Midweek Ramblings.

{A beautiful beach day last Friday at Sandbridge Beach! Follow me on Instagram @miss_alk}

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Ramblings:

• Let's catch up: Just one rambling to share today but it's a big one! It is great to be back to writing these weekly updates after taking July Wednesdays off. Instead of sharing my usual round-up here of things I'm enjoying over the past week or interesting internet finds, I just wanted to take a little while to catch you up on how life has been in Virginia Beach so far! I moved here exactly three weeks ago today, and time has flown. I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun? I am just so thankful and excited to be working at my new job and station! Being on-air in a Top 50 radio market has already afforded me so many more opportunities than I had access to in Charlottesville, and it's only the first three weeks! My new coworkers have all been so welcoming. I also love my apartment! I was nervous about it since I wasn't able to tour any in person before moving here, but I really lucked out. And most of all I absolutely love living near the ocean again!! What a blessing it is to be near water in so many local places. I grew up in a coastal town in Maine, and living near the ocean again makes me feel like I am in touch with my past self (in a good way!). At this point, I'm starting to feel a bit settled in my weekly routine, and I'm feeling very ready to start making friends and meeting more people! I don't really miss my day-to-day life in Charlottesville but I do very much miss Marc (former radio co-host) and my girlfriends. 

Weekend recaps:

• Last weekend: It was the perfect combination of fun and relaxing! I got to go to the beach twice- I still can't believe how close I live to the ocean now. On Friday after work I went to Sandbridge Beach (pictured above), where I did some reading and had my first ocean swim of the year. On Saturday morning, I met Bea (a longtime IG friend!) for some beach time at one of the Norfolk Chesapeake Bay beaches. We grabbed lunch at a local brewery after. On Saturday night, another new friend Katie and I went to Chick's Oyster Bar for drinks! Crumbl Cookies just opened in Virginia Beach on Friday, so we went to check that out after. On Sunday, I visited a church and worked on more apartment organization projects. I also enjoyed Facetiming friends from Maine and Charlottesville this weekend!
• This weekend: I am planning to make a day trip down to Edenton, NC to visit my aunt and uncle who live there (they just moved there last fall from Connecticut). Edenton is just about 90 minutes from Virginia Beach, and it's the most lovely little spot! I am also hoping to see my Charlottesville friend Kelly- she's from VB originally and will be in town this weekend.

Purchases:

• These denim shorts, which are so comfy and under $20! I like them better so far than more expensive pairs that I have.
• I only made this one purchase from this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
• The main things that I purchased in the month of July were a bunch of things for my new apartment! It's a good amount of things, so I rounded them all up in yesterday's blog post. 
• Dainty huggie hoop earrings are super trendy right now. I have one pair currently, but I think the huggie hoops from this jewelry brand are so fun.

Wishlist:

• I still haven't really gotten into the smocked bodice or puff sleeve dress trends, but I'm tempted to try it before the end of summer. 
• This would've been the most darling 4th of July top! Fortunately it would still be cute for the rest of summer too. 
• I only bought one item in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year (thanks to all the shopping I did for my new apartment!), but if I was buying more in the Nordstrom Sale I might've gotten these leggings. 

Currently reading: Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher - A cute contemporary romance novel about a lawyer and her former law intern who experience sparks flying at the conclusion of the internship. They end up on a trip to Las Vegas together... and what happens in Vegas might not necessarily stay in Vegas. This is the second book in a series, I did read the first one last year, but I don't think you necessarily had to read the first to enjoy this one.

Recipe of the week: Jalepeno Business Bacon Mac n Cheese from Hello Fresh - I ordered a Hello Fresh box last week to help myself ease back into the weekly cooking routine in my new apartment. I've made this mac n cheese before and it's delicious! This would be an easy recipe to recreate at home if you don't use Hello Fresh (I love how they share all the recipes). 

Song of the week: Freedom Was a Highway by Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley - Had to go with a country song for this week since I officially work in country radio now! 😉Both Jimmie and Brad are coming on tour to Virginia Beach later this summer and I know this song will be amazing performed live!

Favorite blog posts of the week:

• Merrick's Art - Merrick shared how she through herself a fun and impromptu fancy birthday dinner at home. Dinner parties are the best!
• Chronicles of Frivolity - Katey is the queen of layered necklaces, and I loved reading her best jewelry pairing tips.
• Caralina Style - How beautiful does my friend Cara look in her bridal portraits? I can't wait for her to share more about her beautiful wedding.

On the blog this week:

• Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021: The One Thing I Got + Things In The Sale I Love
• Charlottesville Going Away Party
• What I Purchased For My New Apartment

     God Bless,

     xoxo Annaliese