Shopping Spree!

I can usually go a while without buying something new, but when I do decide to loosen the purse strings a little, I tend to go a little crazy. Here are a few of my most recent purchases I thought were worth sharing!

Nike Icon Two-in-One Shorts

I've mentioned my love of the hidden compression short before, but Nike's new version is a million times better. I found a sale online and bought 4 pairs. There is nothing wrong with wearing every color of the rainbow while working out.

Initial necklace from Fifth & Mae

When I saw all the buzz about Fifth & Mae on Twitter, I just had to pick out something! This mini initial necklace is perfect (and really inexpensive) - it's my go-to necklace now!

Books and Notes from May Designs

I'm in love with these customizable notebooks and note cards! I'm always making daily to-do lists on any post-it note/note pad I can get my hands on at work, so I figured it was about time I keep my lists all in one place! I bought one for work and one for personal lists (with dotted lines inside) and couldn't pass up a set of stationery too! I love that no two notebooks are alike!

Campaign Chair from World Market

I mentioned a century ago that I wanted a new desk space in my apartment. I finally took the plunge and bought a new Mac, the Sloane desk from Crate & Barrel, and to complete the ensemble, finally found a desk chair I liked. It took over 6 months to get this space how I wanted it!

And the most exciting purchase of all...

cobble hill little curtis by kate spade

This is my newest baby. I've wanted a neutral grey leather purse for over a year and kept waiting for the perfect style. Once I saw this cutie online, and it was tax free weekend and I had a coupon, I just had to take it home with me. I love having a cross-body bag that holds everything! I keep referring to it as my child when people compliment me, and I think they think I'm weird.

Before you all turn me in to Shopper's Anonymous, I promise I spread these purchases over several months!

What have you bought lately that you're loving? (Like I need any more ideas...)

What's in my Makeup Bag?

Maybe I'm just super nosy, but for some reason, these types of posts are my absolute favorite! I love seeing what other people carry around in their purse, their beach bag, makeup bag, or their travel totes. Is that weird? Whatever, I'm cool with it.

Here's the contents of my makeup bag and the products I use almost daily!

All images via Sephora

1. Clinique Moisture Surge - I can't live without this moisturizer. If I ever forget to bring it with me on a trip, I instantly freak out. It's the lightest moisturizer I've ever used, but certainly holds up to my dry skin!

2. Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I usually don't stick with the same product once I run out, but I've consistently re-stocked this concealer over the years. I use it under my eyes and to cover any blemishes.

3. Bare Minerals Ready Foundation SPF 20 - I had never used Bare Minerals before because one of my friends constantly complained about the mess the powder foundation made. But when they came out with a pressed version, I thought I'd give it a try! I like the coverage and the fact that it has SPF.

4. NARS Blush in Orgasm - While it seems everyone has this blush, I really do think it's the perfect color for everyone! It gives you a nice little glow year-round.

5. Bare Minerals Ready Bronzer - I never used bronzer until the girl at Sephora suggested it, and since it was the dead of winter and I was desperately pale, I decided to give it a try. I love it now, and my face feels kind of naked without it.

6. Bare Minerals Eye Shadow Palette in The Truth - It seems like Bare Minerals is my go-to for all makeup products! But I like having this palette so I don't have to carry a million eye shadows when I travel. I tend to stick to the basic browns/creams for every day!

7. Tarte Mascara - I got this mascara as a sample on one of my trips to Sephora, and I'm really liking it. Good mascara is hard to find! I plan on purchasing the full size one soon!

8. Stila Liquid Eyeliner - Can we just discuss for a second how freakin' hard it is to find a good eyeliner? I'm constantly buying new ones to try out, but they usually let me down. I like this one, but don't always get the straightest line since it's liquid.

9. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner - This was one of those purchases that I kind of wish I hadn't made. In my hunt for the greatest eyeliner, the Sephora girl swore to me that this would last all day. I bought a few colors (dark purple, black, and grey) and the black one is the only one that's visible. The grey and purple are so light, they don't even show up on my eyes. I still use the black occasionally, but I was definitely disappointed.

