sweet southern sayings

Growing up and living in the South means hearing (and saying) my fair share of sweet southern twang. There are more country sayings around here than you can shake a stick at. Some of them are a bit of a tongue twister ("Can't tell no one that ain't been nowhere nothing nohow."), some simply don't make much sense ("You better get it while the gettin's good."), and some of them are racy enough to make you slap your mama (we won't go there). Here are a few of my favorite phrases -- at least the more lady-like ones -- residing in the vocabulary of most any belle south of the Mason-Dixon line.

go beach chic with judith march

If you've ever visited our beaches here in South Walton and wandered around Seaside, you've probably seen the bold striped curtains and sweet blue sign welcoming you to the beach store Deja Vu. It's a quaint and cute clothing and accessory shop with a style that seems one party beachy, one party preppy, one part hippie, one part Southern belle and one part cool girl. It's hard not to find something to like. Trust me. What's even cooler? Stephanie Nichols, the owner and super cool local, designs the Judith March clothing line carried in the store! The line, named after two grandmothers, is gaining national popularity and is popping up in stores all around the South and beyond. It's been so exciting to watch it grow!

Stephanie and her team do an amazing job representing our little beach town to the fashion set and always have captivating campaigns that show just how versatile the lovely little dresses, tops and shorts are. I'm a dress girl all the way, so I love seeing so many options for wearing an all-in-one outfit. For their 2012 lookbook, the Judith March girls took to the super chic Moroccan style Caliza Pool at Alys Beach and used its gorgeous water and white walls for their fashion backdrop. The final look? Fab.u.lous!!! 

Take a look:

Just lovely! Very cute and dresses that can really be worn anywhere. If any of you are really into gift giving, feel free to bestow one or all of these snazzy frocks upon your favorite blogger. Wink, wink.

To keep up with Judith March on their blog, go here. To keep up with owner/designer Stephanie Nichols on her blog, go here. To shop Deja Vu and Judith March, go here.

Happy Friday to Career Moms!

I'm sure you've all seen at least one of the "What I Do" memes floating around, from journalists to gamers, lawyers to Nicolas Cage and even stay-at-home moms. I haven't come across one for career moms, so I decided to make my own. To all of the woman trying to balance work, mommy hood, being a wife and having interest on your own, many times unsuccessfully, this one's for you! 

life lately + the giveaway winner!

There has been so much going on lately, that I've fallen asleep on the couch, laptop open on more than one night this week.  It's been a whirlwind, but in a good way. It's real life, to be honest. First, let me tell you about my pride and joy. Miss Emery Lynn has given us so much to smile about with her sweet personality, gibberish conversations and at 10 1/2 months old, HER FIRST STEPS! I was sad I wasn't there to see the first steps in person, which I suppose is a risk for all working moms, but I was thrilled that our babysitter got it on camera.

Our little girl has grown up so much right beneath our nose. She seems so much more mature and giggles all the time. She waves bye-bye and acts like she's telling hot gossip when I hand her the phone. She's even gotten her first tooth, actually two on the bottom, which she will not let anyone see under any circumstances.

Two teeny tiny teeth inside

Pretty Sweet Pick of the Week - Damita Wedges

I'm a little late this week, but I'm kicking off a new series called "Pretty Sweet Pick of the Week" highlighting one of my favorite "it" items from around the fashion world. This will give you a little more fashion inspiration and help me keep track of all the things on my wish list. Hint, hint. :)

Mint Maxi Dress / Rachel Leigh necklace / Fuchsia lips / Michael Kors Wedges / Tory Burch clutch

VS Caftan / Skinny Girl Margarita / Oliver Peoples Sunglasses / Michael Kors Wedges

So, what do you think? Do you like? How would you wear this Pretty Sweet Pick?

P.S. I'll be announcing the J. Crew iPhone case giveaway winner tomorrow. Stay tuned!

goodies for your valentine (and you!)

