September 2020 Favorites

I know I say this most months, but I really don’t know how it’s already almost October. As far as how quickly the months have gone by lately, September takes that cake for being the fastest. I’m ok with that because I feel like September is the fall(ish) equivalent of March. I don’t dislike either of those months, but I just don’t really look forward to them either. I do love October though, so I’m excited it’s nearly here, especially given that I have a friend’s wedding to celebrate mid-month. But before it officially arrives, I wanted to make sure to share some of my favorite products from the past month with y’all since there were a few new discoveries to note! 

Weezie Short Sleeve Robe

This may be my favorite purchase of 2020, and after having it on my wishlist since the short-sleeve version was released, I am so glad to finally have one but am so confused as to why it took me so long to finally purchase it. I received an email at some point in April from Weezie saying that the pink piping they had recently ordered wasn’t “their” pink, meaning they were selling the wrong color for 40% off. Well, pink is pink to me, and I certainly couldn’t tell the difference, so at 40% off, that was the motivation I needed to make the purchase. Since I wear a robe after I shower and a lot of times when getting ready in the morning the short sleeves and lack of collar make it that much easier to not get hot and also not make a mess of my robe while getting ready. Another feature I love about this robe, in particular, is that the tie is sewn onto the back, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the ties through little loops just to secure it at your waist! It’s especially good timing for me to share this favorite with y’all since tomorrow starts Weezie’s once a year 20% off sale. I have some of their washcloths and have wanted to get some towels as well and have heard this sale is the best time to stock up. Or if you’re not in the market, go ahead and start your Christmas shopping tomorrow at a discounted price! 

Cerave's Renewing SA Cleanser

Nell was recently on a dermatology rotation for PA school, so I decided to use that to the best of my advantage by asking her to get all the recommendations she could when it came to various skincare products. I was almost out of my facewash, so I was excited when she told me that the dermatologist she was working with nearly always recommended Cerave’s Renewing SA Cleanser to patients looking to get breakouts under control. I ordered it the following week and have been using it since the beginning of September and really like it. While it’s not going to solve any skin problem I have and I’m aware of that, it’s affordable, gentle, and seems to be working for me so far! I also really like that it has a pump, which makes it easy to leave it sitting on my hanging shower organizer to use instead of having to pick it up and flip it over like some other facewashes! 

Fabletics Leggings

In warmer months, the only time you’ll find me in leggings is when I’m heading to a true40 class. I’ve come to find that I have relatively picky criteria for leggings since I really don’t want them to show any sweat, but that limits me from some of the more fun colors and patterns out there. When I spotted these tricolor pairs from Fabletics, I hoped that they would be my solution and am excited to admit that they are. Since the top has a darker color, I don’t have to worry about sweat so much (especially with the navy pair), which is great! I also love how thick they are without making me hot. While they have already been staples for working out lately, I know they will be getting a lot of wear in the fall and winter on walks and when lounging around. 

Bathing Suit Top (also available here)

I’m laughing at the fact that I’m jumping from leggings to a bathing suit top, but I never claimed for these posts to make a ton of sense, and with Labor Day Weekend kicking off September, it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility. Toward the end of the summer, after many weekends at the beach and lake, I was getting kind of bored with the swimsuits I owned, and that’ w when I discovered this cute top from Carolina K. The price tag was WAY more than I wanted to spend but a simple google search and a coupon code I also found online made it under $40 and worth the purchase to me. I don’t have any pictures of it on, but the fit is really cute, and it provides full coverage, which I appreciate! 

Elisabeth and Butter’s Fall Granola

I feel like making a recipe twice in the span of a month constitutes it to become a favorite for the month. I’ve made Elisabeth and Butter’s Fall Granola recipe back to back weeks and love having it as a snack in my pantry. The first time I made it, I gave some to a few friends that were studying as a study treat, but this go-round, I kept it all for myself to eat as cereal and a snack. It’s so easy to make and causes your house to smell like fall while it’s baking! 

I tried my hardest to come up with other things I’ve been loving this month, but these take the cake, so I will leave it at that instead of forcing myself to have “loved” something else. I’d love to know what you’d classify as one of your favorites from the past month! 

Affordable Fall Headbands

 As excited as I am for fall, I am trying to remind myself to wear some of my favorite summer pieces one last time before it’s too late. While that doesn’t seem nearly as exciting as reaching for my favorite fall pieces, it’s more practical given the weather and also will hopefully help me not tire so quickly of all the sweaters I am bound to be living in during the coming months. 

