Waltz Me To Heaven

The Last Time I Saw Paris

2017-06-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

I first visited Paris when I was 15, and I instantly fell in love. I was lucky to travel far and wide while I was growing up, but nowhere captured my heart quite like Paris. In the years that followed, I did everything I could to get back to that magical city. I spent one summer there in college through a Parisian study abroad program, and when my parents asked where I wanted to spend my 21st birthday, I didn’t think twice (even though it’s in March). It had to be Paris. In my carefree days before marriage, children, and responsibility, I was even known to jet off for a long weekend. It all seems like a lifetime ago, and in a way it was. The last time I saw Paris was in 2007 when I was pregnant with my almost-10-year-old.

After ten years, I’m going back, and I can’t wait! My mom, my daughter and I are leaving this week for Paris and London. I’m so excited to see Paris through my daughter’s eyes, because I know she is going to love it as much as I do. So, as you can imagine, I’ve been mentally planning what I’m going to pack for weeks. It’s going to be pretty warm during the day, but cooler in the evenings, plus I have to think about London also. Fortunately, I’ve picked up a few new pieces, which I plan on mixing in with my staples. As Traci mentioned (here), our good friend, Katy Nagel, recently opened a new boutique, Gray Boutique, in Pensacola, and she has tons of stuff that will be perfect for a trip abroad.

Here’s one look I’m considering for the trip from Paris to London in the Chunnel. You can’t go wrong with dark jeans when schlepping suitcases and navigating train stations. What do you think?

Keeping The Peace In Summer Neutrals

2017-06-19T14:58:00.001-05:00

Picking up where I left off (here)... I survived the last day of school with only a few emotional scars. I completely fell apart in the hallway after walking my boys in one last time. I don’t know why I even did it. In the last seven years, I’ve probably walked them in only a handful of times, but in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “I’m an emotional cutter.” So, anyway…

We stuck to our last-day-of-school tradition and headed to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. A little sun and sand were just what I needed to shake off the blues. It was a relaxing week, and the kids had a really good time. In fact, they were so good together that it gave me a false sense of hope for summer tranquility. Don't worry though, reality has set in, and the boys have resumed their love-hate relationship. There was a moment yesterday afternoon where I was not sure I would make it. My oldest son tests my patience daily, and he seems to relish in doing it. His intense, strong-willed personality completely overwhelms my laid-back inner-peacemaker. Last week they were in separate day-camps, which allowed me a few hours to get some work done before mayhem ensued. Plus, I was thinking that the hours apart might calm them a little, but so far, no such luck.

I still have high hopes that we can retreat to our neutral corners, and I don’t know about you, but my favorite neutrals involve white jeans and soft blushes. At the moment, I have them watching a movie (it's raining outside), and I'm lost in an online world of beautiful clothes (check out some of my finds below). And since I know the silence will not last, anyone who has some peace-making skills, bring it on!

Shop My Look

Linking Up

Visible Monday | Hello Monday | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays

New Kid on the Block: Gray Boutique

2017-06-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Suncoo-Paris top

Gray Boutique is open for business at One Palafox Place! Katy Nagel, a childhood friend with many years of experience in the fashion industry, has made her dream come true by opening a beautiful boutique in downtown Pensacola. Gray carries a great variety of lines: Banjanan, Mother, Sundry, Rails, and Xirena to name a few. One of my favorites so far is Suncoo-Paris. I love the unique designs and details.

Emily and I had so much fun shopping at Gray and photographing these pretty clothes. We are looking forward to sharing more with you soon! Check out Gray Boutique on Instagram @graypensacola or on Facebook.

Sunoco-Paris straight cut dress
I love the pop that the neon shoes give to this simple dress!

I love the beaded detail.

Sunoco-Paris top
Sanctuary jeans

Elegantly Dressed & Stylish / The Fashion Canvas / Style Elixir / Pumps & Pushups

My Heart Is Full: Sundry Tank

2017-05-24T23:30:00.002-05:00

Lately I've been walking around in a melancholy mood, feeling like I have nothing to wear and completely torn up over the end school. I know that probably sounds crazy, but this time of year is always a little bittersweet and leaves me with tons of mixed emotions. I’m excited for the lazy days of summer which lay ahead, but I’m sad about the passage of time that is marked by the last day of school. This year my heart is full of even more emotions this time around because not only it is the end of a school year, but it is also the end of our era at this particular school. A lot of factors led us to make this change, and while I’m excited for what the future holds at our new school, I am going to miss the wonderful community that we have called home for the last seven years. The kids will adjust perfectly fine. I know that. But, it doesn’t obscure my sadness about leaving. Basically, it comes down to the fact that I hate endings. When a vacation is over, I just want to get home - no long goodbye, no stretching out the last moments. As a college student I made a significant effort to schedule my exams at the beginning of exam week so that I wouldn’t be there as the campus cleared out for holiday. Endings make me anxious, and I’m not usually an anxious person.

