In Lust..

..over Stella & Dot.

No, but really. It's become a little problem. 

And the fact that my brother's beautiful  girlfriend, Kait, is hosting her very first trunk show this weekend isn't helping in the slightest ;)

You see, I already want to buy, oh..everything. And since this is her first party, that makes me want to buy even more than everything because I want to make her look good. 

Problem?

Bank account.

Darn, those things. Never there for ya when ya need 'em to be.

But luckily for this chick (and Kait, too), the holidays are quickly approaching (Christmas is just over a month and a half away!) and Santa owes me some Stella & Dot via Daddy's credit card. Now, I realize how bratty that just made me sound, but hey. The truth is the truth. ;)

So, with that being said..here are the pieces I'm lusting the most over...

Signature Hoops, Bronze, $29

 

Gigi Studs, Black, $24

Estate Chandelier Earrings, $49

 

Chimera Bangle, $59

Ella Bracelet, Brown, $44

Tempest Bracelet, $98 (oof...)

Stackable Band Rings, Set of 5, $39

Limited Edition Fox Ring, $59

 

Suzanne Cocktail Ring, $39

 And lastly...

Mom Charm, $36

 No, I'm obviously not a mom.

But I thought this would be yet another way to have my mom close to my heart at all times!

___________________________

 

Do y'all own any Stella & Dot jewelry? What pieces are you currently loving?

Let me know!! 

Have a fabulous weekend, y'all!

xo 

Best friends + birthday wishes

 If you visit here often, then I'm sure you'll know who's in that picture with me without an explanation.

But, just in case you're new here, that girl is Jordan.

My best friend.

My soul mate.

My other half.

The sister I never had (until 8 years ago).

 The reason I am where I am today. 

And today is her birthday. Her 19th birthday, to be exact.

But don't let her age fool you. To say that she is wise beyond her years would be the understatement of the year.

 

Most people share their "love stories" in blogland, but considering the fact that I don't have one of those, I'm going to share my "best friend story" -- which is still a love story of sorts.

Jordan's parents grew up in and around our hometown, and then moved to a town about 25 minutes away to start their family. But when Jordan was around 9, and her brother 14, their parents moved them back to good 'ole Edgecombe County. 

And I'll never be able to thank God enough for that.

Jordan started at the middle school in the 5th grade, when I was in the 6th. Our brothers were both in the 9th grade. Long story short, they became fast friends and Jordan's family had an in-ground pool at their new house and Hunter was dying to go over there to hang out with Jacob (her brother) but my dad would only let him go on one condition ---- "take your sister with you". Hunter's reply "no problem, Jacob has a little sister". My reply "but she's younger than me..."

JUST KIDDING. 

Kinda.

Anyway, my brother and I headed over to Jordan and Jacob's and the rest is literally history.

Jordan,

You'll read every bit of this later today in your birthday card, but I want everyone here to know just how much of an impact you've had on me. You are my best friend. I just can't say that enough. You make my bad days better and my good days even greater. You make me want to be a better person every single day. Your compassion, your ambition, your strength and courage, your feisti-ness, your playfulness, and most importantly --- your faith in our Lord. I will never, ever, ever be able to fully express just how grateful I am that you're my best friend and that our Lord chose me to be yours. I guess he knew how much I needed you in my life at that time. I can't imagine ever going through a day in my life without you, and God knows I hope I never have to. You are my rock, my anchor, and the light of my life. You've never given up on me no matter what wrong decisions I've made, whether it was about boys, school, or what I wanted to cook for dinner. 

Here's to you, Jo.

For all that you've been, all that you are, and all that you're going to be.

I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday!

I hope it's the very best, because it's what you deserve and so. much. more.

I can't wait to see you later, today!! 

**Warning: Picture Overload**

 

 

xo

 

 

My very first VLOG -- and a few of my favorite things

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Y'ALL!

 Or as I like to think of it..."Happy excuse to eat all the candy and frosted sugar cookies from Harris Teeter that your little heart so desires". 

But, whatever. 

;) 

Today I'm doing a double link-up cause y'all are just fabulous and have all these great link-ups on the same day. 

Yep.

First, I'm linking up with the amazing and super sweet Ashley over at Dancing With Ashley for October's...

Considering that October itself is one of my favorite things (seriously, it's my favorite month), this should be pretty easy.

1. Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice

While most people out there are drooling over Pumpkin Spice Lattes, this coffee-hating chick  goes for that amazing cup of amazing-ness up there. I tried this for the first time earlier this month when I was in freezing NYC. Love at first sip, if I say so myself. I usually drink the Vanilla Bean Frappucinos, but those aren't so great when it's 30 degrees outside...

