Obsession: Lilly Pulitzer Wristlets

The wristlets from Lilly Pulitzer are a huge staple here at Wake Forest. They are the perfect size to carry your ID, money, keys, and cell phone! My friends use them to take to class, to go to lunch, and to go to parties. There are also a ton of cute patterns and prints to choose from!

Do y'all have a Lilly wristlet? Let me know!

Have a great day!!

xoxo, Hannah

Stack 'Em

Hi y'all! I hope everyone is having a lovely week! I leave for college tomorrow (ahh!!!) bright and early so here is an extra long post to keep y'all extra happy! I'm not going to be posting a ton since I have move-in day, orientation, and the beginning of classes all in the next week. I might queue a few posts but we'll see! It's a crazy time!!

Anywho, recently everyone has become obsessed with bracelet stacking. I have joined the "stacking movement" and I absolutely love it. It's such a simple concept but it makes getting ready in the morning a lot more fun!

I have some favorite brands for bracelet stacking, such as Fornash, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, J. Crew, Swell Caroline, and Angela Moore. It's fun to mix different styles from different brands, so here are my favorite bracelets that I like to choose from!

I have a store that I usually go to that has a ton of Fornash goodies, so I'm pretty familiar with the brand. They have great earrings and necklaces as well as bracelets. Bangles are the absolute base for bracelet stacking and Fornash has the biggest selection. I also love their animal snap bangles. My mom has an elephant one that I am obsessed with (but she won't let me wear it, ugh) and I have an orange zebra. They're really cute and super fun! Also, the equestrian-inspired wrap bracelets are great! One of my friends gave my other friend that bracelet for her birthday and it's really pretty in person. 

My friend gave my entire friend group the Kate Spade idiom bangles for graduation and I never take mine off! It's pink and it says "hot to trot" (which I think is funny since one of my favorite Lilly prints is Hotty Pink Hot to Trot...I'm SUCH a nerd). I am obsessed with Kate Spade jewelry in general, actually. There is so much to choose from! Bracelet stacking is a lot of fun when you add a watch into the mix. I like to keep my metallics matching, but to each her own! I looove the bow bracelet. I've tried it on a couple of times in the Kate Spade store, and I like that it's small enough to fit my wrists. It's hard to find bracelets that fit! 

I pretty much adore anything with elephant-themed, so this J. Crew elephant bangle is no acception! It comes in the prettiest color of turquoise or pink. I've seen Angela Moore bracelets almost my entire life and I think they're so pretty and preppy. There are a ton of styles to choose from, and I love that they're all handpainted! Lastly, Lilly occasionally has some great bracelets, like these multicolored bamboo-inspired bracelets.

To find inspiration for bracelet stacking, I like looking at Pinterest. There are so many great ideas on it!

via

Soo if I get a really good job and make lots of money I'm definitely getting Hermes and Yurman bracelets to add to a bracelet stack!

via

LOVE the monogram cuff!

via

Again, love the monogram! That blue color is also so pretty for summer. 

via

This might be my favorite bracelet stack picture! It would go perfectly with a cute Lilly shift dress!

via

All the navy is great for the fall!

Have a wonderful day y'all!! North Carolina TOMORROW!!

xoxo, Hannah

A Black and Gold Affair: Part 1

Hello! Just as a backup for those who have just started to follow this blog, I am a freshman at Wake Forest University in NC. I am super excited to go to college in a week (!!!), and I have been furiously searching the internet for anything and everything black and gold. I love the Wake Forest themed goodies, even if they are a little bit cheesy! Here are my favorite black and gold Wake themed things that I've come across!

(1) Smathers and Branson, my favorite needlepoint brand ever, offers a ton of collegiate merchandise on their website. I think that the needlepoint key fob is super cute!

(2) The college bookstore carries Wake croakies! 

(3) Here's another Smathers and Branson goodie: a needlepoint wallet!

(4) My Wake Forest Tervis Tumbler is actually one of my favorite Wake themed things ever. My grandmother sent me one when I was first accepted in March, and I carried it around with me every single day during Senior Spring! I brought it with me to Jackson Hole this summer, and even there I used it every single day at the pool and the gym! Tervis are the greatest cups ever, they're so sturdy and there are a trillion different styles to choose from!

(5) I definitely wear my Wake Nike Tempo Shorts more than any of my other norts! 