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Please share with me what great products you use everyday!

Intervention Needed

Y'all. I need help.

I can't stop shopping!

Apparently I think I'm going on vacation, like tomorrow, because I keep buying things I don't really need quite yet.

Case in point:

My new bag from Jon Hart Design. It's called the Daytripper and I'm obsessed. The bags are handmade in San Antonio, so Ryan's whole family has pieces from the luggage collection. I didn't really think much about his square duffle that he carries everywhere, but his sister Laurel had this style bag in a different color when she came to visit, and I knew I just had to order one.

I almost never have a carry-on when I fly. I always just carry my regular purse and my suitcase. But when we go to Texas this year, I think I'm going to need to figure out how to bring just a carry-on for 10 days and 4 cities (San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Cabo, whew)! This bag will be a perfect tote to fit all my stuff!

Ryan wanted to buy it for me for my birthday, but I told him I just couldn't wait that long! It's just waiting patiently under my bed to be taken on an adventure! Hurry up, New Orleans!

Some other things I've recently purchased:

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New beach cover-ups from Loft. I've worn the same cover-up since college and it's just a solid black dress from Victoria's Secret, so I figured it was time to spruce up my collection! I really hope they fit!

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I had to replace my pair of grey Tom's because I've worn them so much they had a hole in the toe! I went with this cute lighter grey pair and think they'll be perfect for summer.

Then somehow, these wedges made it into my shopping cart, too. Oops.

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One last vacation item I purchased at Target:

Can y'all tell I'm just really excited for Spring/Summer and to take a vacation??

Have you bought anything cute for Spring recently? As if I need any more ideas!

Weekend Update ~ Easter

We're just going to pretend that the weekend starts on Thursday (like it did back in college, sigh) because I finally did something fun on a weeknight instead of work so it's worth mentioning!

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Anthropologie opened its doors on Friday here in Greenville, and I got invited to the pre-grand opening! The store was open for 2 hours Thursday night to Anthro card members so I invited my roomie to come along! We had dinner at The Lazy Goat beforehand and I cheated just a little because we ordered their amazing fried goat cheese.

 

Sorry I'm not sorry.
 

I may or may not have bought a few things at Anthro (I just had to) and had a great time enjoying appetizers while shopping in my favorite store! Seriously, I'm so excited that Greenville is becoming such a fun little city to live in! Next mission: convince Ryan we shouldn't move.
 

I worked a half day on Friday (it was a holiday after all!) and then met my mom at Whole Foods for lunch + Easter lunch shopping. I finally told her to just cook whatever she wanted, since this challenge allows me to eat nothing. I may have cheated (again) and had a mimosa and some ham biscuits!
 

My mom and I went back to Anthro so I could buy more stuff exchange a dress I bought the night before for a smaller size.
 

I was back at my apartment by 4 pm and got some serious cleaning/laundry done before Ryan came over for dinner. I made a simple meal of grilled chicken and roasted veggies for our date night!

I then proceeded to fall asleep on the couch at 9 pm while watching basketball. Oops.

I woke up at 7 am after a refreshing 10 hours of sleep and begrudgingly got to work. I finally crossed a few things off my to do list and was super glad to do so. And then Ryan crushed my dreams by telling me it "wasn't realistic" to quit my job and travel the world. Not cool.

I spent the rest of the day doing things I never have time for (working out! reading a book! finding new blogs to follow!) and then parked my booty on the couch for the rest of the day/night. So much laziness and it was fantastic.

Sunday, we celebrated Easter in Anderson with my parents with church and brunch!

Overall, a fantastic weekend! I'm so ready for spring weather to get here - since it's April 1st, I'd say it's about time!

I'm linking up with Sami today!

What I'm Loving...

It's been awhile since I've done one of these posts, but there are a few things I just have to share with you!

This dress from Anthropologie:

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This dress is so versatile and comfortable. I want to buy it in every pattern. I've already gotten so much wear out of it, and I've only had it a month. I wore it to a baseball game, dinner at a steakhouse in Dallas, and then on the plane afterwards, and most recently to Sippin' Safari last weekend. I wear it with this belt, also from Anthro.