2. Naturale Beauty Mineral Makeup

I snatched all these babies up on HauteLook a few weeks ago for a total of $20. Score.
Foundation, booster, blush, and FIVE eyeshadows. Yeah baby.

It was my first go-round with mineral makeup and I must say...I'm a fan. I've looked for makeup to give me that super natural look and nothing has done it quite like this. Love it. 

3. The return of great TV

   Television and I have a special bond. Very special. With all the stress of school and other things, television takes me away from it all. That may sound stupid, but it really does. So imagine my excitement when good television finally returned. A few of my favorites returned in September (i.e. Grey's Anatomy, Revenge, Criminal Minds), but October hit the jackpot. I highly recommend each of these shows...they are THE BEST. But I don't recommend The Walking Dead and American Horror Story if you have a weak stomach or are prone to nightmares. I'm not kidding. 

And FYI-- don't ever try to eat while watching The Walking Dead. I don't consider myself to have a weak stomach and even I had trouble stomaching dinner while watching it Sunday night...

4. Cooler weather

 Beautiful. Just beautiful. 

(Minus the rain and 48 degrees yesterday, of course)

The scarves and boots are finally here to stay, peeps.

Finally.

5.  Halloween. 
Duh. 

Did you really think I was gonna write a post about my favorite October things and NOT mention Halloween?

Crazy folks.

I'll have more on this after tonight, though. Look for a recap Friday! ;) 

Halloween 2010 w/ suitemate Sara as Daphne.
Everyone is entitled to one super skanky costume in their lifetime, right?
 "Ladies and gentlemen please return to your seats -- the Captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign" ;)

 __________________________________

Now, time to link up with the lovely Erin over at Living in Yellow and Ashley at 5ohWifey for..

The Girl Behind the Blog - Show and Tell

Basically, introduce yourself and list 3 things that you can't get through the day without.

I was super excited when I saw Erin post about this last week because I've never done a vlog before and I'm not the type to just sit in front of the computer and make my own without someone giving me something to talk about. If I did, I would probably end up talking about the time my brother convinced me to run away from home with him and all we took were Oreos..
Priorities, right?
Don't worry -- we only made it to the treehouse at the edge of the woods in the backyard. And then I peed on myself cause Hunter wouldn't let me go back to the house.
TMI? 
Probably.

Anyway, here it is.
Enjoy!

 

P.S. Please pardon the messy hair, pajamas, pale & swollen face, and weird voice. The pre-winter sicklies have found me :(

__________________________________

Have a great rest of your day, ya'll -- and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Have fun & be safe!
xo

"Good price for you"

Those were the words I heard over and over again for the entire 3 1/2 hours I spent in Chinatown on my NYC trip a couple weeks ago.

Don't get me wrong -- I wasn't surprised. I've been to Chinatown twice before so I know how it works. But it just never ceases to amaze me and make me laugh.  

Oh, Chinatown.

;)

Apparently Chinatown is getting a little on the comfortable side because the first couple times I went, I was taken into so many "back rooms" and swung behind countless fake walls that I lost count and often risked my life for the sake of a knockoff handbag.

But this past time, there wasn't a back room in sight. Everything was kept in drawers right in the store. The drawers weren't even locked.

So I figure that means 1 of 2 things:

1. Like I said before, they're just getting cocky and saying "to heck with the cops"

or...

2. Everything is a lot more fake than it used to be so they just don't care. 

Personally, I'm going with number 2 because we still had a couple store owners rush us in our decisions because of "cops, hurry up, cops". Yeah....

Nonetheless, I racked up in Chinatown and am extremely satisfied with my loot...knockoff or not. 

Take a look:

Tory Burch handbag: $35

Tory Burch wallet: $20

Michael Kors crossbody satchel: $30

Tory Burch necklace: $15

(p.s. I talked homegirl down from $45...winning!)

Tory Burch stud earrings: 2 for $25 

 

David Yurman-ish ring: $15

 L: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy: $15

C: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia: $27 (talked down from $65)

R: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: $15

8 solid color pashminas: $27

3 printed pashminas: $14

1 chunky infinity scarf: $8  

 (slapping myself for not getting more than one of the infinity scarves..so soft, warm, and comfy)

And I know y'all can't tell from the picture, but you'll just have to take my word that these aren't the cheap scarves...they are THICK and so soft. I should have bought a few more, don't you think?

And my most favorite purchase/find...without a doubt...

 .

.

.