In an effort to snap out of my blue funk, a little summer retail therapy was in order, and I am starting with this adorable little Sundry tank. The blue and white stripes are a classic, and the heart adds a little playfulness and a pop of color. It’s the perfect tank for a casual Saturday with the kids or over a bathing suit for a day on the boat. Recently, I paired it with Mother Jeans and my Joie sandals, but I think I would love it with a pair of cut-off denim shorts. So instead of concentrating on endings, here's to new beginnings!

Shop My Look

C'est La Vie

2017-03-15T22:38:00.000-05:00

My latest obsession? I'm glad you asked, it's La Vie by Rebecca Taylor. It has all the feminine style of Rebecca Taylor, but in more durable fabrics and at a better price-point. I was in Atlanta in the Rebecca Taylor shop a couple of months ago when I stumbled across the line. It's not all over yet, but I know it will be soon. The store manager said that Rebecca Taylor noticed that her friends were not wearing her clothes on family outings with their kids on the weekends. As a mother of three, I totally get it. I love a pretty silk blouse as much as the next girl, but let's face it, when you're at a birthday party with cake and face paint, a silk blouse is not the most practical choice. But, in the words of Sophia Petrillo, I digress... La Vie solves the problem of what to wear to the park, the party or the play date. Soft cottons, pretty prints and relaxed dresses make up a line of easy to wear clothing that I love.

While I was in the store I got this poplin top that is perfect for late winter/early spring in Florida. I've paired it with my ever-present Vince sneakers, a Chloe saddle bag (similar, similar) and a pair of high-waisted AG Jeans. I've been on a mission lately to get more jeans without distressing. I didn't exactly succeed with this pair. As Scott pointed out, I just moved the distressing off the knee.

I love the detail on this top. From the flowers to the pleating to the eyelets. Plus, it is so light-weight.

This is how I spend most of our photo shoots. Traci, in this case, had to try to snap a pic in between my fits of laughter. She was very patient.

Here's another La Vie top I picked up. This one is a thin gauze with a lace detail around the collar, sleeve hem and down the front. For the last month or so, I've been pairing it with these Rag & Bone high-waisted jeans - please note they have no holes! Distressing at the hem does not count!

Here are some of my La Vie picks for this spring!

Linking Up
#WIWT | Sincerely, Paula

Kelly Wynne Handbags

2017-03-09T07:58:00.003-06:00

We have some exciting news for our Pensacola friends, Kelly Wynne is coming to Bluetique for a trunk show next week! If you're not familiar with her bags, you're in for a treat. Her mixture of colors and textures is like no other, and we became fans early on when Bluetique started carrying the line a couple of years ago. My first Kelly Wynne bag was the Cloud Nine Clutch in Salmon Island Snake, and I still love it. It is very versatile and now comes with two different straps (one leather, one chain). I also love my Risky Biz Wristlet, which is available for SS17 in a print I love called Daydream.

It has been amazing to watch how Kelly's line of handbags has grown over the past few years. Boutiques from Florida to California carry her designs and she just opened her very own retail store in Austin, Texas. If you are in our area, please stop by Bluetique next Wednesday, March 15, to meet Kelly and see her full line of SS17 handbags!

Twenties Girl Style WIWT

Spring Inspiration

2017-02-28T14:47:00.000-06:00

Today is the last day of February. I cannot believe it. The month has flown by with the help of birthdays and Mardi Gras balls. I need just one more piece of King cake before tomorrow! The weather in the south has been unseasonably warm for most of the month and I cannot help but have spring on my mind. Today, I am sharing what I have picked up for spring. No swimsuits yet but our spring break is less than a month away. I need to face that challenge soon (cringe). I definitely need a new pair of white jeans. I love my Rag and Bone skinnies but they are a little tired and not as white as they once were. Who makes your favorite white jeans?

1 Cabi Tennis Tank

2 Katie Loxton Perfect Pouch

3 Cabi Tassel Tank

4 Half United Bullet Top Earrings

5 Frank & Eileen Multi Stripe Italian Poplin

6 New Balance for J.Crew 620 Sneakers

I picked up the Cabi tops at a friend's show. I cannot wait to style them. The Frank & Eileen shirt is from one of my favorite local stores, Scout, but I have linked to it on the Frank & Eileen website. I really love their button downs! The Katie Loxton clutch and Half United bullet earrings are from another of my favorite local stores, Bluetique. The clutch is so reasonable and is great alone or thrown in another bag. Half United is a company that I just recently discovered through Bluetique. Each purchase provides seven meals for children in need.

