Wednesday Whereabouts

Can you guess the location?  It's a little tricky, unless you're familiar with the state.

P.S. It's where I am spending my vacation this week.

What a wonderful place!  It's going to be hard to leave here on Saturday.

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On another note, how did everyone do on Rue La La and One Kings Lane yesterday?  I was successful!  I'll post more about that on Friday.

Tuesday Trends: It's Time for a Giveaway!

Once I hit 250 followers, I promised y'all I'd have another great giveaway.  Well, this one definitely won't disappoint.  I found Lynn's Etsy shop, LWhelan Designs, about a month ago and fell in love with all of her Lilly-inspired designs.  She takes Lilly Pulitzer fabrics and crafts things from them, from coozies to coasters, stationery to hair accessories.  You'll love it all!

Here are just a few of the preppy items she carries in her Etsy shop...

Drink Cozy in Lilly Pulitzer Hidden Garden

"Drink cozies are available in 2 sizes and make great hostess gifts, teacher gifts, bridesmaid gifts and more.  The outside is a colorful (can't be missed!) Lilly Pulitzer butterfly and floral pattern and the inside a pretty pink and white polka dot print. The closure is velcro so you get a nice grip, and it is insulated to help keep your drink cold and your hands warm!"

I'd love to flaunt this little accessory at my next backyard barbecue!

Lilly Pants Wall Art

"What a great addition to any Lilly Lover's home decor.  This is a new addition to my series of Lilly Pulitzer Wall Decor. Each one is an original, one-of-a-kind piece (no printed copies here!). The pants are each made from authentic Lilly fabrics which have been handcut from one of my original hand drawn pants patterns. I then embellish each one with the perfect combination of trimmings. The handmade pants are then mounted on a heavyweight, quality piece of acid free cardstock which also gets a bit of embellishing, finishing it off with just the right amount of detail.  The finished piece measures 8 inches by 10 inches and will fit right in an 8x10 photo frame. Or, if you prefer, take it to your local frame shop for a custom mat and frame."

How cool would this be, to have such an original piece of Lilly art in your home?  And it's such a great price too!  Lynn also does custom orders, so I'm sure if you have a shift dress or something else you'd like her to make, she'd love to create it for your home!

 Lilly Pulitzer Fabric Flower No. 28 for Clothing or Hair

"These eco-friendly blooms are one of my favorite items to make. I recycle the bits and pieces left behind from my scarves and aprons, carefully choosing each combination. It's so fun to watch the blossom come to life after forming, shaping and adding the button toppings."

I love all of the layers of pretty, bright, Lilly fabric.  And the best part?  It's so versatile.  It would look so cute worn on a denim jacket or in your hair.

 Lilly Drink Coasters Set of 2 Blue and Green

"Your drinks will just taste better when using an adorable Lilly coaster. I have blended together a great combo of Lilly blues and greens to make this set of 2 coasters. One for you and one for a guest, ooh la la.  The coasters each measure approximately 4 inches square and are backed with a preppy blue and white stripe. They are made with cotton batting for absorption and will have a label on the reverse side. They will come shipped with a nice wrapper with my shop name and care instructions enclosed in a clear cello bag. What a perfect gift!  Great gift for a graduate, Mother's Day, a birthday, a hostess gift... just think about it, what wouldn't be the perfect time to give such a sweet gift!"

I'd love to have these sweet little coasters out, the next time the girlfriends visit.

How cute are all of LWhelan Designs' Lilly-inspired goodies?  Head on over to see what else Lynn has created.  She is always creating new, fun items. 

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Now, on to the good part, the GIVEAWAY!  Lynn has so graciously decided to giveaway one of her preppy, stylish aprons.  How pretty is this apron?  I'm not a big cook, but I'd love to wear this in the kitchen, and maybe, just maybe, it would get me motivated to create some fun dishes in the kitchen too.  And even if it doesn't, I'd still sure look cute trying.  :)

Here's how to enter:

1 Entry:  Become a follower (or let me know you already are)

Extra Entry:  "Like" LWhelanDesigns on Facebook
Extra Entry:  Grab my button (or let me know you already have it)

Extra Entry:  Blog about the giveaway on your blog

Extra Entry:  Tweet about the giveaway (make sure to tell me your name on Twitter)
Extra Entry:  Add my giveaway to your sidebar

Extra Entry:  Leave a comment and give Lynn an idea of what she should create for her Etsy shop

An extra entry each for every time someone refers you in their comments, about how they found out about the giveaway (I'll keep track of this.).  Endless entries!

Please let me know in your comments, how many entries you get.  The easiest way would be to list it on your comments, 1., 2., 3., etc.  That would help organize it for me a great deal.  There are lots of ways to get extra entries.  The giveaway will end on Sunday, July 11th, at 11:59pm.  I'll choose a winner on Monday, July 12th, and announce the winner the next day on Tuesday's post.  You have two weeks to enter.

Thanks so much for reading, and good luck, y'all!

