Apples to Apples

I went for the booze, and the donuts--mainly the donuts. 

That's not entirely true. Windy Hill Orchard is another fall tradition around these parts. When I was little, I enjoyed the apple donuts, hayrides, and feeding the baby pigs and chickens. Nowadays, I enjoy the apple donuts, the hard cider, and the live entertainment. 

My mom and I made the 15 minute trip out to the orchard, but it's great outing to do with friends or on a date, and I recently discovered they are on Groupon! So I'll probably be making another trip back out there before the season is over. 

Hope you're all having a happy weekend!

Snaps from the Pumpkin Patch

our final choices

H&M Striped Turtleneck (similar) | Anthropologie Vest | Sanctuary Leggings | old Dolce Vita Flats (similar)

Another basic white girl goes to the pumpkin patch post. #sobasic 

Okay, so maybe I'm not so basic. I'd rather look at pumpkins any day than ever eat them, and PSL? Ew, no thanks. But fall is amazing, and definitely my favorite time of year. Every year since I was little, we have gone to the pumpkin patch at the church near my house. It's one of our traditions that I don't plan on breaking any time soon. 

Hope everyone is having a happy fall weekend!

Pure White.

We are in the process of remodeling our home. Literally, every room is getting a makeover. My style has definitely changed since we first moved into this house, and I am more than happy to have a chance to make some more than necessary changes. For awhile now, I've been inspired by all white bedrooms. I just love how clean and pure it looks. My main goal with the redecorating was to make my bed look like a cozy cloud. I don't like the fixed and formal look. When I'm home, I spend the most time in my room, so if anything I've aimed to make my room a tranquil oasis where I can relax.

Here are some of my favorite rooms that I drew inspiration from:

This is a little more fixed than I prefer, but I do love how the bedside table doubles as storage with the exposed shelves. This room looks very crisp and clean.

Ahh fairy lights--my one true love. 

I absolutely love the look of clothing racks for small spaces that don't have ample closet space. It forces you to rid yourself of junk you don't need. 

A messy platform bed covered in an abundance of goose down pillows with a mismatched throw slung across the foot of the bed...ah what's not to love?

So pretty much tons of natural light, white fluffy bedding, hardwood floors, fairy lights, and only small dashes of color is the look I'm going for. I've gotten a new bed, new bedding, new paintings, but I still have a ways to go. The next step is to paint! I want a very soft dove gray--more white than gray. I have a small room, so I don't want to feel enclosed. 

When I'm finished with the final project, I will definitely share pictures!

(Disclaimer: None of the above images are mine. All were found via Pinterest. If one of the images is yours and you would like it removed, then please let me know. Thank you.)

Summer in the City

#Uniform Tote | Palm Leaf Stationery  | Vera Pendant Necklace | Meet Me in Paris Tote | Bisous Hand Stamped Pendant Necklace

I'm a big online shopper. In all honesty, I probably prefer it over in-store shopping. I don't have to get in my car. I don't have to get dressed. I don't have to talk to anyone. And the best part is, I can shop stores based out of just about anywhere. This is ones of the many reasons I love discovering cute little online shops. 

My newest discovery is The Atelier--an adorably chic online boutique and studio based out of Philadelphia. They specialize in stationery, delicate jewelry, and accessories. I'm seriously in love with everything. Their luxe aesthetic gives off a cool girl Parisian vibe, one that I can't get enough of. The stripes, the gold, the simplicity...swoon. The type of person that wears The Atelier is the type of person that I want to be.

Now is the perfect time to shop The Atelier. Their brand new summer collection, Summer in the City, is now available. All of my favorites from the collection are shown above. Seriously, once you check it out, you're going to want the entire collection! 

Don't forget to socialize! Find The Atelier at the following places:

Boutique: http://shop.theatelierblog.com

Blog: http://www.theatelierblog.com

Instagram: @shoptheatelier & #theateliershop

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatelierblog

Twitter: @shoptheatelier & #theateliershop

"Her style is timeless and effortless and she prefers quality over quantity. She dreams of Paris and has an incurable case of wanderlust. She runs on coffee and occasionally champagne. She re-reads the classics and still sends snail mail. She borrows from the boys, but always adds a feminine twist."

Thank you to The Atelier for collaborating with me! Compensation was provided in exchange for a promotion and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Life Lately

It's been awhile. No, really. It's been a long while, and I'm just a little bit ashamed/in awe of how long I've gone without blogging. In the almost month since I've been gone, a few things have happened.


I began my new job. I now work in the merchandising department for a major retailer in the southeast.

I became accustomed to some crazy new hours. Seriously, I wake up a little after 6:00am every morning and don't get home until around 6:00 in the evenings. That took some adjusting, and my coffee intake has definitely increased.

I joined the iPhone world! I know, I'm late to the party, but I'm settling in nicely so far.

I went through a break up--if you could even call it. Point is, I've reclaimed my spot in the single world. Still trying to figure out how I feel about it.

I slowly but surely have been revamping my wardrobe. My old job was all pencil skirts, blazers, and panty hose (ew). My new job is way more laid back. Seriously, I see kimonos on a daily basis. Now I feel like I can finally dress in my style. I'm getting rid of clothes I hope I'll never have to wear again and replacing them with clothes I actually enjoy wearing. It's a pleasant change.

I'm steadily reverting back to life pre-boyfriend. I am now able to devote more time to things I have neglected in the past few months. It's a change--not having a constant someone to talk to and go places with--but I can't say I hate it. Change is just change. It brings both good and bad with it. I've adjusted before. I know I can do it again.

MM

Do What You Love. Love What You Do.

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Two weeks ago, I quit my job.

This Monday, I begin my new job.