For Her: Essie nail colors for a sweet mani like Celia at Willow I Love You art card / Nikon J1 /  Michael Kors gold buckle ring /  Dotted Forever top from Deja Vu / J. Crew pearl and crystal pinwheel necklace / Bond No. 9 at Patchouli's

For Him: Of-the-Month Clubs: Beer of the Month and Dive Bar Shirt Club / Fresh Baked Bacon Brownies / Edisto Oyster Knife from Williams Knife Co. / Book Book for iPhone / Costa del Mar polarized sunglasses /  Southern Marsh redfish tshirt /  Peter Nappi Deco Watch /


If you shop now, you still have time to get these goodies in time for lovey dovey day. Ladies, feel free to pass along this round up for your man (hint, hint). For any of you guys realizing the current month is February and that Valentine's Day is next week, consider this your wake up call. Get moving!

There's an App For That + a Giveaway!

My hubby gives me such a hard time about having my phone glued to my hand around the clock. I may not always know the contents of our pantry, but I have an uncanny ability to participate in almost any activity with phone in hand or a short arm's reach away. Sure I may be browsing Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram, but I'm also organizing my life and trying to make it more efficient with some seriously awesome apps. Thoughtful discussions about said apps, new discoveries and fresh ways to put that smartphone to use seem requisite, especially among iPhone devotees. If your phone is only as good as the apps you've chosen, it begs the question, "What apps can't you live without?"

I've rounded up a few of my favorites and even thrown in a snazzy J. Crew iPhone 4/4s cover to give away! Read through and follow the instructions on the bottom to enter before Sunday, February 12 at 5 PM.

how to throw an arm party in four easy steps

Google image search

Arm parties are everywhere these days and you don't have to be "on the list" to participate. It's super easy to throw together your own and really, you can do no wrong. It's all about your personal style and using whatever you have hiding in your jewelry box.

how to vacation like a super-bowl-winning qb hero

So you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, the every day drama, the mundane and trade it in for a perfectly relaxing, salt-in-the-air, breeze-on-your-face, sun-on-your-skin, feet-in-the-sand kind of place? Just take a signal from tonight's Super Bowl MVP and head on down to our neck of the world. That's right. Our quiet little beach town has been frequented by one or two rock stars, country singers, politicians, world-renowned chefs and super star athletes.

Why? Because of this.

And the fact that most people don't do more than a double take when they realize they're standing in line at Publix next to someone they just read about in a magazine or watched in Sunday's big game. Don't get me wrong, there's a little excitement, but this place is full of people with amazing stories of success, fortune and achievement. The one thing almost everyone here has in common is that they've traded in a more fast-paced, corporate-type lifestyles (no more black suits, board meetings and HOV lanes) for a moment or longer to get back to the basics.

So what does someone who could go anywhere or do anything do here?

• Workout at Watercolor - Eli Manning, Laurie Hickson-Smith
• Watch the sun go down at Bud & Alley's - Sean Payton, Jessica Simpson, Tony Romo, Kenny Chesney, James Carville
• Shop at Publix - Miley Cyrus, Emeril Lagasse
• Eat at Cafe Thirty-A - Eli Manning, Lance Armstrong
• Eat at George's - Charles & Cassie Kelley, Emily Robison & Martie Maguire, Michele Kwan
• Soak up the sun at Caliza - Katherine Heigl, Stephen Baldwin
• Shop in Seaside - Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Jane Seymour
• YOLO board in the Gulf or coastal dune lake - Kellie Pickler, Ingo Rademacher
• Indulge in perfected sweets at La Crema - Charles Kelley
• Fill up at the Tom Thumb - All American Rejects
• Sample Stinky's delicious seafood - Bart Starr, Sam Bush
• Stroll around Rosemary Beach - Karl Rove, Kellie Pickler, Miley Cyrus, Tom Glavine
• Dine at Fish Out of Water - Greg Kinnear
• Eat at the Taco Bar - Eli Manning, Jessica Simpson, Tony Romo
• Lay on the beach - Candace Crawford Romo and pretty much everyone else
• Play on the beach - Tony Romo, Troy Aikman (The best beach football game ever!)
• Drink on the beach - Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney
• Eat, drink, sing and kick up your heels at the Red Bar - Sara Evans, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Julia Roberts, Sheryl Crow and many, many more