Monday Manners: Familiar Southern Phrases

I hope everyone is having a great to start to the week!  I saw the phrase, "Kiss My Grits!" on something the other day, and it got me thinking about some other Southern phrases.  I never realized there were so many!  How many of you say any of these southern phrases, or have heard someone say them?  Many of them are quite comical.  I'm guessing as you read this list, you'll be thinking of your dear grandmothers and older Southern family members.

"Kiss my grits!"

"I'll be darned..."

"He's the spittin' image of..."

"You're makin' a mountain, out of an ant hill."

"He was madder than fire."

"I see," said the blind man, to his deaf son."

"When she was knee-high to a grasshopper."

"There's more than one way to skin a cat."

"I'm gonna skin you alive!"

"Quit being ugly!"
(This one sounds very familiar.  Haha.)

"Slower than molasses."

"Mind your P's and Q's."

"I'm so angry I could spit!"

"Keep it up and you're going to get a switchin'."
(Familiar, but ours was "spankin'.")

"As stubborn as a mule."

"Bless my soul."

"Pot calling the kettle black."

"Fit to be tied."

"Over yonder."

"Well, look what the cat dragged in."

"Now, looka here."

Can you figure this one out?

Djaeetyit?

(Did you eat yet?)

Yes, our Southern accents can sure be foreign, can't they?

As I'm writing this, I just realized that y'all don't know my accent.  I'd tell you I don't have one, but I'm thinking y'all would disagree.  Hearing myself talk in my head, is far different than the voice I hear on videos and messages.  I like the voice in my head so much more.  I feel like so many people I talk to feel the same way about their voice.  They don't like it.  Agree or disagree?

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Does anyone have any other Southern phrases they've heard, that I left off the list?

So many of these listed are so familiar.  Brings me back to when one set of my grandparents were still alive.  My grandmother Mimi used to say "yonder" all the time.  Miss that.

P.S. W could seriously eat grits at every meal.  She LOVES them.  Southern to the core.  :)

Thanks to Innocent English for help with some suggestions for this list.

Photo Credits: 1, 2

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Just a heads up, before y'all head over to Rue La La and One Kings Lane for the Lilly Pulitzer bedding and stationery sales tomorrow at 11am(est), check in on my post.  My next giveaway starts tomorrow.  And much success to everyone attempting to get some great goodies at the sales, before it's gone!

Weekend Inspiration: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Marriage and 6 Years Down!

Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated our sixth year together.  We've been together for twelve, but now married for six.  Each year, only one of us gives the traditional/contemporary gift.  Last year it was wood, so I gave him a pretty wooden bowl for our coffee table.  This year, he gave me lots of candy.  And to sweeten me up even more, he's getting me a dress when we visit Boston in a couple of weeks.

I thought for this weekend's scripture I'd choose one that is very fitting, and was also read at our wedding.  I'm sure most of you have heard it before, but I need to remind myself to work on some of the qualities, to be a better wife for my husband.  One interesting fact:  Did you know that the scriptures in the Bible say a lot about marriage, but hardly anything about weddings?

4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Hope y'all continue to have a lovely weekend.

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To the Hubs (who will only read this one post because I'm showing it to him - haha),

We've made it this far, and it's been a thrilling ride.  Let's keep it going for many, many more amazing years.

Can't wait!

Thank you for making me the happiest wife, and the luckiest mother to our sweet, perfect girls.

All my love forever,

Ashley

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3

Fashion Friday: Lifeguard Press and a New Lilly Dress

I'm off to the beach this morning, but wanted to give y'all a run-down on some great Lifeguard Press products that they sent me to review.  If you haven't checked out their website yet, you should.  They carry such cute accessories and paper products from coasters to party decorations, agendas to journals.  My favorite product lines they carry are Lilly Pulitzer and Jonathan Adler.  I seriously want it all!

Photo Book in Havana Good Time

What's a better way than to capture all of my summer moments in a cute photo book.  It would make such a perfect addition to any bookshelf or coffee table.  I can't wait to fill mine up with so many memories from my trips this summer.  This would also make a great hostess, wedding/baby shower or graduation gift!

Night Light in Dazed and Confused

How sweet is this little night light?  I had no idea Lilly even carried them until I saw this one.  So far my daughters haven't needed lights in their bedrooms, but if/when they do, I'll be armed and ready with this precious night light.  They also have a fish, elephant and cabana available.  They're all too cute.  Wouldn't this be a perfect addition to any room, even a bathroom?  Maybe I'll keep it in there, until my daughters need this preppy butterfly to help scare away the monsters under their beds.  :)

Bees Knees Patch Stickers and Labels

Well, y'all already know how much I love these stickers, I gave them away in a giveaway, here.  I seriously use these stickers everywhere.  They even have packing slip stickers, so I use them to write addresses on, to send out packages.  I use them all the time, on envelopes, calendars, stationery, etc.  Seriously, everywhere!  They add a little extra Lilly cuteness to everything.

