I recently shared these two looks on Instagram here, but both outfits are Lafayette 148 NY from Neiman Marcus and they were just so cute they needed a little extra spotlight.
A linen shorts suit? Nothing I don’t like about that. And a beautiful yellow dress, all easy breezy and with pockets? Can’t get enough. Both looks run on the larger side, so I would recommend sizing down one full size.
– new kitchen runners that I just oogle from afar, love them so much! –
Hope everyone is having a great start to the almost-weekend! I am so excited to be visiting my parents for the first time since January, and we are taking a big truck to load up some gems from my parents house before they move this summer. They are not only leaving my childhood home but also moving towns, so it’s going to be an interesting experience.
I’m not as sad as I thought I would be because they’re so excited about their new town and house, and I think it’s going to be a great fit for them. That makes it a lot easier! But it will just be strange not to pull up to that long driveway, hear the fountain water and swing on their screened porch. It also makes it easier that I now have my own home. And I have the space and luxury of taking pieces of furniture and gems that will remind me of that house to my current house. I think if I was still living far away in a rented apartment, it would make me a lot more sad… if that makes any sense.
I also hit a big milestone this week! After a conversation with my doctor (not Christian, my own doctor, ha!), I got my Covid vaccine. I was surprised that it made me a little emotional. I had heard another friend say that, and at the time I didn’t fully understand. But as I waited for the shot, it felt like such a memorable moment. No it doesn’t mean all of this is over, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. And it was really important to Christian that I get vaccinated, so I went ahead and took care of it. Afterwards I couldn’t help but be in a chipper mood. It was a small moment of hope and a little bit of relief. So far I feel good without any significant side effects, and now that I have my little vaccinated card, I feel like it’s a mini diploma. You gotta celebrate the wins, even if they seem small!
I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend and finds some time to get outside and enjoy the weather. I am loving spending more time outside, it really feels so therapeutic. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
At first glance, you might think this week’s wish list is all over the place. And that’s because it is. Because I’ve been in a real shoppin’ mood lately, so I have my eye on quite a few things.
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the post!
A few Amazon finds – I just got this $30 dress in yesterday and it’s as fab as everyone says it is. Incredibly comfortable, hangs on the body nicely and true to size. A win! This $35 set I purchased in long sleeves and it’s so good I ordered a second in the short-sleeved. I sized up one size for a looser fit. I purchased this oversized tee after I saw it on another influencer and I think it’s going to be a great tee for workouts (you can find my workout playlist here) – love the color! And I ordered these hair clips for $9 and they are too cute. Love an easy way to snazz up my favorite lazy hairdo – anything pulled back. A reminder that you can always find more Amazon picks in my Amazon Storefront (located under “shop” at the top of this site)!
I finally splurged on this lamp when I was able to snag it on sale this week. I think it’s going to look great in the den. I saw this bench in another home and instantly fell in love – on my wish list for sure! Katey McFarlan was raving about these baskets for kids toys, she says they are indestructible which I can definitely appreciate. She also made me want this orchid planter, even though I have too many already and definitely don’t need another one. But do I!? Maybe so. I also ordered this vase and this vase many months ago and can’t wait for them to arrive. How gorgeous is this large one!?
I have these pearly sandals in cheetah print (styled here), and I’m loving them in black! I just got this personalized tote in and it is a seriously fabulous designer look for less. I LOVE IT.
Lastly this dress is one of those gems you’ll wear for years and years. So pretty and classic. However if you’re looking for f-u-n, nothing is better than this tropical jumpsuit. Gimme!
Thank you so much for reading and if you have a favorite splurge lately or a great Amazon find, I’d love to hear. XO –
– slowly turning this extra patio we have into a little “courtyard” of sorts –
– realizing this fiddle had outgrown it’s pot so I’m hoping with a new pot she will start gaining some height –
Happy beautiful Friday! I like how last week I was bragging about our long awaited new front doors being installed this week. Well, the joke is on me as apparently the doors haven’t even arrived yet. So… mama is not happy about busting it to make sure the ring doorbell and brass entry set arrived in plenty of time for the “install,” only to now not even have a date on the calendar. So that’s going really well.
