Christmas in July.

Hey y'all,

We all know that Christmas time is months away but I love to get working on my Christmas list early. This year, who knows where I will be for Christmas. I might have a job in a different state, be living somewhere else in NC or still stuck in my hometown but since we don't know if I will be asking for apartment decor and kitchen gadgets here are a few things I have been eyeing but haven't taken the plunge to buy. Maybe they will be Christmas gifts, who knows!

1. An e-reader. If you met me in real life you would know that I have struggled over the e-reader debate. In most of my English classes at UNC it would always come up: books vs. digital text. I am a hardcore fan of holding a book in my hand and as you can see in my bookshelf organization post you know I am crazy about books. So to be practical I am hoping to get a Nook Simple Touch with Glow. No, I do not want to blog, play games or anything else. I simply want an e-reader for vacations, the gym, and for those times when I want to grab a book without the trip to the library or bookstore (yes, my county library has a digital library collection. It's great.) If you knew me in real life you would also know that I require any purse I purchase have the capacity to hold a paperback book. I take a book with me everywhere and it is time to upgrade. But we all know I will still have to go to the library, but maybe not 10 books checked out at a time. :) My Mom loves her nook color but I think the simple nook with glow for my late nights reading is the perfect decision for me. It looks just like a real book but slimmer and more compact.

NOOK Simple Touch with Glowlight

And I would of course need one of these adorable cases to protect the e-reader:

Lilly Pulitzer Summer's Night

Kate Spade Falling Letters Cover

Lilly Pulitzer Lavish Lillies

Jonathan Adler Punctuation Cover in Violet

2. A nice watch. I love my Anne Klein bracelet watch I got for my 21st Birthday but I am looking for something to add to my jewelry collection but won't break Santa's budget if he want's to get me an e-reader as well. Here are some that I am loving.

AK Anne Klein Stripe Strap Watch

Betsey Johnson Leopard Print Patent Leather Strap

AK Anne Klein Round Crystal Watch

AK Anne Klein Round Skinny Bangle Watch

3.Patagonia Women's Re-Tool Snap Pullover. A nice comfy jacket that is perfect for those winter months. I love the pullover factor and I would want it in a fun color since my Columbia zip is brown and my peacoat is black (I lost my red one).  Here are the colors I think would be great to brighten the weary winter.

Deep Purple

Grecian Blue

Pickled Ginger

4. Tervis Tumblers. I love the two tumblers by Tervis I already own (I also have a few tumblers by Lilly Pulitzer and other companies but still love my Tervis ones the most). I have a 16 oz one with the plain black j in it and then I have the 24oz with a hot pink circle monogram that I got last year during the Cyber Monday sales. I use them all the time so why not add to my collection.

This is the perfect water bottle to grab and go to the gym. I love the reminder of H2O

Perfect for Game Day! Since we all know that I yell GO HEELS!

Who doesn't love the Vineyard Vines whale?

5. A nice purse. I want something that is classic that I will have for years so I am looking probably at a leather tote that zips. I want it to be the perfect work or everything bag. Simple, classic and elegant. This might have to become my birthday present but who knows. I am thinking brown since I still have my large black Le Pilage Longchamp that will last a little while longer after two years of heavy textbook abuse. Here are some that I have been eyeing.

MICHAEL Michael Kors "Large" Saffiano Leather Satchel

kate spade new york 'andee-cobble hill' tote

Coach Madison Leather Tote in Brass/Acorn

What have you been eyeing? What is on your wishlist?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Book Club {2}

Hey y'all,

Here are a few books I have been reading and wanted to share. For more of my recommendations check out my Goodreads account or click on the "On My Nightstand" tab above to see what I've been reading and leave me a recommendation.

4.5/5 Stars

Beth Harbison's Shoe Addicts Anonymous

 Four different women. One common shoe size. And a shared lust for fabulous footwear.

Helene Zaharis’s politician husband keeps her on a tight leash and cancels her credit cards as a way of controlling her. Lorna Rafferty is up to her eyeballs in debt and can’t stop her addiction to eBay. Sandra Vanderslice, battling agoraphobia, pays her shoe bills by working as a phone-sex operator. And Jocelyn Bowen is a nanny for the family from hell (who barely knows a sole from a heel but who will do anything to get out of the house.)

On Tuesday nights, these women meet to trade shoes and, in the process, form friendships that will help them each triumph over their problems---from secret pasts to blackmail, bankruptcy, and dating. Funny, emotional, and powerful, Shoe Addicts Anonymous is a perfect read for any woman who has ever struggled to find the perfect fit.

