life lately: august update, summer recap

well, i am closing in on the end of my summer. these past few weeks have been busy but i wouldn't want it any other way. my internship at LEONA ended and i can honestly say my time at LEONA and in nashville was the happiest i have been in a long time. the internship presented me with an amazing opportunity to have a hand-on experience with the business and operations side of a growing designer label. every day was different, sometimes i did a task just right, sometimes i was presented with a challenge, and sometimes i made a mistake. it was an experience i will be forever grateful for. the LEONA team taught me so much, about myself and the business. i truly feel like i have found where i am meant to be and what i am meant to do. hopefully it won't be the last time i am working at LEONA! i already miss 2309 12th South Avenue more than i thought i ever could!

as far as my summer bucket list went, i think i added more to it than crossed off. i did read most of the books on my list, though found more to put on my wish list. unfortunately, i didn't make it to any movies but that's what red box is for! there was no lake day this summer but i spent a few afternoons by our pool and a weekend in charleston which i would choose over the lake anyway. i made it the local farmer's market as often as i could, both the one on 12th South and the Murfreesboro market. i have more than eaten my share of fresh veggies and fruits, with no plan of stopping. knoxville apparently has a wonderful market at market square on saturday mornings that i am hoping to get to soon. i also ate at some new restaurants & dessert places this summer (the pharmacy, taqueria del sol, the flipside, epice, saint anejo, gray's on main, boca loca, jeni's, crankee's) and dined at my all-time favorites (the puffy muffin, the frothy monkey, mafioza's, fido, las paletas). i definitely added more restaurants to my nashville bucket list! the summer was everything i could ask for and more. rewind it and let me press play again!

i have spent the past several days in murfreesboro at home. though i didn't want to leave nashville, i have relaxed here at home. mom and i went shopping and i have been packing up my things getting ready for my last move to knoxville. it is so strange to think that just 3 years ago i was moving into humes with a random roommate and now i am moving into my own single-girl apartment as a senior, with my best friends just a look out the window away. so much has changed since then, for better or for worse, but i couldn't be happier with where i am at this exact moment.

i have started blogging for my sorority and couldn't be more excited about launching the alpha chi omega at UTK blog! we plan to use the blog as way for parents, alumni, family and friends to stay involved in all that is going on with the delta pi chapter. check out our first post, sign up to get posts in your inbox and stay tuned for a recruitment recap coming next week!

i am still hoping to build my blog followers so please continue liking and sharing! also follow me on instagram, twitter and pinterest (links on the right). your support means the world to me and i appreciate my readers taking time out of their busy days to read my ramblings. speaking of ramblings, that is what this post has come to. i'm off to read my textbook-sized september issue of instyle!

xoxo,
clp

wedding recap + OOTD

well she is a now a mrs.! i still can't get over the fact that my friend and sister courtney is now a married lady! the wedding was absolutely beautiful... the bride was the most gorgeous person in the room, a smile never left the handsome groom's face and the reception was a blast. even i got on the dance floor! i didn't realize how much i missed all my sisters (alpha chi may have taken up a whole section of the church) until i saw them and was around them! i am so lucky to be able to celebrate such a special occasion with those girls!

of course, i have had my outfit planned since i got the save the date card (okay, i may be exaggerating a little). but once i tried on this dress at LEONA, i knew it was the one (my own version of "say yes to the dress"). as a bonus, i even coordinated with the bridal party!

LEONA james dress in indigo daisy (ON SALE NOW!), tory burch clutch, j. crew sandals, kate spade hoops and bangles

xoxo,

clp

carnation ball recap

last night was the night we had all been looking forward to all semester! carnation ball! my chapter has carnation ball once every four years and it is our most talked-about formal - from dresses to hair to everything! carnation ball is put on a higher pedestal than all of our other semi-formals and deserves special attention and my attendance! i am so happy that i went! i had the most perfect shoes, dress and clutch, a wonderful best friend who did my makeup, friends that told me my hair was pretty since i was in tears about it, and most importantly, the most perfect date! the night was everything i could have planned for and i wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else besides my date and my alpha chi sisters!

