Lilly Pulitzer on Sale!

Hello Dahlings....


I have a confession I only admire Lilly Pulitzer from afar. I know, I know before you fall out of your chair simply aghast... I do love Lilly, I love the story and the culture and how fun and bright all the prints are. I however, am a slightly more basic dresser. Lots of simple lines, and styles, dark colors or plain white.


I adore pink for things like sticky notes, highlighters, and the occasional cardigan or fantastic pair of earrings, overall I prefer to dress or solid hues. But, I truly think each of you lovelies looks stunning in Lilly, so I'm here to share a great find with you, but one that sadly I will never use!


While browsing Saks 5th online to find the perfect feminine suit (I've decided to wear the J. Crew Francis Cami, and a charming blazer and pencil skirt for le medicine interviews), I stumbled across these lovelies many at too good to be true prices! Feast your eyes and your checkbooks readers!

Quick and Random

Phew, my workday Friday has gotten away from me, before I finish up and head out the door I wanted to do a quick random post!


*Outlet shopping this weekend = good


*Morning fight with preppy boyfriend = bad


*Girls night in, while the boys have poker night = good


*Crappy commute home = bad


*Chipotle for dinner = oh so good


*Sweat Tea and Vodka on someone's back porch = Oh so very good


There is is lovelies, short and to the point, my day so far, and what I hope will happen with the next 8 hours! (overall it looks like I'll be up on the bad vs. good scale, I'll toast to that!) Have a great weekend~

I Can't Be The Only One... Right?

Sometimes readers, I simply fail to be the person I want to be... my morning commute was one such example. Although, I wish I had some funny and thought provoking story about road rage to insert here, the real, whole truth is that I spent my entire commute this morning thinking about all the reasons why I dislike my job. Actually, going so far as to imagine telling my boss all these things while handing over my resignation. *I am hanging my head in shame as I type this


I have no intention of quitting my job, and for the most part I'm okay with my job. The biggest challenge is that it's not fully engaging, and it really doesn't ignite passion or excitement in me. I care about doing a good job, and meeting deadlines, but I can't seem to get really excited or visionary about what I do. Which is why I call it a job and not a career. This is also why I am trying one last time to get into medical school. 


Please don't misunderstand... in this economy I am so thankful to have a job, and my boss is a wonderful person. I just sort of feel unfulfilled. Part of this I blame on the part of me that feels like I should be something great and do something extraordinary. I mean in reality most people are simply office drones of one sort or another, so why exactly do I feel entitled to being something so much more? The other part of this I blame on my dreadful commute, I mean how can one maintain a positive attitude when it takes one 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes to drive the 13.3 miles from one's driveway to one's parking garage? Any of you ever have mornings like this?


On another I'm a terrible human being topic (okay maybe that's slightly overdramatic!), lets talk about crash dieting. I go through periods where my body image is in a perfectly healthy place. Where I try to remain somewhat active, and although I try to eat healthy I don't really watch what I eat. Then every once in a while I'll try on a pair of pants I haven't worn in a few months and they'll be awfully snug. This downward spiral quickly starts where I begin to think about the fact that every year since 2006 I have gained 2-3 pounds a year, and after ten years, that's going to be a lot of weight. Then I start to feel like I should perhaps take action now to prevent the future me from swelling to the size of Harry Potter's aunt Marge.

 I'll admit I've tried a few weird crash diets, and as always is the case they never work, and any weight I may have lost quickly comes back.


So readers, I know I'm not the only one who does this.... what do you do when you have a sudden body image crisis?


I'm definitely thankful for grace, and days like today thankful that the world is so much bigger than my little image crisis.


Graces:


1. Rain in Austin, Woo Hoo!
2. A wonderful, growing relationship with Preppy Boyfriend. His attitude lately has been an inspiration to me!
3. An upcoming, much needed vacation... better get over these body image issues before a bikini is needed (I'm halfway hoping it rains over labor day, thus eliminating the need for a bikini).
4. My sweet pups who always shower me with unconditional love
5.  Evening walks with the pups!

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

What a fun surprise I had this morning walking into work. I was the winner of Preppy Perceptions Mark Self-Sanctuary Berry Cranberry Set! 


As I opened my office door a wonderful package was waiting on my desk featuring the delicious smelling body butter, body spray, and body wash! Preppy Perceptions then went a step further and included some fun free samples of lipstick, toner, blush and bronzer for me! 