It would be remiss of me not to share my recent product purchases. I love the Beauty Counter mascara and the Drunk Elephant Lala Cream. The jury is still out on the Shiseido eye cream. I will let you know in a month or so. The last eye cream I used by Clarins was a huge disappointment. Hopefully, this one will show some positive results.

Last birthday and Mardi Gras ball of the month

Sally's 6th birthday brunch with friends at George.

Check out this Bloody Mary from George. We had a delicious brunch there on Saturday for my

daugher's birthday.

Linking with:

Sequins and Sea Breezes / Twenties Girl Style

Style Elixir / The Pleated Poppy / Get Your Pretty On

Girls' Weekend In The Big Easy

2017-02-13T16:48:00.002-06:00

Every girl, whether fresh out of college trying to navigate through a quarter-life crisis or an over-worked, exhausted mother and wife, knows the importance of a girls' weekend. It's a reality-check, a chance to put everything in perspective with some of the people who know you best. We might not be involved in each other's daily lives like we once were, but that doesn't seem to matter, we pick up right where we left off. There is a level of comfort between us, and the moment we're all back together the weight of the world disappears and laughter takes over.

This year only three members of our tribe of five could make it, and since we all happen to live on the Gulf Coast, we chose New Orleans. Horrible storms (remember those tornadoes that reeked havoc in MS and GA) delayed our start for the weekend, and we had to cancel our lunch reservation at Sylvain the Quarter. It was a bit of a bummer, but luckily we were safe and sound and old-favorite, Rum House, was a good substitute.

By the time we sat down, I was so hungry I wanted everything on the menu, which is why I thought I could take on the pulled-pork nachos. I have a tendency to get crazy-hungry. I get cranky and start shaking, and at that point, I lose the ability to make reasonable decisions about food! Nevertheless, the nachos were delicious and the margarita wasn't bad either.

As we've mentioned a few times (here, here, here), Traci and I both love to visit breweries and try new beers, and I've been a fan of NOLA since the beginning when they only had blonde and brown lagers to offer. The girls and I felt so carefree and spontaneous as well pulled into NOLA Brewing for a taste... just because we could. I still enjoy the Blonde Lager, but the 7th Street Wheat is my favorite.

For dinner we went to Cochon. People have been raving about it for years, and I had never been there, so I was excited to try it. I was warned ahead of time that it was going to be a lot of meat, but I'm a carnivore, so I figured I'd be fine.

I struggled with the menu, which I hate. I just didn't really see anything that grabbed me, but we started with the wood-fired oysters with chili garlic butter, and I really enjoyed them.

Next came the mushroom salad, which was full of flavor - maybe a little bit too much flavor. I could only eat a little before the flavor overwhelmed me.

Amy had the rabbit and dumplings, which was a little bit more like a rabbit pot pie but pretty good nonetheless. In fact, I liked it more than my brisket and potato salad. I don't really know what I thought I was getting, but I was kind of disappointed. The meat was good, but not spectacular, and my mama's potato salad puts this one to shame! In the end, I've been to Cochon, and that's all I'm saying.

In addition to two large bags of to-go food from Mother's, I brought back a King Cake from Sucre. I loved the beautiful iridescent icing on top, and the kids were so excited (as you can see by the little photo-bomber).

Linking up

Midweek Inspiration
Oh, Hey Girl!

Valentine's Day Gift Guides

2017-02-02T08:37:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we are here with some gift guides to get you thinking about the special people in your life. I definitely do not go overboard but something personal is nice to show a little bit of thoughtfulness. Pajamas, perfume or an adorable Beauty Counter gift set would be perfect! Enjoy the gift guides. I had to include a video of Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires performing "Cover Me Up". I promise it is one of the best love songs out there today. I cannot get enough of it.

For Her

Only Hearts PJ Set

Beauty Counter Be Mine Valentine's Day Duo

J.Crew Italian Silk Scarf

For Him

Tumi Camden Slim Bi-Fold

Gap Heart Print PJ Pants

Ace of Spades Bottle Opener

J.Crew Heart Print Boxers

Girl

Bari Lynn Heart Eyes Hair Clip

Gap PJ set

Corkcicle Tumbler

Bari Lynn Fur Pompom & Heart Keychain

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser

Boy

Patagonia Trucker Hat

Under Armour 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Shirt

Under Armour Receiver Gloves

Vineyard Vines Lounge Pants (on sale)

Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Blanket

Jeans and a Teacup

Linking up with Doused in Pink & Curly Crafty Mom for Thursday Fashion Files

Home of Malones & East Coast Chic for Thoughts for Thursdays

Stylin in St. Louis

Twenties Girl Style & The Red Closet Diaries

PSA: Transcendental Meditation

2017-01-30T13:08:00.000-06:00

Makapu'u Lighthouse, Oahu

The #1 thing that I learned in 2016 is the Transcendental Meditation technique. The TM teacher for our area is none other than Prudence Farrow Bruns. She lives on 30a but comes twice a year to teach the TM class. I was very interested in meditation but to be honest I was just as intrigued with Prudence. She is the subject of the Beatles song "Dear Prudence". In 1968, she went to India to study with Marharishi Mahesh Yogi and became a certified teacher of Transcendental Meditation. It was at this time that she met the Beatles. Prudence spent so much time in her room meditating that John Lennon was inspired to write the song about her (see complete lyrics here).

