my travel necessities

Before I started traveling for a living, I simply sought out a hotel for a clean bed, a fridge, and a nice shower. Now, while I still acquire all three of these things, I've found it a little necessary to bring along a handful of items in order to make the space my own. Because after all, this hotel has quite literally become my home away from home.  
a candle | It sounds simple, but as someone who would prefer to burn candles on a daily basis, this is a must. Plus, it makes my room cozy and I'm especially a fan of the holiday scents they have out now. 
a ring holder | I had a not so minor freak out in my hotel when I misplaced a very old and very special heirloom my Gran gave me on my wedding day. (see also: her 75+ year old diamond wedding ring) Even thought it later turned up in a lone pocket of my bag, that whole night I could not sleep. It didn't take me long to purchase a ring holder to keep all my baubles together at the end of the day, and that way, I know exactly where I left them.
a photo of Cory | Duh. (still looking for the perfect frame to put this in..)
a slew of face masks | If I'm going to be cooped up in a hotel room for a week, I'm going to use every possible chance to make it into a pamper night. I'm heard some rave and rant reviews on the Glam Glow mask, so I picked up a sample from Sephora, and I'm eager to try it out. 
a bottle of Caudalie's Beauty Elixir | This thing is ridiculously priced, but somehow, I can stop purchasing the small travel bottle of it. The smell of eucalyptus is refreshing before I hop into bed, and I try to use this stuff sparingly. 

five things this week

one // a new DIY? As cheesy as it sounds, I'm obsessed with getting wedding invites now that I'm married woman. Along with the happiness for the engaged couple, I simply love seeing my new last name. I began growing a collection of the inner envelopes addressed to Mr & Mrs, and I'm entertaining the idea of using a few of my vintage stamps on them and framing the envelopes. We'll see how it goes. :)  ^and that lovely calligraphy is by my dear sorority sister, Amy, who is getting married this month! I already know she is going to make one gorgeous bride.

two // hitting Sephora's Rouge status Have you heard of Rouge? Ever since I saw the email blast that Sephora came out with a higher tier than VIB, I knew I had to have it. Outside of free shipping and free one-on-one appointments in store, I'm really curious to see if these future "surprise gifts" live up to all the hype. The card itself came with a mini Bite lipstick sample in a vampy red. 

three // currently reading A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein I heard a buzz among twitter that this was a good, weird/freaky read, and I'm all about those types of books. 

four // Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy Never in my life did I think I would own a lipstick in such a bright fuchsia shade. But after seeing this lady wearing it on her instagram, I took the plunge. The color is highly pigmented & creamy and I apply it with a lip brush just to prevent feathering. My favorite part is the product's formulation that allows it to lightly fade away during the day, and doesn't just flake off my lips. 

five // a new owl to add to my collection  In all honesty, I don't own that many owls. I've been fascinated with them since I was a little girl, and it's a trait that I share with my dad. But I love that my mother-in-law saw this matryoshka owl while vacationing in Europe last week and thought of me. 
^nails are OPI's Russian Navy

weekday happiness

Curious to see how long my hair has gotten, I spent a full hour doing a professional blowout this past weekend (see also: I didn't use my flat iron.), and holy moly, I was reminded why I no longer wear my hair straight.

This week kicked off week four in the whole "traveling Monday-Friday" gig. I'm unsure of how long this will last, and how my mind will take it, but I'm still maintaining a positive spirit about the whole thing. Thank God for Starbucks, NPR, and Spotify to keep me from completely losing it on the open road. And not to mention my family and friends to let me talking on the phone with them for hours on end.

My sister got me hooked on these Dole salad kits. My favorite is called Endless Summer and is only 150 calories a serving. Not too shabby! There are also an Asian Crunch kit and a Southwestern kit that are equally good. 

The trailer for The Wolf of Wall Street came out, and I've seriously watched this thing way more than I should admit. Oh, Leo, you can do no wrong. No date set for it's release, but you'll know where to find me when it does.

I also narrowly entered this fabulous giveaway by Ashley Brooke Designs. And you can to! The contest ends tonight, so hurry up!

Anything new going on in your neck of the woods? 

TGIS

Thank God It's Saturday.

Sorry Friday, you're just not cutting it anymore.

Truth be told, it's only because you are part of my work week.

After 1200 miles in my car and a quick flight to Dallas, I am obviously spent. 

But here's a couple of things that helped me make it through it all. :)

I picked up Domino's spring issue (fav magazine EVERR), and found a new J.Crew iPhone case for a steal. (only $6!!)

I finally followed the Piko trend, and I hope these tops are still considered cool, because I now love them.
I've had this turquoise number for awhile now, but I was a little hesitant to wear it out.
Something about the tight arms or whatnot, I guess.

And lastly, my dear Memphis Tigers made their first NCAA tournament win under Coach Pastner this week, and all is right again in the world. 

