Fall 2017 Bucket List

It is officially Fall and while it won't feel like it until a while from now here in Charleston, that didn't stop our little family from jotting down a Fall 2017 bucket list!

You'll see a lot of these floating around in the blogging world this time of year, but I thought I would make ours pretty specific so we actually take action and go do these things vs. just "visit a pumpkin patch". 

Here you have it, the Phillips Family's Fall 2017 Bucket List! 

{ONE} Attend a Clemson Game

I cheated a tad on this one because we have not only one, but TWO Clemson games already on our calendar! I'm so excited you guys!!! This is the first time we live close enough to actually fit two games in this year. Even better - Sully is coming to at least the first one with us which is homecoming.

You guys have no idea how giddy I am to enjoy Clemson traditions with her! The little things like the homecoming floats, the football players running down the hill, the balloons released into the air, an Esso meal, tailgating and getting a tiger paw painted on her cheek and so much more have me ecstatic!

{TWO} DIY Sully's Halloween Costume

I had so much fun doing this for her last year with her DIY Flamingo Costume! It's something my Nana did for me and I love doing it for my little girl. I'm thinking either Princess Poppy from Trolls or an ice cream cone this year... what do you guys think?!

{THREE} Go to the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch

Visiting an orchard or pumpkin patch is really high on my fall list every year. Remember how cute Sully was in her 6 months old photos at a pumpkin patch visit?! This year, I've decided on the Boone Hall Plantation pumpkin patch as our destination. I'm sure it will be crazy crowded, but I can't wait to share in the joy with Sully (are you seeing a trend here?)! 

{FOUR} Decorate the Front Porch

I've already started on this one with a few pumpkins Ry grabbed for me at Trader Joes. Now I'm thinking of hay bales, our Halloween decor, a fun wreath and anything we find at the pumpkin patch (above). 

{FIVE} Bake Pumpkin Coffee Cake 

Ever since discovering a recipe for pumpkin coffee cake in this 5 on Friday, I've been dying to bake it this fall! Stay tuned to Instagram Stories to see how it turns out. 

{SIX} Host a Chili Cookoff

We've been looking for a way to invite the neighbors over and have a little celebration. What better than some friendly competition mixed in too? Ry and I have already started talking about a plan to host a chili cookoff this season. 

Any tips for us? How many chilis should we have? How should people vote? Have a favorite recipe?

{SEVEN} Find the Perfect Pumpkin Candle 

I've really struggled with this so far this season y'all! I thought I found the one, only to have Ry say it was "too pumpkin-y". Haha! I've heard good things about the Nest one... any other suggestions?

That's it, which is actually a lot I feel like! Other things I want to do before winter is get in some beach time, a bike ride, finish planting the other garden bed for fall/winter and also finalize our plans for the front porch renovation (more coming on that later). 

What's on your fall list?!

September Book Reviews

Hey there gals and guys, any fellow bookworms amongst us?!

I had a goal in September to get back to reading and with a book club and lots of time in the car with Audible, I'm happy to say I read FOUR books this month and the month isn't even over! {insert mini victory dance, most likely to the Trolls soundtrack}

Since I was so successful in this goal (not so much in some others, more to come here), I thought I would share a review of each of them with you today! 

As always, these posts do contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on some of these links they could send some change my way at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little blog!

{ONE} Cultivate  by Lara Casey

Image via @CultivateWhatMatters

If you follow me on Insta Stories you know I actually finished this book at the car wash on Saturday (ha!). I was really excited about this one from the moment I heard Lara Casey was releasing it, following her first book Make It Happen (although you don't need to read it before Cultivate). 

I even led a small group here in Charleston as we worked our way through it together. We got a little thrown off by the hurricane, but are going to do a grand finale celebration in a couple weeks!

So what's my official review? 

Not to be dramatic, but... this book might have just changed my life y'all! No seriously. It was the first time I got messy and wrote in almost every single margin. I actually would be quite weirded out if anyone ever got ahold of my copy and read it, it's like a diary at this point. 

If you're looking for something to bring you closer or back to God, something to reshift your focus on the things that matter in your life and something to make you feel not so alone in your own head - this is the something for you. 

It takes time to work through it and you really only can go chapter by chapter because Lara's just dropping so much knowledge and goodness on you :). Bottom line...