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I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the sequel. I had never read anything by Beth Harbison previously and the fun, witty style of this book makes me add her entire book-list to "to-read." I really related with the Lorna character. No I am not up to my eyeballs in debt but I do work a kind of minimum wage job, love to shop, but have to think of buying a car soon as well as student loan payments this fall. If you love shopping/shoes and need a quick escape from your life, pick this book up.

3/5 Stars

Plum Sykes' The Debutante Divorcee

A major national media event when published in hardcover, this delicious follow-up to Bergdorf Blondes was an immediate New York Times bestseller and confirmed Plum Sykes’ status as a literary superstar.
Sylvie Mortimer has just married and is blissfully happy with The Divine New Husband, Hunter. Sylvie’s new friend, Lauren Blount, is very rich, very young, very thin, very pretty -- and very, very divorced. The most reckless and glamorous of Manhattan’s Debutante Divorcée set, Lauren captivates Sylvie, the group’s token newlywed. But while Lauren sets out on a morality-lite, orgasm-heavy "Make Out Challenge," Sylvie discovers her marriage isn’t exactly an Eternity ad -- especially when the city’s most notorious Husband Huntress zeros in on her spouse.


The Debutante Divorcée delivers all the wit and charm that made Bergdorf Blondes a smash hit. This juicy new tale delighted Sykes’ many fans in hardcover and will continue to earn her new ones in this dazzling, chic paperback edition.
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I loved Bergdorf Blondes so I had really high hopes for The Debutante Divorcee and while a cute book about the women of the divorced set in New York enjoying life without a man, I didn't love the story. The main character's paranoia with her husband's possible affair while plausible filled the novel sometimes with to much complaining. If you want a short read and liked Bergdorf Blonds you will probably enjoy this novel.

What are you reading? Link up with Heather and Megan!

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Southern Summer Staples: Hodgepodge.

Hey y'all,

I don't know about you but July to me is the last summer month. I know Fall officially doesn't start until September but with school supplies already hitting stores now and seeing some fall creep in next to those bikinis it is time to wrap up my Southern Summer Staples. So far I have written about porches/air conditioning, sweet tea/arnold palmers, koozies, and now for a big collective post on some more southern summer staples.

Sunglasses and croakies. Everyone needs sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun, add some croakies to keep them around your neck and its a perfect pair.

I love this personalized pair from HERE.

Sunscreen. The obvious but much needed to protect your skin from the harm of the sun. As a very fair person with some skin cancer family history I always lather up about 20 minutes before I brave the rays of the sun. No burning for me!

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Leave in Conditioner. I throw this in my pool bag for a spritz as soon as I get out of the water. It detangles and helps my hair with all of the drying heat & humidity.

Aussie Hair Insurance

Garnier Fructis Leav-in Conditioning Cream

A Hat. Whether a wide brim sunhat or a monogrammed baseball cap, the more sun protection the better! ps. I'm thinking about giving away a monogrammed baseball cap when I reach 100 followers. Thoughts?

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Watermelon. And all fresh fruit. A great treat and so yummy.

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MinuteMaid Soft Frozen Lemonade and any other form of Popsicle. A great way to cool off and not as heavy as ice-cream.

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BBQs and a trip to the pool or the beach would be my final summer staples. What have you been loving this summer?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

WILW: 4th of July!

Hey y'all,

I am of course loving the 4th of July and all it means about the freedom of this country I am blessed to live in but it is more special since I know as a military "brat" for most of my childhood I know the sacrifice of service members since my Daddy and both grandfathers have served in the military. I hope everyone prays for those still out of country fighting for the rights and protection of freedom for the USA.

Now onto something more lighthearted. This week I have been loving....

my sister's homemade oreo and lemon truffles. I might share the recipe with y'all if you want.

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these 4th of July inspired pins

planning my beach vacation during the last week of July. Now only my job has to approve the time off and I will be by the coast in less than 3 weeks!!!

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this dress I just ordered from Vestique. I have the one-shoulder Mesmerize in Coral top and was so excited to see the pattern back in a strapless dress. Now to stalk the mail for it, my Erin Condren planner and my swap packages. EXCITING!

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Now I have to run into work for a few hours then pooltime and fireworks!

