If you’re thinking… have I seen ribbed midi dress before?
You might be right. I styled it in black here, but then I ended up buying a second one I loved it so much. I think this coral is beyond perfect with a summer tan, and I wanted to show how you could wear this midi in a more casual way. Paired with sneakers, this look is perfect for weekend hanging, while this one is more dressed up for the office or date night.
At this point, it only comes in one more color (navy), so clearly I should just go ahead and get it. I mean, let’s just be honest with ourselves, and by ourselves, I mean me.
What’s also great is that this particular style is 100% exclusive to Bloomingdale’s! I always love checking out AQUA and their exclusive selections for the change to snag styles you can’t get anywhere else.
You guys… I’ve resisted videos for so many years now… BUT I wanted to share a quick run through of our townhouse before we move next week! I probably should have cleaned it a little better but you know what, this is an authentic peek into the townhouse we’ve lived in for the past four years. You can also check this out at my YouTube channel!
This has been such a great home to us, and I’m happy to have this token as a memory of our time spent in Old Towne Orange! If you would like to see some more CBL videos, please share in the comments some video topics you might like to see. That would be such a big help to me!
Thanks so much for watching and sharing! Bare with me… it’s my first video, #Godbless. XO –
I am really into these olive green sneakers, and these are my favorite Hermes Oran dupes. I have a little diamond x ring like this and love wearing it on my middle finger, and this lariat necklace is the kind that looks great with everything – even a classic tee!
There are some big summer sales around the corner. I need to start thinking of some items I might want to snag for a discount! For a while I wanted to splurge on these sunglasses, but I found these dupes for next to nothing so they’re keeping me company for now.
Have you snagged any summer scores lately? Gimme the dish, girl! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
Last month I worked on a quick and easy “everyday makeup” video for Southern Living (hoot hoot! My first job out of college!). You can also see it here!
Please don’t be as alarmed as I am of the thumbnail for this video… just play it. I promise it gets better! For those of you who ask about my everyday makeup or go-to products, this is a quick guide to my tried and true. Also, it’s using only 10 products! I’m linking all the products I used below.
Let me know what you think – and more videos coming! Thanks so much for watching – XO –
Recently I shared some videos on insta-story while I was cleaning this tray of baubles, and I got so many messages and emails from you guys with questions about organizing jewelry. SO, I wanted to share my little system up close and personal on the blog!
I bought this tray many years ago (from Target, I believe?), and I have small jewelry dishes I’ve been given or collected over time in it. I use the dishes to hold my stud earrings, rings, hoop earrings, bangles, etc.. The drawers in my nightstands serve as additional jewelry storage. I keep pretty small boxes and have placed them within the drawers to act as dividers between the madness.
And of course I have so many tassel earrings that they’re overflowing from their tray!
I also keep brooches in a glass box, and I have necklaces simply hanging from nails I nailed in the wall in my closet (not pictured… because my closet is like a black cave).
similar mirrored chest here (on sale), here and here
Below are some trays and jewelry dishes that I think would be great for storage!
I have to admit, as much as I’m dreading packing, I am looking forward of taking advantage of the time to go through and organize everything.
If there are any other organization/decor posts you’d like to see, please let me know in the comments. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
You guys might remember seeing these pants recently here. I love them so much for summer, and I wanted to show you guys the chicness that is the full suited look! I can’t say no to a suit. Flashback to this velvet number.
I shared these sweet kitten heels not too long ago in this post. When I saw the vibrant punch of red but with a modest heel that I could hopefully wear walking around SF streets, I thought they’d be a great summer heel. I love the bronze heel, and if you’ve never checked out Sarah Flint shoes, they’re really fab! I’ve met the designer herself and she is just a lovely human being. So kind and talented. It makes me love the heels even more!
I also had to mention that this little bag was my grandmother’s. When we were all in Greenwood, Mississippi for her funeral last year, we went through her closet and drawers before everyone went back to their homes, all over the country. As the biggest purse lover in the crew, I snagged a few of her little bags, including this one. It reminds me so much of her, and bonus points that it’s the perfect size and color! I found some similar ones on Etsy that I’m linking below!