(6) Wake Forest Vineyard Vines apparel is getting harder and harder to find, but in the past, they have carried Demon Deacon Ties. Perfect for my dad and brother!

(7) The last Smathers + Wake item that I looove is the needlepoint belt. 

(8) Lastly, I am dying to find this Vineyard Vines Wake Forest Tote Bag. I have searched everywhere for it but I can't find it anywhere! I'm hoping they rerelease their collegiate line so I can stock up on black and gold goodies. 

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo, Hannah

Monograms, Monograms...and more monograms...

My mother has had a deep obsession with monograms her entire life, and (fortunately for us, unfortunately for everyone else) she passed it along to me! Here are some of my favorite monogrammed items.

(1) My monogrammed Derby hat from Marley Lilly is perfect for summer!

(2) I wear my monogrammed necklace from Moon and Lola almost every day, I love it soo much.

(3) My mom just got this monogrammed cake carrier from Pink Magnolias. Isn't it adorable? We originally found it from my Pinterest page, and now she can't wait to use it!

(4) My mom loooves to needlepoint, and I have a few needlepoint belts that she made me. We had them finished with a monogram on the ribbon part of the belt!

(5) Madre also needlepointed this Nook cover a couple of years ago. 

(6) There is an adorable store in New Canaan that sells the cutest items, like this orange and navy tote bag! They also offer monogramming options, so of course I jumped at the opportunity.

(7) Here is a Vineyard Vines bag that I had monogrammed this spring. 

(8) My mom is an avid needlepointer, and a long time ago she needlepointed pillows for my old room before we moved. The first pillow has espadrilles on them with my monogram in the corner, and the second pillow is a pink Lacoste polo with the monogram under it!

(9) Monogrammed Lilly shorts are the best!

(10) As y'all know, I just love Marley Lilly. Over the summer, Madre ordered a navy and pink monogrammed scarf and black and gold monogrammed scarf. They're great for the fall and can be dressed up or down! Marley Lilly has so many options for colors and monogram styles that every person can find a great scarf for them!

(11) Tervis Tumblers are so great. Here is one with Mommy's initials!

(12) To fit in with my growing black and gold obsession, I got a monogrammed cuff from Skirtin' Around in New Canaan.

(13) I actually just got this back from the monogrammer: a monogrammed PFG! Can't wait to wear it next summer!

(14) Monogrammed norts may be taking my obsession a little too far but they are the best! I have most of mine monogrammed and I always get compliments on them. 

(15) My friend hDb ordered me this custom iPad case for my 18th birthday! It was the perfect birthday gift, especially since it was monogrammed!

WHOA. That was a lot of monogramming! What are y'alls favorites? Let me know!!

Have a great day!

xoxo, Hannah

Frizzy Hair? Pshh...

Many people don't think that Connecticut is a very humid place, but I can tell y'all first hand that it gets sticky and muggy in the summertime! I have very curly, frizzy hair when I don't spend time blow drying and straightening it. As girls with curly hair know, humidity is the number one biggest enemy when it comes to our appearance! 

I started using the complete line of the Garner Fructis Sleek and Shine products at the beginning of the summer and I cannot even begin to explain how much the condition of my hair has improved. It sounds cliché, I know, but I'm completely serious! My hair never frizzes up anymore, even when it's ridiculously humid outside. In the picture shown above, I have my "before" and "after" from using the Sleek and Shine line. In the picture on the left, I was on my senior trip to Block Island where it was crazy humid and I just didn't even bother with fixing my hair! In the picture on the right, I was at the MetLife stadium in NJ where it was grossly hot and humid, but my hair stayed perfect all night!

(1 and 2) Sleek and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner: I only use these a couple of times a week (on the other days I use other shampoos/conditioners), but they give a nice base for smoother hair.

(3) Sleek and Shine Frizz Defeat Deep Treatment: This is basically a deep conditioner...I love it. It smells delicious! I don't use this every time I wash my hair; only a couple of times a week.

(4 and 7) Sleek and Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment: My secret weapon is this smoothing oil. I think it works so well! Basically, you can apply a few drops with your conditioner OR you can use it when you're out of the shower and it's damp OR you can use it when it's dry! I use it all three times. It sounds like your hair would get really greasy and heavy, but I use a very small amount and it's great.

