Just a few...

Good afternoon! I'm ready to get the weekend started! I only have a few things to talk about, but let's get it started, shall we?

Tonight is my nephew's graduation and I couldn't be more proud! Not only is he graduating from high school, which is a feat in it's own right, but he's also graduating with honors. After the graduation ceremony we'll be celebrating with him, and the rest of his 2015 graduation class at their after party. 

I'm loving these memes and inspirational quotes that I found this week, they couldn't be truer!

I'm so ready for Cadence's dance recital tomorrow. It's her very first one and I know that she is so excited about it. She has practiced weekly for the past three months and I'm finally to see all her hard work come into fruition.

Plus they have the cutest little outfits for the songs that they are dancing to.

Happy Friday!

Catching Up | Graduation and More!

Sorry for being unsociable this week, but it's been a busy one!

This week was the last one for Cadence in Kindergarten, and the final year of high school for my nephew. So between her awards ceremony and his graduation, along with her first dance recital and baby showers for friends...I'm slap wore out planning and prepping for all of these!

Last night was my nephews baccalaureate and it was wonderful. I'm so proud of the young man that he has become. He's intelligent, helpful and always shows great southern morals and integrity in everything that he does. I'm so proud to be his aunt.

(Cadence's dress is Lilly for Target in the Fan Dance pattern - I bought mine off of a local resale sight for $10. It's Banana Republic and fits me like a glove)

Today was my sweet girls final day of Kindergarten. It was very bitter sweet to say the least. Her school went above and beyond to make her first year special. She learned so many new things and I cannot wait to see what first grade holds in store for her. One student out of every class received what they call the "star student" award, which is an academic achievement where you have excelled in each course or subject. Cadence was the child in her class that received this award and Tarl and I were beyond proud! I'm so glad that she did so well this year, both socially and academically. Making new friends and achieving so much. 

Just looking at these side by side comparisons I can truly see how much she has grown - wow, the saying really is true, "the days are long but the years are short"! Enjoy every single moment with your children, because time flies by! 

When I was a senior, my nephew Dean was entering into Kindergarten. My graduation year was his first year of school. Now here he is, graduating tomorrow evening while Cadence is leaving Kindergarten, it seems like the end of an era and it is something truly spectacular!

Last week I promised you that I would post about my Lilly dresses and I haven't forgot. I've tried wearing one every day and trying my best to remember to take pictures when I do. I will have that post for you next week. I'm loving my Lilly's!

I paid two credit cards off yesterday, in full, with an account balance of $0.00. The relief I felt when I wrote those final checks was incredible! Two credit cards down and two to go then I will be completely debt free with credit cards! 

This picture is incredible. I swear I talk about NYC every single day to Tarl, and the best part? He's not sick of it. He had a great time when we went and often times he'll be the one to bring it up in a conversation. We discuss things we plan on doing the next time we visit, and I hope that's sooner rather than later. As I've said before, I'm missing that city like crazy and seeing beautiful photographs like the one I found below, makes me miss it that much more!

I'm loving the koozie that my friend made for me!

Tomorrow we have graduation and the after-party and a dance recital and baby shower on Saturday. I'm ready to get our busy weekend started!

xo

a little of this, a little of that...

This speaks to me so much. I've honestly never thought about this until reading this quote this morning. I need to always try to remember to be a light to others, always.

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The NY Times posted this article about how FAO Schwarz will be closing it's flagship location off 5th avenue in 2016 - so sad! I'm so glad that we got to go inside and experience this luxurious toy store before they close their doors! Don't fret if you've never been, they plan to open another location, it just won't be their signature 5th Avenue store. I imagine renting that enormous building off America's main shopping strip is quite pricey.

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My sweet girl had her very first sleepover this past weekend. She had so much fun playing with her sweet friend. They enjoyed playing outside and eating homemade pizzas that Tarl and I made. I kid you not, they played from sun up to sun down. They were covered in sweat and side walk chalk, but they had a blast! They ended the night watching Frozen, and naturally had to get into character.

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On Friday Tarl and I went with Cadence on her field trip. We all had such a great time at their petting zoo. We got to feed lemurs, birds, hold reptiles, see how honey is made. We also got to make our own candles, wax sculpture and fill our own honey jars. It's a place we will definitely visit again soon.

