Don't y'all love the Lilly prints this year? This video makes me want to be in South Carolina SO badly...or maybe just somewhere warm!

Man Appreciation Post

I realize I haven't posted for a while...but I promise that will end soon! I just finished three projects (all worth 50% of my grade in those respective classes), and I'm hoping to finish another one tonight!

But since I generally study best by giving myself a break and a little reward after a few hours of studying, I'm feeling like this is a really great reward.

Now, I know that this GQ interview and photoshoot was published last August, but I used to be a huge True Blood fan. I haven't kept up with the series lately, but Alex Skarsgard was always my favorite character! I liked Sookie and Bill...but I looooved Sookie and Eric! Anybody else?

Maybe because of his well coiffed hair, or that 5 o'clock shadow, or maybe because he's super tall - I've always felt so guilty standing next to a boy who's barely taller than me in heels - but Alex looks mighty good in these shots! Or...you know. It could be his hot bod.

Workout Wishlist

Even though it doesn't feel like spring yet in London, I've been realizing how close it's getting until summer and I'll be back in South Carolina...in the heat...when I'll be wearing shorts and bathing suits a lot. So needless to say, I've been stepping up my work out game. It's been a bit embarrassing working out in my giant t shirt and black Nike shorts, so I've wanted to step up my work out too!

I know Lululemon is the go-to brand for cute workout clothes, so I tried to only include one item in my workout wishlist (can you tell which one?). It's also not so nice on my bank account, but let's not talk about how sad my monthly statements are.

Sports bras: Target, Target

Tops: Lululemon, Gap (on sale!)

Shorts: Nike

Leggings: Nike, Gap

Sneakers: Nike, Nike

Which ones do y'all like best? Any brands I need to check out?

Things that exist in London, but not the South

So I feel like I've given London a pretty unfair rep with my posts about the South. There are so many amazing things about London, and even though I have a tough time putting on my UGGs every day (IN LATE MARCH), and literally the weather has not changed at all since I got here in January, there are so many amazing things that I love about this city. For instance:

1. There is literally always something to do. There is always a play, always a concert, always a new restaurant to try. Even if I were here for a year I couldn't possibly run out of new things to try. If someone is bored in London, then they're just a boring person.


2. This city never sleeps. If you caught my Ed Sheeran reference there, then I definitely want to be your friend.  If I go out for drinks and come back home at 2:30 AM, I know that there will definitely still be people out and about walking around the streets. It can be easy to feel alone all cooped up in your room, but outside there are so many people, and people watching has definitely become a hobby of mine here.


3. Food is never more than a few steps away. I live in a relatively "hip" part of town, as some of my peer leaders and local friends say, so bars, restaurants, and convenient stores are always open and available, no matter what time of day or night. Literally, if I want ice cream, I just have to talk down the stairs of my flat and go to the convenience store...that is like 20 feet away from my door. I love it. I think I'm going to have a hard time transitioning to having to drive to get food at home.


4. There are tons of parks. Before I left one of my good friends who had studied abroad in London before gave a really accurate description of the city. She said "London is like NYC, but with a lot more parks." And she is so right. My university is right down the street from Regents Park, and it's so nice to walk around and get lost in the fields and trees and plants for a while. I still have a ton of parks left on my list to visit!


5. The Food. When I came to England people told me not to get excited about the food. The English aren't known for their good food. And to an extent that's true - I've been told not to try the black pudding from a very trusted source, so I'm not going near it. But other the food I've had here has been great! I eat more fish here than I ever did at home because everywhere serves fish and chips. You can name any type of food you want, and there's always going to be a restaurant relatively close, or willing to deliver.


6. The Tube. Seriously, Tube, I will miss you when I go. I don't have to worry about being awake enough in the morning to drive to class. It's like having a chauffeur...but with a lot of other people in the car. And you might have to wait like tops 5 minutes for the car to get there. I give the public transit in London a giant A+


7. The accents. I know that accents are everywhere, but seriously. British accents. I've had to say "pardon" and "excuse me" more than I would like to admit, but British accents are the most amazing things on the planet. I told a British friend the other day that southern accents make you sound dumb, and British accents make you sound sooo smart! (also sexy, ahem, Harry Styles)


8. Liberty of London. Literally my favorite place in the entire world. I'm going to miss you so much. Please set up residency in Columbia, South Carolina. Please.

Things That Only Exist in the South

koozie/croakie

Meeting people born and raised in England has been one of the best experiences of being in London. Not only do you get to learn about growing up English, the English culture, etc., but you also get to explain how things are at home.

