Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sunday Night Thought

Friday, May 29, 2015

Happy Hour Time

Aloha Friday! Words cannot describe how good it is to see you again! I apologize for the delay in posting the Happy Hour post – I went to bed early last night, I was exhausted, and time got away from me today. Luckily it is still Friday so a Happy Hour post is definitely in order! Here’s to good weather, kicking back to relax, enjoy a glass of sweet tea, and make memories with friends and family. Cheers!

“When it is all finished, you will discover it was never random.”

Drink Special!
The Garbo Gargle
1 ounce brandy
¼ ounce fresh orange juice
¼ ounce grenadine
¼ ounce dry vermouth
1 dash crème de menthe
Ice cubes
1 dash port wine
Shake the brandy, orange juice, grenadine, vermouth, and crème de menthe with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Around Town!
Nashville, TN: 2015 Crockett Park Summer Concert Series at Eddy Arnold Amphitheater – Crocket Park, Sunday, May 31, 7:00pm
Pelham, AL: Florida Georgia Line with Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Saturday, May 30, 7:30pm
Lexington, NC: Music in the Vineyards at Childress Vineyards, Saturday, May 30, 12:00pm
New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Oyster Festival at Woldenberg Park, Saturday, May 30, 10:00am
Little Rock, AR: 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala at Double Tree Hotel Downtown, Saturday, May 30, 7:00pm

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Draper James

Just when you thought Reese Witherspoon could not be any more perfect she comes out with her own clothing and home goods line. As a fellow Tennessean I love how she named some of her clothes after a few different parts of the state: The Belle Meade dress, the Printed Cheekwook Bag {a very appropriate name for the piece}, Hermitage Cardigan, Bristol shorts, and so on. In my opinion the tactic of naming pieces after different areas of her hometown is a great marketing tool for the very Southern brand, plus pieces named after areas I frequent it really makes me want to buy those pieces.

When I heard Reese Witherspoon was working on launching her own clothing brand I knew the clothes would be cute, but I had no idea that home goods and stationary would be included in the collection. If you have been reading for a while, you have probably caught onto the fact that I love stationary! All of Draper James Stationary is so spot on and did I mention a good portion of it is blue and white? I’ll take one of each, please.

I have rounded up a few of my favorite Draper James pieces below!
Here’s where to shop for my above top 11 Draper James favorites. Click on the name of the item to be directed to the website.
1.               BelleMeade Dress
2.             EyeletLove Circle Dress
3.             HermitageCardigan
4.             BristolTweed Shorts
5.             BigPillow
6.             MagnoliaStud Earrings
7.              PearlSunglasses
8.             Notepad
9.             AssortedCongratulations Cards, Set of 12
10.           CustomMint Julep
11.             PrintedCheekwood Bag

Paper Towns

Paper Towns is the third book I have read by John Green, and probably my most favorite out of Green’s so far. I still need to read Looking for Alaska, but I have read An Abundance of Katherines and The Fault In Our Stars.

After reading my first book by Green, The Fault In Our Stars, I was honestly a little reluctant to read any of his other works. I know…I know…so many people love The Fault In Our Stars, but for me the book was beyond predictable, depressing {yes, I realize it is about cancer, but still…}, it did not live up to its hype, but it had a few bright spots here and there, and admittedly the book did have a decent story line. That said I am glad I gave Green another shot.

The books I have read of Green’s thus far all seem to have the common theme of finding/searching for something and discovering one’s self along the way. In Paper Towns the book is quit literally about finding the adventurous Margo Spiegelman who leaves her hometown to find herself and start a new life, who’s absences ironically sets a few other characters on a path to find themselves as well.

Margo Roth Spiegelman has planned a campaign of revenge, which will undoubtedly be memorable night. Dressed like a ninja Margo sneaks next door and summons Quentin Jacobsen – after a little persuasion Margo is able to convince the otherwise play it safe Quentin to play a part in the night she has planned ahead. After loving Margo for a lifetime things seem to be going Quentin’s {aka Q} way, until day breaks and she has run off. Margo has now become a mystery herself, but she has left clues for Q.

Paper Towns by John Green is definitely a book that should be added to your summer reading list. John Green my be a “young adults” author, but truthfully, it is safe to say his books can be enjoyed by a larger and older audience as well.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Sweet Summer Time

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Even though the summer season does not officially start till June 21, to me, Memorial Day has always felt like the starting line of summer. After all it is the time of year when school lets out, swimming pools start to open, all the camps you singed up for during the cold winter months are finally coming into play, the air start to heat up, and there is that sweet smell in the air that only summer day can bring around – why wouldn’t Memorial Day feel like the start of the summer season.

I have been out of school for a decent amount of time, yet I still get excited about the summer season! Oh how I do miss those carefree days as a child…but I love where I am at in life now. Since summer is in the air and fireflies are begging to dance in the night sky again, I figured it was only appropriate to share some images to get everyone in the mood for summer!
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Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day Sale

In Nashville, Tennessee the day has started with a bit of rain and grey clouds, which for the moment I do not mind. Rainy weather is the perfect type of weather to sit in bed and do a little online shopping, especially since so many wonderful Memorial Day Sales are now underway!

Memorial Day Sale Roundup 2015:
Amazon// 20% off all fashion products with code FUN20SUN
Ann Taylor// offering 40% off your entire purchase
Anthropologie// an extra 20% off all sale items
Banana Republic// 40% off purchase with code BRSUMMER
Brooks Brothers// Polos & shorts 2 for $99
Club Monaco// Extra 30% off sale and clearance items
Equipment// offering 20% off
J. Crew// 25% off with code SUMMERLOVE
Lilly Pulitzer// New arrivals plus gift with purchase
Madewell// Extra 30% off all sale styles with code SWEET
Nordstrom// Half Yearly Sale is underway and extends through Sunday, May 31. Up to 40% markdowns
One Kings Lane// Up to 90% off all throws and pillows
Ralph Lauren// Offering up to 55% off
Sacks// up to 55% off
Talbots// 40% off with the purchase of one extra item and 50% off with the purchase of two extra items

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sunday Night Thought


Memorial Day Tablescapes

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The fact that Memorial Day is tomorrow completely escaped my mind until this past Wednesday when I was asked if I had any big Memorial Day plans. I am actually relieved to say I don’t have big plans for the day – dinner with family, a chance to relax, and maybe go see a movie; I have really been wanting to see The Age of Adaline.

Regardless of if you are having a large or small gathering it is always fun to create a tablescape. Plus, I always love how red, blue, and white look together, everything just seems to pop! So…if you are like me and completely forgot that Memorial Day is this Monday {is it early this year, or is it just me?} here are a few last minute tablescape inspiration to help you along with your holiday decorating.
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