sale, sale, sale

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 
5 // 6 // 7 
8 // 9 // 10 // 11

Just in case you haven't heard, Shopbop is having a 30% off sale.  The sale started yesterday, and it goes through tomorrow, so I thought I would make things easy on you and share my picks.  Hurry on over and scoop up these deals while they last.  Maybe grab yourself an early Christmas present or two. I definitely have my eye on those Rebecca Minkoff heels, that blazer, and those perfect PJs...

AND, because one is never enough:

• C. Wonder is having an extra 30% off sale until November 11.  I think I need these for my table, this for some fun, and this for cozy Saturdays.
• JCrew is an extra 30% off sale with code LOVEFALL.  I'm loving this dress, this blouse, this adorable wrap skirt, and this sweater with a touch of tweed.
• The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids is going on now with up to 40% off. Snag this sweater, this dress, these flats, and this crossbody bag. 

Happy Shopping!

xo,

favorite things: greens, golds, and browns

sweater with elbow patches // ring // bag // necklace // piggy bank

It's no secret that green is my very favorite color.  Throw in a little brown and gold and I am sold.  The combination of all three colors makes me love this necklace for fall, and you could wear it well into the holiday season with the touches of emerald green.  And, how adorable is this piggy bank?  What a perfect way to save my pennies for that purchase that I would only make "when pigs fly."  

Linking up with Annie and Morgan.  What "favorite things" are you wishing for this week?

xo,

favorite things: "b" edition

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 (on sale!) / 5 (on sale!) 

There is something so classic and rich about black and brown.  Worn separately each color is great, but I think pairing black and brown together makes the most impact.  One of my favorite fall outfits is black skinny pants, a black tunic, and brown accessories.  The trick is finding a warm, cognac brown (like the colors featured above) to brighten up all black.  

For all you Floridians, adding a shot of black or brown can make "dressing for the season" a little easier during these transitional months as well! 

Do you like pairing black and brown together?

xo,

help + phillip lim for target

 :: H E L P ::

Friends, I need your help!  I have been working diligently on our living room, and I am so happy with the fabrics I've found to round out the space.  Except...this beautiful navy and white pattern.  I broke the cardinal rule and fell in love with this fabric without looking at the price.  Needless to say, I have been on the hunt for a similar fabric for the better part of the week, and I am hoping someone out there can help.  I don't need much (only about 2 yds), but since I will be attempting a DIY with the fabric, I want the price point to be one that won't be too painful if I mess up.  Anyone out there have a good fabric source?  Or have a couple yards of this stuff lying around?

john robshaw for duralee bindi fabric

:: P H I L I P  L I M  F O R  T A R G E T ::

In other news, thanks to my friend TB for letting me in on the Philip Lim for Target event starting Sunday.  I had heard rumblings about this way back when I was studying for the bar, but it completely slipped my mind until yesterday when T reminded me that it was this weekend!  While I can't say I am enough of a die hard to shop online at midnight (and certainly not die hard enough to line up at the store before the doors open), I do think there are some pretty great pieces coming out.  Although I've been disappointed by Target collaborations in the past, don't be shocked if you see me at Target on Sunday (during normal daylight hours) checking this one out.  And, just to get you all inspired, here are a few of my favorites from the look book.  

Anything you have your eye on?  

Happy Friday!

xo,

friday finds: white jeans

Hello again!  We have officially moved to Florida, and we are loving getting caught up with family and friends here.  It has been a crazy time of transition (with more to come as we await our move into our own house in a few weeks) but we are doing well.

