life lately - september edition

well, its been a while. y'all probably thought i was done with the blog scene, but no - just still transitioning to the real world and real job life. so where have i been the past month? here's a quick rewind...

i bought a car. i said goodbye to lady liberty and hello nissan rogue! i absolutely love my new car and may or may not be OCD about keeping it clean (like i am about everything). it was yet another big girl purchase, and one that was necessary. i no longer have to worry about getting from A to B!

i finally got to see my best friend after two and a half months too long without seeing each other. kaitlin came to franklin for the tim mcgraw concert and we made it a girls weekend that was much needed! between friday night and saturday, we saw alpha chi alum sisters, brunched in downtown franklin, sipped and shopped, visited city winery before the concert then sang our hearts out with mr. tim. it was such a fun weekend, and we are already counting the days til i visit her in atlanta later this month.

work has been very busy lately, with college football kicking off! its our peak season as everyone is ordering their tailgate gear, so the logo team has been working hard and still is. the way everyone comes together to help out and do jobs outside their normal tasks is amazing, i have never seen a group of coworkers truly work as a team to get the job done. everyday i am so happy to be part of that team.

i went to a bridal shower of a good friend that i can't wait to see get married in just less than a month! it was so great to get to catch up with my roommates from last summer. i am excited for the wedding, as phillip is best man and the couple is so fun, ensuring it will be a party!

i have met friends for dinner both here in franklin and in murfreesboro, had dinner parties with family friends and spent a few weekends at home. i am so glad that one of my best friends lives in murfreesboro and hope we can keep up our monthly dinner dates!

no matter how near or far from murfreesboro i am, its always nice to spend some time at home. we have celebrated many birthdays, eaten a lot of good food and cake, and spent lots of time together. if labor day marks the end of summer (which in the south, its still going to be hot through the month), my summer has been nothing short of perfect. i've tried some new things, tried to break out of my comfort zone and i really believe i am right where i should be.

so, its been a busy month. i still don't know how my parents had to energy to cook, do PTA, take us to practices, make sure we did our homework, etc. etc. after working all day. i am always so exhausted after my workday that the blog has unfortunately been what had to be put on the back burner. with that being said however, i am hoping to post more regularly. fall clothes are fabulous this year, and i am really itching to make some new dishes with healthy spins!

be on the lookout for the claire with red hair... she's coming back!

xoxo,
clp

long time no see + recap

well... its been a while... about a month to be exact. a whirlwind of a month has gone by since my last post, and so much has gone on that if i were to type it all out in a post, you would be snoozing by the end. so much has happened though, that i at least feel like a brief recap is needed... i mean i can't just skip over the whole two-weeks-spent-in-hawaii start to the summer!

hawaii was absolutely amazing (that's for you, mom). it was definitely a trip i will remember forever, and one that i am lucky i got to take. we started in oahu, staying at disney's aulani resort. i am certainly the resort kind of girl... room service, pool side service, etc. etc.! it was a life i could get used to for sure. next we hopped over to the big island, and saw lava flow upon lava flow. the next and last island we jumped to was maui, which i really had fun on. from snorkeling at molokini crater, zip lining and plenty of delicious food (pineapple and kimo's hula pie... need i say more?), maui suited me as well. the trip as a whole was wonderful. i have the best mom and dad who were able to give me such an amazing trip and a brother who puts up with me despite my carsickness on the road to hana and my strange eating habits. if you ever have the chance to go to hawaii, go. it may be a long plane ride, but its worth it.

not 24 hours after we landed, i had us moving me and all my stuff (that's the only word i can use to describe it all) into my new apartment in franklin. we got the essentials there and since then it has been a work in progress. i can't begin to thank my parents (especially my dad) for all the help they have given me. dad was like a little elf who came in and set up ikea furniture and hung pictures while i was at work! the apartment is coming along for sure, and i am loving my new home in franklin.

so, in the past month, i have been to hawaii, moved into my apartment in franklin, gone to atlanta for the kenny chesney-eric church concert and ikea. its been a whirlwind of a month, but one i wouldn't trade for anything. this summer is looking to be a good one: the annual family fourth celebration is next weekend, i have already made myself a regular at the saturday farmer's market here and i have other plans in store.

i am hoping to be able to post more now that i have gotten into a routine with my work, workout and everything-else schedule. i promise to not leave you out on a limb!

for now though, i am happy to be sitting in my apartment, with a netflix movie on and a day full of shopping in nashville behind me. i can say that i am a happy girl.

xoxo,
clp

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

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

life lately: june update

with it being the official first day of summer (and national wear your lilly pulitzer day), it seems to be a good day to post an update on my life lately! it has been just over a month since my last "life lately" post so it is due time for another! the one word that still describes my life right now: happy. i really think i am happier than i have ever been! it is going to be so hard to leave nashville in 2 months and go back to school in knoxville. i am loving every minute of my internship at LEONA and loving every minute spent crossing things off my summer bucket list. i have made new friends and am trying to step outside of my comfort zones. i am maintaining a healthy weight and still enjoying cooking healthy, nutritious foods. all in all, i may be dog-tired by the end of some days, but life lately is pretty sweet. here's a quick review of what i've been up to in the past few days (a new restaurant, some shopping, and a pedicure treat!)

