I Found My Dream Job

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You know what my dream job would be? A stunt double. It's the best of both worlds! You could work with with famous actors in famous movies, and you wouldn't have to deal with all the people in the grocery store asking to take selfies with you.

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 I mentioned this to Caroline the other day, and instead of jumping aboard my I-want-to-be-a-stunt-double boat, she asked, "So what exactly would you do in a movie?" I listed off what I thought would be typical stunt-double duties: jumping off of buildings, rolling out of moving cars, fighting in the fight scenes - you know, martial arts type of stuff. To which Caroline responded, "Do you even know martial arts?" Minor details, C. Minor details.

Take this quiz to see if you can match the body double to the celebrity! (This quiz is where it all started for me...)

Goodwill Hunting - 7 Tips for Thrift Shopping

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Because, let's face it, most of us can't afford to build a wardrobe, or decorate a house, with all full price, quality pieces that we love. However, there are other ways to supplement style without breaking the bank. Goodwills and thrift stores often have quality pieces (sometimes designer brands) just waiting to be found.

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The other day, I wore this pair of Ann Taylor suede pumps to work - a pair I found at Goodwill for a grand total of $3.00! Now, not everything at Goodwill is worth the (very) few dollars on the price tag, so you have to be picky. But every so often, you can find a real gem if you take the time to look. Here are a few of my tips and tricks for "Goodwill hunting":

No. 1 - The best overall suggestion I can make is to find a couple of Goodwill stores in your area and stop in every now and then when you happen to be running errands nearby. On most of my trips to Goodwill, I leave empty handed, but every now and then I find a goldmine. It's really a "hit-or-miss" kind of a game. 

No. 2 - Jeans

• Know Your Stuff - I've found that it's best to already have a good handle on which brands of denim fit you well. If you go in looking for specific brands and sizes, you can cut out a lot of time rifling through and trying on jeans.
• All About Color - As you walk down the aisle, look for denim in washes that you like. I always gravitate toward darker washes, but that's just my preference
• Quality, Quality, Quality - When a color you like catches your eye, check out the quality of the denim. The best way to do this is to feel the fabric and look at the brand. Most Goodwill stores are chock full of Target brand and Old Navy brand jeans - I recommend skipping right on past those guys. Here's why: they tend to be lower quality denim, and you can buy them new for just a few dollars more. Look for brands like Paige Denim, Citizens of Humanity, Joe's Jeans, 7 For All Mankind, J Brand, Hudson, and Paper Denim and Cloth. These brands hold up well and fit so much better than Old Navy jeans. Also, keep your eyes peeled for brands you know you like, such as Madewell, J. Crew, and Gap.
• How Much Wear - If you find a pair of jeans that you like, check out the hem. Jeans that are starting to wear out usually have a pretty messy hem. If the hem is messy and the jeans are too long for you, you can always take them to a tailor and get rid of that messy hem, but that's up to you.

No. 3 - Shoes

• New and Only New- My one tip for shoes is this: look for new shoes. Most of the shoes at Goodwill are worn out and nasty. The pair of shoes that I bought and wore recently were almost brand new when I found them at Goodwill. Stay away from shoes that have no life left, and look for ones that are made by reputable brands. 

No. 4 - Tops

• All About Color - Look for colors that you would normally gravitate towards if you were shopping in a department store. Please don't buy the shirt in the putrid shade of green just because it fits you and still has the designer tag attached. Find the section with the colors that you already like.
• How Much Wear - Be sure to give the shirt a thorough once-over. Any spots? Holes? Deodorant stains? Pilling? Steer clear of anything that is past repair. 

No. 5 - Decor

• Know What You Want - I find that it's best to go in knowing what you are looking for. I always look for picture frames, mirrors, and ginger jars. My brothers look for record albums to use as wall art. 

No. 6 - Check the men's section for over-sized flannel shirts, wool sweaters, and button-ups to wear with leggings in the fall and winter. 