This week has been a little calmer than last week which I have really appreciated. As much as I love efficiency and checking things off the list, who really likes being super busy? I find so much joy in enjoying the calm moments – you have to soak them up when you have them!
A major highlight of this week was going to my first Atlanta Hawks game with my friend Allie! We had a double date with floor seats, and it was a truly insane experienced I will likely never have again. Fun fact: I played high school basketball and while I don’t miss playing it, I still love watching it. Christian is a big baseball fan and I truly cannot be bothered. The sound effect I would share for baseball would be snoring. I like FAST, action-packed games and basketball delivers!!
This weekend we have a little bit of work to do, and I’m hoping we can squeeze in a bike ride. We have a new baby bike seat for Hudson and he loves taking cruises in it! I also want to stop by the Botanical Garden in town to see what they have blooming. I really have become such a garden woman, and it feels like a healthy hobby so I’m gonna keep at it.
Would love to hear what you’re up to this weekend! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
This week’s wish list is all about spring styles I have my eye on and that is usually a great spring/summer dress, gold jewelry and some neutral sandals. Let’s jump in, shall we?
To shop, simply click directly on the item below or find its associated number below the collage.
I love this dress in black – I have it and it also looks so fab belted or with a belt bag. This mini summer handbag is so cute and looks almost vintage, which makes it even more fab. I saw these heels on another blogger and they looked so chic. They’re a look-for-less of a more expensive pair, and I think they are really well done! I also haven’t had a pair of Tory Burch sandals in so long but I can’t get over how cute this pair is.
This keychain allows you to not touch door handles, and I’m not sure why I don’t already have one. This headband is on sale for $35 and looks 3x as expensive. I also love this chain for glasses or even a mask – so fun!
This dress is on sale and I think it is SUCH a great grab! The kind of dress you can put on with a low ponytail and sandals and instantly look put together. Add some classic chunky gold hoops or sleek drop earrings, and you’re stylin’ girl.
What have you added to your closet so far this season? You know I wanna hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
Six months later… I’m finally sharing our full bathroom remodel! I’ve gotten many a message from you guys about when this would be posted, and I apologize for taking my sweet, sweet time. When we first moved from our 1,000 sq. foot apartment in San Francisco to this much larger home in Georgia, I was so fortunate to partner with brands on some of the room reveals in our house.
You can find them all in the “home” category of this site, but some examples are our dining room, living room, Hudson’s room, the den and bar, my closet and our bedroom. Because we partnered on them, we were on tight timelines and it can be hard to decorate so much of your home in a snap! We knew when we purchased this home that we would be gutting our master bathroom and starting from scratch, so I promised myself I would take my time making it feel “just right” before sharing it.
Hilariously (and appropriately), I have added some art since I photographed this in March, so even with six months I still ended up changing it around. But alas, we are here today with the big reveal!
You can find some “before” photos below. It was… something to see. Truthfully one of the only rooms in the entire house that hasn’t been renovated or updated in the past 5-8 years. We took everything out and without knocking out any walls and completely transformed the space. I am in love with the result!
Some of the biggest things I learned in this renovation that I will be sure to stay on top of next time are:
1. Have regular budget check-ins with your contractor.
Looking back, I should have scheduled a budget touch base with our lead contractor every Friday. That way we could routinely discuss where we stood, what surprises came up and what our options were.
Which leads me to…
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for estimates and options.
As a lifelong renter, I’ve only been a homeowner for less than two years. So I’ve never done any kind of renovation. In any project, hiccups and dilemmas are going to be discovered as the project moves along, and there will be repairs and additional expenses added to the list. I think it’s pretty safe to say… you will likely go over budget. But at the end of the day, monitoring how over budget you go is up to you to stay on top of. No one is going to care about your wallet as much as you are!
