Lilly Pulitzer on Rue La La

Hi there!  Lilly Pulitzer will be on Rue La La starting March 27th at 11 AM!  Rue La La is such an easy to use website and they have a great app for smartphones.  I love any chance to buy Lilly Pulitzer on sale!  Click HERE if you aren't already a member and would like an invitation! Happy Shopping!

Monogram Monday: Totes M'Goats

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  It was sunny and warm and then the cold weather decided to come back today. Bleh. And the pollen.  Double Bleh. 

So, to pep things up and to keep our sights on the warm weather ahead, I thought I'd share my favorite monogrammed beach bag/travel bag (well, all purpose bag, really)....my Lands' End tote.  Here she is.  Isn't she a beaut?!

My favorite part about Lands' End is that they will monogram just about anything (ok, maybe not anything) and the turnaround time for orders is pretty quick.  They also have great monogram designs and options.  I have the Medium Natural Open Top Canvas Tote Bag and I like it because the strap is long enough to carry on your shoulder and the tote part is big enough to put a towel, sunscreen, magazines, water, etc. for the beach or toiletries, hairdryer, flat-iron, makeup, etc. for travel.

Beauregard, the cutest Scottie Dog in the World, has the red version of the one I have and his has "BEAU" monogrammed on it.  He saw mine and demanded that he have his own bag to put his food, bowls, toys, treats, and carpet cleaner spray (this is key) in for when he travels.  I was like, "Ok, ok, I'll get you one for Christmas.  For a dog, you are so smart and have great taste!"  

Click here to check out the totes and be sure to look at the cute Easter ones that would be the perfect, sturdy Easter basket for the kiddos....or the adult-o's who still demand that the Easter Bunny bring them an Easter Basket... ;)

...Carolina Brunette

Instagram Roundup aka What's 'a Happenin', Hot Stuff?

Carolina Brunette has it's own Instagram account, @carolinabrunette.  I post pics from the blog, as well as fun and random things I see throughout the day.  I thought I'd let y'all see what's been happenin'.

Meet Beauregard.  We call him Beau for short and he's our Scottie Dog.  He's a little over a year old and so incredibly cute.  He just got a haircut yesterday so he's proudly showing it off (aka, most likely staring at a delicious piece of doggie bacon that Fiance' is holding).  He's wearing his new plaid collar with detachable bow tie.  He ate his last plaid collar...while wearing it...talent, I tell you, talent.

Ok, so I have a thing for jewelry.  Here are some of my favorite Kate Spade earrings that my friend gave all of her bridesmaids and we wore them in her wedding.  The wedding was at the Legare-Waring House in Charleston and with the ceremony outside under the avenue of oaks and the reception at the house and surrounding gardens, these were the perfect floral earrings for a classic, Southern wedding.

These are my favorite sunglasses decked out in Lilly Pulitzer and ready for Spring!  Purple and Pink are two of my favorite colors so when I saw this sun glasses strap, I was like "Boom, you're coming with me."  I actually said that to them.  True story.  This pattern is called "Booze Cruise" and it has anchors and rope in the design.  

I went into C.Wonder for the first time about a month ago and it has quickly become one of my favorite stores.  On King Street in Charleston, it's where the Puma store used to be, across from Jim 'N Nicks.  I saw this initial necklace with the matching earrings in the sale section (yippie!) and snatched it up.  A cute necklace and earring set for cheap? Bingo!  Check out C.Wonder online, the website is awesome! 

Town & Country magazine is one of my favorites and The Masters is by far my favorite golf tournament.  I found this blurb in T&C's "Social Calendar" section.  Fiance' and I went with some friends to one of the Practice Rounds last year and had a blast.  We actually got about 10 feet away from Adam Scott, last year's winner in the picture below.  But more importantly, I think we tried almost every sandwich they had to offer. The egg salad was my favorite.  I want to replicate the peach ice cream cookie sandwiches they had.  They were heavenly.  I'll do a Throwback Thursday post of our day soon.

J.Crew has been doing an awesome job with their jewelry lately.  I found this necklace at the J.Crew Factory store the day after Christmas and it was an incredible deal.  I like that they're making awesome looking bling at affordable prices.  Kudos, J.Crew, and keep up the good work!