Prudence does an introductory talk on TM the first night. It is free and open to anyone who is interested. I attended the talk last September and signed up for the class immediately. TM is easy to learn and I saw benefits in my everyday life almost immediately. I would try to list all the benefits I have found but I am afraid I will fall short. Instead, call it life changing. I remember feeling as if my insides were in knots. After about two weeks of practicing TM, the feeling was gone. It is pretty amazing. This is a practice people, not a belief or something that will interfere with one's religion.

Oprah was so impressed with TM that she hired certified teachers to train all of her employees. She has commented on how much more harmonious the environment is at her company. Filmmaker David Lynch has been practicing TM for almost 40 years. He created the David Lynch Foundation which teaches TM to veterans with PTSD. The physical and mental benefits are great and there are many studies that support this.

Less stress, less anxiety, increased focus, inner peace...who doesn't want that?

Linking up with Biana & Style Elixir

Blalock Goldmine Road, Lake Burton, Georgia

Now when I yell at my kids their response is "Mommy, did you meditate today?" 😂

30A Songwriters Festival - Did I Have Fun?

2017-01-20T08:50:00.001-06:00

The 30A Songwriters Festival has become a tradition for us over the years. We've made it to the festival every year since it started (except for one), and every year the weekend is full of a lot of music, very little sleep, many late-night dance parties and usually one-too-many adult beverages. That combination makes for a really fun yet really exhausting weekend, and this year was no exception.

All that being said, I have to admit that this year I was not as excited about the event as I have been in years past. The holidays really took the wind out of my sails, and the thought of getting the kids packed and ready to spend the weekend with my parents was overwhelming. My lack of excitement made me start wondering if it was really worth all this effort. I waffle back and forth between feeling like my life is a monotonous treadmill and a roller coaster. Too many days of carpool lines, homework, laundry and after school activities, and I want to scream. Yet, I feel like I push myself to have "memorable" experiences, and I'm not even sure that I'm enjoying them. I know what you're thinking that I'm just never happy, but I promise I am. I just can't help but wonder if the anticipation and the memories are sometimes better than the actual event. What do you think?

We did a version of this brunch for New Year's Day, and it was so good that we decided to repeat it. The brioche for the French toast was made ahead of time and frozen, so all we had to do was let it thaw the night before. Because we did not have a left-over beef tenderloin like we did from NYE, we cooked a chuck roast in the crock pot over night in beef broth, red wine and some carrots, onion and garlic for flavor. The next morning the meat was so tender and tasted great over creamy cheese grits.

Festival footwear times four! I've said it before, and I'm sticking with it, closed-toe shoes are a must at a music festival. These platform Vince kicks (seen in black and limestone) have been my go-to shoes for the last several months. Traci picked up these super-cute New Balance sneakers at J.Crew, which was conveniently just a few steps from the festival site. Finally, you can never go wrong with a classic, black running shoe (here).

We loved getting to enjoy the festival with our good friend Laura, who owns one of our favorite shops, Bluetique.

Here are some highlights from John Prine and Levi Lowery.

Linking Up
Fashion Should Be Fun
A Pocketful of Polka Dots
Flashback Fashion Friday

Highlights and Favorites 2016

2017-01-13T07:46:00.000-06:00

Green Man taproom in Asheville

The second half of 2016 passed in a flash! We missed blogging and talked about it whenever we were together but days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and here we are in January 2017. This is the time when resolutions are made and we attempt to bring about positive change in ourselves and the world around us. One of our resolutions was to start posting again on WMTH and in doing so be more honest (for more on this click here). We had good times traveling, drinking, eating and hearing some great live music but those were the exclamation points. There was a lot of real life in the middle and we are intent on sharing that as well.

Last August, we were able to sneak away for an overnight in Asheville after dropping our kids at camp. I had not visited Asheville in almost ten years and a lot has changed! There were so many new restaurants and breweries to visit. Hotel prices in Asheville are pretty steep but we were able to find a good last minute deal at Aloft. If you have not visited Asheville in a while or ever, it is worth the trip.

