Southern Heat Wave

 "I'm Dying of the Vapors, It just pains me to Breathe"

Sometimes you just gotta sit under the fan and act like a DIVA! 

That fan looks 'Cool' to me, very feminine!

Oh, this hat makes my heart happy! Have been feeling the need to shield myself more while relaxing on the beach. Nancy Sinatra puts me to shame! I'll pretend my big brim hat looks this chic! Definitely helps me to see better while reading out in the sun though.  

The ever fabulous CoCo Chanel, hanging out by the French Seaside. Even then she still has on pearls, Dying!
I can't bring myself to wear that many strands with a regular outfit much less ON the beach, but I will represent with my pearl studs. Can you imagine how Hot she potentially could be in all those clothes, unless it were during the winter when this picture was taken... Still she looks Tres Chic!

It seriously has been in the mid to high 90's for a while now! But the humidity has been the killer here in the dirty south. It only feels appropriate to wear breezy sundresses and at some points it feels like I need to carry a fan around just to catch a break. Seriously, most days I don't even turn my AC in the car off HIGH! What are you doing to keep cool so far this summer? 

First Day of Summer

Feels like summer has been here for months already!! Especially since I have already been to the beach once and had my precious nieces come stay for 10 days! So far its been perfect! Fun that has been had include pool days, beach days, lazy mornings, yummy summer salads, R& R, plenty of summer dresses, playing in the sprinklers and staying up late to catch fireflies! Two more fun summer adventures planned for the near future with plenty more summer rituals to be had! 

                                     

Any fun summer plans?

HBD Mom!

Some One had a Milestone Birthday?!?!?!?! 

Last saturday was my moms 60th Birthday so to celebrate she and I went up to High Hampton, NC. She has visited many time in the past, but I had never been there and wanted to see this amazing place that I have heard about many times and holds lots of memories for our family. It totally reminds me of Kellermen's Resort from Dirty Dancing. Very outdoorsy, no TV, no cell service, no Wi-Fi (Ouch), not even clocks. So that day we did what mama wanted to do. We did some shopping in Highlands, ate lunch at the Cupboard Cafe,  and ran into our cousins who were celebrating their 22nd anniversary up in mountains, too. 

Here is the main lodge where all the meals are served, the fireplaces are raging, even a wedding took place up there. Very rustic, but absolutely beautiful. We stayed in one of the cottages down by the lake on the 18th hole. Once we were all checked in, we had some time to kill before dinner was served so mom showed me around the grounds. It was the perfect weather up there, not to hot with a slight breeze.  Here are a few shot we took on our walk:

I just love this shot of mom!
She looks so beautiful here, not to shabby for 60,doesn't even look a day over 45,HA!
The trees around this place were huge and Ah-Mazing! 

*Notice her new Tiffany's Bracelet I got her for the milestone! 

Fun story behind this picture. My mom and her mom use to play this version of "war" with these wild flowers . The heads of these lovelies have a natural hook so once the war begins who ever pulls the head off their opponent wins....I let mom win;) 

Just wanted to share this picture of  my tomato juice at breakfast the next morning. It reminded me of my GaGa. She had these same glasses for us when we would visit her as children. In the past my parents would visit High Hampton with my dads parents, so it seemed fitting that that memory was ever present.  

*Note all the meals were buffet style done up to the Hills, Unbelievable!  

After breakfast we took a golf cart out on the back 9 to check out the beautiful course. Check out that view at the top of hole 11. Man, was it freezing that early. I was all bundled up in the cart! 

Love this picture of my mom and GaGa getting ready for a round of golf back in the day at High Hampton. Mom is actually prego with my sister, so this is somewhere around 1979.
*Man mom those glasses are super fly!

After we checked out, we headed up further into North Carolina to check out a few waterfalls. This beauty is taller than Niagara Falls. The sound of the water hitting the rocks was so loud even from as far away as we were. It is truly amazing the natural beauty that is in that area. With the south being hit by the deathly tornado's a few weeks ago, we drove right through where they hit in North Georgia. It was so sad to see the destruction and loss that the people had endured. It was really like something straight out of the Wizard of Oz. Lake Burton really took majority of the beating up in that area. It literally is a waste land, completely leveled. So heartbreaking! We tried to find the affected area but we got lost on the wrong lake for about an hour, however it was a gorgeous drive to be lost on, ha only us! 

 

Happy Birthday Mom! 

'Her Children ARISE and call her BLESSED' 

Proverbs 31:28

Moss Covered Topiary Tutorial

Now that spring is here I have been inspired this spring season by all the natural beauties that are outside. Also while I was watching the new season on Khloe and Lamar {unashamed} on E!, guess what I spotted?... Moss covered balls on her counter top. I am sure that hers were crazy expensive so I wanted to recreate them on a budge.  I totally love how the bright green adds a pop of freshness and nature to the room. 

