I Bought New Bedding!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

After searching high and low, and posting about my search for the perfect bedding, I woke up yesterday morning re-energized and ready to find what I was looking for!

I am happy to announce that beautiful bedding is in my future! I finally placed my orders (yes, plural) early this morning, and I am so excited for them to arrive!  

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions on brands and stores! I ended up using three different places for three separate orders: one from Overstock.com, Ebay, and PB Kids!

What I picked out:

The Dahlia Duvet Cover and shams in pink from Pottery Barn Kids!

The duvet is no longer available on the PB Kids website, but I was able to find it on Ebay!

I did manage to scoop up two of the Dahlia pillow shams from the website on sale for $9.99 a piece, and with free shipping!

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I got my quatrefoil fix in my black and white sheet set from Overstock.com! 

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I really love the idea of mixing patterns, hence the lattice print duvet and chevron urn that I've already purchased. These sheets brought just the right amount of black into the bedding!

I can't wait to see everything come together in my new place!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Interior Designer Needed!

Before I begin this post, there are two big changes that have taken place in my life that I must update you on!

1. I got a job!

One week ago, I got a call from a job that I had applied for in late September. I had an interview at the beginning of October that went fabulously, and this was the call that I had been waiting on! I was offered a wonderful full-time position at the university that I graduated from in May, and I cannot wait to be back! Woohoo!

This leads me to my next big change...

2. I'm moving!

I'm picking up my life and moving back to my college town! I have a little less than a month to get back and have everything ready, and I'm stressing! I'm trying my best to find a place to live, but places are few and far between because it's such an odd time to move in. Everyone already has a place to live, a lease in the works and roommates. This has me worrying, and scrambling for the perfect apartment and the perfect decor. 

I've made a few big decisions concerning my bedroom decor, which I think has me on the right track!

1. I want my room to be pink, gold, and white, with black accents.

Here are a few bits of Pinspiration:

All images via Pinterest

2. I want quatrefoil bedding in some combination of those colors.

I love this white quatrefoil, but it's only sold in size queen and king, and I have a size full bed! So frustrating!

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3. I want to use small pops of other patterns in the room.

Here are a few things I've bought so far!

Follow me on Instagram!

Thought this isn't quatrefoil, I found this black and white bedding, and I am in love!!!

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Seriously, could a bed be any more gorgeous?! 

Too bad the comforter alone is nearly $1500! Yes, outrageous!

I just can't seem to find the perfect bedding that I'm looking for! Everything is the wrong color or the wrong size. That's where I would love your help! Have you seen cute quatrefoil bedding anywhere lately? Or another fun pattern that you really liked? I'm open for suggestions!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

My First Christmas Card!

I have been looking at Christmas cards for a few months now, yes months! This year is the first year that I'm sending out my own Christmas cards! It was one of my post graduation goals, and I have been waiting for it all year!

With that said, I had no idea just how many choices there were for photo Christmas cards. You've got to decide where to get them, will they be flat or folded, how many pictures will you use, etc! There are so many options!

A few weeks ago, I came across a company called Fresh Ink. I looked at their website that day, and though I wasn't ready to order, I fell in love with their photo cards and return address labels!

After looking through almost 20 pages of choices, I think I picked the perfect card for Paisley and me. It's super cute, fun, and incorporates one of my favorite fonts (Carolyna)!

I won't show the one I chose just yet, but here are a few of my other favorites from Fresh Ink!

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Fresh Ink is the perfect place for a pink and green lover like me!

After a special trip to Target yesterday, our Christmas card outfits are picked out, coordinated and ready to go! My Mom will be taking the picture on Thursday afternoon around our house! I can't wait to see how they turn out!

Have you chosen you Christmas cards yet? Where are they coming from?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

A Paisley Update!

While I'm off in Atlanta "Making Things Happen," I thought I'd give you an update on my favorite little ray of sunshine, Paisley!

I cannot believe that Paisley is 5 months old already! It seems like just yesterday we were driving all those hours to go and pick up this little ball of fur!

Wasn't she the sweetest thing?!

Paisley has been doing great at our house, enjoying her new bed...

 Meeting new doggie friends at Music for Mutts at the park...

And getting her first hair cut yesterday!

Before

 After

She's even getting excited for Halloween, when she'll be dressing up as a Rufferee!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

My Vistaprint Business Cards!

While applying for jobs, keeping up with this blog and attending Making Things Happen on Wednesday, it came to my attention that having business cards to hand out would be a really good investment!

I looked over a few sites, and decided that for my first card, I wanted something simple and pretty. I just needed something in my hand, and quick for the time being!

Hello, Vistaprint!

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I had never used Vistaprint before, so I was a little skeptical as to the quality of the cards, but I decided that since I was in a rush, it was my best option. The prices were amazing! I could have gotten 25 cards for $5.99, but I decided to spring for a few more, so I wouldn't have to be as sparing with them. I ended up buying 50, matte stock, one-sided business cards for $7.99! I also opted for priority shipping, so that ran me another $7.15, but it was worth it to have them in my hand for the conference!