(See that cute little baby lemur riding on it's momma's back? I want one (or three)!)

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I'm missing an old friend. We haven't had a heart to heart conversation in close to a year. I hate it when friendships grow apart, especially ones that you think will last a lifetime. She was that friend that would have you laughing until you pee'd your pants - don't we all need someone like that in our lives? Some childish things took place, I said my peace, she said hers and we cut ties. I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, but hopefully our friendship will find it's way back one day. I do miss her. Not gonna lie. It is what it is I suppose.

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I was smitten with the Lilly Pulitzer dress that I got on Mother's Day.

I love the color, length, pattern and it fits great. For sizing reference, I'm a size 6 due to my bust size. If it wasn't for my bust size, I'd be a dress size 4 because the dress fit perfectly in a 4 but wouldn't zip all the way up top, so I sized up and it's great. Since I knew my size, I've been searching the hashtag #lillyfortarget and #lillyforsale on Instagram like it was my job. Doing this I have found so many great Lilly dresses at a steal! I've purchased three Lilly for Target dresses off Instagram and another true Lilly Pulitzer dress that just arrived yesterday. It's in pristine condition. As soon as the other two arrive, I plan on taking some pics and showing them off. 

I never really liked LP dresses, but as of recent I've changed my mind. I'm loving them and they are so comfortable! I've also purchased one for Cadence and she looks precious in it!

Pics to come soon...

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This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. We have plans to go out of town and visit our grandmother. I can't wait. Time spent with her is always fun and memories are always made. 

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Happy Tuesday! xo

Canvas Painting

I enjoy painting. It's very relaxing and just a good time. I have been to one painting class - you know the ones where you can bring a glass of wine and sip and paint and chat with friends. It was fun, a lot of fun, but at $30 a pop I knew it was a one time deal for me, especially seeing as how I can buy a 7 pack canvas and assorted paints at Michael's for the same price, and get more bang for your buck in the comfort of your own home.

Cadence enjoys painting just as much as I do and I always look forward to our time painting together. Our paintings have now filled our dining room and it's quickly becoming my favorite room in our home because of the sweet memories I have painting with my darling girl.

I get most of my painting ideas off of Pinterest. I strongly suggest trying it, at least once. It's therapeutic in my personal opinion, and a great way to just wind down after a long day at work.

xo

Mother's Day Recap | Lilly and Jack

Mother's Day 2015 was a great success. My husband and little girl went above and beyond to make me feel special and it all started on Friday afternoon at work when the UPS man came with a delivery. A very special delivery, just for yours truly.

Our very first day in New York, trying a slice of authentic NYC cheesecake was at the top of my list. I've always loved cheesecake, and years and years hearing all about how the 'big city' has the best was definitely a must do. So as soon as our flight landed and we got settled into our room, we headed to Juniors Cheesecakes which was perfectly located only 2 blocks from our hotel. My first slice was the original and it was truly love at first bite! Every day there after we stopped by Juniors, trying different cheesecakes, even eating their twice on Saturday! I also took two slices home with me on Sunday.

I've been dreaming of that cheesecake every day since we've been back home. Well my sweet husband ordered me a cheesecake on Wednesday. It was made fresh that same day in Brooklyn, NY and mailed out overnight on Thursday, arriving to me by Friday afternoon.

It was still ice cold and perfectly delicious! What a way to start a Mother's Day!

I promise you, this cheesecake no longer looks this whole. In fact, there's probably only about 2 slices left. The fact that Tarl put that much thought into a Mother's Day present for me just makes my heart melt! I couldn't call him fast enough to thank him.

Tarl and Cadence both knew that on Sunday I wanted to go to the beach and just relax, so we agree'd that we'd do what they had planned for Mother's Day on Saturday. I woke up bright and early on Saturday to hugs, kisses and cards. Cadence always picks out her own cards to give to us and they always have a pet on them, whether it be a dog or cat, sure enough this one had a little weenie dog on the front...precious, and something I always look forward to. Tarl and I always joke around. It's what we do and what we love, but when it comes time to write words down, he's pretty damn good at it. I always cherish the words that he puts in a card. 