I always knew the way of living in the south was different than anywhere else, but I guess I didn't think it was that different. The food, the little things, weren't that different.

Turns out I was wrong. So here are some things that apparently only exist in the south(east) portion of the US of A (and maybe a couple other places too, but whatever).

1. Pigs in a Blanket: I honestly don't get how people live without these. They are tailgating and wedding STAPLES in the south. If these aren't at your tailgate and/or wedding, you're doing it wrong.


2. Koozies: even my roommate, born in LA and goes to school in Boston, didn't know what koozies are. Does anyone else? They are a way of life in the south! I may or may not have had my mom ship me some of my koozies from home!


3. Big College Sports: obviously, these exist all over the United States, but when I've explained how big and important college football is (especially in the best football conference of all, the SEC, thank you very much), it's like I'm talking gibberish. I actually had a friend say he thought that it was only like that in the movies...uhm, no it isn't my friend, no it's not


4. Croakies: yet another completely southern thing. Not only are they efficient at keeping sunglasses on your person at all times, whether in the water or not, but they also come in cute colors and styles! It's like a bracelet around your neck...a necklace...for sunglasses.


5. Grits: when I talked about grits, one of my friends actually said "yeah we have that, that's what we put on the ground when it snows or rains" I can't even.


6. Seersucker: maybe it just doesn't get warm enough in England to ever need seersucker? Granted, it's a very summer-y style, so I would give someone a weird look if they wore seersucker at any temperature under 75 degrees. For those who have their degrees in Celsius, that's like 24 degrees, and in the south, that's springtime. Summertime, it easily gets to the mid-30s.


7. Tailgate Parties: someone, who will not be named, asked me WHAT TAILGATING IS. Like...really? I thought that was a thing with any sport. Granted, in the south tailgating is taken a lot more seriously than other places, I know, but still. At home, whether a noon game or a night game, you get together your chicken, pigs in a blanket, coleslaw, cookies, deviled eggs, etc. The people I tailgate with usually also got a giant order of Moe's tortilla chips and queso...which sets the bar pretty high in my opinion


8. Monograms: I know I've posted about this before, so I won't go on, but literally. No. Monograms. Sad face.

Anyway, these were just a few things I've noticed - has anyone else noticed something while abroad that was missing that you never thought was specific to where you lived? I knew grits weren't big outside of the south, but generally I just assumed that everything else I was used to were also relevant other places!

PS - I do realize that every place you visit, especially somewhere as old as England, will have different backgrounds, cultures, and norms. I'm not insinuating that everywhere is like the south. Promise I'm not that close minded! :)

I Rock A Lot of Polka Dots

via tumblr

Can we talk about how relevant this quote is? There are so many times, especially in London where everyone looks serious on the streets and wears neutrals, that I feel like if I wear what I want to wear, or act how I want to act, I won't be taken seriously.

For instance, I have a Lilly Pulitzer planner, stickers and all. At home, no biggie, lots of girls have them. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten snickers and snide comments about being a 5-year old here when I take it out of my bag. So what? I like to put stickers on important dates. I like my colored pens.

I'm worried that when I graduate and get into the real world people are going to pressure me into wearing blacks and neutrals all day. Like, it's a legitimate concern. I don't hate black or navy, but if I have a lavender skirt and it's springtime, sorry black pencil skirt, you're going to spend some time in the closet.

And I'm not changing to an adult-y planner. I like my Lilly.

I know I'll have to grow up to a certain extent (aka, do taxes, call people when I need to talk instead of text, make dentist appointments, etc.), but I'm still young. I'm allowed to like glitter and wear my hot pink duck boots when it's cold outside.

I like singing to myself. I often talk in weird voices for no reason.

Side note: once my sister and I went a whole day talking to each other in only Australian accents.

I would pay a million dollars to anyone who creates glitter that doesn't get everywhere when you use/wear it.

At home, I talk to my cat more every day than I talk to most people.

Does anyone else feel this way? I'm ready to put on my pink polka dot scarf and go get a cupcake.

via tumblr

Crewcuts Kids

I promise this will be my last exclusively J. Crew post for a while (unless y'all are just as obsessed as I am, in which case I will be more than happy to keep them coming), but HOW cute are these kids?! Congrats to whoever came up with this advertisement for Crew Cuts!

Also, happy Friday, y'all!

Cute Puppies Post

I didn't realize that I missed my dog as much as I do until I went through my Tumblr and Pinterest...and pictures I had saved in my phone. It's bad, y'all.

