Southern Charm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by the Lilly Pulitzer for Target launch! *Raises both hands* Lemme tell yall something, this whole fiasco with the amount of women who flocked to the nearest target and the website truly has shown the tenacity of humanity. I encountered women who pushed and shoved their way to the teeny-tiny section in the back of my Hawaii Target, experienced people who were bartering for an item in someone else's cart with a dress that clearly was not her size, but would do anything for the satisfaction of having that tote bag, and have laughed at the crazy, psychotic shoppers that make Black Friday look like a picnic. Sal and I woke up bright and early to go to our local Target at 7:45 am, only to see a winding line down the street. Sal was having absolutely none of it (Lilly isn't really her style, and she hates people who are outrageous), making the whole situation hilarious because she was pushing people out of the way with ease, making our finds a treasure. We ended up walking away with a few knick-knacks, and my Momma was able to snag at her Kona Target a jumpsuit for Sal and this gorgeous Maxi for me. I had fallen in love with Lilly Pulitzer when I first became in engrossed with everything sorority related, but never found her dresses to fit me correctly or cater to my plus-size nature. Her use of bright colors and cheery disposition truly embodies the island life I live, but also has that touch of southern history that always makes me feel like a southern belle.  I am in absolute love with all the colors, and the soft jersey material make it a dress that I plan on wearing all summer long; both to casual luncheons and to my Brothers impending confirmation into the Catholic Church.

Later Gators,

MF

Birks & Baseball Hats

I know I sound like a broken record, but the past couple of weeks has been so crazy with school and work, that I truly have completely put my fashion choices on the back burner. I have legit probably worn the same workout leggings everyday for two weeks, being that I have had project after project, and paper after paper, and I just did not have it in me to wake up that extra 20 min before leaving and throw on a real outfit. With that being said, I have made a promise to myself to find outfits that I can throw on in an instant and look put together and cute, as well as comfy. I have found that in the above simple outfit: tee, jeans, birks, and a statement piece. I have found that I have an obsession with statement necklaces, and feel they bring so much to a look.

I am literally counting down the days until summer, to which means I can sleep till 10 am and go to the beach and crisp my worries away. I hope yall's week is going well!

Later Gator,

MF

Fancy Pants

 

 

 

 

Guys. Lets talk about this skirt for a second. Its chiffon, flowy, elastic waist AND in a wonderful navy blue pattern that matches everything. FRIGGEN SCORE. I found it at my local Gap Factory store, and knew this lady needed to be in my life. The color combination of hot pink and navy has always been a classic combo, and I thought this striped tee did just the right combo between casual and formal. I have worn it to work numerous occasions, and cannot wait for a more formal ocasion that I can pull this on and feel comfortable, and beautiful at the same time.

 

Being that I am in the home stretch of this semester, and have literally only worn coverup and the sporadic mascara to school, I have been feeling less than inspired when it came to fashion. So when my sister and I decided to get up and take some blog pics, I felt that I needed to wear something that made me feel bright and sparkly; to find what made fashion my haven again. My Momma has always taught me to wear what makes me feel pretty, whether that be yoga pants, jeans or maxi skirts, so that when it comes to dancing on a dance floor, or having dinner with your girls, you feel that your smile is just that much brighter. I had so much fun getting dressed up again and realizing that this blog is my safe haven, a place where my love for fashion and lifestyle can shine and give me an outlet through all this stress.

 

Later Gators,

MF 

Buy Local

 

We have all been there: that moment when your mom finds a passion for something, and expects you (as a teenager, no less) to want and believe what she is saying. When I was growing up, my mom made the choice to feed myself and my siblings organic food; she wanted "to know exactly where the hens who laid her eggs ate, and how happy the cows were in the pastures". I remember rolling my eyes because all I wanted to do  was eat junk and not think about all that 'mumbo jumbo'. Well I have officially become my Momma. I have begun to make huge changes in diet when it comes to gluten and dairy, and have seen/learned things about the food I consume that both inspire and repulse me. Seeing how fast my lettuce wilts after opening the container, or the amount of un-pronounceable chemicals on a bag of chips, and I have begun to see how it makes my body ache and slug around, and how eating things that are close to the earth makes me feel awake about what I want in my diet and future.

 

With the above being said, I am completely advocating for Buying/Eating Local. By shopping at your local farmers market, you are not only helping small businesses thrive, but you are cutting back on the oil it takes to ship and transport the imported goods, which cuts back on emissions into our atmosphere, which helps the O Zone, and so on. There are so many options when it comes to a farmers market; you can find anything from produce, to fresh bread, to colorful lunch options! Along with the farmers markets, you can also visit your local restaurants and coffee shops instead of visiting those crowded corporate stores. Being home for Easter, I was able to visit Waimea Coffee, which has the most amazing coffee that I crave daily when at school and Starbucks just cant compare, and food that is all made from locally grown and made ingredients. I know that sometimes price is a bit more elevated when it comes to organic, and it is very hard to shift, but sometimes the idea that your body deserves the best is an overwhelming inspiration.