Our finished cost was 58% over the original estimate. And that was largely due to additional tile labor costs, a surprise subfloor replacement during high lumber costs (unavoidable), unexpectedly expensive French doors, etc. It would have been wise for me to ask for estimates and options instead of just saying, “sure, ok” and then being surprised when the numbers rolled in once decisions were already in motion.
Live and learn, that’s on me. Big picture, I’m so pleased with the results, I expected to go over budget and I would still do it all over again. But I definitely learned along the way.
3. If you’re going to do it, do it right. And that means hiring a designer!
Without a doubt, this bathroom would not look like this without the guidance of Theresa Costas Design. Theresa just has great taste, period, but she came in with knowledge and experience. She knew where the shower heads should be mounted, where to splurge and where to save and how to elevate the space with small tips and a refined eye. It also made me so much more confident in my choices to have her opinion on not only the big ticket items like tile and countertops but also the details like fixtures, hardware and sconces.
When you renovate a space, you’re going to spend money regardless. You might as well be spending it well. I am so, so glad I trusted her when I was hesitant (black vanities, marble subway tile over ceramic tile, mixing metals, etc.). Without a doubt, she was right, and if I could go back in time I would have never questioned any of her choices in the first place.
If you have a lesson learned in a renovation experience or have a project you’re thrilled to complete – I would love to hear about it! Our next big project are new front doors being installed… tomorrow. I am SO excited!
Thank you so much for reading, and you can find more home reveals and rooms in the “home” category of this site. XO –
– using this bag as the perfect catch-all beach bag last week –
Hip hip hooray we made it to Friday! It was really nice to be home this week, and I loved soaking up some extra time with Hudson after spending our first week away from him last week. I even kept him all to myself on Monday, despite the work I needed to do. I won’t deny, waking up on my own time with no baby monitor was some kind of refreshing. However did I talk about Hudson all day long, watch videos of him and watch him sleep and wake up from the Miku monitor every day of vacation? Yes.
I am excited to go to Scott’s Antique Markets for the first time this weekend with my sister and sister-in-law. I don’t think any of us have ever been, and it’s going to be an experience. I have only heard amazing things. I can’t wait to see what it’s like. My SIL advised us to arrive with list of items you’re on the hunt for because she’s been told it can get overwhelming. GREAT advice, and so far I have… one thing on my list. We’ll see how many coffees we need throughout the day!
In my most exciting news, this is our last week with our current front doors. We are getting long awaited front doors next week, and I am so excited! I knew when we bought this house that there were a few updates we would need to do, one being our master bathroom (reveal coming Monday – finally!) and another being replacing our existing front door for both functionality and appearance. So I will be sharing before and afters for both. I think it’s going to be pretty significant, and I can’t wait to see these door knobs installed. I love a good before and after!
I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend and Mother’s Day! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
I know you’ve probably heard about this pasta before, but I have been eating this probably a little too often lately, and I wanted to share how I make it!
Apparently supermodel Gigi Hadid shared her recipe for spicy vodka pasta on Instagram Stories last year, and it’s been all over the internet since. And it is crazy easy and wildly delicious. You could add a protein or a green side salad, but we usually just toast some garlic bread and call it a weekday dinner.
I usually double the recipe and half the red pepper flakes and still have a plenty spicy pasta with leftovers that warm up really well. When I made this for the whole family I eliminated the red pepper flakes altogether and Hudson loved it.
I’ve also made this with other types of pasta, and I really do think shells is the best way to go. The way it scoops up the sauce it’s just… *chef’s kiss.*
Ingredients (serves 4):
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, diced
1 – 2 green onions
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pasta water
2 tablespoons vodka
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lb shells pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (fresh grated if you really want to go for it)
Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings: fresh shaved parmesan, chopped basil
Directions:
Heat the olive oil, garlic and onion in a large saucepan and cook until soft. I used my MacKenzie-Childs pan that I love so much for pastas or broth-y dishes.
