Southern Belle in Training

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

October 21, 2020

Midweek Ramblings.

{Throwback to hiking a few weeks ago near Winchester, VA! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:

  • Real life Emily in Paris: Well, it seems like everyone has very strong opinions about the new Netflix show that came out! Seems like people loved it or hated it. I personally fall more on the loved it side (while realizing of course that the plot is incredibly unrealistic)- I thought it was the perfect light and fun TV show that this year needs more of. Anyways, I did love reading this article about a real life Emily in Paris! Her name ironically is also Emily, and she's an American who moved to Paris for work six years ago. In this interview, she breaks down what the show does and doesn't get right in terms of living in France as an American. 
  • Jamie Lynn is back: I loved reading this in-depth interview this week with Jamie Lynn Spears. She's made quite a comeback in the past year with her incredible performance in Sweet Magnolias (which was my favorite new Netflix show of the year). It's been fun to see her thriving and back in the spotlight again, and it also sounds like there's a Zoey 101 reboot in the works!
  • Garden Glow is coming: This one is for my Virginia friends! Tickets are on sale now for this year's Garden Glow at Maymont in Richmond. I am so glad this wasn't cancelled this year! Some friends and I went last year, and we are planning to again this year. Garden Glow is when the gardens at Maymont historic estate in Richmond are illuminated with thousands of colored lights, and you get to walk through at night! This year they're doing more limited tickets to allow for social distancing each of the nights it's happening. I'm really excited to attend again. If you're interested in going- definitely buy tickets in advance as it does sell out.

Weekend Recaps:

  • Last weekend: My roommate's birthday was Saturday, so a small group of our friends went out for an outdoor dinner downtown to celebrate her. Want to know something weird that I realized? That was my first Saturday night downtown since JANUARY! (I have been downtown since COVID began, but typically in the daytime for a quick errand.) I also spent a lot of  time this weekend at home watching Netflix and reading.
  • This weekend: I'm going to North Carolina to visit my friend Michelle. Michelle and I met at freshman orientation for college, and she was actually Southern Belle in Training's very first blog photographer back in the day. 😀 It's been almost two and a half years since we have seen each other so this visit is overdue! Michelle lives in a part of NC that I have visited a few times but always wanted to explore more, so I'm excited.

Purchases: 

  • J. Crew had an absolutely phenomenal online sale last week- with 80% discounts on their already reduced clearance! I still cannot believe I scored this classic business casual dress that's originally $168 for under $20!!!
  • I also grabbed this gorgeous top for under $20. It's probably more of a spring/summer style, but I can't wait to wear it next year.
  • Old Navy also had a great sale last week, for a couple days everything was 50% off with free shipping. I've been wanting a pair of cropped flair jeans, so I took this sale as a sign to finally order some. 
  • I also love Old Navy's workout tops, so I grabbed this one as well during the sale!

Wishlist:

  • I have a grand total of zero formal events on the calendar for this fall and holiday season, but this week I was thinking about how much I miss shopping for occasion dresses for this time of year! I always love looking at the dresses from this brand
  • I feel like every week this time of year I have a new favorite J. Crew winter coat I'm dying to buy- this week's is this stunning coat in the color Neon Plum!
  • Definitely want to treat myself to some new matching pajamas for the holidays (most likely at home) ahead. 
  • This little cardigan has such a 90s feel to it- not sure I could pull it off but I kind of love it. 
  • Give me all the simple gold jewelry to pair with my fall outfits. 

Currently Reading: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins - I had been on the waiting list at this book at the library for about six months, and last week it finally came in for me. I posted that I was excited to start reading it on Instagram Stories, as I'd only heard positive reviews of the book. A few of you sent me DMs letting me know about some of the criticism of this book and its author that came out this spring (which I appreciated those messages! I hadn't heard about that.). I did still decide to read it- and I'm glad I did as I really enjoyed the story and writing- it's definitely captivating. But with that said- I do think the criticisms are legitimate (this article breaks them all down well), and reading this has inspired me to find more books to read in the months to come about immigration from Latin authors who might be a bit closer to the subject than Jeanine Cummins. 

Recipe of the week: Coconut Banana Pancakes from AllRecipes - The past few weeks before livestreaming church in the mornings I've made myself a fun breakfast. This week I made these pancakes! I added shredded coconut to the batter as well. 

Song of the week: I'm Jealous by Bebe Rexha ft. Doja Cat - It's so funny- I wasn't a fan at all of Bebe and Florida Georgia Line's massive hit song Meant to Be, but I like a lot of Bebe's other music. Loving this new song she did with Doja Cat! I think it has such an early 2000s vibe to it. 

Favorite blog posts of the week:

  • Style Charade - Jenn shared a beautiful and heartfelt personal post about why she and her husband have decided not to have children. As a Christian woman myself who still isn't sure sometimes if she wants biological children someday, this was a wonderful read.
  • Lonestar Southern - Kate shared the ideal preppy athleisure outfit! This might be one of the most chic casual outfits I've seen in awhile. 
  • Carly the Prepster - Following along with Carly's sewing journey this year has been so much fun! I am obsessed with the dress she made herself in this post. I took sewing classes as a kid but didn't keep up with the skill in high school. My mom actually gave me my childhood sewing machine when I moved to Virginia a couple years ago, but I ended up giving it away last year since I really didn't have space for it in my apartment anymore (and had never used it here). I'm hoping wherever I live next I might have more space, and maybe could get and set up a new sewing machine, it does look like a great hobby.

On the blog this week:


     God Bless,


     xoxo Annaliese



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3 comments

  1. I read American Dirt and liked it.. I would agree with the article that it is a bit "trauma porn," but one thing that it reminded me is that people who come here illegally often come for legitimate reasons; not because they necessarily want to.

    Also, I totally need to keep up with the cool kids and watch Emily in Paris. I'm hearing such good things!

    Have fun in NC!

    xo,
    Britt
    www.basicbritt.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved Emily in Paris too! It was so obviously fluffy and light hearted that I didn't take it seriously, so I was kind of surprised that so many people hated it? I had no idea there was a real life Emily in Paris - off to read!

    Sher
    shershegoes.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I’m loving Emily in Paris, so cute! If I have time I want to dress Scarlett up as Scarlett in Paris for a costume because we have a cute Paris dress and book. I am also glad to see Jamie Lynn back, I loved her in Sweet Magnolias. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete

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