7/31/14

Guest Post: Ashley

Today I am so excited to introduce you to Ashley from the blog Turquoise & Teale.   Even when my days are hectic and I don't have time to read my email (much less a new blog post,) I always read T&T.  Ashley continually has the most amazing round up of recipes, fashion, and new products to try.  Make sure to stop by her blog and say hello.  Thanks again for guest posting today, Ashley!  


Hi Ann Elliott readers!  I feel so honored that Annie asked me to guest post today.  I'm the twenty-something blogger behind Turquoise & Teale that calls Charleston, SC. Atlanta, GA and St. Louis, MO home for the time being.  It sounds all over the place, I know.  If you need travel or packing advice, I'm your girl!  I hope you'll stop by T&T sometime to say hi!

From "A Glimpse of Lately"
How long have you been blogging, and what's one piece of advice would you share with fellow bloggers?
I've been blogging for a little over two years no and originally started it when I moved to Charleston, SC.  Since all of my family and friends were still in Georgia this was the perfect way to keep them up to date with life, favorite recipes, new fashion finds, and new city adventures!  My biggest advice to bloggers would be to stay true to you.  It's so easy to get overwhelmed comparing yourself to others and lose your own voice.  Write about what you love and the rest will follow.

What does your ideal day in Charleston include?  
My ideal day in Charleston includes just a little bit of everything.  I love starting the day with breakfast at the farmer's market and walking around downtown afterwards.  There are so many cute boutiques it's hard not to stop in!  Grab an ice coffee to go and check them all out.  After that I'd grab my beach chair to head to Sullivan's Island for a day of sunshine.  Lunch would be at Poe's Tavern (get a burger!).  One of my favorite sports in Charleston is the Pitt Street bridge (also where Brian proposed.)  I'd grab some wine and cheese and head out there with some friends to watch the sunset.It has the most amazing views!  Dinner would be at SNOB (the duck is the best I've ever had!) and then popping around the rooftop bards on East Bay.  Winding down the night I'd be at Blind Tiger and cab it home!

From "The Summer Pants You Need"
If you could go back in time 5-10 years, what is one piece of advice you would give yourself about building your wardrobe?
I'd love to go back 5-10 years and tell myself to buy less trendy pieces and save up for more investment pieces.  I'm sure everyone has felt that way.  Quality over quantity is my motto now.

From "Our Engagement Pictures"
Imagine yourself 20 years from now.  What is one thing you would like to be known for and why?
Twenty years from now I would hope to be known for a kind heart, as a loving wife and mother and a dedicated friend.  Family and friends are what it's all about.  I continually strive to be better for each of them and the love they share with me.  


Thank you again, Ashley!  Be sure to stop by Turquoise & Teale to say hello!

xo,

7/30/14

Mid Week Muse: Mint-y

dress // watch // clutch // shoe // stationary // earrings
I'm popping in today to share my "Mid Week Muse."  I've got some more great guest bloggers lined up for you tomorrow and Friday, but I couldn't stay away for an entire week without a quick post.  Since this week is a little different, I though this week's "muse" should be a little different too.  Rather than putting together an outfit as a muse, I thought I'd share some of my mint colored favorites for the week.  I've been on a bit of a green kick lately, and  mint green just seems perfect for summer.  I love mint paired with gold, with white, or navy.  If you want to be really wild, you could even pair it with hot pink or emerald green - it's all up to you.  Do you have a favorite color for summer?  Mine changes every few weeks or so, but since summer is the only time I have a bit of color (thanks to this life changer and this helper), I feel like it's the perfect time to embrace a little pastel.

This week we are excited to share two favorite muses - Lindsay from Lovely Life Styling and Niki from Glossy Blonde.  Both of these ladies are pregnant and GLOWING.  What's even more impressive is that they are super stylish while doing it.  We love that both of them gravitated towards the graphic t-shirt and maxi skirt combo, and their cute "bump dates" are just an added bonus.  Congrats, Lindsay and Niki!

Lindsay


Niki
What's your "muse" this week?  Share your muse by linking up or commenting below.
While you're sharing, be sure to visit some of the other blogs and say hello!
Don't forget - Morgan and I will now be choosing our favorite "muse" from the current week to feature on both of our blogs.  The "winner" will be notified the Tuesday evening before the post goes live on Wednesday.  Get sharing - we can't wait to see your muses!  While you're sharing, be sure to visit some of the other blogs and say hello as well.

