Southern Belle in Training

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

December 5, 2018

Midweek Ramblings.



{Delilah's new favorite thing is sitting / sleeping in my bathroom sink while I get ready for work in the mornings. It's adorable! Follow me on social media @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:
  • The Bush Family and Kennebunkport: Such sad news over the weekend to see that former President George H.W. Bush had passed away. The Bush family summer home is actually next-door to my hometown in Maine. Their home is in Kennebunkport, and I'm from Kennebunk! This is a nice little round-up on places that the late President Bush and Barbara Bush enjoyed visiting when they were in Maine. 
  • Instagram sucks: There are a lot of bloggers that waste a lot of time and energy each day ranting about the Instagram algorithm on social media, and I really try not to be one of those people. No one likes a complainer right? Well, I'm breaking my own rule today. My likes on my blog Instagram account and IG Story View numbers have both gone way down in the last month, and last week especially. 😭I work really hard to select photos for my Instagram that I think fit my brand, and that people will enjoy seeing. I know that I'll never be the most famous blogger, but at the same time it is good to see when people respond well to your content. I try not to let things like likes get me down, but when it becomes day after day and week after week of feeling like people don't like your content, it can feel tough. The only plus side is that I know I'm not the only one dealing with this right now- it seems like a lot of other bloggers have also been struggling on Instagram! I'm hoping it can turn around for everyone in 2019! 
  • 52 books: My reading goal for 2018 was originally 30 books. I blew past this pretty early in the year, and set a new goal of 52 books read. (One book per week of the year!) I was doing well with reading regularly up until about the start of November- once I started filling in on the morning show at work and had such a big schedule change, it was hard to keep up with reading for a few weeks. Now I have less than a month... But I'm determined to hit 52 books! 10 to go in 3.5 weeks... do you think I can do it? 

Weekend recaps:
  • Last weekend: I was in Fredericksburg, Virginia for a press trip! One of my best friends from college, Caroline, came up to enjoy the weekend with me and help with photography. I'll be publishing a restaurant guide and a travel guide- stay tuned for the first blog post tomorrow!
  • This weekend: My first weekend in Charlottesville in... awhile! Three weekends ago I was in Richmond for the day, two weekends ago I was in Texas for Thanksgiving, and this past weekend I was in Fredericksburg. I love to travel, but also love being home! This weekend on both Friday and Saturday I have work events for the radio station, so it'll be a busy but fun weekend. I'm also looking forward to a Christmas cookie baking night with my friend Abigail on Friday night, and catching up with my friend Leslie on Saturday.

Purchases: My only purchases this week were Christmas gift related! 😊


Wishlist:
  • Bargain of the week: this tweed skirt is under $20 and it is so cute! 
  • Is anyone else a Big Bang Theory fan? (I LOVE it and I'm devastated the show ends in 2019!) This cutting board would be the perfect Christmas or birthday gift for a fan of the show! 
  • I love this darling top for holiday or winter nights out! 
  • Pink striped sweater? Yes please! It also comes in a variety of other colors. 
  • I really like the colors in this plaid shirt

Recipe of the week: I didn't do any cooking last week since I was only home for a few weeks. But this week I'm planning to try three different recipes- can't wait to share my favorite in next Wednesday's post!


Song of the week: Teenager in Love by Dion and The Belmonts. Lately I've gotten really into a 50s music playlist on Spotify- music from that decade is just so happy! Seriously- I don't think you can listen to 50s music without smiling. This song has become one of my favorites!


On the blog this week:

     God Bless,


     xoxo Annaliese 

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11 comments

  1. Oh the IG algoritham... I feel like I need wine before I can even discuss it! ha. I think we can all agree that we are feeling the effects. But You can tell that your feed is to thoughtful and such a great reflection of YOU!

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  2. My reading goal was 36 this year and I'm about to finish number 50 (and I've got 7 checked out from the library right now) so I say YES you can do it!! Let's finish the year out with lottttts of books :)

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  3. My reading goal was 24 books this year, but I passed that in like Oct.! I'm trying to double that number-You can do it girl!

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  4. You can totally reach your reading goal!! I'd love to see a round up post of everything you read this year.

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  5. My reading goal was 25 this year and I am so so close! 23 books, and I definitely feel like I can accomplish 25 by the end of the year!

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  6. Ahh Instagram engagement has been terrible for me too! I also try not to complain about it because likes aren't what it's supposed to be about... but at the same time it's discouraging to see the hard work you put into your content not being appreciated!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  7. don't stress about IG! I feel like this time of year everyone is just so inundated with information and content and things coming at them that it's easier to numb out and scroll than to engage - personally i keep realizing I didn't actually like a photo that i liked because of it. I actually thought to myself the other day how great your photos have been looking on IG!

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  8. I love the idea of having a reading goal for the year. I've heard of people doing this. I did actually read/listen to more than I thought I'd have time for. I do a lot of driving so I find Audible to be extremely helpful :) Good luck on hitting your goal!

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  9. IG annoys me. I have such a love/hate relationship with it. I hate what it's turned into with people buying a zillion followers to become more and more popular. It makes me not want to do it anymore. Also, I made Chrissy's Teigen's mac and cheese (well my husband did lol), and it was sooooo delicious. We have so many leftovers!

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  10. That tweed skirt really is soo cute! I love it! And you can SO get to your reading goal, you got this! I need to read more, I miss it!

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  11. You've been so busy! I loved following along when you were in Texas!

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