FASHION || A BRIDE’S “WHITE DRESS CHEAT SHEET”

Calling all brides and almost engaged gals!

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I know first hand that a bride has enough on her plate. There is so much to plan with a long to-do list to check off. Well, finding white dresses for your showers, teas or even rehearsal dinner just got a whole lot easier!

Here is a “White Dress Cheat Sheet” with lots of options to pick from. I found serval different styles and price ranges that I know you’ll love.

Just click on the dresses you would like to shop!

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TRAVEL || NEW ORLEANS FOODIES

Let’s eat! New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for their authentic Cajun seafood cuisine. From touristy must haves to local favorites, here are a few places you have to try out when you visit!

CAFE DU MONDE || This is for sure the most visited restaurant in the city. The line is alwayyyysss a block long due to it’s coveted beignets, but these sugary fried fritters are worth the wait! This staple cafe is easy to find as it is located by the popular French Quarter.

FRENCH MARKET || The French Market has a lot going on. Venders are set up everywhere for lots of souvenir shopping. Definitely go around lunch time so you can get some seafood straight out of the coast! Food vendors line the edge so take a walk to explore your options and pick what you’re craving. They have tables set up for you to sit at and the market is covered, so you are set to chow down even if it’s pouring down!

BAYOU BEER GARDEN || When the weather is nice and you want to sit outside, the Bayou Beer Garden is a nice, chill spot to go. We went to watch football games and eat lunch. You really need to order the Famous BBG Disco Fries while you are there! I’m talking french fries, gooey melted cheddar cheese, and savory roast beef debris gravy. Oh and you’ll want to bring a friend to split them with!

THE TCHOUP YARD || This was probably my favorite place from our last trip to Nola because it’s vibe is definitely in my comfort zone. They have a restaurant with glass garage door walls that they can raise if weather permits. A large gravel area is set up outside with umbrellaed tables, TVs everywhere to watch sports, and corn hole boards- not to mention it’s dog friendly!! When you go, you HAVE to get the totchos with Mexican chorizo. It is basically tater tot loaded nachos! *insert heart eyed emoji* They are so good that I’ve tried to replicate them at home. It tasted good but just wasn’t the same. I need to go back!

GRIS GRIS: Date night at Gris Gris, please and thank you! This two story restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and won’t break the bank. When you walk in, you see the beautiful open kitchen with pots and pans hanging above. I’m really glad we got to see the plates being prepared because that’s how we picked what we ordered. Everything looked so good and tasted even better!

Happy eating!

FASHION || NEW NEW from CAMILLE & CO

Camille and Company has that NEW NEW in stock! If you didn’t catch my last blog about this women’s clothing company, you can read all about them HERE! Today, I want to show you the new arrivals you can get along with examples of how you can style them.

| shop this hoodie|

This hoodie comes in grey and white. The distressed look adds interest and sass- especially when paired it with sneakers and white shorts. Alabama summers make for hot temps outside and cool temps indoors. This is the perfect combo for running in and out of shops. Running errands never looked so cute!

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My favorite thing about this top is its appropriate for anywhere you go. You can dress it up or down. Not to mention, you can wear a “normal” bra! The lattice sleeves are a fun and interesting detail. The material is SO soft and it comes in three colors.

| shop this dress |

Mad for plaid. Your new favorite shift dress is here! I styled it with some chunky black heels but it will also be adorable in colder weather with black tights and booties. It gives off an Alabama vs Georgia game day vibe for all you college gals out there! Side note: I know I’m showing a lot of leg (#TallGirlProblems) but it will be a great length for people of normal heights, ha!

| shop this top |

Blue and white stripes are very popular! This top brightens the day and makes you want to go to the beach. The ruffled collar adds a unique pop of flare. Short hair or an up-do is perfect for showing off the collar. White jeans are a must to really complete the look!

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My favorite style is off the shoulder! I love showing off the collar bone. It makes me feel feminine! This top is made of very comfy, soft, stretchy fabric. The elastic makes for a custom fit that won’t fall down. This top also comes in weathered grey.

| shop this top |

Say hello to this grey cross body tank. This is one of those pieces you want to have in your closet because it is good for stylish dressing on the go. I’m all about the soft and stretchy material for comfort. The inverted V front is perfect for pairing with high-waisted jeans! This top also comes in black.

Happy Shopping!

ENTERTAINMENT || BARONS’ BASEBALL

Let’s Play Ball! Or.. at least watch it!

