Several months ago I shared some of my tips on Instagram Stories for keeping hydrangeas alive for a couple of weeks. Christian laughs at me that I have nicknamed myself “the hydrangea whisperer,” and he knows I will try all of these strategies before giving up on my flowers!
TIPS FOR KEEPING HYDRANGEAS ALIVE
Cut stems at an angle. After a few days or a week or so I’ll check the stems when giving them fresh water and I’ll give them a fresh stem cut.
Use a clear vase. I try to use glass vases for my hydrangeas because they drink so much water, and if I can’t see the water level it’s likely they’ll be low before I even realize.
Dunk the head of the hydrangea in water when the bloom is look wilty or sad. Leave the flower dripping by the sink and in a few hours, you’ll be amazed at the difference. The bloom needs water too, not just the stem! If your blooms are looking extra sad, try leaving them in a large bowl of very hot water for up to 45 minutes.
Boil water and put the stem in the hot water until the water has cooled. I don’t even quite know why this works, but it usually does!
You can also add some ice cubes to the water or use a spray bottle of water to mist the blooms if you don’t want to dunk them under the faucet. This article has some great tips too!
Thanks so much for reading, and if you have any tips of your own specific to hydrangeas I’d love to hear! For tulips, pennies from 1981 or older can be dropped in the vase. The copper in the water helps them stand up straighter. It sounds crazy, but it’s always worked for me! XO –
I shared a sneak peek of this look last week on Instagram here, but I felt like it was such a simple look to recreate that I also wanted to share it on the blog!
When it comes to adding designer bags to my collection, I usually aim for neutral colors. However, sometimes it is really fun to use your splurge as an opportunity for a fun statement piece. Years ago I snagged a pink velvet Prada Cahier bag on Black Friday. I’ve been so surprised at how much I gravitate toward that bold, colorful statement bag, that it made me more comfortable splurging on a colorful piece here and there.
Then I added this bright red YSL nano to my closet, and I wear it all the time. Maybe this occasional pop of color thing is way more cost-per-wear friendly that I thought!
I found this bright clementine Goyard PM tote on StockX.com, and I think it’s going to be such a fun piece for spring and summer. It photographs more yellow but in person it reminds me of the clementine shade of Veuve Clicquot if you get my drift.
If you have a Goyard tote in a bright color or a bold statement bag you find yourself reaching for more often than you thought you would, I’d love to hear about!
I think I need to snag one of these organizers for it too! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
After last week’s drive from San Francisco to Georgia, I was so surprised at how many of you either have done the same thing for a move or have one coming up! I know it can feel daunting when you have it ahead of you, especially if you’re planning on traveling alone. But after seeing so many questions I thought I would compile my most helpful tips that might prove to be a resource to any of you doing the same!
TIPS FOR DRIVING CROSS-COUNTRY SOLO (or with someone!)
Have your car checked out. We paid to have the tires, fluids, engine, etc. checked out before the drive. It wasn’t inexpensive, but I felt so much more confident knowing that the car was in good shape. If your car breaks down on the side of the road in New Mexico… it’s going to be a lot more annoying that just investing in it upfront.
Find Friends App. Have a family member or close friend that can track you on their phone on the Find Friends App (or Life360, whatever tracking situation you want to use). Christian and my mom were both tracking me and knew when I was a gas station or stuck in traffic and so on. It does make you feel like if you were stranded on the side of the road someone might also be calling for help in addition to yourself!
Pack a Gallon of Water. You never know what could happen and if you’re in the desert in the summer… at least you know you’ll have water.
Snacks. This is a no brainer, but having some fruit and granola bars in your car is always a good idea. Along with a roll of paper towels and some wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer.
You can ALWAYS call 911, even if your phone says it has no service. As long as you have battery power and can reach a signal, the phone can connect to 911. They legally have to answer ,so that’s some security.
Phone Charger. That being said, make sure you have a reliable phone charger (duh), and I would highly recommend this cell phone dock for following directions.
AAA! I’ve always had AAA since we’ve lived in California because Christian is completely unavailable when operating. It’s saved me multiple times. I had it for this cross-country drive, but should you not be able to reach them for some reason or you don’t have AAA, the local police department of whatever town you’re in will come help you if you are stranded for some reason.
Download FREE podcasts or pay for Audible books. I loaded up on both and you can check out all of my podcast recommendations in three blog posts I’ve put together here, here and here. Also your public library may be able to provide free audiobooks you can check out!