One of my favorite things about living in Florida (well, maybe favorite is an exaggeration, but something I am very excited about) is that wearing white pants outside of the traditional "Memorial Day to Labor Day" timeframe is completely acceptable.  The climate here allows for breaking the traditional rules, so white jeans are in heavy rotation through most of the spring and summer.  Whether you are in the Florida heat and humidity or you are anxiously awaiting Memorial Day to bust out your white skinnies, here are a few of my favorite pairs of white jeans for your shopping inspiration.  

jcrew toothpick

jcrew matchstick

JCrew makes some of my absolute FAVORITE white jeans.  I usually prefer the matchstick because they are a little less form fitting than the toothpick but they are still fitted enough to look polished.  I also love the cropped look...remember, showing your ankle makes your legs look longer.  I literally live in mine and I am considering getting an extra pair for back up.

marrakesh flare

I love a flared white jean with wedges or open toed sandals for summer nights.  This is my classic and "go to" look for dinners out or times when I want to look pulled together in the summer heat.  Add a cute top and a pop of bright nail polish on your toes and you are set.

james jeans straight leg

Finally, the straight leg jean.  I think this is a classic style that everyone should have in their closet.  I generally keep straight leg cuts longer to wear with heels (a straight leg with flats looks a little frumpy on me) but you could go either way.  This is a jean that will endure as different cuts and trends come and go.  Find a pair you love and be extra careful about ketchup at your memorial day BBQ!

xo,

weekend round up

What a weekend!  It was another FULL whirlwind, but it was wonderful.  Here are few happenings...

josh, annie, simmons, and russell

Friday night birthday dinner with Russell and Simmons at Orsay.  Delicious dinner and such a fabulous time to catch up with some of our favorites.  Simmons and I have a birthday 9 days apart and Josh and Russell are sweet enough to help us celebrate together most years.

josh, annie, dad, rebecca, mom at black sheep

After dinner with Russell and Simmons, we headed over to Black Sheep to meet my family while they had a late dinner.  While we didn't eat at Black Sheep, I would highly recommend it for a fun, hip atmosphere.

rebecca, annie, josh 5K

 In an attempt to "run off" the night before, Josh and I met my sister for a quick "5K Fun Run" through our neighborhood.  While the 15K National Championship (River Run) was going on across town, we decided to have our own run.  Despite wishing we had the water stops that come with an actual race, we had a great time and finished our run with celebratory pancakes.  (So much for running off dinner!)

house hunting in my improvised ruby slippers

If you follow me on instagram you will know we spent most of the weekend house hunting.  We have a few front runners in the mix so far, but we will see a few more before we make any final decisions.  Fingers crossed!

reagan, annie, charlye

Saturday night we met Reagan and Chad and Charlye and Matt for a quick pizza dinner.  We tried a new place and while it has a few "kinks" to work through, the pizza was good and the company was excellent.  Reagan and Charlye have been my closest friends since high school and they were my maids of honor in my wedding. Such a treat to see them together and for a whole meal!

shagreen clutch

I did get to squeeze in about 10 minutes of browsing at one of my go to boutiques for gifts.  I didn't get this beauty, but I thought I would share it with you all here in case you are still looking for a touch of shagreen to add to your life.

you guessed it...

Saving the best for last....our house is under contract!  We put it on the market on Friday afternoon and we had an offer Friday night.  Talk about another whirlwind of contracts and papers but we are thankful.  We have loved our little house and we are thrilled for our buyers to get what we consider to be such a great home.  Now the pressure really is on to find ourselves a new house!

Did you all have a great weekend?  Anyone know of any great houses for sale?

xo,

monday monday

Good Morning!  Monday is here again and we are off to another busy week.  Always seems to be the case.  I only have time for a quick recap of the weekend but I would love to hear about yours!  Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me about the wonderful, exciting (or normal and less than exciting) things you did.  I have to live through you all these days with too much school work and too many extracurriculars to get me out much :)

Despite that crushing feeling of too much work, I did have a wonderful weekend.  Both Josh and I felt like we hadn't seen each other all week (true) and we both felt like we needed to spend some major time catching up on some sleep (also true.)  Luckily for us, we were iced in on Friday night.  An ice-in meant that we scrounged in the fridge and pantry and wound up with...

We also (finally) started watching the miniseries about the Kennedy Family.  It took us a long time to start, but now that we have I am so glad we did!  It is addicting and such a fascinating look at a period of our history.  I'm not sure how accurately the show is portraying some of the family interactions, but it  certainly draws you in and makes you appreciate the different dynamics of any family.  AND, whether the family dynamics are true or not, Katie Holmes is VERY true to Jackie's style...love those dresses, gloves, and the simple glamor she exudes.