One item that I am glad will be transitioning from summer to fall with me is headbands. At first, I wasn’t so sure what to think of the trend since it took me back to my middle school days when headbands were one of the few ways we could accessorize our uniforms. Fortunately, it seems as though we have all moved past the large ones that seem to take up half of your head and into a cuter version that adds a subtle statement. 

I have a feeling that when I do get tired of reaching for the same tops over and over again, a headband will be a fun way to change things up. To be prepared for that moment, I browsed online to find some cute new ones to add to my collection and was floored at how many were out there that I loved. I had a Madewell gift card that had gone unused for a while, which helped me narrow my decision to this one and this one for the sake of them feeling “free.” Next on my list would be this one or one of the cute ones from this site. In case you’re in the same boat and want to stock up on some headbands that better fit the season ahead, I’ve included some of my favorites in the shoppable image below. All you have to do if you find one you like is click directly on it in the image below to be taken to where it can be purchased!

Tuckernuck 20% Off Sale

 My love of Tuckernuck goes back to their very early (and my high school) days, but that probably doesn’t come as a surprise to y’all given how often I feature their pieces on my site. Their classic styles make the items I have from Tuckernuck ones that I wear season and after season, but often there’s a unique twist to make a classic piece more modern. Tuckernuck’s Friends and Family sale started today, meaning that most items on the site (with a few exclusions) are 20% off with the code RINGRING. I’ve included some of my favorites in the image below, but be sure to shop soon if there’s something you love since I wouldn’t be surprised if items start selling out soon with a sale this good.

Step Into My Week 9.28

In many ways, this week was a heavy one for our country. With loss, injustice, and the harsh reality of how quickly climate change could impact the world, I’ve found myself a little bit overwhelmed. Some of that may also be due to the fact that I keep forgetting to write these Step Into My Week posts throughout the weeks as they happen to make it a bit more exciting and also less of a to-do when I do finally sit down to type it all out. 

I seemed to be back in a more consistent workout routine this week, which felt like a tiny victory, and the cooler weather we welcomed the week with wasn’t too bad either! I started my Monday morning at true40 for a workout before working from home all day. We usually don’t have shoots on Monday, which gives us plenty of time to video call with the teams we are working with to run through what we are shooting and how they want things to turn out. That’s how I spent most of my morning, and the afternoon was spent finalizing lots of details for upcoming location shoots and ordering in products. Once I wrapped up around 5:00, I decided I wanted to enjoy the weather a bit and went for a walk while listening to a podcast. Monday night was pretty uneventful with me making myself dinner and eating it while starting Schitt’s Creek.

I went to true40 again on Tuesday morning and then opted to shower, change, and go into the office to get things done. I had to work on my expense report, which is definitely one of my least favorite parts of my job, but fortunately, I was able to get it done with ease. I put props away and pulled new ones for my shoot the following day before eventually returning home to do some more work. In the late afternoon, I made pumpkin bread muffins and then went for a walk with Nell. We ate dinner outside at Saws that night while I waited for an update on how my friend’s, who tore his ACL a couple of weeks ago, surgery went. I stopped by to see him and drop off the muffins I made around 8:30 and stayed for a little while until he could take more medicine and go to sleep.

I had a shoot on Wednesday, so I got up and did some work in bed before heading into the office. The shoot focused on braised and roasted dishes, and we had a lot of different shot options to grab, so it lasted well into the afternoon. I put those props away before coming home to finish my work for the day. My friend asked me to come by that night, and I stayed there for a bit while he ate dinner, and we watched TV before I left.

Thursday was my second shoot day of the week, but this one had a more fun theme to work with since it involved cookies and brownies. That ended around 2:00, and I put my props away before leaving the office and heading home. I came home to find flowers and a candle on my front porch, which was a really sweet surprise and have made my room smell amazing all week. Later on, I went over to my friend’s house to sit with him while he iced his leg, and we eventually ate dinner with his roommate while watching the NBA game that night. 

I ended my week how I started it with a true40 workout that morning. After that, I showered and worked from home, finalizing details for the shoot I have this week. Nell stopped by around 2:00, and then I watched some of Schitt’s Creek while waiting for my laundry to finish. Eventually, I went over to my friend’s house, and we played Monopoly Deal before figuring out what to eat for dinner while watching another game on TV.

