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What a week! A few things I'm loving and lusting over this week - like this Calypso sequined jacket. How amazing would you feel wearing that? Instant celebrity power, I'm telling you all! I'm pretty sure the Topshop tank could quickly become a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe, especially since it comes in a variety of colors, and I love those snakeskin pants.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm excited to have absolutely no plans, especially since I have a busy spring coming up. I'm envisioning sleeping in, watching Oscar-nominated movies, and quality time with friends. See you all on Monday!

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Calypso St. Barth Montia Sequin Encrusted Jacket

Bauble Bar Earrings

Nate Berkus White and Black Throw

Ark & Co Snakeskin Pant

French Connection Studded D'Orsay Pump

Michael Kors Watch

Topshop Tank

BROWN SUGAR COOKIES

This is a disclaimer: These are not health cookies, and you WILL eat way too many of them.

A couple weeks ago I wanted to make treats for my coworkers for Valentine's Day. I didn't have the time to make sugar cookies and individually frost each cookie, so I made a simple cookie that is in my opinion more delicious than a sugar cookie: the Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookie. The great thing about these cookies is that they are small enough that you can eat two (or in my case, four) and not feel bad about it. Then again, how can anyone feel bad about eating delicious cookies?!

These were so easy to make and honestly tasted just as good, if not better, days after baking, which is rare for homemade cookies. If you're in the mood for a little something sweet, try these. I don't think they will disappoint.

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Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks of butter - softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

Raw unrefined sugar

Mix brown sugar & butter until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add flour and salt and beat until mixed. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch rolls on parchment paper. Refrigerate until firm. Once firm, roll the dough in raw sugar (dough may need to be slightly softened for sugar to stick). I like to mix in colored sugar for holidays, but clear raw sugar works great as well. Slice into thin 1/4 inch cookies and place on sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until edges have browned. Enjoy!

C.WONDER NEW ARRIVALS

It's almost spring, so let's feast our eyes on some springtime happiness, shall we?! I am loving the new arrivals at C.Wonder, with a small selection of favorites above. I mean, how cute is that blue ikat bowl? I'd be so happy eating cereal or salad or really anything out of it. It's the little things, right? The pink polka dot glass - I'm envisioning sipping lemonade cocktails on a porch in warm weather. I really can't get over the leopard needlepoint smoking slippers. I'm not even a big flats girl, but these are just way too cute. Must. Make. Mine. The clover necklace is a good layering staple, the initial earrings make for a great gift for a friend or yourself (!) and the clutch is just springy and fun. Who wouldn't want to walk into happy hour carrying that?!

Have a happy Wednesday!

BIENVENIDOS A MIAMI

I probably shouldn't have been complaining about the cold in such excess the past few weeks, because the reality is that I got to escape it for a few days with a trip to South Beach. A co-worker and I were fortunate enough to go to the South Beach Food & Wine Festival through work, and it was such a needed trip. We had such a great time and it was truly relaxing, even though we felt so exhausted yesterday. 

I don't think we stopped eating and drinking excellent food and cocktails all weekend. Our first night there was the event "King of Carnivores", hosted by celebrity chef Michael Symon. So many delicious stands for taste testing - I think Chesney and I only made it to about 15!

On Friday, we went on a yacht cruise around Star Island, and Jeff Mauro (known as The Sandwich King on Food Network) did a little demonstration and we got to taste test his BLT. It was delicious, of course, and the sunshine felt incredible. 

That night we went to Rachael Ray's Beachside Burger Bash. Can you tell that I was in heaven?! There were 33 different burgers to try. My favorite was from the Shake Shack, but everything was seriously delicious.

The next day we relaxed on the beach (so nice). We even made it in the ocean!!

That night we had a final dinner at Villa Azur. We dined in the garden and it was absolutely gorgeous and the food was amazing. Definitely recommend to anyone heading to South Beach.

We were so sad to leave the next morning after having such a wonderful trip. This was before we knew the traveling troubles we were going to have - cancelled flights and missing baggage delights. But I guess it was worth it since we had such an amazing weekend. Now back to real life and reality. I'm not sure I'm ready!