Well, that's a little taste of what's going on in Carolina Brunette Instagram Land.  I hope you enjoyed it and be sure to follow along and say "Hi!" @carolinabrunette

Alright, Alright, Alright

With all of the Matthew McConaughey hoopla going on lately, its really got me thinking about him as a person. Like, who is he really? Well, I have a sneaking suspicion, deep down, that the modern day version of the character he plays on "True Detective," Rustin Cohle, is what he would look like in real life if he wasn't a famous Hollywood actor.  I'm not talking about the flashbacks of him looking slightly "A Time To Kill Matthew McConaughey," with his PERFECTLY coiffed hair.  I'm talking about THIS GUY...

Pic from True Detective Instagram Account

....swiggin' Lone Star Beer, a pack of cigs in his pocket, scuzzy beard, scuzzy hair, scuzzy clothes, wrinkles on his face because he's not slathering Creme de la Mer all over it.....

Pic from True Detective Instagram Account

 ...ponytail (tied with a strip of bandana, nice touch!), forearm tat...

Pic from True Detective Instagram Account

...sitting on an old wooden chair, outside of a metal building, in the middle of a parking lot, with a cooler from 1985 next to him.

Basically, this is alternate universe Matthew McConaughey.

Thoughts?

Special Shout Out: I would like to give a special shout out to the Chevrolet Caprice Classic that Matthew and Woody Harrelson drive on the show.  

Pic from True Detective Instagram Account

My first car was a maroon 1991 Caprice Classic and it was a beauty.  Affectionately named "The Boat," because it was the size of one, it could hold all of my friends and made the everyday drive back and forth to 11th Grade what some would call a luxury experience.  I miss you Boat, wherever you are.

Spring and St. Patrick's Day Green

The highs in the low 70's that we've been having the past few days has gotten me ready for Spring and warm weather!  The Daffodils are blooming, the grass is turning from brown to green, and the covering of snow and ice from a few weeks ago has been replaced with the ominous yellow dusting of pollen on everything that you see (break out the Zyrtec)!

In preparation for the warmer weather and St. Patrick's Day, I did a little online shopping that, of course, features the color o' the Irish, green!

I am a big fan of tunics.  Depending on the length, they're great over a pair of jeans, for a more casual look, or if they're long enough, they can be worn simply as a dress.  In the warmer months, I skip the pants and stick with the longer dresses.  Sail to Sable has lots of cute tunics and dresses and I pretty much want one of each item on their website.  The two tunics featured below would be perfect for a warm St. Patrick's Day of fun!

Cheers to Chic Tunic in Green Flash

Garden Party Tunic in Peacoat Navy

Then, of course, you have to have some fun, warm weather shoes so I picked out a pair of Jack Rogers wedges in gold.

Hamptons Mid Wedge in Gold

Remember to wear something green and have fun this St. Patrick's Day!

Side Note: Speaking of Daffodil's, today is National Plant a Flower Day, so I hope you all celebrated by planting your favorite flower or flowers.  If you didn't, the night is still young, most Walmart stores are open 24 hours, and let's be honest, you never leave a late night trip to Walmart without a good story!  Pick up some flowers and get to planting!

On My Reading List

1. But Mama Always Put Vodka In Her Sangria, 2. Red Carpet Ready, 3. I Remember Nothing, 4. Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties

I love to read.  I always have.  Unfortunately, I don't have as much time for it as I would like and can usually only find time to read before bed (when I'm not playing Candy Crush or Bejeweled Blitz, for brain development, of course).  So, I've collected some books for my reading list that feature small chapters or short stories, which make for perfect bedtime reading.  I can read a chapter or short story or two and I'm not up until midnight trying to finish the whole book. Perfect.

I am a fan of the Rivers ladies, so I thought I would give Melissa's book "Red Carpet Ready" a go.  The back cover of the book says "Melissa shares tips and techniques for embracing your momentous times and being at your best when the focus is on you."  From what I've seen and read about Melissa and Joan, they're not afraid to tell it like it is and sometimes that honesty is exactly what you need to hear.  I'll let you know what I think.

