Auf Wiedersehen! - Travel Essentials

Tomorrow I am leavin' on a jet plane y'all! And its a long ride, 13 hours, phew!

But I am so excited I can barely contain it!! I'll be visiting Frankfort (the airport at least), Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, Munich and Prague. While I will desperately miss my husband and puppaloos, I am so excited for this Dad/Daughter trip!

I can't help but get a little too obsessed about what I'm going to wear though! So I did what any girl would do... turned to Pinterest. Oh I just found the best inspiration! Aren't these looks great:

I have to start out with this one from Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere, by far one of my all time fav blogs!

Source: Pinterest & Cupcakes and Cashmere

Source: Pinterest & Become Gorgeous 

Gotta love Jessica Alba, she's got the best travel style!

Source: Pinterest & Glamour

Source: Pinterest

PS: I might just love this one because I own this bag and its the best gift (from my sweet hubby) that I've ever received!

Source (This one is my FAVORITE!): Pinterest, Explore.Dream.Discover & Fairytales are True

Source: Pinterest & AJ Wears Clothes

Source: Pinterest & The Fix

Source: Pinterest & Jen Hammer

Source: Pinterest

I can't help but lust after this beautiful piece of luggage from Kate Spade!

Source: Nordstrom

Then I scoured my closet and found that 1) I own a lot of pink and orange (apparently travelers and europeans don't wear a lot of brights) 2) My shoes aren't that comfy for long-time wear 3) Finding easy layers is kinda hard

That's when I turned to Forever21 and Old Navy for some great basics and then did some online shopping for some cute and comfy shoes and additional layers. Here's what I found and think will be perfect for this trip abroad:

From left to right, by row.

Swagg Fleece Vest, JCrew Pixie Pants, JCrew Polka Dot Capri Pants, Seven Jeans, Banana Republic Crops, Workout Gear

Lilly Pulitzer Iona Shell, Assorted Forever21 Essential Tops, Forever21 Chiffon Back Sweater, Forever21 Essential Shirt Dress, Shop Hope's Orange and Chevron Top, Swell Fedora

Old Navy Maxi Dress, JCrew Top, Old Navy T-Shirt Dress, Romeo + Juliet Blazer, Assorted Pashmina and Forever21 Scarves

Tory Burch Flats, Michael Kors Sandals, Target Cardigans, Forever21 Belt, Target Wedges, Old Navy 3/4 Sleeve Dress

Coach Cross-body Bag, Target Riffle Paper Co. Notebooks, Frye Boots, Barbour Jacket (with hood), Old Navy Camis

I also struggled with footwear that will be cute and comfortable for all the walking, biking, driving and flying I'll be doing. I think these Beach Glass Converse tennies will be perfect!

Just another angle!

Here's my outfit for the plane, I decided on a lot of layers so I can adjust to the temperature and my comfort. I think this fleece vest will be perfect rolled up as a supplemental pillow and the scarf is great as a little blanket if needed.



I want to make sure I document this trip and these notebooks are just thing to encourage me to do so!



I was planning on using my phone as a camera, but when I saw this Samsung for only $79.99 I decided to scoop it up. I can even upload my photos right to Facebook with wi-fi.

Target has the best little travel samples so I loaded up on those too!

I'm a list maker and this site was a big help as well as my above inspiration and laying everything out before putting it in the bag.

I'm hoping to stay connected to my Instagram feed while over there, but if not I"ll definitely do an update on here when I'm back in the states. Auf Wiedersehen!

Oh My Gourd!

You know those funny shaped lamps that are popping up everywhere? Well, they're called Gourd Lamps. And they're fab.

There are single, double or even tripple gourd lamps. But no matter the number of curves, they are always a beautiful addition to your home. They fit in the living room, bedroom and everywhere in between.

Once I realized the name of this new lighting obsession, I started my search for shape, color and the best price of course. Here's some great inspiration I found:

Source: Decor Pad

Source: Pinterest

Source: Decor Pad

Source: Pinterest

Source: Decor Pad

Source: Decor Pad

Source: Mussucco Warner Miller Interior Design

Source: Stylebeat Blog

So once I was feeling pretty darn inspired, I started shopping. Here's some resources below. Notice one thing? They're a wee bit pricey, huh?

Price: $174/set   Source: Google Shopping

Price: $289.90/set    Source: Lighting Universe

Price: $169/each (on sale)    Source: Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs

Price: $204.91/each    Source: Euro Style Lighting

Price: $308.91/each    Source: Lamps Plus

Then I looked on JCPenny. Again, a surprise source, I know. While I can't find the exact ones that I bought for only $45/piece about three weeks ago, these are pretty well priced at $60.

Source: JCPenney

I'm also loving this metallic gourd lamp from Lamps Plus for only $80.

Source: Lamps Plus

I decided to order two neutral lamps and place them on my new mirrored side tables in our bedroom (post on those coming soon, don't you worry). You'll notice I took a "his" and "hers" approach so that Ryan and I could each have a personalized side table. I just love how these turned out!

Celebrating 2 Years!

Today is our 2-year anniversary as Mr. and Mrs. Phillips!

Thinking back to this magical day 2 years ago makes me smile, laugh and remember the amazing love that we felt with each other and our family and friends in the church that day. I also can't help but get nostalgic and look back through our pictures from that day. Here are some of our favorites...

Last year we traveled to Louisville and Blackberry Farm to celebrate our anniversary and it was a blast! This year, considering all the excitement of the past month or two, we'll just be laying low. (I may have a surprise or two for Ryan, check out Instagram later, don't want to spill the beans yet!)

I also can't think about our wedding without thinking about everyone that made it possible. Thank you to my Mom, my Mother-In-Law, my Nana and Papa, my Dad, my Sisters, Brother, my Father-In-Law, Aunts, Uncles, Family Friends, Cousins, Guests and of course all of our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen!

Our vendors were so wonderful, especially our photographers Tomme Hilton and Erica Billingsley. Not to mention Price of Peace Catholic Church, Smoke on the Water (catering), Katie Cotton (makeup), Ginger Hargraves (cake), Gown Boutique of Charleston (Martina Liana gown and FREE Jim Hjelm bridesmaid dresses that we won). My flowers were by my Nana and decor DIY, mainly by my Mom :).