Birmingham enjoys joining in on America’s favorite pastime during the spring and summer. Our minor league team, known as the Birmingham Barons, built a brand new stadium in 2013 called Regions Park. Going to a game is perfect for a casual date night, hanging out with friends or a family affair. Tickets range in price, but General Admission is only $7. With General Admission, you can stand at tables above the seats or chill out in the grass/bleachers by the outfield. They have several different kitchens each with a variety of food choices, so the eatin’ is good! One of my favorites is the Buffalo Chicken Nachos that come in a souvenir batting helmet.

What makes this stadium unique is its proximity to Children’s Hospital (which is just behind the outfield). Not only can the children and their families watch the games from their room, but every Friday night Regions Park shoots off fireworks! What a great escape it must be for the kiddos to have a front row seat to the firework show! Melts my heart every time.

Be sure to check out their website before you go to see the different theme nights or events that happen at each game!

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FASHION || MY NORDSTROM WISHLIST

In case you haven’t heard, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is happening NOW!

I’ve made my wishlist of items that I’d like to get from Nordstrom, so I thought now would be the perfect time to share them with you! Plus, everything listed is under $100 🙌🏽 Take advantage of the sale and get inspired by the products below. The sale ends August 5th so get the goods before they’re gone!

Happy shopping!

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LIFESTYLE || GREEN THUMB WITH IMPATIENS

If you are anything like me, keeping plants alive is hard. I never had an interest in plants growing up, so as an adult who owns a house, I have been forced to learn.

Luckily, I am here to tell you, it’s not that bad! It’s actually kind of rewarding and gives a sense of accomplishment!

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So if you want to keep a plant alive, here are a few tips and info about where to start.

  1. HABIT: Everyone says to get a succulent because you don’t have to water them frequently. Well, I’ve killed almost every succulent I’ve owned living in Alabama. The plants that are easy to maintain for me are ones that you water everyday. That way, you can make it a part of your morning routine, and you don’t have to keep up with how many days or weeks it has been since you fed your plant.
  2. CHOICE: The best plants for this are Impatiens (pronounced like “impatience” because ain’t that relatable), Basil, Vinca Vine, and my most recent discovery Geranium. Today I’m going to focus on Impatiens because they are a great plant to start out with and learn from!
  3. CARE: These guys LOVE water and sun. If you forget to water them, they TELL you because let’s face it, they are impatient. When you see them being all dramatic and wilting away, you immediately run to get some water. This helped me get in that daily watering routine. It only takes them a day or two to perk back up to blooming beauties! Another great thing about Impatiens, they come in several different colored blooms. Last year, I got white blooms for a classic clean look. This year, I got bright orange because I thought a pop of color would be fun.

    When I forget to water them VS when I remember to water them

  4. DISPLAY: I set my little flower boxes on my front porch. Everyone can see them, plus they can get several hours of sun light each day.
  5. COST: You should be able to get them at almost any flowering gardening store. They are a very popular choice, so retailers are going to be selling them. Plus, they are inexpensive! You can typically get about 6 for $10!

Happy planting!

 

FASHION || CAMILLE & COMPANY

Atlanta is one of the major fashion capitals in America being home to the Atlanta Apparel Markets of AmericasMart. In the center of the apparel market is Camille & Company!

I discovered the wonders of Camille & Co at the apparel market a few years back. One of the first things that drew me to them was their style for women of all ages. Usually modest and always unique- two things that are hard to fine nowadays. They are well known in wholesale but have expanded their designs to the public with camilleandcompany.com!

You’re also going to love the prices since most items are under $60! Here are a few of my favorite pieces that you can shop on their website!

These sassy pants have an elastic waist band and stretchy fabric for full comfort! The material is perfect for dressing up and the ruffle details on the outer sides add a bit of flirty fun!

| shop this pant here |

Gingham print is so IN right now! It’s a little southern mixed with a touch of modern. Fun sleeves are always a bonus and this top has a double layer of bells. Not to mention the cute front tie. I wore a bandeau and high waisted jeans with it here, but pairing it with a tank or dress will work wonders!

| shop this top here |

Ummm, every girl boss needs this top! It’s professional with its button down center and collar, and the pearl buttons add a touch of class. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- fun sleeves are all the rage! Pair this top with some jeans for a casual look or throw on a pencil skirt for the office.

| shop this top here |

Gingham check + fun sleeves = strikes again! The grey soft-tee material is total comfort. Step your every-day-wear up a notch with this top!

| shop this top here |

Athleisure at its finest. If you want to throw on some active wear that makes it look like you went to the gym but really you just want to look cute while you run your errands.. This top is for you! The sporty stripes pair great with white or red bottoms.

| shop this top here |

TRAVEL || THE GHOST TOWN OF JEROME

There is a small city built into the side of a mountain known as Jerome, Arizona. It is a very old, unique, interesting place that I would highly advise visiting! If you drive towards Cottonwood and see the large white “J” built into Cleopatra Hill, you know you’re going the right way.

