life lately: big girl job in the real world

clearly, i have been a little MIA for a while. in the past two weeks, i have graduated, moved home to murfreesboro and started my new job in franklin. its been a bit of a whirlwind, but a completely wonderful whirlwind. i feel like an update is in order.

last wednesday, i started my job as executive assistant at logo chairs in franklin. for those who don't know, logo is leading manufacturer of everything the ultimate fan needs to show their team spirit: tents, cooler, blankets, bags, chairs and more. family, get ready for a very tennessee logo christmas! a new position to me and to the company, i have done anything from helping set up trade shows to planning events to everything in between. every day is a chance to learn and different. i love getting to see every aspect and part of the company and work right beneath the executives. everyone at logo has been incredibly nice and helpful, saying no question is a dumb question, and believe me, i feel like i have had a lot of dumb questions. though i don't love commuting from the boro, it is only for eight days in all and because i am so happy at logo, i can't say the drive is absolutely terrible. i learn so much every day, from operations to procurement to sales, and i can honestly say that i can't believe i was lucky to get this job. upon my arrival, they all said "welcome to the logo family" and that is exactly what it is, a family. the only word i can use to sum up my feeling about my new job is happy.

when i return from our trip, i will move to franklin into my very own apartment with me paying the rent, me paying the electricity and me paying the water bill. can you say real world coming in quick!? i am so excited though. it is another page of this new chapter in my book and it is dream come true. being minutes from downtown, work, an amazing farmers market and with nashville just down the road, i don't know how i ended up so lucky. all i have to say is that if you work hard towards your dream and be patient, everything will fall into place.

with that, i think its about time for me to turn in for the night. the commute life has me getting up before the sun to do a light workout (which has me worried about getting in a swimsuit next week!) and then get ready to work! i now understand why my parents were always tired after working all day and i have no idea how they had time to do the whole sports practices, homework and parent meetings thing after. i am going to have to figure out a new routine, but i know that is all part of growing up! i hope everyone has a fabulous long weekend!

xoxo,
clp

hawaii packing list

supper out / 1 leona top & pant

hitting the beach / 2 tory burch bandeau & bottom

island shoes / 3 soludos espadrilles

shade from the sun / 4 panama hat

day shopping / 5 LOFT maxi dress

beach cover-up / 6 j. crew tank dress

beach reading / 7 beach town by mary kay andrews

tourist pictures / 8 polaroid 

beach essentials / 9 target straw tote

this time next week i'll be oahu bound! 

xoxo,

clp

color-blocked and printed OOTD

LEONA thursday tie top / LEONA wilson pant / tory burch bag (old)

xoxo,

clp

university of tennessee graduate

this past week has been a whirlwind, but wonderful. i graduated from UT with a degree in supply chain management from the haslam college of business on thursday, celebrated with family afterwards and friday with a special lunch at the orangery, packed up my apartment and cried as i said goodbye to my best friend.

now back home in murfreesboro, i will start my job at logo on wednesday, leave for hawaii in two weeks and move to franklin in four. the real world isn't just coming - its here.

today, however, is about celebrating my mother and the other "mothers" in my life: my grandmothers and my aunts. if i am half the woman they are, i will be just fine.

xoxo,
clp

p.s. the graduation pictures were taken and edited by my talented best friend, ellie veazie. i could not be happier with how they turned out and so thankful to have such an artistic friend!

happy graduation, mom and dad

happy graduation, mom and dad! this event is not only a milestone for me, but for you two as well. lord knows that i would not be here, dressed in a cap and gown, if it weren't for the both of you. you have been my backbone, my rock, my shoulder to lean on these past four years. i certainly didn't make being away college easy and the majority of my college years were rough. it wasn't until my summer in nashville and senior year that we really knew everything was going to be alright.

still, you were by my side no matter what. through being homesick, eating and weight issues, sorority drama and everything in between, you were there. in my defense and also telling me what i didn't want to hear. you were with me through every group project woe, every exam and every move from dorm to sorority house and from one apartment to another. you cheered the vols on to wins and losses with me.

this is as much your celebration as it is mine. without you, i wouldn't have this degree or be the person i am today. you have given me strength when i was weak, laughter with i was sad and unconditional love every step of the way. i can only hope that i am an inspiration to my children (if that ever even happens) as you are to me. you make me want to make you proud. you have never doubted my dreams and always encouraged me to chase them.

thank you mom and dad (and even phillip too), for everything. there aren't enough words to say how much i appreciate everything you have ever done for me and one day i hope i am able to repay you in some form. until then, i am forever your freckled faced little girl, just now with a college degree. congratulations mom and dad, you did it!

"The only real failure is the failure to try. & the measure of success is how we cope with disappointment... We came here, and we tried. All of us, in our different ways... We get up every morning, we do our best... But it's also true that the person who risks nothing, does nothing; has nothing. All we know about the future is that it will be different. But, perhaps what we fear is that it will be the same. So, we must celebrate the changes. Because, as someone once said 'Everything will be all right in the end. And if it's not all right, then trust me, it's not yet the end.'"

-The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

xoxo,
clp

barre3 style

i'm not gonna lie, i'm that girl in barre class that is staring weirdly at others trying to figure out where they got that workout top or where are those leggings from?! i love workout clothes, and i could live in what i wear to barre class if it was socially acceptable. my favorite pieces of clothing i have actually gotten at the barre3 studio (usually seeing it before class then convincing myself i need it all through class and buying it after).

so shopping and an amazing workout all in one place? does it get any better?! both the northshore and bearden hill barre3 studios have the cutest tops and bottoms so that you can be the best dressed in your class. check out some of my favorite looks below, and make sure to shop some before you shake and quake!

be love tank / beyond yoga essential gathered long legging

be love tee and cropped leggings / tiny devotions scarf

barre3 branded tank / beyond yoga essential leggings

barre3 branded tank / jala leggings

be love tee / jala leggings

beyond yoga tank / jala leggings / tiny devotions scarf

special thanks to the ladies of barre3 knoxville for collaborating with me on this post! 

xoxo,

clp