(5) Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Perfector Straightening Balm: When I first get out of the shower, I use a small amount of this and apply it from root to tip. It makes it easier for you to blow dry your hair straight.

(6) Sleek and Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk: I love this a lot because it has "anti-humidity" in the title! I apply a small amount of this from about the middle of my hair to the tips. 

(8) Sleek and Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist: I don't use this as much as the other products. But, when I do use it, I'll lightly spray the ends of my hair before I use my flat iron. 

(9) Sleek and Shine Sleek Finish 5-in-1 Serum Spray: This is my newest purchase and I've only used this a couple of times, but I like it so far. You lightly, and I repeat, LIGHTLY, spray all of your hair with the serum spray. I accidentally used a little bit too much once and I did not like the results!

It sounds like a lot of products...and it is...but I use very small amounts of each products so that my hair doesn't get overpowered by everything. If I were to give y'all my must haves from the Sleek and Shine line from Garnier Fructis, they would be the Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment, the Blow Dry Perfecotr, and the Smoothing Milk.

I hope this helps everyone who has frizzy hair problems!!

Have a lovely day!!

xoxo, Hannah

J. Crew Fall 2012

I have completely fallen in love with J. Crew again this fall! They have really gotten back on track to have some great pieces such as sweater, tops, pants, and shoes. While the brand hasn't released everything from their fall line yet, I'm extremely happy with what they have put out so far! Here are some of my favorite items. 

All of the new J. Crew sweaters come in such pretty colors and styles! Even though the Tippi Sweater and the Jackie Pullover look really similar, they come in different colors that I love. I really want to stock up on v-neck sweaters for this fall, and the Dream Sweater has a lot of great options for me!

The Nicky top is really cute and I am obsessed with the ruffles! Even though it's not really black and gold, I got the Zig Zag Sequin Tee to fit in with my "Black and Gold" obsession. The Keyhole Blouse is perfect for going out to dinner and for getting together with friends.

I absolutely lived in the Pixie Pant last winter! It is basically a thick, stretchy legging in black, grey, and navy with a zipper in the back of the pant. I have summer-y Café Capris and I love them, so I'll definitely be checking out the new herringbone styles! Lastly, I unfortunately look not-so-great in the Minnie Pant, but they are an extremely popular style of pants from J. Crew!

I am also really happy with the shoe selection from J. Crew this fall. The Cece flat, whether it be in suede, leather, or metallic, is great to wear with jeans, skirts, and dresses! I am really looking to wear more heels this fall to boost my height as much as I can! They have really fun colors as well as more classic colors. 

Do y'all like anything from the J. Crew fall line? What are y'alls favorites? Let me know?

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo, Hannah

Sucker for Seersucker

I loooove seersucker. It is one of my favorite materials for summer and I go crazy when I find cute seersucker goodies to wear!

(1) This Etsy bikini is just too cute. I am obsessed with the bow! 

(2) J. Crew always has seersucker bathing suits during the summer. I used to have this one piece and it is super flattering and adorable!

(3) Next summer I am definitely going to snatch up a J. Crew seersucker bikini! Ahh I love it!

(1) What's better than a regular hairbow? A seersucker hairbow with a monogram on it! 

(2) Etsy literally is a whole other world dedicated to seersucker. I love the pink seersucker headband with the navy monogram!

(3) I'm a huge fan of this monogrammed seersucker koozie! Great for gamedays!

(4) I use this Lilly Pulitzer seersucker wristlet almost every day! 

(5) This Vineyard Vines seersucker cosmetic bag is the perfect size for traveling!

(6) Usually Vineyard Vines uses grosgrain ribbon as the straps for their flip flops, but they have seersucker straps now! Love it!

(1) Most of the seersucker clothes that I have are pink! I monogrammed my Lilly Pulitzer scalloped seersucker shorts. They are the best!

(2) The Blossom dress from Lilly is super flattering and really cute! My favorite style came in pink seersucker!

(3) Lilly also has an adorable ruffled pink seersucker dress!

(4) I've worn the Lilly seersucker Franco dress a million times! It's great for any summer party or occasion!

(5) I lived in this Vineyard Vines pink seersucker skirt all through Senior Spring!

Do y'all have any favorite seersucker items? Let me know!!