j. crew dress, mudpie glitter clutch, kate spade charm heels 

kate spade charm heels 

derek, the best date! 

of course this morning i was up before seven even though it was a very late night for me! sometimes i just wish i could be a normal college student and sleep in! i guess today starts the studying for exams... i only have three and my first one isn't until thursday, but i need to get on the study-train now so i don't get behind! packing up my things at the apartment is also on my to-do list. i will be done and home for summer a week from tomorrow so i am trying to pack up everything i can! it is amazing how much stuff accumulates! i am also going to get coffee with my best friend from high school today and am looking forward to catching up with her! we may not see each other very often but when we do, its like no time has passed and we pick up right where we left off! enjoy the warm sunshine today y'all! 

xoxo,

clp 

fridays and homecoming

i really enjoy fridays this semester. i have gotten into a friday routine that is just perfect: wake up and eat a leisurely breakfast, head to the gym, come home, shower and eat lunch then head to finance. after finance i usually run some errands (most days includes a trip to target but i resisted today!) and then back to the apartment to get ready for the weekend! today i went to anthropologie, the southern market (which was a christmas wonderland and got me into the holiday spirit!) and stopped by the local farmer's market! it was just perfect and now i am on my couch for a lazy evening before tomorrow's early kickoff!

this week has been a busy one because it is homecoming week here at UT! this year, we were paired with Phi Mu which was different than the usual fraternity-sorority pairing. still, we decided to compete in the large float competition even though we were without manly-men to help build the float and it has been such a productive week! i really think that as a sorority, if we set our mind to it, we can do it! the winner of homecoming won't be announced until tomorrow at halftime, but we have been competing in different events all week to gain points. also, our very own president is on the ballot for homecoming queen so fingers are crossed that she wins the crown! a special shoutout goes to our homecoming chair, emily, who has truly put her heart and soul into this week and it has showed! i can't imagine a more smoothly and well-run homecoming week! our lawn decoration, window decoration and float turned out amazing thanks to both chapters putting in long hours of pomping and gluing!

i know i have been MIA on recipes and shopping posts these past few weeks. the semester is coming to a close so i think all the teachers came together and decided to assign every test and homework to all be due at the same time. i promise i will try to post more recipes soon and some great product finds! until then, all i have to say is go vols and go alpha chi-phi mu homecoming!

xoxo,

clp 

happy october!

"i am so glad we live in a world where there are octobers"

-l.m. montgomery 

happy october! october is one of my favorite months of the year! it brings so many of my favorite things and this year, october is spilling over with things i am planning to do.

october is already off to a great start with the revealing of the Alpha Chi Omega Lilly Pulitzer print! i may be a little bit biased but i think its the best sorority print yet. i am beyond obsessed with it and can't wait to order anything and everything that they put it on! i was afraid it was going to look too christmas-y since our colors are red and green, but in true Lilly fashion, they made it perfect! i also love that they not only incorporated our flower, the red carnation, but also our symbol, the lyre! i just can't get over how much i love it!

lilly pulitzer alpha chi omega print

my month of october is already almost totally planned out which means i will be a busy bee! however, most of it is fun activities with a side of schoolwork. the things i am most looking forward to this month are...

