Latest Lilly Obsession: Chin Chin

As I have mentioned in the last two Friday Five posts, I am absolutely LOVING the Chin Chin print from Lilly Pulitzer's Spring 2013 line. The pink elephants are absolutely precious! I have already gotten the koozie in Chin Chin and will surely add some more items in this print to my collection. These are at the top of my wish list:

January Skort

I am definitely asking for this precious skort in the Chin Chin print for my birthday, which is coming up in March. The top photo is from the Lilly website, but the second photo is a picture of it on me when I tried it on yesterday for size and fit. My picture gives you a better idea of what it looks like in person. The colors are so much more vibrant than they appear on the Lilly site. I am only 5'3", so it is definitely longer on me than on the Lilly model.

Insulated Cooler

This insulated cooler also makes a great beach bag, and it comes with a Lilly bottle opener!

Travel Coffee Mug

This new Lilly gift item is a porcelain coffee mug with a silicone grip. How fun!

Picture Frame

Lilly picture frames are so cute and colorful and!

And here are a few more things available in the Chin Chin print:

Nina Dress:

I love this dress in theory, especially the cut-out detail in the back. I just wasn't a fan of the way it fit me so won't be getting it. The dress was very fitted around the waist and underneath the arms, but loose in the chest area and just looked awkward on me. Hopefully it will work for someone who's built differently than me because it really is an adorable dress. Has anyone else who's tried on the Nina dress in Chin Chin had this same issue?

Beach Pant

These pants look sooo comfortable, I just couldn't justify paying full price.

Shoreline Tote

Another fun tote bag in Chin Chin.

Carded ID Wristlet

I have the Lilly wristlet in a different print so don't really need another one. But I do love mine and this is a great print option if you're wanting to get one.

Acrylic Wine Glasses

These wine glasses are really fun and make a great gift!

Insulated Market Tote

This insulated market tote is a great way to grocery shop in style. You could also use it to keep snacks or drinks cool during an afternoon at the pool, beach, or park.

Are y'all as obsessed with the Chin Chin print as I am? Have you gotten anything in this print yet?

-L

xoxo

Featured Outfit: Preppy & Professional

Here are a couple outfits I have worn to work this winter that pair a pencil skirt, tights, and boots with a printed Lilly turtleneck. Both of these turtlenecks are from Lilly's Fall 2010 collection, and they haven't done any printed turtlenecks since then. I would love to see them return in future fall collections because they are so fun, bright, and cheerful yet still appropriate for fall/winter.

Both Outfits:

Top: Lilly Pulitzer printed Tess Turtleneck (Fall 2010); Skirt: Banana Republic Factory Store; Tights: Target (Merona sweater tights); Boots: Banana Republic Factory Store; Necklace: from clothing and accessories swap with friends

Outfit 1 earrings: Kate Spade Metropolitan Pearl Studs

Outfit 2 earrings: J.Crew Factory Silver Hoops

Have a great Monday!

-L

xoxo

Friday Five

1. Lilly Pulitzer for Estee Lauder at Dillards

As fellow Lilly lovers are probably already aware, the Estee Lauder counter at Dillards has a limited edition Lilly Pulitzer gift with any purchase of at least $35. The best parts of this GWP are the printed Lilly makeup bag and an "Estee Lilly"eye shadow compact with a precious Lilly design on it. The GWP also includes a lipstick, mascara, lotion, and night repair cream. I was so happy this past week when my sweet mom made an Estee Lauder purchase and gave my the Lilly gift!

2. God is always working!

I am absolutely obsessed with this quote I saw on Pinterest recently. Such a sweet encouragement to know that God is always working in our lives even when we don't see tangible evidence. That is why we are called to "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).

3. Ribbon Elastics

I finally jumped on the ribbon elastics hair tie trend and am loving these! I think I've put my hair in a ponytail every day this past week so that I could use one. These first appeared at boutiques, but you can also get a pack of five for $3.99 at Target, which is what I did last weekend.

4. Chin Chin Lilly Koozie

Last week I mentioned that I was loving Lilly Pulitzer's new Chin Chin print. This week I bought the koozie in this print and have used it constantly for my Diet Mountain Dew and Diet Mello Yello over the past few days. I can't get enough of the pink elephants! 

