Highs of the Month:
- I got to see Thomas Rhett in concert in August. I went with my friend Kelsie and her boyfriend- she generously gifted me my ticket as she had an extra one to the show. This was my fourth time seeing Thomas Rhett live, and was actually the first local concert that I went to since losing my job in country radio last year. The weather was also perfect on the night of the show for an outdoor concert- 70s and low humidity!
- I made my first Facebook Marketplace purchase ever last week! I've used Marketplace to sell stuff for years now, but had never had luck on the customer side. I found the most amazing piece of furniture for our new home last week, and couldn't believe the seller chose me to be the buyer. Also a shout-out to my mother-in-law for helping me pick it up, since she has a bigger car! I'll have to share more about it soon on my new Instagram page for our new house.
- My in-laws took us out this past weekend for an early birthday dinner for me! My actual birthday isn't until this coming weekend, but I will be out-of-town with a girlfriend for a quick overnight, so it worked out being easier to celebrate with them this past weekend. We went to Heirloom, one of my favorite local restaurants in Virginia Beach.
Lows of the Month:
- Life has been a bit stressful for us since we closed on our house at the start of August. We aren't moving in until the first weekend of October, but almost every room in the house needs to be completely repainted (and some rooms need additional work as well). Most of our free time is devoted to the house projects and moving prep between now and our actual move. (Ryan has a more flexible work schedule than I do right now, so he spends even more time at the house each week working than I do!) I am so grateful that we had such a fast and fairly seamless home buying process, but I do think I wasn't quite aware of the scope of how much work we'd have to do on this house between closing and move-in. It's overwhelming, and I miss having weekends all to myself like I did before all of this! The past few months have felt like whiplash since starting my new job and then almost immediately buying our first home. I am also very jealous of anyone who can afford a new build home that doesn't need so much cosmetic work. 😉
- I had a frustrating medical bill and insurance denial situation this month that I was unable to negotiate and resolve as I hoped. I am thankful that I had funds in my HSA account to pay it in full, but it was still an unwanted surprise, especially in the midst of so many expenses right now with our house.
- Thanks to all of the work we have with the house (and extra hours at my day job since August is full-on busy season in higher education), I had to say "no" to a lot of fun things this month. Everything from casual plans locally with friends to an overnight trip out-of-town that Ryan and I were supposed to do for a friend's belated wedding reception. As someone who is usually a "YES!" girl when it comes to any type of fun social plans, it's been challenging for me to have to be comfortable with saying no to so many things that sound fun. I know this is just a season and I'll have a lot more free time again post-move, but some days lately that feels far away.
August Weekend Recaps:
- 1st-3rd - We closed on our new house on August 1st! We had the final inspection and actual closing in the late morning, and then we went to lunch with my in-laws after. Ryan and I then went to dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Luce Secondo, to celebrate just us that evening. I had to work that Saturday, and on Sunday we hit the ground running at our new house with starting preparations for painting and other house projects. I did get out for a solo round of golf on Sunday evening which was a nice way to end a busy weekend.
- 8th-10th - Ryan and I worked on the house all weekend! My in-laws helped us out for a good chunk of that Saturday, which was so appreciated. I did get to meet my friends Megan and Christina for pickleball on Sunday evening which was fun. It was my first time playing in over four years!
- 15th-17th - The university I work at had a big annual admissions event all-day Saturday, so it was a very long weekend workday. After work, I met my friends Amanda and Kelly-Anne for dinner at a casual restaurant over in Chesapeake, and then we went to see Freakier Friday at a movie theater after. On Sunday I went to church, and then Ryan and I continued working on painting and other house projects (he had also been there all-day Saturday with his parents while I was working!).
- 22nd-24th - Ryan and I worked at the house all-day Saturday and Sunday in the daytime (you're probably seeing a pattern now!), but I did have fun evening plans both days. On Saturday night, I went to a Thomas Rhett concert with my friend Kelsie and her boyfriend. And on Sunday evening, it was my friend Bri's 30th birthday! She chartered a tiki boat for a sunset cruise for her birthday party, and it was the most lovely evening on the water.
- 29th-31st - Labor Day Weekend, but a weekend full of work for me! It was my third weekend of August having to work in the office (typically it's one weekend a month at this job, August was kind of an outlier for weekend shifts). I worked both Saturday and Labor Day Monday in office! I did get to meet my in-laws after work on Saturday evening for an early birthday dinner. I was off on Sunday, and thrilled that we took a break from house projects that day. I went to church in the morning, and then Ryan and I met up in the late morning with my brother-in-law Nathan (who was visiting from Missouri) to golf together! We ended up playing 18 holes and it was the most beautiful Sunday weather on the course.
August Purchases:
- One of my favorite purchases of the month was this matching cardigan and sweater dress set. I seriously cannot believe what retailer this is from, and the incredibly low price point! I'm looking so forward to wearing the pieces both together and separately this fall.
- I was also delighted to treat myself to a couple purchases in the Tuckernuck Sample Sale in August! With the price dropping from originally $268 to under $75 on sale, I finally bought one of their classic Jackie dresses. The color/print that I got will also be workable in the winter with tights for work outfits, so it was a very versatile purchase. (I also have the Jackie dress dupe from Amazon, and while the fabric isn't quite as high quality, it's still an awesome dress for the price!)
- I also purchased the Royal Shirt Dress in the Tuckernuck Sample Sale. I love this piece for both fall and spring, it would look equally cute with boots as it does with flats or sandals.
August Wishlist:
- It's been a hot minute since a Lilly Pulitzer item has stopped me in my tracks, but this romper. (that looks like a shift dress) certainly did. I am obsessed with both the style and the print. Since it's a newer arrival I doubt it'll be in the upcoming Lilly sale- ah well! Maybe the winter sale it'll be included.
- What a fun under $50 cocktail dress for any fall occasions! The blue and green color combo would also work very well for spring occasions. I love the feather detail as well.
- Target has recently released a lot of super cute new fall footwear. I like this fun take on nude heels for the fall season!
- Would you believe that I don't own any Hill House Nap Dresses? When this popular brand first came on the fashion scene a few years ago, I kind of thought it would be a very fast-moving trendy item. Clearly I was wrong, because they have stuck around! I've seen a few influencers I follow share this pretty fall printed Nap Dress recently, and I really like the look for it for the upcoming months (just don't love the price tag!).
- My current toxic trait? Already being on the hunt when online shopping for outfit ideas for my 2026 Masters viewing party! ⛳️ This cute green and white dress screams Masters to me, and is under $50.
August Blog Posts:
Current Discount Codes:
- Echo of Pink (Block Print Dresses made sustainably in India) - Use code ANNALIESE20 for 20% off your purchase!
- Loopy Case (My absolute favorite phone cases) - Use code missalk at check-out for 10% off your purchase!
- Maggy London (Classic and chic work + special occasion dresses) - Use code ANNALIESE15 for 15% off your purchase!
God Bless,
xoxo Annaliese
Quince has a dupe for the nap dress that I really like! Much better price tag
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