Shopbop is having a major three-day sale where you can get up to 70% off by taking an additional 25% off sale items with code SCORE18!
I wanted to round up some of my favorite pieces. There are serious markdowns in every category from sunglasses to pajamas, swimwear, dresses, heels and more. I mean… talk about Christmas in July.
If you’ve scored any great pieces – I’d love to hear! I have my eye on this romper and these shades… um – real cute. Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I love sharing music on insta-stories, and it makes me so happy when you guys want to know what I’m listening to! SO, I’ve created two new playlists that I wanted to share.
Each playlist contains a song or two with an explicit lyric warning – to those who are more conservative or have kids in the car, it’s a warning that these playlists may not be for you.
This first one had been my daily go-to for the past few weeks:
I made this one a while back and shared on social media but not on CBL – so I wanted to share it as well in case there are other 90’s kids out there lookin’ for some TLC.
If you are jivin’ with these, be sure to check out the first two playlists I posted here! Let me know if you want to keep seeing these or if you know of a better platform to share playlists – XO –
Staying Content. This is a topic that has been on my mind a lot since spring.
When Christian first started his residency, we both thought he would be finished in 5 years. In year three he decided he was interested in an additional one-year fellowship, and I encouraged him to follow his interests. After all, it’s just one more year and I wouldn’t want him to look back and say “what if?” He interviewed and matched in year 4 (more about that here).
I joke with Christian that I was the super supportive wife during years 1-3, then I started to get less patient in year 4 but still encouraging… to now, year 5, when I’ve mostly been like, “is this school thing over yet!?”
We had a long talk on the beach one Sunday after a sermon about being content (hello – God’s perfect timing per usual). I told Christian that if he had asked me about interviewing for a fellowship in year 4 rather than 3… I probably would have discouraged it. Christian has been training to become a doctor for all eleven years of our relationship. All five years of our marriage. I am tired… and Lord knows he’s tired. I want him to have the freedom to take a vacation longer than a week. To be able to go home for Christmas, maybe even Thanksgiving (I literally can’t even imagine us going home for a holiday at this point). To have more flexibility to travel with me and make plans more than eight weeks in advance. To have some voice in his schedule and our future.
Another year of school means another year of putting off the big decisions we’re longing for like determining where we want to plant roots, buy our first home, start a family, get to know our neighbors. Another year of sacrificing a lot of the things I’ve been looking forward to… before inevitably moving and starting all over again.
I realized that I really was discontent with my own life. I wanted what everyone else around me seems to have – stability, security, roots, a foundation, a support system, a family.
I told Christian at the beach that day that I knew I needed to reshift my focus on all of the positive things ahead of us on this journey, because I could only seem to harp on the negatives. Regardless of how I feel now, I did encourage him to dream big and he did… it brought us to California in the first place. Then he asked me what I thought about a fellowship and I encouraged it. I always tell him to dream big, and he does… so I can’t start dragging my feet now. I have to think big picture and follow through. He needs my support to get through his career challenges, just as I rely on him to get through mine.
In church that day, our minister said something so powerful that I started taking notes (and I’m not a church note-taker unless I’m really moved).
Discontentment robs the heart of joy. It leaves us jealous of the people we love, and it tells God what He is providing is not enough. It’s an issue of the heart. What’s the secret of being content? A habit of the heart.
Depending on God is the secret to being content. To think that I’m telling God that what He has blessed me with is not enough… it’s really upsetting. We all have so much to be thankful for. If you step outside of your thoughts and reflect on what really has you feeling like what you have isn’t enough (and let’s think big picture here)… it becomes a little embarrassing, doesn’t it?