• this upcoming weekend's home football game: the whole family is coming up with a delicious tailgate in hand and it is the SEC home opener. i can't wait to see the vols run through the T in that smokey grey!
• cooking for my friends: i have already planned a chili and cornbread night with my best friends and then also planned a taco night with my alpha chi little and grandlittle. i love cooking for others and the off weekend from football was the perfect opportunity!
• i am going to my first barre3 class on the 12th and could not be more excited! i have always wanted to try out barre3 and i am finally getting the chance to do so. changing up my workout is always good for my body and i think this will be a great break from the cardio i usually do.   
• FALL BREAK! finally a couple of days off from school and it couldn't come at a better time. this girl needs some beautifying done (hair, eyebrows, nails, etc.), some murfreesboro and a little bit of nashville. mom has taken off from work the whole time i am home and we are going to nashville at least once, treating ourselves to IveyCake and just relax at home with daddy and phillip. i would love to go to a pumpkin patch and decorate the house for fall as well! 
• we also have many fun sorority events this month! sisterhood retreat is this sunday, founder's day is coming up and we also have a mixer or two. the new members will perform in LipSync later in the month and i'm sure they will put on a good show! 
• i am going to my first away game as a student this month too! it will most likely be a blood bath, but a group of us in Alpha Chi is road tripping down to Tuscaloosa for the UT vs Bama football game. i have heard away games are the most fun so i can't wait to see what is in store for us! 
• and of course, if its october that means that november comes next which mean my birthday is almost here! the countdown is on which means i will have to get started on the infamous birthday wishlist i make every year for my parents (which they usually laugh at)! 

this list doesn't even encompass the spur of the moment things and schoolwork that will come up. i love fall and october really is the official start of it for me. i am excited to cook some fall recipes and to break out my fall clothes (especially my boots)! life really does start over again when it gets crisp in the fall!

xoxo,
clp

family weekend, OOTD & a recipe

what a busy weekend it was! this is a lengthy post but i didn't want to leave anything out!

friday night started out with supper at dead end bbq with mom, dad and phillip then we went to the Blake Shelton concert which was one of the best concerts i have ever seen! mr. shelton gave knoxville a good time!

saturday came bright and early with the AXO CarniVol tailgate and then the UTK Parent's Weekend tailgate, followed by the UT vs South Alabama football game that was a little too close for comfort there at the end. saturday ended with supper at aubrey's (complete with key lime pie) and an early bedtime.

game day shoes from none other than tory burch

sunday brought the AXO Parent's Brunch at The Foundry that was just wonderful. the food was great, as was the program and my parents really enjoyed seeing what we do as a sorority. before the studying commenced, i treated myself to a much-needed pedicure and made a delicious fall dinner of roasted acorn squash (recipe below).

j. crew dress, liberty of london for j. crew button-down, kork-ease wedges, 

longchamp tote, louis vuitton bandeau scarf, j. crew bangle

stuffed roasted acorn squash for one

1 small acorn squash

1 link chicken apple sausage 

handful of sliced mushrooms

chopped onion

1 small apple, sliced and diced

handful of spinach

1 tbsp liquid egg whites

1 tbsp goat cheese

1 tbsp whole wheat bread crumbs

herbs de provence, to taste

minced garlic

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the squash halves cut side up on the baking sheet. Brush minced garlic and herbs de provence on the inside of each squash half. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes until tender.
2. Bring a large skillet over medium heat and add the sausage. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until meat is cooked through. Add the onion, apple, spinach and mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the egg white and cook until done. 
3. When the squash halves are finished roasting, evenly pile the sausage stuffing into the two halves. Top with goat cheese and herbs de provence. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 18-20 minutes.

i hope everyone has had as wonderful a weekend as i have! i really enjoy spending time with my family and love it when they come up to knoxville. here's to a good week this week and maybe another W for the vols next saturday!

xoxo,

clp 

its the little things & OOTD

it's the little things that truly make a difference. it may seem like nothing at the time, but it could impact you or another person more than you know. today i was minding my own business washing my hands at the TRECS when a girl came up to me and said "i see you at the gym all the time and wanted to let you know that i think you are beautiful. i thought you should hear that today." i don't think the girl knew how much her comment had an effect on me. I have always had body issues and even though i lost weight and am much healthier and happier, the body issues will still always be there. i know i will always struggle with that and its something i am going to have to live with or overcome. the girl probably does not know that she made my day and i have been on cloud nine ever since. it has inspired me to do more "little things," in the hope that they may have a big impact.

as i mentioned in my previous post, last night we had big little reveal and i became a grandbig! our family grew and i am just obsessed with my grandlittle, mackenzie. her, megan and i are three peas in a pod so i think our family is going to be really close, which is what i have always wanted. i also love my extended family more than anything too! we all come together perfectly to make the best little family!