A few years ago, I read Nora Ephron's "I Feel Bad About My Neck" and really enjoyed it, which is why I thought I'd read "I Remember Nothing And Other Reflections."  She wrote "You've Got Mail," one of my most favorite movies, and whether her work is on paper or the big screen, I always find it to be warm, charming, and thought provoking.

The two books above are by one of my favorite, modern Southern writers, Julia Reed.  She writes entertaining short stories that are current and on point, typically about Southern people and the Southern way of life.  I first became familiar with her writing by reading her column in Garden & Gun Magazine and now I can't wait to read her current submission whenever a new issue makes it's way to my mailbox.  I ordered "But Mama Always Put Vodka in Her Sangria!" and "Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties" because I needed more stories AND they include recipes.  Entertaining stories and delicious Southern recipes, sign me up!  I'll try out some of the recipes and let you know what I think.

What's on your reading list?

Lemons and Sunshine

Sparkle Lemon iPhone Case Capri Espadrille Lila Wristlet Pouch Painterly Lemon Jumper Wedges
Via Limoni Medium Bella Wristlet When Life Gives You Lemons Idiom Bangle Capri Espadrille Francis
Lemon Tart Charm Bracelet

I am over the cold and the rain and ready for some sunshine!  Kate Spade's newest collection is inspired by the sunny Italian island of Capri and features lots 'o lemons!  Lemony yellow is such a cheery and happy color and these items are exactly what I need to get out of the dreary gloom of winter.

I'm especially excited about the Sparkle Lemon iPhone Case because I am in desperate need of a new iPhone and a new iPhone 5s means a new iPhone 5s case...it just makes sense.  Someday soon, I will have a sparkly lemon yellow iPhone case on a phone that will actually ring and play The Allman Brothers Band's "Blue Sky" when someone calls me because it has a fully functioning speaker....it's the little things!

If all of the cold and rainy weather is life giving me lemons, I'm going to turn it into Kate Spade Lemonade! (Clever, I know. You're welcome.)

Happy Mardi Gras, Y'all

Happy Mardi Gras!!  Mardi Gras has to be one of my favorite holidays (after Christmas and Easter) and New Orleans has to be one of my favorite cities.  I love any excuse to dress up in sequins, feathers, rhinestones, and beads and eat delicious food with family and friends.

Every year, my family celebrates Mardi Gras with a delicious King Cake from Haydel's Bakery in New Orleans. The cake comes with Mardi Gras trinkets and souvenirs and its a great gift for family and friends who like to celebrate this festive holiday!

King Cake from Haydel's Bakery

This year, my fiance' and I picked up a King Cake from the grocery store (we forgot to order one from Haydel's) and it was yummy but I think my favorite part was the packaging.....

....and the baby hanging out on top of the cake instead of the inside.

I hope you have a very Happy Mardi Gras and remember, when you Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, please don't eat the baby!

Beauty Faves

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, Carbon Black, 0.29 Ounces
Eos Evolution of Smooth - Lip Balm Sphere Pomegranate Raspberry
OPI Chick Flick Cherry
Burberry Eau de Parfum

Happy Sunday!

Here are some beauty products that I just love.

I purchased L'Oreal's Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara a few days ago and it is my new favorite.  I've always used L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara but I think the Voluminous Million Lashes ups the ante.  The wand separates and defines lashes with zero clumps.  It's a great mascara at a great price.

I've always been a fan of Burt's Bees chapstick but I decided to try the eos brand because I've seen it a lot online, as well as its constant presence in the Target checkout line!  I bought the eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere in Pomegranate Raspberry and not only does it taste and smell delicious, it does a great job keeping your lips soft and smooth during these cold winter months. The fun shape and bright pink color is an added bonus!

OPI's Chick Flick Cherry has to be my all time favorite nail polish. It's a blue-red and looks classic and professional on your fingers and toes.  I may try other red nail polishes from time to time but I always come back to my tried and true Chick Flick Cherry.  

Burberry Eau de Parfum Spray has been my favorite fragrance for probably 9 years now.  I wear it almost year round except for the really hot and sweltering summer months when I switch to a fragrance a little lighter.  It features notes of cedar wood, jasmine, moss, sandalwood, and vanilla.

What are your favorite beauty products?  Give these a try and let me know what you think!