Cracker Barrel also offers books but I believe they charge so you might just want to buy on Audible, whichever works for you.
Tips for pet-friendly hotels! Christian selected my hotels for me based on what kind of time I was making on the road. Since I was traveling solo with Lula (our elderly tripawd rescue cat), it was most important to us that the hotels were pet-friendly and in safe areas.
There is BringFido.com, but Christian uses TripAdvisor and sets a filter for pet-friendly. The key is to find the hotel chains that are pet-friendly. A LOT of Marriott hotels allow pets (most will charge a $25-$35 fee), including most Springhill Suites. Most Holiday Inn Express locations also allow pets. Then you can try to stay within those same hotels within the chain.
My last tip on this would be to then check GoogleMaps and see what is around the hotel. Is it motels and gas stations? Or other hotels like Doubletree, Sheratons and a Home Depot? It will give you a feel for perhaps the area you choose so you can know what to expect and where you’ll be most comfortable.
Select hotels with continental breakfasts. This may sound trivial, but for the nights I was staying in hotels off the interstate, they both happened to have free continental breakfasts. I didn’t think much about it, but after the fact I realized it saved me a ton of time. It allowed me to fill up my water bottles with cold water, get a coffee for the road and hot breakfast and take a couple pieces of fruit. Major time saver!
Buy Bug & Tar Spray. For after your drive, you’re going to murder about 1200 bugs. A car wash isn’t strong enough to scrub those bad boys off! My parents have this spray they used on my car, and it’s great. You just spray it on your bumper and rearview windows, let it sit and then wash it off with a hose. WAY easier than what I tried to do over time getting them off on my cross-country drive from MS to CA six years ago.
If you have elected on this same kind of cross-country journey and have any tips to add, I would love to hear them so I can keep this list updated and a resource for other girls! Thank you so much for reading and sharing – XO –
I am trying to get back in the swing of things now that the cross-country move and house closing is behind me, so I wanted to kick it off with a classic wish list! The weather is warmer in the South, so dress season is finally in full-force and I am HERE. FOR. IT.
I wanted to round up some of my favorite midi and maxi dresses for the season including everything from pieces you can dress up with heels to pieces that would look best with flats. And the best part about a dress like this or this? Throw a leather jacket or blazer over it, and it can easily take you into fall.
I’ve been wearing these sunglasses on my drive, and have gotten so many questions from those of you who love them too! I think it’s always fun to mix in a fun color in a pair of glasses, and I was a sucker for these with the thick frame. So cute.
I’ve been keeping my eye on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which is coming up in mid-July, so I’m crossing my fingers there will be more great deals this year! Let me know if there are any wish list themes you guys would like to see in the weeks ahead. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
I had to skip Friday’s Five today because 98% of our possessions are in cardboard boxes, but I still wanted to check in because I feel like I’ve been so slow on Carrie Bradshaw Lied the past few weeks. I love writing in this space and genuinely miss it when I have to momentarily step away for whatever reason.
It’s finally happening. What has been the most challenging year of my life has come to a close, and it feels kind of like a wedding day. All of Christian’s medical training is behind us, the constant moving and starting over and over… we made it. This is the end of the tunnel!
While driving across the country solo wasn’t in my original plan, it just seems makes the most sense at this point rather than flying. I have many things I knew wouldn’t last in a moving van for the two weeks it will take to get to us. We have two pets in double digits who are not registered service animals (which makes flying less complicated). One of us needs to be in Georgia for the closing of our next home next week, so driving it is!
I have a 39-hour journey in a 13 year old car with a geriatric cat. Thankfully we did get the car spruced up before the trek but I’ll still be crossing my fingers everything goes smoothly. Thank God for AAA, such a comforting security blanket! I started my journey Wednesday, and I have made way from Northern California to Texas – you know I love some Texas! Honestly with so many free podcasts and a few audible books, we’ve been doing just fine. I really enjoyed the drive through Arizona. It’s such a beautiful and unique state!
This isn’t our first cross-country drive but hoping it will be our last. This year has most definitely been a really tough one, for many reasons. I’ve learned a lot about myself, my boundaries and what’s ultimately most important to us. And it’s not what we would have necessarily thought three years ago.
While this year has felt like a low point, overall our time in California has been really special. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to move here six years ago. Our entire marriage has been spent in this stunning state. We’ve considered it home for so long, and it’s definitely bittersweet to leave the beauty that is the West Coast. Truth be told, Christian did receive job offers in Orange County that we heavily considered. We absolutely loved our time there, and I know we will be back to visit some our favorite spots in California (hopefully) often!
