Friday Five

Happy Friday y'all! Can't believe how quickly June has flown by! Here's this week's Friday Five:

1. Tory Burch Sunglasses from Saks Off Fifth

I had been wanting a pair of Tory Burch sunglasses for awhile. A couple weeks ago I was in the Saks Outlet and saw a pair I liked but talked myself out of buying them. Then yesterday I went back to see if they were still there (and since I still wanted them I assured myself it wouldn't be an impulse buy). I ended up finding another pair I liked even better! They are actually the same style of the pair I originally liked, but a different color. I ended up getting them for 50% off suggested retail! I think they're very Jackie O! Plus I love the sides:

And the orange leather case they came with is beautiful:

2. Lilly Pulitzer Cassie Dress in New Green

I recently bought my first Cassie Dress by Lilly Pulitzer during a sale. It is so easy and comfortable, and can be dressed up or down depending on what shoes and accessories you wear. It's also so versatile-it can be worn belted or unbelted; and with a scarf, pearls, simple necklace, or statement necklace. I got the New Green color. I purchased in a store, but if you are buying online just know that it's a darker, bolder green and not a minty green like it appears on the Lilly website.

3. "Strangely Dim" by Francesca Battistelli

This is my newest favorite worship song. It was the offertory solo in church last Sunday, and then I heard it again on Tuesday in a waiting room. The lyrics are AMAZING! They are all about how when we fix our eyes on Jesus everything else becomes so insignificant. God just knew that I really needed to hear this song this week! Heres the chorus-it is sooo powerful!

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are

Then every doubt I feel

Deep in my heart

Grows strangely dim

All my worries fade

And fall to the ground

Cause when I seek Your face

And don't look around

Any place I'm in

Grows strangely dim

4. Edy's Light Caramel Coconut Cookie Ice Cream

Edy's has changed the name of their delicious Samoa slow-churned reduced fat ice cream, but it still tastes amazing and is one of my favorites!

5. Quote shared by Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson shared this quote on her Instagram recently and although my high school swim team days are a thing of the past by more than a few years, I still loved it. I really admire athletes who use their athletic talents and fame to be a platform for Christ and His glory. I have a dear friend and mentor whose son will soon begin his college athletic career, so I shared this quote with her and she absolutely loved it too!

Have a great weekend y'all!

-L

xoxo

Summer Essential: Sunnies!

Sunglasses are a must for being outside on any sunny day, especially in the summer! The most important function of sunnies is to protect your eyes from UV rays, but they can also be a fashion statement! Make sure to get a pair that provides 100% UV protection-and they don't have to be expensive in order to do this! My favorite places to get sunnies are Saks Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack. You can get designers like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Ray-Ban at a significantly reduced price. I like designer sunglasses, but it's totally worth it to get the great deals at these outlets even if it means a more limited selection and past season designs. You can also usually find designer sunglasses in boutiques on Rue La La. Here's your invite if you're not a member yet! If you're looking for a new pair of shades this summer, here are some options:

Kate Spade Albertine

Tory Burch Oversized Square Sunglasses

Tory Burch Butterfly Sunglasses

Kate Spade Gayla

Kate Spade Saturday Peace Out Sunnies

Ray-Ban Original Aviators

What are your favorite sunglasses?
-L
xoxo

Summer Essential: Hats

June has really flown by and July 4th is just around the corner. I know the week of the 4th is traditionally a popular summer vacation week. Whether your headed to the beach or elsewhere, be sure to pack a hat to protect your face from the sun! Wear sunscreen too of course, but when I'm spending extended periods of time outdoors, particularly at the pool or beach, I like to wear a hat for additional protection! Plus there are so many adorable hats you can wear, so it's a win-win situation! A baseball hat will protect your face, but a wide-brimmed hat will also provide protection for your neck and shoulders. Here are some of my favorites:

Southern Proper Frat Hat

(Different colors are available in stores-I have a navy seersucker one I LOVE!)

Vineyard Vines Whale Logo Hat

Vineyard Vines Silk Sash Straw Hat

(This hat is a little nice for the pool or beach, but would be precious for a daytime outdoor party, festival, or picnic.)

J.Crew Summer Straw Hat

(This is a good floppy straw hat option for the pool or beach and you can also find it at the J.Crew outlet.)

