Painting Eggs and Taking Names

 Happy Easter everyone! I thought I'd share a few pictures from my family's lovely Easter lunch. Every year we have Easter at my grandparent's house, but this time around we mixed it up and hosted it at my house. My mom and I got wayyyyy to into making things look pretty, but that's part of all the fun right?

 Our lovely main table :) We even broke out the nice china!

 For the centerpiece we put some flowers and moss in a vintage cheese box that we had around the house. I think it looks lovely!

 You can't see it THAT well, but I made a pom pom garland to hang in the window.

 Even the kid's table looked elegant with a wheatgrass centerpiece.

 We made these paper flowers to hang in the window out of kraft paper and scrapbooking paper. Gorgeous right?

 My mom even pulled out some clay bunnies that my sister and I made in Elementary school for display. 

 Much to my mom's dismay I brought out the Chrysanthemum bunny. And we made a little terrarium with moss. Also, displayed is a lovely piece of depression glass passed down from my Great Grandmother.

Hope everyone's Easter was absolutely marvelous! I know mine was!

Not Waiting Any More!

 Remember how two days ago I was lusting after spring? Well its here folks! Today the sun was shining, the birds chirping, and I didn't have to wear a coat! It was absolute bliss.

 Acting class let out early so the fab four headed downtown to our favorite coffee shop for yummy drinks and rousing games of Uno. Afterwards, Fiona and I explored the square a bit for some lovely photos. Can we just marvel at how blue the sky is?!

 Outfit Details: 

Sweater: Target

Tank: Forever 21

Scarf: American Eagle

Skirt: Target

Tights: JcPenny

Boots: Steve Madden

 I'm normally really bad at mixing prints, but today I just sort of went for it! I'm branching out guys!

This is my "I'm a happy camper" face. Its because its finally spring. And I don't feel like dying because I have to wear a coat. Blue skies really do things for a gal! I hope everyone's easter weekend is lovely! 

Waiting for...Spring?!

 Where's spring?! Its already nearing the end of March and we've only had one day of actual spring weather that I can recall. We've had more snow in march than all the other months of winter, which is unheard of in these southern parts! My closet is getting bored. My spring clothes are anxiously waiting to see the light of day again. And I can't blame them! 

 Outfit Details:

Shirt: JcPenny

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Tights: Target

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: Made by ME!

 So...as you may have read above...I made this necklace. It was super easy, so easy that I didn't think it was worth a tutorial. I just painted some wooden beads from hobby lobby and strung them on twine for a rustic look. I really don't know how to wear jewelry but I always see pretty statement necklaces on Pinterest and I'm fascinated with them. I decided to try my hand at one and am pretty pleased with the results. Now the challenge is to incorporate more jewelry into my clothing routine more often!

I guess I better get used to wearing this coat for a while longer. The weather forecast doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon. Happy winter/spring! See ya when the sun shines!

Another Marvelous Monday!

A marvelous monday it has been! I slept in until 8:00 (I know, doesn't seem like very late but believe me it is!) and promptly went about my morning in the best ways I know how. I have a voice lesson at 11:30 and class after that, so Mondays and Wednesdays are my chill mornings. I got to read and drink a cup of tea while watching the snow flurries outside. Snow. In March! For a southern gal like me, this weather is almost unheard of, but I'm trying to appreciate it and be thankful nonetheless. 

Thankfulness. This is something I've really been trying to focus on lately. Its so easy for me to take my circumstances and complain about them. I complain on twitter. I complain on tumblr. I complain to my friends. I just complain a lot. Lately I've been trying to have a positive attitude and focus on the good things. I guess you could say that I'm trying to find the silver lining in everything. I find that when I seek the good amidst the terrible I am much happier. So here's to a happier semester! 

Okay, sorry about that little tangent, its just been on my mind! I've been reading a great deal these days. Last night I finished Wildwood by Colin Meloy, the lead singer of The Decemberists. It was an okay read--if you want my full review and opinion check out my goodreads profile. Today I went to the library to pick up a few books to tide me over until I can go home and grab my copy of the second book in the Wildwood series. I'm having a lot of fun making time to read again. It was such a big part of who I was as a child and even through high school, but it college sort of took over and didn't allow me to read like I used to. I'm trying to get off the internet and read more. So far its proving to be quite rewarding. 

I'm finishing up this marvelous monday sitting in my favorite coffee shop, drinking my usual hazelnut latte, listening to the Local Natives, and procrastinating on my toxicology research paper. I hope you all are having the loveliest day! And remember to find at least one good thing in the middle of the hectic and the mundane parts of your day!

Instagram the Days Away

 Here's a few Instagram pics from the past few weeks...

 My mama bought me a pretty gingham shirt and surprised me!

 I thrifted this lamp base for $5 and then added a lamp shade that was on sale from Target. Its currently casting light in our living room and looks lovely!

 The fam got gelato after a lovely night of music and greek food.

 My mom and sister dragged me to The Coffeehouse, which is apparently THE hangout spot around town. I thought this little fireplace there reminded me of my fireplace!

 I went to a job interview out in the boonies for camp and stopped by some antique stores out there. I picked up these beauties for next to nothing. I also picked up an enamelware pot to hang in my kitchen, but oh my goodness, there was so much pyrex and jadeite! It made my heart hurt! 