It would not feel like fall without a Jason Isbell show in the books. Emily and I were holding out for him to announce another October show at the Ryman but it did not happen. Fortunately, we were able to see him in Mobile. We loaded up the Seville bus with several other couples and made the hour long drive on a Friday night in September. No photo documentation because we were in the moment (aka talking and sipping champagne) but scroll to the bottom of this post for a video from the show. Also, we always feel a little goofy taking pictures of each other in front of other people.

Now on to a few new favorites in the skin care department. Have you heard of Drunk Elephant? I'm in love with this line. I use the C-Firma Day Serum, B-Hydra Intensive Gel, TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and the Virgin Marula Facial Oil. Click the links at the bottom of this post if you are in search of a new skin care routine. I am still seeking an eye cream that actually provides results. Just finished Clarins Extra Firming Eye Cream with no visible improvement. If you have one you love, do tell! On a positive note, I have found a great under-eye concealer in Kat Von D's lock-it concealer creme.

The #1 thing that I am most excited to share from 2016 will have to wait until next time. Until then, keep moving forward. I love this quote from Craig Sager's speech at the 2016 ESPY Awards...

"If I've learned anything through all of this, it's that each and every day is a canvas, waiting to be painted-an opportunity for love, for fun, for living, for learning."

Wicked Weed's Funkatorium in Asheville

Fried Green Tomatoes at Chestnut in Asheville

Remember that small dog from last spring? Here she is now, 50lbs+. She's a sweet mess.

Rooftop sunset at The Henderson in Destin.

Here's To 2017...

2017-01-06T12:09:00.002-06:00

And we're back! We said goodbye to 2016 and kicked off 2017 with a bang, and a lot of entertainment from the littles (scroll for a little peek). The new year brings new resolutions and new goals, both personal and professional. You may, or may not, have noticed that we've been on an extended hiatus from the blogosphere. After almost two years of dedicated posting and finding our voice, we realized that we were exhausted. Let's face it, sometimes it's all we can do to keep the kids alive and fed, and while we may aspire to "have it all," the reality of trying to achieve that is really not very pretty. We're in awe of the women who seem to have life by the tail, and although we may get there from time to time, most days are a struggle. We both joke all the time about posting how we REALLY feel, but then we chicken out and share those thoughts only with each other. Like so many people (girls, we're talking to you), we strive to put our best foot forward even if that means we're dying on the inside. We love everything to look beautiful, stylish and graceful, but that takes a lot of hard work. Our lives are really busy. We live on a budget (yet dream of a shopping spree). We try to feed our kids healthy food, which in some cases means choosing Chick fil A over Whataburger. We still love to go to a show on a Thursday night, but we realize that means we'll pay the consequences all day on Friday.

So look for us to get real in 2017! We still love all the things we love - fashion, travel, music, food, etc. - and we don't intend to stop. We're just going to reveal a little bit more of the why and the how instead of just the fabulous "look-at-me" finish.

We both went for black and white tops, dark jeans and black pumps for our New Year's Eve looks. Both tops are from J Crew, and Traci's can be found here. Emily's has been sold out for a month or so, but you can find similar looks here and here. For dark/black jeans, we like these and these. Finally, every girl needs a great pair of black pumps. They are timeless and they can take a look from boring to chic instantly. Check out some styles we like here and here, and if money is no object, here.

A big New Year's Eve lead to a Bloody Mary Morning. Actually, it was a Bloody Mary afternoon. We struggled through brunch of the Barefoot Contessa's Pan Perdu (yes, I even made the brioche...for Christmas, but ended up freezing it because I couldn't get it together Christmas morning) and creamy cheese grits served with leftover beef tenderloin from the night before. It turned out really well and would have been perfect if our heads had not been hurting so bad from too many glasses of bubbly the night before.

Right before the dads and the kids took the polar bear plunge. Yes, we live on the Gulf of Mexico, but for this group of native Floridians, that water was COLD!

As for this video, we have not comment. Ha!

Linked up

Hello Monday

BLoved Boston
I do de Claire

Coronation

2016-06-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Costume Committee minus our sweet Melissa.

If you read last Thursday's post, you know that the Fiesta of Five Flags Coronation ball was last Friday. I did end up ordering a dress on Thursday, from my post, and it arrived Friday afternoon. I was tied up downtown getting the court ready but my awesome neighbor dropped it off for me. The costume committee had just as much fun getting ready as we did last year. The ladies from my favorite salon, Style Downtown, came to help the princesses with hair and makeup and stayed to help us after the court left. I included a lot of pictures below. The picture of the court and set is blurry but I wanted to include it anyway. I hope you enjoy some of these shots from the ball!

Princess Mary Margaret and Courtney of Style Downtown

Courtney has been doing my hair for about 11 years. She's the best!

The Botts twins backstage before the court presentation.

