Ideal vs. steal: Metal belt

I've been obsessed with gold accessories (mostly jewelry) for a while now. But gold adornment on belts is something else entirely. It's just a tad new for me. I think it all started with a rad purchase I made at the Brooklyn Flea last fall—a black stretchy belt with gold Native American headdresses as the closure. Um yeah, awesome.

Anyhow, I had started noticing a lot more gold cuff type jewelry recently that I was drawn to and then the other day I saw a photo of girl in a black jumpsuit with a belt that looked like a gold cuff. I was smitten immediately; and thus the obsession began.

So I did some searching and found this beauty from INTERMIX, but I was certainly not smitten with its price tag. And that's when I found this pretty amazing and almost identical metal cap belt from Necessary Clothing for only $8.99. Too bad Christmas is over and I can't put it on my wish list! But at least at this price I can purchase it for myself.

Life lately

 

As usual it's been a fun and busy couple of weeks. One of the Mountain High Outfitters locations here in town had this cool music event in the store one Tuesday night, so J and I decided to go check that out and ended up running into a couple of folks we knew. Good times!

Other than that, it seems that everything else I have done lately has revolved around (which is actually the story of my life). Joy and I finally got to have lunch one day to catch up and I eagerly chose the Lyric Hot Dog & Grill since it is shutting it's doors for forever at the end of the month. So sad about this, but it definitely had a good run!

J & I also got to spend some time with Joy and her husband Justin this past week with dinner at Slice followed by a trip to the Alabama Theatre to see It's a Wonderful Life. I love all of the film series the Alabama hosts, but the holiday series is of course my favorite.

The night with the Martucci's was a good jump start to an equally fun weekend spent in Mississippi to see several of J's friends who were home for the holidays. We headed over on Friday night to visit Hannah in her hometown at a tacky Christmas party hosted by one of her friends. The next day we all drove to Jackson, making a quick pitstop in Oxford for some Big Bad Breakfast. Totally worth the stop!

Saturday night was spent meeting several new faces that J has known pretty much his life. Yeah, you can say I was just a tad nervous! But we had a great time and I think most of them actually liked me :) The next day we had lunch with another friend who couldn't make it Saturday night. He chose this great little drug store called Brent's Drugs where The Help was filmed, and of course the greasy spoon food treated us right! Such a great weekend. I mean who knew you could have that much fun in Mississippi?! jk jk jk.

Anyhow, after a big fun-filled weekend like that, you really only want some quality rest and downtime, but it's just not happening this time of year. Just two days after we got home from MS, J and I headed up to my neck of the woods in Alabama to see my immediate family for lunch on Christmas Eve and then he also endured met my dad's side of the family later that night. 

We got home pretty late after a day of driving, eating, playing with kids and opening presents and we were up again early the next day for more of the same with his side of the family. I was pretty tired but it was so worth it watching his niece's open their gifts Christmas morning. I haven't done the Christmas morning excitement with kids since I was a kid myself, so I felt pretty lucky and special getting to crash J's family time like I did. 

The rest of Christmas day was blur with tons of great food and opening fantastic gifts and I also enjoyed a late afternoon nap :) J and I wrapped up the day with a trip to the movies with my friend Peaches who is in town from NYC. It's so good to have everyone home for the holidays! Hope you all are enjoying time spent with loved ones, too. 

Music Monday: Current obsessions

Artist: Wild Child
Album: The Runaround (listen here on their website)
Why I love it: It's upbeat and just a little bit quirky.
Favorite song(s): Crazy Bird, Stitches
For fans of: The Oh Hello's, The Weepies

Artist: Song Preservation Society 

Album: Ready Room (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: I feel like it completely lives up to the name of their band. If that makes any sense at all?

Favorite song(s): Love Me Like She Did

For fans of: Great Peacock, M. Ward

Artist: Carolina Story

Album: Chapter One EP (listen here on Amazon)

Why I love it: I will always love Ben & Emily's harmony and song writing abilities. Listen to their music and you will feel what they feel. 

Favorite song(s): Even When the Road Gets Hard, Slippin' Away

For fans of: The Civil Wars, Shovels & Rope 

Artist: Dear Georgiana

Album: Dear Georgiana (listen here on Bandcamp)

Why I love it: It's super dreamy.