How it works:
Grab the button below and link back to BOTH of the hosting blogs:
Link up starts on Wednesday at 6am EST

*It would also be super nice of you to visit the blog that entered the link up before you and leave a comment.  We're into creating a community here!*

Promotion:
Please help us promote our new link-up!

Use #MidWeekMuse and be sure to tag us on IG:

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Ann Elliott
xo,

7/29/14

Guest Post: Natalie

Happy Tuesday!  For our second blogger interview, Natalie from East Coast Chic has agreed to tell guest post.  Natalie's blog is a great read, but I usually wind up with about 5 things I have to go buy immediately because her recommendations are so great.  She is also a fabulous momma to Miller (and baby # 2 on the way!) and I love the little excerpts of her adventures as a mom.  Thanks for guest posting today, Natalie!

Hi Everyone!  First of all I just want to say a big Thank You to Annie for having me here today.  I hope I can entertain you all while she's off today.  I am Natalie but most people call me Nat.  I'm a 30 something married girl living in between Baltimore and Washington, DC with my husband, out 1 year old son Miller, and our crazy mini goldendoodle Layla.  We're expecting baby boy # 2 this November so life is about to get real crazy for us!  I love mexican food, flip flops, a big glass of wine (when I'm not pregnant), lazy beach days, designer handbags, anything striped or polka dotted, J.Crew, renovating our new house, and I have a never ending love of fashion and shopping.  

East Coast Chic
How long have you been blogging, and what is the one piece of advice you would give fellow bloggers?
I have been blogging on and off since December of 2008.  I originally started my blog to document our wedding and wedding planning.   Even though I’ve taken a few breaks here and there I can’t believe I’m still here blogging so many years later.  I’ve come to enjoy the blog community and all the wonderful women I’ve met.  Especially the ones I’ve been lucky enough to become real life friends with.   I’ve seen the blog world blow up over the past couple of years and my best advice would be to stay true to yourself! It’s really easy to get caught up in what other bloggers are doing/saying/wearing/eating and I’m not saying you can’t adopt some of it but it’s important not to lose your voice in the process of trying to grow your blog.   

National Mall via East Coast Chic
What does your ideal day in Washington, D.C. include?
My ideal day in the city would be a day to shop and play tourist with my husband. We would start our day in DC by parking at my husband’s office since it’s in a great location right on Pennsylvania Ave by the White House.  After stopping for and iced coffee and a donut we would head to the national mall to walk around and people watch. Walking the national mall is one of my most favorite things to do in DC because you have The Capitol on one side and Washington monument on the other- it’s just so representative of DC.  I also love to people watch on the mall- you really see all walks of life out there, especially in the early mornings.  

Next we would head to the Natural History museum for some culture. The Natural history museum has always been one of my favorites and I don’t get to go as much as I would like.  After that we would head to the Dupont area so I could finally try the District Taco food truck.  I am a huge Mexican food fan and I have been hearing amazing things about this food truck so I’m dying to try them. 

After that we would head to Georgetown to do a little shopping at Calypso St Barth, Kate Spade, Vineyard Vines, and my favorite baby boutique Dawn Price Baby.  Famished and exhausted from shopping we would catch a cab back to other side of town to go to our favorite pizza joint Ella’s Wood fired Pizza.  Their pizza is so good but their sangria is even better.  If you’re ever in the Penn Quarter area of DC they have a great happy hour too.   After dinner we would head to the W hotel rooftop bar POV for one final cocktail for my husband and dessert for me.  

East Coast Chic - monograms are always a classic
If you could go back in time 5-10 years, what is one piece of fashion advice you would give yourself about building your wardrobe?  
Spend more money on classic timeless pieces that will last! I used to get really caught up in trends and I blew a lot of money on cheap clothes that I would just end up donating/giving away within 6 months to a year of buying them because the trend was already out of style.  I hate having nothing to show for all the money I spent.      
Imagine yourself 20 years in the future.  What is the one thing you would like to be known for and why?
What is the one thing you would like to be known for and why? I would love to be known for being a good mom.  I hope that I will have raised my boys to be successful, kind, respectable young men and if I’m remembered for anything I hope it’s being the best mom I could have been to them.   

Thank you again, Natalie!  Be sure to stop by East Coast Chic to say hello! 

xo,