Once we got out of the ice, I was able to venture out and run a fast errand...to TJ Maxx.  I know I am late to the game on this store (kind of like I was with World Market) but it is amazing.  Our store had Kate Spade purses, Tory Burch and Becca Rory dresses, and TONS of home goods.  Unfortunately you will note that I said the errand was fast and it was...I didn't have time to really soak it all in, but you can bet I will be headed back there at some point.  Just call me a "maxinista" in training...

Finally, we ended the weekend with our traditional sunday supper.  My sister in law made a delicious chicken pot pie and salad, my niece made amazing brownies, and my brother in law let us preview his newest art project.  (More to come on the art project...maybe even a give away?!  Check out his pieces here.)  AND, speaking of art...check out this art work given to us by our youngest nephew.  It is proudly displayed on our fridge right now, but I am thinking this might deserve a frame!

Please leave me a comment and tell me: (1) if you would like a giveaway from highcotton arts. (a valentine's themed piece perhaps?!) and (2) what you did this weekend!

xo,

friday finds

 Happy Friday!  It has only been a "two day" week for me, but something about the transition from Christmas break to full time student again has been ROUGH.  I wish I could say we were taking baby steps back into the routine and schedule, but we are full steam ahead and going strong in the land of law school.  Oh well.

Thank you for the great response to yesterday's post!  I must admit the "design" posts are some of the most exciting for me but they are also the most scary since I don't have any formal design training.  It was wonderful to know that so many of you liked the post and one of you even bought a rug!  Thank you for your support.

Today I have some fabulous "friday finds" for you.  I should note that the law student budget is pretty tight, so I promise I am only posting things that I ADORE and have either spent some of my precious budget on or am planning my next month's budget around!  How's that for a ringing endorsement?

1. Target's "Premium" Line of workout clothes.  Don't judge me, but I have this top...in three colors.   In my defense, not having a traditional desk job does allow me to spend a large portion of my time in less than formal attire.  AND every time I wear this top, someone asks me if it's from lululemon. (gotta love that!!)  In all seriousness though, this top let's me feel put together on days I am sporting my "workout" look, it's extra long in case you want to wear it with workout leggings, and it comes in lots of cute colors.  Go buy one...or three...seriously.

workout top

2. Target PJs.  While you are at Target picking up some fabulous workout tops, head on over to the PJ section and grab a pair of piped PJs.  Since we are confessing, I have these...in two colors.  They are super soft, warm (but not too warm) and look just like these eberjay pjs at a quarter of the price.  

pajamas

  

3. Green Man Gourmet's Creamed Honey.  Over break my mom and dad took me to their new favorite store- Green Man Gourmet.  It is a small shop in Jacksonville, Florida but they have amazing "foodie" picks from around the world.  Knowing how much Josh loves honey I thought I would pick up a jar.  Luckily for me, they ship anywhere...this jar of honey is almost gone!  I have used it on pork tenderloin and chicken as a marinade, on toast in the morning, and someone may or may not have just taken a spoonful every now and then.  

4. Green Man Gourmet's White Truffle Salt.  I LOVE white truffles.  I have to stop myself from putting truffle oil into almost any meal I make, so imagine my surprise (and delight) when Santa left some white truffle salt from Green Man Gourmet in my stocking!  It is the perfect way to add truffle flavor to food without overpowering it- and letting each diner chose whether or not they would like to enjoy the truffle flavor with their meal (right Josh?!)  I added some to microwave popcorn recently and it was knock your socks off.  Don't worry if truffles aren't your thing...Green Man has TONS of options (coffee steak blend, chardonnay smoked sea salt, and murray river finishing salt are some other favorites) that they would be happy to send your way.

Do you have any fabulous finds you want to share?  I love personal recommendations - they make spending on a tight budget so much easier!  Have a fabulous weekend and as always, thanks for reading and feel free to "follow" my blog by clicking the "join this site" button on the right hand sidebar.  

xo,