DeLuna and his Queen backstage before passing the torch.

The Coronation set

DeLuna and his beautiful bride.

Emily & her mother looking gorgeous.

My buddies Robert and Jason.

Home of Malones / Cappuccino and Fashion / The Mummy Chronicles / Twenties Girl Style

It's that time again...Fiesta!

2016-06-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

We are on the tail end of our two week celebration called Fiesta of Five Flags. We blogged about it last year here and here. During Fiesta, there are so many different events including a street parade, a boat parade, DeLuna's landing reenactment, and coronation. I am on the costume committee. A fun but busy role. Some think that we are actually in on designing the costumes, picking styles and fabrics but it is far less glamorous. We actually make sure that the court (king, queen, knights and princesses) has all of their costume pieces and parts before heading out for the day's events AND that all of the pieces are clean. This involves lots of loads of laundry, wrinkle release, and vodka spray.

All of the sudden, coronation is upon us and I have no idea what I am wearing. I just spent some time looking at dresses online. My latest Netflix obsession has me thinking, what would Olivia Pope wear? It seems like we were just talking formal shopping during Mardi Gras and here we are again.
Which is your favorite? I guess I need to scramble. One plus is that every dress I picked below is on sale which makes overnight shipping okay, right?!??

Twenties Girl Style | Mix Match Fashion

WMTH Edits: Wedges

2016-05-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

I recently showed off my new Vince Espadrille Wedges, which are just one of the pairs I keep in constant rotation this time of year. It seems that if I'm not in flats, I'm in wedges. Being 5'3", I love the extra height they allow without killing my feet. There is still something alluring about a sexy stiletto, but for comfort, you can't beat a wedge. Here are some of my picks for this summer!

MaydayMaydayMayday

2016-05-17T12:30:00.000-05:00

Who else feels like they are drowning in a sea of baseball games, ballet rehearsals, science fair, children's chorus, puppy pee, and end of the year parties? Living on a prayer and chicken on a stick from the ballpark concession stand? WE ARE! May gets the award for being the craziest month of the year. We are making it through with our eyes on the prize. The prize being the end of school and a long Memorial Day weekend at the beach. No practices or alarms clocks allowed! Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, just ready for the pace to slow down a bit. Hang in there friends! Carefree days ahead.

My son, Wyatt

Emily's oldest son, Hudson

Virginia and Ava in their costumes from "The Jungle Scene," Pensacola Children's Chorus Showtime 2016.

Sally was able to visit us backstage and help make some deliveries.
I received so many compliments on my Lauren Milmine necklace!

Mother's Day dinner at Atlas after Virginia finished performance #3 of Showtime.

Pearl. Don't let that face fool you. She's not. that. innocent.

Our sweet lawn care man built this hut for Sally after he cut down all the lower limbs from the trees
making them very difficult to climb.
He felt so bad but the grass really needed some more sunlight to survive!

I relish moments of peace like this one when Sally said, "I'm just going to attach myself to you and go to sleep."

The Mummy Chronicles / The Pleated Poppy

Beach Bound With Uncommon Goods

2016-05-03T10:21:00.002-05:00

With school coming to a close, I'm counting down to the lazy days of summer spent on the beach or by the pool. The water is not quite warm enough for me yet, but Traci and I have already enjoyed a little time in the sun. We headed out to the beach the other day with our girls for a little fun in the sun, plus we wanted to give our new beach bags a try. Traci and I were recently introduced to a website that features unique items designed by emerging artists. Uncommon Goods has tons of interesting pieces that you won't see anywhere else. Plus, with Mother's Day, graduation and wedding season upon us, there is a great selection of gifts for mom, grads, brides, bridesmaids and more.

The Woven Daily Crossbody Bag makes the perfect beach bag for one, yet is not too big to carry up to lunch on the boardwalk or out for drinks at a beach bar. I was able to get my towel, a water bottle, magazines and more into the bag.

One lesson I learned the hard way is to keep your sunscreen in a separate little pouch in your beach bag. Let's just say that iPhones don't work well when sunscreen seeps in through the earpiece. I found this toiletry bag on Uncommon Goods, and I loved the pretty design. The artist sends her woodblock carvings to India to have them printed by fair-trade artisans. The bag is the perfect size to hold all my sunscreens and keep my electronics safe.

They couldn't resist sticking their toes in the water, but it was cold for these two Florida girls!

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Turning Heads | I Do deClaire | Walking In Memphis In Heels
The Mummy Chronicles | Who's Wearing What Wednesdays

This post was sponsored by Uncommon Goods. All opinions are our own.

Weekend in ATL

2016-04-28T11:11:00.000-05:00

My godson, Reilly, after his confirmation at PRUMC.