But it’s time to say goodbye and the future is bright. So excited to share this new chapter with you guys, and I can’t thank you enough for all of your encouragement and support along the way. Let’s do this! Thanks so much for reading, and if you want to follow our road trip, it’s being documented in real time on Instagram Stories – XO –
Ok can you EVEN with these headbands and these sunglasses!? Together!? That is the mood I want to go into summer with, hands down. I really feel like I might need this “bougie” bracelet – hilarious and these styles of bracelets are everywhere for summer.
Over time, I have collected several Monica Vinader friendship bracelets, and I recently got this ring and have loved that it can adjust to be worn on any finger. I love some of their simple pieces like this diamond ring and this bracelet. So beautiful and an unreal price for diamonds.
I also feel like everyone might need to have a leopard swimsuit for summer. They’re so cute, flattering (hello camouflaging pattern!) and way more fun than your classic black suit. I think this suit would look killer with these sunglasses. Grab a black sarong and talk about designer look for less!
Have you snagged anything for summer trips that you can’t get enough of? I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
I’ve made this pasta at least 3x in the past month because it’s quick, easy, inexpensive and tastes great with a protein on top or on its own. I wanted to share the recipe with you guys before our entire apartment was in boxes (which is happening as I type this (!!)).
I usually add seasoned baked or grilled chicken on top for Christian, and I’ll just have mine without. It’s truly delicious either way!
Ingredients:
one package penne or rigatoni pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions:
Boil pasta per directions on package. Add heavy cream and butter to a sauce pan until melted – keep the heat low so it doesn’t boil. Stir in parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Add sauce to the drained pasta and let it sit until the sauce thickens. Top with fresh pepper, serve with your favorite protein or enjoy all by itself!
sweater (no longer available) similar styles from same brand here (on sale) and here (on sale) | pants | lipstick in nearly nude | pasta bowl
Thank you so much for reading, and if you have your own homemade alfredo recipe you know I want to hear! You can find more recipes in the “food & drink” category of CBL. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
– leopard sandals that I can’t wait to wear all summer –
– when you only have random leftovers for lunch but you still try to make it cute (salad recipe here) –
– so excited to try this new Versed Skincare available at Target –
Happy happy Friday! I don’t know the last time I only posted one blog post in a week. I’m honestly a little embarrassed but I appreciate your grace! We have packers and movers coming Monday + Tuesday, and then I’ll be hitting the road to get to Georgia in time to close on our home.
I’ve been working on getting all of our final things done in the city and prepping that it’s been more time consuming than I anticipated. Managing this cross-country move/buying our first home + keeping up with email/deadlines as been busy but so exciting and absolutely worth all the work, no doubt. So I’ve been slacking in creating new content this week, but no fear! I have some things lined up for next week, and I will absolutely be keeping you guys up-to-date in real time on Instagram!
I spent a few days in San Luis Obispo this week gathering some boxes things that my brother let me store in his garage while we’ve been in San Francisco. It was so nice to spend some time with his wife and three kids, including shooting a little mini family session, and it’s going to be so bittersweet leaving that sweet family in California when we head east. It’s been such a blessing to always have them an hour to four hours away.
I’m going to see a SATC drag show this weekend with my friend Sparks which honestly is just the perfect farewell. Can’t wait! Other than that, I’ll be packing up the items that will be traveling with Christian and I in our cars while catching up onHandmaid’s Tale. I also want to watch Always Be My Maybe on Netflix! I’ve been saving it for a good movie night with Christian.
What do you guys have going on this weekend? Thank you so much for reading and checking in! Have a beautiful Friday – XO –
FINALLY SPILLING THE TEA! In January, we visited this location for the first time ever… and since then I’ve visited a total of twice and Christian has still only been once. So my hint of it being a place neither of us had ever visited was true, I promise!
We also… bought our first home! I wanted to finalize housing plans before we shared all of this news, and so here we are – filling you in on everything that has been going on since January.
Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with us! Appreciate all of your encouragement and support more than you guys will ever know. LOVE YOU! XO –
I’ve got dresses on the brain and I wanted to round up some of my favorite summer dress picks that I found online, including some for less from eBay in the thumbnails below!
We’re in the middle of planning some warm weather trips this summer, and I can’t believe how much is about to change. I am so, so, so excited about it.