HIGHLY RECOMMEND 

{TWO} Chasing Slow  by Erin Loechner 

Image via @ScandinavianSlow

Much like Cultivate, this book has the same woven thread of focusing on what matters in life. 

The way that Erin writes is refreshing and humorous. Almost to the point where you have to stop and say, "woah, wait, that is so good" because her lessons are so deeply hidden and not preachy at all (neither are Lara's). 

I started reading the copy of the book I owned here at home and then bought the Audible version with one of my monthly credits so I could make sure I finished it before The Southern C Retreat where Erin is speaking. I think I did myself a disservice here. So on this one I say...

RECOMMEND 

IF reading yourself, not on Audible. I would also say to space out this one and Cultivate if you want to read both.

{THREE} The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo  by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Image by @PopSugarMH

I'll just start out by saying, HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I "read" it in 48 hours y'all (via Audible and with thanks to hurricane traffic). 

If you're looking for a light and mysterious book to read, pick up this one next. I haven't read into the inspiration for this novel at all, but I feel like it's a mix between what could have been a story of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. It will really make you think about the ins and outs of Hollywood love stories. 

It jumps between modern day via the perspective of journalist Monique Grant who is interviewing the world's largest film star, Evelyn Hugo (now in her 80s) and then Evelyn's perspective throughout her life as she tells her story. You'll be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out the connection between Evelyn and Monique the whole book. 

See, Monique is a no-name journalist who Evelyn has precisely sought out to write her life story. So you'll be asking "Why Monique?" when Evelyn could have picked the world's best journalist? As Evelyn's life unfolds, you get closer and closer to the reason(s) why Evelyn lured Monique into her home and into each other's lives forever. 

This was one I really enjoyed on Audible. Hope you enjoy it too, no matter which way you read the book! Just in case you missed it above...

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

{FOUR} Class Mom  by Laurie Gelman

Image by @HenryHoltBooks

This was my least favorite book this month and one I wanted to really enjoy. Don't you hate when that happens? 

It's about a Mom who has already had two girls go through elementary and middle school and now has a younger boy in kindergarten. She's talked into being class Mom and via snarky emails and sneaky plots (including chocolate brownies on picture day), ends up getting fired from the job only to earn it back again. 

Funny, yes, but not the depth in storyline or good enough twist at the end if you ask me.  That said, I think I would have enjoyed it more if 1. I had or had had children in elementary school and 2. If I hadn't listened to it on Audible. 

Sadly, on this one...

DON'T RECOMMEND

Ok, that's a wrap! Now I'm hungry for more good books and have a really long car ride coming up - what do you recommend for my October reading list?!

5 on Friday: Can I Pull Off These Sneakers?

H A P P Y  F R I D A Y !!!

It is finally Friday y'all. Did anyone else feel like this was an absolutely insane week? I honestly don't think I've ever gotten more big projects done in my life for work, ever.  

So to take a brain break and write this post is quite a treat! THANK YOU! :) 

By the way, how are you guys liking these posts? I hope they're still fun for you too. There's also more coming outside of these 5 on Friday posts. I announced this week on my Instagram a really fun project coming to the blog (eek!). For now though, I hope this 5 on Friday post provides you with some light-hearted joy and pretties! 

As always, these posts do contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on some of these links they could send some change my way at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little blog!

{ONE} Pom Pom Mule Sneakers 

Let's jump into some #realtalk. And by real talk I mean, can this Mama pull off these slip-on mule sneakers with pom poms? Or will I just feel ridiculous and like I'm trying to be cute and hip?! 

For real, let me know, I've gone back to them a few times, but just can't quite decide!

They also come in leopard and grey. 

{TWO} The Best Clutch!

I have fallen hard. This clutch is EVERRRRRYTHING! 

It folds over, has a pocket, has a zipper section, magnetizes shut, has the most classic black and white palm print and is made here in Charleston. In fact, it's made by my awesome suitemate and office buddy Emily of Suite 33. And no, she did not pay or ask me to say any of the above :). 

I took it out with us on a date night this weekend when Ryan's Mom was in town (the necklace shown is hers, from Oops). I haven't taken it out of my bag since. So good!

