restaurant, book and movie review

well it was a fun night in the 865 last night... the weather service alert going off on my phone at 1:15 AM for a tornado warning was terrifying enough, not to mention the thunder, howling winds and lightning! usually storms don't bother me much but without my daddy to keep me safe, i did end up sitting in my bathroom for about 30 minutes and monitoring the storm on my computer - thank goodness for live streaming! thankfully, it ended up passing through without any damage! yesterday, i went on the ultimate girl date with kaitlin: target, movie, dinner and ice cream! it was really a good break from campus and the apartment though and got my mind off the exams that i am starting to study for today. i thought for my post today i would share with you my opinions on my recent reads, eats, and views!

• divergent by veronica roth: i started the book after i saw the movie which i hate doing but it was so worth it! i didn't think i would like the movie, much less the book but i was unable to put it down! it may be more of a young adult book, but the fast-paced plot, action and budding romance had me hooked! 
• insurgent by veronica roth: this is the second of the three books in the divergent series and just like the first one, i was hooked! the characters grow and mature in this sequel and the plot thickens in unexpected ways. the last part of the book was especially interesting and i have already downloaded the third book, allegiant, to my kindle! 
• the other woman: hilarious. this was on my must-see list for the summer and i am so glad i saw it yesterday. my friend and i laughed the entire movie and though it was funny, it was not stupid-funny. it was a great girl-empowerment movie with a comedic side! not to mention the clothes were fantastic! i would definitely recommend this to anyone, boy or girl! 
• cru bistro and wine bar: after the movie we were famished so we decided to try out cru! i had been to the one downtown for brunch but their dinner menu is completely different. they have a little bit of everything but not in the applebee's/TGI friday's way. cru's menu ranges from soups and salads to sushi and pizza, with an extensive wine list. the menu has a gourmet southern flair to it and something that everyone can eat. i ordered the tomato arugula salad which comes with sliced tomato, feta, cornbread croutons (OMG - must try to make!) and a peach-basil vinaigrette. i topped mine with some grilled chicken since it was my entree and it was delicious! i would certainly eat there again without hesitation! 

today is moving day part one! my mom and dad are the world's best because they are taking the time to drive up here and get a load of my stuff to move back home! i will move everything else when i come home after exams! they were also going to come see me as a diamond girl at the baseball game tonight but unfortunately the weather canceled the game. still, they are making the trip and taking me out to dinner so i can't thank them enough! my first exam is on thursday so the hard core studying begins as soon as i finish writing this! i hope everyone stayed safe last night with the weather and continues to be safe today as there is still a possibility for more storms! 

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 

lilly pulitzer summer 2014 favorites

new tory burch, j. crew and lilly pulitzer all in one week... i feel sorry for my bank account. i am trying to avoid anywhere that sells clothes like the plague but my email just keep enticing me. and when the subject line says "new arrivals" i can't help but click! i shared some of my favorites from tory burch (who is having a 25% off everything sale by the way) and j. crew the last two posts so today's post is all about summer in lilly! i wouldn't want to spend my summer any other way, and this collection is as lilly as lilly can be! i think the collection is much more wallet friendly and more casual which is great for both me and my mom. the fabrics are light and the prints are bright of course! it was hard to choose my favorites (which i know i say with every new release) but these are the pieces that really stood out to me!

acadia v-neck tunic sweater

delia shift dress

chrissy beach short

courtney tunic dress

marigold lace trim skort

macfarlane lace detail shift dress

today i had my last class as a junior! just three exams stand between being a senior which is crazy. its almost big-girl real-world time! right now though, i am preparing for the coming weekend by wearing my formal shoes to break them in, complete with socks and nike shorts. really a trendsetting look. in a little while, i am off to learn to play some tennis this afternoon and soak up some of the beautiful sunshine!

xoxo,
clp

j. crew may style guide favorites

my productivity has possibly been at an all-time high today... workout, sell books, shower, today show and ellen, homework, lunch, kroger, walgreens, bank, hardware store and even a stop by starbucks for a zen green tea with splenda and that was all before my class at 2:10! i must have done all caffeinated coffee this morning instead of my regular 2 scoops caf and one scoop decaf! it does feel great to have gotten so much done though!

as usual, j. crew released some new arrivals today and also posted their may style guide on pinterest! i really think they plan their releases for after i go to the store... that may be a good thing though, especially since this style guide and collection release has me lusting over many pieces! the collection is feminine, light and summery with a preppy and professional vibe. many of the pieces can be worn multiple ways and i am going to have to get my hands on a few of them for my summer wardrobe!

bandeau top and high waisted brief in seersucker

drawstring pant in brushstroke floral

surf skirt in cove floral

swiss-dot flounce sleeve dress

lightweight merino scallop sweater

waffle beach sweater and pleated eyelet skort 

(all images from J. Crew's Pinterest)

the linen cardigan, seersucker blazer and navy heels were also added to my wish list! i just got out of my last supply chain class of the semester and tomorrow i have a group presentation but that is all the school i have except for finals! seriously, where did this semester go!? i know i have said that multiple times but really i can't believe the end of it is here! happy last days of classes to all my college readers!

xoxo,
clp