what to wear: Mint Julep Jubilee

Ladies and Gentleman,

It is officially derby season. Place your bets -and more importantly get out your best hat. For the second year in a row the Hubs and I are going to the Mint Julep Jubilee. It is a terrific excuse to dress up; drink during the day; and scream "ya'll" without shame.

the only problem -what to wear?!

I've taken this assignment very seriously and laid out several options. The photo below is from last year, if you're interested in hearing my voice after a few mint juleps -there's even video, but you've been warned.

This year, I wanted something a little more fun -and definitely a hat.

The hat is a must

Below are my options, please help me decide!

Say hello to: Ms. "Southern Gothic"

Can't you see a lady like this on the arm of Atticus Finch -swoon

I like how stark and simple this outfit is -without losing it's charm. I think the fedora keeps it modern and less costumey. The rustic-ness from the straw hat and clutch keep the black and white from becoming too formal or stiff.

satin dress -Forever 21, sunglasses -Forever 21, straw fedora -JCrew, straw clutch -vintage, pearl clip-ons -vintage, black pumps -Target

I'm calling this sassy little lady: "Derby Diva"

Oh, hello inner Dynasty fan -I didn't think I would see you so soon, why I'm only twenty-five.

Yes, this outfit is totally over the top -but that's why I like it. It would obviously include serious lipstick, probably a blush or bashful

(see that other Southern reference -come on, keep up!)

It is critical that the Diva wears impossibly high heels, the biggest sunglasses and hat, lots of jewels, and of course -Seersucker. A diva wouldn't derby without Seersucker.

Seersucker dress - Target, heels -BCBG Girls, pearls -K Lou's, Oversize "Coach" Sunglasses & "LV" clutch -Chinatown, Oversize hat -JCrew

And now we're ready to get "Down & Derby"

This is probably the most literal translation of the theme. I mean, the dress has horses on it for cryin' out loud. That being said, I love the pop of color this outfit has. I think the big black hat brings the dress back from becoming too kitchy. Also, I'm dying to wear my new Birthday shoes!

Black hat (with homemade embellishments) -Old Navy, Horse'N'around Dress -Anthropologie, black woven belt -Forever 21, Sunglasses -Forever 21, Oversize stud earrings -Banana Republic, silver clutch -vintage, silver Birthday shoes -JCrew, cocktail ring -Forever 21

You look a little parched, perhaps I could interest you in a little "Sweet Tea, Sweat Pea"??

This could be my favorite dress. I think the candy stripes are too cute, I love the cut, I love the colors, I love this dress. My only reservation -it might have gotten a little too tight.

(What can I say, it was a cold winter?)

My mind isn't made up, so we'll see, but originally this dress was going to be my jam.

Important details to notice:

1. wedges -don't go to a garden party in spiked heels unless you want to be the landscaper(or I guess a diva).

2. Cat eye glasses are my new favorite shape. I feel uber cool in them.

3. the gloves -need I say more?

favorite dress -Topshop, Cat eye glasses -Forever 21, pearls -from K Lou, brown wedges -from K Lou,
straw hat -JCrew, metallic clutch -JCrew, gloves -Modcloth, gold belt -Old Navy

In staying true to our coastal influence, "Beachy Keen."

I'm going to say something pretty bold:

beachy doesn't mean flip-flops for goodness sake. -I hate seeing flip flops at nice (semi-formal) events.

This is the kind of outfit that can pull double duty. It can be worn with Mint Juleps, Margaritas, or beer out of the bottle. It is the least themey option, I would say, but it still fits the bill.

The pineapple earrings and aviators scream seriously southern -like South of the equator Southern. The straw hat and neck scarf bring it back towards the Mason-Dixon line.

Pineapple earrings -Forever 21, Straw hat -JCrew, neck scarf -gift, aviators -Rayban,

dress -Calvin Kline (from Marshalls!), skinny belt -Forever 21, Mary Janes -Island Passage

So, that's it. Those are my choices. Please help. I'm going to need it...

ladies who lunch

(this is my favorite picture of K Lou, ever).