Thank you for such a fun treat! If you haven't already dropped by her blog do so immediately as she frequently hosts Avon giveaways!

*This is not an exact picture of what I won, b/c my digital camera has sadly broken. 


Graces:
1. A great conversation with Preppy Boyfriends sister this morning. I have two sisters of my own, and am so thankful that as the years go by Preppy sister and I start to feel more and more like real sisters.
2. Spin Class - OK I'm not really thankful for the agony inducing 60 minutes of stationary biking, but I am thankful that I have the opportunity to attend.
3. Getting to bed before 11 last night
4. Finally making time to mail out my thank you notes to each of those who have assisted me in the medical school application process.
5. The sweet packaging and wonderful product surprise from Preppy Perceptions this morning.

Labor Day Weekend Travel...

Readers, it's getting close to the very best, most wonderful week of the entire year... My Birthday! Woohoo! That's right I celebrate my birthday for an entire week. Perhaps this is childish of me, but at least it's down from the two week celebrations of days gone by.


This year my birthday falls on Labor Day Weekend and we will be headed to preppy boyfriends parents house for the weekend. I am so excited that I get to celebrate my day with the preppy family, even better we'll be celebrating Preppy Mother's birthday too (I cannot wait to show you what I found for her, but in case she reads this blog, you'll have to wait until she opens it to see). 


So my question is, do you buy new clothes for mini vacations, even if only going to visit family? 


I must confess I do! I enjoy shopping so much more if I feel like I'm shopping for an event or a trip. I can go weeks and even months without shopping, just to know I'll be able to splurge when a trip or event rolls around. However, I have been on quite a shopping splurge this summer. I figure I have paid off almost all of my debt, and next year I may be in medical school so I should enjoy shopping (within reason) while I can.


I'm having a hard time deciding what to pack/buy for the trip. We'll definitely go out to a fine dinning restaurant at least once (but I always pack enough outfits in case we go out twice), there will be lots of playing in the pool, church and brunch on Sunday morning, and of course cooking with the family. I am so ready for fall, that I want to pull out my sweater dresses and boots, however here in the south it will still be in the high 90's over labor day weekend, so I'm afraid sweaters and boots are a little impractical. In addition to all this, Preppy Sister has a new Beau and this will be the first time Preppy Boyfriend and I get to meet him. I always feel so much pressure to make a good impression when I know I'm going to meet new people.  


I'll post some of what I'm thinking later today or tomorrow, but in the meantime do any of you have any suggestions? Is there a great dress or blouse that I simply must own for this trip? Shoes or a purse? Send them my way readers...

Pink Polka Dots

Happy Friday,

The work week has drawn to a close... lets all let out a collective sigh of relief *aaaahhh.

What makes me happier than Fridays? Why dahling it is the color pink of course... so I thought I would share with you my new favorite mac accessory. 

It's a pink polka dot mac sleeve by Isis Dei, I have a 15" but I know they also make a 13". This sleeve is fantastic it's thin, but provides a great amount of protection for my laptop.

It is lined with memory foam, which means the weight of my laptop creates little indents in the liner, these indents allow me to open the case and use my laptop without removing it from the case. 

And even better, with this type of laptop sleeve I don't have to take my computer out of the case at airport security, and since I am almost always running late when I fly I will do just about anything to get through security faster!

Graces

1. A new found friend in my other online universe (studentdoctor.net), who was very re-assuring that I am not the only one who hasn't heard back from Texas medical schools.

2. Being reminded in new ways that my life, including the medical school process is in God's hands.

3. Drawing a hot bath, soaking in bubbles, reading "A celebration of Discipline", and sipping some wine... okay that hasn't happened yet, but it's on the agenda and I'm thankful for that.

4. A company paid gym membership that doesn't expire even if I don't use it as often as I should.

5. A father who tries to re-build our relationship. My parents are a hot mess, and it's often very complicated, but I have friends whose parents don't even try to have a relationship... so as difficult as it is I'm glad that I'll always know my father loves me.

Have a lovely weekend! And a big warm southern welcome to my new followers!

A Home That Warms My Heart...

I have mentioned several times how stunning Preppy boyfriend's childhood home is. His mother is a wonderful interior designer and both of his parents are certified master gardener's. Preppy boyfriend's sister has a degree in horticulture so their yard is always stunning with several hundred plant varieties represented and constant flowers in bloom from early spring to late fall!

