Thursday, November 27, 2014

In All Things, Give Thanks

Thanksgiving, a time to spend with your family, enjoying great food, and reflecting on all the things you have to be thankful for. I'm very fortunate to have all these things to look forward to at Thanksgiving, I have more blessings than I can count, a great family, and a grandma who cooks the best southern food in all of North Carolina.

Thanksgiving also has a lot of work that goes into it. Being the perfect Southern Belle and avid Southern Living reader that you are; you have everything about the holiday planned, from the perfect turkey to the perfect outfit.
While balancing being a southern lady and aspiring to be the next Blair Waldorf{the lover of all things that make Thanksgiving perfect}, you realize you aren't in fact Blair Waldorf{a ruling Queen with waitstaff at her beckon call} and you don't have your own personal Dorota to get all the decorations in place and still have time to pick out the perfect outfit before your guest arrive.
So what do you do? You turn to pinterest, to help you find every holiday inspiration you could possibly need.
The Decorations:
   Get a little crafty with an old frame, save you October pumpkins and spray paint them gold, grab some leaves, twigs, pinecones from outside, and some cornhusks left in a nearby field to make the perfect fall accents.


The Meal:
  This is easily one of the most important elements to any Thanksgiving and if we're being honest this is why you're guest are here. They've been waiting for this day all year and in preparation of the feast they haven't eaten a real meal in days. So when they sit down to your table present them with everything they've been dreaming of, a mouthwatering turkey{I prefer ham...shhh} surrounded by all their favorite fixings! {And for the first time Thanksgiving host, A Classic Southern Thanksgiving chart with all the must haves.}
And don't forget that signature blue ribbon worthy pie that will have them loosing belts just for another heavenly slice. 

The Table:
   You're table is your canvas. This is where it all goes down! Your guests will be sitting here for hours, so why not take the opportunity to impress them not only with your amazing food but your ability to set the perfect table{no plastic in sight}. So when your guests look at you in amazement and say "Your table looks beautiful! How did you have time to put all this together?", all while thinking 'How the hell did she do this? I didn't even wash my hair this morning. Does she have secret maids hidden in the kitchen or is she just trying to make me look bad? Either way, I hate her.' You can smile say "Thank you. I just threw them together this morning!" and think to yourself, 'I haven't slept in days, all in preparation for this one meal. I'm buzzed on coffee and I can't even remember if I brushed my teeth this morning. Yes, I know you hate but I honestly don't care, you better sit there and eat every bite off of my perfectly polished plates.'








And for dessert have a little fun and bring out some napkins with a humorous quote. {Even more fun if you have a Northern joining you for the occasion.}

The Outfit:
  Now that your turkey is in the oven, they table is set, and your pie is cooling by the window, you have a minute to think of yourself. Run upstairs, change out of those running shorts and that two sizes too big shirt, throw some makeup on and become presentable. Yes, you'll be eating large amounts of food and those comfy clothes are calling your name but, remember, presentation is everything. You can be comfy and fashionable at the same time! Throw on your favorite fall skirt or long cardigan and a pair of flats and you're good to go!
 

The Finishing Touch:
  To keep your guests thinking 'Just how does she do it?', put together a simple take home gift. Your guests will be floored that you put so much thought in the day and deem you the next Paula Deen after they taste their farewell goodies. Then commence to graciously bow at your feet.

Now, wave goodbye to your guests, go back inside and begin to hibernate for the next few hours because shortly you'll have to awake a begin your black friday shopping!


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

In everything always give thanks. // 1 Thessalonians 5:18

xoxo, L






Sunday, November 23, 2014

Thanks Taylor


Okay, so everyone has seen Taylor Swift's new video, Blank Space and they love it! Her new video(s) are making everyone love her, people who have perviously hated Taylor Swift in the past, all of a sudden are running out to buy her CD. They're all raving about how she's a genius for taking everything that people make fun of her for and using it her advantage for her horrible dancing to her countless relationships.


While I'm obsessing over Blank Space as well {like literally obsessing, I watch the video all the time, keep the song on repeat, and find myself constantly singing it} it's for a totally different reason.
That reason is Sean O'Pry.

