Shop The Lilly Pulitzer Sale!

Hey y'all and Happy Tuesday! Ashley here today, and I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a good start to the week so far. I know it is only Tuesday, but I am already looking forward to the weekend! I am sure that most of you are aware of the HUGE Lilly sale right now, but unless you aren't...you need to check it out! Ya'll, this is some serious stuff. I have never seen Lilly marked down this much! They are marking down all of their summer dresses, tops, bottoms, swim suits, accessories, scarves, little girls and sorority items. Y'all, I didn't even know where to start looking when I first pulled up the website. I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning! Although I will definitely not be purchasing all of these, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites! Be sure to check out the great sale...you only have until Wednesday!

Delia Shift Dress

Franco Strapless Empire Waist 

Deanna Spaghetti Strap Maxi

Trudy Shift Dress

Vega Dress

Walsh Eyelet Short

McKim Leather Sandal

Heidi Cardigan 

Happy shopping! Have a great rest of the week, and be sure to check in tomorrow to hear all about Caroline's trip to Turks and Caicos! I am so excited and can't wait to see all of her beautiful pictures!

xoxo, 

Ashley

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A Weekend in Photos

Hi y'all! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Andrew and I didn't have one.single.plan and it was the best! Don't you just love the weekends where you can just be lazy and not have anywhere to be? I know I sure do!

{This was actually on Wednesday, but it was just too much fun not to share! Greenville puts on a free concert in Falls Park every Wednesday nights during the summer. You can bring your own food and alcohol and there is live music! Mystic Vibrations was the band that played this night, and they were just so much fun! Love me some reggae. It's the perfect type of evening to get you through the rest of the week}

{Saturday was the perfect day to spend at the Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom! A few of our friends invited us to go after we went to the Greenville Farmers Market (forgot to take pics), and we are not ones to turn down local beer! The menu consisted of their blue ribbon Red Whitey which is a crisp, raspberry ale. It was delicious, and it was my favorite out of the rest. The menu does rotate but a few other choices were American Pale Ale, India IPA, a malt...and a few others but I didn't get the chance to try them. I definitely recommend going if you are ever in Travelers Rest!}

{Oh! And did I mention that they have a food truck? I believe the food trucks change, but on this particular Saturday, it was Greek! We shared the Greek salad, Greek fries, and chicken souvlaki pita. So delicious!}

{We sat outside on the porch, but here are a few snaps of the inside}

{Last week for Andrew's birthday, his parents, my parents and I all surprised Andrew with a Green Egg. He has been cooking on it like crazy, and I'm definitely not going to complain! On Saturday night, he grilled the most perfect ribeyes and corn!}

{Sunday was so much fun! My friend, Rebekah, and I headed downtown to a local bead store called The Beaded Frog. We went to duplicate the ever-so-popular Bourbon and Bowtie bangles. The real ones are so precious, but a little pricey. Rebekah is so talented and taught me the ropes! I bought a roll of gold rope and three big beads and it only cost me $15. I had a lot of rope leftover, so I will be able to use it to make another. Stay tuned for the next one I'm going to make. I'll give you a hint. My husband will be going hunting this weekend, and he may give me a few shotgun shells to use!}

{Excuse the poor quality of my iPhone, but my stone is light purple and gold}

{Sunday night, Andrew wanted to try ribs for the first time on his new green egg! What is the perfect side for barbecue ribs? Macaroni and cheese of course! Doesn't get more Southern than that, my friends.}

{Before}

{After}

I hope y'all had an amazing weekend, and hope you have an even better week! 

xoxo,

Ashley

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What's in my Suitcase?

Hey y'all! Ashley here, and I am so excited that my husband and I are leaving today to go to Charleston for a long weekend! We are going to celebrate our second wedding anniversary, and I am so excited to go to the beach for the first time this summer! As I was packing last night, I thought it would be fun to show you everything I'm taking with me! Because we aren't going for a super long time, I tried to pack as lightly as possible. I typically pack everything that is in my closet, so this was a hard task for me. I apologize for the horrible lighting!