Favorite song(s): Wait for Me, Over You

For fans of: Nora Jones, Tennis

Artist: Red Tail Ring

Album: The Heart's Swift Foot (listen on Spotify)

Why I love it: It's a singer/songwriter kind of sound with banjo pickin. It's beautiful. 

Favorite song(s): A Clearing in the Wind

For fans of: Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sarah Jarosz

It ain't easy being green

I'm not sure about the rest of y'all, but life has been incredibly hectic this holiday season. And sadly not a lot of it had much to do with a busy social calendar of parties and what not. Work has just been insane. In fact, I have been so busy that I couldn't even get these photos up on the blog until now...and my brother took them on Thanksgiving Day! Ridiculous.

Anyhow, I am here now and hoping that things are finally about to slow down as Christmas approaches. So yeah, my brother took these photos at my parents house after we all stuffed our faces with turkey and dressing and the rest of the "fixins." There's this abandoned barn across the street that the developer of the neighborhood has left on the property and I am personally thankful that he has. I've been wanting to get some shots out there for a while. So glad we were finally able to make that happen because that backdrop coupled with the glow of the sunset that day made for some pretty great photos I think!

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Green sweater, gifted (wayyy back, from my PawPaw)
2. Leopard top, Old Navy ($19.50)
3. Mint jeans, Necessary Clothing ($19.99)
4. Gold loafers, thrifted ($1.99)
5. Black hat, Target ($16.99)
6. RayBan sunglasses, gifted/passed down (thanks mom!)
7. Coat, Marshalls ($59.99)
8. Crossbody bag, thrifted ($3.00)
9. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
10. Ampersand ring, Hello Holiday (gifted - thanks Natasha!)
11. Dainty ring, gifted/passed down
12. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted

Total: Under $125.00 

 

 

 

 

photos: Josh Lewis

Splurge on: Holiday essentials

Well, I think I "missed the boat" so-to-speak on getting these fun holiday items out in time for all the Christmas parties. But I think you'll still find these options helpful for ringing in the New Year!

1. Joe Fresh Beaded Satin Dress, $19.00.
2. Forever 21 Iconic Quilted Minaudiere, $19.80.
3. Urban Outfitters Bow Bobby Pins, $10.00.
4. ModCloth Over and Outfox Ring, $9.99.
5. Necessary Clothing Teresa Steel Toe Pump in Black, $39.99.
6. H&M Sequined Leggings, $24.95.
7. The Limited Faux Fur Cape, $59.95.
8. Charlotte Russe Geometric Drop Earrings, $6.00.

In a pinch

Well, considering that it is now December, the trees featured in this post definitely do not look like this anymore. So sad, but glad I was able to get some pics before the crazy wind blew all the beautiful yellow leaves away.

This outfit was actually the outcome of a group effort. I was trying to find something to wear one Saturday that would be causal and low key for watching a Bama football game. But of course it also needed to be cute and somehow represent my team colors, without going overboard on the crimson and gray.

After a couple of photos posted on my GroupMe app, the girls and I decided on this final ensemble. And since I thought it was also cute enough for everyday wear, I figured I'd do a blog post featuing it. So this is a super thankful shout out to my girls who came through in a pinch and helped me decide what to wear.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Chambray button down, thrifted ($4.99)
2. Pants, Necessary Clothing ($24.99)
3. Knee socks, ?? (??)
4. Scarf, gifted (thanks Mom!)
5. Guess boots, Macy's ($54.53)
6. Cross bodybag, thrifted ($5.99)
7. Sunglasses, gifted/passed down (thanks Mom!)
8. Leaf ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
9. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks Mom!)
10. Dainty ring, gifted/passed down

Total: Under $100.00

 

 

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Easy and cute semi-updo hair tutorial

One day my friend Cassidy was rockin this super cute semi-updo that looked perfect for either a casual day or even a special event. When I said I loved her hair, she was like, "Oh it's so easy and quick to do. It's my go-to hairstyle. I'll have to show you how I do it sometime."

So I not only took her up on that offer, but decided it needed to be a hair tutorial blog post, too. you're welcome!

What you'll need:
• about 5 minutes
• preferably semi damp hair
• a comb (if your hair doesn't part naturally)
• a hairband

See, it's already looking pretty easy!

Step one: After your hair is parted to one side, choose the side with the larger amount of hair and take a small section of hair from roots. You will then twirl this piece of hair back and then hold it with that same hand.

