Southern Belle in Training

Fashion, Travel & Lifestyle Blog || Est. 2012 || Virginia Beach, VA

August 16, 2017

Midweek Ramblings + Recent Purchases + Current Wishlist.





{Testing out some cute new makeup items from the Mark by Avon line! Follow me on all my social media @miss_alk!}


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Ramblings:
  • Being a tourist at home: This past weekend was my first weekend off since starting my job! Since I wasn't able to go to Charlotte as I had hoped, I went home to Maine instead and tried to make the best of things. Overall it was a quiet, but nice visit! I have two friends from there who are both starting grad school soon, so it was good to spend time with them before that begins. I also spent a lot of time with my family, and time at the ocean, which I miss so much living far away from it now! Something that I've noticed since moving to Vermont is that I really have stopped taking growing up in Maine for granted, and I have a new appreciation for my hometown that I didn't have when I lived in Charlotte. I still very much want to be back in the South, but I hope when I do eventually move out-of-state again, I'll take my newfound love for Maine with me.
  • Planning fall fashion content + foliage: Fall in New England comes much earlier than the South- and Fall in Vermont comes even EARLIER! I am already starting to think about creative natural locations for shooting fall fashion content for the blog. Vermont has several scenic byway routes, which are very popular (especially in the fall) with tourists and locals alike. I've already been looking at which byways I would like to explore this fall. If you're planning a trip to New England or Vermont this fall- check out the byway list here
  • Giveaway fun! These is a fun little giveaway up on my Instagram currently, and it runs all week long, so there is still time to enter! I'm teaming up with Jewel Toned, a wonderful shape-wear and undergarments company, to give one lucky winner a Summer Style Pack, featuring five Jewel Toned pieces. Speaking of giveaways... I'm getting so very excited for my week of 5th Blogiversary giveaways, which will be happening at the end of August/beginning of September. I shot most of the images for the giveaways last week and I know y'all will be excited as well! 


Purchases:
  • A trip home to Maine now means SHOPPING! It's so funny-when I lived in Charlotte I didn't do much shopping in Maine, minus a couple local spots that I always hit up. But now that I live in Vermont, aka what feels like the home of the least chain stores (or chain anything) in the nation, I have to get my shopping fill when I'm home, or when driving back to Vermont through New Hampshire! My grandma and I went out to lunch and for a bit of shopping this weekend, and of course we had to stop at Nordstrom Rack! I've found some of my best Rack finds on past trips there with my grandma. She bought me this darling necklace as one of my birthday gifts- the crown reminded me of the Charlotte city logo, which is so dear to my heart! Fun fact: if I ever were to get a tattoo, it would probably be a tiny version of the Charlotte City crown, on the side of my ribs. 
  • We also went to one of my favorite shoe retailers (yet another place not in Vermont), and my grandma bought me these adorable booties as another birthday gift!! Can't wait to style these all this fall.
  • During my rest stop at the Mall of New Hampshire, I stocked up on a few packs of these! They're one of my hair essentials, and were on sale for 2 packs for $10 (a great deal)!
  • I love shopping at Lilly Pulitzer Signature stores... possibly even more then actually Lilly stores! I think Signature stores have a lot of local charm to them, and they definitely mark down  older Lilly more than regular stores do sometimes. I paid a visit to Maine's only Lilly Signature store, The Pink Tangerine, during my weekend home with my friend Katie. I found this adorable tank! Even though it's still on Lilly's website, it was amazingly 40% off at The Pink Tangerine!  Such a good buy and I couldn't resist! 


Wishlist:
  • Still have all the heart eyes for this tote- this is probably the fourth time I've posted it on my wishlist, ahhh! #workbaggoals
  • I saw this dress at The Pink Tangerine while I was home. I sadly have NO REASON to wear this in Vermont... but isn't this THE CUTEST dress?!
  • This is a different take on a basic t-shirt. Would be cute for fall transition outfits for work! 
  • This top screams "early spring" to me more than "early fall," but I still love the bold pattern on it!! 
  • An adorable ruffle sleeve dress for fall that is under $50 and comes in a few colors! 



On the blog this week:

     
       And a quick note about something not blog/wishlist/fashion related... I just wanted to say a couple words about the horrific acts in Charlottesville that happened earlier this week. Hearing about things like this happening in America in 2017 absolutely devastates me. What makes me even more sad is that many of the individuals associated with these terrible hate groups claimed to act in the name of God/Christianity.... absolutely sickening! These people represent everything that Christianity is not (as most Americans of course DO know). I'm not sure what church they belong to... but I have certainly never stepped foot in a church that has preached anything about hate or white supremacy. 


     I really do not discuss my political views on my blog or social media- partly because I work in the media and don't believe I should disclose much about that with the type of job that I have, and partly because this last election season got quite heated, to say the least. I witnessed a lot of friendships ended over politics last year, and I don't think that should ever be a reason to remove someone from your life. (Just to clarify.... belonging to/supporting a hate group = YES- definitely a reason to end relationship/friendship. However simply having a difference in political opinions = No.) 


     Anyways, with that little preface there- I do generally speaking hold conservative political views, and it really saddens my heart especially to see some people grouping hate groups and the alt-right together with all conservatives. These terrible people couldn't be more different from a lot of the ideals of most conservatives and the GOP. I have been encouraged to see some conservative politicians and commentators speak out against what happened. A favorite tweet of mine was from conservative commentator Allie Stuckey of The Conservative Millennial. She tweeted "Conservatives should denounce the alt-right even more than liberals do. It's everything we are trying to show people we aren't." Amen amen amen! 



      Anyways- sorry for that little sidetrack there, just wanted to share a few things that have been on my mind for a few days. 😊



     God Bless,



      xoxo Annaliese (or Charlotte XO on air!)
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10 comments

  1. I am SO excited for fall. I get so sweaty going to work and I'm just over it haha. We're going to Vermont near Burlington for a weekend away at the end of October and I can't wait!!
    Also, thanks so much for your commentary on Charlottesville. It seems a little hopeless right now, but I'm just praying that we all find a way to just accept and love each other!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you shared your own beliefs, even if it was in the last two paragraphs :) I totally agree! you should not renounce friendships because they have different opinions than you, that's actually the perfect reason to have a conversation and understand their pov :) and yes, what's happening now is absolutely saddening and disappointing..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those Avon products from the first picture are so cute!! I need that that ruffle sleeve dress, it's gorgeous!

    I 100% agree with you that political differences are no reason to remove friendships. My friends and I have completely different political opinions but it doesn't really matter to us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I appreciate your views on Charlottesville — as an independent who leans strongly left, it's nice to know that members of the GOP do not support what happened.
    Tori || Victori Media
    https://www.victorimedia.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. GIRL I'm with ya there...what happened in Charlottesville was sickening and horrible no matter your political leanings. It is just WRONG. Point blank period.

    And those blush blocks look BEAUTIFUL!

    Coming Up Roses

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  7. Girl, I am SO ready for fall. Bring. It. On.

    And you are so right, what happened in Charlottesville is devastating and wrong no matter your politics. It is just terrible!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I used to sell mark. several years ago- glad to still see they have these highlighter cubes-- they're SO good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That Lilly Tank Top is such a steal! Maine is the best little-known destination for shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love blush cubes like that! You can create so many looks with them and they look so natural!

    xx,

    Lacey
    The Glitter Gospel

    ReplyDelete

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