I'm an excited, nervous, thankful, anxious ball of emotion at the moment. I'm excited for this new opportunity. I'm nervous that I'm going to mess it up. I'm thankful for people who help you out in tough situations and truly want you to succeed. I'm anxious because change is difficult and new jobs bring big changes.

Today was my last day.

I felt strangely bittersweet considering this was a job I couldn't wait to leave. In past posts, I've alluded to the fact that I wasn't happy with a certain situation. That situation being my job. My job made me unhappy. Some days, it even bordered on miserable. The day I burst into tears at my desk was the day I knew I needed to leave.

It was a long road, searching for a new job. And not just any job. I wasn't trying to jump from the frying pan into the fire. I needed to find a job that I would enjoy. Something that would be more of a career and less like a job. It took a while, but with help from a good friend, I was able to find the job.

As last days tend to go, I was presented with a going away card that everyone in the office signed with their farewell wishes. One of my favorite coworkers signed simply "Do what you love. Love what you do." Now, I know this is a popular quote. I've only pinned it half of a dozen times on Pinterest. But I've never really appreciated it until now.

Life really is simple. It's people that make it complicated. I was unhappy because the job I had wasn't for me. I wasn't doing something I enjoyed. I was trying to make something work that was never going to work. I was in a location I didn't love. I wasn't surrounded by the good vibes I crave. I was in a dead end position. The only option I had was to get out and get moving. So that's what I did.

I can add this to the books. Today, I worked my last day at my first real job. Monday, I will begin the first day of my (hopefully) career.

Oh in Savannah, Way Down in Georgia

Some days, I get an urge to just quit my job, pack a bag, and leave for a place I've never been. Lately, that place in mind is Savannah, Georgia. A friend of mine recently went there for a wedding, and he loved it. Of course, I've heard plenty about how beautiful and captivating Savannah is, but I've never experienced it for myself. I hope to change that and travel to the city in the near future!

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I absolutely love historical homes (and really just history in general), and my, oh my Savannah has plenty of both to offer.

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I've heard they have an abundance of fountains and gardens. When I went to Paris, I remember the fountains of Versailles were so grand and elegant. I've had an interest in fountains and gardens ever since. 

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I'm a beach girl, so I find little things in life more satisfying than a beautiful city located so closely to a beautiful beach. Tybee Island has been on my list of beaches to visit for awhile especially after glancing through all of the beautiful pictures of the lighthouses.

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I'm always attracted to a lively downtown, and I think that I would fit in nicely in downtown Savannah with all of the vibrant shops and eateries. 

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And how could I make a post about Savannah and not mention their annual St. Patrick's Day celebration? I would love to get a big group of friends together and visit this wild celebration just once! Not sure my liver or my sanity can handle attending more than once.

Birthday Weekend Getaway

Anthropologie Dress | Urban Outfitters Denim Jacket (different wash) | Tory Burch Calista Boots (sold out)--try these or these | Bracelets (from top to bottom) ReeceBlaire, Madewell, Loren Hope

I wore this outfit last weekend in the mountains. My mom and I took a trip to Blowing Rock for my 24th birthday. (Gah, I feel old) That's been a tradition of ours since my 16th birthday. We missed a couple of birthdays while I was in college, but since I've graduated we've made sure to start it back up!

We spent all of Saturday shopping downtown. I visited some of my favorite boutiques like Monkees and Finley House Couture, and I also discovered a brand new adorable little boutique called Boone Belles. They had the cutest boutique clothing for the best prices. They have a location in Blowing Rock and one in Boone, so if you are ever in the area, you should definitely check them out!

For dinner, we ate at the Best Cellar located in the Ragged Gardens Inn. I love the atmosphere there and the views of the gardens are amazing. We both got seafood, and it was absolutely delicious. We only stayed one night, but I really enjoyed the little get-away with my mom. It was a nice break from reality, and I can't wait for our next trip.

Hope you all had a happy weekend! Thanks for stopping by :)

All About that One Piece

I absolutely love one piece bathing suits this year! I have found so many different styles, and I'm seriously considering wearing all one pieces this summer and giving my bikinis a break. I especially love the ones with cut out backs and fully covered fronts since my stomach is my problem area, and I definitely don't have my dream beach body as of yet. That way, I can show off the good and conceal the bad. It's a win-win! 

Here are a few of my favorites that I can't wait to get my hands on. What is your take on the one piece swimsuit trend?

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xoxo

Mug Life

If there's one thing I've realized this past winter, it's that I have a thing for mugs. My cabinet is full of them! If I'm out shopping and see a cute mug, no questions asked, I gotta have it. It helps that I'm a big coffee and tea drinker, but honestly, I have no qualms about buying a mug just because it'll look cute in my kitchen. Yeah, I'm that kind of girl. Here are a few of my favorites that I'll be adding to my collection in the near future!

Can you say sass? (available here)

Nuff said. (available here)

Kind words are especially needed in the morning. (available here)

I think the London one is my favorite. (available here)

Gold lipstick stain? I'm sold. (available here)

xoxo

Everlane

I've found a new favorite store. It's really the last thing my bank account needs with me trying to save, but I couldn't resist. The shop is Everlane, and it's a website full of basics in neutral colors. BE STILL, MY HEART. I bought the black silk blouse pictured above when I saw it in one of Taylor's (Little Blonde Book) posts. I'm wearing it today, and it's so comfortable. It's a really good weight and isn't sheer, so it makes for a great winter blouse. I could easily see it transitioning into a great spring top as well. 

I'm trying to limit myself, but here are some other items I think would make a great addition to my closet in the near future.

Heavyweight Tee

Silk Camisole

Silk Point Collar

Swing Trench

I need the trench and the silk camisole in my closet, like yesterday. My neutral loving self is having to restrain herself from buying one of everything. It's a problem.