Step two: Use your other hand to take the next small section of hair underneath what you have already twirled back (which you are still holding). Wrap this new section of hair around and into what is already been twirled.

Step three: Again, you're taking your free hand that is not holding what you have twirled back and using it to grab the next small piece of hair at the base of your hairline and twirl it into what has already been twirled.

Step four: You continue this process of pulling new pieces of hair under the large portion that has already been twirled and along the base of your hairline, and then adding those pieces into the twirled hair.

Step five: Eventually you will have all of your hair twirled into one big piece and there will be a pretty "crown effect" going around the bottom of your hair.

Step six: Using a hairband, secure everything you have twirled together in one piece into a low bun.

Ta da! Now you're looking cute and put together, whether you're all dressed up for a night out at an upcoming holiday party or if it's just another day at work.

ps. HUGE thanks to Cassidy for sharing her tips and agreeing to let me photograph her for this post! 

What's in my piggy bank for December?

Well obviously my obsession with faux fur coats and animal prints continue. I also think this month's piggy bank picks are just a tad random, don't you? But I guess that's ok. I suppose I don't always have to have pieces that make sense together.

Basically these are just some things that have been on my "list" for a while and the others are just super cute pieces I've seen around the internet lately. Here's hoping you'll find some inspiration in these picks as another year comes to an end.

1. Dorothy Perkins Blush Zebra Fluff Jumper, $49.00
2. Minnetonka Womens Thunderbird Soft Sole Moccasin, $35.95

3. Yellow Hammer Creative Heart of Dixie Pullover, $25.00

4. Zara Shorts with Lace Hem, $39.90 

5. OASAP Striped Faux Fur Coat, $60.29

6. Necessary Clothing Becker Leopard Belt, $4.99

7. Charlotte Russe Golden Bow Stretch Ring, $6.00

8. Brash Women's Monroe Backpack, $26.99

9. Old School Small Retro Steampunk Flip Sunglasses, $3.98

10. Forever 21 Cozy Knit Beret in pink, $5.00

Life lately

I've been really terrible at remembering to take photos lately. So that's why this post looks a little more sparse than usual. Anyhow, I had a really good Thanksgiving with family, it's always good to see my niece and nephew (and yeah, the rest of the fam too :) I ate lots of food and my brother took some outfits photos that I still haven't even had a chance to review yet. I think they are gonna be pretty good though, so stay tuned for that!

The next day I got up early on a freezing cold morning to meet Casey (in town from Portland!) for a quick run through Mountain Brook and then a brief coffee break so we could actually talk without all the huffin and puffin up the hills. I was so stinkin happy to see her (& her ring!) and squeeze her in person. Miss that girl so much!

Later in the day I got to meet one of J's best friends who lives out in Tahoe and was home for the long weekend. We all drove up to somewhere near the Ocoee River and crashed another one of their friend's family Thanksgiving weekend. I was fully prepared to be roughing it in a cabin with several people that I didn't know, but we pulled up to an incrediblly large house that sat right on the Ocoee River (or I think it was the Ocoee anyhow). It was gorgeous and we had a great time eating and laughing and playing ping pong and watching football all weekend. After dating J for about 10 months now, I was stoked to finally get to meet both Adam and Josh.

After the big Turkey Day weekend getaway, things have been pretty slow in my social life (not so much at work though!). It's rained a ton here lately, so J and I have seen a couple more movies including Thor, which I actually enjoyed, and the Hunger Games, which of course I loved. I also used this past yucky Saturday to get part of my Christmas shopping done before we watched the SEC Championship with some friends of ours. Then yesterday's rainy weather gave me a chance to even get a couple of gifts wrapped and under the tree!

And for me, cold dreary weather also brings about the desire/need for coffee. I'm really hoping my new Wednesday-after-work coffee break with the girls takes off and it becomes a time that we can all see each other and catch up hopefully once a week. But with holiday schedules and plans, who knows! It's worth a shot though :)

Friday Funnies

So I haven't done one of these Friday Funnies (aka out takes) posts in quite a while, which means there's a lot of pics this go around since these go way back. Actually, my blogging in general always seems to slow around the holiday season. Work just always gets out of control this time of year. I'm hoping to get back at it and do a better job next week. Fingers crossed!

Anyhow, enjoy these ridiculous pics of me. Surely they'll make you feel better about yourself :) Hope everyone is having a happy Friday!