A Needed Getaway

As many of y'all know, this past weekend I took a mini getaway with two girlfriends and traveled down to Carolina Beach, NC. Since starting my new job a year ago (I guess not so new anymore), I have yet to take a vacation, so this trip was severely overdue. It felt amazing to get away from work and all the stressors that surround everyday life and just unwind and relax, and of course the beach makes everything better. 

Now get ready for picture overload of my mini getaway!

Wednesday I was out of work semi early and headed home to begin packing and relaxing. Yes for dinner I had berries in my wine. 

Got in some good reading before it was off to bed early so I would awake refreshed and ready to get on the road!

A toast to celebrate making it to the beach and the start of of a great weekend!

Spending mornings on the porch with my book and coffee did not get old.

Treating ourselves to yummy Britt's Doughnuts... amazing.

Indulging in some late night beers at The Fat Pelican. 

Doing serious damage at the Outlets on our way home... yes I will be living off lettuce the next week. All in all I ended up getting 3 shorts, 2 tops, wallet, and phone cover from J.Crew, dress from Banana Republic, shirt and scarf from Gap, and shorts, sports bra, shirt, and new sneakers from Nike!

And just when I was sad and depressed about coming home from the beach... a package from my best friend telling me how proud she is of me for my first year of work. You're the best Al!

Overall it was a great trip and I am already thinking of when I can getaway again. Being that I work close to 50 hours a week, sometimes over, I think I forget how important it is to take these little chances to reboot and take a little time for myself. Lesson learned from the tip- I need to take better care of myself, especially working in the field I do so that I don't get burnt out. After all, I am not good to anyone if I'm not being good to myself. 

This quote pretty much sums it up. 

What do you do to take care of yourself?

Hope everyone has a great week!

Yours Truly,

Back to Reality

I can't recall a Monday I have ever dreaded as much as this one. Coming back from vacation is always brutal and I am struggling. Pardon the short post but I am having trouble coming terms to the fact that I have to work for a living AND that I don't live by the beach or get to go shopping everyday... yes it's been a rough realization. 

I promise to have lots of updates and pictures tomorrow about my wonderful girls getaway but here is a sneak peak of how I spend the past few days.

Tough livin

Yours truly, 

Saturday by Kate Spade

Kate Spate recently launched a new segment to her brand- Saturday. It is supposed to be more affordable, meaning everything under $200. I love Kate Spade and couldn't wait to check out the new line, here are some the goodies I found!

I love this simple dainty necklace. It comes in a few different colors and I think it would be great alone or layered with other necklaces.

Hello new game day dress. This could be great to wear to work with flats or dressed up at night with a cute pair of wedges.

Everyone needs a fun Ipad cover and I love the bright colors of this one.

This simple yet cute bracelet would be a perfect addition to my stack!

Striped Studs?! As if I don't have enough strips...these need to be added to my collection. 

Also did I mention you can design your own weekender? 

Here is the one I designed, complete with my monogram... obsessed. 

Be sure to check it out!

Yours truly,

Warm Air, Salt Breeze, and Wine

As if I haven't been talking about it enough... this girl is on her way to the beach! Bags are packed, car is loaded, playlists are made, and I am ready for weekend full of relaxing with girlfriends! We are lucky enough to be passing outlets and I have had quite the online shopping bag at J.Crew Factory so one can only imagine how things will end (aka see how poor I can become in an hour.) I will be taking my laptop with me and will try to post but let's be honest... it will not be top priority sorry y'all! 

Here's to warm weather, being back in NC, and last but not least- wine!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Yours truly, 

Currently

Happy Wednesday!

Being that I am packing and getting ready for my weekend away, I wanted to fit in a quick post of what's going on currently...

Listening to:

Combination between Alabama Shakes and The Embers station on Pandora... completely opposite I know.

Eating: 

Trader Joe's Apple Slices,- I have been addicted to these this week and eating them around the clock. But you know I can't eat an apple without almond butter so clearly I've been having lots of Whole Foods Almond Butter. It's a serious addiction that I suggest everyone try.

Wearing:

Essie Secret Story

Thinking About:

How great it is going to be to see this sign tomorrow! I am beyond excited to get back to North Carolina and feel "at home" for a few days. 

Watching:

I haven't been watching much T.V but I did watch  Zero Dark Thirty the other night... y'all I was not impressed. The movie dragged on forever and I would be lying if I said I didn't fall asleep a couple of times. Anyone else have that reaction?

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Yours truly,

Let's Get This Week Over With

Normally when I work a weekend, I get to Sunday feeling less then excited that another week is starting, however this week is a different story. Although I have been working since Friday and will continue to do so until Wednesday, Thursday I am leaving for a long weekend away at Carolina Beach! I couldn't tell you the last time I had a little vacation with girlfriends and I am itching to get away. relax, and enjoy some quality girl time. We are planning to get an early start on Thursday, hit up some outlets, do a quick grocery shopping trip, then finally see our sweet little cottage we rented for the weekend. 

As for the rest of the weekend, I am hopeful the weather will cooperate and we will be able to spend some time on the beach! Although I have been craving the beach so much lately, I will be out there wrapped in a towel if I must. I've also looked up a few must do things while in Carolina Beach, including The Fat Pelican and Britts Donuts. I'm more familiar with Wilmington, so if anyone has any recommendations while we are there please let me know! 

So what am I going to do until Thursday? I am hopeful for a productive and busy few days, that includes long work hours to get things done before I leave and a few gym sessions. 

Hurry up Thursday, I am ready for you!