If you've had enough of looking at cute puppies (and gifs of puppies) then by all means, look away. Your cold, heartless soul probably should go look at some of the Grumpy Cat photos.

For those that do love nature's cutest creation, though...welcome to puppy porn.

Y'ALL this is a sharpei - basset hound mix, aka my favorite animal ever!

And fine, one adorable cat.

all photos via tumblr and pinterest

Shiny Ponies

And now I'm crying because the first London J. Crew doesn't get here until November, and Jenna Lyons is incredible.

Seriously considering applying to the London J. Crew headquarters after I graduate. I have to.

Right? I have to. It has to be done. I have to.

These (Keds) Were Made For Walking

So in London, I've found, I walk around the city a lot more than I normally would if I were back in little ole Columbia, South Carolina. As in, my flats, while cute and comfortable for a few hours, and perfectly fine on the tube, in class, etc., are not satisfactory for a day of wandering around London.

I've never been keen on Keds. You know what they remind me of? My great-grandma. Not my grandmas, though both of them are still active in their 80s and wear their white Keds like it's nobody's business. I mean my great-grandma. The one, who, while sweet as she could be, I only knew inside the doors of her nursing home. I love her and miss her, but I do not want to wear the same shoes as a 97 year old. Sorry.

Taylor Swift/Kate Spade/Madewell

However...Keds has stepped up their game. Seriously, I'm eyeing me some Keds. $62 - $85 for a pair from their collaborations with Taylor Swift, Kate Spade, or Madewell is pricey (and if I were back in South Carolina, I would never consider it), but for how much use I could potentially get out of them...some of my money might be coming Keds' way.

What do y'all think? They're cute, right? Definitely not senior citizen status.

Anthropologie Displays

Whoever the Visual Coordinator is at Anthropologie, I just want to say bravo...and you absolutely need a raise. Have any of y'all recently been to Anthropologie? My friend and I ran down to the one on Regents Street on Saturday (which, granted, was a huge mistake because even though it was like 5:00 pm, it seems that all of the UK was there) and I was blown away by the greenery growing on the three story wall.

Where else can you go into a store and find exhibits like this? When I went to Chicago for a cousin's wedding last summer there was a cork mural on the wall completely made of dyed wine bottle corks. It was humongous and gorgeous! That sounds like the funnest job on the planet, right?

At home the nearest Anthropologie is an hour and a half away, so I can't go in whenever I want to, but does anyone else have an Anthropologie near them? I think it's even cooler that each location does something different - it shows how much thought goes into each individual store!

Instagram Update

I normally don't post on Sundays, but I realized I haven't posted an Instagram Update in a while, so clearly I need to get on my shit.

So I've been a little busy in the past month. Outside of London, I've gone to Dublin, Stonehenge, Bath, and Cambridge. Inside London, I've sat front row at a play starring James Phelps (the actor who played Fred Weasley!), I saw Billy Elliot (which was also really good), visited the Victoria and Albert museum, stalked the red carpet at the BAFTA awards, gone on a Harry Potter walking tour, and saw Stu Larsen live.

Basically, it's been a lot of fun. I've even stopped living off only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I've branched out to noodles. AND I've even added in some nutritional value, aka spinach and sautéed mushrooms. Very fancy, I know.

I've also learned that to make the £ symbol on a Mac, I don't know about PCs, all you do is press option+3. It's crazy what technology can do, right?

Anyway, what have y'all been doing for the past month? Anything cool? I wanna hear!

Off Days

Everyone has off days, I know. I feel like today was my first "off day" in a while. Where you wake up feeling weird, and you don't really get out of that funk all day. Not that you're necessarily miserable or sad or mad, just something is...off. It's having me craving some major comforts from home.

Ed Sheeran is always an excellent cure for whatever ails you. Literally, you could have the black plague. I would put money on him healing you.

Warm, fuzzy socks straight from the dryer? Paradise.

My favorite candy, Sour Patch Kids

Otis, primo snuggler

I don't go to CofC anymore, but this sweatshirt is my go-to for lazy nights in

Ben & Jerry's...no explanation needed

And to feel a little better about myself, a nice Clinique moisturizing facial mask!

Spring has come to London!

The temps hit 57 degrees here Tuesday, and though it's dropped a little, London has been GORGEOUS! I loved the city before, but now, being (relatively) warm outside? This is only going to spell trouble (and lots of crying) for when I have to go home. It's warm, the sun has been out, and best of all, no humidity. Granted, there hasn't been any humidity since I got here, but at home humidity is all there is. London, please don't make me go! I only have two and a half months left!