Clutch // Dress (under $50) // Necklace (from Oops, The Tiny Tassel makes my fav tassel necklace) // Mani

{THREE} Eight LinkedIn Headlines That Don't Suck

I love this article from Girlboss (do y'all subscribe to their emails? you should!). My favorite one might just be: 

"Basically the Beyoncé of Excel Spreadsheets and SEO". Haha!

Note to self: Work on your LinkedIn title. 

{FOUR} Palm Wallpaper

Y'all know I've been dreaming of wallpaper and the thought of redoing my bathroom with a punchy print. It's also common knowledge that I'm a wee bit obsessed with palm, I even have "Palm" as part of my company name. I blame it on Birdcage. 

So imagine my heart flutters upon seeing the variations of this beauty:

What do you guys think, this or the cheetah paper I shared last time?

{FIVE} Long Wrap Cardigan 

Last week we talked about pumpkin everything, so this week I'm sharing this perfect cardigan to go with your pumpkin coffee cake, pumpkin candle and pumpkin spice latte. #BasicBsUnite. 

Look closely when you jump over to Nordstrom to take a peek, it actually has buttons and you can wear it open or snap it closed up around your neck as seen in the photo. 

It also comes in burgundy and black. 

That's a wrap (no pun intended on the above ;))! This is our last weekend in town before I'm gone or we're all out of town or have guests in town for the next FIVE WEEKS! I hope I can survive this season of busy, phew!

Toddler Fall Style

Do any other Mamas get sad cleaning out their child's closet when the seasons and sizes change? With every fold, I remember fun memories and firsts in the outfits and low and behold... always manage to cry at the reminder of how precious time is with our little lady. 

I think because of this, I had let things really pile up in Sully's closet and drawer over the last year. She still had 18-24 month clothes in her closet y'all 😳. So I mustered up the strength and did a big clean out. Once I was done, she was left with a few summer things in 3T and a few 4Ts peppered throughout. 

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So online I headed to find some fall inspiration for toddler's and check out the latest lines from my favorite kid's brands like Mini Boden, Smocked Auctions, Toddler Gap, Crewcuts by JCrew, Carter's and Nordstrom Kids (they also carry Mini Boden and I love the Tea Collection). 

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Aren't all the above just oh so cute?! Here's what I narrowed in on for all you Mamas in the same boat!

Y'all know we always let you know, so these posts do contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on some of these links they could send some change my way at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little blog!

1. Polka Dot Jeggings // 2. Pink Buffalo Check Shirt // 3. Staffordshire Dogs Shirt 

4. Pink Jeggings // 5. Blue Pumpkin Smocked Dress // 6. Embroidered Bell Sleeve Dress 

7. Fairytale Dress // 8. Plaid Long Sleeve Dress // 9. JCrew Leopard Dress 

10. Peplum Cardigan // 11. Faux Fur Vest // 12. Green Field Jacket

Not mentioned in the above, but definitely staples, are our essential leggings, a good pair of brown booties (Sully ADORES boots for some reason, ha) and our favorite PJs that literally lasted and fit her for a year. 

Sale Alert - Anything from Carter's above is also 25% off! And if you're not already using the Honey plugin for Chrome, you need to get it ASAP, it's saved me so much money. When you're in your cart checking out, it plugs in promo codes. It's pretty sweet. 

Don't you just want all this in your own size?! 

What are some other staples for fall for your littles that you love?

5 on Friday: Is it too early for pumpkin everything?!

We're putting together a fall bucket list (which I can't wait to share with you!), I broke out the first pumpkin candle of the season and donned my first scarf of the season too. Fall is almost here y'all! 

Does anyone else feel like fall truly starts when college football begins? No matter the weather, that's what does it for me usually. GO TIGERS!

So today I'm getting this fall party started by sharing five fall things I've been loving lately! 

As always, these posts do contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on some of these links they could send some change my way at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little blog!

{ONE} The Perfect Pumpkin Candle

This is a no brainer, but putting the smell of pumpkin and fall in the air is a great signal to get this fall party started. After much sniffing, I'm currently burning this one, but have heard awesome things about this fancy pumpkin candle. Ok, and can we talk about how cute this one is and how it doubles as the perfect decor. 

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{TWO} The Perfect Fall Pot

If you're more about bringing the smell of fall into your home via food, one thing we can't live without is our Le Creuset French Oven. I'm dying to try this white chicken chili recipe. 

