lovely LEONA: october

have you checked out the newest releases from LEONA's fall winter collection?! they. are. to. die. for. i seriously don't know how lauren does it! the colors are just lovely, and two of my favorites: eggplant and emerald. the silhouettes are classic yet modern, and the styles can be worn at so many different occasions and accessorized in some many different ways. i happen to be going to LEONA Nashville this coming week so hopefully a few of the new pieces may come home with me (as well as the nashville exclusive items!).

necessary blouse with sweet skirt

super shift in eggplant chevron

perry dress in forest 

(i love that you can wear the bow at the waist or at the neck!)

i should honestly just post a link to the site and tell y'all to go there for my favorite pieces... everything that lauren designs goes on my "LEONA wishlist"! happy shopping y'all! its finally boots, scarves and vests season! 

xoxo,

clp

domestic violence awareness month

i love that october is now often referred to as "pink-tober" because of it being breast cancer awareness month. everything is "pinked" out - from the NFL to fountains in NYC. i love the pink ribbons and the strides made to raise breast cancer awareness.

unfortunately, the pink outshines the purple. many forget or don't even know that october is also domestic violence awareness month. even though it is not as well known or as socially-endorsed, domestic violence awareness is just as important as breast cancer awareness. raising awareness for domestic violence has become more important to me since joining alpha chi omega. as a sorority, we hope to raise domestic violence awareness and help those who are victims. we work to fight against unhealthy relationships and build healthy relationships. as alpha chi omega simply says in regards to domestic violence, "love shouldn't hurt."

the issue of domestic violence is a silent battle and one that unfortunately affects more people (not just women) than we know. i am blessed to have never been a victim of domestic violence, but i know some women that have and their stories are heartbreaking. i see, especially recently, more and more stories of domestic violence in the news. as a young female, i feel that it is necessary to speak out against domestic violence. too many young women are victims and they are fighting the battle silently.

the recent "outbreak" of domestic violence in the news can be seen as both a bad and good thing. though i hate that the women are victims of domestic violence, it has brought the issue to light. now, more and more celebrities and news anchors, from actress kerry washington to TODAY show host tamron hall,  are speaking out against and raising awareness for domestic violence.

so, with this being said, i invite you to join the fight. wear pink and purple this month, and every month after. silence hides the violence so keep the conversation going. speak out, speak up. no one deserves to be a victim of domestic violence. it's on us to end it.

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