PS - I made this on my Polyvore account, which I just recently remembered existed (shame! I know) and have used a bit. Check it out here, and follow if you'd like!

Confession Time

People come to blogs to find people who are like them, right? We cruise blogs like we walk through boutiques. Looking around, checking out the different pages on every blog, trying to find something that catches our eyes. Something that makes us want to come back. For me, obviously I look for blogs and bloggers who have similar styles to mine. I don't like cluttered blogs. It's my thang.

But you also want to get to know the blogger him/herself. I've found that good half of the blogs I follow on Bloglovin' are lifestyle blogs. It's fun to know people, not just the clothes they like! So I figured I'd add some facts on here that may or may not be embarrassing. Please don't make fun of me! :)

1. I cry at cute puppy videos. My best friends can vouch for this, and absolutely make fun of me for it whenever they can. Granted, I cry from laughing. The most recent video that made me cry? This little baby.


2. Even though I flip through fashion magazines and keep up with fashion blogs pretty much 24/7, I am absolutely most comfortable in leggings and a big t-shirt. In fact, that's what I'm wearing right now. Am I about to work out? Am I about to go to sleep? Nobody knows.


3. Everyone has their weird ticks. Mine is that I have to put on my right shoe before my left shoe. If I reverse it, it honestly feels like I'm wearing the wrong shoes. Can't explain it.


4. I'm an excellent procrastinator. I have three projects due within the next two weeks, and last night I spent a solid 2.5 hours cleaning out my Pinterest. As in, before I started I had over 5,500 pins that had accumulated over the past two years. After the cleaning, I have about 3,900. Check out my cleaning expertise.


5. I've read all three Fifty Shades of Grey books. Judge me, I don't even care. I judge me too.


6. I love nail polish (as in, I probs have 60 nail polishes at home, I narrowed down my favorite 15 to take with me to London), but I don't wear any half the time. If the damn stuff would just stay on my fingernails I would wear it all the time. Alas, I'm lazy, and if it chips, I usually just chip it all off my nails in the shower, as opposed to being a real person and actually taking it off with polish remover.


7. Most of my time is spent on blogs (obviously), Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr...and my local animal rescue organization's website. Seriously, I'm counting the days until I graduate and get a relatively permanent job so that I can scoop a puppy up.


8. I've had my kids' names picked out since I was in high school. If my future husband's last name clashes...I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it. My children's names are non-negotiable. I'm the one popping them out. 


9. My worst habit is that sometimes I tend to get louder as I talk. I definitely appreciate quiet talk, like on the tube here, but at home I've had friends interrupt me in the middle of a sentence to tell me to (politely) "seriously, quiet the eff down."


10. The thing I miss most about home is being able to sing/scream my head off to whatever song comes on my iPhone in my car. Here there's nowhere to do that. I could only imagine the looks I'd get in the tube! I know when I get home I'm going to take a long car ride somewhere alone and just belt out every song I've kept in since being here.

So there you have it. That's me in a teeny, tiny, weird little nutshell. All I ask is that you accept and love me in every way and never try to change me ever because I'll most likely cry!

Put a Monogram on It

I've noticed lately something that I never realized I was missing. There are certain parts of home that I can feel I miss. I miss waking up to sun (though the sun was shining the brightest it has since I've been here today). I miss my pup snuggling up next to me during a movie marathon. I miss walking outside to the mailbox, and I miss hugging my mom when I'm stressed. One thing I didn't realize I would miss?

Monograms.

Monograms, at least to me, personify old Southern tradition. It's a representation of how much you love your family. It's like saying, "I'm proud to be a part of this family and I want to show that to everyone," whenever you wear yours. I keep finding myself flipping through the Marley Lilly website, or reblogging a million monograms on my Tumblr. I love how many different ways you can show your monogram and how many different styles there are! My personal favorite is the circle style.

shirt/sunglasses/necklace/bracelet/sun hat/crossbody

Is monogramming something that transcends the South? I talked to a friend from Boston recently who said she thought monogrammed sunglasses were pointless and too much. Thoughts? I think monogrammed sunglasses are adorable! Unfortunately most monogramming companies only ship to the US, so I know I will be spending way too much money when I get back home!

And now, I'll leave you with a quote from the queen, herself.

An Oldie, but a Goodie

I feel so French after seeing this video. Someone grab me a baguette and a cappuccino!