Saturday was a fun one and began with me sleeping in a bit, which felt nice. I met some of my friends to walk to Crestline Bagel that morning and then came home and got ready to meet some other friends at Back Forty to watch the SEC games. We stayed there from 12:30 until 5:30 when I went over to my friend’s house to watch the Alabama game and have dinner. 

shop what I wore here

Sunday, I slept in a little and then had a very slow morning before making my way to the store to stock up on groceries for the week. I swang by my friend’s house to help him stretch and ice his leg before coming home to make lunch and Elisabeth and Butter’s fall granola. In the afternoon, I walked to Nell’s apartment while catching up on the phone with my parents. Once I made it to Nell’s, we watched Father of the Bride 3ish together and hung out before she drove me back to my house. The remainder of my night was spent showering, making dinner, stopping by my friend’s place to help him stretch again, and then coming home to go to sleep. 

I can’t believe October kicks off this week, and I know we have some colder weather headed our way along with it, so I’m excited for the week to come and hope you are too! 

Saturday Shopping vol. 60

 It's an important day in the south since SEC football is finally back! I have a laid back but fun day planned, starting with a walk to breakfast with a couple of friends before we head to watch the game. I hope that y'all are enjoying your Saturday! 

If you see anything below that you're interested in shopping you can click on the item below to be taken to where the product can be purchased.

Fall 2020 Bucket List

 Alabama’s weather is rarely ready to cooperate just because the calendar says it’s fall. Luckily, this year it chose to, and I’ve found myself spending as much time as possible outside. The other day I worked from our back deck, and it felt like the beginning of quarantine when the novelty of working from home and the ability to be outside more during the day felt novel. Sadly, the mosquitos still haven’t gotten the memo that they should leave with the start of the new season, but I’ll take these victories where I can have them. 

I think that part of the reason I love the changing of seasons so much is that I have something to look forward to. Fall ranks high on everyone’s list, it seems, and anyone I’ve talked to in the past week seems excited about something to come this season. So while we still may not know exactly how the rest of the year looks, I couldn’t neglect to make a fall bucket list for this year. 

Illustrations by Evelyn Henson

I love seeing pictures of y’all printing it out and hanging it up (ours will definitely be on our fridge this year), and I can’t wait to see what other activities you would add! 

Step Into my Week 9.22

I don’t love the trend that is becoming having my Step Into My Week posts going live on Tuesday instead of Monday, but sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished! The time I would’ve spent this weekend working on this post was spent working on sponsored content going up later this year, which put me a little behind to kick off the week. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track soon. When trying to think back about the last week and what I was up to, it’s all a bit of a blur since I only had two shoots and spent most of my week working from home and forgot to take pictures of what I had been up to for y’all.

I started my Monday morning at True40 and came home to quickly shower before having a couple of video meetings. I went into the office in the afternoon and can’t remember what I was up to that evening. I had a shoot on Tuesday that went pretty quickly, and I made dinner with a friend that night. We made fajitas, and they turned out well. 

I had another shoot on Wednesday that was centered around Mardi Gras and food you could serve at a Fat Tuesday brunch. That lasted into the afternoon, and after getting home from it, I had more work to accomplish on the computer. That night I hung out with Macy, and we sat on the sofa talking for a while before we eventually went to sleep.

Since I didn’t have a shoot on Thursday and Nell didn’t have to go into her rotation either, so we had breakfast before I started my day of working from home. I did an at-home workout later in the day and showered, and once my workday was over went and got a flu shot. That night I hung out with a friend and played a few games of chess before deciding to watch TV instead. We picked up dinner from an Italian place in Crestline Village and just hung out for a bit that night.

Friday was also spent working from home, and after wrapping things up, I showered and made a to-do list for the weekend. I went to the store in the afternoon and started to make a recipe for a sponsored post that I am really excited to share with y’all closer to the holiday season. Nell came over and helped with the pictures for that, and we met up with a couple of other friends at Melt to celebrate our friend Caroline’s birthday. I think I was in bed by 8:30 that night, which was really nice.

The weather on Saturday felt incredible, so after working on a blog post in bed, I decided to walk to Crestline Village and got coffee at Church Street Coffee. Since it was so lovely out, a group of us decided to spend part of the day outside at Avondale Brewing, which was laid back and fun. After that, I just hung out with a friend and watched sports with a small group of people. 

Sunday morning was spent lazily doing laundry and cleaning my room. After making myself lunch, I made some granola and finished getting the photos I needed for the sponsored post I was working on. In the afternoon, a group of friends and I went on a walk, and I showered, made dinner, and talked on the phone to my parents after that. They had a lot to say to update me on how our house and beach house were doing after Hurricane Sally. While our house didn’t have any damage (just a lot of debris), our beach house took a hard hit, and seeing all of the photos from the storm was sad. To distract myself, I went over to Nell’s apartment, and we watched St. Elmo’s Fire with our friend Katie. None of us had seen the movie and had heard it was a classic, so at least now I can say I’ve watched it! 

