It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

It's a little ridiculous how much I love this time of year. Every year I come home on Thanksgiving night and begin putting up decorations. I'm usually by myself in this endeavor as my husband is sacked out on the couch after a long day of eating. It doesn't matter though, I love it that much. Our house is already festively attired and I love sitting in our dimly lit living room with a fire in the fire place, looking at the twinkling white lights. Now, if I could just finish up the semester, it's off to my parents house to enjoy the holidays!

Decorations sitting in martini glasses

A little holiday brew kept cold in snow

Candles & Christmas lights strung in a dim lit room

Grecian Holiday

Okay, first of all let me start by saying that I know the name of the movie is Roman Holiday, but that didn't really fit my post. Second, it might be somewhat of an understatement to say that I've lived in belted sun dresses this summer (evidence here, here, here, and here). However, there is one that I feel has been sorely under appreciated: the one shoulder sun dress. I have a cutie hanging in my closet that, since our wedding and honeymoon festivities, has gone unloved.  However, that will end this weekend.  The hubbie and I are going to enjoy a date night and some needed relaxation in Kansas City, and what do you think is going with me? My belted one shoulder sun dress. 

1. Modcloth, $84.99

2. Tropical Print Playsuit, Topshop $135.00

3. One Shoulder Ruffle Dress, Metropark $59.00

4. Asymmetric Ruffle Dress by Rare, Topshop $69.00

5. Tulip One Shoulder Dress, Oasis $31

6. Live It Up Dress, Modcloth $65.00

My Roots

my uncle, my grandmother and my dad (from l to r)

This photo was meant for my Monday post.  But, I was so tired when we finally got home from the airport Sunday night that I forgot to include it.  Then, last night I was browsing some vintage photos from The Sartorialist and so decided that instead of my scheduled outfit post for today, I just had to share!  

I love looking at this photo.  That could be because I know very little about my family during this point in their lives, early 1950s, so I get to use my imagination.  Instead of the uncle and father I now know, I see two sweet little boys who are both deeply loved by their mother.  I see not my grandmother, but a beautiful woman and mother, who slightly resembles Betty Davis.  I imagine her to be dressed in wonderfully tailored clothes and surrounded with all the finest things, but still slightly distracted with life.  She looks distantly into the future as if she's trying to find more for her boys and her self, but is not sure where to go or how to get there.  Regardless of what life really was like then or what I like to imagine it to be like, I love this photo because it is my family.  These are my roots. 

Home Grown

{hubbie & grandfather fishing}

Each time I go home, I become just a little more proud of where I come from.  This weekend's trip was amazing.  Between getting to hold my best friend's first born child (born last Friday) and watching my husband spend quality time fishing with my grandfather, I am leaving North Carolina completely content and at peace with life. 

Happy Monday, dear readers! I hope you all had an amazing weekend also!

{the beautiful little feet of my "nephew"}

{delicious North Carolina wine}

{one of five fish that my husband caught over the weekend}

{a teary-eyed, proud auntie!}

Style Inspiration: Airport Travel

traveling gal by gleighb featuring mango bags

Since I'm leaving on a jet plane Wednesday, I have a mile long to-do list that just keeps getting longer.  Item #1: my traveling outfit.  I always put a lot of thought into this outfit simply because traveling by plane can have so many unknowns.  Such as: what the temperature will be a) on the plane, b) in the airport, c) at my final travel destination, or d) all of the above.  For this reason, I choose to wear lots of layers and that almost always involves a scarf.  My other perference while traveling is to wear flats, but not boots.  This is simply because of the whole taking-my-shoes-off at security feature of flying.  I see a lot of celebs wearing boots, but that takes too much time.  I would prefer to stick with something short, but still comfy and cute like the moccasins above. 

Alright, now that I have an idea of what I'm wearing on the plane - it's off to bed for this traveling gal! I have to get up bright and early tomorrow to finish the rest of my to-do list :)

"In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina..."

Actually this time I'm not just going there in my mind, I'm physically going to be there this week!  The hubbie and I are leaving Wednesday afternoon for a much needed getaway to my parents house.  It's been almost 4 1/2 years since I moved away from the state that James Taylor sings so fondly of, but regardless of how much or little I am able to get back, whenever I do it always welcomes me with open arms.  I am not planning on taking my laptop on this trip (as the goal is to get a little R and R), but I do have a line up of goodies for your reading pleasure. Have a great week and weekend, dear readers!  I'll be back next week fully rejuvinated and with lots of details from our trip!