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 Michael Kors watch: $40 

Now, I know this is fake. BUT, I think it's a pretty good fake for $40.

What do y'all think? 

Oh, and would y'all think I'm crazy if I said this entire Sterilite container is now filled with scarves?

Yes? 

Then let's pretend they're....blankets. 

No? 

Feel free to borrow a couple any time.

Maybe so?

Maybe you're right...

Have y'all ever been to Chinatown? Do you have any funny stories? What was your favorite purchase? 

Have a fab Monday, y'all! 

xo

Moments.

I know that I promised y'all a full recap of my NYC trip and little look-see into my Chinatown haul but that's just gonna have to wait until another day Monday because I had 2 papers due this week and couldn't find the time to take pictures of all my loot.

So, instead I'm gonna talk about moments. You know the ones I'm talking about. Yep, those. The ones you just know that God planned. Now, I know God plans everything (duh) but I think y'all know what I mean. The ones where you can just feel that he knew you needed THAT specific moment RIGHT THEN. 

I had one of those moments last week. 

I don't have them often. But I'm lucky enough to realize when I do.

 I was on fall break last week (Praise the good Lord himself for that one, too) and was so looking forward to all the time I was going to get to spend with family and friends. Wednesday morning I got up, got dressed, went grocery shopping, and then went to spend the entire afternoon and evening with my sweet, amazing, loving, sassy, country cooking Grandma. 

You see, I've only got one real grandparent, and that's her. My dad's parents both died before I was 6, and my mom's dad died when I was only 3. My Grandma (mom's mom) did re-marry when I was 5 to a wonderful man named Cecil who, for all intents and purposes, is my granddad. Just not my real one. 

Anyway, back to my point. I don't get to spend a lot of time with my Grandma during the school year because when I'm home on the weekends I still have schoolwork to keep up with and I have to divide my time up to make sure I can see my dad, my brother and Kait, Jordan and Kelly, my aunt Terry (mom's sister), and my grandparents. And I don't always get to see everyone every time that I'm home, and when I do get to see them it's usually only for an hour or two, tops. So I made sure that since I had five full days of fall break, I was going to spend more than just a couple hours with my Grandma. 

I went over around 3 and we sat down and racked our brains over a jigsaw puzzle and ate chicken salad for about an hour and then we started to cook -- homemade chicken pastry, cornbread, and fried sweet potatoes. I'd never helped my Grandma cook before but she sure put me to work this time. And I know everyone thinks their Grandma is the best cook, but y'all...I swear mine really is ;) At least her cornbread is, for sure. It's Heaven in your mouth. 

So while we're both standing there at the stove, me flipping the fried sweet potatoes and her tending to her precious cornbread, we get on the subject of my mom. We always talk about my mom but this time it just felt different. Just me and my Grandma...cooking dinner together...talking about the most important woman in both of our lives. How much we love her, how much we miss her, and how much we can't wait to see that beautiful, smiling face of hers again one day.

It was the perfect moment. 

And one that I'll never forget. 

Moments like those are the ones we need to cherish. The ones we need to share with others. And the ones that we need to thank God for. 

L to R: Mama, Grandma, Aunt Terry, & myself -- Mother's Day, 1999

 Have a great rest of your Friday and weekend, y'all!

xo

Thou shalt not kill....except for today.

 Happy Tuesday, y'all! 

What better way to celebrate than with Eff, Marry, Kill?!

Linking up with the wonderful Michelle and Heather today for my very first EMK! I've seen this link-up a few times but I've never had to time to do it until now! So, I'm a bit excited. Let's get this thing going.

Eff, Marry, Kill:

J. Aniston's Love Buddies Edition

Now on to the good part...

Eff: I'm gonna have to go with Mayer on this one. First of all, he looks like Johnny Depp. And as if that's not reason enough, he has the voice of an angel. Sing me to sleep, please? But I can't marry him because he has too much of that whole bad boy image. No thank ya, sir.

Marry: Oh, Vince. You are just the sweetest. Really, I adore you. Your movies make me laugh out loud every. single. time and I just adore you. Did I say that already? 'Cause I do. A lot. 

Kill: Sorry, B-rad. Your looks won't save you here. I love your movies and all, but you divorced J. Aniston. You're an idiot, bottom line. And the world would be better off without you.

Sorry, I'm not sorry.

__________________________

Well, there you have it!

What do you guys think of my choices? Would you do it the same? Let me know and then head on over to see Michelle and Heather and do your own EMK! 

It's so much fun, trust me! 

Have a great rest of your Tuesday, y'all and be sure to come back Friday for a look at my NYC Chinatown haul! 

xo