Marley Lilly Monogrammed Baseball Hat

Marley Lilly Monogrammed Floppy Derby Hat

(This is a good option for the pool/beach and outdoor parties and events.)

Lilly Pulitzer Glo Beach Hat

(This printed canvas floppy hat is great for the pool or beach!)

My Lilly Pulitzer Gift with Purchase floppy straw hat with printed ribbon from Spring 2013 is one of my favorites, but I don't wear it to the pool or beach. It is my nice outdoor party hat.

What are your favorite summer hats to wear to protect your face and look cute?

-L

xoxo

Happy National Pink Day!

June 23 is National Pink Day, and in honor of the occasion here are some pink things I love:

Lilly Pulitzer Critter Bow Earrings

Hot pink Norts I found on sale at Nordstrom Rack today!

Pink UNC pillowcase

J.Crew Factory Clare Cardigan

Tory Burch Pink Patent Reva Flats

(Oh how I would love a pair of these!)

Lilly Pulitzer Cassie Dress

Kate Spade "Hot To Trot" Idiom Bangle

And this sums up my attitude on pink perfectly! 

-L

xoxo

Featured Outfit: National Wear Your Lilly Day 2013

Hope y'all had a great first official day of summer and National Wear Your Lilly Day on Friday! Here is my Lilly ensemble for the 2013 edition of Wear Your Lilly Day. I wore my bright Ice Cream Social Lilly shorts with multiple pieces of Lilly jewelry.

Shorts: Lilly Pulitzer Callahan Shorts in Ice Cream Social; Top: Banana Republic Outlet; Necklace: Lilly Pulitzer Shell Yeah Necklace; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer Critter Bow Earrings; Bracelet: Lilly Pulitzer "Cute As A Button" bangle; Ring: Kate Spade

Closer view of my Lilly shorts and necklace

Closer view of my Lilly earrings!

Close-up of Lilly bangle

Close-up of ring

Finished off the outfit with my gold Jack Rogers and OPI Gargantuan Green Grape toes!

I also used my Lilly beach bag and a Lilly koozie while enjoying some time laying out. A Chick-fil-a milkshake was a bonus!

And if you want to vote for me in the Lilly First Day of Summer Instagram Contest, you can click on this link and vote once every 24 hours between now and June 25! Thanks so much!

What did y'all wear for National Wear Your Lilly Day? Comment below-I'd love to hear!

-L

xoxo

Friday Five

Happy First Official Day of Summer and National Wear Your Lilly Pulitzer Day! In honor of Wear Your Lilly Day, this week's Friday Five is exclusively Lilly! Not like that's too difficult for me!

1. Lilly Pulitzer Mimosa Skirt in Fiesta Pink Pretty Gingham

I bought this skirt from Lilly's Spring 2013 collection at a recent sale! I love the bright fluorescent pink gingham print with tiny "Lilly's" hidden throughout, as well as the scallop hem.

2. Lilly Koozie in Tootie Fruity

There's no such thing as too many Lilly koozies! This one is the newest addition to my collection. I really like this print because it has fruit in it, and the citrus fruits are a reminder of Lilly's heritage. "It All Started With a Juice Stand."

3. Lilly Pulitzer Callahan Shorts in Multi Ice Cream Social

This is one of my favorite prints from Spring 2013. I love the bright colors and the fact that it is called "Ice Cream Social." I recently got these shorts and know they will be a go-to pair this summer.

4. Lilly Pulitzer Murfette Scarf in Hotty Pink First Impression

Ever since I got the Chin Chin Murfette scarf for my birthday, I had been wanting another print. As much as I love my Murfee scarves, the Murfette is super versatile since it's smaller and lighter weight and can be worn year-round. I think the Hotty Pink First Impression print is gorgeous, and since this had been on my wish list for awhile, I took advantage of the Mystery Gift With Purchase promotion that Lilly had online earlier this week and ordered it. Thanks to Lilly's super-fast shipping it has already arrived!

5. Lilly Pulitzer True Navy Urchin Bangle

This bangle was the awesome mystery GWP that came with my scarf! The navy will go with so many things and I know I will wear it a lot. I love Lilly's jewelry because it's a great way to add a touch of Lilly to any outfit. I also love the printed jewelry pouch it came with too. What a lovely surprise gift!