I was able to spend a long weekend in Atlanta for my godson's confirmation. As always, the days and nights were packed. On Friday, we met friends at 1 Kept. I definitely recommend their flatbread! The atmosphere was great for meeting a group or date night. At lunch on Saturday, I satisfied my Café at Pharr craving. I cannot tell you how many times I have eaten the celery chicken salad plate and still love it. We had a few minutes to run in Tulipano where my sweet friend let me help her find the perfect ensemble for her son's confirmation. She looked gorgeous!

Saturday night was spent at Bartaco catching up with one of my BFFs from UGA. The Bartaco Margarita was insanely delicious and the oyster taco was my favorite. Just a little advice, do not wear a navy blue gingham shirt and white jeans because you will be teased incessantly as this is the uniform of all Bartaco employees.

Sunday began at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. My godson was confirmed at the 8:45 service. It seems like yesterday that I was changing his diaper and pushing him in a stroller. Time flies! We had brunch at Horseradish Grill followed by a Braves game. It will probably be my last trip to Turner Field because this is the last season before they move to the new stadium in Marietta. No trip to Atlanta is complete without dinner at Houston's and that is where we wrapped things up on Sunday night. The spinach and artichoke dip has been a favorite for years!

Top: Ramy Brook Pants: Milly

Wyatt fits right in with the O'Neill boys.

Our crew.

Great seats!

This Cubs fan was buying beer for everyone in our section. Score!

My awesome friend Natalie. I loved seeing her new house and spending quality time with her!

Home of Malones / Twenties Girl Style / Stylin in St. Louis / Living in Color / Happiness at Midlife

An Outfit For Festival Season

2016-04-22T08:52:00.000-05:00

Festival season is upon, and music fans everywhere are enjoying the sounds of their favorite bands and sporting stylish, boho-chic festival ensembles. Who hasn't seen the images of Kendall Jenner from the first weekend of Coachella? Although I won't be traveling to California for weekend 2 of Coachella (but I hope to someday), Scott and I are headed to New Orleans for Jazz Fest with hopes of catching acts like Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Morrison, Anders Osborne, Eric Lindell and more. My looks for the weekend will not doubt pale in comparison to the Hollywood starlets, but nevertheless, I've had fun coming up with my own festival ensembles. Here's a little something I've come up with for this weekend. What's your festival look?

These are my must haves for a spring or summer music festival.

A flirty boho-chic top

Denim shorts (similar here and here)

A light-weight hat for sun protection

Fun, mix-and-match bracelets

A smallish cross-body bag

Comfy sandals or sneakers

I plan on pulling out his little getup from last summer for at least one day of Jazz Fest. It's always so hot in New Orleans this time of year that minimal clothing is a must. Though, I have this weird thing about sandals at music festivals. I really prefer to wear a closed-toe shoe like a pair of Toms or a cute sneaker. Maybe it's all the dust or maybe it's the thought of standing in a dirty bathroom, but I really don't like my toes exposed. Am I crazy?

Linking Up

Rachel The Hat | Birdie Shoots | Jo Lynne | Elegance and Mommyhood

Casual Dinner OOTD

2016-04-19T05:30:00.000-05:00

Top: Loft (similar here & here) Jeans: J.Crew Shoes: Gap (similar here) Clutch: Kelly Wynne

When we were in Tallahassee for the Jason Isbell show, I made a quick trip to Governor's Square Mall to run in H&M and the Gap. These clogs practically jumped into my hands as I was passing them at the Gap. They were my size and an additional 50% off sale price which made them $19! I have been looking around at clogs online so there was no reason not to take them home with me. My only regret is wearing them to the show without breaking them in first. Ouch! Serious blisters. Regardless, I still love them and could not pass up that deal.

This past weekend, I stopped in Loft to check out the spring inventory. I think everything in the store was 30% off. I tried on several cute tops and ended up with this collarless popover softened shirt. It is very comfortable and I thought it would be cute with jeans and my new clogs. I really see it with some fitted flare jeans but I do not have any so I paired it with my black jeans from J.Crew.

I love this long necklace-can also be a bracelet-by Anne Sportun from Susan Campbell Jewelry (similar here & here).

Arrowhead Bracelet: Lauren Milmine Designs Ring: Tiffany & Co. (similar here)

The Pleated Poppy / Style Elixir

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Jason Isbell, Tallahassee, & Pearl

2016-04-15T05:30:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday night we saw Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires perform at the Capital City Amphitheater in Tallahassee. We started at The Southern Public House for drinks and appetizers before the show. The food was great and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Outdoor seating was full so we sat inside at the bar which worked out well because we were able to watch the end of the Masters. From there, we ~~hiked~~ walked to the amphitheater. My friend told me it was not far but I was wearing new clogs so it felt like five miles.