I hope you have a great Tuesday and are also getting a bit of cooler weather to celebrate the first day of fall! 

Saturday Shopping vol. 59

 Although today's Saturday Shopping post is all over the place from sports bras to cocktail dresses there is one thing tying everything together, the fact that all of these pieces are PERFECT for fall. Maybe once the weather stays consistently cool I'll stop my overexcitement for a new season, but until there bear with me! 

If you see anything you're interested in shopping, you can click directly on the products featured below to be taken to where they can be purchased. I hope y'all have a happy Saturday! 

My Favorite True Crime Podcasts

 I’ve definitely shared about my obsession with listening to true crime podcasts on the blog and my Instagram before, but lately, when working from home, I feel like I’ve taken it to a whole other level. Since when I am working from home, I don’t have coworkers to interact with, and the only people I tend to be talking to are over email, I like to have some background noise, so I don’t feel so alone. Most people would resort to a good playlist (which I rely on as well), but more often than not, I have some sort of true-crime podcast playing in the background. 

  

shirt // airpods // airpod case // phone case

If I’m listening to something at work through my AirPods, it’s usually one of the podcasts below. I am pretty much caught up with all of these, so if you have additional recommendations about similar podcasts you think I would like I would love to hear your suggestions! 

Fall Wardrobe Favorites

Yesterday was the closest thing we’ve experienced to fall since last year. The cool front from Hurricane Sally hitting the cost made its way to Birmingham, and I was comfortable in jeans for the first time in a while. This has me eager to start wearing sweaters again, even though I know the temperature may not stay this way (and all of my fall/winter clothes are at my parents’ house in Fairhope, and I won’t be back down there until mid-October). 

sweater // booties // jeans // earrings

Instead, I decided to look through some of my favorite online stores and build a “wardrobe” of my favorite pieces that I find to be essential to wear in the fall. From cozy sweaters to statement pieces like midi skirts, I had the best time deciding what would make the cut and am excited to share them with you here. I know I probably missed a few things, but I did leave jeans off the list intentionally since I find myself living in this pair. I should probably grab them in another wash just so that my original pair doesn’t get too worn out!

As you start thinking ahead to fall weather and how you may want to dress for it, you can use this post as a guide and shop the pieces by clicking directly on the items in the image below. 

Barbour Jackets on Sale

It really feels like today should be Thursday to me! But since it’s not and I’m already confused, why not scratch the original post I had planned to share this one with y’all instead? Don’t worry, I’ll share what I did have scheduled for today tomorrow, but seeing so many Barbour pieces on sale felt like something worth sharing as soon as possible. 

If you’ve followed me for a while, then you probably already know that my Barbour jacket is one of my most worn pieces as soon as it gets cold in October until it warms back up again in March or April. I have a couple of different jackets from the brand, and the waxed one I own is undoubtedly one of the most worn pieces in my closet. I’ve had it rewaxed once and even had to get the pocket repaired because of how much I use it. Those of you who are familiar with the brand also likely know that their timeless style and quality usually comes with a pretty hefty price tag. While over time that investment pays off since this is a piece that should last forever, it can be really intimidating upfront, which is why I was so surprised to see so many different styles of jackets on sale (with an additional discount) online this week.

Saks Off Fifth currently has Barbour jackets on sale in a variety of colors. While none of these jackets are the exact same style as the waxed one I have, they are pretty similar, and for the discount, would be an awesome alternative. You can read a complete guide I put together about Barbour jackets, the different styles, and the sizing here if you want a few more questions answered before making the purchase! I recommend shopping soon if you’re hoping to purchase one since it looks like some sizes are already starting to sell out of these finds. I’ve included my favorites from the sale below, and all you have to do is click on the item you’re interested in to be taken to where it can be shopped! 

 

Step Into My Week 9.15

 This may just be the most boring Step Into My Week post you read yet. And if that didn’t scare you away, then thanks for sticking around! Last week was a doozy for a variety of reasons, so I’m not going to be as detailed as usual partially because I can’t remember what happened which day and also failed on the picture taking front. Hopefully, next week it will be back to regularly scheduled programming for that Step Into My Week post, but we will have to wait and see on that. 

In short, it felt like each day there was a new curveball to tackle, so I was especially relieved when Friday rolled around, and my mom was on her way to Birmingham to visit me. She and my dad have been in Fairhope for most of the pandemic, and I think she was slowly going stir crazy, so staying with me in Birmingham was the perfect solution. I did a lot of cleaning before she arrived since although our house stays pretty clean, it feels like moms have a different standard of that. 

