekend’s photo diary – double post today)!

Do y’all have favorite vintage items of your mom’s or aunts?  I would love to hear what you’ve snagged from mom’s closet.  My grandmother’s mink stole from the ladies boutique she owned with my grandfather has her name monogrammed on the inside is the most special piece in my closet!

dress – vintage Malia, love the vintage-inspired dresses below, you can search “vintage Malia” on eBay and lots will come up! / necklace – Birds on a Wire Vintage (c/o) / heels – Zara / bag – Expressions NYC / earrings – Chanel / sunglasses – Amazon

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Birthday Photo Diary

As many of y’all may have seen on instagram, my grandmother and I share a birthday and that has always been so fun!  We either spend it together or skyping, this year obviously choosing the latter.  Having a summer birthday, most of my friends were out of town at summer camps or on vacation on my birthday when I was growing up. Therefore, I never really had big birthday parties or hooplas, usually just dinners with a small group of friends or my family.  The benefit of these low-key childhood birthdays is that I rarely have expectations whenever July 12th rolls around.

Having low expectations means the past 7 or so years I have been so appreciative and grateful of everyone’s thoughtfulness.  Even the smallest gesture just feels so meaningful.  All of the facebook wishes, blog comments, instagrams, texts, voicemails, calls — they really made the day so special and I loved catching up with so many, I didn’t want the day to end!

Below is a little photo diary of the relaxing weekend – spent skyping, lounging at the pool, unwrapping presents, playing in Newport, hiking, hitting the farmers market and of course, shopping!  Thank you so much for reading!

Christian nailed the birthday dinner.  He chose Sol Cocina in Newport, calling ahead and asking for a table with a view so we could watch the sunset.  While enjoying dinner, the atmosphere and decor of the restaurant reminded us of one of the restaurants on our honeymoon – even better!  Moments like this just remind me that I really snagged a good one.

There’s that sunset.

After dinner we walked around Balboa Island and window shopped, too full to eat a frozen banana or Balboa bar. On our honeymoon we always walked to and from dinner rather than taking a golf cart ride.  It was nice to walk and chat while both anticipating dinner and letting our big meals settle!  This walk around Balboa reminded me of our blissful honeymoon and was the perfect end to such a relaxing and happy day!

Is this French Bulldog by the “take me to Paris” sweatshirt the cutest display or what?  I later discovered this little bulldog can be found at Z Gallerie.

Driving out to a late Saturday afternoon hike –

Seeing this apple pie craving of a hiking stranger’s made me feel like I could manage the Holy Jim Falls Trail, also known as the “Cussin’ Jim.”

Jealous of the people in this Great Park balloon!

A crazy loaded hotdog on Hawaiian sweet rolls?  Genius, Dogzilla Hotdogs.

Thank y’all so much for all of your sweet birthday wishes and comments!!  You certainly helped to make my birthday extra special this year, and I mean it, mean it, mean it.  Lots of love – XO –

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Friday’s Five + It’s My Birthday!

– a refreshing watermelon salad with feta cheese, red onion and mint –

– the OC Fair opening this weekend –

 – the cutest little mobile boutique I’ve ever seen –

– a garden full of fresh mint –

– a cute little cupcake for breakfast –

It’s my birthday!!  I am so thankful to turn 26 in California and spend the weekend with Christian and new friends.  I’ll keep y’all posted if any of this birthday wish list comes true!

I plan on treating myself to some magazine reading poolside, an afternoon manicure and skype session with my mom, sister and grandmother (she turns 86 today! You can see last year’s birthday post here).And to eat lots and lots of food.  And dessert.  And carbs.  Lots of carbs.I hope y’all have a fabulous weekend!  You don’t have to be the birthday girl to treat yo self.  Indulge.  Wear elastic waistband pants.  Buy a pair of shoes without asking anyone for permission.  Treat yo self.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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CBL Apartment Tour

 

It’s finally here!  Y’all have been asking and I’m excited to share our new home with all of you.  We downsized a pretty good bit…so we sadly had to limit what we brought with us from our Mississippi home.  Those of you who saw the Mississippi house tour will definitely recognize things!  We have only been here for a couple of weeks, and I have to say I’m pleased with how we’ve settled into our new place.  We feel blessed and fortunate to call this golden state home.