I have been busy planning a birthday gift for Preppy Boyfriend's Mother, and in the process found myself looking at pictures of the family home. I am so in love with this family, and have so many fond memories of spending time with them at this home. On an almost daily basis I am thankful to have such wonderful people in my life. It's amazing how in just a few short years I have been loved on, cared for, nurtured, and blessed by this family. Every room of the house is filled with love. And every outdoor space holds a fond memory for me of spending time with the family, whether watching Preppy Sister learn Preppy Granna's fried chicken recipe, learning about planting and gardening as we started our own humble yard this year,
or playing fetch with one of the many Preppy Family dogs in the expansive yard. My life would not be the same without the family that grew in this home.

Graces for Today
1. Preppy Boyfriend's Mother who has been in more ways than I could ever count an example of love, kindness, warmth and motherhood to me... even when it was difficult. I don't know if she reads the blog, but if you do Preppy Mother happy birthday!
2. The freedom to take time off and visit family over the upcoming holidays
3. A wonderful and refreshing night of girl talk that lasted until midnight on Tuesday
4. A safe commute to and from work -- there were three accidents on my route yesterday, driving by an accident I can't help but remember my own car accidents and say a brief prayer for each person who's life was changed by those moments of collision.
5. Wonderful blogging pals who are also talented artists helping me create some wonderful and soon to be featured items!

Thank you card colors

Readers, I am so excited! The wonderful Nina of the blog According to Nina is going to design some tres chic Thank You cards for me. 

I'll be using the cards to send thank you's to any party involved in the medical school interview process. These thank you's will be a last opportunity for me to put my name in front of the admissions committee and remind them that I am a stellar person, and of course a wonderful candidate for the class of 2014!

Nina asked me to let her know what colors I was thinking, and I of course went straight to pink and green however I'm open to suggestions! Medical school admissions committees are notoriously traditional and straight laced, so maybe pink and green is to preppy/perky...

What do you think readers? Any suggestions?

Grace

Monday, busy Monday.... phew I'm propping my feet up, drinking a sweet tea and trying not to think about heading back to work tomorrow! I haven't been keeping up with my graces lately, so today seemed like the perfect day to get caught up...

1. Medical School Interview invitation number 3

2. Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline: The path to spiritual growth," What a needed reminder that grace and not will is the answer to the problem of sin...

3. A beautiful flower delivery to my office this morning

4. A sense of peace around the medical school admissions process, although I do get caught up in waiting to hear back from schools, at the same time I have this wonderful sense of peace. If I get in I trust that God will put me in the right school for me.

5. A fun day swimming and playing in the water with my dogs (Sunday)

Exclusive Designer Sale!

I am so excited to share my latest find with you!

Gilt Groupe is a website dedicated to providing members only exclusive sales (50% off or more) on designer fashions, make-up, and accessories. To become a member of Gilt Groupe you must be invited by a current member. It is absolutely free, and the sales are updated several times a week. Were you a member this week you could have access to items from the following designers (I'm featuring a few of my favorite items so you can get a feel for what is available):

Alice & Olivia
Badgley Mischka Collection
Canterburry of New Zeland
Rock and Republic Cosmetics
Zac Posen Handbags
Vera Wang Jewelry
And so many more

But it gets even better! This week Gilt Groupe has launched its sister site Gilt Fuse is a fantastic site featuring superb clothing discounts, with a bonus, nothing on the site is over $150. Juicy Couture is starting a sale with Gilt Fuse on the 18th that will feature Jewelry, handbags and clothing all for under $150.

This week at Gilt Fuse I'm loving these ballet flats, and for $39 what a steal!

And this party dress, what fun this would be to wear to the season opening of Ballet Austin!

Send me your email address and I'll be happy to invite you to join these sites... Even if you never buy a thing, it's fun to browse and see what different designers they feature each week!

Birthday Gifts...