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Fun fact: I helped style the above photo for Le Creuset back in the day when I worked on their marketing!

{THREE} Fall Reading

I kind of love lists... so in addition to our fall bucket list, I've started a fall reading list. First up was this novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Maybe I'll do a full review on it, but for now know that I "read" (I had the audio book for the car ride home from Greenville) it within 48 hours. It's pretty liberal, but really good and kept me guessing, with a surprise twist right at the end. 

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What books should I put on my fall reading list?!

{FOUR} Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake

Three of my favorite things in a dessert y'all - pumpkin. streusel. coffee cake. I Heart Naptime killed it for me on this recipe! I can't wait to make it this weekend. 

 

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{FIVE} Tuckernuck's Fall Trend Report

I keep going back to all of Tuckernuck's fall styles, especially every one seen in this trend report. These may be my top three favorites though: 

I love this ruffled floral shirt! I'm also digging the color of these more relaxed flare jeans with the girlier top. 

 I can't explain to you how in love with this leopard wrap skirt I became the minute I saw it! All the heart eyes y'all!!!

Pink is my signature color, HA! But seriously, if I was to choose a signature color it might just be the color of this dress. Not just the color alone gets me, I love a fit and flare and a bell sleeve y'all!

{BONUS} Lady Planter

I felt like I had to throw this one in as a bonus because it's not technically fall themed. It's the lady planter from Oh Joy! for Target and I just think it's fabulous. I can't wait to put a little baby palm in it for my office!

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Send me your book and other fall recommendations!

5 On Friday: Barbie Artwork, My Fav Dress & Justin Timberlake Lullabies!

Hi guys, what a Friday! As I'm typing this post, we've evacuated to Greenville, SC from Charleston for Hurricane Irma. We heard mandatory evacuation might start tomorrow, so we decided to get out while things weren't insane. 

It's sad y'all and it makes my heart heavy. Like, really heavy. Especially after seeing what happened so recently in Houston. I think of all the people and businesses this is going to affect. I hurt for the animals left behind and the people who don't have the means to get out. I wonder what's going to happen to our home we've worked so hard on this past year. I'm nervous it's going to take days to get back home. And months and months for our city to recover. See, some pretty heavy thoughts over here today. 

But ya know what, I'll be safe in Greenville with my family. And that's what matters. I taped this quote from Lara Casey's book Cultivate to my computer awhile ago and I'm trying to remember it today:

"I CAN ALWAYS TRUST AN UNKNOWN FUTURE TO A KNOWN & NEVER CHANGING GOD." - Lara Casey

I'm just going to keep repeating that over these next few days. 

It feels a little funny to jump into a classic 5 on Friday today with these heavy thoughts on my mind. And I was about to write a totally different post for you today when I realized, these are the little things that help our mind take a break from the worry. So here it is, a classic, good 'ol 5 on Friday! 

As always, these posts do contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on some of these links they could send some change my way at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little blog!

{ONE} Vintage Ken & Barbie Artwork

I'm always on the hunt for artwork that's fun and inspiring to fill my office and home. When I saw this artwork from Vintage Ken and Barbie on Look Linger Love's Coral House account (which you should 100% check out because it's the most beautiful Bahamas home), I had to investigate further. 

 The artist and photographer's name is David Parise, go check out his Instagram! Here he is in action:

How fun is it, you guys?! Yes, some of it may be a little too out there for some people. I think this one may just be my choice of the bunch:

{TWO} My New Favorite Work Dress

I picked up this Lush dress not too long ago when I was looking for a neutral and under $50 option for a speaking engagement. And I can't take it off y'all! I am OBSESSED! 

It's got the perfect amount of structure, a nice sleeve and is just flowy enough. I have the Bleached Sand color which is perfection, although I will tell you that you have to wear nude undergarments ;). I'm seriously considering also buying it in Navy and Red too.  

{THREE} Clairebella Studio's Leopard Coral Wallpaper 

I discovered this wallpaper randomly on Instagram (@clairebellastudio) and have been dreaming about it ever since. We've got a guest bathroom that while updated, is begging for some personality with its white granite, neutral walls and all white everything else. This may be just the thing to put in the sink nook for a fun update!

