What's Up Thursday

So loving this article about bracelet layering from Who What Wear. It seems like layering bracelets is the easiest thing in the world, but much like natural-looking makeup it takes effort to make it look effortless.

As I said, I'm at the beach this week and after finishing Reconstructing Amelia (amazing btw, a must read), I such stocked up on some great beach reads: Revenge Wears Prada and Crazy Rich Asians. So far this summer I have also read a few other amazing beach books (whilst sadly not on the beach) that I thought would share. 

Family Pictures by Jane Green

Like most of her other tomes, this book is a pretty predictable girly book that you somehow still can't stop reading. Though it deals with the fractures caused by infidelity, it has an uplifting ending.

The Star Attraction by Allison Sweeney

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. Again, it's a beach read, so don't expect Tolstoy, but the plot is pretty interesting. A publicist starts to fall for her star client, craziness ensues.

Benji Wednesday

Benji is really enjoying Monday nights lately because one of his favorite people come over for dinner! Uncle Ed!

Monogram of the Moment

I got this idea from super stylish Blair Edie of Atlantic-Pacific. Love the idea of monogramming unexpected things, like jeans!

Weekend Snaps

We're at the beach this week, so no weekend snaps. Instead, here's what I packed for our trip. I don't know if this is interesting to anyone else, but I love seeing what people pack for vacations. 

3 tunics, 2 swimsuits

5 casual tops

3 dressy tops

3 shorts...those denim ones are not that short in person, hahaha!

2 pair white pants

Plus, workout clothes, wedges and PJs.

I might have overpacked for six days, but oh well! 

Also, please enjoy this amazing photo of Elsie trying to get out of her collar. It got stuck on her snaggle tooth. 

Have a lovely week!

And the Name is....

North West

I just have no words...well, that's a lie. I have to say I do like it better than Kaidence, but it's still a little too literal for my taste. 

In other news, look who got a cute haircut...

Photo via People.com

I love Reese's hair when it's short. It looks fabulous. And that baby Tennessee is just beyond precious. 

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Friday Pick

Okay, I'm not shopping, but if I were I'd probably buy this cute dress. It's cotton pique and would be so perfect for hot summer nights with some cute sandals. Plus, J. Crew is offering 30 percent off (again!) with the code THEBEST.

Have a happy weekend!!!

What's Up Thursday

Okay I hate myself for even writing this, but I am dying to know what Kim Kardashian's baby's name is. Word is, it's Kaidence Donda West. To which I say, did you mean Cadence? I get the K thing, but not when it's an actual word, people. That's just an affront to the English language. 

Photo via People.com

I guess I'll just have to wait for the big announcement in whatever magazine. Placing bets on whether one or all of the family will be wearing leather in said photo.

Since this is sort of a down time for shopping, I'm trying to save a little money. I always use this logic to justify buying everything full price in February. However, I do feel I need a new summer clutch purse, because, you know. 

Love this one that is sadly sold out on Shopbop. 

Love this one by Clare Vivier as well

This would go with pretty much anything in my closet

I am currently reading Reconstructing Amelia, in the hopes that it will be as amazing as Gone Girl from last year. It's great so far. It's told in the same style as Gone Girl through a back and forth dialog with Amelia's viewpoint before her death and her mother's story as she tries to determine what really happened two months after.

Can't wait for Friday!

Benji Wednesday

Sometimes in the afternoons, Benji lays in front of our door like this, I have no clue what he is doing. Is there a good draft there? I mean, aren't you worried that someone will walk in? 

Monogram of the Moment

So obsessed with monogramming everything in two colors! 

Weekend Snaps

Hope you had a wonderful Father's Day Weekend! I didn't take nearly enough photos, so I'm sharing one of me and my dad that is probably my favorite.

We had a bayou night on Friday, we went to Razoo's for fried pickles and saw Mud finally. It did not disappoint. If you haven't seen it, definitely do, it's great!

