bridal shower outfit

I haven't done an outfit post in months, so I figured I may as well take a few photos while I was dressed for my bridal shower. These days I pretty much live in barre clothes. More bridal event outfits forthcoming . . . 

I decided to go the traditional route in a white dress and simple accessories. 

Zack and I got to visit with so many of our family members and friends this weekend. I am blown away by all of the people who support us and all of the gifts we received. 

I didn't give him any input with the registry sooooooo he gave us this face. He has no idea what's coming! 

hand me down earrings from Granny // Trina Turk dress // Jack Rogers sandals

J. Crew chino shorts: neon pink and white

Much of my summer's work has been toward a well-mannered dog and a productive garden. 

My two tomato plants yielded exactly one tomato, but it was excellent!

I wore this outfit to meet some friends on Friday night. 

The neon was so bright that Dan had to shut his eyes. 

HMD necklace from Mom // J. Crew tank (old) // HMD sweater from Granny // J. Crew 3" chino shorts // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo

patriotic walk to the lake

I hope there's nice weather wherever you are on Independence Day. Dan and I are learning to love walks and jogs together, usually in the early mornings since it's so hot. 

This outfit is entirely hand me down and yet another red, white, and blue ensemble to celebrate Independence Day. I am thankful that we have religious freedom in our country; I can gather with friends and pray and read my Bible. I can keep as many copies of the Bible as I want to, give them to anyone, and tell anyone about it. I am even more thankful that my true freedom is in Jesus. The Bible says, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians), and I grasp hold of that freedom whether or not my country gives me permission. 

hand me down scarf from Mom // HMD Brooks Brothers shirt from brother's closet // HMD Anne Cole bathing suit from Mom

waking up in red, white, and blue

Continuing my tradition of wearing red, white, and blue all week before July fourth, I jumped at the chance to buy these Sleepy Jones pajamas (Alex tank, Tauba short) on sale recently. My mug is a hand me down, stamped with the Carolina Aero Club logo. Three generations of my family have been involved in the club, which played a large part in my parents meeting. 

I'm so glad to have patriotic pajamas that are made in the USA! And below is what our mornings actually look like. 

Happy Independence Day!!!

welcome white season

I am enjoying a day off today and taking a moment to thank God for servicemen and women and their families. 

We've been wearing white in the south since Easter, but now it's officially the season for everyone to wear white. 

Friday was an important day because Dan became mine! I had been fostering him for over a month, and the time finally came for me to adopt him. My mom's good friend's daughter runs a fabulous rescue organization called Saving Grace. I had been checking their website for months by the time "Jackson" showed up. I'm so glad I adopted with them! Since Dan is a rescue dog, I don't know much about his history. He is definitely a hand me down, though ;) His name is also HMD because my mom's family had a dog named Dan when she was growing up. You can find Dan at #handmedownDan on Instagram. 

Moon and Lola Gidleigh earrings // HMD belt from Granny // Moon and Lola Preston charm bracelet // Jack Rogers Napa Valley Navajo

on Dan: Over Under Huntsman Collar

plain white and Dan

I've been feeling a little uninspired with my outfits lately. My work has been so busy that I don't feel like doing much else when I get home. Plus, having a dog has made me even lower maintenance than I was already. (I know, I'm taking a risk by wearing a white dress with a dog.)

I've been sticking to basics: a lot of black and white, simple jewelry, minimal make up, and topsiders. I meant to take some photos of my new topsiders before I broke them in, but they haven't left my feet for long. We definitely love our topsiders in my family. I've been wearing the same pair for the last ten or so years, which is still wearable, but I finally bought a new pair when I was in the King Street store in Charleston last month. 

After a long day, I decided to try out my grandfather's tripod and take some photos of myself. I didn't think I'd post them, but Dan made things interesting. He really does not leave me alone once I get home from work. And for the sake of being real, this is how I've been looking lately! #myrealselfie

HMD sweater from Granny // Lilly Pulitzer dress // Sperry Topsiders // Loren Hope Sophia studs

black and white and red all over

Ralph Lauren hand me down sweater from Granny // Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick in Firecracker Red // Premier faux pearls (email amandabaileyjewels@gmail.com) // Marc by Marc Jacobs Percy turnlock crossbody carried as clutch // Joe's Jeans Chelsea double knit skinny pants // Kenneth Cole Reaction pumps (old, love these)

photos by my sister in law

royal houndstooth

Moon and Lola Stockholm earrings // Moon and Lola medium metal script monogram necklace // HMD Ralph Lauren sweater from Granny // Britt Ryan top // Michael Kors small Layton watch // old skirt and wedges

washing, flying, cooking, dressing

I failed to take photos of most of what I did this weekend, but it was still great.  B and I washed both of our cars, and my dad and I washed his airplane.   Then, we flew in his airplane, and I finally got to fly my uncle's airplane for the first time.  The wind was completely calm, and I flew like it was my tenth hour in the plane instead of my first.  Maybe my license is within reach after all.

On Sunday, I went to church and then spent some time in the kitchen.  Again, I failed at taking photos.  I had a long time friend over to eat and made one of my favorite recipes - Martha Stewart's lighter sesame chicken with rice and broccoli.  I got really into Martha Stewart's website a couple of years ago and found some no-fail recipes that I go to again and again.  I can see and hear her in my mind saying, "it's a good thing."  Anyone else grow up with a mother who watched Martha?

I also mixed up a (huge) batch of Pioneer Woman's restaurant salsa.  It doesn't go with sesame chicken at all, but it is SO good.  Between Martha and PW, I could almost live without Pinterest.  Almost.  Please come over if you want some salsa.  I'll be eating it with crock pot chicken taco chili.

We already had a couple of desserts around the house: a blueberry pie made by a friend who even picked the blueberries herself and lunch lady brownies that my mom made.  But I couldn't forget to make some tea!  One day I will post about my mom's tea.

HMD earrings from mom // HMD necklace from mom // HMD scarf from mom // HMD Brooks Brothers shirt // HMD bracelet from mom // Michael Kors small Layton watch // Joe's jeans // Sam Edelman Alvin flats // HMD Dooney & Bourke bag from B's mom