50 Business cards at my doorstep for $16.00? Yes, please!

I was so excited yesterday when the package arrived, and it was two days early! It was originally supposed to take the full seven days to ship, but my cards came in five! They were in a neat little stack, perfect and ready to go!

I was so impressed!

Thanks to such a wonderful Vistaprint experience, I will definitely use them for any other printing needs!

Have you used Vistaprint? What did you think?
I was not compensated in any way for this post.

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley!

A little over a week ago, one of the most beautiful items I've ever ordered arrived at my doorstep. For those of you that know me personally, this says a lot because I'm always awaiting a package!

This item was the Simplified Planner by Emily Ley!

I've had a lot of planners in my life, one every year since I was about 11 to be exact. I've spent time writing in agendas from Lilly Pulitzer, Day Runner, Hallmark, Maybooks, Target...the list goes on and on, but never have I been as excited as I was for this planner to arrive.

I saw the preview of this beautiful binder earlier this summer, but after it's release in August, I knew it was one of those must-have items!

What I love about this planner in particular, is that you can build it to fit your life! I know there are many customizable planners out there, but as a person with a love for pretty things and classic elegance, I had met my match.

The Simplified Planner can be ordered in Turquoise (my favorite), Warm Pink or Tan Linen, with the word Simplified written in block letters in gold foil. It is also protected by gold hardware on the corners to avoid the wear and tear that planners easily get.

After you've decided on your notebook, it's time for accessories! You can order all the different inserts, or just one, it's all up to you! There are a multitude of tabs, folders, and pages for your every need!

I think this planner could do the dishes for me if I really needed it to!

For my birthday, I received the Simplified Planner Gift Set, which included a collection of Simplified Planner goodness to make mine complete. Then, I ordered the weekly calendar pages to bring it all together!


I love pretty packaging!

Here are just a few of the supplies I've picked up for mine!

If you follow Emily Ley's blog (the creative mind behind the Simplified Planner), you'll see how she uses her S.P in her everyday life. She offers free printables almost weekly that to fit perfectly into your binder, as well as tips and tricks to make yours even better.

If you're looking for a planner that's a little different than what you've had before, one that helps you to streamline everything in a central location, under a beautifully crafted notebook with gold accents, the Emily Ley Simplified Planner is for you.

I'm still pinching myself that I will get to meet Mrs. Emily Ley next week at Making Things Happen in Atlanta! Read that post here! You can bet that I'll have my gorgeous new planner in hand, as well as my new iPhone 5 case from Emily's site!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Making Things Happen: Atlanta, Georgia

Last week, I was completely caught off guard when I found out I would be attending the Making Things Happen intensive put on by Lara Casey (Southern Weddings Editor in Chief), Emily Ley (Emily Ley Creative Director/Owner) and Gina Zeidler (Professional Photographer) in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference has taken place in different cities around the country for the past 3 years, and has been sold out every year!

If you haven't heard of Making Things Happen, it's a 1-day intensive for men and women around the country, that want to make BIG things happen in their lives, that want to start business, achieve dreams they never thought possible, and simply do amazing things! It's for super moms, business people, busy husbands and wives, and even college graduates that don't know what their place in the world is just yet (that would be me)!

"The Making Things Happen intensive was designed to fire people up to make bold decisions in life and step into their fears instead of away from them. Making Things Happen is all about taking positive action toward your best life."

I was first told about Making Things Happen this past summer, by my boss Leigh. I was having a bad day, and she shared the original blog post with me that started the Making Things Happen adventure!

Here is that website.

I did the activities, took the notes, read and re-read them. It was therapeutic, and when I finished I felt that I could continue on that day with a clearer, more focused mind of what I wanted to accomplish.

The original Making Things Happen post that Lara Casey wrote years ago was in response to a simple email message that she received saying "How do you make things happen?" That simple question sparked a tour involving more than 600 Making Things Happen alumni. 

Next week, on October 18th, I will become one of those alumni. I have no idea what to expect from a 25-person conference, lasting 8 hours with 3 amazing women, but I am SO excited. I will have the pleasure of sitting alongside 24 other professionals in the industries that I love so much, photography, event planning and design, to learn life-changing tools!

Never in a million years did I think I would have this opportunity!

"Crush your fears, harness your passion, make things happen."

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Tailgate Essentials & a Winner!

Today, I'm on my way to my alma mater, Appalachian State University for Homecoming weekend! Homecoming is a big deal at ASU, as it is for most schools, and I can hardly contain my excitement! There are so many people that I am looking forward to seeing and hanging out with! Fall is beginning to be one of my favorite times of the year!

In the spirit of college, homecoming, football and tailgating, here are my top 5 tailgating essentials!

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1. Great outfit: No tailgating experience is complete without a cute dress or blouse and skirt supporting your team! I love to dress up for football games! (It gives me another reason to shop!)

2. Great shoes: I have worn a variety of shoes to games, including sandals, high-heeled boots (big mistake!) Sperry's, etc. Of all the ones I've tried, boots with a low heel, like a cowboy boot style have always been the best choice! They're cute, look great with a dress or skirt and it doesn't matter as much if they get dirty!