{FOUR} Acure Citrus Ginger Moroccan Argan Oil

I've fallen a tad in love with oils, especially adding them to my moisturizer or massaging them directly onto my face pre-moisturizer if I need an extra level of hydration. I even add them to damp hair to prevent dead ends, here's the one I use. The face oil I started using though was a bit expensive, so when I ran out, I was on the hunt for less expensive, but still effective, version. Enter Acure oils. 

At only $12, natural and fresh citrusy scented, it's love! I discovered them through Grove Collaborative, which I cannot recommend enough! It's how I get all my household and most of my skin care and Sully products. I trust their products are natural and not harmful. Plus, they're cheaper than buying the same brands at Target. Win, win.

{FIVE} Justin Timberlake Lullabies 

Yes, you read that right. This one is for my Mama friends. Rockabye Baby which takes popular songs and turns them into lullabies has an all Justin Timberlake lullaby album. Think things like Bye, Bye, Bye, SexyBack and even Sully's Trolls movie favorite, Can't Stop the Feeling. I heard about this from Julia, the wonderful blogger behind Lemon Stripes. Check out the whole album here on Spotify. 

And while you're on Spotify, we've got a pretty sweet playlist of jams that we listen to at the Pinckney Palm office. 

That's a wrap folks!

Let me know if you're in Greenville and would like to catch up! This, of course, is pending Greenville not getting hit super hard either. 

Stay safe y'all!

Clemson Game Day Outfits for the Family!

College football has ARRIVED!!!!! I'm seriously so pumped y'all. I've always been a college football gal, more specifically a Clemson football gal. We're a family of Clemson graduates and Ryan even proposed to me on the Clemson football field because it just means so much (thank goodness not during a game). 

We were unfortunately stuck at home with a sick baby girl (double ear infection, yuck) during the first game, so we did our own little tailgate. This then led me to jumping online to check out some new game day gear for us all, so I thought I would share with you today!

Ryan immediately chimed in with what he was in need of this year, a Clemson polo. The ones by Peter Milar are his favorite.

 This one is just a classic with the purple stripe and traditional paw. 

This is my favorite and only available in-store at MH Frank, but I think we'll call and see if we can snag one this year. 

I also love that Southern Tide is doing Clemson shirts, I love this white one for something a little more neutral. 

This is his go-to pullover that he probably will wear nearly every game (because we won the National Championship when he was wearing it, ha). Does anyone else have superstitious beaus?! 

And here is our favorite button down he owns, again from MH Frank so you'd have to call or visit to purchase:

For Sully, it's a little harder because there's not a ton of non-tacky :) little girls Clemson or true purple and orange tiger outfits. Here is my favorite find this time around though from Etsy:

Clemson Tiger Paw Seersucker Bubble

This is my favorite dress from last year that I'm going to try and fit her in again. I do like Vive La Fete for Collegiate toddler and baby clothes. 

Fanatics has its mix of cute (and tacky!) Clemson clothes, I do love this purple gingham dress:

Have y'all heard of this company Primary? It's all solid basics for kids. I love their orange and purple and could see getting it monogrammed or getting a tiger patch put on a few things. 

This short sleeve dress is my favorite.

Finally for Sully, because we all know a good southern girl's outfit is not complete without a bow... these are my absolute favorite bows in terms of quality and price. 

For me, Stewart Simmons is still at the top of my list from this dress last year. Then I tend to go to lightweight orange dresses. It's still so hot in Clemson in the Fall, so you need lighter dresses in the stands this time of year still.  

It's sold out, but I'm loving this more casual option they have this year:

How perfect is this JCrew number?!

For $60 this strappy dress is so cute:

I'm digging this solid orange number on sale:

How cute is this open back t-shirt dress for $20?!

I love this relaxed and cute Free People dress (currently 40% off!):

I'm also a fan of good loungewear for days like we had today when we're watching the game from home. Interestingly enough, I found the relaxed cute top below from American Eagle! They have an awesome line of Clemson clothes, it's hard to pick just one thing to love. 

That's all for this random Saturday post! This is what happens when you have a sick baby y'all. You trade tailgating and bar watching parties for couch cuddles, puppy shaped nebulizers and tickle parties to hear your little wheezy girl laugh. And oh my goodness you guys, I would not in a million, trillion years trade it for the world. :)