No. 7 - If you find something in nearly perfect condition, but either it doesn't fit or isn't your style, you might consider buying it anyway. Here's why: you can resell clothing and shoes (especially designer brands) by taking them to a local consignment shop or sending them to Tradesy or Poshmark or ThredUp. I've done this with designer jeans I found in excellent condition, just not my size. 

Anyone have other thrift-shopping tips to add?

Recent Obsession: Kelly Green

I've always considered myself a blue and coral kind of a girl - navy stripes, light blue oxfords, coral scarves, etc. However, I recently purchased this shirt at Target, and have found myself loving the Kelly Green color! Since then, I've noticed my pinterest boards reflecting this newfound love for green. Here are some of my current favorites:

Tulip Top | Earrings | "Make Your Mark" Monogram | Tassel Key Fob 

Monogrammed Pennant | Wool Dress | Tassel Necklace | Throw Pillow

Monogrammed Plate | Coffee Table Book | Monogrammed Baseball Cap 

All the Stripes

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I have a problem. I want all the stripes. Well, ok, maybe not all of them, but at least everything navy and white striped. With the weather finally transition into cooler temperatures, I'm dying to break out my striped shirt/puffer vest/baseball cap combo on the weekends. Did you know that the original Breton Striped shirt was worn by French sailors? Coco Chanel included navy and white stripes in her collection in the early 1900s, and they have been a wardrobe staple ever since. Here are some of my favorite breton stripe looks this season:

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Where to buy:

{One - Two - Three - Four}

Artist: Emily Jeffords

I used to nanny for family who had some of the prettiest original paintings hung all over the house. Each one portrayed a coastal scene - sailboats moored to docks or dunes on a beach - which I loved! One day I realized that the signature on each painting was that of the mom of the little guy I was nannying! I was struck by how much of an impact a piece of original artwork has on a room, and I thought about her paintings when a friend of mine mentioned that she wants to invest in some original artwork for her new house. We both agreed that original paintings add so much warmth to a room. Not only that, but our conversation also turned to how much we would like to support artists whose work we enjoy.

Recently, I discovered Emily Jefford's artwork on Etsy. I am no connoisseur, but I do love the colors and textures that she uses. Maybe one day I'll be able to add a piece or two of hers to my decor.

Check out Emily's blog and Istagram!

6 Blanket Scarves for Fall

Y'all, I am so over this in-between weather. It's been almost a week of hot, nasty rain, and I am ready for some cool, sunshiny, October days. Looking out the window makes me want to bundle up, but as soon as I set foot outdoors, the heat and humidity make my face drip and my hair frizz.

Dear Fall, you're late. Hurry up!

While we are waiting for the weather to cooperate, I've found some cozy scarves for the chilly days ahead. Last year, I found a tartan blanket scarf at H&M, and it has become my go-to scarf for the cooler months. I love tartan! It works well with jeans and a vest, or with leggings and an over-sized sweater - you just can't go wrong! Here are a few blanket scarves in different tartan patterns that I'm loving for the fall, all under $35:

{Caramel Tartan - White Tartan}

{Camel Check -  Classic Plaid}

{Blue Tartan - Large Plaid}

5 Shoes for Fall

Don't you love New York in the fall? 

It makes me want to buy school supplies. 

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. 

On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.

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Fall has finally arrived. For the majority of September, it hasn't really felt like fall, but it's definitely here now! Fall is my season. I love scarves and vests, the apples and candy corn, the bonfires and the State Fair. For a long time, I didn't consider myself a State Fair fan, but last year I changed my tune. We had such a great time, I ended up going twice!

Here are a few shoes I love for fall:

{Flats - Chucks - Pumps - Ankle Boots - Rain Boots}

How To Pare Down Your Wardrobe

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We've all been there. You open the door to find a closet full of clothes staring out at you. You stand and survey your options for the day ahead. Ten minutes later you roll your eyes, slam the door, and pull your favorite outfit out of the dirty laundry - the same one you've worn it the past three days straight. It's fine! You're not going to see any of the same people four days in a row! 