We went to lunch once she got into town and did some shopping at some cute home stores and garden shops. Once we had popped into those stores, we returned to my house and watched an episode of The Home Edit’s new organization show before deciding where to go to dinner. We went to a Mexican restaurant in Cahaba Heights called El Zun Zun and ended our night watching Midnight in Paris at my house. 

The main reason this weekend was when my mom came to visit was that Scott’s Antiques was open this weekend in Atlanta. My mom had been a couple of times before, but this was my first trip to this huge antique sale (all the stuff spans two different warehouses). I think it would have been more fun had I been hunting for more things, but since all I really needed was a chest for under my TV in the living room, I ended up getting nothing. I definitely want to go back one day when decorating a home because they had the best selection of rugs, art, and pretty pillows! My mom got a plate to match a new pattern of china she is collecting, so for making a day trip, we really didn’t come away with much. We got back to Birmingham around 3:30 and watched more of The Home Edit’s show before picking up a friend and heading to Vino for dinner. 

Since a hurricane is heading toward the Gulf Coast, my mom got up and left relatively early on Sunday morning. I took it easy and worked on some blog stuff in the morning before running a few errands and eating leftovers for lunch. In the afternoon, a friend and I went to Monday Night Brewing for a change of scenery to watch football and ended up stopping to get ice cream after leaving. We watched more football and made dinner that night, which wrapped up the weekend. 

I hope your past week was more normal than mine, and I’m wishing us all a week of routine as this one plays out! 

Sunday Styling vol. 10

Ten installments of this Sunday Styling series means that I've shared quite a few outfit ideas. Since most of those have been geared toward summer, I am so excited to slowly start switching gears to fall! This week there's lots of leopard print, sneakers, and dresses that make the transitional period fashionable but also comfortable! 

Outfit 1:

 

dress // sneakers // earrings // bag

Outfit 2:

 

sweater (under $20!) // sneakers // jacket // phone case // jeans // bag // hat

Outfit 3:

dress // bracelets // headband // sunglasses // sneakers

Outfit 4:

 

bag // rings // dress // earrings // booties // necklace

The weather here feels really nice today, so hopefully, I can take advantage of that. I hope that y'all have a nice Sunday! 

Saturday Shopping vol. 58

 Happy Saturday! I'm headed to Atlanta for the day with my mom to go to Scott's Antique show, but for those of you not perusing antique furniture, decor, and other pieces I've put together a really cute installment of clothing and accessories! If you see anything you're interested in you can click directly on the item in the image below to be taken to where it can be purchased. 

Back To School Reading New Releases with Phoebe of Read & Wright

Over this past weekend when I felt like I got the slightest glimpse of fall temperatures I started cleaning our back deck with the hopes that I can start using it again soon. After getting to use it so much in the spring due to working from home I am eager to get back out there optimistically with a blanket in tow to relax with a good book, and today Phoebe has plenty of awesome recommendations for us all! 

top // jeans

While this might be the weirdest “Back to School” season we’ve ever had, life is still moving forward. It’s a great reminder to see! While I’m looking forward to cooler temps and Fall decor, I am still sad to see Summer go. I dubbed this the Summer of Slowing Down, and after getting through the difficulty of postponing our wedding (thanks, Covid), I really embraced having no plans. I read a lot by the pool and on the beach whenever I could! 

But, thankfully, some new book releases are easing the pain of saying goodbye to another season. They have me counting the days until it is officially Autumn! The Fall is the last big drop of new books just in time for all the “Best of” lists and the holiday rush. September has some great books to keep your eye on!

Literary/Contemporary Fiction

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

There is no one like Backman! I loved Beartown and Us Against You, but I wasn’t crazy about A Man Called Ove. I’m excited to see where this one falls in my line up! 

One Sentence Synopsis: Eight strangers with a lifetime of grievances and anxieties between them are forced together after an open house turns into a robbery gone wrong. 

The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan

If you like Daisy Jones and the Six, this book has a very similar vibe! 

One Sentence Synopsis: A unique and intimate look at the life and price of fame when the former member of the biggest girl group of the early 2000’s died by suicide. 

Thrillers 

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole 

I am so excited for Alyssa Cole’s latest thriller because it checks all the boxes for creepy Fall vibes while also sharing some of the deeply problematic realities of gentrification. 

One Sentence Synopsis: Sydney is Brooklyn born and bred, but her beloved neighborhood is beginning to change quickly in this Rear Window meets Get Out-esque thriller. 