Have a lovely day!!

xoxo, Hannah

Top 5 Favorite Accessories

I'm a firm believer that accessories can make or break an outfit! They can spice up an otherwise plain outfit, as well as tie up the loose ends of an incomplete ensemble. There are a million types of accessories to choose from, but I've picked my top 4 favorite accessories of all time! 

(1) Pearls are a girl's best friend! I don't really wear a ton of jewelry, but I am never without my favorite pearls! I wear pearl earrings every day, a pearl bracelet on the days that I do bracelet stacking, and I try to wear my pearl necklace as often as I can!

(2) While I haven't worn them as much as of late, headbands will always be one of my favorite accessories! I have worn them my entire life and they never let me down. I love styles from High Cotton Ties, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, and PreppyStyle.Net! Now that my hair is getting longer, I like how my hair looks in headbands, so who knows? Maybe I'll wear them more often!

(3) My mother has raised me to absolutely adore tote bags! They are definitely one of my favorite accessories of all time. I started using a tote bag instead of a backpack when I was in 7th grade, so I have tried out every option possible! I am planning to get a navy Longchamp Le Pliage bag really soon, but some of my favorite brands for tote bags are Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, and Vera Bradley.

(4) I am not lying, I actually live in Murfee scarves from Lilly Pulitzer. They are the best. They are also great for all seasons, which is a plus! I will wear them with t-shirts, sweaters, dresses...anything!

(5) Okay, so technically my fifth favorite accessory is...shoes. It covers a HUGE category, but I really couldn't choose between Jack Rogers and riding boots! They are so incredibly different, but I could literally spend the entire year in those 2 types of shoes. I start wearing Jack Rogers as soon as I get back from spring break, and I wear them until my toes can't stand the cold any longer! If I could choose my two favorite colors of Jacks, I would say fuschia and platinum. With riding boots, I can wear them with skirts, jeans, dresses, and leggings! My favorite pair of boots ever are from Madewell.

What are y'alls favorite accessories? Let me know!!

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo, Hannah

Top 5 Favorite Beauty Products

I am absolutely obsessed with everything beauty related, and I love sharing my favorite items that I've come across! I am always looking for new products to try out. 

(1) Moroccan Oil is literally God's gift to women, men, children, pets, EVERYONE. I love, love, love it so much because of how much it improves the look and feel of my hair. If you are looking for a quick and wonderful fix, use the basic Moroccan Oil after towel drying your hair. But, if you want to go all out, use the amazing shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, anti-frizz spray, and moisturizer. My mom and I have everything! It smells amazing and it's really just the best.

(2) If you are looking for a cheaper hair fix, my favorite drugstore hair product is Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle. Whether you use it for 30 seconds or the full 3 minutes, this deep conditioner is great! It smells soooo good and it's fantastic for repairing your hair!

(3) I have spoken of my love for Benefit's BadGal Lash many times, and I cannot stress enough how great this mascara is. If I could live on one makeup item, it would be this mascara. It literally gives you lashes. Whenever I wear it, people think I'm wearing false eyelashes!

(4) To pump up your lashes even more, use an Eyelash Curler. I like the Shu Uemura eyelash curler (everyone's favorite). It makes your eyes look bigger and your lashes look longer/fuller instantly! I sometimes heat it up using my blow dryer to give my lashes a bigger punch.

(5) Lastly, I am a huge fan of Burt's Bees Chapstick. There are soo many to choose from! Recently, I've been using the ultra conditioning formula, and it's great! I'm sitting out in the sun most of the day during the summer, so it's inevitable for my lips to burn. But, with Burt's Bees chapstick, they stay nice and healthy!

Are there any beauty products that y'all can't live without? Let me know!

Have a lovely day!!

xoxo, Hannah

Just Madras Christmas in July!!

I am an ambassador for the GREAT brand that carries all things madras, Just Madras! They are having a great sale called "Christmas in July" so get to their website quick to get your fix of cute madras goodies!!

Here are my favorite items from the Christmas in July sale! I actually got (2) the white Jennifer top, (5) the madras flag for my dorm room and (6) the seersucker Jennifer dress!

Go shop!!

Have a great day!

xoxo, Hannah

Cute Vineyard Vines!!

Here are some adorable new-ish Vineyard Vines items from their website!

(1) The Chevron 3/4 Length Sleeve Dress from VV is a bold statement dress that will definitely show off your summer tan!