 Went BACK to The Coffeehouse to see my dear camp friend Jonas play a gig. He was wonderful as always and the night proved to be a memorable one. 

Madeline made pretty cupcakes! Isn't life grand?!

A Few of My Favorite Things/Marvelous Mondays

Guys, there are too many great things floating around on pinterest that I decided I had to share for this marvelous monday. Today was my first day back to school and so far so good! I'm sad spring break was over, but I'm still reeling from how awesome it was that nothing can bring me down! 

 Fashion Fave: I really don't think I even need to discuss why this outfit is so cute. I mean, do you see that lady tie?!

 Clothing Fave: This bag from Target is way too cute. Too bad its out of stock at my store! What a beaut though!

 Craft Fave: Pom Poms! I got a pom pom maker for my birthday and I'm excited to try it out soon. I'm thinking there will be a diy in the future!

 All spring break long I've been listening to Mumford and Sons on a loop. I don't know what it is, but their lyrics have been speaking to me lately. Here's a lovely one...

Home Fave: I love this colorful little corner of this kitchen. I'm just smitten with the small details!

So, I don't know if you know this about me but...Justin Timberlake is my absolute favorite artist ever. I know, that may seem a little weird with some of my other music favorites...but I can't help it. Justin is and will always be my first love. His new album comes out tomorrow and I've already listened to it stream for free on itunes. Guys. Please buy it when it comes out. Its SO great!

That's all folks! Hope you've had a marvelous monday!

Bloglovin Love!

Hey friends! I'm sure you've all heard that Google reader is shutting down, so if you'd still like to follow little ole me head on over to bloglovin! Hope to see you on the other side! 

Spring Cleaning

 One of my main projects for spring break was to clean out my stuff from our playroom because we plan to convert it to a craft room. So all day yesterday I spent my time cleaning (and reminiscing over the remnants of my childhood). Fun fact about me, I LOVED American Girl Magazine. My subscription started in 1998 and ended in 2008. I read them for an almost embarrassingly long time. But seriously they were the best. I found all my old magazines and read through a few (they were still just as entertaining by the way). 

Guys, cleaning is hard. Not just cleaning but purging. I had to throw away so so soooo many things. I've been keeping paperwork from all of high school. It was somewhat nice to throw away all of my chemistry papers and physics papers. All with a sigh that its all behind me. I'm a hoarder but I'm glad that I took the time to get rid of the things I no longer wanted to keep.

 The fun part of purging is finding things that are sentimental to you. Like the above doodle. It was drawn by my friend Ellie. I don't know why, but I always find it hilarious and I remember thinking "I need to save this to cheer my up on bad days!" Well, now I have it tucked away somewhere safe so that I can pull it out whenever I need a laugh.

And after a day of hard work, an evening of rest was well deserved! I just started reading this book last night and I'm already half way through! I borrowed it from my mom's stash and so far its been a lovely light read. I hope everyone is having a lovely week! I know I am!

Spring Break at Home

 Spring Break at home as been, in a word, lovely. The past two days have been more chill and relaxed, which was exactly what I needed. I've been enjoying several cups of blueberry green tea. 

 I bought the greatest candle from Anthropologie and it has been burning ever since it made its way into my bedroom. I think when the candle burns out (although apparently it has 100 hours of burn time) I'm going to use the jar as a tumbler for holding pens and knitting needles. 

 I went shopping with my Grandma today as a belated birthday gift and I picked up some lovely new scrap booking papers.

 I also bought these lovely juice glasses from Target. Yes. Target! They look like little vintage glasses and I thought that if I do start a vintage glassware collection, these would fit in too!

 My mother made me my absolute favorite meal--butter chicken. Its not actually called "butter chicken" its really crescent chicken because its made with crescent dough. I could eat SEVERAL helpings of this dish.

I've finished my day with a little spring cleaning. At this rate though, I'll probably be cleaning tomorrow too! 

My Life in Mayberry

 Spring Break has begun and it has already been more wonderful than I ever could have imagined! Today after my sweet cousin's baby shower (so much fun!) we decided to pal around downtown Franklin, which is always my favorite. Pretty weather has finally arrived here and so it was the perfect time to go out into our little Mayberry-like town.

 Oh Laura, I love her. My mother is the cutest.

 We ate at Merridee's for lunch, which is absolutely the best place around. We ate delicious Ruben Sandwiches at this adorable yellow formica table. How perfect is that?

 We also strolled around and looked in a few shops. I loved this window and thought that their paper  cakes were so very Vadis Turner!

 Here's a close up on the flower from the window. We are thinking maybe we might make some like these for Easter! You know I love a good DIY!

 Okay, so I also bought some overalls at Anthropologie. And maybe you are thinking that I'm crazy, but at this point I don't care! I'm in love with these little Huck Finn overalls and my head is already reeling with ideas on how to style them. They are adorable and I couldn't resist! I think these are going to become that item that I will wear and live in until they are pulling apart and I have to throw them away. I look forward to the days where I can wear my little overalls and play my banjo on my roof. Yes, I am THAT sort of person haha.

Guys, in case you didn't think these were adorable already...maybe you will change your mind after you see this eyelet detail on the back. Darling, no? 

Well folks, that was just DAY ONE of spring break. I look forward to the days to come!