As I mentioned on Wednesday Preppy Boyfriend's mother has a birthday soon. I'm trying to think of a fun gift to cheer her up. Preppy Mother's birthday falls in the same week as the one year anniversary of Preppy Boyfriend's Granna passing away. So the week is sure to be emotionally difficult for Preppy Mother. I want to send her a fun little gift basket full of little pick me ups. Here is what I was thinking:

A monogram coffee mug

A monogram to go coffee mug

A monogram candle

A Preppy Headband

and a gift set of lotions from L'Occitane or Crabtree and Evelyn

I was thinking of getting each of the monograms of the first letter of her first name, is that appropriate to do for someone who is married? I've never done it before, but I just think using her initial makes the gift seem more personal.... any suggestions or ideas of great places to find such wonderful cheerful gifts?

Speaking of cheerful gifts... I'm behind on graces, so these are a conglomeration of graces for the past few days:

1. A hard rain shower in Austin
2. My pumpkin seeds have sprouted and are growing crazy, I can't wait to pick a pumpkin from my own yard for Halloween
3. Ginger Ale over ice to settle my spinny tummy
4. Grilled Cheese sandwhiches
5. Waking up to the sound of birds in my backyard

*all photos are links to original websites

Giddy with the excitement of it all...

This morning dear readers, I opened up my blog to see and respond to the responses of yesterday, and I almost couldn't believe my eyes.... Even now my little heart is a pitter patter of giddyness...

You see, Eddie Ross, commented on this little blog. How very fun!

I must skip off to work, but I promise a real post will follow shortly! 

Eddie Ross Wednesday

Hello Dear Readers,

It's Eddie Ross Wednesday!

This week I loved these Danish Silver Modern Bowls. What a charming little catch all this would be on a nightstand or entry table.


This Teak and Brass Tray immediately gave me visions of sailing, and holidays at the cape. It is the perfect piece for serving a summer evening snack and cocktail don't you think?

One of the things I appreciate about Eddie the most is his ability to find unique items (and furthermore to understand their uses). This week Eddie found this darling Danish pitcher with Ice Insert. I actually like this so much I may purchase it for Preppy Boyfriend's mother for her birthday (Any suggestions as to what to give her with this?).

Too Easy Berry Cobbler

I love berry cobbler, absolutely adore it and Preppy Boyfriend's mother makes an amazing berry cobbler. After our 4th of July visit, she shared with me that the recipe was super easy and came from southern living. Since then I've been dying to try it. This weekend I finally made my first batch to take over to some friend's who had a new baby. This cobbler couldn't be easier, and it was the first thing to disappear off the buffet. Everybody raves about the crust... trust me you'll love it instantly, and it's the perfect addition to any preppy, southern girls cooking repertoire.

Easy Berry Cobbler
4 cups fresh black berries (Thawed, frozen mixed berries works just as well)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter, melted
Vanilla ice cream (or whipped cream) -- optional
Garnish: fresh mint sprig -- optional

Pre-heat oven to 375. Place berries in lightly greased 8 inch square baking dish; sprinkle with lemon juice. Stir together egg, sugar, and flour in a medium bowl until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over fruit. Drizzle melted butter over topping. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes (I usually turn the broil on for the last four minutes to get the crust crispy). Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with whipped cream, or ice cream. Garnish with fresh mint if desired.

Yields 6 servings

*Photo and recipe courtesy of Southern Living -- photo is link to SL website and recipe

Grace to fall asleep

So It's 11:33 PM and I can't sleep. Usually, I'm sound asleep long before now... some people lose weight when they're stressed.... apparently I lose sleep. Who knew :)

Here's to grace, calming my thoughts and reminding me that life is about more than I realize...

1. A growing friendship with Preppy Boyfriend's Sister

2. Sweet Tea

3. The pleasure of flowers blooming in my yard

4. More rain in the forecast this week

5. My snuggly and cozy bed that's calling as I type this...

I have to say, now when I'm worried and anxious and feel heavy with the process of all that's going on with my dad I can see and feel in new ways the impact that grace has on my life. Some days I feel like I've got to dig pretty deep to find those small things, but the weakness on those days is in me... I'm thankful for grace to grow beyond that weakness...

Still Planting...

We are in the middle of a drought, and it is a rare day that temperatures aren't well into triple digits. I fully realize this is hardly the time to be putting new plants into my garden, and yet I found myself planting last night trying to get everything into the ground before a rare rain storm started.

This is my first year gardening, and since the process started in the spring I've had my spring bulbs bloom and recede, I've had several plants fall victim either to the fierce hail storms of June, or to the clay soil that has proven nearly impossible in my back yard. And although we rent, I have this compulsive urge to keep filling in the holes when a plant in my flower garden dies. I hate to think of the money I've spent to planting the flower beds of our little rental.

So last night before the brief rain shower, I planted each of the things I had purchased: Day lilies, Azalea, balloon flower, and red ixora.

I am particularly excited about the red Ixora, in our climate it should bloom almost continuously throughout the year. Last year, I was pleased to learn that my white pansies also bloom all year long. So, as I was sweating to death digging holes in my garden I found myself looking forward to walking up to my front door and even in December seeing pretty flowers along the way. It almost makes this oppressive heat worth while... almost.

Graces
1. A brief rain shower to wet the dry and cracked earth
2. Quality time with the preppy boyfriend to refresh our relationship
3. An impromptu dinner at friends house, and the opportunity to meet their newborn little girl
4. My second medical school interview invitation
5. Returning to the comfort of my daily routine

Waiting for a Sale and Then... It Happens

Happy Saturday Dear Readers,

I had an emotionally draining week with Dr.'s visits and explaining treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis countless times to various people... I understand in a new way how cancer sort of becomes an identity...

I'm home safe and sound, and resting (hopefully I will be refreshed by tonight's dinner with friends).

Imagine my happiness when I found a dress I've been window shopping for a few months now On Sale! It is the exact amount of retail therapy I needed!

Athleta is the newest member of the Banana Republic family. I fell in love with this pocketed casual sundress, but couldn't bring myself to pay $70 for a cotton dress from a brand that's relatively new to me. However, I didn't think twice before ordering this fun little number once on sale!

And just for good measure I ordered this one as well....

Graces
1. Safe round trip travel
2. Beautiful weather that was a refreshing break from the Texas heat
3. Two medical school interview invitations
4. Successfully working remotely
5. Coming home to Mr. Preppy Boyfriend, three happy puppies, and my now furnished patio

I love Grace

I hate cancer. I hate having a split home. I hate instability. I hate this weight that's sitting on my chest and making it hard to breathe. I hate it when the distance I've so carefully created and the boundaries I've so purposefully set all come crashing down leaving me vulnerable and exposing lesions that just don't seem to heal... Days like today I fall wounded into Grace that is more than sufficient. I love Grace.

I don't want this blog to become all about cancer and struggles... but these things are part of life, even preppy life... so for now... this is where I am...

Today was Dad's first radiologist visit. It was draining to say the least. As an adult I'm not very close with either of my parents, so coming "home" is always a unique challenge, even in the best of circumstances. In a case like this it is heart wrenching... but there is always Grace...

1. The beautiful mountains standing strongly, silently, awe inspiring and reminding me that I am not alone, and that God shows his mercy in that the sun and the rain fall on everyone.

2. A loving extended family that fills in the gaps and holes from my own broken home

3. Financial stability to enable me to be a support in a time of crisis

4. A joyful 9 year old little sister who's all smiles and wanting to play and full of adoration for me, in spite of all my flaws (and the extra 8 pounds that my hips have adopted this year)

5. A wonderful talk with my loving and accepting aunt, what an amazing family of strong, loving, and intelligent women I have!

I'm learning something...

In the task of trying to record 5 daily graces, I'm learning that my life is too busy (and perhaps, just perhaps I watch too much TV). I haven't been as diligent as I would like to record these graces, but today before I leave to take my dad to his first visit at the radiology oncologist I thought I would take a moment and be thankful for grace.

1. I have an employer who is so supportive of my need to be with my dad during this time that she has paid for my flight home.

2. We were given some amazing patio furniture that is far nicer than anything we could have afforded. It's beautiful and wonderful to have a new outdoor space to utilize!

3. A company purchased laptop that allows me to work (and thus get paid) even while traveling for personal reasons (medical school interviews and Dr.'s visits with dad).

4. Preppy Boyfriend's parents are taking us to mexico for a week on vacation... I am clinging to that vacation as my life continues to get more stressful.

5. A promotion and a raise, even though my boss realizes that it will be rare that I work a full week with my dad's cancer and with my medical school interviews.

I truly am blessed. I am also however, very nervous for this trip home. There were no car rentals to be found at the airport, so my dear Auntie is picking me up at the airport. I hate to burden people and ask them to drive me around. Hopefully, this will teach me some humility or something. (PS... what's the perfect thank you for Dear Auntie who's driving an hour or so round trip to pick me up at the airport?)