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HGT 2013 Holiday Lookbook

December 5, 2013

If you’re like me, then this is without question, your favorite time of the year. It’s a season of celebration, reflection, love, and gratitude. It’s also the season of endless holiday parties and get togethers. These parties can be a lot of fun, but figuring out what to wear can be a pain. Well stress no more because I’ve got you covered. I did a holiday lookbook with three looks for events you may be invited to this holiday season. This was completely spontaneous. Last Wednesday morning I had the idea and that night we shot these looks. I have to thank my sister who not only acted as photographer but also as the makeup artist and hairstylist for these looks. She did an incredible job! Bonus: these looks don’t break the bank. Each one is under 100 dollars!
The Holiday Soiree
Total Outfit Cost: $97.80
Dress: 59.99
Shoes: 24.80
Bracelets: borrowed from mom
Ring: 13.00versona accessories

Dress: Versona (similar here), Shoes: Forever 21 (similar here), Bracelets: borrowed from Mom (similar here)
The Work Christmas Party
Total Outfit Cost: $97.18
Top: 11.89
Pants: 15.29
Shoes: 48.00
Necklace: 22.00
Bracelet: same as in first outfit
jcpenney
Top: JcPenney, Pants: JcPenney, Necklace: Versona (similar here), Shoes: Nordstrom (similar here), Bracelet: same as in first look
versona accessories
A Friendly Gathering
Total Outfit Cost: $99.80
Dress: 45.00
Shoes: 36.80
Necklace: 10.00
Bracelet: 8.00madewellforever 21
forever 21
Dress: Madewell (similar here), Necklace: Dress Up Boutique (similar here), Shoes: Forever 21, Bracelet: Versona (similar here)

Links to each of the items can be found in the captions under the pictures. Not all of the pieces I wore were available online, so I provided links to similar items.  I hope you enjoy this lookbook, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Would you rock any of these looks?

Which one is your fave?
Tell me in the comments!
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Style

Birthday Blues

November 7, 2013

Yesterday was my birthday! I decided to wake up at 6:30 and go for a walk around my neighborhood. I wanted to reflect on the past year, thank God for allowing me to see another one, and make some promises to myself. I think I may make that a yearly thing because it was so nice to have that time to myself to appreciate my life.

I felt like switching things up a bit, so I opted for a bold blue lipstick and my sister did this dramatic cat eye for me.
Blazer, Pants, & Heels: Forever 21, Top: Lizard Thicket, Necklace: Target, Purse: American Threads, Watch: Asos, Earrings: Aldo’s
 

I ended up spending the day with my mom and sisters. Very rarely are we all together so it was really nice to be surrounded by family. We went shopping, ate cupcakes (and macaroons), talked about everything imaginable, and had an amazing dinner.

Bottom left: Apple Harvest cupcake with apple cinnamon and butter creme frosting…soooo good! Top right: red velvet and caramel apple macaroons…very yummy!

Now when I say dinner was amazing, I mean it was AMAZING! Everything we ate from the special chef’s treat, to the appetizers, entrees, and dessert, was fabulous.

Cranberry green apple chutney over a sweet potato biscuit with a cinnamon honey drizzle…perfection!
Fall vegetarian risotto with sweet potato hash, goat cheese, and some kind of chutney…amazing!
Granny smith caramel apple spring rolls with bourbon burnt sugar ice cream…mind blowing!

Beyond the food, our server was exceptional too. Usually I find servers to either be too intrusive, checking up on you every two seconds or basically MIA after they’ve taken your order. Our waiter was spot on. A part from the great service, he pronounced our last name correctly on the first try. Now you’re probably thinking, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that my last name is incredibly difficult to say. I’ve seen people break a sweat and start trembling when they have to attempt saying it. For him, it just rolled off his tongue with such ease. My mom, sisters and I all kind of looked at each other in amazement. We were thoroughly impressed. We made sure to communicate our satisfaction with the manager. It was the best dining experience I’ve ever had. Happy birthday to me!

I stayed up until after 1 because I wanted to relish every minute of my birthday possible. It only comes but once a year. I had such a great day and I’m so blessed to have some amazing people in my life. I hope you all are having a great week!

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Style

Perfection is Overrated

October 31, 2013
Jacket, Top, Necklace, & Ring: Forever 21, Leggings: Old Navy, Boots: Gifted, Bag & Watch: Asos, Hat: World Market, Sunnies: Kohl’s

It took me a while to really appreciate the message on this shirt, but I think I now do. That’s one of the great things about getting older. You become more comfortable in your own skin, and you appreciate more of yourself. Perfection is boring. And to be quite honest, it’s subjective. What one person considers to be flawed another person could see as perfect. I am perfectly imperfect.

Now some days are better than others. I could go around and pretend that every day I exude this aura of self-love and acceptance but that would be a lie. Besides, aren’t people like that just a little annoying? Some days my brain just doesn’t get the memo about how awesome I am and I find myself being overly critical. These days will happen no matter how “evolved” I become. What I can do with each passing day is try to be the best version of myself possible. I think that’s doable.

There is only one of you on this Earth. Doesn’t the world deserve the best version there is?

