Straight Edge

Shirt: American Eagle {on sale in store} | Pants: F21 {here} | Shoes: BCBG {old, but lusting over these} | Hat: F21 {In store, but similar here} | Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx {similar here}

Today I am participating in Marionberry Style's Trend of the Month and May is all about the YELLOW. I love most things yellow: accessories, floral dresses, bright shoes. But today I chose to go with a bit different look. A little more edgy, but it was definitely fun! When I spotted this bright yellow striped sweater at AE, I swept it up because it is so comfy soft! If I am ever looking for edge, I slip on these studded heels and I am good to go!

Thanks Marion for another great challenge!

Linking up with Marionberry Style, The Pleated Poppy, Rolled Up Pretty, A Little Bit of Lacquer, and Watch Out for the Woestmanns

Goodbye May!

May has come and gone in a whirlwind! Between graduation and several house guests, I have no idea where May went. I'm sure you have noticed I have been pretty absent from blogging/twitter in the past few weeks, but today I dropped off my very last house guest at the airport and I'm here to tell you I'm back!

Sadly enough, I'm going to very much miss my house guests. It is the one downside to living in NC, my family is not close.

We first had my brother in law Kole and his sweet girlfriend Kristen come visit us.

Then we had my two sisters, Marlo and Macy, and my mom Jennifer comes visit over Memorial Day Weekend!

More pictures to follow!

Stop by tomorrow as I link up with Marionberry Style for the Trend of the Month: Yellow!

Jewel Toned

Dress: Calvin Klein {no longer online, another Calvin I'm coveting} | Shoes: Guess {not online} | Clutch: Francescas | Bracelets: Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole {via Nordstrom Rack} | Sunglasses: Calvin Klein {no longer online}

I can't help but be drawn to all the gorgeous jewel tones out there right now. And like usual, sheath dresses are my go-to for work! This kelly green is a new color for me and I am having a lot of fun with it! Have you tried any new colors lately?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Rolled-Up Pretty, A Little Bit of Lacquer, and Watch Out for the Woestmanns

Graduation Weekend

We had a ton of fun and a ton of laughs on our weekend home for my sisters graduation. Congrats Macy we are so proud of you!

We went to several ceremonies, grad parties and even the Zoo while we were in town! Let's just say I may have missed my calling as a wildlife photographer. ha! I just need a nice thick piece of glass in between the animals and me and we are good to go!

My favorite picture is of K and my Granny at the Zoo

We did a Sky Safari ride and I wasn't loving it. I am terrified of heights so couple that with flying over rhinos, cheetahs and giraffes and you have one terrified girl!

We celebrated graduation at Kobe. You know one of those places where they fling food at you? And heat up the grill so you think you are going to loose your eyelashes!

Shrimp catching time!

Overall we had a ton of laughs and I can't wait to get back home this summer! That may be the only negative about NC, not having our families here!

*Caption: This photo was taken right after my Granny declared Marlo (middle) was the prettiest sister. hmmm....tell us how you really feel Granny!

What Makes a Good Season Finale

As I'm sure a lot of you are, I have been sucked into the season finale rush of the past couple of weeks. Some have had great endings, some have had boring endings and some have had tragic endings. But what makes a good finale?

I have forced myself to stay away from twitter during certain episodes, because I'm usually about 20 minutes behind on any given show and I do not want the show to be spoiled! But after the show is over the first thing I do is usually  jump online and check out what everyone is saying. For example, last nights Grey's Anatomy had everyone disliking Shonda Grimes for a bit. Poor girl. 

But have you ever thought, what do we know? She has several super successful TV series, so maybe this one death is exactly what everyone needed to keep watching? Or was it the last straw that will make a few faithful watchers quit? I can't decide. I'm seriously on the fence. My husband and I have always related to the Meredith/Derek relationship, so since those two are okay (again) will I stay hooked? If I related more to Lexi, would I be swearing off Grey's for life? Again, I do not know. 

It all goes back to what makes a good finale? It probably depends on personal opinion. The hopeless romantic in me wants everyone to find love and live happily ever after, but is that a good story line? Will that keep the masses watching? Do we all need the suspense factor? I hate the torture of waiting for months to find out what the heck is going to happen. And do you know what is worse than torturing me with a suspenseful finale? Opening up with a very lame season premiere after I've waited 3 months. 

