Southern Blondie: October 2016

Home: The Beginning of a New Chapter

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It's been a few days ... weeks... whatever... since I've posted on here. In my defense, it's been really busy and in my other defense I've been really tired from being really busy. 

As of today, it's time to start a new chapter in life. By the time you're probably reading this I have bought a house. (If you're reading this after 10 a.m. CST then yes, I have bought a house. If you're reading this before 10 a.m. CST then I'm on my way.)

It's exciting. It's terrifying. It's a LOT of commitment. It's exhausting. It's the right decision for life right now, it's also very bittersweet. 

So a little background in case anyone other than my mom and my cousin are reading this post. In 2007 I graduated college and couldn't wait to move the heck out of Arkansas to find the bigger and better cities. So I did. I moved to Atlanta, lived there for a couple of years and then between a terrible, awful breakup, and always being consistently homesick decided it was time to move back to Arkansas. 

It was 2010 and I moved back to my college town thinking that life would be like it had once been, but that wasn't the case. My friends were still my friends, but it was different. I enjoyed being back in Arkansas but I wasn't challenged at my job where I was working. Looking back, it was all meant to be because during the nine months of living in my college town I was able to heal from the breakup and find the fun in me again. Anyone else forget who you were after a relationship that ended badly? You get it then. 

While I was working at this terrible, sucky job for this awful man who did unethical marketing practices, I quit. Choosing to be unemployed was probably the best decision that I've ever made (besides moving from Atlanta from the terrible, awful relationship). I took a few months and decided it was time to move on from my college town to the capital of Arkansas, Little Rock. 

The initial plan was to live here for a couple of years then move off again, after all, my soul was meant for bigger things and bigger places. Something happened, though, this city became my family in a way. My colleagues at work became my friends and my desire for more was being fulfilled by going back to graduate school and traveling for work. When I could almost see the light at the end of the tunnel of grad school I thought it was going to be time to fly off again. 

What's the phrase, you make plans while God laughs? Well, sure enough, the big guy in the sky must have been tickled in his seat when THE day that I said, 'I'm done with dating. I am going to focus on me for the next year, graduate, and move to 'insert big city name.' THE DAY I said that at 10 a.m. is THE SAME DAY that I met my boyfriend. *insert eye roll of irony* 

After dating for a few years, and deciding to move in together last spring, it's now time for another new chapter. Homeownership.  

After six years of living in the same apartment, neighborhood, area of town, I'm moving. It's exciting in that I won't have neighbors living above me, or have a patio the size of a closet. I'm going to have a lot of space, my own 'real' office, and I can paint the walls WHATEVER color that I want. 

So this chapter is closing its page. Boxes are mostly packed, everything is scheduled, and the only thing left is to sign my name approximately 398 times to sign away my life to a bank. 

So, stay tuned for more updates. Meltdowns. Before & after photos. Recipes since there will be a kitchen to actually have room to cook in. Stay tuned for this next chapter. 


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Review: Trunk Club Styling Service

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It's Trunk Club time! If you haven't seen my posts before here's a little recap: 


Trunk Club, owned by Nordstrom, is a personalized clothing service that delivers clothing, accessories, and shoes to your door in a cute box. There is a new, initial styling fee of $25 that goes towards the cost of any item you may buy from the trunk. 

After you signup, you're assigned a personalized stylist. This is the best part to me - you have your own stylist who will chat with you via the Trunk Club app, online, phone or email. My favorite way to talk to my stylist is via the app. Your stylist will ask you a bunch of questions of your style, what you're looking for and what events are coming up.

Trunk Club Review


This month I requested a fall trunk from my stylist because fall weather in Arkansas is really like a cooler summer. I wanted pieces that could transition from summer to fall, from work to happy hour, and classic yet pretty. 

Let's go through the trunk! 

FRAME 'Le High Skinny' High Rise Crop Jeans Sterling - $165 (on sale!)
Joie 'Anatase B' Floral Print Sleeveless Silk Top - $198  
First up: My stylist sent me these Frame jeans. I don't mind the holes in the knees, but since I just bought two pairs of Paige jeans these are going to go back.

She also sent me the Joie top that I love, because I oddly love florals. Overall I really like both pieces. This top would be great with jeans, or tucked into a skirt with a jacket. 



Vince Camuto Zip Front Tweed Suit Jacket - $179

I am OBSESSED with this Vince Camuto Tweed Jacket. When I realized that there was a matching skirt I became even more obsessed. A Chanel-inspired outfit that makes me feel like Chanel from Scream Queens and Coco Chanel at the same time? HOW COULD I NOT buy this jacket? I am a bit bummed they didn't include the skirt, I could order it separately but it's so hard to tell if I'm going to be a cute Chanel, or look like a grandma at church. 

Chealsea28 Print Shift Dress - $119
Mary Jane Pump by Charles by Charles David - $65

So, I LOVE the cut and shape of this Chealsea28 shift dress but the print is not for me. 

But these nude, Mary Jane pumps by Charles by Charles David were surprisingly adorable and comfortable. 

Kate Spade Stripe Please Silk Skirt - $368
This photo is a lot cuter than how I felt when I tried on this Kate Spade skirt. Pleats can be hard, and with the price tag of these pleats this skirt just had to go back. 
Bye bye, pleat pleats.

Eliza J Off the Shoulder Top - $98

My stylist also sent me this Eliza J top that would be perfect if I wasn't so long in the torso. Sometimes normal tops can feel like crop tops so I have to be careful to buy shirts that are a little bit longer. As sexy as my muffin top is, no one needs to see it. 

Felicity and Coco Shift Dress - $88

LOVE this dress! I had no idea how much I would love this Felicity & Coco purple dress, but it's so pretty! Simple and classic is very much my style. After trying on this dress I want to venture out into a few more into the new world of deep purple. 
  
Trouve Tuxedo Jacket - $119 
If we'd like to talk about major obsessions let's talk about this Trouve Tuxedo jacket. This is a piece that I would have never picked out or tried on, but after I did, I was in love. This jacket is fitted perfectly, looks good with skirts, dresses, and jeans. If only it would get cooler in Arkansas so I could wear it!

Dolce Vita Over the Knee Boot (on sale!)

Hi, thigh-highs! I requested a pair of thigh high boots because ... because I wanted a pair. These Dolce Vita boots have a great heel but are also really comfortable. They did go back though because I have my eye on another pair right now, and since I'm on a budget, I can't keep it all. 

Trunk Club Review Final Thoughts

Trunk Club is really great for my lifestyle. As someone who loves to shop but tends to buy some of the same things over and over again, I get into fashion ruts. Telling someone else what I like and then getting those items along with new, interesting pieces is a big pro to me. 

There is a cost of $25 to receive a trunk, but honestly, it's worth it to me. I'm able to speak to someone about what I like/need/want, she sends me 10 items in the mail that I can try on in the comfort of my own home? The $25 is a convenience fee that I will happily pay. 

Also, if you buy anything then the $25 is just credited to your total. Win-win. 

If you're thinking about signing up, please use my referral link. Trust me, this is the best clothing service out there. 

Trunk Club Referral Link: https://www.trunkclub.com/my/invite/G79SAN  
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