After the cards were read and kisses were given, they book looked at each other, looked at me and said get dressed, we're headed to Savannah for you to get your first pair of Jacks.

I've been obsessing over the gold sparkle Jack Rogers for about a month, ever since I saw a friend of mine with hers. I've never really cared for Jacks, but as soon as I saw the gold glitter I was smitten. 

(excuse the blister on my big toe...I scraped it a week ago and it's disgusting!)

Like most brands you either love it or hate it. There's not much in between. I've never cared for Lilly Pulitzer - I'll be the first one to admit it. I've admitted it on the blog here before, but as of recent I've been loving the patterns. I decided that I'd treat myself to the dress I've been wanting, so that's just what I did.

(link to purchase here)

I love this print! I love the style of the dress! 

Some Jacks and Lilly truly make the perfect southern combination.

I will say this, both Jack Rogers and Lilly Pulitzer are something to save up for. Neither brand is inexpensive by any means of the word. The only other Lilly dress I have is one I bought off a resale sight for $10 about a year ago, so I decided to treat myself every now and then and that's just what I did. Normally when I spend money on clothes, let's be honest, they're usually for Cadence, so this time I splurged :)

I tried like hell to get some Lilly for Target items, but they were all sold out within a matter of minutes. People were trying to sell them for a lot more then what they paid for them online but I refused to pay a ridiculous markup. I let the Lilly for Target storm die down a bit, and I've now purchased two new Lilly for Target items yesterday at a very reasonable price! I literally only paid for the dress and shipping, no mark ups! Score! I guess people were realizing that others weren't going to buy at a crazy price, so they are now selling for a more reasonable amount. If you are still looking for some Lilly Target items, search the hashtag #lillyforsale on Instagram, that's where I found all my goodies.

I purchased the Fan Dance maxi for Cadence...

via

...and the See Ya Later shift dress for me.

via

I'm still on the lookout for a few other items, but I'm waiting for the above to arrive for a sizing reference before I order anymore. I've heard to size up, I've heard to size down...as it's not like the true Lilly brand and made with different materials you can't necessarily go with what size you normally would wear. We'll see.

Yesterday we relaxed on the beach and then spent the afternoon hanging out with my parents and spending Mother's Day with my mom in the afternoon. It was great weather and great times spent with family.

On an ending note, how neat is this sand castle we saw on the beach?!

xo

Friday Favorite's | Mother's Day & More

Morning lovies. Join the fun here.

Yesterday afternoon the UPS man dropped off a package for yours truly with a big red logo on the side that was labeled 'Shari's Berries'. I'm a huge chocolate covered strawberry fan. I've heard countless wonderful things about Shari's berries in particular and thanks to my in-laws I finally got to try those delectable little morsels of goodness. There was a note attached wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. Thank you again to my in-laws. They were delicious!

We had dinner plans with my in-laws last night for dinner and we went ahead and gave my mother-in-law her Mother's Day gift. You can never go wrong with roses in my opinion. They smell divine and although pink is my favorite color, peach is my favorite color rose. I wasn't quite sure what my mother-in-laws favorite rose was, but peach is so summer indicative, I thought it was a great fit.

This saying is my new favorite!

Remember how I have told y'all time and time again that we live on a small little farm. Well my brother and sister-in-law have now surpassed us with the cutest little goats. We don't have goats, yet, but they are now at the top of my list, second to a pig. What can I say, I love a little piglet. Cadence and I both adore Hazel and Cordelia (Dilly for short). 

I'm still thinking about that Crunchy Roll that we had for dinner the other night. Amazing!

Yesterday was Sports Day at school. You were to dress in something that pertained to Sports. Cadence wanted to dress as a softball player, so that's just what we did. How cute is she?!!

These two are still at the top of my wish list for Mother's Day. Both are gorgeous, and paired together they make the most perfect southern combination for any event this summer. Graduations, weddings, BBQs. I'm smitten!

Jack Rogers Sparkle Sandals in Gold

Lilly Pulitzer Christine Sundress in Multi Besame Mucho

Happy Friday!