Have I mentioned I'm going to be in big trouble when they finish building the Anthropologie in Greenville? My bank account can at least breathe easy until sometime in 2013. Yikes.

I'm officially a CPA. 

Yep, I got my license in the mail and now I can finally put those 3 little letters behind my name that I worked so darn hard for. Maybe someday I'll write a post about how I came to be an accountant, because it seems that most people don't come out of the womb wanting to crunch numbers. Hard to believe, I know.

These beauties from Tory Burch:

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I've been debating a new pair of flats since last fall. I know everyone loves their Revas, but I couldn't decide if the shiny metallic logo was for me. When I saw these, with the more subtle logo, the tumbled leather, and that gorgeous camel color, I was pretty much sold. No store around here sells them and I wanted to be able to try them on first. I lucked out when I was in Atlanta and Emmie let me try on a few of her pairs to determine fit.

I'm very picky about my shoes. I only have about 12 pairs, and each of them serve an individual purpose (nude heels, black heels, black flats, neutral sandals, etc.) But these will be perfect for fall and can match almost anything in my closet.

Next thing you know, they were in my shopping bag online at Nordstrom. The verdict: I'm. in. love. 

This little exclamation from Mint.com:

I want to buy a house. Like tomorrow. I've been saving up for years, and now that I have a real job, I've been putting more away each month. I set a goal for myself a year or so ago for a certain dollar amount I wanted to reach to help pay for a down payment and some furniture (i.e. necessary items for a new house). This month, I finally reached my goal! However, Lauren and I renewed our lease for another year, so I won't be looking for awhile. That gives me time to save even more money so I can buy something I really love. Look at me, all grown up!

This planner I found at Staples:

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At work, we're all pretty much glued to our Outlook calendars. Mine syncs with my iPhone so I always know what's coming up on my schedule, but sometimes I miss the pen-and-paper planners I used in college. I bought a blank one this past weekend that can serve as a running to-do list when busy season starts. I'll be looking to get promoted next year, so running my jobs efficiently will be key when I start taking on more responsibility. Plus, the floral pattern is pretty!

This designer copycat watch from Target:

I've been coveting a Michael Kors gold boyfriend watch for quite some time. But there are certain items I'll splurge on (shoes, above) and things I won't (trendy watch). I usually breeze right past the jewelry section in Target because I have a few classic pieces I wear all the time, but for some reason I decided to browse through on my most recent trip. 

I almost jumped up and down when I saw this watch. It's cheap ($14!!) but doesn't look cheap at all. I even had someone ask me if I had purchased a MK watch when I wore it this weekend. Talk about a score! I smile to myself when I glance down at it and pat myself on the back for my thrifty find.

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Anything you're loving lately (besides of course the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks)??

And We're Off...

Half marathon training starts today! Here's my 12 week training schedule for those of you who are curious!

My fitness level isn't exactly where I'd like it to be and the recent stomach issues are causing a bit of a problem, but I'm determined to make it through this training cycle injury-free and having fun! I plan on posting a weekly recap each Monday (mainly for my own benefit) about how the previous week's training went.

But since Mondays are rest days, I'm hydrating, eating foods I can easily digest, and heading to bed super early to catch up on the hours I've been missing lately! But I couldn't let the first day of training go by without commemorating it somehow...

I present to you: my favorite running products!

Running started out as a relative cheap hobby. Sure, running shoes can be a little pricey, but otherwise, you can just grab your iPod and head out the door. But after my first half marathon, I realized I needed a little more than just running shoes and some pump-up jams. All these products below get frequent use and I highly recommend all of them. If you have any questions, just ask!

Garmin Forerunner 210

I bought this watch for myself as a present when I passed the CPA exam last fall. It was definitely a splurge, but I so wish I had it when I trained for my first half. The information it provides can be extremely helpful when analyzing your runs (too fast? too slow? how far?) I wear this watch every time I run outside and haven't had any trouble with it. Some people claim it takes awhile to find a signal, but I usually just stand outside and stretch while I'm waiting, so that doesn't bother me. The only complaint I have is that the battery dies pretty quickly. I sometimes think I can go several days without charging, and then find the battery beeping at me within the first quarter mile. It even has a lap function, handy for interval runs.