5. Re-reading the Bailey Flanigan Series

To occupy myself between now and the release of Karen Kingsbury's new book on March 5, I have begun re-reading the Bailey Flanigan series, which I read and enjoyed last summer. This series is what first got me hooked on KK books!

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

-L

xoxo

Beauty Buy: Conair You Curl

Ever since I bought the Conair You Curl Curling Wand at Target a few months ago I have been meaning to do a post, as I have been very pleased with it's performance. My hair is naturally straight-it isn't stick straight and it does have the slightest bit of natural body, but if I want curls or waves of any kind I need to use some type of styling tool. Curling irons and I do not get along-I must confess that I can never figure out how to use them without getting a very not-cute clamp mark in my hair. Hot rollers are too complicated for me to use on my own hair-I have to get someone else to do them for me. I had seen curling wands and thought I would give one a try, since they do not have the annoying clamp that curling irons have-you simply wrap your hair around the barrel and hold for 5-8 seconds. The Conair YouCurl I bought has a tapered barrel that ranges from 1" to 0.5" and it also comes with a heat protective glove for the hand that you use to wrap your hair around the curling wand. The curling wand itself is pretty user-friendly. Any difficulties I have are due to my hair, which can be tricky for me to work with because it is relatively thick overall, but the individual strands are fine and slippery. It helps me to divide my hair into three layers, pin the top two layers out out of the way, and curl the bottom layer first. My hair holds the curl I get from the Conair You Curl very well-and I don't need to use any hairspray. Depending on your hair type and how well it tends to hold curl you might need to use some. 

Conair You Curl Curling Wand

Natural texture of my hair:

My hair curled with Conair YouCurl:

-L

xoxo

Featured Outfit

This recent Outfit of the Day (OOTD) is a winter staple- classic cable-knit sweater and colorful scarf combination. As y'all know, I love my Lilly scarves. But I also adore the Old Navy scarf I'm wearing as part of this outfit, because it's pink and the colorful polka dots remind me of confetti. Plus it's also special because a dear friend gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago. She always picks out the most thoughtful gifts that are so "me." 

Sweater: Lilly Pulitzer; Scarf: Old Navy; Jeans: !iT Denim; Boots: Banana Republic Outlet; Earrings: Kate Spade

Closer view of the sweater and scarf

-L

xoxo

Friday Five

I'm back with another Friday Five! I was so hoping I could include a UNC victory over Duke on this list, but alas, no such luck. Nevertheless, there's still plenty of things I'm loving this week!

1. J.Crew Giraffe Critter Necklace

via J.Crew

I loved my elephant critter necklace from the J.Crew Factory Store so much I had to go back a couple days later and get the giraffe one. I wore it for the first time this week, and going back to get it was definitely a good decision! 

2. Kate Spade Swim Team Ring

stock photo via Kate Spade

This lovely cocktail ring I ordered from the Kate Spade surprise sale arrived this week! I got it for 70% off and I love that it goes with just about everything.

3. Legally Blonde The Musical "Scene of the Crime"

This is one of my favorite scenes from Legally Blonde The Musical. It's the second to last scene of the show, where Elle Woods wins the big murder trial by taking the courtroom on a field trip back to the scene of the crime (different than in the movie). Her Delta Nu sisters breaking out into song on the way to the scene of the crime is hilarious!

4. Lilly Pulitzer Chin Chin Print

I absolutely adore this new print from Lilly Pulitzer's Spring 2013 collection. It has pink elephants in it, so what's not to love?! The dress and skort in Chin Chin are definitely on my wish list. I also hope to add some of the Lifeguard Press Lilly gift items in this print to my collection as well! You can download this precious print for your computer, phone, or iPad wallpaper here.

5. Jason's Deli Salad Bar

Jason's Deli is nothing fancy, but it's one of my absolute favorite restaurants. I get the salad bar every time, because it is seriously the best salad bar ever! They have so many different toppings and I love the gingerbread muffins as well. I ate there last weekend with my best friend and was reminded of its deliciousness!

Have a great weekend y'all!

-L

xoxo

Go Red!