Romance

Loathe At First Sight by Suzanne Park

I always love an enemies to lovers romance! This debut novel is perfect for fans of Jasmine’s Guillory’s books. 

One Sentence Synopsis: When Melody, a video game producer, is faced with a massive online troll attack that almost ruins her life, she finds herself getting closer and closer to the person she hated the most. 

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria 

This is another enemy to lovers romance that I LOVED this summer. It’s super-steamy so if open door romance scenes are not your thing, maybe skip this one. But I flew through it and loved it! 

One Sentence Synopsis: After a massive public break up with a rockstar, actress Jasmine Lin is ready to swear off men and focus on her Leading Lady plan until her newest co-star presents a larger challenge. 

Some new sequels, if series are your thing! 

American Royals II: Majesty by Katharine McGee

The sequel to American Royals about the fictional America that is governed by a monarchy, the House of Washington, instead of the democracy we know today. It’s Gossip Girl meets The Crown meets The West Wing. I loved the second one even more than the first! 

Blood and Honey by Shelby Maruhin 

The sequel to Serpent & Dove for all my YA Fantasy lovers! 

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

If you haven’t read Dear Martin by Nic Stone, I highly recommend adding it to your Fall reading. It is middle grade, so you can read it pretty quickly. It’s a very important book to read right now and Dear Justyce will be available September 29!

Well Played by Jen DeLuca 

If you’re a fan of Renaissance Fairs, or even if you’re not, you must read Well Met! It’s a fun contemporary romance, and its sequel, Well Played, is out September 22! 

What are your favorite book genres? I’d love to know so I can make sure to include them in other posts! You can always find more book recommendations over on my blog and Instagram. If you stop by, make sure to say hi! 

September 2020 Q&A

 Even though it has been a short week, I am ready to fast-forward to the weekend. There’s been a lot going on, and I am excited for my first weekend (mostly) in Birmingham in far too long. Between now and Friday at noon, though, there’s still a lot to accomplish, so hopefully, staying busy will make time go a little bit quicker. As for now, I am excited to share my answers to some of the questions asked for today’s monthly question and answer post. It’ always so interesting to read what y’all are curious about since it spans a broad spectrum. If you weren’t able to ask your question this month, then stay tuned to my Instagram Stories (which I am trying to upload to more consistently) where I usually request your input. 

shirt (Tuckernuck last year) // jeans // earrings // ring // phone case

What are your go-to flowers at Trader Joe’s?

If I am getting flowers for an arrangement at work, then my go-to could be just about anything, but I tend to always make sure to grab white roses due to their versatility and season-less appearance. If I am shopping for flowers for my house, however, I tend to gravitate toward white hydrangeas and, when in season, peonies. Regardless of if I’m looking for work or home, I have grown to love the Blue Thistle I’ve been seeing at Trader Joe’s since it adds a nice texture and my favorite color to an arrangement! 

What are your favorite small things to do when you need a pick me up? 

I think everyone has needed more pick me ups this year, so I really like this question. It depends on the situation, but going on a long walk with friends usually feels like it can solve a lot of things. Aside from that, lighting a favorite candle, changing my sheets (weird, I know, but it’s hard not to feel a little better about yourself when there are fresh sheets on your bed), and/or indulging in a favorite treat or drink are some of my favorite quick pick me ups! 

Phone photography tips/styling for Instagram and blogs? 

I wish that I had taken some more practical photography classes growing up (not to discount how cool it was to take classes where we developed our own photos), but most of what I know about photography I’ve either had to teach myself or learned by asking and observing the photographers I work with for my job. Composition is a significant component of photography, and I try my best not to leave too much negative space but also give the eyes a place to rest in the photos I take. Aside from that, I know the rule of thirds is big for photographers. I feel like I can do a better job of speaking to the styling aspect of this question since that’s where my familiarity lies. When styling a photo, I like to start with the main item I want to be seen and add things from there. When accessorizing with props, it’s nice to use different textures and shapes. For example, many times with food styling, you end up with a round glass, round plate, and round bowl, which doesn’t feel interesting. To add interest, a unique fork and textured linen break up the line of circles, creating something much more appealing to the eye. Also, when adding props, it tends to look best when there is an odd number, so whether that be three cookies instead of two or a stack of five books instead of six, odds usually look better! 

How to balance dating with friends and alone time?