Nike Two-in-One Tempo Short

I used to always run and workout in the classic Tempo short, every sorority girl's uniform. I have at least 8 pairs, if not more. And then I discovered these babies. It's everything you love about the classic tempo short, with compression shorts underneath (and an extra zipper pocket)! When running in this summer's humidity (i.e. lots of sweat), I noticed that my shorts were clinging to me like trash bags. I headed online to see what I could find, knowing that spandex compression shorts were not an option. These shorts are the best of both worlds! I don't feel like I'm on display in tight spandex, while still having the look of a tempo short. Since they're pricey, I only have one pair, but they've quickly become I favorite! I even wash them in between runs so I can wear them as much as possible.

Nathan QuickShot Plus Handheld Water Bottle

I just bought this water bottle a few weeks ago and am kicking myself for not buying it sooner. It's so handy (ha, yes, pun intended)! It holds just enough water for my shorter runs and I don't have to worry about finding a working water fountain in Cleveland Park. The little pouch is nice for holding extras, too!

Balega Running Socks

I'm obsessed with these socks. When I was at a local running store picking out shoes, the salesperson suggested these to me. I was skeptical, thinking they probably wouldn't make more of a difference than the cheap ankle socks I usually wore. Boy, was I wrong. The cushioned seam at the heel keeps blisters away and they keep your feet dry. I scoop up as many pairs as I can when they go on sale.

Apple iPod Nano

I've tried running with and without music, and I'm still undecided about which I prefer. Sometimes, quiet runs allow you to think and have time alone. Other times, I just want to blast some tunes and zone out. Either way, this little guy gets the job done.

Gaiam Restore Foam Roller

Foam rollers are great for muscle recovery. I know spending 5 minutes on my muscles after my long runs is going to make a big difference in soreness the next day. 

One thing you'll notice is missing is running shoes. I still haven't found a pair that I'm in love with. My last two pairs have been Asics, but I'm not sure they were the best for me. I have a neutral foot strike so there a lot of options out there. I had a weird foot injury and hip injury with the first half, and I'm not entirely convinced it wasn't because of my shoes. I'm heading out this week to hopefully find a pair I'll love! 

Are there any running products you swear by that I just have to try? I'd love to hear about them!

Happy running y'all! 

Wednesday Randoms

It's no secret I love to travel, and recently I've especially been bitten by the travel bug. Of the last 9 weekends, I've only spent 2 of them in Greenville. 7 weekends in 5 different states. Even I agree it's a little excessive. But that doesn't mean I haven't planned a few more trips for this year.

Ryan and I just booked flights to Boston!! I'm so excited to cross another state off my list and Boston has been on my list of cities to visit for a while now. Everyone I know who has visited loves it, and we're going this September for the Clemson/Boston College football game. Fall in Boston?! I'm practically giddy already. I've already bought Fodor's Boston Travel Guide in preparation. We're thinking of staying in Cambridge near Harvard, and we'll definitely be stopping by Fenway Park. Here's where y'all come in: I need suggestions! Food, sights, anything!

Boston skyline, we'll meet soon!

I also planned another trip. I'm not usually one for spontaneity (let's face it, I'm Type-A by nature), but when a Living Social deal came up for a two-night stay at The Inn at Middleton Place, I knew I had to scoop it up. I stayed here with my parents several years ago for a hopsital meeting my dad was attending, and it's a really neat location. It's an old plantation, but the Inn is really modern.

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I wanted to surprise Ryan with the trip for our one-year anniversary, but he's not big on surprises so I went ahead and told him (I know, I'm a terrible secret keeper)! I can't wait to go back to Charleston since it's been awhile and our deep-sea fishing trip got scrapped a few months ago.

What am I going to do with myself once my travel calendar is sadly empty? Fortunately for me, by the time December rolls around (our anniversary), it'll be time for busy season to get into full swing. So I'll just continue to dream of vacations for next year!

