Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Lilly Lovin - My Hunt for the Perfect Cup Dress!

Five years ago in Camden, South Carolina, Ryan and I met at the Carolina Cup Steeplechase. Ryan is from Camden, so we always go back every year with a group of friends and stay on Lake Wateree at his place.

Our first photo together under the tent in the pouring rain - Carolina Cup 2009! PS: The handsome creeper in the background ended up being a groomsman, love ya Justin!

Since I've known Ryan, I've worn Lilly to Cup every single year. Here's a history of the dresses!

2009

2010

2011 (love you sisk!)

2012

2013

Not seeing any reason to break tradition this year, I headed to our local Lilly store, Pink Palm. My MIL gifts me my dress every year for this special occasion and I look forward to it so much! It also aligned nicely with Pink Palm's 12th Anniversary where they were doing small celebrations and special giveaways! Double score!

Here were some of the contenders. WARNING... if you hate selfies and mirror photos, I suggest you tune out now :).

Loved this one in Pop Pink on the Square, but not so Cup-ish.

This was my favorite in Fountain Hopping from the beginning.

But in the end, this was the winner in the print Bungle in the Jungle! I loved how traditionally Lilly it was!

I was SO excited to leave with my (first non-pink) Cup dress, this Elsa in one of my absolute favorite prints, First Impression, and this pullover in Trippin and Sippin that I've worn literally every cozy night since the purchase.

Oh and as a bonus, check out this adorbs wallet I got fo free with my purchase!

So what's your favorite Lilly thus far? Did I make the right choice? Who's going to the Cup?! I can't wait to see you there!

XO

Erin

Monday, March 3, 2014

Finding the Perfect Hunters

I heart Hunter boots!

Image cred: Molly & Kate

Ok, really though, who doesn't!? I've owned the classic green pair for a lifetime, but they were really starting to wear. Oh and did I mention, they were also kids size because I have itty feet. They were therefore always too short and I yearned for the day when I would get a nice, new, tall adult pair. I was so ready to put my big girl booties on y'all!

When Ry surprised me on my birthday this year with a pair, I died! And then I put them on. Why were they scruchie? Oh yea, I'm short and don't have the standard 15" or below calf. But, no, no, no, no they have to fit, I've been pinning them on Pinterest every single day, they have to fit!

Scrunchieness!

Too bad you can't suck your calves in.

Then Ryan, being the sweet man he is, meekly but knowledgeably says, "you know, they did have an adjustable boot...". Oh heck yes!

I have to admit though, it took me quite a long time to decide what I really wanted. Ideally, I was looking for the Original Tall Glossy in adjustable, but they don't make that combo in the US apparently. So I started looking into the shorter, but wider, Huntress boot that comes in gloss. Didn't love that they were about 2" shorter though.

In the end, I went original, adjustable classic black. And I couldn't be happier! They're fantastic!

Cotton approves!

Here's a look at the adjustable backs, I'm in love!

I have to admit though, when my email dinged recently and I saw all the bright new hues, I got color envy. I mean look at these, they're beautiful!

I'm lusting over that Lipstick Pink pair! Oh and the Clementine and Jade, don't even get me started! So what's your favorite color?

XO!

Erin

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Bachelor Viewing Girls Night PJ Party

Every Monday I get together with a group of girls at my house to nosh on munchies, sip on wine and indulge in the never classy, always trashy TV that is The Bachelor. We even turned it into a game and our two teams, "Juan Direction" and "Don't You Juan-t Me, Baby?" play against each other (recap of the rules to come soon!).

This past week gave us the gift of double episodes on Monday and Tuesday. Yay us! So we decided to postpone our viewing party to Friday to watch both episodes and do a girls-night-in PJ party. We're all such little girls at heart, mention the idea of doing a slumber party and we all get giddy!

Here's a sneak peek into the decorations, food, comfy seating, PJs and fun that made the night a huge success!

Target was having a sale on a lot of their party decor this past week so I scooped up these paper lanterns for $5 and also some tags, straws, pinwheel toothpicks and napkins all around $2 per pack!

I made mini chicken and waffles as an appetizer, it was so easy! I just got nuggets from Chick-fil-A, toasted some Mini Eggos and poured on our favorite Pure Ohio Maple Syrup!