I really wanted to paint the walls an eggshell white, but since we think we will only be in this apartment for one year, Christian we didn’t want to go to the trouble only to have to paint them yellow again for the next tenant.  So buttery yellow it is!

So come on in and tell me what you think –

ComfyHeaven pillows.

Vintage suitcase cat bed tutorial here.

Our dining area and bar (gallery wall also seen here)…

Old Waverly custom wedding painting c/o Dorothy Collier Art, Great Big Sea painting c/o Hillary Butler.

Brittany Fuson bridal illustration.

DIY chalkboard canister post here.

Enter into the bedroom…

Paper rose wreath tutorial here.  All of my heels are housed on a shoe rack on the back of the bedroom door!  My personal goal was not to have to use the hanging rack…but I quickly realized it was a necessity or I would never be able to open my closet doors without being pummeled by clothing falling out.  I told myself it wasn’t so bad since I also hung all of Christian’s suits on the hanging rack…right?  Clearly we BOTH need the extra hanging space…

Christian says our bedroom is the “new hair & makeup room.”  This might be true.  You tell me.

Monogram pillow c/o ComfyHeaven Pillows. The headboard can be found here or here.  Bedding is available here and here.

Paper rose wreath tutorial here.  All of my heels are housed on a shoe rack on the back of the bedroom door!  My personal goal was not to have to use the hanging rack…but I quickly realized it was a necessity or I would never be able to open my closet doors without being pummeled by clothing falling out.  I told myself it wasn’t so bad since I also hung all of Christian’s suits on the hanging rack…right?  Clearly we BOTH need the extra hanging space…

Christian says our bedroom is the “new hair & makeup room.”  This might be true.  You tell me.

Watercolor scarf c/o Olio Collection.

 And our sweet patio!  We also store the washer & dryer in the patio closet, which is worth mentioning because all I had to do was go without a washer & dryer for two weeks to greatly appreciate our new stackable beauty.  Every time I do laundry I’m smiling, and that’s no lie.

Hope you enjoyed a peek into our new home!  We are still working on getting some patio furniture and small touches here and there, but we are happy to be feeling comfortable in our surroundings again.

Thanks so much for reading and please feel free to give me any suggestions!!  My home is always a work in progress. Since we only have one ceiling fixture in the entire apartment (and it’s our only ceiling fan no less!), I don’t have anywhere for my eBay chandelier – the horror!!!  I will definitely be finding a spot for that treasure in our next home – it’s mandatory.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  XO –

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Pink Joggers

 

A few years ago I spent a summer weekend in Miami with some of my best girlfriends.  I was in awe of all the beautiful people in the city, the different languages being spoken all around me and the colorful everything.

This outfit feels so Miami to me – with another fabulous scarf top!  My first scarf top post was here, and I’ve really fallen in love with the concept and this colorful Olio Collection scarf.  It feels so easy and unique – which I’m finding is very “California.”  I think that one of the biggest differences between my Southern style and California-girl style is that the stylish girls here have a very easy look.  Air-dried hair, natural makeup and an effortlessly put together look that is both unique and laid back.

A big bonus that this outfit is cool since we have no central air conditioning in the den/living area of our apartment.  Most days it’s not a problem…but somedays it feels like summertime Miami in the den…and I’m not kidding.   Having been nicknamed the “ice queen” in college thanks to my love of air conditioning and below 70 degree temperatures, I might complain about the lack of AC a few times…daily.  Luckily I have lots of reasons to get outside and enjoy the breeze, and I find ways to do this often!

I love some big hair but my stick-straight locks rarely hold much volume – so the California style of long, no fuss strands are definitely working to my advantage!  What do y’all think?  Is the long, straight hair too plain on me?

scarf top – Olio Collection (c/o) / pink joggers – Forvever21, similar here and here / heels – Michael Antonio / bag – Céline, similar here / cuff and arty ring – La Dama / enamel cuff – Hermés / earrings – boutique , love these and these / sunnies – Ray Ban

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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