February is Heart Health Month and the American Heart Association's Go Red campaign raises awareness of the fight against heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women. In honor of this (and since today is Valentine's Day), here are some red things I am loving:

Kate Spade Take Heart Idiom Bangle

Kate Spade Cordelia Sunglasses

Jack Rogers Red Navajos 

(20% of proceeds benefit the Red Cross!)

Ariat Heritage Western R-toe Boot

Tory Burch Robinson Tiny Jewelry Case

Tory Burch Enamel Stud Earrings

-L

xoxo 

GO TAR HEELS!!!

We are just two hours from tip-off of round one of UNC vs. Duke, the 2013 edition. In my biased opinion, this is the greatest rivalry in all of sports-two schools eight miles apart, both with a storied basketball tradition. Tonight my Tar Heels are the underdog, but anything can happen when these two teams meet! I'm hoping and praying for a Carolina victory! And regardless of the outcome, it's always a  GDTBATH!!! (Great Day To Be A Tar Heel)

My breakfast this morning!

Books are written about this rivalry!

Make that 6-time National Champs! (This Wheaties box was pre-2009)

Our mascot is cooler than your mascot! (unfortunately he can't come to basketball games, just football)

GO TAR HEELS!!!

-L

xoxo

Valentine's Treats

Last week I made two delicious treats that are great any time but especially festive for Valentine's Day. I tried this Red Velvet Puppy Chow recipe from my "Recipes To Try" Pinterest Board for the first time and it did not disappoint:

I also made my Famous Pretzels using the Valentine's m&m's. This is my second favorite m&m's color scheme (Easter pastels are my favorite). I love the abundance of pink m&m's.

Here is the recipe for the pretzels:

Ingredients:
One pound bag of Snyders Tiny Twists pretzels
24 ounces of vanilla flavored almond bark or white candy coating (do not use white chocolate chips)
Medium bag of Valentine's milk chocolate m&m's


Directions:
Spread wax paper over a large area of kitchen counter.
Pour pretzels into a large bowl and pour m&m's into a small bowl.
Set two squares (approx 4 ounces) of almond bark aside and put the remaining almond bark into a microwave safe bowl and melt in microwave according to package directions. Be careful not to overheat!
Once almond bark is melted pour over pretzels in bowl.
Use a spatula to stir pretzels until they are evenly coated with the almond bark.
Spread coated pretzels out on wax paper quickly, getting them into a single layer as much as possible (the key here is to be quick).
Once pretzels are spread out on wax paper sprinkle m&m's on top of pretzels, before the coating sets, so that they will stick.
After m&m's have been sprinkled go back and attach any loose m&m's to pretzels, then melt the remaining squares of almond bark you set aside earlier and drizzle over pretzels so m&m's will stick better.
Once coating dries completely (this doesn't take long) store pretzels in an airtight container until time to serve!

Enjoy!
-L
xoxo

Featured Outfit: Snaps For Legally Blonde

My apologies for the lack of posts over the past several days. I was busy preparing for and then traveling to another fun girls' weekend with my best friend. The highlight of our weekend was going to a community theater production of Legally Blonde The Musical on Saturday night! It was absolutely amazing! I had seen the traveling Broadway production nearly four years ago and although this one obviously wasn't quite at that level it was still thoroughly enjoyable. Legally Blonde is one of my all-time favorite movies so I naturally love the musical too. Of course my outfit had to include pink, because according to Elle Woods, "whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed." Here is what I wore:

Cardigan: Lilly Pulitzer Paley V-neck; Camisole: Banana Republic outlet; Skirt: Banana Republic Outlet; Tights: Target (Merona brand); Shoes: Target (Mossimo brand); Earrings: Kate Spade; Necklace: J.Crew outlet; Cocktail ring: Lilly Pulitzer

A good close-up of the J.Crew elephant critter necklace. I can't get enough of this!

Me and my bestie all dressed up and ready to go!

Even though I'm a brunette I definitely have a lot of Elle Woods inside me! I have even been her twice for Halloween! Have y'all ever seen Legally Blonde The Musical or listened to the soundtrack? What are your favorite songs/parts?

-L

xoxo