Hello Friday!

Hello Friday, it's real nice to see you! This week was certainly one filled with emotions - happy and terrifying. What's your number one fear while driving? Mine is driving on the interstate and the car next to you coming into your lane. Welp, that happened. Did I mention it was an 18-wheeler carrying something flammable? My sister and I are a little sore and healing from broken glass that stuck in my leg. Oh, and my car is totaled. Awesome. But on the bright side, we're both fine, alive, and happy that things could have gone whole lot worse, but didn't. Do you have any fun plans for the holiday weekend? I'm so happy to escape for a few days and spend time with friends. I'm thinking a little R&R is in order. Have a great Memorial Day and enjoy these fun posts from around the web . . .

I'm not a huge country fan, but I sure do love me some Blake Shelton.

A pretty weekend dress.

Wanna rent a lighthouse for the weekend? Ummm, yes please!

DIY gilded votive holders and bud vases. And it only takes 5 minutes!

I'm sure you've seen this video on Facebook, but what an awesome guy. Grab some tissues and watch this inspiring video.

A good read for young folks, especially recent grads: Define Your 20s.

Ryan Gosling is introduced to his "Hey Girl . . . " - and it's hilarious.

Brown rice Greek salad - sounds like a summer lunch delight!

Woah - love these watercolor prints.

Tips from a J. Crew stylist - loving the sleeve roll.

Tighten it up for summer.

My newest lipstick shade obsession.

The Weekend + The Graduate

The past few days have come and gone pretty quickly! Jessica left super early this morning heading back to Kansas. I spent the weekend and the earlier part of the week doing maid of honor duties - aka being bossed around by the bride-to-be, ha! Kidding, but we did get a lot accomplished. Jessica had her final fitting and picked up her dress {!!!}, we made her program fans, stuffed her invitations, and did a few other little details. We're about 2 months out from her being Mrs. Payne! In between wedding stuff, my sister and I took a visit to meet our cousins baby, little Hunter. He was so tiny and so cute!

Wednesday night my brother graduated from high school. 581 graduates crossed the stage. This class had extraordinary numbers in volunteer hours and overall had a collective $37.8 million dollars in scholarships. Yes, you read that right. Millions of dollars worth of scholarships. Isn't that crazy?! I'm so proud of Josh and his friends for all their achievements and so proud of Josh for his decision on joining the Navy. Good luck to you little brother!

have a great weekend!

Hi there friends! I couldn't have had a better week. Don't you love when those happen?! One good thing after another {unlimited fruit popsicles, Gatsby, seeing old and new friends everyday, quick trips, & constantly staying outdoors}. Maybe it's all this great weather I've been surrounded by {or maybe the nice little tan I'm starting to get, ha!} Anyway, have any fun plans for the weekend? My sister is in town for a week - oh, the trouble we'll be getting in to : ) I can't wait to show her a few hidden gems I've found since her last visit. Have a great weekend and enjoy these fun posts from around the web . . .

A song for your weekend.

Ross gets stuck in his leather pants. Can't. Stop. Laughing.

A look behind the scenes from Wednesday's style envy | Kate Upton.

The prettiest canvas zip tote - a summer must have!

10 creative business cards.

So in love with this minted Anthro dress.

High five to Nick Saban.

How to live like Holly Golightly.

Is this real life? Beautiful places around the world.

A little lipstick helps . . . and so does a martini.

A summer dessert | Grilled Peaches.

quality over quantity

I have truly learned that quality is always better than quantity in many aspects of my life. I have found some really great friends that I know will always be there when I need them to be, and vice versa. Quality sleep over being pretty lousy the next day{occasional late nights are perfectly fit, too : )}. In my closet, I have taken note that quality is much more valuable than quantity - no more trendy or cheap pieces that I wear once and never wear again or fall apart in a couple of washes. Your wallet will thank you in the long run - so will your granddaughters who get to play dress up in pretty vintage.  I have decided to roll this mantra in to my blog, at least for now. I need to get a tight grip on a few things and hone my writing. Don't worry, I'll still have fun posts each week! I want this blog to be more reflective on what I love - and not something I worry I have to do each day {read: super late nights on wishing for some miracle inspiration for next days post}. Needless to say, I hope you're excited about what this blog will turn in to, although it may or may not be a daily read. You'll still be getting a dose of Friday's and links because that is one of my favorites.

a pretty kitchen + french toast

I'd like to make an announcement that you probably already know: I have a thing for white kitchens. And yes, one day when I have my own it will be white and have tulips on the table. They're so fresh and so clean. Beside the point of my white kitchen love affair, I have to tell y'all a story. One of my favorite things about work is meeting cute little kiddos. I met this handsome, young three year old yesterday that was as cute as a button and what a talker he was! Seriously, he just chatted with me for at least thirty minutes. And what did we discuss? His love for breakfast food, ha! Every morning his mom makes him bacon, eggs, and grits and if she leaves off anything from that list? He is one not so happy kiddo, ha! And so I brought up a suggestion of trying my favorite breakfast . . . French toast. And then he asked me what it was and how to make it - he totally was taking in every word I said and I'm pretty sure this genius is going to become the next Bobby Flay.

I like to keep it real simple when it comes to my French toast {read: invite friends over for a French toast brunch when I've had a loaf of bread for a while.} For real though, it's incredibly easy to make, the kitchen smells like sweet syrup and cinnamon, and your bellies are full from fresh berries and laughter when you're done. Did I mention mimosas? Yep, brunch is never brunch without a good old-fashioned mimosa {exchange out the bubbly with ginger ale if you'd prefer it that way}!

1 loaf of white bread {I prefer a loaf that I cut myself}
2 eggs, beaten
3 tbsp. milk {any kind, I prefer 1% or 2%}
Cinnamon, to your liking
Syrup
2 cups of berries {strawberry, blueberry, raspberry}

Cut your bread into half-inch slices {store bought is just fine}. Combine your eggs and milk and beat until mixed together. Take one slice of bread and dredge in your egg/milk combo. While one side is still in the egg/milk combo, sprinkle with cinnamon to your liking. I go a little heavy since I love cinnamon. Put the cinnamon side down on a skillet set at medium temperature. Sprinkle the other side with cinnamon. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden and the egg is cooked through - careful not to burn it! Flip, and cook the other side for about 2 minutes. Repeat until each bread slice is done. Serve with warmed syrup and fresh berries on top and enjoy!

style envy | kate upton

Have y'all seen the June Vogue issue yet? Kate Upton is on the cover and has a ravishing spread by Mario Testino. I've always taken style inspiration from her since we are built similarly {read: full bust small waist}. Talk about a challenge when getting dressed every morning. I've already taken a few notes from this story and pictures below.