Southern Belle in Training

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

January 17, 2018

Midweek Ramblings + Recent Purchases + Current Wishlist.





{Last weekend brought some snow day selfies! Follow me on social media @miss_alk}




Ramblings:
  • Productive day off: I wrote in last Friday's blog post that last Saturday was my first Saturday off from my job... ever!! (As in a Saturday off that I didn't have to use my PTO for.) I was so excited about this... until I saw the weather. It was very snowy and icy on Saturday, and since winter weather driving isn't my specialty, I ended up staying in all day. At first I was kind of bummed that my rare Saturday off was being used in such a boring way, but it ended up being the most productive day! I finally finished unpacking from my holiday travels, put away the rest of my holiday decor and organized it, tried a new muffin recipe, and spent most of the day deep cleaning and organizing my kitchen! Now I have a nice clean apartment, so it wasn't a day wasted! 
  • Hitting the slopes: This upcoming weekend should be a bit more exciting though than last- I am crossing another item off of my Vermont bucket list! (Note: I feel like I refer to my "Vermont bucket list a lot" but I've never publicly shared it, maybe I should do that soon, lol!) I'm going downhill SKIING!!! Growing up in Maine, I went skiing a couple times growing up, but my parents didn't ski nor did any of my closet friends, so I never owned skis myself or went frequently. It's now been 10 years since I last went skiing (writing that makes me feel really old, lol!), but I'm excited to finally get out on the slopes in what is probably New England's premiere state for winter sports! And by "get out on the slopes," I mean the bunny hills obviously. 😉 But it should still be a memorable and fun day. I'm hoping to have the chance to do some cross country skiing at least once this winter also. #WhenInVermont
  • Party planning: I feel like in the last few post-move updates that I've written about life in Vermont, the goal that I keep listing (and failing to achieve) is doing more hosting/entertaining at my apartment. Minus having guests from out of town, I've rarely been able to have people over, as in new friends that I've met in Vermont! I'm so excited that as of like *this month*, this is finally changing. I wasn't able to host a Christmas party this holiday season, but I do have a really fun party in the works for the next couple weeks right now! Party planning is one of my favorite things ever, and I think this will be a fun one. I can't wait to blog all about it after it happens of course! 


Purchases: 
  • I decided to do a month-long shopping fast! I started it the second week of January. I last did one shortly after moving to Vermont, and it had so many great benefits! The biggest of course was being able to get ahead with saving money, and the start of the year is a great time to get a jump start on that. What motivated me to do this one is the fact that I bought so many winter clothes in the fall, and spring is still such a long time away in Vermont, so I don't really have anything fashion-wise I *need* to be buying this month! So it seemed like an ideal time to do one. 
  • Right before I started my shopping fast, I did place an Amazon order for some tech related things that I needed. The first was a new case for my phone! My older Otterbox still works great, but the rubber is starting to peel and become discolored, so it was time for an upgrade. I'm loving the color of my new case!
  • Of course I had to buy a new PopSocket as well. Amazon has an amazing selection of these- and this was one of the cutest ones I've seen!  
  • I also bought this much needed accessory for my iPhone! This would've come in handy for the long road trip when I moved from NC to Vermont last year. 
  • And lastly.... I treated myself to new headphones for work! If you're looking for really nice headphones or also in radio, these are the ones that I got! They're under $100 which isn't a bad price as far as professional headphones go. 


Wishlist:
  • I really wish I was still in college and had a warm weather type spring break to look forward to... if I did I'd be buying this adorable bikini in a heartbeat! I can't believe it's under $20.
  • This cute and casual peplum top is marked down to $20 right now (full price is still under $40 which isn't bad), this would be a great winter to spring transitional top, and it comes in a few colors. If it's still in stock when my shopping fast is done I might have to order it!
  • If you're starting to make some fun Galentine's plans with your BFFs, these photobooth props are adorable!! 
  • I love keeping random tote bags in my apartment, and I'm always using them for transporting stuff (especially on blog shoot days!). If you're a fellow blogger, I'm sure you can relate to the funny saying on this cute tote! 
  • This puff sleeve dress comes in such a bold shade of yellow- if your mood is lagging during the rest of winter, wearing something sunny like this would cheer you right up!


Recipe of the Week: Raspberry Coconut Muffins from Taste of Lizzy T.  I tried a bunch of new recipes this week and they were all total DUDS. I was actually kind of panicked for writing today's post and thought I'd have to pull an old recipe favorite! But then this past Saturday I made these muffins and oh my gosh- so good! The coconut milk in them made them extra moist. I didn't have any desiccated coconut in my pantry as that's a speciality item, so I substituted and used regular shredded coconut instead and they still turned out delicious. 



Song of the Week: Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B: For someone that works in Top 40 radio... I'm actually not really a big Cardi B or Bruno Mars fan (which I probably shouldn't admit!) But stick the two of them together on a remix of a song and MAGIC happens. Seriously- this song is pure gold! Every time it comes on at work I want to start dancing. 



On the blog this week: 


     Thanks so much for reading! It's Wednesday... halfway through the work week!



     God Bless,



     xoxo Annaliese 










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14 comments

  1. I love hosting and party planning! I love not leaving my house but also being surrounded by my friends.

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  2. I like the idea of a shopping fast, although I don't know if I could stick to it!

    Renae | renaekarissa.com

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  3. You should definitely share your Vermont bucket list!

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  4. That PopSocket is so cute! PopSocket's are seriously the best thing ever!

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  5. I need to host a gathering at my apartment soon too! Party planning is literally the best! I also feel like I have been missing out as I have never been skiing or snowboarding; I'll have to plan a trip like this in the future!

    xo, G
    theswirlblog.com

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  6. Yay for hosting parties! That sounds fun - your apartment is so cute!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  7. I totally love party planning too, and i'm happy that you get to bring that skill back up <3 hope it goes well!!

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  8. Oh my goodness. . . I am so embarrassed that I slightly like Cardi B. She's terrible! I should really get a car mount for our cars and our phone - that is genius!

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  9. I just got back from skiing. I took a lesson to help me learn the ropes. I suggest booking a lesson if its possible.

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  10. We've been stuck inside too with all this crazy weather! Surprisingly I've managed to get a ton of work done. Glad you were able to enjoy your day of!

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  11. Ugh I should do a shopping fast this month too! I've been so bad with spending money lately

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  12. I haven't heard this Bruno/Cardi collab but I'm intrigued! haha
    Tori || Victori Media
    https://www.victorimedia.com

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  13. We had an ice day down here in Austin last week, and while I wanted to be super productive that day, I think I spent all day in bed. Somedays you just need a day at home!

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  14. I am thinking February might have to be my shopping fast month! I know I will spend a lot in the spring/early summer to get ready for a huge trip to Greece I am taking, so better to save now! And I love productive Saturdays when the weather is icky – I need one right about now myself!

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