Monday, June 30, 2014

Be Back Tomorrow!

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You know when you have a plan for how your week is going to go? Blog posts, social life, work load...all planned out? Well, when you're moving, you should probably throw that all out the window. My lack of internet (which is being installed today) has caused for a lack of uploading all the pictures that were supposed to be in this post. And this has shifted my plans for the week. But that's okay!

Tomorrow, Southern Style will be back in action, but for today, enjoy this little tid-bit from The Glitter Guide. I have work, unpacking, and blogging to do!

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Friday, June 27, 2014

Hoping for Raleigh

It is really hard to believe that my adventure here in the Queen City area is now coming to a close. When I first moved up here, I knew hardly anyone, was not familiar with the area, and had no clue what to expect. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't let myself enjoy the move at first, concentrating on what I was leaving behind instead of what was in front of me.

SW told me when I first moved that if I ever moved somewhere else, I would miss it. He was right...though we won't tell him that. I had the great opportunity to live at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, a mixed-use retail and residential community. It really is a village -- filled with coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques, with apartments looking down from above. It's such a picturesque place, and if I could find a place like it in Raleigh, I would live there. It has been such a unique experience that I've loved. If I wanted to shop, I walked out my door. If I needed a morning pick-me-up, Starbucks was right across from my apartment. If I couldn't decide what to do for dinner, I had countless restaurant options, all within very reasonable walking distances.
It's funny how your perspective on something changes after you get to know it. When I first drove into Birkdale, it was so strange and unfamiliar. I tried to picture myself there and it was hard to. Even the first few afternoons turning in after work seemed weird to me -- like it wasn't real life. But now, when I look at BV, it's home -- a place I will truly miss. 
One of the things I've enjoyed most though is the atmosphere when Soph and I take our morning and evening walks. There is always something happening, and BV feels like such a vibrant and alive place. I sound like I'm at Disney World or something, but considering it's apartment living, it really has been the best. 
This apartment was the very first space that was completely my own, and I had fun decorating.





I've had the chance to experience 4 different seasons here, all which have been equally as beautiful.






BV has been home to a few blog pictures, too. Sophie will definitely miss that grassy hill.




I've never been a huge fan of change, which is why the move here was so hard for me. But now that it's time to leave, I look fondly back on my time here. I'm excited to be back in Raleigh -- closer to friends, SW, my family -- after all, I called the City of Oaks home for 4 years. It'll be great to be less than 2 hours from beautiful hometown -- much better than 4. But it is bittersweet leaving this place behind. Birkdale Village definitely has a little place in my heart.

I won't miss sitting in traffic for 11 miles in the commute to and from work, I won't miss the 400-mile round trip that it took to make it to Wilmington and back for a weekend home. I won't miss missing everyone -- because I did a lot of that this past year.

But I will miss the easy routine that I slipped into. I'll miss being able to take Sophie to work every single day and having me on my desk to monitor what I was doing. I'll miss this location of our office. I'll miss the beautiful village life that I've come to love, the restaurants that are unique to this area, the people I have gotten to know. 

I am so very thankful that I took a chance and moved away. Was it hard for me? Absolutely. Did I love every minute of it? Absolutely not. But am I glad I did it? Of course. 

Once I get all settled in, you'll see lots of pictures of my new apartment here. If you want a few sneak peeks, you can follow me on Instagram. But for tonight, my mama and I are going to enjoy one last fun night in BV, finish up some loose ends in packing, and have a little girls night. Thanks for a good time! Next stop -- Raleigh in the morning!

"I'm a hoping for Raleigh, so I can see my baby tonight . . ." -- Bob Dylan/Old Crow Medicine Show

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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Showstopper













romper: c/o The Mint Julep Boutique, shoes: Target (in store, similar here and loving these), bag: Kate Spade (no longer available), bracelet: Loren Hope, sunglasses: Ray Ban, necklace: old, loving this one

If you are looking for a romper that is perfect for a night out on the town, head over to The Mint Julep Boutique right away for the Showstopping romper. I wore this to the Miss North Carolina pageant and received the most compliments on it. If you know my romper obsession, it is easily to say that I am in love with this.

I have now found about 10 things I think I "need" from Mint Julep, so my new found obsession with this store is already proving to be a problem! I love the way I felt in this fabulous romper -- and the bottom is so loose that it almost feels like a dress. This will definitely be a staple in my closet, no doubt about it. 

Be sure to check out The Mint Julep Boutique -- and you can receive $10 coupon just by signing up for their email list here!
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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Trending: Stars + Stripes

Is is crazy to me that July is right around the corner! In just a little more than a week, I'll be at the beach celebrating our country's independence. Though the first week of summer was on Saturday, 4th of July really seems to represent summer.

I have a few fun ideas to keep my style festive during the holiday weekend, but I've found so many other fun options that will keep you thinking stars and stripes forever.


Follow along and link up with Amanda at as the wine cork turns, Katie at Champagne & Suitcases, and Kristina at Medicine & Manicures and myself for Trending Tuesday!