Last Sunday Christian surprised me with a little red box. He thanked me for all the sacrifices I’ve made for his training. He told me how he knows that I don’t get to experience a lot of the perks that his job gives him – the satisfaction of helping and healing people. In the box was a Cartier Love Bracelet to symbolize my support of his journey of the past 5 years. Heart melted –
I’ve been making a conscious effort to focus on all the exciting things about this next year. Christian can’t wait to develop his skills as a facial plastic surgeon. He is so excited to live in an urban city for the first time. I’m looking forward to the cooler weather, the chance to get rid of some of the junk around our house during the move, and to have a new canvas to decorate. In 10 years, I know I’ll look back at this year of our marriage, no kids, and think, “now that was some kind of fun.”
I never want to tell God that the adventures He sends me on aren’t enough. They’re actually going to be some of my life’s greatest memories, so I’m ready for the ride.
How do you get through feeling discontent? I’d love to hear any more strategies for eliminating all the comparison, “grass is greener” thoughts! Thanks so much for reading and sharing. You can find more personal posts in the “personal” category of this site and marriage chat in the “marriage” category. XO –
PS – A sweet CBL girl sent me this and I was so moved:
“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” – Alfred D. Souza
– summer knits in classic neutrals, shop the white one here –
Happy Friday! I hope you guys have some fun summer plans this weekend. My entire family is on vacation in Florida together right now. I, of course, am extremely jealous that Christian and I couldn’t go, but happy knowing that there is only one more year of us ghosting every holiday and family vacation. The light! Look to the light!
We officially have one more week in our townhouse, as it currently is. I’m soaking up the normalcy before graduation festivities and packing begins. I haven’t lived in one home for four years in a row since I was living under my parents roof in high school. So I’m a little rusty with the bubble wrap game.
We’re flying up to San Francisco soon to finalize housing, and even though it’s so bittersweet to leave Southern California (we have loved it so much more than we could have anticipated), I’m starting to get more and more excited for this adventure. Christian’s entire face lights up when he starts digging into SF – the food, walking everywhere, the architecture and weather – his excitement is infectious!
Next week I have some personal posts coming your way along with a new Spotify playlist (flashback to the previous ones I’ve shared). I also have five videos coming your way with everything from tutorials to a home tour and couples Q&A with Christian! So there are some fun things in the works for you guys this month… despite the move. I promise not to ghost!
Thank you guys so much for your continuous support, advice, love and encouragement. I value all my CBL girls more than you know! Have a beautiful weekend – XO –
Because I can’t quit classic black dresses this week, I’m bringing another one your way. This time with some seriously blinged out accessories… AND you can enter to winall of them (scroll down to see how)!
But back to this LBD real quick. It’s currently 50% off and I love the simplicity of the cut. It’s a great length so it can be worn with flat sandals or amped up with heels. I don’t know about you guys, but I go through phases with wearing black. I’ll wear it nonstop, and then I’ll avoid it for months. Black is always chic, classic, clean and looks good on everyone. However, for some reason, sometimes I feel like I look harsh when I wear all black.
Well maybe I’m feelin’ harsh these days because lately I’ve been ALL IN. Sleek, honey!!
To enter to win this Mignonne Gavigan necklace, earrings + bracelet AND a metallic Ling Wu clutch (over $1,000 value! All available at ShopCoatTails.com)… hop on over to Instagram.
1, also available here | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9, also available here | 10, also available here | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
It’s been a little while since I’ve put together a weekly wish list, and I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite new fashion + beauty additions!
Every time I’ve worn these pants, I’ve gotten tons of questions about them. They are under $50, so comfortable and make such a fun statement! These heels are my favorites of late. They are so pretty and add a girly touch to any outfit. I just got this mini beach tote and it’s the cutest and teeniest thing I’ve ever seen! I’ll be sharing a photo of it on this week’s Friday’s Five!
You may have seen this bag in this post. It’s still lightweight despite the fabulous hardware, which is amazing. I also filmed a video this week styling this scarf seven different ways – so I can’t wait to share that with you guys!
Last but not least, this shampoo/conditioner smells so good, I’ve realized that Christian has even been using it (he is a strictly sulfate-free hair care man, yes… he is even picky about his shampoo).
Do you have any recent additions that are amazing!? I’d love to hear about any new discoveries! PS – some of you connected with me to tell me about Loving Tan. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