 I've found that one of the best ways to solve the "nothing-to-wear" conundrum is to narrow down my options so that I have fewer clothes that all coordinate well. Then, I figure out what pieces I need to add to my closet in order to help tie everything together for easy outfit choices. The first step is to separate your clothes into the "yays" and the "nays."  So how do you go about sorting what to keep and want to let go? 

Recently, my friend Stacy asked for some help with her wardrobe, so last weekend we did some serious closet purging. We went piece by piece through her closet and talked through these simple questions:

1. Do you like it?

How many of us have an item (or two, or three) we don't like but have kept for years because it was a gift, or it was really expensive, or your great aunt told you it looked pretty on you? People, if you don't like something, don't keep it. Don't let a piece of clothing take up valuable real estate in your closet if you are never going to wear it. That being said, if the sentimental value of a garment outweighs the closet space you loose by keeping it, hang on to it.

2. Does it fit?
If something you own is two small, it's usually time to say goodbye. However, most clothes can be easily tailored to fit if they are too large. If you have a piece of clothing that is too big, decide if it is worth keeping, and then take it to your local tailor for some alterations. Skirts, dresses, jackets, and jeans are fairly easy to take in or hem, and alterations typically cost less than buying something new.

3. Do you have something to wear with it?

That sparkly sequence top and those sky-high stilettos may be fun, but if you don't have anything else in your closet that works with them, sometimes it's best to just let them go. If you decide you love that sparkly top too much to see it leave, than figure out what you might need to add to your closet to make it wearable for you.

4. Is it past its prime?

I have a few rules for getting rid of clothes that are just plain worn out:

• Pilling - if a sweater or shirt is covered in those little tiny matted-up balls, trash it. No reason to be wearing something that looks like a hand-me-down. (I have nothing against hand-me-downs - as long as they still look fresh, I'm a fan!) 
• Holes - some holes are easily repaired when they are along a seam. However, if the garment isn't worth repairing, into the trash bag it goes.
• Deodorant Stains - Gross! If you've tried to get them out and they still won't budge, get rid of that shirt- especially if it's a simple white tee. A silk shirt is probably worth trying to save, but a white tee is easily and inexpensively replaced.
• Stains or Discoloring - Sometimes no matter what you do, that pesky little stain just won't come out! If that's the case, its time to replace.

After going through her entire closet, Stacy and I came up with a list of a few simple pieces she could  purchase to provide more outfit options this fall. Stay tuned to find out what Stacy decided to add to her wardrobe! 

Outfit Inspiration:Black on Black

In college, my choir director required us to dress in all black for our performances. I can still hear him saying every semester, "Guys: black dress pants and black dress shirt. Girls: black dresses that fall below the knees." I loathed it. First, I bought a hideous black ankle-length dress with a collar and some sort of built-in spanks. Do not ask me why. I don't know. (I still vomit a little every time I think of it). Then, I found a black maxi-dress at T. J. Maxx that did not fit me well at all - short people do not look good in empire-waist dresses. Eventually, the school allowed the girls to wear pants to perform (hallelujah!!), and my hatred for all black ensembles began to reverse. I found a pair of black cigarette pants and a black tunic that I loved, and I started to actually like my all-black outfit. Now I wear head-to-toe black on a regular basis and it makes life so much easier. Just throw on some bright shoes or a statement necklace, and you're good to go!

Black is such a staple color in a wardrobe: not only is it slimming, but it adds polish to your look. I mean, people rave about Little Black Dresses for a reason - they always work! Here are a few outfit inspirations for wearing black on black.

