The iPhone & Wednesday Ramblings

It finally happened. I entered the iPhone world. And I admit it, I did it for a Lilly Pulitzer phone case.

Not wanting to spend a gajillion dollars on an iPhone when the new one comes out in less than a month, I went to Best Buy and got a refurbished iPhone 3GS for $18. Crazy right? So,while everyone is foaming at the mouth for the new iPhone 5, I am enjoying being a deb in the smartphone world. I had a Samsung Eternity touch-screen phone since my freshman year. It was a good phone to me. I drop my phone at least twice a day and it never died. I finally needed a new phone because it got a little screwy with the calibration of the touch screen, but that phone had been to hell and back several times and held up better than the Brave Little Toaster.

So my essentials for iPhone ownership (whether you have a 3G, 3GS, 4, or 5)....

1. Lilly Pulitzer "Nice to See You" iPhone 3GS case from Amazon.com
      - Its important to note most of belles have noted that the edges peel but right after I received it I coated the edges in Essie No Chip clear polish and have not had any problems.

2. Zagg Scratch-proof Screen Protector
     - 100% scratch proof because they use the stuff that they make helicopter blades from and its crazy awesome! I am so accident prone and this is a great product to prevent that.

3. FM transmitter that charges the phone too
    - I am a little ghetto as far as car stereos go. I dont have an audio output, CD player, or functioning tape-player. I don't plan on having the car much longer so I haven't replaced it. So this is great! One with a digital display.

On another note, we met the the VP of Student Life and Development about Theta Pi and he not only liked our proposal, he wants to give us and house and use us to set up a system for other greek organizations to go through to establish themselves. He did say, we have to go through several tough meetings with faculty and the executive board and such. But we are ready ande excited. Going national to our other AG/Christian universities and colleges was also discussed.

Beaus left and right this week have been appreciating my love for football and I can't wait to watch the Auburn game this weekend with all my southern gent South Carolina Fans.


Happy Wednesday y'all!

A tribute to the style Goddess Divine...

A tribute to the style Goddess Divine...

Audrey Hepburn! and her love of boatneck dresses and tops.

I absolutely love the lines of boatneck tops and dresses. They looks so feminine and sophisticated and are often very slimming. The absolute best example of someone who sported boatnecks (and everything else) oh-so-well is Ms. Hepburn. Here are a few examples of her pulled from the style archives . . .

Completely gorgeous right? And don't we all wish we looked that thin all the time! This whole need for a tribute came about from seeing some cute things while scouring Lilly's site. So, in order of least favorite to I NEED TO OWN THAT!? here they are. . .

Classic Cotton Boatneck Stripped Shirt

French Connection

Aiden Maddox, Jacquard, and Jacquard

Eryn Dress is somewhat what I imagine my bridesmaids dresses will look like.

This is the same Eryn style, but in a fabulous navy stripe.

Chorus Girl Dress- I love it and really the boatneck I liked the most, 

after this, its just things I love from Lilly right now

Jodi Sweater is sooo presh! It is perfect for running errands, going to class 

or a day on the boat. Its all about how you style it. 

I'm getting ready for school, so of course getting distracted on Lilly's site is so appealing. lol. I've been putting off packing for so long and 90's Mom finally told me she couldn't take it anymore and I had to do something about all of my stuff everywhere! So I finally started today and I decided I had to limit myself to only one box of things besides clothes and food/dishes. I always take wayyy too many books.

 So I'm almost all done and trying to make decision about how I'm decorating. My brilliant idea of the day? I am hanging two ribbons several yards long above my desk and then using mini-clothespins clipping vintage postcards (My faves are S.C. ones) and pictures on them. 

So many changes on campus are happening. They are loosening up on some of the very, very conservative rules, so lets keep our fingers crossed that this means Theta Beta Pi has a real chance! 