• epice nashville: i tried epice on wednesday with a family friend and it did not disappoint! i love trying new cuisines and lebanese was one that i had not had to the chance to dive into. i drive by the neighborhood lebanese bistro twice a day and it is always crowded at supper time and now i know why! the clean, stark interior lends itself to a delicious menu, one of which i can't pronounce many of the items but they all sound delicious. i ordered the hummos beyrouti (ground sirloin with pine nuts over housemade creamy hummus with pita chips and a peasant salad) and ate almost every bite (had to save some room for dessert). i would certainly recommend epice, as well as go back time and time again! 
• LEONA: work lately has been great! we are starting to get fall in and getting ready to ship out the first part of it to stores and it is unbelievable! LEONA girls are in for a treat with this collection! i have also been featured on the LEONA : nashville Facebook page in some lovely outfits! i think at this point in my internship i have tried on the entire store for some sort of photo! no complaints though! click the links below to see my "shorts story" and two possible outfits for the fourth! 

a short story

july fourth outfit idea 1

july fourth outfit idea 2

• yesterday i had a total "me" day! spin class, a trip to whole foods, coffee from eighth and roast, a pedicure and some friday shopping were all part of my friday! i'm not sure how, but my days off from my unpaid internship always involve spending my nonexistent paycheck. i think a shopaholics anonymous intervention is needed... nonetheless, i have gotten some great finds and new additions to my closet this past week, pieces that are classic, on trend, seasonless and timeless! 

j. crew "masterpiece" linen tee: to dress down a high-heel shoe printed silk skirt

ivanka trump loire flat: a seasonless shoe perfect for skirts, pants and dresses

tory burch kerrington crossbody shopper: a great printed summer purse 

tennessee home t-shirt: for off days

andre assous anouka espadrille: a midheel wedge that will carry me through summer and into fall

as you can see i have been a bit shopping-happy lately! all the things i have gotten lately are perfect for building my wardrobe! today, mom and dad are coming up to nashville to visit me (luckily they come or i might get a little bit lonely)! i always love seeing them and today we are going to the nashville farmer's market, visiting a few places we have wanted to go but have never actually gone, and dining at saint anejo for supper! i went to barre 3 this morning in the gulch for a good workout so now i am ready to do some fun summer stuff with them! have a happy first official day of summer y'all!

xoxo,

clp

life lately

my life lately in one word: happy. in the past week, i have moved to nashville and started my internship with LEONA. i have explored my new neighborhood of 12 South. i have joined a new gym. all new things, all happy results. nashville already feels like home to me and i haven't even been here a full week. there has always been something missing when i am in knoxville, yes, my friends are there and yes, my school is there, but there has always been a void since day one. here in nashville, no void. i feel like i have been here forever and that everything just clicks. can i just stay happy here forever? 

i tried out two local favorites this weekend, crossing them off my bucket list! taqueria del sol and jeni's ice cream were both winners and definitely warrant another visit! the key lime fro-yo at jeni's with graham cracker crumbs in it was absolutely divine and i loved all three of the salsa in taqueria del sol's sampler! 

yesterday was LEONA's Go Gray in May event which i helped work! i think it went off without a hitch and am excited to see the final amount that is donated to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. i have newfound respect for those who work in retail, as i was on my feet all day in uncomfortable (but cute of course) shoes and by the end of the night, was exhausted! you don't realize the work they do when you are the shopper! after the event, i met my mom and dad for BBQ at edley's on 12th (and devoured my pork platter - working works up an appetite!) and then we went to fido in Hillsboro Village for a dessert with local lattes (so good)! 

on friday i was featured in the Millie Dress (worn as a tunic) with the white Mercer Pant on the LEONA: nashville Facebook page! the dress comes in a couple color and print options and i am going to have to snag one before they all sell! 

this week has been perfect and i could not be more excited for the summer ahead of me! i am hoping to live every second of it happy! 

xoxo,

clp