(2) The Riptide Cable Sweater is a great transition sweater from summer to fall. You can wear it to a late night beach party as a coverup or with jeans on the weekends!

(3) Since I first saw the Westerly Vest, it has actual gone out of stock! It was so popular because of how cute it is! It is definitely on my wish list for the fall for college!

(4) Maxi dresses are great for casual and formal occasions in the summer. The Maxi Chevron Dress is so much fun!

(5) The Fireworks Top is so cute for casual parties as well as for hanging out with friends!

(6) My favorite part about the Grosgrain Flip Flops is the grosgrain, obviously! There are two colors of grosgrain ribbon that you could choose from. 

(7) Another transition sweater from the recent VV arrivals is the Shell Bay Sweater. It comes in the perfectly neutral colors of navy and white. 

(8) I love the Party Stripe Bikini Top and Bottom! I know that VV bikinis are very cute, comfortable, and flattering, plus this one is ridiculously preppy with it's tri-colored stripes! 

What do y'all like from VV? Let me know!!

xoxo, Hannah

The Perfect Hair

I am a self-proclaimed hair addict. I have had hair ups-and-downs, but I am always looking for a new style and inspiration! Pinterest, my favorite website EVER, feeds my addiction. Here are some pictures of my "ideal" hairstyle! 

(All pictures via my "Beauty" board on Pinterest)

What is y'alls ideal hairstyle? Let me know!!

Have a great day!!

xoxo, Hannah

The Best Raincoat Ever!

A couple of months ago I went snooping around for a rain jacket for college, and I found the best one ever from Vineyard Vines! VV is one of my favorite brands ever, and I was so happy about the great jacket I bought, the Stow and Go! 

I looove the light blue color, and it's also very lightweight. I lived in it during senior spring because of how comfy it was (as well as how gross it was during this past Connecticut spring). The coolest thing about this jacket is that you can, for a lack of a better word, stuff the jacket into the pocket so it can be easily packed!

Here are the other colors that the Stow and Go Rain Coat comes in:

Have a great day!!

xoxo, Hannah

Needlepoint Baseball Caps, Oh My!

My mother has been needlepointing for most of my life, so I'm pretty aware of all things needlepoint. I love needlepoint belts, wallets, and headbands...but I was totally shocked when I saw a needlepoint baseball cap! Basically, the little logo at the front of the hat is needlepointed. I am so obsessed!

Of course, the wonderful and lovely Smathers and Branson has a collection of needlepoint baseball caps. 

These are my four favorite hats from Smathers! They mostly have hats in navy and red. 

Harding Lane is another brand that I've found that carries needlepoint hats. They are eco-friendly, and a portion of the profits from the hats goes to various environmental organizations in New England!

I have a Smathers baseball cap and I LOVE it!

Have a great day!

xoxo, Hananh

Obsession: Marley Lilly Monogrammed Derby Hat

One of my favorite things EVER from Marley Lilly is the Monogrammed Derby Hat! I got mine last summer and I wore it all the time when I went to the pool to tan. I looove it because of the monogram, of course, but also because you can choose the color of the lining as well as the monogram color! 

I unfortunately left my hat in Jackson Hole last summer, so I didn't have it until recently. Now I can't get enough of it!

Do y'all have the monogrammed derby hat from Marley Lilly? Let me know!!

Also, congratulations to Brittiany Bridges for winning the Tugs giveaway!!

Have a great day!

xoxo, Hannah

Brand Alert: Swell Caroline

I was searching around on Pinterest the other day when I found an adorable bracelet from Swell Caroline. I had heard of the brand before, and I had seen the logo, but I had never actually gone on to the website! I am so happy that I finally did because it is a great place for inexpensive jewelry!

Rachel Cable Bracelet

I think this bracelet is so cute, especially for stacking!

Enamel Bamboo Bracelet

It turns out that I actually have a couple of these bracelets! I have a few of the white bamboo bracelets and literally I wear them every day!

Derby Bracelet

I think this is my favorite thing from Swell Caroline. I'm a sucker for anything equestrian-inspired, and this bracelet is just great!

Lastly, I love the acrylic monogram necklace! You can choose the color of it as well! Besides an acrylic necklace, you can get the gold version (which I wear every day). 

Have y'all ever bought anything from Swell Caroline? Let me know!

Last day to enter the Tugs Giveaway!

Have a great day!

xoxo, Hannah