Sail La Vie

Pastor (my daddy) just got a boat. I drove with him for several hours to pick it up a few weeks ago. My father says that "The only real boats are sailboats." I told him, "I don't care what it is, as long as it has somewhere I can layout and get sun." I love the feeling of the wind and being out in the ocean, its great, I just love it the most when I'm getting nice and bronze. And warm! Laying in the sun and just soaking in all those vitamins and feeling its power (after carefully applied sunblock of course!) is unlike any other feeling in the world.

So this blog is all about things that are essential for a day on the boat with Pastor. I think he's naming it "Sail la Vie"

  What I'm Wearing:
1) Land's End Bandeau Swimsuit- I loveee the floral print on this suit
2) Oversized Men's Polo Sweater- when I'm sitting on the bow in the wind, I love having a big sweater to cuddle into
3) Rayban ClubMasters- Who doesn't love this classic, preppy staple?!
4) Lilly Pulitzer Sunglasses strap in Floaters [my pattern of choice]
5) The sailing must-have- Sperry Topsider Bluefish 2-eye. I simply adore the seersucker and dark brown leather!

What's In My Bag?
1) Vineyard Vines Tote- I love this one with the nautical signal flags on top!
2) A monogrammed beach towel of course- I use a diamond monogram
3) Jocalat Lara Bars- Chocolate mint is my favorite
4) San Pelligrino Aranciata- Think virgin mimosa. Refreshing and light. I fell in love with them last summer and we've been enjoying an affair to remember ever since.
5) Lilly Pulitzer Koozie to put your SanPel in- southern staple and it comes in my pattern
6) Clinique SPF 25 Spray- A predisposition to skin cancer runs in my family
7) Something to read- A twist on Pride & Prejudice is my next choice.

I don't take an iPod because I love listening to the sounds- the waves, wind, seagulls. I love it all.

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Coming soon... New Lilly Collection Items I love! and a tribute to Audrey with Boatneck dresses

Wedding Dreams

I, like many of you, are obsessed with weddings. My best friend has been dating a guy for several years now and I absolutely cannot wait to help her start planning her wedding (Those who can't find a man to get married, plan for those who can. Right?) Roommate is under strict instructions to tell me I hate pink when I get married, because for whatever reason everyone decides its their favorite color when they get married. I love love love the idea of navy and coral. So here are some of my favorite things that are trending in weddings right now.

I absolutely adore plantation weddings. This night-time one is a great idea too with the lighted shrubs. 

Fun hanging backgrounds for outdoor weddings are popular and I love this one!

 The Wedding World is just mad for peonies right now and I couldn't be happier!

This bridal bouquet is stunning.

I love this cake topper but I would do without the chocolate fondant. 

Who wouldn't want to be a guest at a wedding with these groomsmen?

 I really love both of these groomsmen ideas, but more coral than pink

Well thats all for today, I could look at wedding things for hours, so I am choosing to walk away. Going shopping with 90's mom and enjoying the last few weeks of summer at home.

Happy Saturday!!

Saturday Ramblings

Last night I decided to cook dinner with the family (after spending the whole day filing papers for my uncle who hasn't really organized his bills in 3 years). I was quite scatterbrained because I still hadn't packed for my trip to Birmingham this weekend and I was leaving town to visit some friends for the few days before we actually leave for 'Bama.

When I was a live-in Nanny and Tutor, the Gardener of the property was an odd, eclectic woman, but a fabulous cook. I made my own version of her orange-glazed grilled chicken for fourth of July and everyone loved it. So, on Thursday, I had picked up some basil at my favorite produce place and decided to attempt my own version of the Gardener's Pesto.

So here it is, the recipe for my Pesto. I served it with Farfalle pasta (bowtie), sautéed broccoli, cornbread (yeah, I know it doesn't really go with the rest, but I love cornbread and everyone always asks for it), and pan-fried chicken breast (just lightly coat fresh chicken breast in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and pan fry on medium with butter and minced garlic). Oh! and a fresh pitcher of sweet tea of course. :) It is also super delicious on toasted artisan bread.