3. Great accessories: I always try to pair an Appalachian button/pin or yellow accessories of some kind with my black outfit. It makes your outfit pop and shows your school spirit!

4. Great food/drinks: This should go without saying, but you aren't really tailgating if good food and drinks aren't present! In past years when I tailgated with my sorority, our tents were always catered with good food before the game! So much fun! Drinks are also a must!

5. Great company: No matter where you are and what you're wearing, the people that you tailgate with truly make the experience! I am so excited to see fellow alumni (I've gotta get used to saying that), sorority sisters, old friends, and even some teachers!

I absolutely can't wait!

Also,

I am so happy to announce the winner of my Stella & Dot birthday giveaway!

The beautiful Stella & Dot Luxor Bracelet goes to:

Lucky number 52, Michelle Wong!

Michelle, please email me at sweetlikeasong@gmail.com to claim your beautiful prize!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Mastering the Skinny Jean!

It took me a while, but I think I have finally mastered the art of the skinny jean! 

I went weeks avoiding them, then a few more weeks hunting for the right pair (and failing miserably), to finally finding a few pairs that actually fit and I adore!

What a whirlwind of emotions just over a pair of pants!

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I love this fashion must-have because they can be paired with boots, flats or heels and still look fashionable and amazing! I also love that at 5'2" they make me look taller! Woohoo! These gorgeous colored bottoms are the perfect addition to a silk blouse, fun sweater or even a cool t-shirt.

Here are a few things that I have learned throughout my skinny jean search:

1. They are not all the same length!

I bought one pair in a size 3 in one store that are the perfect length and bought a size 4 in another store that are 4 inches too long!

2. They don't all fit the same way!

In Old Navy I had to try on a size 6, just to be able to get them on. Then when I went to J.CREW, H&M, and Delia's my size would range from a 2-4. I make sure to try them on in every store, to avoid bringing them back the next day.

3.  They aren't all in the same price range!

I found a pair of black skinnies that I really liked in H&M. It took a little more searching and trying on various pairs than I would like, but for $24.95 they were a steal. In a store like J.CREW, where the quality is much better, you'll end up paying a bit more for them.

I am happy to say that I am now the proud owner of four pairs of skinnies, from different stores, in different colors and sizes! I can't wait to pair my mint, mustard, black, and blue jean skinnies with all types of fun blouses and sweaters!

Did you experience these same things buying your skinnies?

Don't forget to enter my fab Stella & Dot giveaway that ends tonight at midnight! The winner will be announced in tomorrow's blog post! Good luck!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

OOTD: Birthday Edition!

I loved my birthday outfits, like LOVED them, all three of them!

So, for my first OOTD (outfit of the day) post, I thought it would be perfect to share them with you!

Try not to laugh, as I am very inexperienced at taking pictures of my clothes while I'm wearing them!

Monday: Birthday dinner with work friends in downtown!

Shirt: Target

Belt: Re-used from a Forever21 dress

Skinny Jeans: Old Navy Rock Star skinny

Taupe Wedges: Rack Room Shoes

Bangles: Forever21

Earrings: Kate Spade 

Wednesday: Family birthday dinner at Village Tavern!

Shirt: Target

Skinny Jeans: Old Navy Rock Star skinny

Necklace: J.Crew inspired bauble from Etsy

Brown wedges: Rack Room Shoes

Bracelet: Gladiola Girls Boutique in Boone

Thursday Morning: Road tripping to Boone!

Shirt: Pink Gingham J.CREW "Perfect Shirt"

Shorts: J.CREW navy chino

Shoes: Jack Rogers inspired sandals

Earrings: Kate Spade

Crossbody: Dooney & Bourke

Thursday Evening: Out with my Boone Friends!

Dress: Forever21

Shoes: Jack Rogers inspired sandals

I hope you love these outfits as much as I did!

As a reminder, you have until tomorrow at midnight to enter my Stella & Dot giveaway! The winner will be announced in my post on Friday!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Birthday Celebrations: Part Two & Three!

 During the past week, I had three fabulous birthday celebrations! On Tuesday, I talked about my amazing birthday party with work friends, but I couldn't resist sharing my family and Boone birthdays as well!

Last Wednesday, my family and I got all dressed up, made photos and headed out to Village Tavern! V.T. is one of my most favorite restaurants in Winston-Salem, and it did not disappoint!

We had so much fun, great food and great fellowship!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the evening! 

The best family picture ever!

Daddy & me! 

My fabulous gift from Andrew & Samantha! 

My chocolate chip cheesecake birthday cake!

I enjoyed crab dip, steak and birthday cake, needless to say I was stuffed on the way home! What an amazing evening!

On Thursday, 

I drove up to Boone to spend my actual birthday (the 27th) with my sorority sisters! Many of these girls I hadn't seen since graduation in May, so it was amazing to be back in town!

We had dinner...and more cake!

Took Princess Family photos!

Got all dressed up!

 

Then we hit the town! 

I even got to see some fabulous friends that I have missed so much!

 

 

Hooray for an amazing 22nd birthday! I can't wait to see what this year brings!

Don't forget to enter my Stella & Dot Birthday Giveaway! It ends this Thursday at midnight!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!