Wow, great question, and very applicable (if you’re confused, head to this post). I am definitely an introvert in that I get my energy from being alone, meaning that as much as I love to hang out with friends and my boyfriend, I need time independently to recharge. Having started to date someone during quarantine when most of my friends were in their hometowns with their families, it took until this summer for me to have to start better balancing various relationships. Getting an idea of other people’s schedules and having days set aside for those different relationships has been pretty helpful as I feel like I can balance seeing everyone I want to see in a week. For example, my boyfriend and I usually hang out on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week, which leaves me time to see a lot of my friends at bible study on Wednesdays and go on walks or hang out with them on the other days during the week. I am pretty good about taking some time on Monday to do my own thing and usually get in bad about an hour before actually going to sleep, which helps with the alone time aspect (as does waking up pretty early). Planning in advance seems to be the key to it all currently. If I already have plans with someone and another friend asks to do something at an overlapping time, I honor whichever plan was made first while then trying to intentionally come up with another time to hang out with whoever’s plans I’m unable to make it to. I know right now, my schedule with work is more flexible than it will likely be in the future, so I think I’ll have to reevaluate all of this again come time to be back in the office full time. 

What are your go-to stores for preppy clothes?

I find clothes I love at various places, but the ones that come to mind as best to shop at for preppy pieces would be Tuckernuck and J.Crew! 

Best fall cocktail dresses?

I haven’t seen a ton of fall cocktail dresses I’ve been loving just yet, but I added this idea to my post list for the month and can’t wait to hunt down some cute ones for you! 

What do you do when you feel burnt out?

The best thing I can do when I feel burnt out is take a step back. For instance, if I am feeling burnt out from blogging, I know I need to take a little bit of time off to recharge. During this time, I try not to stress about not having posts up etc. but instead go back to where I feel most inspired. For me, that’s scrolling through my saved folder on Instagram or scrolling through Pinterest. In both of these activities, I find myself coming up with post ideas and writing them down. Usually, when I am doing this, I start to feel motivated to jump back into it. This applies to other things as well, and no matter what that might be, I think there is a lot of beauty in taking a break. 

What is something you wished you would have done differently during college?

Majored in something aside from education. 

Do you miss teaching and have any advice for first-year teachers? 

I don’t miss teaching, especially right now. I still have a lot of friends that are teaching and have felt for them as they’ve been expected to jump back and forth between virtual and in-person and are navigating uncharted territory. The only part of teaching that I would say I miss would be the relationships you can build with your fellow teachers and the students, but I feel much happier and better suited for the job I am doing currently than I ever did teaching. As for advice for first-year teachers, take a break on the weekends. Being a first-year teacher and getting my master’s at the same time made me feel like any time I had needed to be spent focused on one or the other, and that led to exhaustion and frustration with what I was doing. Don’t check your email from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning and try to mentally remove yourself from the job during that time so that hopefully, you can go into the next week feeling recharged yourself.

Favorite fall transition pieces for warm weather states? 

I think booties are the best way to dress for fall while still navigating the uncertainty of Southern state’s “fall” temperature since they pair nicely with blouses and button-downs as well as sweaters when the colder weather does come. I have a post coming soon with a ton of fall wardrobe essentials that I think you will love! 

What beach/pool bag do you use?

I use a bag from the brand Scout that I am pretty sure was a high school graduation gift. It is giant, so I’m able to throw multiple towels in it as well as pouches for sunscreen and sunglasses, a book, water bottles, and whatever else I may need.

Where is your phone case from? 

My phone case is by the brand The Daily Edited, and I love it. It’s so durable, and the fact that it is completely customizable meant that I could make sure it looked exactly like I wanted it to!

I hope that y’all enjoyed reading through my answers to these questions, and I look forward to doing this again next month! 

Things I'm Looking Forward To This Fall

 I know that we still have 13 days before we can officially say it’s fall, but I’m ready for it to be here, especially since we’ve been getting the smallest glimpse of colder weather in the mornings here in Birmingham. September can feel like a weird month since it is so in limbo between seasons and getting back into routines. Plus, it’s hard to fully embrace the fact that Halloween decorations are in stores and pumpkin flavor is being added to just about everything when you’re still bound to start sweating as soon as you walk outside. I know it’ll take a little longer for the temperatures and leaves to drop here in Alabama, but even still, since fall is my favorite season, the anticipation is already here! It will be interesting to see how things are different this year given the pandemic, but I hope to make the most of it either way and find that looking forward to something makes me that much more excited when it actually arrives! Below are a few of the things I am most excited about this fall. 

above art by Evelyn Henson

Football

Nothing makes it feel like fall quite like spending your Saturday afternoon and/or evening watching college football. The anticipation is especially heightened this year, given that the season hasn’t really started for SEC teams. I foresee myself watching more games than usual on our projector outside since that way, we may still be able to enjoy this activity with friends without it being too risky. 

