NOLA Trip

I got to visit the eclectic, wild, and suffocatingly humid city of New Orleans for the first time this past weekend! I assure you, it did not disappoint. Despite the extreme heat and weird smells on the streets, I had so much fun! Cody and Josh had a film workshop there Thursday, so we just made a little vacation out of it.

On the first day, Mary Meghan and I killed time by the pool and did some exploring while the guys were in their class. Over the next couple days, we walked along the Mighty Mississippi, all around the Magazine Street hipster area and the French Quarter. There was so much vibrance and culture everywhere! Street performers, parades, amazing food... It was so great!

We also visited the WWII museum and actually learned a lot! Well, at least I did. I can't speak for the others. I found it pretty interesting though... Definitely worth a visit. 

On the way home, we stopped through Abita Springs, LA and ate at the Abita Brew Pub. It was delicious! Also, if you haven't tried Abita rootbeer, I highly recommend it. 

I saw this recipe on Pinterest a while back, and just had to give it a try and share my experience. I've been eating watermelon all summer... I looove it! My husband, however, doesn't like it at all for some weird reason! So I've had to come up with recipes here and there to help keep some of it from going to waste. This one was a perfect way to use up some of the melon that I couldn't finish before it went bad! The only difference between the recipe I found and my version of it is that the other called for a sprig of mint. I didn't have mint leaves and didn't feel like going to the store. Instead, I opted for a drop of peppermint essential oil and it worked just fine. If you choose this method, my advice is to only use one tiny drop for the entire recipe because it can be pretty strong. 

Simple ingredients:

3 cups of watermelon chunks

1 lime 

1 cup of coconut water

A sprig of mint or 1 drop of mint oil

Ice (optional)

Simple Directions:

1. Place watermelon chunks, coconut water, a squeeze of lime, and mint into a blender.

2. Blend on low setting for 30 seconds.

3. Garnish, add ice (if desired), and enjoy!

*Tip - Chill ingredients before blending, and skip the ice for a refreshing (non-watered down) beverage! 

Original recipe source here.

 Curtains // Dress // Bralet // Shoe // Flower bun ring // Necklace // Purse

Hello Sunday!

I have been fighting a cold for the past few days, but I finally had to succumb to it's powerful force last night. It's been no fun at all... sniffling, coughing, and sneezing... ughhh. However, yesterday, before it hit me full on, I got to enjoy a wonderfully warm Sunday with Cody. For much of the afternoon we went swimming and played with our furbabies. Harper hates water so she generally kept her distance or hid in the bushes. Brutus, on the other hand, was much too curious about the splashes of water we made to be afraid of it. Every time we'd come up out of the water or make any sort of splash, he would bark and jump around the edge of the pool. It was pretty cute to watch. I just wish I could get Harper in or at least near the water! 

Top & pants - c/o H&M // Necklace - ART of the HEART shop // Shoes - ModCloth

H&M Grand Opening in Mississippi

I had a blast hanging out with some really awesome people at H&M, at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, this past Thursday, and I felt so honored to be a part of the grand opening! This is the first store they've planted in the 'Sip and hopefully not the last!  A few weeks ago, I was asked by H&M to help host the opening by blogging about it and hosting a Twitter contest. The first 5 people to tweet back at me won a head-to-toe outfit! Also, folks waiting in line each got an Access to Fashion Pass worth anywhere from $10-$300! Needless to say, everyone out there was super excited and anxiously waiting to get in! 

Around thirty minutes before they opened, the dj started playing and the sales associates gathered up and danced at the front of the store to get the shoppers even more pumped up. It was wild! Then, right at 12 o' clock, the ribbon was cut, everyone screamed, and shoppers poured in by the hundreds! There were so many ridiculously good deals going on in the store that I'm sure by the end of the day, that store was empty. Hangers were left swinging on empty racks, and this was by the time I left, only half an hour after the opening! I would've grabbed some things for myself while I was there, but I could hardly move around because of the massive crowd that filled the store. Seriously, it was intense... but I had so much fun, and I know everyone else did too! 

If you're ever in the Jackson area, you should definitely stop by that store! They always have great deals on the cutest clothing and accessories.

H&M Grand Opening in Ridgeland, MS

Join me for the grand opening of the first H&M store in Mississippi!

This Thursday (June 5th at noon), I will be hosting the grand opening of H&M's newest store at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, MS! I would love for you to join me at this special event. You'll want to get there early for a contest in which 5 lucky shoppers will win a head-to-toe outfit styled by me, along with a few other awesome incentives! 

H&M is the first fashion company to roll out a global garment recycling program. Through this initiative, H&M customers at Northpark Mall can help save natural resources and contribute to a reduced environmental impact by donating old and unwanted pieces of clothing from ANY brand while in the store! Customers will receive a voucher for 15% off their entire purchase for each bag of donated clothing.

Now, here are those fabulous incentives, folks....

*To kick off the recycling program on opening day, anyone who brings garments to be recycled before the store opens at noon will also have the chance to win H&M gift cards valued between $50-$100, along with the 15% voucher!

*The first 300 shoppers in line on opening day will receive an H&M tshirt and Access to Fashion Pass valued from $10-$300, as well as other fantastic in-store opening day offers for the whole family!

As for that super awesome contest...

While you're all anxiously waiting outside, I will be having a Twitter contest for all of you to partake in! The first 5 of you who tweet at me along with the hashtag #HMUSA will gain early access into the store and will receive a head-to-toe outfit styled by me! How fun is that?!

********************************************

I'll be promoting all of this throughout the event via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and I'd be so beyond happy if you would help me out by not only attending, but sharing all of this info with everyone you know!     

Be sure to follow H&M for updates and promotions: 

Twitter - @hmusa 

Facebook - H&M

Instagram - @hm          


Northpark Mall - 1200 East County Line Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157

Seeds and Succulents

Now that the warm weather is here to stay for a while, I've started testing out my green thumb again. I haven't had much luck with plants in the past. A few years ago, I bought a little cactus for my apartment and managed to kill it within a month. A cactus! Needless to say, I haven't tried to grow anything in quite some time.... until now. I bought some cute, little succulents the other day and arranged them in a pot to use as a centerpiece for our dining room table. So far, so good! 

I also got some seeds from my brother- and sister-in-law this past Christmas. They're seeds from African daisies, zinnias, and marigolds. I finally got to plant them a couple weeks ago and they are sprouting like crazy! I really think I'm starting to get the hang of this! Hopefully, I can keep them alive long enough to start blooming.

Have you tried to plant anything this season?