Southern Belle in Training

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

July 11, 2018

Midweek Ramblings + Recent Purchases + Current Wishlist.



{Enjoying a glass of rose this summer! I'm currently giving away this cute t-shirt from Shop Women Who Love Wine on Instagram- enter here. Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk} 


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Ramblings:
  • Baby pigeon update: I know that some of you have been enjoying keeping up with my updates about the pigeon family that lives on my porch! A quick refresh: they arrived in April, shortly after I moved into the apartment. The first baby was born in the spring and left the nest in early June, and within a week the mom pigeon was back and had laid another egg! The second baby is now a couple weeks old, and is in the really cute and fuzzy stage. I've been doing some research about pigeons so I can learn a little more about them- did you know that pigeons typically mate for life? Babies also take between 17-19 days to hatch, and they leave the nest 3-40 days after birth. I never in my life would have thought I'd take such an interest in pigeons, but it's been so fun to have them on my balcony!
  • Should bloggers say no: Loved this post this week from my friend Alicia, about saying no to certain sponsored campaigns as a blogger! Alicia blogs full time, so I thought she had a great perspective on this topic. 
  • Another quick celeb engagement: Who else was low-key shocked by the announcement over the weekend that Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin are engaged?! I mean.... what?? I didn't even know they were dating tbh! It feels like a repeat of last month's engagement news with Arianna Grande and Pete Davidson. While it is cool to see young celebrities promoting marriage... at the same time I have a lot of doubts about all of this, and wonder if these quick engagements promote "cheapening" marriage if that makes sense. I have all the thoughts! 


Weekend Recaps:
  • Last Weekend: Trying something new in Midweek Ramblings this week! I'll be sharing a recap of last weekend, and my plans for the following weekend. Last weekend was super busy! Two of my friends from Charlotte were visiting from the 4th of July through Sunday. On Friday night after work, we all went to Fridays After Five (a free weekly concert series in downtown Charlottesville), and then went out for ice cream. Saturday was crazy- we went to DC for a day trip! It's about 2.5 hours away to DC proper, so that was quite the day. We did two Smithsonian museums and the US Botanic Garden. A really fun day- other than damaging my car's fender on a terrible pothole while parking! Sunday was fun and full as well, I had church, took my visiting friends to a 90s music themed brunch before they headed out, had people over from my church to my apartment pool, and then I ended the day with bible study and grocery shopping WHEW! 
  • Next Weekend: This weekend is looking to be just as busy as the last one. I have a work event Friday evening, and might do something with friends after. I'm still trying to figure out my Saturday plans- but one of my bible study friends has a birthday, and I was also invited to a pool party at someone's house. Sunday has church in the morning of course, and then there is a river tubing day trip for the 20s/30 somethings at my church! Tubing was on my summer bucket list so I can't wait for that. 


Purchases: This week I am finishing a four week shopping fast! I did it to balance out of my summer budget a bit, and get ready for the NSale- which starts TOMORROW. I did pretty well over the past few weeks- the only thing I splurged on was a couple things at Ulta. I had a 20% off prestige brands coupon, and if you love Ulta as much as I do you know those should not go to waste! I used to to buy more of my everyday CC cream, and I did make one fun purchase too- this liquid lipstick!



Wishlist:
  •  NSale is first and foremost! I am hoping to find some cute tops for work this fall marked down when the sale begins tomorrow. 
  • A gorgeous white crocheted top- perfect for late summer heat. 
  • A friend recently asked me where I buy a lot of my summer sunhats. Forever 21 is the answer! SO many cute ones- and they hold up well each year. I am loving this one with polka dots! 
  • I got gel nails the whole year I lived in Vermont, and since moving to Virginia I've been doing Dip/SNS at the salon, Lately I've heard so many raving reviews about this gel dupe nail polish!  I want to try it for myself and see if it works as well as the salon treatments!
  • It's been almost a year since I've gotten a new purse! Lately I've been loving using my smaller/cuter bags on weekends- this purse is so fun and it comes in five colors! Plus it is under $60!


Recipe of the week: Chrissy Teigen's Mac and Cheese from the Cravings cookbook. Y'all- this is the best homemade mac and cheese recipe in the world. No ifs, ands or butts about it. I have found it, and the prized recipe belongs to Ms. Chrissy Teigen! It's found in her first Cravings cookbook. I first started making this when I lived in Charlotte, and it seriously made my life. My former roommate and friend Ciera is also a huge fan of the recipe, so making it when we are together has become one of our friendship traditions! I had to make it last week for her and our friend Priyanka who visited!



Song of the week: Ciao by Enca. I love discovering new international artists! Enca is an Albanian popstar and after finding her music on Pandora I've become obsessed with a few songs. Ciao is a summer party anthem! 


On the blog this week:

     
     God Bless,



     xoxo Annaliese 
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10 comments

  1. Always love reading these posts. I'm going to have to try this recipe!

    XOXO
    mQs
    shorelifeofm.blogspot.com

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  2. I'm so excited for the NSale (but my wallet isn't, haha). Hoping to snag some great new pieces!

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  3. I totally missed the previous mentions of the pigeons! How fun! For a few years we had morning doves nesting on our balcony. It was so much fun to watch them hatch and grow.

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  4. can't wait to see what you get at nsale and looove the pigeon updates on your ig stories haha

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  5. I've been debating a month long spending fast. I'd love to hear how it went for you and what you did let yourself spend on (groceries, gas, etc)

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  6. i love these pigeon updates - they're so sweet. Fun fact - we had a pet pigeon when i was little. it was injured and my mom took it in. Her name was sweetpea :)

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  7. you're too cute! love that top

    Xo Mindy
    amixofmin.com

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  8. I'm always excited to hear baby pigeon updates!! And as much as I hate the super quick engagements, I feel like Ariana and Pete will last! Not sure about Justin and Hailey though...haha.

    xo
    Sami
    The Classic Brunette

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  9. Love the floppy hat! I've honestly found some of my cutest and longest-lasting accessories from Forever 21.
    -Emily
    https://norepeatsorhesitations.com/2018/07/11/a-3-day-itinerary-for-nashville-tennessee/

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  10. Ha, I didn't even know Justin Bieber was even dating Hailey Baldwin! Also, I love the pigeon updates! How cute!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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