There is a lot of questions in this post, but you can see I haven't quite made up my mind what I want in a TV show. Did I love Grey's last night or did I hate it? I do not know. And if everyone is leaving Seattle Grace, how is the TV show going to go on? If Derek has a bad hand, how is he going to do surgery? I don't want new people people! So I guess I'm still hooked....

Orange + Navy

 

Dress: Premise {similar here on GREAT sale} | Blazer: H&M {In stores now} | Shoes: Guess {Similar here} | Glasses: Calvin Klein {No longer available}

I've been on a short blogging hiatus! We had such a wonderful time in Nebraska with my family at my sister's graduation! The weather was so nice and the time flew by!

I don't know about you, but I can't stop  lusting over this season's orange hues!

Linking up today with The Pleated Poppy, Rolled-Up Pretty, and A Little Bit of Lacquer

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today me and this guy are taking off to go see my sister graduation in Nebraska. I'm looking forward to the nice long weekend. We leave at 5 and get there at 8. 

Me: Wow, that is quick, is it a direct flight?

K: No, we have a layover.

Me: Where?

K: Chicago. 

Me: Wow, that must be a quick layover

K: 40 minutes. With that being said....Pick your shoes accordingly. 

I guess I'll go and pack these pumps I have on right now. 

Oh K, am I not fast enough for you in heels running from terminal A to terminal D?

Today is It's OK: Travel Edition

It's OK:

to eat froyo for lunch because it is quick, easy and you don't want to dirty your own dishes.

to pack a pair of flip flops in your purse, just in case shoe choice number two doesn't keep up with your speedy husband

to pack 10 lipglosses/lipsticks for 4 days of travel because you just can't decide

to bring an extra carry on bag just in case your luggage is over the weight limit. Yes I'm that girl shifting stuff between bags at the ticket counter. Darn baggage fees!

to pretend calories disappear in all airport food

to have to buy the newest people magazine once you get to your gate, because you know you just have to despite the 5 magazines you already have in your bag

See you guys after vacation! 

Frills and Pearls

Top: F21{old} | Skirt: Express {here} | Shoes: Guess {Similar here} | Necklace: Vintage | Braclets: Michael Kors, Talbots, Gifted | Glasses: Calvin Klein {no longer online}

I found this top at Forever 21 a few months ago and fell in love in the feminine details it had. Pearl buttons and little navy blue sheer frills? Perfect combo. The soft peach color of the top toned down all the details to make for the perfect office outfit. Long pearl strands add fun and class to any outfit!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Rolled-Up Pretty, and A Little Bit of Lacquer today!

We call them Barbeques

I know what you may be thinking...you call these Sloppy Joes. Well so do I. But, I don't like Sloppy Joes...but I like these. These little bits of goodness come from my Husband's family and they call them barbeques...so there you have it! 

This recipe is so easy to make and the best part is it freezes really well. Hello leftovers! 

Start by browning 1 1/2lbs of ground beef and mix in one can of Gumbo Soup

 

Next mix in a cup of Ketchup

 

Add 2 Tbsp of Worchester Sauce, 1 Tbsp Chile Powder, 1/2 Tbsp Ground Mustard, 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar and 1 Tbsp Onion Powder. All these quantities can be tweeked based on your taste. 

 

Combine

 

And enjoy!

Derby Days

This is what I'd be wearing to the Kentucky Derby this weekend...if I was going! This event is one that is on my husband and I's bucket list, so one day we'll make it happen. But until then...I can dream up the perfect hat that I will be spending a nice chunk of money on only to wear it once. This year I gave myself two options: black & white and pop of color!

City Hall

Neutrals are a safe go-to for work. I love mixing dark and light neutrals to give the outfit a bit of interest. Adding a neutral animal print is a double bonus. I spotted this dress on a sale rack at LOFT last weekend and debated because it is a light sweater material. This would be way too hot for the hot NC summer that is right around the corner. But on cool mornings such as this one, it is perfect! The single bright yellow stripe had me at hello!

Dress: LOFT {on sale in store} | Blazer: F21 {here} | Belt: F21 {no longer online} | Shoes: Guess {similar here} | Necklace: Baublebar {currently out of stock} | Bracelets: Michael Kors {here}, LOFT {old} | Glasses: Calvin Klein {no longer available}


Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Rolled-Up Pretty, and A Little Bit of Lacquer!