SOLE SOCIETY SPRING

It's my goal in the next couple of weeks to do some major spring cleaning and re-assessing of my closet. I haven't started yet, but I do know that I definitely need some new heels for the spring and summer months. I've officially worn my go-to nude heeled sandal to point of no return, so it's time for an upgrade. I am loving the above options from Sole Society. The first pair look super comfortable and could definitely be work appropriate, while the second pair is a little bit more fun and for a night out. I think they both need to come home with me, y'all agree?!

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LOVE, ACTUALLY, IS ALL AROUND

 

 

 






Pretty sure I post on this same topic each Valentine's Day, but I think it's a good reminder, no matter what holiday it is. 

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There's a lot of hate around Valentine's Day. Girls are depressed because they are single, guys are annoyed that this commercial holiday forces them to spend money because if they don't, they're in trouble. The thing is, though, the heart of the holiday (see what I did there?!) is supposed to be about love, and it's just kind of silly that so many people put so many negative feelings out into the world on this day, and that so much of it is centered around a relationship status.

The world can be a sad enough place - I mean just read the comments on any news article and you'll get instantly depressed - so why can't we just celebrate a day about love? It's not just about you and your significant other or lack there of, but about all the people in your life who you love and love you back. I feel so lucky and blessed to be surrounded by so much love in my life - from my family, my friends, my coworkers, and yes, my boyfriend.

It's all of these relationships that make life wonderful and worthwhile. The ones that make you smile, laugh uncontrollably, feel happy, feel loved. Take a minute today to let everyone important in your life know how much you love them, and not to do it just today, but every day.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone <3 :)

STUCK IN COLDER WEATHER...MAYBE TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER

I mean, y'all. I can't handle the cold and depressing winter weather anymore! I know Nashville hasn't even gotten the tiniest bit of snow or ice, but that's almost worse when it's 13 degrees outside. At least make the cold worthwhile, amiright?! Regardless, I can't handle the cold for much longer. I am in desperate need of sunshine and using the above pictures as happiness and warmer weather inspiration. I'll just keep repeating to myself "36 days until spring, 36 days until spring", click my heels, and maybe I'll magically wind up on one of these beaches. Worth wishing for, at least!

Happy Thursday!

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LOFT LOVING

Ann Taylor has long been a favorite of mine. For one, the price point is perfect for me, especially when they have a deal for 40% off regular priced items. I am especially loving the blouses for spring. The soft, muted colors are perfect and these tops have some seriously cute detailing. Like the scalloped edged blouse?! Ah, I love!

I'm about to clean out my closet and reassess my wardrobe, and I think a couple of these tops are going to have to come home with me. When on sale, though, of course :)

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A WEEKEND IN CHICAGO

You know when you have one of those amazing weekends that goes by entirely, entirely too fast? This past weekend was one of those for me. I took a half day on Friday to drive (yes, drive) up to Chicago for a little reunion with some friends from college. I thankfully picked my good friend Sara Michael up in Louisville, which made the drive a million times more bearable!

We got in around 8:00 Friday evening and headed to Lan's Old Town. If you live in Chicago or are visiting with friends, I highly recommend. It's not the greatest Chinese food ever, but karaoke starts at 10, it's BYOB, and the owner Jimmy will inevitably pass out before the night is over. I may or may not have done a {fabulous} rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart. After that, we headed to Pour House, followed by a great dance session at Beaumont's.

On Saturday, we did a little Michigan Ave. shopping (can Nashville PLEASE get a Bloomingdales?!) and then headed to Joe's to meet up with friends for the IU game. Indiana lost (ughhh) but it was so great to be with so many friends. I laughed so hard on Saturday I think my abs might have gotten a better work out than last week at the gym. Sunday unfortunately brought driving all day long, but we did get to make a little stop in Indianapolis to see a good friend for lunch. The drive wasn't easy, but so, so worth it. Weekends like these remind me how lucky I am to have such great, lifelong friends, and how important it is to make time to see them.