But in the interest of a weekend in Greenville, I have a few to-do projects that have been neglected far too long. 

I'm on the search for a new desk. I have my old chair and desk from college, and frankly, it's not very mature. I wasn't sure if I would use the desk when working from home during busy season, so I just moved the setup from college to Greenville. I was right in thinking it wouldn't get used, but I still want to have a pretty place to keep my laptop and store straw baskets to hold all my junk for decoration.

Here's the current setup which I'm even embarrassed to post:

That black office chair? My gosh, that's tacky.

I only paid about $50 for this desk a few years ago, and it got its use in college, so I don't really have a problem parting with it and donating it.

I have my eye on something similar to this desk I found at Target:

Looks much more grown up, doesn't it? Perhaps with a cute yellow chair, like this:

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Or how pretty is this bright workspace?

I really don't want to spend a lot of money, mainly because it'll be an extremely underused area of my room. But I still want it to look pretty, because I see it every day (I don't have an office where I can just shut the door). Once I get an idea in my head, it's all I can think about! Is everyone else the same way with home decor? I just want to get it over with and all settled the way I like it! Of course, there's some organization that will have to be done, but that'll give me some motivation for a new workspace! 

Here's to marking a few things off my to-do list this weekend!

Summer Lovin'

With the summer solstice last week and temps like these in the forecast, it's hard to deny summer's arrival.

105 degrees? Really South Carolina?

I thought I'd share some of my summer essentials with you! While I'm actually a bigger fan of fall weather, I love summer travels and fun and I had so much fun sharing a peek inside my beach bag!

Vaseline Aloe Fresh SPF 15

{This is a great cooling lotion for the hot months, especially when you accidently get sunburned. The SPF is an added bonus!}

Lilly Pulitzer Gold McKims

{These are the best summer sandals, hands down. I've owned 3 pairs of the exact same shoe. I only had to replace them because I had worn them so much! They're made with rubber bottoms now, which is more sufficient than the old wood bottoms. I wear these with everything, from sundresses to shorts. The gold is the perfect metallic.}

Clinique Moisture Surge

{It's hard to express my love of this moisturizer. I bought it back in high school and have been using it religiously ever since. When I went to New Mexico several years back, the air was so dry my skin was literally peeling off. This was the only moisturizer that solved the dryness. Summer tip: put it in the fridge to cool off your skin when you return from the pool or beach!}

Kate Spade Straw Purse

{A straw tote is essential for the summer months. It brightens up any outfit!}

NARS Blush in Orgasm and Blush Duo in Hungry Heart

{The first is the #1 selling blush in America for good reason. It looks great on any skin tone and even better with a little tan. I use it every day to add some color to my face. The second highlights with a bit of shimmer. I use it on my cheekbones and the outside of my eyes and collarbone to catch the sunlight.}

Fedora from Anthropologie

{I don't actually own this hat, but how cute would it be for the beach or running errands on Saturday morning?}

OPI in Cajun Shrimp

{My favorite summer nail color! I used the gel polish in this shade when I got a manicure a few weeks ago and I couldn't stop staring at my shiny nails! The color goes with everything and is such a fresh pop on tan fingers!}

Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream

{This is my first product from the Moroccan Oil line and I'm hooked! I bought it in Arizona at the spa after a friend of mine with curly hair recommended the mousse. They didn't have the mousse, and while I'm still on the hunt for that as well, I use this cream in my daily hair routine now. It smells DIVINE. Ryan always tells me I smell good after he gives me a hug, and I'm 100% convinced it's this cream. It controls the frizz from all the humidity and is worth every penny!}

What are your summer essentials? Do tell!

Weekend Update ~ Home Sweet Greenville

Ahh, Sunday! It may be one of my favorite days of the week. In college, I used to spend all day Sunday studying and catching up on homework neglected since my last class on Thursday afternoon. Then Sunday nights were dedicated to sorority Exec meetings and then chapter.

Sundays in the real world are much more relaxing. I stayed in bed till almost noon, just drinking coffee, watching Friends, and reading blogs/the news/Twitter.

