July 26, 2013

celebrate / dinner party


What a gorgeous looking dinner party! I have a feeling everyone at this table is very good looking and the food is simple yet fabulous.
Happy Friday!! I’m adjusting to California time and looking forward to a week in San Francisco with some dear friends and family. I won’t be around here much, but follow me on Instagram! @awinkasmile

July 24, 2013

sip / bubble bar

Happy Wedding Wednesday!
For a shower, a brunch, the morning of, or the morning after, this Bubbly Bar is such a fun and cute addition to the celebration.




July 22, 2013

July 19, 2013

inspired / don draper



Happy Weekend!
I hope everyone stays cool this weekend. My weekend won’t be nearly as glam as Don Draper’s but a day at the beach, a fun work event, and then my daddy in town is pretty perfect for me.

July 17, 2013

wed / candlelit tablescape

This tablescape and candle installation stopped me in my tracks…


Absolutely stunning.


July 16, 2013

read / cleopatra



Queen, mother, wife, empress, seductress, sister, whore, goddess, lover, leader, scholar, ambassador…
Over the last two thousand years, Cleopatra has been branded dozens of things. And the truth seems to be lost to time. In Cleopatra: A Life Stacy Schiff tells the dazzling story of Cleopatra’s fight for the throne, her relationship with Julius Caesar, her life as a mother, ruler, and goddess, and then her relationship with Mark Antony. 
I never knew much about Cleopatra until I read this book. I was always dazzled by the legend and was very curious to learn what actually happened (as best as anyone can deduce). Stacy Schiff sets the scene with gorgeous imagery and I also liked that she included different accounts and opinions about different events in Cleopatra’s life. I didn’t realize how long she ruled, the level of strength that she ruled, and that her and Mark Antony’s love story is one for the ages. It’s also interesting that the double standards Cleopatra experienced (and still does) are, at their core, almost the same as the double standards women experience today.
While it’s not a super fast read, I definitely was eager to keep picking this up night and night. Whether you know Cleopatra and love her story or know very little and want to know more, I would highly recommend this book!

July 11, 2013

wear / h+m dresses

Growing up in South Carolina, I learned from a young age that it’s helpful to own dresses or outfits that are so lightweight and comfortable that you can (almost) stand the 100+ degree weather. For me this means thin cotton dresses that I can look semi put together in. 
I recently spent a whole $12.95 on this dress at H&M:
And let me tell you that it is worth it! I think I’ve worn it 3 times already in a month and that my friends, is a bargain. I spotted this $9.95 one on the website, but when I checked in stores a few days ago, it sadly wasn’t in stock.

The top one comes in 4 other colors as well (be warned that the mint green and ivory are pretty see through in person) and the bottom one comes in 3 other colors.
Stay cool!

July 10, 2013

wed / vows on a scroll


Vows written on a long scroll of paper are so much prettier than index cards!

July 9, 2013

celebrate / july 4th in boston

I hope everyone else had a great July 4th weekend! It was SO HOT in Boston, but I made the most of it and had a lot of fun.


On the roof on the 4th…

The Prudential Center all lit up…
Fireworks…

Beach day with my roommate on Saturday. (Gotta represent the G Phi B!)
And I finally hung up the Michelle Armas print that I blogged about recently.

What did you do?


July 8, 2013

quote / for the love of cheese


This made me crack up out loud and I just had to share. 
I hope everyone had an awesome July 4th!!

July 7, 2013

July 4, 2013

celebrate / happy fourth!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!
I hope everyone has a fun day full of all of this:

See you on Monday!

July 3, 2013

quote / wedding reading


One of my favorite types wedding ideas to collect are quotes, readings, and vows. I feel like it’s much harder to find good ones when you’re looking.


July 2, 2013

wear / currently coveting

JCrew Factory is 50% this week and I am soooo tempted to order everything. However, my dear friend L has promised an outlet trip when I’m in San Francisco later this month so I’m forcing myself to hold out until then. In the meantime I made a wishlist and I just stare at it longingly. 

Apparently I’m on a blue kick!!! 
What are you coveting this summer?

July 1, 2013