Welcome Home Wednesday: Favorite 2x3 Rugs

Hello from Charleston, SC! I've got plenty of updates (some at the end of this post), but first want to share a little Welcome Home Wednesday with you. Especially after the great feedback from last week's post on colorful throw pillow combos! 

Our fully furnished temporary apartment (which is awesome!) unfortunately has zero rugs, so I went on the hunt for a few small 2x3 rugs to put in the kitchen and by the doors. I absolutely fell in love with one from Target for only $14 and thought I would share all my favorites with you today, most pretty darn cheap. Enjoy!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

{ONE} This is the one I mentioned above from Target, I put it in our kitchen and I'm obsessed, I might actually go buy a backup considering it's so cheap. You should see the pink and blue and pattern in person!

{TWO} Can't go wrong with a thick weave jute, love these by the door (sale alert!)

{THREE} Mint and navy paired together is my jam lately, just like in this stripe rug

{FOUR} I prefer finding these small oriental styles at antique shops, but this one is perfect for a temp apartment (currently on sale)

{FIVE} Kate Spade has done it again, and for under $40

{SIX} If you've seen Sully's nursery, you know I love this style (also currently on sale!)

{SEVEN} Sheepskin in a pretty grey/purple is perfection, these are even pretty draped over a chair

Ok so life update. We've had an INSANE last few days. I completely forgot how hard it is to move states! We got here late Friday night and it's just been non-stop. And I couldn't have made up Monday's events even if I tried... we were on our way to Sully's first day of daycare ever and she choked on her milk and voms all over her cute outfit, poor thing. Then when I get her changed and washed off (with baby wipes and coconut hand sanitizer), I get to the front door and the daycare unexpectedly closed due to a power outage. It was just temporary though so I ended up getting her in later and then proceeding through mounds of paperwork. Which, by the way, you've got to get South Carolina DHEC to certify your immunization records if you're coming from a different state, who knew. I proceed to then drive home and fire up my computer for my first day working remotely and my computer corrupted and I couldn't login. I ended up having to overnight it to Richmond and will get it back tomorrow morning. Yep, pretty fab first day. But, hey, at least this is my view from my apartment desk where I work:

Mamas and Dadas with a baby in daycare, please tell me it's going to be okay. Today was rough for Sully, she turned red as a tomato and cried huge crocodile tears when I dropped her off. When I picked her up, the teacher said she didn't eat or sleep all day and was pretty upset most the time. Is this normal? If so, how long will it take for her to get adjusted? If not, should I look into alternative care options? Help! I'm pretty torn up about it, not gunna even lie.

But today is hump day and it's all gravy from here, right?! Gotta stay positive peeps!

PS: Click the images below to shop this post :)

5 on Friday: Top 20 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

Happy Friday friends!

We’re making our southern migration today, I seriously can’t believe it (see my farewell post)! I had a work happy hour last night that was a sort of going away since I won’t physically be in the office any longer, just working remotely. It was great to be able to catch up with folks outside of the office before I left and I was touched that a good group showed up in their free time, #allthefeels. 

Anywho, I’m excited to pick back up on 5 on Friday today! Here’s the top 5 things on my mind or that I’m loving lately:

{ONE} My top 20 picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. 

No surprise here right, #TypicalBlogger. I’m not a card holder (we’re too in love with our one card we use for everything), but there’s plenty of sneak peeks from other bloggers already while they're doing early access. Here's the top 20 things that I already have my eye on when the sale opens to the public on July 22nd:

1. Striped peplum top // 2. Stripe/check top // 3. Navy strappy top // 4. Drape white blazer // 5. Cashmere sweater // 6. Long shawl cardigan // 7. Ruffle cardigan // 8. Fit & Flare dress // 9. Pink shift dress // 10. This is the splurgeish item I’m wanting this year // 11. Although maybe I’ll pick up this faux version instead // 12. Honorable mention to this Barbour jacket (when do these ever go on sale?!) // 13. These faux leather leggings from Spanx (I got a plain black pair last year and wore them ALL the time - postpartum Mamas get 20 pairs if you can, they're awesome) // 14. Leopard shoulder bag // 15. Kate Spade glitter studs // 16. Tory flats // 17. Definitely these diptyque candles // 18. These Tory rider boots which will go fast (I scored a pair last year and they're awesome) // 19. UGG slippers  // 20. Tweed Mary Jane heels

Here's the blogger's who have the best round ups IMO (no particular order):

-House of Harper

-Look, Linger, Love

-Southern Curls& Pearls 

-Design Darling

-Hanging with the Hewitts

-Sweet Southern Prep 

-For All Things Lovely 

-Brighton the Day 

Last year, I went all in (see what I got in this post) and I'm so glad I picked up a pair of Joie booties (cheaper version), my Lush dress and my Lush top that I wear all seasons and the Spanx leggings (as mentioned above). Definitely will be grabbing my favorite candles again too if there are some left.