Happy Summer and have a great weekend y'all!

-L

xoxo

Featured Outfit: Another Zoo Day

I am long overdue for another Featured Outfit post, so here goes! When I went on a road trip a couple weekends ago to visit some friends, I got to go to a cute little local zoo. Much smaller than the NC Zoo I had visited a month prior, but still tons of fun. I thought this was an appropriate opportunity to break out my elephant print shorts from the Milly for Banana Republic Collection, and I also wore my giraffe necklace and turtle ring. One of my friends definitely got a kick out of the number of animals my outfit incorporated!

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store; Shorts: Milly for Banana Republic; Shoes: Jack Rogers Bronze Navajos; Sunglasses: Kate Spade; Earrings: Kate Spade; Necklace: J.Crew Factory Giraffe Critter Necklace; Bracelet: Lilly Pulitzer Cute As A Button bangle; Ring: Kate Spade

Close-up of necklace

Close-up of elephant print

Closer view of bangle

-L

xoxo

Trust and Thankfulness

Over the past several weeks I have come across some great quotes and verses in my devotionals about trust and thankfulness. I wanted to share a few of them here. And if you don't own them already, go grab a copy of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and Streams In The Desert by L.B. Cowman. They are AMAZING!!!

"I want to be central in your entire being. When your focus is firmly on Me, My Peace displaces fears and worries...Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold."
-Jesus Calling

"Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness." -Jesus Calling
(I LOVE this one!!!)

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." -Isaiah 26:3
(One of my favorite verses!)

"Seek my Face with a teachable spirit. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed." -Jesus Calling

"It's all that 'supposing' that's making you so miserable. You'd better give that up and simply trust the Lord." -Hannah Whitall Smith (from Streams In The Desert)

"Nothing pleases the Lord as much as praise. There is no greater evidence of faith than the virtue of genuine thanksgiving...Are you thanking him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Are you thanking Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Are you boldly praising Him even for the trials in your life, which are actually blessings in disguise? And have you learned to praise Him in advance for answers yet to come?" -Streams In The Desert

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." -Colossians 2:6-7

"Thank Me for your problems. As soon as your mind gets snagged on a difficulty, bring it to Me with thanksgiving...The very act of thanking Me releases your mind from its negative focus." -Jesus Calling

"I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly." -Jesus Calling

I hope y'all are as encouraged by these quotes and verses as I am! I feel that they really capture what God has been teaching me lately- He has really been at work in my heart and life!
-L
xoxo

Friday Five

1. Lilly Pulitzer Gold Bow Critter Earrings

I originally wanted these Lilly Pulitzer gold bow earrings for Christmas, but Santa made a mistake and got me the pink ones instead. It was a good mix-up because I have enjoyed my pink ones, but when Lilly got the gold bow earrings back in stock on their website during the Splash Into Summer Promotion I took advantage of it. These gold ones are great because they literally go with everything!

2. Essie "Good As Gold" Nail Polish

I bought this Essie metallic gold nail polish at Target last week and love it! It goes on opaque and one coat would suffice, but I added a second coat just for good measure when I tried it out on my toes this week!

3. Tar Heels Headed to College World Series

So I am not nearly into UNC baseball as much as I am basketball (good for my sanity and blood pressure for sure), but around the time of the NCAA baseball playoffs I start to follow it more. I was very excited that Carolina beat SOUTH Carolina (sorry to any of my readers who are Gamecock fans, but as a North Carolina girl all that Garnet "Carolina" stuff weirds me out. Baby blue Carolina is where it's at!) to earn a berth to the 2013 College World Series in Omaha. I thought this shirt commemorating the Tar Heels trip to Omaha was clever.

4. Dairy Queen S'mores Blizzard

This is a new flavor of Blizzard from DQ, and it's June's Blizzard of the Month. I had one last weekend and it's delicious!

5. Lilly Pulitzer Shoreline Tote in Multi Chin Chin

As y'all know I can't get enough of Lilly's Chin Chin print, or elephants in general for that matter! So when one of my favorite Lilly Via Shops had the Shoreline tote available during their sale last weekend, I knew I had to have it! Lilly markets this a pool/beach bag but I think it is too nice for that so I will use as a regular travel bag. 

Have a great weekend!

-L

xoxo