oh, tableaux!

proof of my mardi gras veteranhood - and what i wish i could wear to the ball instead.

if you aren't from the south, maybe you've never heard of mardi gras. and even if you are from the south, maybe you aren't lucky enough to live in a part of the south that celebrates.

as you can see, mardi gras was a routine part of my life growing up. my aunt and many of my family's friends were in some of the societies. my dad and his band used to play on a trailer in the parade, and i'd sit on the back. we'd catch moonpies, fight other parade-goers for stuffed animals... there were many times i got hit in the face with beads so hard it bruised.

as i got older, the mardi gras experience changed. i went to new orleans (not home to the original mardi gras, mind you - that's mobile!) and sat wedged between thousands of people on bourbon street, unable to move, for a solid two hours before giving up and leaving. how can you party when you can't extend your arms to hold a hand grenade?

i prefer my home state for an authentic mardi gras experience. this weekend, i'm off to fairhope with three of my good friends to attend some parades, and a ball of course! getting ready is a lot of the fun, but the actual festivities themselves are awesome. if you ever have the opportunity to go to mardi gras, even if it isn't in alabama, GO! it's a totally "norm" thing for me since i grew up with it, but i haven't met anyone who doesn't enjoy the experience. and while this year i won't be donning an awesome purple mardi gras sweatshirt to the parades (i wish i was, honestly), it's going to be a blast.

valentine's day trinkets

fuzzy valentine socks, tiffany bow mug, kate spade ipad case, kate spade knot bracelet, vinturi wine aerator, 'love' pave baublebar ring, dior creme de rose lipbalm, 'vintage handbags' coffee table book.

i love valentine's day. it's so much fun! it really boggles my mind when people take this holiday too seriously, getting upset about being single, moaning about hallmark cards, etc. who wouldn't enjoy a day about pink and hearts? and an excuse to eat chocolate or have some champagne, whether its with friends or a significant other? plus, valentine's desserts are gorgeous.

here are some little valentine trinkets to get someone special in your life. i really enjoyed putting this list together! and let's be honest, these are mostly things i'd love to receive or would give a girlfriend. i love the boyfriend/husband gift guides too and they are SO helpful. but why not grab some little things for the other loves in your life? (hey, the wine aerator is unisex!)

happy holidays!

i love christmas. i do the same thing every year, but i look forward to it so much. on christmas eve, i whipped up a quick batch of my go to red velvet cupcakes to take to my grandmother's. christmas morning, i opened gifts with my family, then we went to my grandmother's for lunch. mimosas, beef tenderloin & the most AMAZING mashed potatoes ever = the meal i look forward to all year, every year. i got lots of presents that i'd been wanting, including some things from my holiday wishlist! i am so in love with the coach poppy scent, i'll probably go through half the bottle before the new semester starts. my other obsession is the steve madden annie booties - i can't wait to wear these on new year's eve!

this week i'll be spending time with friends, working out, watching netflix, baking & doing a little shopping with mom. during the upcoming weekend i'll be back in tuscaloosa to ring in the new year with my boyfriend & spend some time with him! hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

4th of july weekend

last friday, daniel & i drove down to fairhope to spend the weekend with my parents. as always when i visit, we make a ton of food, & this weekend was no exception. daniel & i have spent a lot of time relaxing, happy that we're halfway done with summer semester.

on sunday we launched my parent's boat & had lunch on the magnolia river, then made our way to orange beach to take part in fourth of july festivities. the weather was gorgeous. unfortunately, i got a pretty bad sunburn - my first in years! it's one of those that are splotchy & in weird places. i look incredibly bizarre at the moment. no photos of that, plz & thx.




not much else going on, to be honest! i start my summer term II class on wednesday & i've got a great weekend ahead of me. i just bought tickets to see rihanna in concert next monday! i'm not a fan of her as a person, but i love concerts. plus, the proceeds go to torndao relief for alabama. how could i say no?