{TWO} Dinner with our DC besties. 

You might have seen on Insta that we had dinner at Liberty Tavern in Arlington with Catherine and Will Wednesday night. It was super yummy for those who live up here. This was our going away dinner with them and was so nice. I’m going to miss these people so much, but hope know they’ll come visit us soon! They got us the cutest Catstudio towel and glasses to commemorate our time in DC, plus a new giraffe wubbanub for Sully since Pippa the Pup ate off the ears when we had dinner with them previously :).

{THREE} Final DC date night. 

Ryan and I had our final date night in DC at All Purpose on Sunday and it was so good, their pizza is gorgeous. Which, by the way, we TOTALLY forgot about this date night. It was so funny you guys, we went out to grab dinner and got a text from a random number that said they were on our front porch. We were so confused and Ry even thought I accidentally ordered Postmates on my phone (who else is obsessed?!). We rushed back and there was the babysitter we hired, waiting for us at the door, ha! 

{FOUR} Lilly Pulitzer - currently loving.

Lilly just released some new items and I am obsessed with this new print. And the below top I wore for the Southern C has been recreated in this version, it's so flattering and I always get so many good comments. I am finding myself absolutely living in two Lilly dresses so far this summer and thought I would share. The first is this one that I actually wore to work yesterday. The second is the Essie dress in this gorgeous mint color. If you’re in the market for comfy summer dresses, get these now!

{FIVE} Faux tans suggestions?

I am a whole new level of pale you guys, so I’m turning heavily to my Jergens Natural Glow lotion that I’ve used in years past. While I swear by this lotion, I can’t help but be curious about others I’m seeing around like this one and this one. Any suggestions on best tanning lotions or sprays?

What would make your top 5 this week? What are you craving from the #NSale?

Also, make sure to follow along on Snapchat (name: ephilli) and Instagram for updates during our move!

Here's who I'm teaming up with today on this Five on Friday: A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life.

Farewell DC - We're making the move to Charleston!

Tomorrow marks our last day living in DC/Northern Virginia. Spending last night in a totally empty house was pretty weird, not gunna lie. It feels like just yesterday I was writing this post when we were moving from our beloved Richmond, VA. Then again, it kind of feels like eternity too even though it was only one year ago.

Sullivan and the dogs on our rental front porch before Dada took the pups to the lake in SC!

As a refresh, we moved to the DC area when my husband took a new job within the company we both work/ed for because his new team was located in the NoVA office. It was the job he had his eyes set on within the company, so we decided as a family to take the leap so he could pursue his dream and provide for our family in a better way. Also keep in mind I was SUPER preggers when we made this decision and then Sully was only twelve weeks old when we moved. To put it lightly, the weeks leading up to and right after the move from RVA to DC were hell. That said, I’m at peace with our decision and here’s why.

We never, ever would have gotten the career opportunities we’re now presented with if we hadn’t moved. My husband and I both have worked very hard to get where we are in our careers and the benefits we’re seeing from just one year of big city experience are astounding. I transferred jobs within our company while up here too and now I have a career I’ve wanted for a quite some time.

Not to mention, we met our wonderful nanny Wendy who loves Sullivan like she’s her own. She has helped Sully grow and excel in her first little year of life more than we ever could have imagined. We’ll try out the daycare route once we’re in Charleston, but having the 2:1 ration of children to nanny this first year within our home through our nanny share has been amazing. We’re going to miss Wendy and Sully’s bestie (whose Mom blogs here) a lot!

We also met some really great people (looking at you Classic Catherine) that will be our friends for life! And we had lots of folks visit us from afar, so we got in quite a lot of DC tourist sites in just one year. In fact, on that note, I'm certainly feeling more cultured since living here which is pretty refreshing.

It’s still a no-brainer moving to Charleston with the opportunity that has presented itself to Ryan and I think it will be a wonderful next step. Having a little one really makes you realize how much you need a solid tribe of friends and family nearby. And our tribe mostly happen to be in South Carolina.