Full Disclosure: we are not ladies who lunch. Do I wish we were? Heck Yeah! Lunching is just behind my other favorite thing -brunching. K Lou and I never ever ever get to leave the office for lunch, so when we do -it is heaven. If you're in Wilmington looking for a great lunch spot try the Olive Tree Co. I've said before, I'm a pretty tough critic, and these guys deliver. The beer selection is super and when we brought a sandwich back to the Jed even he liked it... that's a good sandwich.


Transitioning to Spring has been so fun. Days like these are the best when you can still incorporate a light jacket or scarf with bright Spring colors and fabrics. We're both such suckers for color, in fact a goal of mine is to try more monochromatic looks. We'll see...

On K Lou:

white jean jacket -gap, cat eye sunnies -Forever 21, stripped tee -Target, yellow scarf -Target, skinny jeans -Forever 21,

yellow espidrilles -Payless, rubberized watch -Target, pearl earrings -Belks

floral (newly hemmed) skirt -Marshalls, nude fishnets -TJ Maxx, ballet flats -Target,

red turtleneck -Banana Republic, Cropped Trench -Target, necklace -Target, watch -Target, wayfarers -Ray Ban

smells like teen spirit

On our way home from our Athens adventure we stopped in Liddy Dole/Colleen's hometown of Salisbury, NC. It is also the home of Catawba College, my baby brother's school. As you can plainly see he is a lacrosse super star. At this particular game he had four goals -see what I mean SUPER STAR. He's been playing since middle school and every time I go to a game I'm completely confused. At one point there was a fight on the field -lucky my sweet and gentle brother was not involved.
-this moment inspired post title... if you get my drift

p.u.


yup, that's him -scoring.
Awesomeness

The best part of Lacrosse is when they do the face off. It gets seriously scrappy.

What the heck to wear?

It was pretty warm out and I wanted to show my undying support for the Indians -while maintaining some element of style. (and you know how I feel about face painting)

dress -American Apparel, white oxford shirt -JCrew, Jack Parcel Converse -JCrew, straw bag -vintage,

Catawaba cap (that didn't quite fit my big head) -borrowed from small headed K Lou, avaiators -Ray Ban

southern belle a-bloomin'

1st Athens Date Night!!!
You would have thought it was our first friggin' date. It took me about two hours to get ready -sorry Hubs! On the bright side I was pretty happy with the results -conceited much?

We went to a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Athens called Farm 255. We were both super excited about it. The service was great; the atmosphere was great; and the drinks were heavenly. -Always a plus on date night.

The outfit was quite forgiving considering I stuffed myself. I've been waiting to bust out this dress all winter. It is from Forever 21, but is surprisingly high quality. I love the pattern and the fabric is a heavier canvas-like material. It was substantial enough to keep me warm while we ate outside even when the sun went down.

dress- forever 21, creamy cardigan -Island Passage, cat eye sunglasses -forever 21, hair bow -forever 21, heels -Island Passage,

belt -vintage (thanks mom!), necklace -thrifted.

Overall, if this date night was any indicator, Athens is going to be perfect.

exploration station

One point Athens!
Day two of our Athens exploration adventure took us to the tree that owns itself. The tree's original owner left the tree to the tree in his will.
Neat, right?!

Travel Tip: everything you pack should work together. Mix and Match! It makes everything so much easier and it makes all your vacation photos look more cohesive. (ok, maybe that last part isn't that important, but I like it!)

the straw clutch is my warm weather favorite. Words cannot describe my love.

Two points Athens! Gawd, littering is such a pet peeve -specifically, cigarette buds out the window while folks drive. That makes for some serious road rage...

shorts -banana republic, ribbon belt -gap, chambray shirt -men's department Forever 21, cat eye glasses -forever 21, necklace -thrifted, clutch -vintage, tan flats -target

spring is in full swing in Athens. It was actually Easter weekend and Friday evening while we were eating at a great vegetarian restaurant we watched a full on reenactment of the Crucifixion at the church across the street from the restaurant.
Honestly, it was kinda awkward to be sipping on beers while watching all that go down...