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Style

To Be or Not to Be…

October 20, 2013
Sweater: Target, Skirt: Zara, Shoes & Watch: Asos, Necklace: Forever 21, Bracelet: Charleston City Market

To be or not to be…that is the question. Apparently the answer is not to be. My sister and I made plans to go see Shakespeare in the park today. There was supposed to be a performance of Pride and Prejudice. When we got to the park we didn’t see any signs, crowds, or a stage so we were a bit confused. We decided to go into a little restaurant close by and see if they knew where the event was being held. A woman was kind enough to show us where the performance would have been if it were still on. You read that right. There was not going to be a show. She told us that the same thing happened yesterday. I figure either the information on their website is incorrect or all of the actors and stage hands got sick and couldn’t make it. Not cool on their part but hey it happens. We were both bummed but we decided to laugh about it and make plans to do something next weekend.  Since we were already there, we decided to sit for a bit. It was a pretty park with little swings and a view of the city skyline. We were able to enjoy it for about 5 minutes before the weather decided to turn on us too. Come on Mother Nature! After that we found ourselves at the bookstore. On a positive note, I finally got my hands on Cooked by Michael Pollan! If you haven’t heard of him Pollan is a New York Times best selling author and journalist who writes about what we eat, where it comes from, and what it does to or for our bodies.  I’m looking forward to reading this one. I’ll probably be doing a review/recap of it here on the blog in the future. I hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

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Style

Strength in the Struggle

October 7, 2013

Today I decided to go to church with my sister. She lives about 45 minutes away so on the drive up I played one of my favorite gospel albums, Tye Tribbett’s Stand Out. After I got to her place, we headed over to church and I still had his album playing. As we were driving, we started talking about Tye Tribbett and his cheating scandal from a few years back. I know some people took his music out of rotation as soon as it came to light, but I didn’t understand why? Nobody is perfect. I can’t judge other people for mistakes they’re making because I’m making mistakes as well.

From there we started talking about how other Christian artists like Kirk Franklin have been vocal about the struggles they’ve gone through as believers. To me that is so refreshing. I don’t want to listen to artists or pastors who make it appear like their lives are perfect. I want to hear about the good and the bad. Knowing that a song or sermon is based off of lived experiences gives it greater value and meaning. I jokingly said that you need to have gone through some things to be my pastor, but that’s a pretty accurate statement. Struggle is where you find strength, where you learn lessons, and where your relationship with God is truly formed. The greater the struggle is, the greater the testimony is and the more lives that can potentially be brought to Christ. Besides, how can you sincerely counsel me on overcoming trials if you haven’t faced them yourself?

As I was saying all of this, it really put things into perspective. I’m at this juncture in my life where I have a better sense of what I’m supposed to do but unsure of the path to follow to get there. As I try to take steps forward, I feel like I keep running into brick walls. This was a reminder for me that the struggle is a part of the journey. Because of my encounters with these brick walls, once I’m able to conquer them, I’ll be more resilient, less doubtful, and better able to help other people do the same. My present struggles will become my future strength. I hope for all of you reading this that you come to (or have come to) that same realization.

Here’s a quick look at what I wore to church
Sweater & Necklace: Forever 21, Skirt: Target, Shoes: Baker’s, Clutch: BCBG
P.S. The pumpkin pie bagel and New York style cheesecake cream cheese from Panera are incredibly good! They’re both seasonal items so make sure to check them out before they’re gone for another year! You’ve got to indulge every once in a while, right?
The extra cream cheese is my sister’s, I promise!
Happy Monday in advance!

 

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Food Style

Weekend Chronicles: Back to Atlanta

October 2, 2013

Top: Kohl’s – Rock & Republic, Vest & Ring: Forever 21, Pants, Bag, and Watch: Asos, Shoes: Steve Madden
Cardigan: H&M, Jumpsuit: Forever 21, Shoes: Topshop, Purse: American Threads, Watch: Asos
Forever 21
Cardigan: H&M, Top & Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Steve Madden
The Food…
salmon salad
Salmon Salad from Mirko’s
Sushi
Flaming Joy Roll from Kiku’s
The ParkLullwater Park

This past weekend I took a trip to Atlanta to meet up with some friends from school. In the two quick years of my program, I made a home for myself there so it was difficult having to leave after graduation. Going back felt so good. It also didn’t hurt that the weather was gorgeous throughout the entire trip. The first night a group of us had a mini reunion catching each other up on work and life. The next few days involved movies, homecoming, a lovely stroll through a park, and eating at some of our favorite restaurants. One of the highlights for me though was definitely the park. It always takes some people by surprise when they learn that I love nature and being outside. It has such a calming effect on me. The park was breathtaking. It’s the kind of setting you’d expect to see in a Hallmark movie. The pictures certainly don’t do it justice.  I was kind of bummed that I didn’t know about it when I was in school. It would have been a nice oasis when I was working on my thesis! Needless to say, having to leave on Sunday was bittersweet. I’m consoled by the fact that I’ll be back for more visits and shenanigans. I hope you all had a great weekend!

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Style

Ready for Fall

September 20, 2013
Top, Vest, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Bakers, Purse: American Threads, Watch: Asos, Leather Bracelet: Charleston City Market, Sunnies: Dolce & Gabbana

I’m SO ready for fall, particularly fall fashion and fall food. Yesterday, I went to a tasting event at Panera Bread where I got to sample a few of their new fall menu items. My favorite was their autumn squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds. It was like Thanksgiving in a bowl! I also got to sample some of their popular classics like their broccoli cheddar soup and fuji chicken apple salad, both of which I had never tried. They were super yummy. They sent us off with a Panera tote, a freshly baked baguette, a chocolate chip cookie, and a recipe card for one of the items we sampled. While I have given up virtually all fast food, Panera is the reason why I have to say virtually. I love Panera. Although, technically they’re considered fast food, I think they’re in a league all their own. They use fresh, quality ingredients, and their food is delicious. Plus with the caloric information listed on their menus, it’s a lot easier to make smarter food choices.

What are some of your favorites from Panera? Tell me in the comments!
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