On Saturday, we went to a birthday party for one of my sorority sister's husband's! Happy Birthday Jerad! It was kind of a rager. So happy I got to catch up with my sweet friend Jacquelyn. I could talk to you forever!!!

On Sunday we spent time with the dads. It was a wonderful weekend!

Father's Day Weekend marks the four-year anniversary of us having Luke. It seems like 20 years, but we love this insane animal. Don't ask me why.

So excited for The Bachelorette tonight! 

What's Up Thursday

This week I found some cute pillows for another set of our outdoor chairs, I found them kind of randomly on sale at Pottery Barn. It was sort of a challenge to find something that complemented the hunter green, but I think these do.

I have to say, I am totally obsessed with white everything for summer. It's completely impractical, but how fabulous is this outfit from Alexander Wang Resort 2014...

Available for pre-order at Moda Operandi

I especially love white shoes, and 

haven't been able to find the perfect pair. I'm thinking something like Carrie wore in Sex and the City season four-ish. A classic white pump. It feels so cool.

How awful is that outfit at far left? Carrie, you so crazy. These over at Saks are pretty cute and would go with everything.

I've been very anti-cooking this summer, but we did manage to make these yummy pitas this week from Pinterest. They are amazing.

Benji Wednesday

Benji has always had absolutely perfect teeth. This is a sharp contrast to our other dog Elsie. Here's a shot of Elsie's teeth. I mean, they don't even really fit in her mouth.

She's still such a cutie, but she could use some orthodontia. 

While I was petting Benji the other day I looked at his teeth and saw this....

One is missing!!!!!! Now, I realize Benji's no spring chicken, but I was really shocked to see him missing a tooth. I guess it's true, getting old really does suck.

Monogram of the Moment

Before I get to the monograms, can I just say last night's Bachelorette had me dying laughing throughout the entirety of its two hours. The Lone Ranger stunt sequence date was probably the best (or worst) thing ever to come out of the franchise. Juan Pablo, you are hilarious, and my new favorite. And, we had the added bonus of a shrill existing girlfriend for contestant Brian (I sure can pick 'em, I guess he's out....). My poor husband who is made to watch this show every week could not get over Desiree hugging the girlfriend, "you're not friends, why are you hugging?" he kept saying. 

Anyway, it was hilarious. 

Photo via abc.com

Here's my latest monogram...

Lovies for my sweet precious godson. I've decided I love monogramming things in navy, so official looking! 

Weekend Snaps

Happy Monday! We spent a relaxing weekend out of town. It was just the ticket for a crazy week. 

We enjoyed the beautiful summer sunset...at 9 p.m.!

We made some amazetown fried chicken from The Joy of Cooking. My mom used to use that cookbook all the time when we were growing up, and now I know why. It never steers you wrong!

Benji got himself stuck to a scorpion trap. We had to have a little haircut. on that front leg.

Luke wore himself out running.

We saw some lovely Texas wildflowers.

We spent some time on the dock just soaking it all in.

Have a great week!

What's Up Thursday

If you've ever watched Project Runway, you'll appreciate this montage of Michael Kors's very best zingers. Among my favorites, "she has an avocado goiter" and "she looks like a transvestite flamenco dancer at a funeral."

I'm so in love with Kate Moss in British Vogue this month. Her St. Barths photo shoot is all kinds of amazing. This cover shot blows me away.

Our magnolia tree is blooming like crazy and it reminds me of the beauty of Southern summers...which I sometimes lose sight of in all of the heat. Funny enough, you can see the Stark Air truck in the background of this photo, because our air conditioner motor died this week. 

I tend to buy a lot of tote bags, which tend to take up a lot of closet space, so I have put myself on a tote diet. That said, this one was made for me I think. Isn't it great?

After watching Baz Luhrman's dazzling adaptation of The Great Gatsby a few weeks ago, I wanted to re-watch the 1972 version starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. It was really interesting to watch them both so close together. I really don't have a preference, unless we're talking jewelry, in which case Carey Mulligan's Daisy has the upper hand.