July Playlist

Listen to it on Spotify: July

Elle Woods Style Inspiration

Elle Woods Style Inspiration by carolinerussell 

Lilly Pulitzer Blazer / Kate Spade Satchel / Kate Spade Pink Crossbody / Pink Michael Kors Watch / Kate Spade Bow Bracelet / Kate Spade Bow Earrings / Kate Spade iPad Case/ Essie Nail Polish

Elle Woods is such a kick-a** character in a clever, almost brainiac way who still retains her girlishness in a world where 'cutesy' isn't acceptable. And seriously, who can forget the Bend-and-Snap?
*Sidenote: I know I put a lot of Kate Spade in this, but I feel like its a very Elle-ish brand. 

Rainbow of Ballet Flats

Rainbow of Ballet Flats by carolinerussell 

 Red ASOS /Orange Tory Burch Revas / Yellow Juicy Couture / Green J. Crew Factory / Navy Michael Kors /Blue Zara / Purple Cole Haan /  Light Pink Topshop /Pink Kate Spade 'Tock' / Ivory and Black Jack Rogers 

Long Bus Trip Essentials

Long Bus Trip Essentials by carolinerussell 

Today at 2 PM I will be hopping on a charter bus with a bunch of my friends and heading up to a church camp in Georgia. It's about 18 hours there, so this is serious business. I've done bus rides like this twice before so I've learned ways to make it pretty bearable, and honestly, it's exciting and crazy. (Especially those 3 AM stops at creepy gas stations somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line- and I'm serious about the somewhere, because half the time I had no clue where we were.)

Products: Tresemme Dry Shampoo/ Burt's Bees Face Wipes / Dove Deodorant / Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer

Entertainment:  Crayola Disney Princess Giant Coloring Book / Mattel Apples to Apples To Go Travel Game / Lilly Pulitzer Earbuds and Pouch 

Clothes: Lululemon Yoga Pants / Vineyard Vines Flip Flops
I recommend wearing pants that are not only warm and comfy, but also socially acceptable to wear in public.

Snacks: CamelBak Water Bottle

Comfort: Striped Blanket  / Travel Pillow 

Brunch OOTD

Polo: Lilly Pulitzer

Shorts: J. Crew Factory

Shoes: Jack Rogers

Headband: High Cotton Ties

I had brunch this morning at a local bakery with two of my closest friends. It was nice to be able to get out of the house and catch up with them before I leave for camp. The only downside was the humidity making the ends of my hair into a big frizzball. Thanks, Texas. Love you too. 

Shoe Wish List

Shoe Wish List by carolinerussell 

1) Sperry Top-Siders / 2) Frye Melissa Logo Boot/ 3) Monogrammed Jack Rogers/  4) Chacos / 5) Bean Boots 

Some girls have handbags, some have jewelry, and I have shoes. Seriously. My aunt got me a shoe charm because she always gets me shoes for my birthday (although she still owes me a pair for my last birthday). It's my thing. 
*Shoe number 6 is a little weird, because I actually already have those shoes, just in ivory. I love the style but Steve Madden doesn't make them anymore, I want to have them dyed to the Cognac color.

Hats!

So I've been a little obsessed with hats lately- and not just baseball caps. I really wish that it was more socially acceptable to wear them places other than the beach or the pool because they're just so darn cute! But, because I don't go to the beach or the pool, I don't really have a need for hats other than baseball caps, but maybe I could help you find a cute hat for your summer adventures!

Of course I had to include the infamous Marley Lilly monogrammed sunhat. It's beyond adorable. 

I saw this darling cloche hat at Target and I fell in love. 

I found this hat on keepingcapecodclassy's blog and the seersucker is precious.

A classic sun hat from J. Crew. (Charming Charlie's has one exactly like this for $10!)

This precious Kate Spade sun hat is actually on sale. 

I'm a sucker for black labs on hats like this one from Smathers and Branson.

My best friend convinced me to get this fedora from Charming Charlie's. I couldn't resist the purple ribbon and it makes me feel like Frank Sinatra.

Even Taylor Swift is into hats. 

Are you a fan of hats? What's your favorite style? 

Favorite Media

Summer is the best time to catch up on TV shows, YouTube videos, books and movies- or discover new ones. Here's some stuff I've been into recently!  

I found this on a book recommendation post on a blog (I can't remember which one) and I instantly wanted to read it. My favorite aspect of it is that the novel explores the early Nazi Regime (including all the crazies behind it) and the world's attitudes towards it, explaining why Hitler was not stopped earlier.  

 I found this via recommendation from Youtuber Kristina Horner sometime last summer and started re-watching it while I was bored on vacation. It's a modern-day, vlog-based adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and oh my Lord it's fantastic. The writing and acting are phenomenal and the way it ties everything in the novel together in a way that is completely relevant to today is brilliant. Do yourself a favor and go watch it- I promise you won't be disappointed.   

After finishing the LBD, I had to read P&P. If you understand what's going on, it's a hilarious novel, and, of course, the romance. This is seriously one of the few romance novels I can tolerate love .

I've been obsessed with 'Don't Kick the Chair'. It's such  fun song... for the subject material.
"Like the whole damn world is a braided rope in a noose around you neck... if you have to think twice about life, something really ain't right... don't kick the chair, it can only get better."
Shout-out to 'Isabella' as well. And the rest of the album.

What have you been into lately?

Beyond Basic Sperrys

I'm a bit of a a Sperry purist. I've had the Bluefish shoe in Linen/Oat since 8th grade (I'm on my second pair now).  I'm not a fan of the sequined/leopard/anything that doesn't look traditional from Sperry. But I was perusing the site and they have some really cute Sperry's that aren't exactly 'classics' but not too over-the-top trendy either, so I thought I'd share my picks.

I'm always up for anything Kelly Green. (And they're on sale!)

If there's any color combination I love, its red, white, and blue.

Black Watch plaid? Sign me up!

My favorite of the lot. I love the woven leather and the pink is so fun!

Which Sperry's are your favorite? 

Lilly Pulitzer Summer 2013 Picks

I don't like this summer's prints as much as last summer's (can we talk about how great Chum Bucket is?) but I do really like Get Nauti as a more sophisticated version of You Gotta Regatta.  And High Beams, Sunkissed and Party Favors are precious.

 A really cute casual dress!

 I have a love affair with Lilly Skorts.

 The lighthouses are precious and the colors are done really well.

 I know this dress is pretty much completely sold out, but maybe I'll get lucky.

Again, I love skorts.

Shout-out to the totally adorable girl's shifts. 

I might get one or two things (read: skorts), but I definitely can't wait until the sale at the end of the summer to pick up some more Lilly to add to my growing collection. 

'Murica!

I'm Home!

There's nothing quite like your own home. I do enjoy traveling, but I need stability in my life... and plenty of vegetables. Which had better be coming soon or I'm protesting.
The first thing I did was visit Wake Forest and Washington & Lee, both of which I quickly fell in love with for different reasons. I also interviewed at Wake.

 Wait & Lee Chapels 

Found Peter's shadow- it was hiding in Greensboro.   

I gained the sense on this trip that if I don't buy a house in Nantucket or have a Southern plantation-esque home I'll probably buy a cabin in the Appalachians and reject all forms of human life and non-organic produce.
...okay maybe not that drastic.

A picture my mom took of me looking at what is the bottom photo. 

Spy Rock hike 

Old logging railroad off Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blackberry Lemonade at Southern Inn- SO good. 

I also got a pair of Jacks at Alvin Dennis in Lexington because, well why not? (And my trusty Steve Madden Bride sandals are starting to fall apart after 3 years of wear.)