What do you have on the calendar this summer? Beach trips? Traveling out of the country? Dresses and slides/sneakers are some of my favorite spring/summer travel looks because you can stay both cool and comfortable. Some inspo outfits here, here and here.
I love cucumbers and tomatoes all year round, but they are especially delish when they’re in season… like, right now. I wanted to share a really simple tomato and cucumber salad you can easily make at home for a side dish or even as your main lunch. I’ll eat a bowl of this with some crackers and hummus or cheese and crackers.
Ingredients:
One large cucumber, seeded and diced into half moons
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, diced thin
handful chopped parsley
2 TB chopped dill (you could use basil or chives also)
4 TB olive oil
2 TB red wine vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
s&p to taste
Directions:
Combine cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and herbs in a bowl. Whisk together dressing and pour on top of vegetables.
It’s that easy, so fresh and tastes even better the longer it marinates. For more recipes, including my favorite pimento cheese spread, one of my favorite healthy snacks and some GG cracker recipe ideas. And be sure to check out the food & drink category of CBL! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
A few weeks ago I asked you guys on Instagram Stories if you had previously had a positive experience with a national moving company to please pass on their name/info. And I was floored with the amount of responses I received with unlimited moving advice! I wanted to consolidate it all in one place that would be a resource for all of us moving all over the place!
As for national moving companies, in order by majority recommended:
1. United Van Lines (this is who we ended up selecting)
2. Allied
3. Atlas
4. Mayflower (sister company to United)
5. Two Men and a Truck | They quoted me 2x as much as everyone else, I later was told they’re great for short moves but not necessarily big ones.
6. Armstrong Relocation
7. North American Van Lines
8. National Van Lines | They were pretty pricey for us (about 2/3 more than others).
Packing Tips:
* If you have a summer move, book ahead of time. Preferably at least a month. June is apparently the busiest time for movers (followed by July), so you want to get on their calendars early!
* If you live in a big city, be sure to file for a temporary signage permit so there is somewhere for the moving truck to park. In San Francisco, it’s SFMTA. Does it cost a couple extra hundred dollars? Of course… but that’s city life. And it’s better than getting a crazy expensive ticket for double parking and inconveniencing tons of people!
* If you have the budget to pay someone else to pack for you, it’s worth it. But make sure they don’t charge by the box because sometimes they’ll pack very few things in a ton of boxes.
* If you opt for a partial pack service, know that insurance will not cover the boxes you pack, so it is best to allow the packers to pack all breakable items.
* Many girls recommended organization services like the NEAT Method or Life in Jeneral for packing you up rather than paying for moving companies to pack you. I contacted both of these companies out of my own curiosity and Life in Jeneral requires airfare/lodging/travel fees if you’re outside of Los Angeles… so that could get pricey pretty fast. NEAT Method still recommends you hiring packers after their organization, so it sounds like a great but possibly quite expensive option. It might be best to use their services when you’re unpacking rather than packing.
* If the moving company is packing you, micro-manage to help label everything efficiently and specifically.
* Use different colored post-it notes or duct tape and organize box colors by room.
* Offer drinks/snacks to packers and movers and tip them half of their tip early, can help your stuff be handled better.
* Keep a journal of what’s in each box – you can organize this by numbering the boxes. This also helps with insurance if something is broken or stolen.
* You can sometimes get a better price by giving a window of delivery rather than an exact delivery date.
* If the company packs for you, they will sometimes come back a few days later to gather trash so ask about this service.
* Use the this website to check for complaints for the companies you plan to look into.
* Pack valuables yourself.
* Don’t go with the least expensive option only because they’re least expensive! It can turn into a huge headache, they can hold your stuff hostage (this literally happens) – big fat mess.
* If you’re going the moving van route, Penske (in my opinion) is significantly more reliable than U-Haul. We have had U-Haul not hold our reservation, tell us we need to drive an hour plus outside of town to pick up a vehicle that isn’t even the correct size, you guys have sent me horrible stories of your U-Haul experiences… yowza. I have had and heard much more consistency with Penske.
I had a lot of people also recommend Pods, but I’ve heard some stories about leaks and it’s just not going to work for us for what we’re doing. We are moving from one apartment directly into a house so we’re just looking for traditional movers not necessarily storage. But for others, this might be a good option!
I hope these will be helpful to those of you who also have summer moves ahead of you. I know they were definitely helpful to me! Thanks so much for reading and if you have anything to add, I’d love to hear below! XO –