All in all, I’m looking back on our time here with a rough-around-the-edges fondness :). It strengthened our relationship, showed me how strong I really am, gave us a lesson in resiliency and propelled us forward at a rate we never could have imagined. I guess this is all to say that I will miss DC a little bit, but am happy it will soon be a memory (in a good way!).

Taken on a weekday with minimal tourists - proof for Sully she really did live in our Nation's Capital.

Recently someone asked me on Snapchat (name, ephilli) if I would recommend moving here and I do think that I would recommend a big city experience to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and move forward their career. I would just say be thoughtful on your timing and set expectations that it’s ok not to be 100% happy all at once because change is scary (remember this post).

Thanks for reading and coming along with us in our journey, see you soon Charleston!

Welcome Home Wednesday: Colorful Throw Pillows

It's Wednesday y'all! Things have been a bit crazy in the Phillips household with movers and road trips and flights and more (see what I mean on Snapchat, name: ephilli or click here on mobile). 

I was feeling inspired though as the movers were packing up our neutral linen pillows on our neutral white couches. We're moving to Charleston, time to update those throw pillows and add some big pops of color! But oh there are so many options, let me know what you guys think of the below options on this week's Welcome Home Wednesdays post...

Do we go Palm Beach Cool? Especially when the flamingo pillow is only $20.

Flamingo ($20) // Palm ($125/pair) // Pink Greek Key ($45)

I've always loved some zebras (all you 90s kids remember to faux zebra print everywhere!) and this pillow is not only super affordable but so cute when tamed down with some very traditional monogram and lime pillows.

Zebra ($20) // Monogram ($95) // Lime ($38)

 Now I said I wanted some colors, how about these? #AllTheColors

Solid ($20) // Floral ($99) // Coral ($24)

I'm a fan of print on print, the bolder the better, especially on something as easy to change out as throw pillows.

Stripe ($56) // Watercolor ($60) // Multicolor ($175)

I am moving to South Carolina after all, how about a traditional gingham paired with this fun tropical print that isn't as typical as the palm leaves you're seeing everywhere.

Tropical ($199/pair) // Gingham ($30) // Velvet ($25)

There's a big trend in abstract right now whether it's marble/agate prints, watercolor strokes, graphic prints and more.

Marble ($60) // Double Dipped ($45) // Graphic ($98)

Maybe I'll only take a small step away though, keep some of the neutral and add in a stripe and lime green leopard print.

Neutral ($30) // Stripe ($32) // Leopard ($35)

Now, a lot of these pillows are not going to come with luxurious fluffy inserts and will even be sewn up. I always order inserts, these are my favorite, and unstitch or unzip and pull out the factory insides. It makes the world of difference! And your $20 pillows will look like $200 pillows, #winning.

What do you guys think? What are your favorites?

And don't miss out on previous Welcome Home Wednesday posts where I share my favorites in summertime entertaining and poolside staples.

Click the images below to shop my favorite pillows:

Pink & Green Palm Dress by Topshop

Happy Friday folks! 

Excited to share this pink and green palm print slip dress from Topshop (only $60) with you guys today. I wore this for the first round of parties celebrating the wedding of some of our closest friends in Charleston recently and it couldn't have been more perfect. 

I paired this dress with my monogrammed gold Jack Rogers, classic mirrored Ray-Bans, my Louis speedy, Julie Vos bangle and only the prettiest blush colored tassel chandelier earrings that are only $13 right now (I also pinned an awesome ombre tassel earring at the end of this post).

We had a little time to kill before the party kicked off so we popped into our favorite restaurant on King Street - Macintosh - and had drinks and apps at the bar. This watermelon sangria was the best thing EVER, I'm already thinking of ways to get back there once we move so I can have it again. The pork sliders and fries were just as delicious!

We also had a caprese-style salad that was made with burrata cheese, our fav! Somehow, Ryan talked me into ordering the anchovy dish too which is totally not my thing. But hey, I'll try any dish once. He was in love with it, but it just still wasn't my thing no matter how great it actually was.

All in all, it was such a great night! We were so lucky to have Lala (Ry's Mom) come into town to watch Sully so we could dance the night away without a care. Dance we sure did if you can't tell by the disheveled picture below :). 

Stay tuned for pictures from the reception and wedding, I guarantee they're going to blow your socks off!