Hope y'all find some fun items at Lifeguard Press!

Remember, enter the code SHOPBAMA, thanks to Shopaholic in Alabama, to get free shipping!

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Daphne Dress Printed Poplin in Multi Fresh Picked Patch

I purchased this Lilly Pulitzer Daphne dress from Under the Palm Tree on Tuesday, and can you believe it already arrived?  I know I spoke of how great their customer service is, but this was seriously perfect timing.  Since I'm leaving for the beach this morning, I get to take this pretty little preppy thing with me.  Oh yeah, and did I mention, they have some great dresses on sale, and I got this one for $70 off and free shipping?  Not bad at all.  This via Lilly Pulitzer store always has great deals, and I always check their facebook page before I order, because I can usually get a good deal.  I ordered it on Tuesday, checked their fb page before I ordered, and they had a deal.  Because Martha Jane has worked their for two years, they wanted to celebrate that day on Tuesday, so they offered free shipping and a surprise gift with purchase.

Good news!  I actually checked Under the Palm Tree's facebook page just now, and they've extended the free shipping and gift with purchase (no minimum purchase) until today.  Just use the code MARTHA JANE in the Order Notes section.  Have fun shopping!

TGIF!

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: The Ladybug Cocktail

As I mentioned to you earlier this week, my oldest daughter celebrated her 2nd birthday this past weekend with a ladybug-themed party.  As I planned it, I knew I had to include a fun cocktail for my adult guests to enjoy.  While the husbands all enjoyed their assortment of Mexican beers, the women got to enjoy my signature cocktail, I created for the party.  The Ladybug Cocktail is so easy to make, and my guests enjoyed making their own, while enjoying the party.  Hope y'all enjoy it too!

Ingredients

Champagne
POM (Pomegranate juice)
Blackberries

Pour champagne into champagne glass.  Add a splash or two of POM.  And garnish with a blackberry.  Simple, and so yummy!

The drink was definitely a hit, and many guests went back for more.  By the end of the party, all the champagne bottles were empty, so I'm guessing everyone had a great time!

Cheers to W turning 2!

At the party, this is similar to what I wore...

Lilly Pulitzer Bidi Tank from 2008, except mine was Grasshopper Green

Lilly Pulitzer Preppy Short

J.Crew Leather Capri Sandals in Gold

Michael Kors 'Jet Set' Chronograph Watch

Happy Thursday!

Photo Credit: 1, 2

Wednesday Whereabouts

These are all views from the cabin where we stayed.  Simply breathtaking.

Alright, this week, no guessing.  Instead I'm just posting a recap of the great vacation we had last week with my family in the NC Mountains.  None of the husbands were in tow, so it was just the six sisters, and my parents (and the grandchildren of course!).  Please forgive me, but I've got a ton of photos, and have condensed them into this many for the post.  Hope you enjoy!  Wish we were already back there.  It was in the mid-70's the entire week, and we enjoyed lots of pool time, with short trips to Linville Caverns and Grandfather Mountain.  I've also got a guest post over at Short Southern Momma today, so stop on by and check it out.
 

Getting ready to head into Linville Caverns with Sisters #2 (black shorts) and #5 (green shorts).  

Little did we know it would be 55 degrees inside.

Inside the caverns.  We weren't supposed to touch the rock.  W wasn't listening.

W wanted to get on this motorcycle so bad!

Enjoying some pool time.  Kisses all around.

Lots of Banagrams played on the trip.

This is what happens when you play too many games of Banagrams... 

You forget about what your daughter may be doing.  Oops!

Practicing her pastel skills with her Grandaddy.

Animals at the park.  This eagle was contained because it was injured from a gunshot.

Grandaddy and W watching the otters get fed.

Can you believe how close this black bear was to us?

It was like he was posing for us.

Off to the windy top of Grandfather Mountain.  Yes, it was VERY windy!

This was right before we walked over the Mile High Bridge.  So surreal!

All of us on the top of the mountain.

Such a fun trip!  Much different than our usual summer beach trip, but it was worth it.

And we definitely beat the heat, that's for sure!

Hope y'all have a Happy Wednesday!

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On another note:

Much to my surprise on Monday morning, when I went to get E out of her crib, this is how I found her.  At seven months, she is already crawling around and pulling herself up to sitting.  I'm guessing that having an older sister has something to do with that.  She wants everything that W has, and has finally learned how to get it.  :)

After getting her out of her crib, we went to get W out of her crib.  W loves for E to get in the crib with her, but only for a little bit.

We need to start letting E practice the "Cheese!" face, that W is so good at doing.

P.S. W doesn't wake up with a bow in her hair.  I just have to pull her hair back immediately after she gets up because her hair just hangs in her face.  She has no cowlicks, so it just hangs straight down.  Thank goodness she likes bows!  And she will NOT let me pull her hair up into pigtails or ponytails.  Maybe one day...

Don't forget to check out Short Southern Momma's blog today.  I've got a guest post over there!