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Here are a few places to start if you are looking to add some staples to your wardrobe:

{Ann Taylor - Target (Only $7!) - Nordstom}

{Ann Taylor - Nordstrom - Banana Republic}

{Pumps - Flats - Wedges}

Shop Tradesy

{Shoes - Photo by: Blue Barn Photography}

My tastes have always outweighed my wallet. To illustrate: when I was in elementary school, my dad would take me on little "dates." I would ask to go to the mall so we could browse the Godiva Chocolate store, the fine jewelry store, and the shoe section at the department store (not the kids shoe section, the real shoe section). Some things never change.

Every now and then I find an excuse to purchase something that I usually wouldn't be able to justify. This summer I needed a pair of gold wedges for a wedding, and I'd had my eye on a pair of Lilly Pulitzer shoes that I knew would be perfect! However, they were well out of my price range, so I hopped on a couple of resale sites to see what I could find. I ended up purchasing a pair from Tradesy - one of the best decisions I've ever made, wardrobe wise. Tradesy offers resale designer clothes and accessories, some new and some gently used. The shoes arrived in the original box, and they were perfect for the day of the wedding! I've been able to wear them to work all summer as well. The ordering process was so simple, and the shoes arrived much sooner than I expected. I've been scrolling through their selection of leather bags - check them out here!

Any other online resale sites I should know about?

Apartment Update: Staying

After living in our apartment for a little over a year, it's really starting to take shape and come together. When we first moved in, I went a little overboard as the self-proclaimed "decorator." I have since realized I am no such thing. (Shout-out to C for being so patient with me.) When it was time to either renew our lease or move to a new place, C and I opted to try a new look before deciding and we ended up loving it! We still have a couple of plans in the works, but the place is so much more cozy now!

Remember what it looked like before?

12 in 12: Centro

New is hard. I've always struggled going into new experiences. Starting college: terrifying. My first few weeks at Whole Foods: beyond stressful. Going on a blind date: we're talking off the charts anxiety. So when I started my new job earlier this summer, I spent the week leading up to the first day fighting the overwhelming nervousness that, for me, accompanies just about any situation that involves unfamiliar people and places. Caroline was so sweet and treated me to dinner at Centro after my first day. It was so nice to have something to look forward to as I muddled my way through learning the ropes at the office.

Centro wasn't on my original list, but I'm so glad I tried it! Bit of advice: go on a weekday. C and I tried to eat there one Friday back in January, but the wait for a table was over an hour, so we ended up at Raleigh Times that night. This time around, we went on a Tuesday - brilliant planning on our part, if I do say so myself.

The atmosphere was cozy and candle-lit, and the food... neither of us could stop commenting on how much we loved the food. We each got a taco plate, but I think both of us enjoyed the beans and rice more than the actual tacos! We just couldn't get over how wonderful everything tasted.

My mouth is watering right now! I cannot wait to go back and maybe sit outside when the weather cools down.

Raleigh Wedding Venues

Writing about weddings when you aren't actually planning one is tricky. People assume either A) you're one of those crazy, wedding-obsessed girls who thinks having a groom is but a minor detail, or B) you actually are secretly engaged. Well, maybe I'm the only one who thinks that. Anyway, with thirteen-year-olds pinning dresses and decor pictures on their wedding Pinterest boards, I can at least write a post about wedding venues in my city. Deal? Here we go:

Fred Fletcher Park

I love this park. As kids, we used to play softball on the field down the hill, and then we would come to watch my brother to play football in high school. Fred Fletcher Park is right down off of Glenwood Avenue, just north of Glenwood South - it's tucked away down a little side street and has several historic buildings on the site.

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Check out these wedding photos at Fred Fletcher by Rebecca Ames Photography.

Rand-Bryan House

The Rand-Bryan House was originally a farm house built in the 1800s that was renovated in 2009. Even thought it's really in Garner and not Raleigh, I love the Christmas Tree Farm on the property and the indoor and outdoor venue options 

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Melrose Knitting Mill

Melrose Knitting Mill is the venue associated with the Moroccan restaurant Babylon located in Downtown Raleigh. From what I can tell, this mill was constructed in the 1800s and then renovated in 2012 as a wedding venue. Favorite feature: all the exposed brick!

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