I'll rewind to Friday night, which we spent at the Drive game. Our firm has 2 sets of 4 tickets, that the employees can have in a ticket lottery. I had tickets a few weeks ago, but switched with Lauren because we were already going to the game with Ryan's company. The seats are awesome and the Drive won! Yay! They have a fireworks show every Friday night, and I was actually really impressed with the show. They must've spent several thousand dollars - I felt like a kid again on 4th of July!

Ryan, Lauren, Trent, and I went to Liberty Tap Room after the game and had a few beers and appetizers, with an appearance from our favorite waiter. Our waitress sat down for a little while, too!

Ryan and I had a debate going during the game as to who was better at Scrabble. We had agreed to have a face-off when we got home. Well, we didn't leave Liberty until about 1:30 am, and we recruited Lauren and Trent to play with us too. Nothing like a little late night, slighty tipsy game of Scrabble.

Ryan kicked our butts. So I guess that debate is settled...

Saturday was spent by the pool. We recruited a big group (all coworkers minus Ryan) to hang out at Ryan's apartment pool. There were a lot of young people out and some people watching.

The ducks from the pond made their way inside the gate, and couldn't resist going for a swim. Watching them hop out of the pool was quite entertaining. Cute duckies!

I headed home to shower, then we were off to dinner to celebrate birthdays for two of Ryan's coworkers. We went to Sassafras, one of my favorite restaurants in Greenville. I had the special, swordfish with peach mango salsa served over grits. 

I've never had a bad meal there, and this one was no different! I always like to order meals in restaurants that I wouldn't typically cook for myself. I haven't done too much cooking with fish yet, but maybe I can come up with some fresh fish recipes for summer!

It was great company! I was just so tired from the late night on Friday that I was ready to go home before midnight! 

Happy Birthday Andrew and Gina!

After I got out of bed Sunday, I worked on a little craft project. As an accountant, creativity isn't really my strong suit. The last time I was "crafty" was when I was making presents for my little. ZTA had a tradition of giving the girls teal aluminum buckets filled with presents on the day before Big/Little Reveal. That was quite an undertaking for this not-so-artsy girl. But I think they turned out alright - here's some throwback pictures!

Anyway, back to my craft project. I have been meaning to display my jewelry instead of keeping it hidden in my jewelry box. I have so many earrings that I never wear because I just don't think of them when I'm rushing out the door in the morning. So now that they're on display, hopefully I'll switch it up more often! Also, these cute little earrings from Anthropologie have been purchased by my sister in California and will be given to me once we're reunited in AZ next week. I really wish they would hurry up on the construction of the Anthro downtown Greenville. It will be bad for my wallet, though!

Ta da! I'm so glad they're all on display in my closet now!

I made a last-minute trip to the mall to pick up a few things for my trip next week to Arizona! The dress section of Banana always gets me! Here are my finds:

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I saw the first dress, a knit mini-stripe, on one of Ryan's coworkers at a Drive game. I was instantly loving it - it looked so comfy! She told me she got it at Banana when I complemented her on it. I waited several weeks before going to try it on myself. I'm thinking I'll wear it on the plane next weekend!

I've been looking for a new maxi dress. They're so comfortable - it's like wearing pajamas. This one was flattering and had a little more interest with the pattern than my other solid one. Bonus, it has pockets! This will be making it in the suitcase as well!

The last dress happened to be the only one left on the sale rack! I love finding a good deal. I plan on wearing it with a skinny belt and gold sandals. Ryan said this one was his favorite of the 3!

After my shopping trip, I went to the Fresh Market to buy dinner's ingredients. Fresh Market is by far my favorite grocery store (although it's pricey). I only go to buy dinner on special occassions, but I could spend hours in there. I cooked a yummy, indulgent steak dinner - I'll be posting the recipes tomorrow! 

I went on an afternoon run on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It was pretty hot today and I really wished I had a hat to shade my face from the sun. But overall, a solid run! About as consistent as I can get!

Hope everyone had a great, relaxing weekend, too!