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

30 Before 30 List

Hey y'all,

If you can't tell by now I love a list and recently I have been thinking about some long term goals for myself. I love seeing everyone's 30 before 30 lists and considering that there are about 7.5 years for me until I turn 30 I think the list is a great way to have some reachable and hopeful goals for the future. So here is my list (in no particular order of course).

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1. Buy a new car
2. Run a 5k
3. Fall in love
4. Get a full-time job I love
5. Travel back to Europe
6. Take a trip to Savannah & Atlanta, GA
7. Read the Bible cover-cover
8. Move into an apartment and have fun decorating it
9. Go on a blind date
10. Get married
11. Go back to visit San Antonio, Texas (my birthplace)
12. Buy a house
13. Go on a road-trip
14. Run the Disney Princess Half-Marathon
15. Go to a Country music concert
16. Pay off my student loans
17. Adopt a pet (most likely a dog but we shall see)
18. Go to Disney World
19. Have a dinner party
20. See a Broadway show in New York City
21. Lean my Momma's perfect apple pie recipe
22. Become a Mom
23. Send out Christmas cards to my friends and family
24. Travel to Charleston, SC
25. Find an organization to volunteer my time to
26. Throw a surprise party
27. Take ballet classes or pure-barre
28. Keep a prayer journal for a year+
29. Visit 5 top art museums in the US
30. Enjoy each of my Birthdays leading up to the BIG 30

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I know a lot of the list is traveling but we have a while until the list ends on my 30th Birthday: January 31, 2020 so we shall see what my goals look like then and if I still have a blog that far in the future. 

What are some of your goals for the future?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Sunday Social {4} & Sayings

Happy First Day of JULY!
I can't believe June has come and gone and this blog is a whopping 2 months old. I'm so excited to see where the road goes on my journey post-college but as of right now I will continue with lots of inspiration and the usual Sunday "get-to-know Jessica" post.
The questions of the week: FASHION
1. What is your favorite store to shop at?If you looked at my clothes currently you would see a lot of college/sorority t-shirts and that is truly what I wear mostly since it was my go-to college look and my current retail job has a strict wardrobe so I don't purchase a lot of clothes currently. My top 5 stores would probably be: Old Navy/Gap(I love their basics and their jeans.)T.J. Maxx/Marshalls(I love a good deal)Target (hello cute affordable and great clearance section)Anne Taylor LOFT (I only go to the outlets. Frugalista here if you can't tell)J.Crew (Warehouse Sales....)I do also love small boutiques like Vestique and Francescas and department stores like Macys.
2. If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?This is so hard. I'm leaning towards J.Crew because it has a large range of everything, but I love Kate Spade accessories, and then there is always something more designer such as Ralph Lauren.

3. Must have closet staple?

This is a long list:

The perfect pair of jeans

A White t-shirt. Classic and can always be dressed up.

Black dress pants

LBD (or whatever color. Just something that makes you happy and you could wear for many occassions)

Cardigans

A blazer

A button down blouse

A Suit

Black Pumps

Flats

My Favorite would be a tie between jeans and cardigans.

4. Favorite kind of shoes? (brand or type)

Hmmm. This is hard since I love shoes but I will go with what you will most likely see me wearing on a daily basis(well not at work)...

Rainbow Flip Flops

5.Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find) 

Well, I would probably go with the dresses I have gotten from the J.Crew Warehouse Sales. There were two sales in the Chapel Hill area while I was in college there. One the January of my Junior year and the other the fall of my Senior year. The first year the dresses were $15 a piece and the second sale they were $20 but for the J.Crew Collection of dresses that was an amazing deal(sometimes over $200 a piece). I love to find deals on clothes( FRUGALISTA right HERE) but I think that was probably the best deal. But I also got my suit from Belk's this spring from $300 to $99 so I consider that one a good deal too.

Here are some of my J.Crew Warehouse dresses in action.

Big/Little pic at SemiFormal Fall 2012

Sorority Fam: Activation Fall 2012 (also worn for Formal 2011)

The Lorelei Dress at the Nutcracker December 2012
(I also have the Lorelei in silk in brown)

Graduation Dress

Formal 2012

Cotton Lorelei in White: worn for everything.

6.Style you'd love to try?

I'm not that adventurous in my style. I have always loved classic and simple so I would love to try something a bit more daring like a splash of neon here or there but nothing crazy.

Sunday Sayings: For your weekly does of Inspiration (rather Pinspiration)

What are your responses to the questions? Any suggestions for places to shop/bargain find?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl