A Collection

Once upon a time, I saw a gallery wall full of L's on Pinterest. This pin to be exact. I loved the idea. Not only did I think it looked great, but I loved the thought of having a collection. Not long after Jeremy proposed, I started my very own "L" collection. For those who might not know, my married name will begin with the letter "L" soo, it's safe to say I have a new appreciation for the letter.

My collection is still small but I know over the years we will gather and collect L's that all tell a different story and hold a different memory. For instance, the large white L in this picture is from our trip to Austin this summer. Now, we're always on the hunt for L's and I love it! 

Do you collect something sentimental like this?

Memphis Most

   
I have made my Orpheum debut... just kidding. What I did do was rub elbows on the Orpheum stage with all the Memphis Most winners.

What is Memphis Most you might ask? Readers of the Commercial Appeal (the main Memphis newspaper) vote on the best of the best in Memphis. There are tons of different categories. Things such as best biscuits, best weatherperson, best attraction, even best blog! [No, that's not why I was there... maybe someday? ;)]

I was able to go to the event because the YMCA (where Jeremy works) won one of the categories. They won best Yoga Studio. We spent the night listening to the live band, eating delicious tacos, people watching, and mingling with the important people of Memphis.

When we arrived, we walked in with the Mayor, we were greeted by a photographer, and Jeremy got starstruck by Mark Goodfellow. Those in the Memphis area will recognize him from the It's All Good Auto Commercials. For those not in Memphis, please watch this to understand. We had SUCH a fun time!!





Big HUGE shout out to Angela for inviting me to go!! We are always calling you our entertainment director because we do so many fun things because of you :) Thank you!!

Refreshing Rooftop Moments

It has been so long since I've been able to blog.. I've missed this and I'm so happy to be back!! Things have been so busy around here between moving, and work, and just life in general that I feel like I haven't had a minute to just stop and relax.

There are boxes everywhere, I have only the bare essentials in the fridge, I have no idea where my left flip flop is, but Jeremy and I took a moment to just enjoy our new home by hanging out on the rooftop of our building and enjoying a few fancy drinks.



Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Water is comprised of just three natural ingredients—spring water, natural fruit essence, and bubbles! With no sugar or calories, Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Water is a good alternative to soda.

Not only that, but with some fresh fruit, you have a refreshing summer drink perfect for a moment to just unwind. Taking a moment to just sit and enjoy life was exactly what we needed to recharge our batteries.

  
I can tell you now, we'll be spending lots of time on our rooftop, anddd making more sparkling water drinks. 

How do you refresh in the middle of the work week?


This post is Sponsored by Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Water, however, all opinions are my own.  

Also, linking with The Pleated Poppy

Wore // Spontaneous Moments

 
I had attempted to take some pictures with my tripod in our new place and got a little distracted. Jeremy was trying to make me laugh (by dancing around with the broom) and he had no idea he was in the shot. I thought these pictures were better than any of me by myself so I called it a day. I had a whole blog post planned in my head but then decided these unplanned spontaneous moments were better than anything I could have come up with.

PS. I'll bet this outfit looks familiar... probably because I wore this same cardigan in this post. Oh well :)

Linking with The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So // Get Your Pretty On // Style Elixer

The First Supper

   
When we got the keys of our home (eee!!!! read all about it here), we did the only logical thing. We grabbed some of our favorite downtown food, that also happens to be walking distance from our new place, and had a picnic in the middle of the living room.

The first meal out of many we'll be sharing in our home.

The Big Secret Reveal

This is it!!! The moment you've all been waiting for and the moment I've been dyyyyying to share!!! There was a moment when we didn't think it was going to work out (I'll get into that some other time) but it all worked out the way it should. I just kept telling myself, "everything happens for a reason". If it was meant to work out, it would.. AND IT DID!! So here it goes....
 
 

We bought our first home.

A condo in downtown Memphis.

Eeeeee!!!!!! It's a one bedroom in the South Main Arts District (my favorite part of town). It's in an old building that was build in 1912 and still has the original exposed brickwork and beams. It also has a killer view of the Mississippi River and the bridge. Not to mention, there's a great rooftop deck with a 360 degree view of downtown. I'll be able to walk or take the trolley to work and we'll be walking distance from some of our favorite downtown Memphis places.

This amazing piece of property fell into our laps. We worked very hard to purchase this and I already know that we will be very happy here. We've haven't even had the keys for a week, but we already have some very fond memories in our first home.



  
These are the stairs that go up to the rooftop. I mean, how cool is this?!
  
   
And this is our view.


I am so so so so happy!!!! Jeremy and I have talked about living downtown for a very long time. Our dream is finally coming true. Now our wedding date has to hurry up and get here so we can all be together and enjoy our new home.

I also want to say THANK YOU to all of you who sent us well wishes and prayers. The buying process was not the easiest thing in the world. We ran into many roadblocks involving difficult people and difficult businesses (again, a story for another time) but I know your thoughts and prayers helped. You kept us positive and working hard.


Now I have a condo to decorate!! What are some of your favorite interior design blogs? Or what other advice might you have for us?

Shabby Apple (a giveaway)

Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique that specialized in vintage and retro dresses. Yes, I just said vintage and retro.. aka, two of my favorite things. I actually have a dress from Shabby Apple (maybe that will be making it's appearance in a Wore post soon) and I love it. The quality and the style are really things you don't find everywhere. I love when clothes have a little bit of a vintage vibe and Shabby Apple has exactly that.

Want to hear the fun part? Shabby Apple wants to give one of my readers a $50 gift card to go towards any item you want!! (You lucky ducks)

Just enter by using the Rafflecopter widget below. Oh, you don't have to be a blogger but you do have to be in the US. Just so you have some idea of how cute their stuff is, here are some of my current favorites that I've had my eye on:

Sea Breeze // Animalia // Blushing Bride Skirt

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Prize was provided by Shabby Apple. I was not not paid or compensated in any way for this giveaway. I simply support this company and thought one of my readers deserves to win! Contest will end August 21st. One winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter and I will contact them via email.

The Boy Behind the Blog

Today is a special day. Today you all have the very special treat of reading a blog post written by the boy behind Ten Feet Off Beale. Honestly, without him this blog would be completely different. He comes up with a bunch of my ideas and takes most of my pictures and is simply just the best.

When I saw the Boys Behind the Blog linkup, I knewwww I was going to get Jeremy to participate. Now, without further ado, go ahead and read how Jeremy answered this month's questions! I think they're pretty great, if I do say so myself.

1. What would you do with $1,000,000?  

I can honestly say that I don't think my life would be that much different if a million dollars dropped in my lap. I like my life. I like where I live. I like my job. I guess I'm a pretty content person. However, there are some things I could probably find to spend some money on. I would definitely pay off all my debt first and after some shrewd investing, to make sure me and the future Mrs. Long were taken care of, I'd have a little fun. I'd definitely plan a month long vacation (I think I deserve one) and do some serious relaxing on a beach. Next would probably be that elusive 4 door Jeep Wrangler I've been eyeing at the dealership we pass every Sunday, THEY'RE SO PRETTY! I'd buy Harrison the biggest deer antler he could chew, Alyssa a $1,000 gift card to Michael's, my parents several round trip plane tickets to Austin, TX to see the soon to arrive new grandchild and I might even buy the cat (aka Mittens, Dexter or Hey You) a new toy.

 
2. What is your dream job? 

I think my ultimate dream job would have to be CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey club. I'm a huge Penguins fan, always have been and always will be. I live with each hit, goal, win and loss (much to the dismay of those around me when we lose big games). I love my Penguins, so that would have to be my dream job. In a more realistic world, I hope to one day be an Executive Director of a YMCA here in Memphis. That's my goal and that's what I'm shooting for. I guess we'll see if I get there. 


3. Who is your celebrity crush? 

If I'm being honest I'm going to have to say Christina Aguilera. Don't ask me why or how. The answer is what it is people, let's move on. 

 
4. What is your favorite sports team? 

This one's tough. It really does depend on the season, but one thing that doesn't change is my passion and love for my teams. I LOVE my sports teams, sometimes to a fault. If they do well, I'm doing well. If they aren't doing so hot, neither am I. It's a bad way to be and I think I may cross that line from passionate to obsessive, but that's just me. I'm just being honest. So here we go. Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Indianapolis Colts, Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Tigers and Auburn Tigers. You get all that? Good! 

5. What was your AOL/AIM screen name back in the day? 

I remember when AOL/ AIM chatting was the cool thing to do... I was in high school... and had a car... and friends with cars... so we all just drove to see each other. Problem solved. I'm old.

Wore // Dalmatians

  
Now before you go thinking I went all Cruella de Vil, when I say I wore Dalmatians, I'm talking about the amazing dalmatian print on this skirt!! I love skirts and dresses. They're pretty much all I wear. I especially love them when they have adorable prints. Remember a few weeks ago, I wore a dress with pineapples all over it? Well, how could I resist these adorable dalmatians!

Do you like to wear fun prints? I'm on the hunt for something with hot air balloons! I know that sounds random, it just got in my head one day and think hot air balloons would make the cutest printed dress.

In case you're wondering, this skirt is from Target (I mean, isn't that all I wear?)

 Linking with The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So // Get Your Pretty On // Style Elixer

 

Making New Friends

One of the best ways to discover new blogs and make new friends is through blog hops! Add your links and make some new friends! Even if you aren't a blogger, click some of these amazing blogs. You might even find another favorite... besides mine ;)

<center> <a href="http://www.rainbowsandhoneysuckle.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="GFC Lovin" src="http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l308/shannflann/Pearls%20and%20Curls/GFCLovinButton_2_zps465bb298.gif"/></a></center>

The Rules:

1. Link up both your blog and your Bloglovin' below! Be sure to visit some other links as well to make some new friends!

2. Follow your hosts and co-host and leave us a comment letting us know you followed so that we can follow you back!

Link up your blog below:

1. Emily @ Jolie Emily (CO-HOST)	2. Noor @ Noor's Place (CO-HOST)	3. Alyssa @ Ten Feet Off Beale (CO-HOST)	4. Chloe @ Rainbows & Honeysuckle (HOST)	5. Sara @ Pearls & Curls (HOST)
6. Brittney @ Teaberry Trails (CO-HOST)	7. New Mama Diaries	8. Sarah @ Venus Trapped in Mars	9. Britt @ One and 20	10. Lauren @ Sophisticated Sass
11. Katelyn @ Imperfect Perfection	12. Allie @ Tales of A Twenty-Something	13. Sarah @ Limited Space Organizing	14. Nini @ What's New Nini Kat	15. Rachel @ With Love, Rachel
16. Laura @ October Darling	17. Danielle @ Miss Glam Dan	18. Megan @ M Cubed	19. Kate @ Kate the Almost Great	20. Katelyn @ The Southern Life
21. Rebecca @ Life with rMe	22. Jamie @ Cleats & Couture	23. The Glamorous French Housewife	24. Amy @ Not Your Average Amy	25. Leslie @ With A Side of Chocolate
26. Aly @ Giggles & Grumps	27. The Real Housewife of Caroline County	28. Jen @ Live in the Sunshine	29. Celena @ My Stay at Home Mama Life	30. Kate @ Another Clean Slate
31. Amanda @ Happily Ever After	32. Kara @ A Leap Into Love on bloglovin	33. Kallie @ But First, Coffee	34. Cayli @ Nightchayde	35. Kristen @ Happiness Is a Mood Not a Destination
36. Tara @ Starletta Designs	37. amber @ my so-called {organized} life	38. Mason @ Mason Like The Jar	39. Brittany @ Addicted to Life	40. Daina @ New York State of MInd
41. Sadie @ By Grace, Through Faith	42. Rachel @ Well Worn Soles	43. kara @ Crazy Perfect Life	44. aleshea @ glitzngrits	45. Alexis @ The Ainscough Family
46. Krystina @ By the Seat of my Shorts	47. Kim @2justByou	48. Kendra @ Rogers Family Assemble	49. Alisha @ The Alisha Nicole	50. Love Sparkle Pretty
51. Ashlie @ A Casual Love	52. Shelby @ STAY CRAFTY MY FRIENDS	53. Caroline @ Love Caroline Blog	54. Laila's Charming Pieces	55. Ash B @ A Beauty Moment
56. Jessica @ NC Grown	57. A Golden State of Mind	58. Olivia	59. Brit @These Happy Times	60. Emily || My Life in Words
61. Lauren@ cornwellfam	62. Kellie @ Delightfully Ludicrous	63. Shelby @ It's Always Sonny	64. Elba @ I Heart E	65. Le Petit Paradis (FOLLOWS BACK)
66. Yuen @ The Craziest Paradigm	67. marrien	68. Isabella Darcy	69. Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons	70. Uniquely Undone
71. Mess of Beautiful Chaos ♥	72. Through Crystal's Eyes	73. Chelsea @ Anchors Aweigh	74. Victoria@ Lost in Boston	75. A Bit Graceful
76. Katie @ Crinkled Crown	77. Kim @ Skinny Kimmie	78. the "florkens": Wednesday Morning "Crack"	79. Brittany	80. Laur @ Walking in Memphis in High Heels
81. Jennifer @ First Comes Love	82. Erin @ Harris Heart-to-Hearts	83. Alma @ A Conquered Mess	84. Kenya @ My Pending Life	85. Haylee @ Jets and a Brunette
86. Catherine@Bailey Dailies	87. Ingrid @ smilingrid	88. Brittney @ True Vintage Love	89. Tori Camille @ Thirty Seven Four	90. JTO
91. Jessica	92. Kait @ ChickadeeSays	93. Kristen @ 3 Monkeys' Mommy	94. Judy H-J's Thoughts (Follows Back)	95. ile
96. Eloquent Rambles-Follows Back!	97. Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly	98. Sprinkles & Sequins	99. Makeup With Tea	100. Maryam@muslimahluvsmakeup
101. Whitney @ Everything Happens For a Reason	102. The Dream Tree	103. Lena @ Root & Blossom	104. MailBox Make-Over under $100	105. Happy Indian Mommy

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Link up your Bloglovin' below:

1.	Chloe @ Rainbows & Honeysuckle (HOST)	29.	Cayli @ Nightchayde	57.	Kate @ Uniquely Undone
2.	Noor @ Noor's Place (CO-HOST)	30.	amber @ my so-called {organized} life	58.	Mess of Beautiful Chaos ♥
3.	Emily @ Jolie Emily (CO-HOST)	31.	Mason @ Mason Like The Jar	59.	Last pool days of summer-snack time
4.	Alyssa @ Ten Feet Off Beale (CO-HOST)	32.	Daina @ New York State of MInd	60.	Through Crystal's Eyes
5.	Brittney @ Teaberry Trails (CO-HOST)	33.	Kristen @ Happiness Is a Mood Not a Destination	61.	Chelsea @ Anchors Aweigh
6.	Tara @ Starletta Designs	34.	Rachel @ Well Worn Soles	62.	Victoria@ Lost in Boston
7.	Sara @ Pearls & Curls (HOST)	35.	aleshea @ glitzngrits	63.	A Bit Graceful
8.	Leslie @ With A Side of Chocolate	36.	Alexis @ The Ainscough Family	64.	Katie @ Crinkled Crown
9.	Sarah @ Limited Space Organizing	37.	Krystina @ By the Seat of my Shorts	65.	the "florkens"
10.	Katelyn @ Imperfect Perfection	38.	Kendra @ Rogers Family Assemble	66.	Jennifer @ First Comes Love
11.	Sarah @ Venus Trapped in Mars	39.	Kim @2justByou	67.	Erin @ Harris Heart-to-Hearts
12.	Britt @ One and 20	40.	Alisha @ The Alisha Nicole	68.	Alma @ A Conquered Mess
13.	Lauren @ Sophisticated Sass	41.	Love Sparkle Pretty	69.	Kenya @ My Pending Life
14.	Allie @ Tales of A Twenty-Something	42.	Ashlie @ A Casual Love	70.	Haylee @ Jets and a Brunette
15.	Nini @ What's New Nini Kat	43.	Caroline @ Love Caroline Blog	71.	Catherine@Bailey Dailies
16.	Rachel @ With Love, Rachel	44.	Laila's Charming Pieces	72.	Brittney @ True Vintage Love
17.	Laura @ October Darling	45.	Ash B @ A Beauty Moment	73.	Tori Camille @ Thirty Seven Four
18.	Danielle @ Miss Glam Dan	46.	Amber Anna @ History & Pearls	74.	Jessica @ The Sushi Box
19.	Megan @ M Cubed	47.	A Golden State of Mind	75.	Kait @ ChickadeeSays
20.	Kate @ Kate the Almost Great	48.	Olivia	76.	Kristen @ 3 Monkeys' Mommy
21.	Rebecca @ Life with rMe	49.	Brit @These Happy Times	77.	Judy H-J's Thoughts
22.	The Real Housewife of Caroline County	50.	Kellie @ Delightfully Ludicrous	78.	Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly
23.	Amy @ Not Your Average Amy	51.	Tenns @ New Mama Diaries	79.	Lynn @ Makeup With Tea
24.	Aly @ Giggles & Grumps	52.	Elba @ I Heart E	80.	Maryam@muslimahluvsmakeup
25.	Jen @ Live in the Sunshine	53.	Le Petit Paradis (FOLLOWS BACK)	81.	Whitney @ Everything Happens For a Reason
26.	Kate @ Another Clean Slate	54.	Yuen @ The Craziest Paradigm	82.	The Dream Tree
27.	Kara @ A Leap Into Love	55.	marrien @ i am babbledoll	83.	happy indian mommy
28.	Amanda @ Happily Ever After	56.	Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons	84.	Sparkle In Sequins

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

A Third Birthday

   
We got to celebrate this little one's third birthday this weekend. Her name is Allie and she belongs to two very very dear friends of ours. I'm so incredibly happy that I got to be there for her this year. If you ever want to see pure joy, watch a three year old at her birthday party. That girl was so happy to be surrounded by family and friends. The cake and ice cream didn't hurt, either :)
 

Natural Energy (& a giveaway)

   
I mentioned Wednesday that I work a regular full time job. I'm sure I'm not the only one who hits a crazy low right in the middle of the day, or comes home motivated to work out, but are too gosh darn tired. There are the days when I drink entirely too much coffee. Coffee makes me feel good for a little while but then I get jittery and ultimately crash.

I was given the opportunity to try ENERGYbits, a natural, organically grown algae that gives you energy. There is no caffeine or sugar, there aren't even any weird chemicals. It's simply all natural. Could it be? Could this be the solution to my problem?

I'll be honest, I was skeptical. I mean, really? How could something like this give me energy but I figured I didn't have much to lose.

One serving of ENERGYbits is thirty of these little green discs. I don't know why, but my first instinct was to smell them. They smelled like fish food. I suddenly understood why it says to swallow them rather than chew them, although you can absolutely chew them if you want! I swallowed a few but felt like it was taking way too long to get through all thirty. An idea struck me. I would throw them in a green smoothie!
 
   
Lately I've been making lots of green smoothies in the mornings before work. My favorite combination is kale, spinach, strawberries, bananas, and vanilla almond milk. I whipped one up and threw in the rest of the ENERGYbits. Easy! I could get used to this! I definitely felt a difference. I felt awake, alert, and ready to conquer my day! and conquer my day I did! Without crashing, I might add.

Basically, I write all this to say, there are other alternatives than coffee. Alternatives that don't make you crash after a few hours? Sign me up!

You don't have to take my word for it, you can try them out yourself! The generous people at ENERGYbits are giving away a sample!

(Open to US residents only, sorry friends!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wore // 9 to 5

   
Actually, I work 8 to 4:30, but that doesn't sound as good.... anddddd I don't normally wear heels all day. They tend to stay under my desk unless I have a meeting or something :)

Anywayss, this is a pretty typical work day outfit for me! I wear this skirt at least once a week (don't judge) and pretty much wear a cardigan every single day. What can I say, I know what I'm comfortable in and what works and I very rarely vary.

Something else I want to point out about these photos (that make me seem sort of silly) is that I do actually need glasses. In fact, I pretty much can't see anything unless I have contacts in or glasses on. I am wearing my contacts in these pictures but threw on the glasses just for fun which made everything extremely blurry. The things I do for pictures.

Anddd if you're curious about where I work and what I do, I work in the Mutual Fund department at Raymond James, a huge investment company. Pretty much the polar opposite to blogging.

What non-blogging jobs do you guys have?? Feeling curious today :)

 Linking with The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So // Get Your Pretty On // Style Elixer

A Huge Mistake

Not really... I think making this hoop was an excellent decision!! I originally made this for my brother for his birthday. Probably not the best thing to gift a 20 year old man, but he loved it anyways (or at least that's what he told me). He's a huge fan of the show as I know many of you are so I figured I'd share!

This little guy is now available in my Etsy shop!


 

Staying Positive

 
So, remember when I told you all that I had a secret? Well, it turns out that secret might not actually work out (hence the reason I kept it a secret). We don't know for sure but some things might not work out the way we had thought, planned, and hoped.

I'm expecting to have an official answer by today but as I'm writing this, it isn't looking good. I could really use some positive thoughts and prayers sent my way if you all don't mind. It has been crazy around here trying to deal with this.

Sorry to be vague. I promise I'll share everything when I know one way or another. In the meantime, I'm just trying to stay positive and hopeful that it will actually work out the way we had thought, even though the chances of that are looking pretty slim.

Don't mean to be a downer on a Monday morning, just wanted to check in with some real life happenings. Clearly life isn't always fun blog posts. There have got to be some tough ones thrown in there sometimes.
 

PS. I realize this picture doesn't have anything to do with this post. I just love those wildflowers growing in the rough terrain.
 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday to you, Mom!

I can't even begin to describe how happy I am that you came to visit me and we got to spend the whole weekend together. I really had a lot of fun exploring Memphis and wedding planning with you. This is such an exciting time in my life and I am thrilled that I get to do this with you.

I hope you have a wonderful day and I can't wait to see you next weekend!! You could guess for a thousand years and you'd never guess what I got you for your birthday. So excited to give it to you!! You're going to love it :)

Miss you and love you!

  

Spontaneous Day at the Zoo

   
Sorry for the photo heavy post! I just love going to the Memphis Zoo! While my mom was in town, we had a few hours to kill (and some wedding venue scouting to do) so we headed over to the zoo. The weather could not have been any better. It was sunny but not hot which in July is a pretty huge deal.

We just walked around for a while, spent time together, and watched the animals. It was a perfect afternoon outing. Sometimes the best plans are the ones that are last minute and spontaneous.


What are your favorite animals to see at the zoo?