Sydney's Pesto!

1 bunch washed, stemmed cilantro
1/2 bunch washed basil
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. Olive oil
1 finely sliced green onion
1/2 Tbs minced garlic
Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste


1) Put 1 Tbs of olive oil and 1 handful of herbs into food processor and mix on medium-high speed for 30 seconds.

2) Repeat until all oil is added and then add remainder of herbs and garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and vinegar.

3) Blend until desired consistency and serve.

Bonus!!- You can also squeeze a little fresh lime over and blend as well.

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And FYI, just so you don't miss out, Lilly is offering a cute printed travel bag with a qualifying purchase.

Happy Saturday!

Let's Talk Lilly

Extra Credit today: I've done a little online shopping and some Lilly things are just too wonderful to keep to myself.

Like this adorable dress! Which, yes in case you were wondering, it does have pockets!

Or this quaint shirt-dress that is just dying for a string of pearls and some cream patent-leather flats:

The scalloped edging on these shorts is just too cute! Perfect for running around town!

In my humble opinion, this is the Pièce de résistance of the new collections from Lilly! 

Happy Shopping!

The Rest of Our Lives

"This is the beginning of the rest of your lives!" Hollie and I, both wearing sundresses, wedges, and pearls, we were definitely feeling the weight of those words. It seems like as soon as your junior year of college hits, everyone is getting married. This wedding marked the beginning of many weddings over the next few years. On the bright side, There will be lots of new guys at these weddings. ;)

But, he wasn't talking to us. The pastor said that to my lovely suitemate from my freshman year and her [now] husband. Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and I have never seen "Tish" look more feminine and glowing. The pink and brown color scheme was expected but understated and perfect for a very young couple.

After the wedding, We decided to take a day trip to St. Armand's Circle. I discovered two loves on this trip. Our first stop was the Lilly store, which by the way is having amazing sales right now!

1) Macarons! 

I stopped in a shop that boasted French pastries (and being obsessed with all things French, I was quite excited). They had a huge case of Macarons, (not to be confused with Macaroons which are these weird coconut things my grandma likes) and the best way to describe them is fluffy cakes with a crisp outside and sandwiching a filling of some kind. I picked out a box of 6, which cost me about $10 and was beyond worth it. Of the ones I tried, Black Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Basil White Chocolate, and Mint were my favorites.

2) The Sarasota Yacht Club 

It is so cute! Right on the water on the way into Bird Key and St. Armand's. The building is white and classic, with a beautiful deck and signals waving in the wind. I want to get married there; its so perfect. If I lived in Sarasota, we would have to be members. 

Tomorrow, I start my dorm room decor. Every summer since my freshman year, I have been sewing pillows and such during the summer to re-do my room in the fall. I always use my navy blue comforter as a starting point. This year I am letting Lilly inspire me and I am doing pink and lime. 

I am doing 2 big pillows: one in pink gingham and one in lime polka dots, and then a smaller throw pillow in three panes. The two outside are a pink floral and then the middle panel is white with my diamond monogram in pink. I am also making a white table cloth with a small bunch of embroidered pink flowers for my end-table. I also bought a few mason jars and now I need to find the perfect pink ribbon to tie around the mouths. I found a darling lime lampshade to go on a white spindle lamp. I still am on the lookout for a vase for my somewhat whimsical pink and white silk flower arrangement ( I love fresh flowers and they definitely brighten a room, but in college, if you can find the expensive and good quality silk ones, they can work too). I always work a few gardenias in there and some pink peonies and ranunculus this time. It will look something like this... 

 I can't wait to give pictures and there will be DIY tips coming soon about everything from choosing a color palette to sewing to floral arrangements! Sewing is tedious at times, but with a good movie and knowing that it makes the school year come faster, if you're excited for the fall like me, it is the perfect way to spend those free afternoons.