{Work out clothes and under garments}

{Bathing Suits}

{Cover Ups}

{Dresses}

{Toiletry Bag}
Shower items were added later!

{SPF and lotions}

{Makeup}

{Makeup in Tarte traveling case}

{Toiletries and hair supplies}

{Most of my bags...there's more}

{Beach bag, cooler, Andrew's golf bag}

{Our favorite beer and wine}


I hope y'all enjoyed today's short post! I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I will talk to y'all next week! Be sure to follow our adventures this weekend on Instagram @ashleyceck

much love xoxo,
Ashley

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Weekend Recap!

Reid and I spent a glorious and much needed weekend in Richmond. The kind of weekend where I did not have to work, Reid got to relax on the couch, we actually went on a date and got to catch up with some fun friends and family! 

Friday night Reid and I had an impromptu date night. 

We decided at about 3pm that day that we would try to throw together dinner and a movie. A coworker of mine had highly recommended Max's on Broad, a new Belgium restaurant downtown and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. We were super lucky and somehow managed a 7:45 reservation. From the moment we walked in, I was in love. The decor, the feel, the location, the light fixtures...everything was calling out to me. We were immediately sat upstairs at a table for two. The view of a local church as the sun was setting was just perfect. Our waiter was so energetic and made great beer and wine recommendations. Oh and the bread... I could go on for days about the bread. Our meal was fabulous and so was our experience. If you live in Richmond or are planning a visit, put this on your list! 

Reid conceded and we finally went to see Divergent. I love my husband, but let me tell you what... the  actor that plays Four is a fine specimen of a human being. period. It slightly annoyed me that certain parts of the movie did not follow the book, but all and all, I thought it was pretty good. We got home around 12:30ish and I decided it was time for me to bite the bullet and finish the 3rd book. I finished the book at 2:41am and at  2:42am I posted this on Facebook.... "Allegiant = worst ending ever".  UGH I am so mad at the ending of this book. I think I will go see the next movie and then pretend that the 3rd book never happened. Anyone with me? 

Saturday was heaven.

Because I could not remember the last time I had a Saturday to myself, I deemed this past one as Caroline Day. I woke up bright and early, drove downtown to a morning ballet class, and then proceeded to do every girly activity I could think of. Eyebrow wax, baby present shopping, mani & pedi, ate lunch at my fav little sandwich shop and went in to a few boutiques that I can never get to during the week. Once I felt that I had been sufficiently painted, plucked and pampered I dashed home to make a doubled helping of homemade pimento cheese to take with us to the Derby party. (Try it, you'll like it)

If you followed along with me on Instagram you already know that we had a great time at the Derby party. The food was wonderful, the drinks were plentiful and the company was outstanding. My highlights were: hanging out my ol' pal Mary Hannah, playing flip cup, Reid and I winning best dressed, the weather and the hostess telling me I had great boobs! Hooray! 

Sunday, fun day.

Reid got up super early and left me and the pups to sleep off my mint juleps and beer from the previous night. Love him. When the 3 of us finally ventured downstairs, it did not take make convincing from me to get Reid to make breakfast. 30 minutes later, Reid had prepared a pot of Chemex coffee, cheddar biscuits and bacon. Delish!

Once I pulled myself together, drank a lot of water, showered and found my make up. I made my way over to the cutest baby shower for my sweet friend Corbin and her anticipated baby boy. It was so nice to see my Junior League girl friends and celebrate Corbin's baby bump! 

The weather was divine when I got home so I retreated to the porch for some fun in the sun until we were due at Family dinner at my brother's house. There is nothing better than spending time with family and I got some one on one time with my sweet niece Libbie Jane! 

I hope your weekend was just as fabulous. Cheers to a great week y'all! 

xoxo,

CAD 

talk Derby to me!

So, first of all - Happy Friday Y'all!

 

And Second, the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby is tomorrow and I am really excited. This event is a southern girl's dream. Big hats, frosty mint julep cups, Lilly and seersucker as far as the eye can see and so much southern charm I cannot even stand it!