my little family

our extended family 

i am so excited for tonight! mom, dad, and phillip are coming in and we are eating at dead end bbq (best bbq in knoxville by far and some of the best i have ever had) and then we are going to the blake shelton concert, which i have heard is phenomenal! i can't wait for phillip to try dead end bbq since he is quite partial to edley's in nashville. i also can't wait to see mr. blake shelton on stage at thompson-boling in his tight blue jeans and cowboy boots. fingers are crossed he plays rocky top! for the concert, i decided to wear some printed jeans i wanted to wear before september ended and a bright sweater. i apologize again for the horrible picture... i was in a bit of a rush!

j. crew sweater, j. crew gingham toothpick jeans, tory burch navy caroline flats

as i write this, my parents are on their way to get me so i must be going! hope everyone has a great friday night and that it is "ten times crazier" than normal! 

xoxo,

clp

job fair OOTD

today i went to my first job fair. it was a bit nerve-racking but i am glad that i went. i talked to some great companies about summer internships so fingers are crossed that i get some follow-up! me being me, i of course stressed about what to wear. i don't own a suit quite yet and i didn't want to appear too casual. i decided on this pencil skirt and button-down with a statement necklace because i wanted to stand out among the black suits and also because i wanted something for the recruiters to remember me by. it worked out great i think - i got multiple compliments on my necklace!

j. crew button down, j. crew pencil skirt, j.crew heels, j.crew necklace

this monday was a busy one but i think it may be one of my least busy days this week. i feel like i have so much to do but have to wait around to do most of it until the time comes. i don't have many school assignments due this week, but i have two tests, a quiz and project due next week, all following a super busy weekend starting this thursday with big-little reveal, continuing friday with my family coming in for the blake shelton concert, saturday with my sorority's tailgate, the UTK family weekend tailgate and football game and ending sunday with parents brunch. i am definitely going to have to manage my time and stress well!

on another note, my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, is having our annual tailgate, CarniVol, this Saturday before the South Alabama game. all proceeds go towards supporting the victims of domestic violence which is our national philanthropy. besides the carnival themed tailgate, complete with games and food,  the best part about this tailgate is that the donations received stay right here in knoxville and we can see them being put to good use at the Family Justice Center of Knoxville. this year we are even able to accept donations online so if you would like to support us in supporting the victims of domestic violence, all you have to do is click here and follow the instructions on the page. any donation would be much appreciated!

xoxo,
clp

nyfw & a lilly print

new york fashion week always reminds me of one thing: how much money i don't have to buy those beautiful clothes walking down the runway... yet. regardless, my love for all things fashion prevails and i am glued to my computer watching live feeds of the shows and reviewing the many collections. designers have, as they always do, outdone themselves at the spring 2014 ready to wear shows. i am already looking forward to spring now and i haven't even had a chance to wear any of my fall clothes!

below, i have picked some of my favorite looks from nyfw. there are too many collections and looks to include all my favorites, but here are some from my favorite designers. maybe a few pieces will make their way to my closet come spring! (all images from style.com) 

michael kors

michael kors

j. crew

j. crew

kate spade new york

kate spade new york

tory burch

tory burch

oscar de la renta

last night i cooked for some of my very favorite people in the world. erin, caroline and ellie mean the world to me and i dont know what i would do without them. I fixed the Dashing Dish's crockpot lime chicken fajitas, my homemade refried beans and some spanish rice. we four girls devoured it. the chicken fajitas were delicious over tortillas, but they would also be yummy over just rice or atop a bed of lettuce!

the best part of today has been that Alpha Chi Omega won the Lilly Pulitzer sorority print contest! i could hardly contain my excitement when i found out. i think if i wasn't in public that i would have jumped up and down and screamed. i cannot wait to see how fabulous the print will be that Lilly will come up with for us. the christmas list will certainly have alpha chi lilly on it this year!

happy weekend to everyone! this time next week i will be home in murfreesboro and i could not be more excited! i can't wait to see my family and i am in need of a break from knoxville.

xoxo,
clp