The Capital City Amphitheater is located at Cascades Park, a historic Florida landmark. It is a beautiful spot. The sun was setting as Amanda Shires opened the show with her beautiful voice and violin. I walked down from our seats to get a shot of her on stage. I could not believe how close we could get!

The show was amazing. I know that word is overused BUT he played so many great songs and almost every one I wanted to hear. During the encore, Jason and Amanda covered Merle Haggard's song "Sing Me Back Home" as a tribute to the legend.

After the show we walked up to The Edison. The restaurant is housed in the historic City Electric Building and has been renovated to perfection. We had a delicious bottle of wine before our epic Uber ride back to Southwood. Our driver sang and danced at the top of her lungs the whole way home from Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" to Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise". I could not even breathe I was laughing so hard.

On the way home from Tallahassee, we stopped in Santa Rosa Beach to pick up our new puppy. We were so excited and the kids asked me every 5 minutes, "How much longer to Pearl?" It has been a crazy week trying to crate train and do all the other things that a new puppy requires. She slept all night last night so I am hoping that happens again tonight!

Click the link below to enter to win a beautiful

pair of Lauren Milmine earrings!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet at the Barre / Two Thirty-Five Designs / Lifestyle by Jules

Nautical, Summery Dress + Giveaway

2016-04-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

As summer approaches, all I want to wear are dresses! This is ironic because as a child, I hated them. I was a gymnast, and being able to do a cartwheel or a back handspring at a moments notice was something I just couldn't sacrifice for style. Obviously, I've grown up a little bit, and now I love a good day dress. They are cool and comfortable, yet feminine and stylish. I found this nautical, summery dress over spring break a shop called Willow & Woods in Seaside, and I knew it would be perfect for those dog days of summer. Plus, I can envision throwing a chunky sweater on over this dress and pairing it with booties in the fall. The dress is by THML Clothing, which I was not familiar with before, but after checking out their website, www.thmlclothing.com, I found many things I like.

GIVEAWAY

Last week, Traci and I shared some fun new jewelry by Lauren Milmine Designs! We really loved the pieces, and she was gracious enough to let us use the earrings I wore with this summery, nautical dress for a giveaway! You can enter below by following both Waltz Me To Heaven and Lauren Milmine Designs on Facebook and Instagram. It's a great little prize, and the perfect pop of color for your spring and summer looks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Walking In Memphis In Heels | Turning Heads Tuesday | My Life Well Loved | Home of Malones

A Wardrobe Staple and Rebecca Taylor

2016-04-07T12:21:00.000-05:00

Photography by Jessica Edwards

It is probably pretty clear by now that we are loving Rebecca Taylor's spring collection (evidence here , here and here). I am all about silk tops because they look great with jeans so I immediately gravitated toward this box-clip blouse at Bluetique. It is a win-win situation because I feel dressed up but I still get to wear my jeans! This top takes on a whole new vibe when paired with black cigarette pants. They are such a great fit and perfect for the desk to drink scenario that is so foreign to me these days! It sounds appealing and much more relaxing than what I am actually doing which is living in my car and at the ballpark.

I would have to say that well fitting black pants are on my top #5 list of wardrobe staples no matter what your primary occupation may be. Lysee makes the pair I am wearing in these pictures but I am also a huge fan of Theory. Everyone is so obsessed with denim these days (myself included) but a classic like black pants will never go out of style. Shop my look at the bottom of this post.

Twenties Girl Style / The Mix / High Altitude Style / Two Thirty-Five Designs / Birdie Shoots

A. Liz Adventures

Lauren Milmine Designs

2016-04-05T05:30:00.000-05:00

Lauren Milmine Designs

We are excited to share some beautiful jewelry from designer Lauren Milmine. Her jewelry is handcrafted using high quality authentic materials such as agate, druzy, amazonite and fish skin (to name a few). Lauren loved jewelry from a young age and comes from a family that is artistically gifted. Her mother and sister are both interior designers in Atlanta, in other words, she comes by it honestly. :)

Lauren was a bridesmaid in the wedding that I attended at The Waterfall Club. My friend Natalie told me that I had to meet her, and we actually bumped into each other by chance in the powder room. She is so personable, and I just loved meeting her. Lauren is the mother of three-year-old twins. I am not sure how she finds the time to create these beautiful designs, but I am glad she does. Shop her website for your own unique piece. She is always adding new pieces to her site.

amazonite nugget and antler vertebrae necklace with a silk tassel

Recycled African glass bead necklace with Rose quartz point "fringe"

Blush fish skin bracelet with titanium rainbow agate stone

White druzy agate and coral teardrop earrings

Cappuccino & Fashion / Style Elixir

This post is sponsored by Lauren Milmine Designs.

All opinions are our own.