 

 I thought I could combine my love for horse races with my love for linking up with these lovelys, April, Christina, Darci and Natasha, and chat Derby talk with y'all!

 

Here are five reasons why I love the Kentucky Derby and horse races in general!

 

{one: the outfit}

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Oh lawd, this may be my favorite part! Horse races bring out the best ensembles. period. Gentlemen in their seersucker pants, pressed button downs, pastels galore and Vineyard Vines bow ties are just too handsome for words. And oh my goodness the ladies never disappoint. Neither does Lilly, are the collections thus far not amazing? I want one of everything. 

 

 

{two: the drink}

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Ah, the classic mint julep, can you get anymore Southern than this? I think not! In fact, my extensive research suggests that the mint julep originally hailed from Virginia. It seems that the first known publication (in 1803) of a julep with mint describes it as "a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning".  Clearly, we Virginians knew what it was to be Southern for a very long time!Below is my classic recipe for a mint julep!

What you will need per drink:

5-6 fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons of your favorite drinking bourbon

1 tablespoon of simple syrup

 crushed ice

chilled julep cup

cocktail stirrer or decorative straw

spoon

what you will do:

Put simple syrup and mint leaves in your chilled julep cup. Use the back of your spoon to gently press the mint leaves against the cup to release all the minty flavors. Pack as much crushed ice in your cup as possible (think snow cone!) and pour bourbon over ice. Place your decorations on top and drink up! You will want to serve immediately, don't give that ice to melt!

tips to make you look like a pro:

chill julep glasses, this prevents the ice from melting too quickly

you must use crushed ice!

 (wrap ice cubes in a kitchen towel and crush with a wooden spoon)

reserve a couple sprigs of mint to top your mint juleps, it makes for a pretty presentation

 

 

{three: the horses}

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Nosupeforyou, Riding Miss Daisy, Slumpbuster, Brandelina and Uncle Sigh are just a couple of my all time favorite Kentucky Derby horse names. Have you ever taken the time to read the list of contenders?  Some of the names are just so clever and witty! These majestic animals are really something and I just love to see them fly around the track.

 

 

{four: the hat}

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“If you don’t wear a hat to the Kentucky Derby,” says Sheila Nobles of C.K. Nobles, the official millinery designer for the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, “you’ll feel like the woman who wears jeans to a little black dress party.” via

 

 Derby Hat Know-How

Style: Whether you’re short or tall, have a round or a long face, there’s no predetermined hat style you should wear. Instead, it’s all about what makes you feel comfortable—and fabulous!

Fit: Once you put on your hat, you shouldn’t have to touch it the rest of the day. For reinforcement, secure it with hat pins or add sizers (small padded bands placed on the inside of the rim).

Placement: Hats should sit 1 to 2 inches above your ears. Be careful not to place your hat too far back on your head. If you do, only the people behind you will see the splendor of your Derby hat thus negating that coveted grand entrance.

Etiquette: Unlike men, who are expected to remove their hats indoors and during the National Anthem, women are permitted to wear their extravagant headpieces throughout the Derby festivities. But if you’re in a crowded space with a wide brim hat, remember your Southern manners and do be mindful of your neighbors.

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{five: the tradition}

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Tomorrow, the legacy continues with the 140th running of "The Run for the Roses". An event that is the pinnacle of Southern tradition and one of the most popular horse races in the US. There is so much more to this race than just infield drinking and pretty outfits. The majesty of the sport, the time, training, and commitment that each team exhibits and the overall feel of Churchill Downs is something I cannot wait experience one day. My love for this event comes from a deeply rooted pride for our country and it's southern traditions.
 

I am crashing a Derby party with my ol'pal MH tomorrow so make sure to follow along on Instagram! cwayscue or click here

 

Much love and happy Derby day!

 

xoxo,

 

CAD

I am also linking up with Lauren Elizabeth and Meet at the Barre - Thanks Ladies!