 

Later Gaters,

MF

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen

Well Hey There Chickadees! It feels like it has been (it truly has been) ages since I have blogged. Truth be told, my life has been an absolute hectic, hot mess of a hurricane for the last couple of months. Between the whirlwind that was mine and Sals dramatic move to another apartment (as documented on FB), to the Holidays, to the beginning of my last real semester of classes (hopefully I begin my practicum in the Fall, fingers crossed!), some of my true joys have been put on the back burner; and that means my Blogging has truly suffered. I want to apologize for my absence, and appreciate all of the love and support I have received whether digital or emotional, I truly am a blessed girl to have such light in my life. 

As for the pictures above, my mom, brother and I went on a two week vacay to sweet Georgia to celebrate the 75th birthday and retirement of my amazing Grandaddy. I bartended at the birthday party, caught up with friends I haven't seen in 10 years, drank my weight in sweet tea, made unforgettable memories with my brother and Grandfather that always make me smile, learned how to (correctly) play pool, spent hours at the aquarium, shopped up a storm, visited a beautiful Alpha Gam house, and experienced once in a lifetime moments with my family that i will hold dear to my heart forever. The trip was a wonderful reminder of why I live the best of both worlds: I was raised as an island girl, but blessed with deep southern roots and a Georgia Peach soul. Above are some pictures from one of our nightly walks we took with the dogs on the golf course. It was freezing, and it even snowed! 

I apologize for the long post, but felt that i needed to update y'all. Also, will start posting more outfits and life updates as I want this blog to reflect not just my style, but to share elements of my life. 

New Year, New Me

 

 

It goes without saying, 2014 kicked my butt. There were so many trials, mountains and walls that He gave my family and I that has taught us so much about what is most important in life. 2015 is a year where I will be making major life changes, whether emotional or physical, and I felt it necessary to share some of those "aspirations" with yall. I feel that by saying I have "resolutions" that I am making a wrong right, and that isn't the case. I want to aspire to become a better person, rather than resolve my issues.

 

1. Gluten/Dairy Free Life: I plan to eliminate gluten and dairy from my life because I believe that it will help me to get on a healthy path that will make me feel better from the inside out.

 

2. Appreciate Life: I tend to go 100 miles an hour consistently due to my schedule between work and school, and let the small things go by without notice. During this year, I want to make an effort to enjoy my life as a 21 year old, and seize the day.

 

3. Laugh: Now this may seem ridiculous, anyone who knows me, knows that I have a sense of humor and laugh a lot. However, I want to laugh so deep in my core from happiness, that my head gets dizzy and I feel like I am in the right place at the right time. I want to sped more time with those who make me genuinely laugh, not from nervousness or the awkwardness in a room.

 

4. Be Present: When I was going through my recovery, part of my treatment was to be present in all things that involve eating. Now, I want to transfer that into my daily life. I want to be present in all my activities, whether it be walking to classes or a trip to target, I want to try and silence the running highway of thoughts in my head so that I may see, hear and feel all the things around me.

 

5. Finding My Hunger For Fitness: This year, I want to get healthy. I want to exercise again, and find a place where I can enjoy running again, and find things that allow for me to be a healthier person inside and out. That's not to say that I want to be stick thin, because I love and appreciate all my curves, stretchmark's and things that make me who I am, but I want to treat my body like the temple that it should be.

 

I hope that these give you the motivation to find an aspiration for this new year, and whether you succeed, fail or attempt, at least you can say you lived. Happy New Year, I know it will be a good one!

Here is some Pics from our New Years celebration as a fam. We made homemade photobooth accessories and took pics outside in our backyard and had a 4+ hour dance party on the deck to Bruno Mars and NSYNC.
 

 

Later Gators,

MF

 

PS: Here is a music video from one of my favorite bands to bop to, One Republic. It truly embodies what I want 2015 to be for me, and hopefully for you.

 

 

 

 



Waimea Adventure

Merry Belated Christmas!! I don't know about yall, but I always have that sinking feeling as soon as the last present is opened that we have to wait another year for this celebration to come again. But what makes that all better?? Getting down and dirty in the country! If yall follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you would know that I am home for the holidays. One of our new traditions is to ride about 20 miles up Mana Road, and park in an open pasture and drink a few cold ones (even though it was sooooo cold!). It was a blast riding in the truck bed in lawn chairs, with the pups getting crazy, and the blaring of 80s rock from the truck cab. I hope yalls holidays are filled with laughter and the making of amazing memories.

Later Gators,

MF