Midweek Ramblings.

{Enjoying Polo at King Family Vineyards with some extra precautions this weekend! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:

• National Wear Your Lilly Day: Coming up on Sunday, June 21st! I've been wearing Lilly to work everyday this week to get in the spirit to celebrate. I have a special blog post coming on Sunday, but in the meantime you can check out last year's post here. Will you be wearing something Lilly on Sunday?
• Pen-pal program: I don't think I've talked about this on the blog yet! A couple months ago, I heard about an amazing local initiative that was being started by a Christian young adults group that I've been apart of. They were partnering with a local nursing home, and matching us with elderly residents to be pen-pals during COVID-19! The nursing home had to stop allowing visitors, so this would give the residents something to enjoy and look forward to in the meantime. My pen-pal and I have emailed each other a few letters now, it's been so much fun! I love hearing about Charlottesville through the eyes of someone who has been here decades before I was born. I'm hoping to get to meet my pen-pal in person eventually- whenever it's safe to do so! If you're looking for an easy way to make a difference in your community right now, I highly recommend seeing if any nursing homes near you have this opportunity! 

Weekend recaps:

• Last weekend: SO busy and fun and fulfilling- probably the first truly "normal" weekend I've had since early March! On Saturday morning I was in Richmond bright and early for my first hair color appointment since January (!!). I appreciated all the safety precautions that my salon and stylist are taking. I followed that up with a quick blog photoshoot and some shopping in the Short Pump mall area. On Sunday, a group of friends and I went to Polo at King Family vineyards- I'm so glad they're taking social distancing protocols and didn't cancel the event this year! Truly the best weekend I've had in awhile and it was needed.
• This weekend: No big plans yet, other than signing up for an in-person class back at my Jazzercise studio. My roommate and I are also thinking about organizing a floating trip for Sunday! Honestly a chill weekend might be needed after barely being home last weekend. 

Purchases:

• I ran out of concealer last week, so I decided to try this new-to-me popular drugstore one. I like it so far!
• I also was out of eyeshadow primer, so I'm testing out this affordable one. 
• Not a purchase of my own because my mom got this for me 😊, but I got a new bathing suit! I went with this top and these bottoms. I love the bottoms especially because they aren't too skimpy, but also aren't too full coverage like some high waisted bottoms! 
• A pink crop top style sports bra on clearance- the one I got isn't online but this is similar! 

Wishlist:

• I've loved seeing Jenn from Style Charade's gorgeous dresses in her collaboration with Sail to Sable! They are a little out of my budget for the moment, but this one is my favorite I think!
• Lilly Pulitzer brought back a well loved print in a capsule collection- this is my favorite piece. 
• The news about Julia Berolzheimer discontinuing her Gal Meets Glam line means that many pieces are on sale right now- lots here under $75! 
• A chic striped and belted one piece bathing suit at an incredible price. 
• Summer is only just beginning but I'm already dreaming of classic bags for fall- like this one!

Currently reading: Slightly South of Simple by Kristin Woodson Harvey - Still working on this book this week!

Recipe of the week: Beans and Cornbread from The Pioneer Woman - Wow, I've been obsessed with her recipes lately haha! But they are super easy for the most part, and always delicious. This one is a great comfort food meal.

Song of the week: Sweet Southern Comfort by Buddy Jewell - I forgot all about this early 2000s country gem until hearing it on the radio last week! My parents watched the season of Nashville Star that Buddy Jewell won, and I remember we listened to this song on some road trip playlists when I was growing up.

Favorite blog posts of the week:

• Caralina Style - My blogging bestie Cara got engaged this weekend! She and her fiancé have the coolest story ever of how they met, and she finally shared it on her blog!
• Chronicles of Frivolity - Katey shared a master bedroom update featuring some new gorgeous wallpaper! She's one of my favorite bloggers for home decor, all her bedrooms in various homes have been lovely.
• Thrifty Pineapple - A helpful post from Angela about finding the best drugstore foundations. While I do use a lot of drugstore products, I typically by high end foundation, and this is inspiring me to give more drugstore ones a try.

On the blog this week:

• 5 Must Watch Bollywood Movies for Americans
• Blogging FAQ: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About LIKEtoKNOW.it + rewardStyle

     God Bless,

     xoxo Annaliese