making a statement.

As you could probably deduce, I love pearls. I think they are wonderful for so many reasons. They are classic, timeless, and seriously go with everything (and I mean everything). I recently received a beautiful necklace from Boy for Christmas that I just adore. It is a simple, thin chain with a baby pearl on it. It is delicate and beautiful and perfect.

product from Dogeared

I wear this necklace literally every day. But lately, I have been dreaming of pearl statement necklaces. I love statement necklaces, and I think they are becoming prominent in even casual outfits. Here are some of my favorite ones I have found as I have scoured the internet:

clockwise from top left:

Anna & Ava / Dilliards

Sereba Designs /  Etsy

Nina /  Nordstrom

Catwalk /  Accessorize

I want them all! What kind of necklaces suit your personal style?

Best,

Sarah

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dinnerware.

Relatively soon, I will be moving to my big girl life. And one day, I will be living with Boy and Dog. However, we have a minor problem: Boy and I have completely different decor styles.

Right now, my bedroom is decorated in the shabby-chic, vintage kind of look. My dream look is kind of modern classic look mixed with some old school pieces such as a modern kitchen surrounding a farmhouse sink. Boy's style is straight modern. We are talking steel, clean lines, etc. I don't know how I feel about that, but I took on the challenge of combining our two styles. I have settled on executing an overall modern look with girly and vintage touches. I think I can convince him to do it.

Something that I think would best showcase how I want the girly pieces to be thrown in is in dinnerware. While we might be sitting at a modern table, our dinnerware should be beautiful. So I have found a some options from a few places in order to get a head start on planning!

clockwise from top left:

Better Homes and Gardens Simply Fluted /  Walmart

Murano Cream /  Crate & Barrel

Threshold Scalloped /  Target

Pillivuyt Queen Anne Porcelain /  Williams-Sonoma

Obviously, I have a bit of a preference for the scalloped edges on plates! I cannot wait to actually decorate my first apartment. It is scary, yet exciting.

What kind of style do you want to decorate your first apartment in?

Best, 

Sarah

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Daydreams.

So, I have definitely been slacking on blog posts. Life is hectic. From grad school applications to holidays to illness, my life has been crazy! But one thing I know for sure is that I have definitely had spring break on my mind. I am hitting the gym like a mad woman, and I am constantly thinking of all of the fun things we will be doing. I feel like such a little kid.

A bothersome thing that has pricked my mind about spring break is the makeup situation. I think that I look totally weird without makeup. It isn't that I wear a lot, it's just the little that I add really plays up my features. I don't want spring break to be any different, but I definitely don't want to head to the beach with a face full of make up. Thus, I have created my own concoction of spring break makeup essentials that I am going to add to my makeup collection over the next few months.

Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara / $16

If I go to the beach, that means I play in the water, and no one wants to look like they have been sobbing on a fun vacation! I love waterproof mascara for the beach and not much else, so it has been missing from my makeup bag for some time. It is definitely necessary for a time like this!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream / $12

This cream is advertised as an 8-in-1 makeup dream. Part tinted moisturizer, part skin primer, and part sunblock, this cream is the perfect addition to any makeup routine. I plan on wearing it alone when I am at the beach to make sure I don't get early wrinkles and to make sure I look as flawless as I can. I mean, who hasn't wanted to look like a Baywatch babe on the beach before?

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom / $6.99

I am addicted to Burt's Bees; it's true. I refuse to use any other lip balm. But the tinted lip balm is perfect for two things: lip care and cheek color. While you might be thinking "cheek color? really?" I really mean it, and it will be a beautiful sheer color that doesn't wash off too easily. People use cream blush all the time, and this is an unconventional, easy version of it.

I am so excited for my trip. Can't you tell? Are there any beach or vacation makeup products that you swear by?

Best, Sarah

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"changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes."

Spring Break has been on me and Boy's minds for what seems like forever. This year is our senior year of college, and we really wanted a spring break to remember. The only other spring break trip we have been on is the one on which we met, so spring break holds a bit of sentimental value for  us me. 

My first idea about a year ago was Disney World. This, to me, seemed like the best possible way to spend your spring break. Boy wasn't so keen on the idea seeing as how we would blow our budget on what would probably be a one day trip. However, nothing could sway me from this idea, and I tried really hard to pound the idea into him. Unfortunately, he is just as stubborn as I am, so that didn't really go anywhere. 

We finally settled on the idea of going on Spring Break with another couple. So, the four of us sat down and started brainstorming. My genius idea was to go to the Keys. I have always wanted to go, so I selfishly suggested it (oops). We settled on a cute little hotel on the water, and we made plans to book the rooms this week.

Today, I got a text from our friend with a picture of Margaritaville Beach Hotel and the suggestion to go there for Spring Break instead. As I was reading this text, I was not privy to the fact that this was the Margaritaville, and I thought it was cute that they named this hotel after Jimmy Buffet's song. I proceeded to search the place on my phone, and the first line in the description was "Official website of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Beach Hotel." 

If you've read my 101 in 1001, then you know that my number 73. is to drink a margarita at Margaritaville. I just wanted a drink, but now someone was suggesting that I stay four nights in Margaritaville!!!!

You might be able to guess my reaction, but inside I was jumping up and down and screaming.

Seriously, the idea of staying here made me lose my mind for a second.

Needless to say, I sent a flurry of text messages in all caps saying things along the lines of "BOOK IT NOW."

So, now I am extremely happy to say that I am staying for four nights in Margaritaville, on the Gulf Coast, with my margarita in hand.

Now, please scroll and contain your jealousy:

If you want to book this place for your trip or spring break, go here.

Where are y'all going for your spring break trip?

Best,

Sarah

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nail envy.