Like OMG Taylor where did you find him and why have I never heard of him before?  He's absolutely gorgeous! This is why Taylor is a genius, no matter what video she's making she has a great looking guy to make it even better. She's had Tyler Hilton, Stephen Colletti, Zach Gilford, Noah Mills, and Lucas Till. But this time she has topped them all. 


Other than being the definition of tall, dark, and handsome, Sean is a 25yr old model and aspiring actor from Georgia that was discovered on Facebook. Of course a face like that has to be one of a southern gentleman.




I just can't get enough!{Don't mind me just over here fan girling.} I'm going to need him to hurry up with this acting career so I can see him in more than just this one video. {Side note this wasn't his first music video, he's also been in a music video with Madonna.}

Reasons to adore Sean O'Pry:
He's shy.
 
He enjoys looking off into the distance & pondering over his deep thoughts.
Not to mention he totally rocks the preppy sweater over a button up look. 
           
That face.
That jaw.

He understands art.
You like running? Great! He'll be your running partner, as long as you're running to save his classic & ridiculously expensive car.

He pulled off the signature Regina George style better than Regina George herself. 
And he dances too?                                      
He has no problem throwing his hands up in surrender & acknowledging that you're always right. {but duh, of course you're always right.}
I like a guy who enjoys a casual stroll in tux, accompanied by pure bred dobermans.
Taylor wins. She just wins.
 So for making this perfect guy the best prop in any of your videos to date, I thank you Taylor.



Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream. // Taylor Swift

xoxo, L


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Decorating In Style

So before I start today's post I just wanted to apologize for my lack of regular post. I've been told that I'm slacking, which is something I'm trying to work on. I don't want to have posts just for the sake of having them, I want to have posts that you'll find interesting and actually want to read. My biggest issue is that I am by no means a writer; never have been and never will be and if we're being completely honest, I totally suck at it. But from now on I'll try to have at least one regular post each week!

ANYWAYS, TODAY'S POST:
So next year me, my sister, her current dorm roommate, & hopefully a fourth{still on the lookout} are getting an apartment! I know this may seem like no big deal and just an everyday thing, but it's VERY exciting for three reasons.
1. It'll be my senior year & I'm FINALLY getting a apartment. Freshman year, I lived in the dorms{which I loved because I was fortunate enough to live in the best dorm on campus} and then sophomore and junior year while all my friends were moving into their own apartments, I was moving back home. Which wasn't a big deal because I only live about 20min away from campus & I was able to save a lot of $$$.
2. I get to live with two of my favorite people!
3. The most important reason, DECORATING, duhh!

For our apartment we've decided on Kate Spade inspired theme, we are determined that our apartment will be nothing short of perfection. There will be polka dots, there will be stripes, there will be black & white, there will be gold, and there will be monograms & lots of them! The day after we decided that we should all get an apartment together {because basically we're all the same person & there's no one else we like enough to want to live with} I immediately started an Apartment board on Pinterest. I LOVE PINTEREST! I've found so many DIY Kate Spade ideas & I plan to use them all. I'm beyond excited to move in and we haven't even signed our lease yet. I just want to start decorating and see it all come together.

Here are some things that are bound to be in our apartment:
Everything from our front door to our kitchen will be fabulous! Southern touches of burlap on the front wreath, and lots of signature Kate Spade preppy gold chic plates, cups, mugs, and salt/pepper shakers!

 





















Our living room will most likely consist of gold throw pillows, black/gold lamps, a Kate Spade vaseKate Spade candles, decorative table books and gold wall art.




As for my room, I basically know exactly what I want! Lately I've been obsessing over Emerald/Kelly green, I love the color and it just happens to go perfectly with the gold Kate Spade theme. This is actually the exact Emerald/Kelly Green Duvet that I plan to have in my room, I'll have tons of decorative pillows with a monogram or two! I'll have a matching green rug {or maybe a black rug} but it'll definitely have a pattern on it because I love pattern play! 



 On my wall I'll have a fabulous Prada inspired canvas and maybe even a gold deer.


A gold vase for my nightstand but with peonies not roses. {Roses are so over done}

My desk will have little touches of gold & a Blair Waldorf inspiration to match!



My bathroom will have more black. Like the perfect monogrammed shower curtain, an Audrey image, favorite song lyrics in gold, and gold mason jars for decorative flowers or to hold my toothbrush.


 "I adore pretty things and witty words." // Kate Spade

xoxo, L