Yours truly, 

On The Hunt For White Jeans

Happy Sunday loves! Once again, I apologize for the lack of posting but after my sick day, I was back at work am working through the weekend until I leave for my girls getaway! Yesterday when I got off work I hunted around Richmond for the perfect pair of white jeans and have yet to find a pair. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know!

Here's a few that I have seen and liked and may bite the bullet and just buy them.

Pilcro Stet Slim Cropped Jeans- These I found at Anthropologie and are definitely what I am leaning towards. They were super comfy and because I am shorter came down a bit longer on me. 

J. Crew Matchstick- I have yet to actually try these on yet but have heard rave reviews from everyone. I am hoping to swing by the J.Crew near me to give them a try. 

Original Charmer Skinny Jean- These I found on Piperlime and just thought they looked cute without breaking the bank. 

Where are you white jeans from?

Yours truly,

A Sick Day

Hey Y'all, sorry about the lack of posting this week- a busy weekend, followed by super long days at work has left me sick today. Not sure if it's allergies or just a cold but it has totally taken it out of me and I will be spending the day getting lots of rest. Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

Yours truly, 

Weekend Report- Beautiful weather and a 10k!

What an amazing weekend! This weekend was a blast and I felt truly bless from the time I stepped out of work on Friday to night sitting here with my decaf coffee, glasses on, and hair on top of my head. The weather was absolutely beautiful and left me itching to get some sun on my pale self. Anyone else looking ghostly? I did pick up some Jergens on one of my Target runs this weekend, hopefully that will help!

Now for the weekend! My dad was in town the past weekend and we had such a good time! Friday night I made us reservations at Edo Squid, figuring it would be a good idea to get in some extra carbs before my 10k on Saturday. 

Little did I know my dad has been on a major diet and after 2 appetizers said he was stuffed.... whomp whomp. So this girl decided to get a side of broccollini and have that instead of a big bowl of pasta... healthier I guess but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bummed. If you live in the Richmond area or happening to be passing through, I highly suggest you check this place out! It is so yummy and although it may not look like much from the outside, the food is always amazing.

Saturday morning I was up early and off to run the Monument 10k! This was my first race and any expectations I had were blown out of the water! There were close to 40,000 runners and people lined up and down Monument Ave. cheering everyone on. I ran with my friend Patty and we kept a great pace throughout the race. I was a bit nervous because Patty and I did not train together, well I don't even know if you could say I trained at all but overall I was so happy to have a running partner. We ended up finishing the race at 69 minutes, which gave us about an average of a 11.5 minute mile. Not too shabby for just having decided to run the race 2 weeks ago! 

This is after the race with my friend Lauren who also ran the race but a bit faster pace! 

Post race mimosas!

The rest of Saturday was spent with my dad exploring more of Richmond- a little Maymont, some Carytown people watching, and best of all a little shopping at Short Pump. 

While we were there I picked up these cute sandals from Francescas

The picture doesn't really do them justice but the top is a crushed gold plate, I wore them both Saturday night and today for errands and received several compliments. 

Saturday night was a celebratory dinner at Pearls Raw Bar. I had never been but heard great things and being that I love any raw bar was so excited to try it out. 

A Legends Brown Ale has never tasted so good. 

The oysters were amazing and I obviously couldn't not get dessert, the oreo crust cheesecake definitely hit the spot. 

After dinner it was off to continue celebrating with my race partner

By my drunk eyes in the last one, you can go ahead and assume I was feeling less then stellar come Sunday morning. However I was able to rally and had a delicious brunch with my dad before he got on the road. The rest of Sunday included a few Target trips, grocery shopping, and whipping up a yummy dinner. I am dreading the start of tomorrow because it means 2 12 shifts, 10's on Wed. and Thur., off Friday, and working Saturday-Wednesday... gross. 

How did you spend your weekend?

Yours truly, 

Five Things About Me

Happy Friday friends! This week was a bit all over the place, as I was off Monday and didn't get back in town until late, my whole week just felt off. I managed to get in a couple of good runs before my big 10k this weekend and also prepare for my dads visit! My dad will be coming in town tonight and I can't wait to spend the weekend with him exploring Richmond, eating good food, and most important- the 10k! Rather then my normal 5 for Friday with updates throughout the week, I thought I would change it up a bit and do 5 facts about me!

1. I love the rain. I am one of those weird people that find rain incredibly calming and actually look forward to it when I see a rain day on the weather forecast. I don't find it depressing or annoying in the slightest and its my favorite when I can fall asleep to it. Weird?

2. I am only 5'2... on a good day. I have always been on the shorter side all my life, growing up being in the front of pictures or the front of lines if it was height order. It used to annoy me but now I really like my pint sized self. It does make it challenging to reach certain things and find certain things that fit right but to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

3. I have real thing with smells, as in I am extremely sensitive to bad smelling things. This creates somewhat of a challenge at times at work, being that I work in a hospital but I have my own stash of sprays I keep in my desk. I completed a nursing assistant course in college because I though it would look great on my resume and had to quit 2 days into my clinicals because I got sick from the smells of a nursing home... not good. 

4. Whenever I am shopping, I tend to gravitate towards one color and then before I know it I have a handful things in that one color when I go to the dressing room. I have no idea why but sure enough I will be walking around a store picking various things up and then get to the dressing room and realize they all have navy blue or black or red somewhere in them. 

5. While I am currently living in Richmond, Virginia, I eventually dream of moving back down south. Going to school in North Carolina and then sticking around and doing an internship, I feel like North Carolina is my home even above where my parents are. Its a very weird attachment but whenever I go to visit friends or travel back for ECU games, I instantly feel home when I cross the NC border. My hope is to eventually get a job in Raleigh, Charlotte, or maybe even Charleston and make the Carolinas my home. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Yours truly,