I always paint my own nails. Sadly, it is not in the cards for me to get a regular mani/pedi. I love to paint my nails different colors, but I am a classic girl so I always opt for different shades of the same colors. Always the same: reds and neutrals.

Recently I got my subscription box to Julep, and in the February box, I got  this gorgeous  lavender color.  

all images belong to Julep

I put on the color, and I thought it was pretty, but I just couldn't wear it. It felt oddly wrong to me, which might sound funny, but it's so true!

However, there are so many colors on Julep that are just as beautiful that I would definitely wear. The way that Julep works is that it sends you a box each month that coordinates with your style profile. Mine is "Classic with a Twist." You can take your quiz here.

Here are just some of the beautiful colors that Julep currently offers that are more in my color palette.

from left to right: Natalie, Carrie, Emmanuelle, Jennifer, Mindy, and Grace

What's even better is that the Julep nail colors do not have formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, or DBP. Which is pretty neat!

If you want your own subscription, go here to start! If you want to begin, please be sure to contact me for a referral number.

Best,

Sarah

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101 things in 1001 days.

So, I was kind of nervous starting a new blog. I mean, how do you get a glimpse of a person's personality enough to see if their blog is something worth reading?

I stumbled across Mackenzie Horan's "101 in 1001" blog post, which inspired me to write my own. I figure that if I tell you some of my (relatively) short term goals and dreams, you will have some insight into who I am and what I want out of life.

1. Go snorkeling.

2. Get into graduate school. (March 2013)

3. Get my first "big girl" apartment with Boy and Dog.

4. Lose 25 pounds.

5. Create and maintain a healthy lifestyle (created Febtuary 2013).

6. Go skinny dipping.

7. Work for my dream company, J.Crew.

8. Buy a classic, investment handbag.

9. Go to Disney World with Boy.

10. Buy a MacBook.

11. Read The Hobbit.

12. Organize my iTunes/music files.

13. Back up all my music files.

14. Send fifty hand written notes (20/50)

15. Get personalized stationary.

16. Monogram my bedspread.

17. Have a photoshoot done with Boy and Dog (March 2013).

18. Figure out a daily makeup routine best for me.

19. Figure out my perfect haircut/style. (November 2013)

20. Get new eyeglasses. (October 2013)

21. See Hanson in concert again.

22. Concretely define my personal sense of style/decorating. ("Politician's Wife; November 2013)

23. Create "signature" posts that showcase my personality.

24. Learn to French braid.

25. Make every Red Velvet recipe pinned to my Pinterest board (1/14)

26. Find a signature quote that I feel correctly sums me up.

27. Watch all of the films that have won Best Film since 1991.

28. Go to Washington, D.C.

29. See the Eiffel Tower in person.

30. Buy Dog a bow-tie collar.
31. Figure out how to work Polyvore(February 2013).
32. Get a facial  (June 2013)
33. Make it to the top of the Empire State Building.
34. Ride a rollercoaster.
35. Replace all of my makeup items with higher end items.
36. Run a whole 5K.
37. Find my perfect agenda.
38. Organize everything in my life completely using things from the Container Store.
39. See the Walk of Fame.
40. Be an extra in a movie/TV show.
41. Meet a celebrity.
42. Publish my research to a peer-reviewed journal.
43. Re-connect with five old friends.
44. Create a space worthy of a decor magazine.
45. Get my hair done at a Dry Bar.
46. Eat at a Michelin Star restaurant.
47. Write a letter to my senator.
48. Find a pen pal.
49. Sell something on E-bay.
50. Work with my sorority national office on a project.
51. Maintain a food journal at least 6 days a week (started February 2013).
52. Buy a car. (July 2013)
53. Do 5 crafts from Pinterest.
54. Go to a chiropractor.
55. Plan a Girls Night Out at a Sip N Strokes.
56. Try herbal remedies when I get sick.
57. Create and maintain a vitamin regimen.
58. Subscribe to a monthly beauty box (Birchbox, May 2013)
59. Read the news 5 mornings a week (started February 2013).
60. Plan and execute a three course meal for Boy.
61. Plan a surprise party for a friend.
62. Host a dinner party.
63. Plan an event.
64. Get hired as a professional organizer.
65. Try 5 new cocktails (2/5)
66. Find a signature cocktail (strawberry margarita, April 2013).
67. Have a spa day with a friend.
68. Watch all the seasons of Sex and the City...in order.
69. Have a guest blogger on my blog.
70. Become popular enough that a company sends me something to try.
71. Have my blog positively impact someone else's life.
72. Create a really awesome desk space in my future apartment.
73. Drink a margarita at Margaritaville (Spring Break in Pensacola, March 2013).
74. Find my perfect shade of lipstick.
75. Go one month without eating any sweets.
76. Ride on a sailboat.
77. Attempt to water ski.
79. Go to the southernmost point of the United States.
80. Participate in a conference call.
81. Learn to meditate.
82. Try hot yoga.
83. Perfect my Linked In.
84. Write a poem.
85. Reduce the television shows I follow to five or less.
86. Read 30 new books (14/30).
87. Get a blog layout that reflects my personality and style.
88. Go to the ballet.
89. See a Broadway musical.
90. Participate in a sorority event as an alumni.
91. Join my alumni chapter.
92. Meet a blog friend in real life.
93. Have the chance to have a conversation with one of my fashion role models.
94. Attend a soldiers' homecoming to show the love I have for the Armed Forces.
95. Taste caviar.
96. Do something in the moment that I have complete reservations about doing.
97. Take a pastry course.
98. Procure a KitchenAid standing mixer, some way, some how.
99. Make my own pasta.
100. Go a month where I blog every day.
101. Open, and actually use, a savings account. (opened October 2013)