Cooler Weather

This is a no brainer and arguably the best part about fall. After plenty of weeks with temperatures in the 90s, any bit of crispness in the air gets me very excited. I know that the sun will start to set earlier, but it seems like in the fall, I spend even more time outside just to soak it in! 

Sweaters

Another perk of cooler weather? Sweaters. I feel like looking put together in the fall and winter is so much easier since all it takes is a pair of jeans and a cozy sweater, and you still look like you put in some effort into an otherwise effortless outfit. At the end of winter last year, I remember being so tired of all my sweaters since I practically lived in them, but now I’m eager to put them back on rotation. I guess it’s true that distance does make the heart grow fonder. 

Baking

I tend to get an urge to bake more this time of year, and whether that be due to the cooler temperatures bringing me indoors or just looking for an excuse to try all of the pumpkin recipes out there, I am not complaining. If you have any go-to fall recipes, I need to try definitely leave them in the comments below. Beyond just baking, I am ready for my crockpot to do all of my meal prepping for me with yummy soups and other dishes to come!

Bonfires

I am still fully convinced that our back deck (complete with a fire pit) is the reason I have friends in Birmingham. I never lit a fire just for myself to enjoy last year but am envisioning doing so this year with a warm drink and a good book (and, of course, s’ mores supplies).

 

I’d love to know what you consider to be the best part of fall! 

Step Into My Week 9.8

I hope that y’all had a great Labor Day weekend! I always find it nice to start the work week on a Tuesday. I’m hoping this week goes by relatively quickly since my mom is coming to Birmingham to visit me this weekend, and I’m excited for her to get here. I didn’t do the best job of taking photos this past week (I’ll blame the fact that my phone is almost out of storage and I really need to transfer pictures to my computer for that issue), but hopefully, you’ll get the gist from the ones I did take.

Monday started with a True40 class and a quick shower before heading into the office for a couple of meetings. Once we finished those up, I packaged returns and got my desk space organized before coming home. That night my roommate and I ate dinner and watched TV on the couch before going to sleep.

I got up early on Tuesday to do some work before the True40 class I was signed up for. I worked from home the rest of the day and joined a few friends at Taco Mama that night for dinner. I went to bed early that night and can’t really remember what else I was up to that day, oops.

On Wednesday, I had a shoot for one of our food title’s January/February issues, so I went in early to pull props for that. The shoot went well, and we finished a little after lunchtime. I came home and worked from the couch until deciding to go on an evening walk with Nell. 

you can shop my work outfit here

Since Wednesday was my only shoot day of the week, it felt like the week was all downhill from there. Thursday morning, I got up early and worked before going to a True40 class. After that, I finally took my car to get it washed, which was long overdue but feels good to have done now! I had more work to get done the rest of the afternoon and eventually made and decorated cookies to take to the lake over the weekend. Nell came over to hang out, and we ended up playing the Wii for a little while before grabbing dinner together. I came home, put away laundry, and packed for the weekend before going to sleep.

I woke up especially early on Friday so that I could shower, work, and drop off a centerpiece I did for work at someone’s house before leaving for the lake with a friend. We got there a little after lunch, and some of his family was already there. We quickly unloaded the car, changed, and headed to hang out on the dock for a while before eating a late lunch. The boys went to play golf in the afternoon, so the girls spent more of the afternoon in the water until they got back later on. We ate dinner on the porch and played Monopoly Deal for a while before sitting on the dock for a while before bed. 

Saturday and Sunday were spent pretty much the same way, starting with breakfast on the porch and spending most of the day on the dock and in the water. We rode the Sea-Doo for a bit on Saturday but otherwise pretty much stayed put. Both nights we ate dinner on the porch and played Mexican Train before ending the nights on the dock. 

 

We drove back in the morning on Monday, and I was able to get a lot of chores done for the week. I went for a run, fixed the lights on my deck, grocery shopped, and caught up on the phone with my mom before my friend came over for dinner. We made this salmon recipe, which was delicious. If you don’t like a little heat in your food, though, you’ll probably want to reduce the amount of sriracha in the glaze. We made it with roasted broccoli and Brussels sprouts and couscous. And please ignore the lack of styling from the photo of it. I promise I do a better job of photo styling for work than that makes it appear :) 

I was planning out my content calendar for the month and am looking forward to sharing lots of fun posts with y’all in the coming weeks, but if you ever have any requests, you’re welcome to leave them in the comments for me!