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A little Jerome history… It was built back in 1876 to be a residency for the workers of the booming copper-mining industry. Due to its high volume of murders and deaths, Jerome was known as the “Wickedest Town in the West”. Not only were people dying while working in the mines, but almost 100 people were shot quarreling in the streets in a single month. At it’s peak in the 1920s, the town had about 15,000 residence. When the mines closed in the 1950s, only 50-100 people remained. Jerome has since then been restored into a tourist town with local artisans, restaurants, and haunted tours. It currently has about 450 residents.

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Now that you have little back story.. Here are all the best places to go and things to do!

After arrival, we went to Ghost Town Tours to reserve a spot on their walking tour. Side note: This company was very accommodating and easy to work with. Since the tour was not until later in the day, we got to explore the local shops and galleries. Taking advantage of dilapidated buildings, artists have erected 3-dimintional sculptures in the middle of the rubble. One even displayed a toilet as a wishing well. Talk about flushing your money down the toilet, HA!

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With a variety of restaurants to choose from, we chose the Haunted Hamburger for lunch. It was such a beautiful day, outdoor seating was a no brainer. Couldn’t get enough of that view! We liked their deep fried pickles, twice baked potato, BBQ burger and most importantly their mudslide- a milkshake that tastes like the inside of an Oreo had a baby with a chocolate frosty. SO. GOOD.

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Our walking tour guide was great! As a local born and raised, he really knew his town’s history. I recommend doing a tour, as each building has its own crazy story. Definitely worth the time and money! Jerome is one fascinating town!

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For dinner, we went to The Asylum, which is the restaurant in the old Grand Hotel. We got there at 5:30 when they opened for dinner, which worked well for us as we got to sit at one of the two window seats. They have the highest view in the city, and watching the sunset over the red rock mountains as you eat dinner is a once in a lifetime experience. Casual attire is welcomed at this fine dining establishment. Their soup was great! We also enjoyed the pork tenderloin.

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Ghost Town Tours also has haunted night tours in the old high school. Rumor has it they are scary and fun! I feel like we got a good scope of the town in one day; but if you want to get scared on the night tour, they have haunted hotels available for stay!

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EVENT || THE MARKET AT PEPPER PLACE

If you are in Birmingham over a weekend, the Market at Pepper Place is a really cool event to attend! Every Saturday morning from 7am to 12pm, it connects small family farmers and local businesses to the people of Birmingham.

Tents and booths are set up all over Pepper Place for you to browse and shop. Live music  and the smell of fresh flowers fill the streets. The vendor’s products range from art, fresh foods, accessories, cooked foods, fresh flowers, ice cream, clothing, etc.

A few of my favorite goodies to pick up include: pimento cheese, salsa, honey, peaches and jewelry. Of course I go for the food and fashion! Click HERE for a full vendor list of each weekend.

Tips:

  • bring a bag for your market goodies
  • bring cash because not everyone has a card reader (although there are ATMs available)
  • wear comfy shoes
  • they have FREE public wifi
  • put an umbrella in your car in case it rains

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In the spirit of local, my clothing items are from local companies.
shirt | bottoms| hat
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TRAVEL || DIEGO POPS IN SCOTTSDALE

Diego Pops is where it’s at! This was probably my favorite place to eat the entire trip. Y’all know I’m all about some tacos, so this place comes highly recommended. Sitting on the covered patio with perfect weather was definitely the way to go. The decor was cool- a very casual and relaxed feel with clever signs in each room. Thanks to their happy hour specials, we got half off an appetizer. The corn queso did not disappointed. Hashtag NOM.

We also got the Grilled Shrimp, Braised Pineapple Pork, Beef Machaca, and Braised Green Chili Chicken Tacos. Everything we ate was awesome, so you can’t go wrong!

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