Southern Belle in Training

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

April 10, 2019

Midweek Ramblings.


{Spring weekends are meant for visiting Virginia wineries! Follow me on social media @miss_alk!}


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Ramblings:
  • Book hangover: I've been so lucky with reading yesterday- a few of the recent books I've read got 5/5 stars from me! I just finished this book over the weekend, and it was seriously one of the most heartfelt and best that I've read in a long time. The only problem with reading a few great books in a row? The next few that you read will all pale in comparison! The most recent book that I'm reading this week just seems "meh" compared to the great one I finished before it. Anyone else agree that book hangovers are thing?
  • Kindest message: This is a long rambling- but I think you'll enjoy. First thing at work on Monday morning when I checked Instagram, I had the sweetest message waiting for me!! A follower sent me quite a lengthy message, but it might be one of the sweetest that I've ever gotten. She shared that she'd been following me for years (since I was in college!), and really appreciate the fact that I stay authentic through my Instagram posts, and that I'm not always wearing the same Nordstrom outfit as every other blogger (that part made me LOL 😂). This was truly one of the sweetest DMs I've ever gotten, and the timing couldn't have been better. As a lot of you may know, the rewardStyle conference was in Dallas over the weekend, which each year the top earning bloggers that use rS's affiliate program get invited to. I was accepted to join rewardStyle three years ago (after working my butt off to get in for two years prior!), and back in 2016, I set a goal to myself to be earning enough to attend the conference three years later. Here we are in 2019...and while I am thankful to earn money to support my blog through the use of affiliate links and Liketoknow.it... I'm definitely no where close to being an rS top earner. Sometimes it does get hard to see girls who have only been blogging or using Instagram as an influencer for a year or two be able to make it to rScon. I'm thrilled for everyone's success, but sometimes I do play the comparison game- it's hard not to! Anyways, this sweet DM that I got reminded me to continue to stay authentic to myself and my blog brand, and to just be grateful for each step of my blogging journey!
Weekend recaps:
  • Last weekend: On Friday night, I had a fun girls' night in with a coworker. Saturday kicked off with volunteering for a monthly church service project- it's always great to spend some time on the weekend serving! Saturday night had UVA winning their Final Four game and advancing on. Since I'm not a basketball fan, I only caught the last minute of the game (literally), but it was still cool to be in Cville that night and see everyone excited! On Sunday, I went to the earlier service at church, and then headed to a  winery with my friend Emily for a wine tasting. 
  • This weekend: Friday night is the first Fridays After Five of the year- which is a free weekly summer concert series held in downtown Charlottesville. My radio company sends all of our stations to the first Fridays After Five each year in April- so this will be my second year working that event! On Saturday I'm emceeing a fashion show that a local boutique is hosting, and Sunday will be church and hopefully something else fun! 
Purchases: No fun purchases this week!

Sale alert: The IT Cosmetics Friends & Family sale is happening this week! Take 20% off any order $30+. Check out some of my IT favorites in this blog post!

Wishlist:
Recipe of the week: Healthy Banana Muffins from iFoodReal. Last week I didn't do so great with my no sugar on weekdays thing- I blame Krispy Kreme donuts that arrived at work last Monday. This week I'm getting back on it and sticking to it! On Monday afternoon, I made these healthy banana muffins for breakfasts and work snacks this week- so good and pretty good for you!

Song of the week: Bella by Mira. A catchy and infections Romanian song that I've been loving lately!! I love so much international music- I wish that US pop radio would expand it's tastes a little sometimes. 😉

Favorite blog posts of the week:
  • Style Charade - Last year Jenn did a fabulous post recapping rsCon- so fun to read for those like me who dream to go someday! She did another recap of this year's event and I loved reading it. 
  • Lonestar Southern - Who else has loved following along with Kate's wedding planning and bachelorette party? I enjoyed this list she shared of the best bachelorette party decor- I feel like I have a lot of friends who will be getting engaged/married within the next few years, so I definitely saved this post!
  • Brighton the Day - Brighton shared a round-up of cute spring outfits to wear with... sneakers! In the past I've really mainly worn sneakers just for working out or with athleisure clothing, but this spring I'm intrigued enough to attempt wearing them with things like dresses and skirts. 
On the blog this week:


     God Bless,


     xoxo Annaliese 
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13 comments

  1. I am so glad that you got such positive encouragement! It can definitely be tough not to compare- but staying true to YOU will always yield the best results!

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  2. oh my gosh how fun ha- def want to make that banana recipe you have- looks super easy and delicious! have a great week!

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  3. I know exactly what you mean about a book hangover. It takes me a day or so to wind down from finishing a book-it's too hard for me to dive into another one! And even more so when it was a fantastic book.
    What a sweet and encouraging message to receive!
    -Kristen www.kristenwoolsey.com

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  4. Book hangovers are totally a thing! It always happens to me when I finish a great book.

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  5. YES -- book hangovers are totally a thing! The IT Cosmetics sale is the best!

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  6. Despite being a constant reader all my life, I've never thought of a "book hangover" before, but it totally makes sense! I will have to keep that in mind next time I don't LOVE a book, and decide whether it's because it just didn't add up to the one before it.

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  7. Love your mid week ramblings and such a sweet message from one of your readers :)

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

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  8. Good luck at the event on Friday night. Tell us how it went!

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  9. i dont have much time to read these days. but I do remember having book hangovers!

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  10. I’m glad that you received such timely encouragement this week! It makes such a difference doesn’t it? And it makes all your hard work worth it.

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  11. I am so happy to hear you received that much-needed DM! That was very kind and I think it speaks to your character that this person has followed you from the beginning of your blogging adventure. It's all about being who you are and your supporters will always follow. :) I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog today, I'll definitely come back soon!

    I love the leaf cami dress!

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  12. I love these posts. It's soo fun to see what's been going on in your life. That is so sweet of that follower. I bet that made your whole week. I hope you had an amazing weekend and have a lovely week. Xo Courtney Byers

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