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Monday, June 23, 2014

Living in Color








dress: c/o The Style Bar Boutique, bangles: c/o Chloe + Isabel, clutch: GiGi New York, shoes: Tory Burch

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I did, thanks to this gorgeous maxi dress from Style Bar Boutique. I am absolutely in love! The flow, cut, and print make for an amazing dress, and has such a flowy vibe. This summer, I am loving bright colors and prints, and this one accomplishes both. It is perfect both with flip flops like I'm wearing or with wedges -- which I will definitely be wearing with it next. 

The Style Bar Boutique has an incredible selection of tops, dresses, bottoms -- anything you can imagine. Online shopping has been my go-to as of late, and it's always nice to find a boutique that you can count on. Jami is amazing too, and her boutique offers something for everyone. Like what you see? Head over to The Style Bar Boutique and enter ZELLE at checkout to get 10% off your purchase!

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Friday, June 20, 2014

Weekending + Announcement

It has felt like a long week! But that's only because I knew I would get to spend the weekend with SW and go to the Miss North Carolina pageant. Those two things have had me anxiously awaiting Friday at 5:00 since Sunday night!
one
I'm beyond ready to spend the weekend with SW! He and I had just started dating when I competed for Miss Garner, and little did he know how many more he would get to watch. Lucky him. But he and I have sat in the audience together at a pageant, and from what I hear, his commentary is great. So I'm excited for our date night in Raleigh! The above photo was taken my first time at Miss NC during visitation -- we look so young!

two
In case you couldn't tell in yesterday's post, I'm a little envious of all the girls competing this week! It is a long, hard week, but nothing beats standing on the stage looking at the audience and taking it all in. Incredible!

three
If you're looking for a gelato recipe, this key lime pie looks like a hit!

four
For all of my romper-addicts, Swoon Boutique has a great selection of rompers!

five
I'm moving! Remember the adventure that I alluded to last week? It's official. The movers are scheduled, my new apartment is leased, and next Saturday, I will be moving from the Charlotte area back to the Raleigh area, which I called home during the four years I was in college. Check back for more next week!
Cheers to a lovely weekend!
Linking up with Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha
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Thursday, June 19, 2014

A Look Into Miss North Carolina

It's Miss North Carolina week! This is the first time in 4 years that I haven't been to every night of the pageant, whether just attending or actually competing. I competed for Miss North Carolina twice, when I was 19 and when I was 22. Those two time were completely different experiences. In 2011, I was the 1st runner-up to Miss North Carolina. In 2013, I didn't even make it to the Top 10, though I was awarded as the 2nd runner-up to the Quality of Life Award. It's not an easy feeling to not do as well as you did two years prior, but regardless of the outcome of that year, I am still thankful for those experiences.

Pageants are a difficult thing. It isn't like a sporting event, where if you make a basket, you get the point. You put all of your hard work into the hands of 5 people who only know you at surface-value. They get a 10-minute interview with you, in which you hope to show them who you are and to convince them that you're ready for the job. You get a few minutes on stage each night displaying your hard work in talent, lifestyle and fitness (swimsuit), evening gown, and onstage question. 

Training for a pageant is just that -- training. Girls across the state stay up-to-date on current events and world news, and the interview training and preparation that they receive does not just prepare them for the state pageant -- it prepares them for real life. My interview preparation is something I will value for the rest of my life. In this era of technological advancement, face-to-face interaction is slowly dwindling, but at the end of the day, to get a job or that entry into graduate school, an interview is necessary. Those lessons I learned are irreplaceable. These pageants encourage girls to give back to their community, to train and perfect a talent, to connect to a sisterhood that is hard to find elsewhere.

The Miss America Organization represents four tiers: style, service, scholarship, and success. Though those things were certainly relevant when I was competing, I still find them relevant today. For style, I'm thankful that I've found my niche in this blog, and I look forward to sharing my fashion choices each week. For service, my platform of ALS Awareness is unfortunately very relevant to my life. I may not be competing, but my grandmother still has ALS, so it is my mission to continue to fight to defeat ALS. For scholarship, I have my diploma hanging on the wall of my office. And for success, I look around at my friends, my family, my job, my life -- and I consider myself successful thus far and continue to strive to reach my goals.

Miss North Carolina has also given me some incredible friendships. I stood next to Hailey Best when she won Miss NC -- and we have been friends ever since. Soon, I'll get to stand beside her again on another very important day in her life. Miss NC 2013 Johna Edmonds and I first met when we competed together at Miss Garner in 2011. Three years later, I am proud to call her a friend. There are countless other women who I am proud to call friends. 

Pageants get a stereotype that they shouldn't -- but those girls that are competing are some of the brightest you will find. Sure, pageants have a focus on exterior beauty -- hair, makeup, fitness -- but those girls that are competing are some of the most kind, driven, compassionate, and intelligent girls that you will meet -- and the Miss America Organization recognizes that.

Here's a peek into my experiences:

2011 -- Miss Garner










2013 -- Miss Wilmington





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