why don't i live here again?

Every time I visit Wilmington, North Carolina I always end up continuously asking myself why I don't live here. The answer is simply because I would never leave!  Even though it hasn't reached over 60 degrees (which because I have developed a high cold threshold in the past four months, is pretty toasty), there has been plenty to do and the atmosphere alone relaxes every bone of my body.

As soon as we arrived Sunday night we were taken over to The Fuzzy Peach, an awesome frozen yogurt place that could probably stand against TCBY and, my book, Pinkberry.  I know Pinkberry is tots the best hun-cal fro yo, but does Pinkberry have red velvet flavored soft serve?  Didn't think so. 

 Yesterday, we ran into Nikki's Sushi Bar to discover the best sushi I've had along with a menu full of burgers, chinese food, even peanut butter and jelly for those really picky eaters.  After hanging out at the beach for a while and some of the surf shops on Wrightsville Beach, we went to my favorite store of all time, Hallelu.  I know you guys have heard me talk about my love for this store multiple times.  Simple solution: go shop here.  Of course, every single item in the store I wanted to buy.  That's not a lie.  Luckily I held my self control or they would have needed to restock everything. 

Even after being stuffed for lunch, we hit up another fantastic eat at one of the best kept secrets in Wilmingon, Sweet & Savory.  It was a combination bakery and deli and it was phenomenal.  Finishing the night off with some more red velvet, this time in the form of a cupcake, I was completely satisfied with my life and would've been happy dying at that very moment.

 To finish off this long and probably unnecessary post, I will simply say there's no question I will one day be living in Wilmington.  There's no way I can resist.

When I get home (sad) and upload my own pictures, I'll be sure to do another post!  

 

i hope i don't jinx it

Considering I live in a town that last year, got more snow than parts of Alaska, it probably is a little too early to be excited for spring, but I can't help it.  And if I'm getting too excited God is encouraging it because this same town that got all that snow last year was running balmy 67 degrees yesterday!  This morning I couldn't help but break out my very summery boyfriend pants (my only pair with holes in them).

I sadly could not get a shot of my entire outfit before I left this morning but here are a few more things I'm excited for this spring...

Getting all my colorful keds, oxfords, and flats out-- I'm okay with putting my boots in the trunk for a while.

 All the spring magazines and catalogs that just came in that I can read on the beach, and start my spring shopping lists.

 My favorite picture of spring break three years ago, which will hopefully prove as a model for how this spring break is going to shape up!


Last thing, here's a few pictures from a couple weeks ago (I ended up leaving my camera at home. oops.) I'm also excited to spend some time with the crazy family for a couple days.  So much to look forward too!

I'm definitely going to try to get a full outfit shot in before I leave for spring break at the end of the week.  It's been way too long.  Until then, Happy early spring!

complainer everyday

Today, I'm not necessarily talking about fashion.  I'm going to take a break, maybe give you guys a break?

This past week I've been dealing with an issue regarding my dang crackberry that I do love dearly, but sometimes seems to give me more trouble than it's worth.  As I was texting one of the roommates discussing this issue, among others, I looked back over my texts and realized what a complainer I was.  I generally like to think of my self as a positive person, and although I know everyone has their off days when all your energy is simply going into getting up in the morning, I still have to make myself remember those that are not nearly as lucky or blessed as I am. 
Even though my crackberry gets little glitches or service problems, I have one.  Even though my computer's sound has a mind of it's own, at least I have a computer with personality.  I have a mom who loves to talk to me so much I can't always get her off the phone, a dad who trusts me enough to stand up to those verizon people, a sister who loves me even after I tell her bluntly not to wear "hooker shoes", and a brother who texts me back in french because I tell him I'm bad at it (D'abord, c'est dificile.  Ensuite elle devien plus bonne. Which I thought meant something totally different until I put it in Google Translator.)  I have the best friends who make cake pops and cinnamon cookies, amazing dresses and beautiful hairstyles, call me from six hours away to talk about silly stories that I can't even tell very well. 
Just remembering these things shows that I have everything that I need in my life.  Let's face it, I have nothing to complain about.  I'm not a Von trapp family member, climbing the Alps to run from the Nazi Regime who want to take my dad away.  In the snow.  Still singing. (And yes, Taylor, that reference is all for you.)

I wanna be just like you

As I was internet "surfing" (pause: is that really a term used in today's American jargon, or just thought to be used by French 1 text books?), I found along the way a picture of Alexa Chung.  I could not think of anything to do except add it to my ever growing folder of inspiration pictures on my desktop.  But as I then was curious to look back through this same folder, I discovered numerous other pictures I had saved of Ms. Chung as outfit inspirations.  Conclusion: I want to dress be just like Alexa Chung.

So, to make this easier, for you not me, I'm giving you a list of the reason why I do, and why you should want to be just like her too.
#1: She looks hilarious.  And she actually is funny.  We Americans only got a small taste of her comedy with MTV's It's On With Alexa Chung.

#2: Her menswear inspired outfits that still hint at femininity.  I love the oxfords, blazers, neck ties.

#3: She designed a line for Madewell, already one of my favorite stores.  Now everything just needs to cost $40, maximum.  Or I could just make $1 million a year.  Either works for me.

#4: She brings whimsy into her outfits.  She's not fifty-something and there fore should not be expected to have seriously boring outfits.  Although honestly, she'll probably end up being the Diane Keaton of our generation as far as fashion goes.

#5: She'll be hosting a new show on PBS called Thrift America, and let's face it, everyone should learn how to thrift in America better with this lovely las from across the pond.

This next week, you can count on me wearing every blazer, neck tie, and pair of oxfords that I own. And possibly trying to be more whimsically hilarious.  I'll get back to you on how that second one turns out.

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living the summer in shorts

I love dresses. The end. When summer comes along, it is so easy to look cute in them; throw on one piece of clothing and you're set to go for the day. They're also cool during these balmy summer days we cannot seem to escape. Now, I still love my dresses this summer, but with all the adorable variety of shorts lining the malls, how can you not spend every moment in them?

These shorts in particular are extremely comfortable and very light weight, perfect for the heat. Not to mention the extra detailing on the bottom!

I first wore these to church with a nicer blouse and strappy wedges, but they can obviously be made more casual with the right supplements.

Take a break from those mini dresses, you might have some unexpected fun. Just try to do a cartwheel in one!

shorts: urban outfitters, shirt: thrifted, sandals: charlotte russe, necklace: grandmothers, ring: aldo accessories

photos by: Katie Holcomb

in the sun

I'm going to try something else a little new: while you're reading this, listen to "In the Sun" by She & Him (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ3cTwI9bIw).

Today, I'm simply writing about this new lovely pair of satin shoes. And you will never guess how much they were ($9). They're just so classic and beautiful.

I was reminded last night by a close friend how important those classic and reliable things in your life really are; things like your family (or atleast my family). Through high school, you might go through a time where you really want to wear those trendy shoes that actually kinda hurt your feet, but everyone else wants to wear them. Still, at some point you realize that you feel safe in those streamline mint-green peep toes. You can always count on them to make you look good.

Now just to finish off that good look, here's some other ideas...

dress: modcloth, necklace: forever 21, clutch: asos