~The Needed Goods~

~Styrofoam Ball {Michaels with a 40% off coupon}
~Moss Covered Rocks {The Dollar Tree}
~Styrofoam Low Temp Hot Glue Sticks {A must when working with Styrofoam}
~Hot Glue Gun 

Piece together the moss covered rocks all over the ball. They fit almost perfectly like a puzzle and after they are all on  you can take any left over 'rocks' {really Styrofoam} and cut them to fill in gaps. 

Voila', the finished product all styled and looking super chic!
Really Easy huh?

Under the Sea/Mermaid Party

Miss Anna Kate is officially 6! 

I really wanted to make it as magically as possible for my sweet girl! 

I'm not a huge fan of doing trademarked parties so I kinda went

 with a mash up of 'Under the Sea' with a hint of 'The Little Mermaid'. Seeing as Ariel has been AK's favorite Disney princess since she was a toddler it only seemed fitting. My sister even made one of her dreams come true by getting Ariel to come spend the afternoon with her and her buddies. Super special that she will never forget. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to re-create a dream of hers. I sure do LOVE that little girl!!!

These are the table centerpieces that I put together to help set the atmosphere. One table was for the food, cake, actually goldfish, and mermaid tail. The other is where the kiddos were able to do their craft with Ariel as well as get make-overs and their nails painted. The Mermaid Picture w/mirror say "Who is the Fairest of them All?" It wouldn't have felt like being under the sea with out the Dolphin balloons too! 

In the center of the room I wanted a canopy for Ariel to able to sit under and read a book to the girls as well serve as a background for the girls to get their picture made with Ariel individually. 

Hanging from the 5 chandeliers throughout the room were an array of things you would find under the sea. For instance each included 'Jelly Fish' lanterns, Faux Seaweed made from dyed coffee filter, Bubble Streamers and Sheer Seaweed Streamers.

I wanted to incorporate come iconic saying from the Little Mermaid movie to give it a more personalized feeling. The bottom right picture is of the 'Snarfflast' which is what Scuttles the seagull calls Prince Erics' flute.  

Can't forget the cake. Traveled all the way from Georgia to NC for the special occasion. It's our families favorite cake lady back home that even made my sisters wedding cake and every year she makes all our cakes. Delicious and Beautiful! Look at the sheer JOY on AK's face. 

Check out all the FUN they got to have! I think it's safe to say that the bubble machine was a HUGE hit!  What little girl doesn't love getting a mini spa treatment?? Pink and purple make-up sure makes for happy girls! While their nails were drying Ariel read them the Little Mermaid story as you can tell she had their undivided attention. They were enchanted and captivated by her asking her all kinds of questions about being out of the Ocean and such, there is nothing like a child's imagination. Absolutely precious. 

Happy 6th Birthday My Darlin', JuJu!  

Many giggles, twirls, hugs and kisses all year! 

'Light' Sparkel

{Props}

Yay, It's Friday! We made it through another week!

Really L~O~V~E this picture! The simplicity of it makes me smile!

The confetti makes me feel all lite and airy without a care in the world...

(for the moment cause it's Friday)

The hands remind me to be thankful for the abundant flow of Blessings in my life.

Can't forget the sun that is ever present in this shot too, can't you just feel the warmth? That's how it felt here this week.

Soaking it up even with the cooler temps coming this weekend!

Hoping to get outside this weekend some way or another!

Feeling crafty and a twinge of decor8-itis coming on, too ;)

Plans for the weekend?

Make it count!

Spring Has Sprung!

Sunday was the first day of spring! Hallelujah! So ready to be in cute sundresses again and flip flops. I wish all year felt like spring year round. A steady 75-80 degrees would suit this girl just dandy! I have been in crazy organization mode recently and doing a bit of spring cleaning. Nothing like getting ride of things that are just taking up room. Gotta make room for fun new stuff, huh? I thought so;) So to get ready for the warmer weather I wanted to share some of my favorite things.

1. Denim Sailor Button Trousers~ $74
2. Adel 21~$10.99 (Fantastic!!!!)
3. Vintage Metal Framed Gucci Sunglasses ~$255 (note to self, find knock-of ASAP)
4. Animal Fur Belt~$25
5. Anthropologie: Under The Rug Chemise~$79
6. Poetic Licence Women's Bejangled Sandal~ $89 (fact: cheaper at Nordstrom Rack)
7. House of Harlow: Turquoise Triangle Ring~$45 (In LOVE with)
8. J.Crew: Archie Grand Notebook~$10 ( hint hint: Easter Bunny)
9. Elf Bronzer @ Target~ $3
10. Shirley Temple~ Forever a fan, but really loving the New Target commercial!
11. Nordstrom Two Tone Straw Fedora~ $29
12. Kate Spade Twirl 3.4oz eau de parfum~$80
13. Banana Republic Sasha patent clutch~ $98
14. Beige Cutwork Suedette Short~ $59 (MUST HAVE)
15. Ann Taylor Loft Pink Hand Dye Stripe Tee~ $29
16. Swell Elephant Necklace~ $24 ( F21? )