Add the tomato paste and cook until it blended well and slightly darker in color. Add the heavy cream and vodka, cook until evaporated. Add in red pepper flakes (more or less depending on your preferred spice level) and salt & pepper to taste. Remove sauce from heat.
Cook pasta separately and save 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Add the pasta water and butter to the sauce. Once blended, add in your cooked pasta. Lastly, add in your parmesan cheese and stir it up.
Top with more salt and pepper to taste and freshly shredded parmesan and chopped basil. And tell me it’s not crazy good!
If you try it, I would love to know what you think! Thanks so much for reading, and for more recipes be sure to visit the “food + drink” category of this site under “home.” Happy eating! XO –
I’m asking for the same thing I asked for last year. Breakfast in bed, a homemade card (bonus points if there are handprints) and a happy day with no diaper changes. That’s my perfect day! I have the most delicious pasta recipe coming this week – excited to be back in the office. Hope everyone has a great start to the week! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
– discovering these Japanese roses in the back of our yard –
– spending a few days in Jekyll Island –
– and arriving in Sea Island for the first time –
We have been on vacation this week (without the babe), and wow – it has been complete zen. In fact, I feel like we have had so much relaxation time I almost feel uncomfortable with how much time I have. I have been napping on pool chairs, in the bed by 10PM and reading 80+ pages of books a day. Who is this person? REFRESHING. I now fully connect with why my parents frequently went on vacation… without us. No judgement!
But I’ll be honest… I can’t wait to see that baby boy. We creep on his crib monitor daily, watching him sleep and snuggle his stuffed bunny. We only have a few more days in paradise, so I want to be sure to soak it up!
I will be transparent that half our trip in Jekyll, while still lovely and plenty enjoyable, was operating at full capacity but had no services. No pool staff, no room service or housekeeping, no shuttles, no bell hop – there were hardly any employees. Yet they’re still charging full rate. And I’m pretty sure I got food poisoning from a salad in Jekyll… so that was less exciting.
The second half of our trip at Sea Island felt much more relaxing and appropriate with mask policies and partial housekeeping (water replenishment, fresh towels, etc) while still respecting covid restrictions. So if you are looking to travel right now, I would recommend asking about the services offered or not offered ahead of time. Because I think some places are worth the investment right now (Sea Island – yes!) and for others it might be worth waiting to visit until they are operating under full staff.
Everything is really blooming in Georgia right now, so we plan to head back today and spend a little bit more time with Christian’s parents before they return to Mississippi. We have a Derby party with friends this weekend, and I am so excited! I don’t know know much about the Derby, but I have a Kentucky girlfriend in Athens, and I look forward to seeing her in her Derby element!
This week’s wish list comes from coastal Georgia, so it feels appropriate we are focusing on swim! Some of these items I packed with me this week, but one thing is pretty consistent – I love a solid.
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage –
Many of these came by way of Amazon which were great because they were last-minute add ons that shipped quickly! I brought this coverup in white and it’s so cute open or buttoned. I also have these sunglasses in black, but the white pair is in my cart. They look so much more expensive than $15! This swimsuit looks like a cuter version of an Amazon scalloped two piece I bought in two colors last summer. I love the thicker shoulder straps!
This basket handbag is super cute and would go with all vacation looks. I love the sleek lines of this one piece, and this has been my beach bag so far this week and I feel like it’s the perfect size.
When I saw this dress on Amazon, I had to know if it was as cute and comfortable as it looked online.
And an update: it is. It comes in two colors, it’s under $45 and super soft. I actually plan on buying the camel as well now that I know that it’s such a great grab! I paired it with this croissant bag and these earrings, also conveniently from Amazon.
The reviews enticed me to order a size down from my usual size, and I would agree that’s the way to go. I also think if you were pregnant you could size up in this dress and it would totally work. In the winter this would look amazing with over the knee boots and maybe even with a turtleneck bodysuit layered underneath. And then you could carry the black croissant bag! Which, confession… I might also have.