I was going to post a mini review of some of my latest beauty buys, but I'll post that separately later on this week. Enjoy the weekend, y'all!

xoxo,

Weekday Happies

These sweaters from Target have become my official uniform of sorts. 

So so soft, so so comfortable, and long enough to cover my butt. Win, win, and win.

My two latest cheap thrills, L'Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Coral Tattoo (wearing in above photo) and Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach. I totally get why everyone is so gaga over these.

During my last work trip to Los Angeles, I made sure to bring my old empty MAC containers I have been saving for years, and traded them in for some free eyeshadows. You see, if you go to a stand alone MAC store (not the one you find in department stores), they give you a free eyeshadow, lipstick, or lipglass for every six containers you recycle. In department stores, you only get a free lipstick, and considering I don't really wear lipstick, I decided to save them until I visited a city that has a stand alone MAC. SCORE.

The shades I chose are clockwise from the left: All That Glitters, Shale,Tempting, and Mulch.

And last, but certainly not least, the trinity of Easter candy has hit the shelves..
I'll take ten of each, please! :) 

xoxo,

It's the little things like..

 sharing my morning coffee (little coffee, lots of cream) with my husband (little cream, lots of coffee). 

finding scribbles in my notebook days after I babysat my nieces. 

and narrowing down our wedding photos for the album

...that make a hectic work week not seem all that bad. 

Did I mention that I cannot wait to share my wedding photos with you??
Can.Not.Wait. :) Amelia, you truly are amazing.

xoxo,

Christmas Weekday Happies

Checking the mail is much more fun when you are given packages wrapped with kraft paper, twine, and a little bit of confetti...especially when you know the package you are receiving are your first year Christmas cards :)
The Mulled Wine candle is found at Anthropologie, and is one of my absolute favorite holiday scents. 

I couldn't choose from two "our first Christmas" ornaments (truth be told, I wanted something with a wedding cake and "our first Christmas" written on it..is that so much to ask?) and in Cory's logic..."why not keep both?" 

I knew I married a keeper ;)

About three years ago, I started my own little tradition of gifting my family and friends' presents in owl wrap.

I have to say this particular owl has been my favorite.  

And my darling niece, Ava G., who is quite a little artist now, gave me a homemade Christmas card this year. 

Just a few more days until Christmas!!

xoxo,

Weekday Happies

I'm loving these colorful and funky Free People stockings they have for their holiday display.

Coolish temps mean I have an excuse to use some flannel pajamas and snuggle up to a new book. 
Ok, who am I kidding? I do this year around.

As much as I miss home, I do enjoy this view of my new "backyard" in Alabama.

and Aveda's Blue Oil is helping me distress at the end of a hectic work day. 

xoxo,

Wednesday's Weekday Happies

Love this quote. Crazy how things like that turn out!

These are my new go to snack. I cannot get enough of these salt and pepper pistachios. 

I'm keeping up with my pastel nails kick this week with A Crewed Interest.
 

Plus, this ombre mani from The Beauty Department has me in awe at how clever it is.

I just may have to pull the trigger on this adorable Cerise Stamped Dress by Anthropologie.
I'm slowly adding more and more polka dots to my wardrobe. 

And this book is right up my alley.

xoxo,
 

Wednesday's Weekday Happies

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, 

you already know that Cory's sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Wesley Daniel, last night. 

Y'all, I knew I had to hurry to take this photo considering Cory is so nervous when holding little babies. 

Bless his heart! 

But something tells me that little Wes will be hanging off his Uncle Cory in no time at all. :)

Domino is back!
If you haven't read Domino, I seriously suggest you run out and grab a copy.
Next to Real Simple and Vanity Fair, it's one of my favorite magazines.
After disappearing a few years ago, it's now back as a biannual you can find at Target or Home Depot. 

Latest manicure color - Essie's Mint Candy Apple

I'm not sure if it's the packaging that is making me love Essie more than OPI right now

or the fact that my subconscious saying it lasts longer on my nails, but regardless I'm loviing it.

I may be the only one out there who is looking forward to this movie, but I don't care.

Johnny Depp. Tim Burton. 1970's.

Count. Me. In.

Same goes for this one too.

I've been pouring over my Pushing Daisies dvds, and every time I do, I 
1. pout a little inside and 
2. think, "WHY was this show canceled?1?" 
Every. Single. Time.

This was the show that introduced me to Kristen Chenoweth before her Glee and GCB days.

She's as hilarious in this as she is now. 

I found this stamp at Archivers to remind me of my Phi Mu days.
For the rest of time I'll be pointing out quatrefoils.

This book has me written all over it.
It's now on my wish list.

And this little nugget goes by June Claire, and she is the daughter of one of my good friends.

Can you believe that hair at 5 months?? She hasn't lost a single lock since she was born. 

Every time I see her, I want to take her home and claim her as my own. :)


What has you happy this week?

xoxo,