White sand, beautiful Gulf water, friendly people and living life pure and simple. That's what it's about in South Walton and on 30A, whether you're here for a weekend or a lifetime, whether you're famous or not. The lesson here: You don't have to be a Super-Bowl-winning quarterback (or a rock star, movie star, etc) to enjoy a taste of sweet southern Gulf paradise. You just have to be in South Walton, living like the locals.

paper cuts and more at studio b.

Last week I ventured over to studio b. with one of my co-workers to take in the "Paper Cuts" exhibit by Panama City Beach paper artist Heather Clements. If you've never visited "the b" as its called, there is always an inspiring, creative something happening from art displays to culinary classes to fashion design and bike building. In contrast to the brilliant white of the surrounding courtyard homes of Alys Beach, the hanging photos, vivid canvases, intricate paper cutouts, eye-catching jewelry, even animated iPads are full of color, pattern and plenty of vibrance. Here's a mini tour of the studio from pictures I snapped on my iPhone. 

Bird cutouts from the outside. What a fun way to jazz up a window!

Submissions from the annual New Year's Day studio b. camera phone event

how to rock chambray

Denim shirts are THE piece to hang in your closet for spring 2012. This magical wardrobe staple can transform any article of clothing to be "so now" and goes with practically everything, not to mention a well-worn chambray shirt is super comfortable to wear. So, how do you take a denim button-up from a little bit country to uber-cool?

1. Roll up the sleeves and wear untucked with a pair of darker skinny jeans and heels or ballet flats. Let your accessories provide a contrasting color.

via fashionbananas.com here

2. Gently tuck the front into your favorite pants. Add a rich camel belt, thin or thick, or leave your loops free and clear.

Madewell shrunken chambray shirt -  J.Crew tunic - H&M shirt

3. Make your denim work appropriate with a lady-like pleated skirt, a chic pencil or a trench and booties for casual Friday.

Urban Outfitters shirt featured here on Chictopia - H&M shirt featured here and here on 9to5chic

4. Jazz up the ultimate basic with sequins in the form of short skirts, maxi skirts and shiny shirts over chambray for a perfect mix of casual meets elegant. Trust me, sequins and denim love each other.

Jayma Mays via Fabsugar - Balmain skirt on style.com - J. Crew 2011 - Sequins + Chambray on A Lovely Escape - 

Go ahead. Invest in a chambray shirt and you'll see how easy it pairs with the rest of your wardrobe.  Who knew a denim button-up could be this chic? 

Even more inspiration:

Chambray Street Style via Lipstick & Bowties

first birthday party inspiration

It's nearly the end of January which means the last day of March will arrive and greet us in the blink of an eye. What's the last day of March, you ask? Why, it's my sweet Emery Lynn's birthday and 2012 marks her FIRST. My once tiny little baby is practically a toddler and is turning one in a mere two months. I realize I've got to get my act together and plan a birthday celebration fit for a princess a cool kid.

I'm not really one for smocked dresses, enormous bows, cartoon characters or monograms on every possible surface, so I'd like to keep this party relaxed, laid-back, coordinated (read: not matchy-matchy) and certainly not cheesy. Sorry Dora and Disney, you're simply not invited this year. As much as I was against pink in the beginning of this "We're having a girl!" journey, I've come to accept it and even appreciate the ultimate girly color when it's accompanied by pops of turquoise, bold graphics and even vibrant floral patterns. With this in mind, along with my beloved gray and white chevron pattern, I've pinned several bits of inspiration for the party-to-be.

from here