coming clean about the blog

So let's be honest....

 I am just not that into cooking, cleaning and most days anything domestic.

but I can throw one mean party together.

 I am late to everything and procrastinate is my middle name.

but I thrive under pressure.

It takes all I have to throw some bronzer and mascara on most mornings.

but I am also very cool with going sans makeup. 

And if we are being super real this morning, let's not pretend that I am any sort of fashion diva.

but I think some of my outfits totally rock.

So by this point I assume you are asking your self "where is she going with this"

here goes....

Those above truths make me feel like a bad blogger. But I also think it is those truths that make me a good one. Being honest and real is the only way I know how to be truly relate-able.

Lately I have been feeling like this blog has taken on a mind of it's own. It has been posting things that it think it's readers want to read instead of what interests the actual writer. 

So from now on, I am coming clean.

I am going to write about things that interest me and get back to the real reason I started this blog. Virginia Sweet is a place where I can document my life, share my worldly wisdom (or lack there of) and ramble on about my go to recipes or must have fashion pieces.

 I now realize that I cannot commit to blogging every.single.day because it is just not realistic in my life at the current moment. And I am cool with that. I don't want to feel like I have to churn out a blog post just so I have something to post. Where is the fun in that?
too much pressure. 

The real joy that I get from this blog comes from the amazing connections I have made with it's readers. I also love the fact that it serves as a vehicle for my friends and family to keep up with Reid and I. I am surprised every day when people reference my blog in normal conversation. It sends me over the moon that my husband's coworkers are some of my biggest fans. It touches me beyond belief that my parents read my blog every day. It just amazes me that people who I have not seen in years know all about the trips we take or how our crazy pups are getting along. I have you all to thank for this and I do, from the bottom of my heart. 

Oh, and also you probably notice a new look around here. Thought while I was coming clean on the content I would freshen this ole girl up at the same time. Thought she could use a good make over. Now she is all primped, pretty and ready to take on anything...

and so am I.

xoxo,

CAD 

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fall finds

So, I have scored some really fun and semi well priced fall fashion in prep for our tour de northern cities. Because we are doing so much traveling around, my number one must have for my non work clothing is for them to be comfy but not make me look like I am wearing a burlap sack.

For work, I basically have a uniform....a dress paired with leggins or tights. I love to wear dresses because you only have to put one article of clothing in the mornings. Most mornings, I am just too lazy to fiddle with an entire ensemble...no thank you my dear. So when I see a good work dress, I snatch it up!

I think you might see a slight trend in my color selection for this fall and I have a question....
is BLACK back? I am totally into this black, white and gray mix that is going on but that may be a topic for a whole other blog post?

Here's what I gotz to show you:

This striped chiffon top.

I am really diggin it. It is so soft and forgiving, making the perfect choice for Sunday errands. I ended up getting this little gal in a size larger than I normally wear because I wanted it to cover my behind should I choose to throw it on with some leggins.

These soft leggin jeans.

Yes, you heard me right, leggin jeans, which are not to be confused with jeggins. I have then in navy and now black and boy oh boy do I love them. They have a great little stretch to them and are super soft. They're made from real pants material, not straight up cotton. Plus, they make your butt look good and when you bend over you don't have to worry about showing people something they don't want to see. 

This sweatshirt.

Ok....I will admit it, the price is high for what looks to be a worn in sweatshirt but believe me, one feel of this fabric and you will be living in this sucker. It is comfy to the max. I have said it before and I will say it again, I am loving everything that this series by Loft has to offer - make sure to check it out!

This awesome work appropriate dress.

I wore this yesterday and got a ton of compliments. I never shop at Dillards, in fact most department stores make me break out in hives, too many things all in one spot, but I happened to stroll in there looking for a dress to wear to this weekend (see below). This little number literally jumped out and yelled "buy me, I have pockets!" I love the Aztec pattern and the back is sorta sexy. You can definitely dress this up with a accent belt and heels or down with some leggins and boots. 

This dress to wear to the rehearsal dinner this weekend.

I like a dress with sleeves. I really do.....mainly because I am still self conscious about my underarm bs but also, I think its sorta classy. The fit of this dress is great for my body type and I know I could eat a real dinner in it without feeling like a stuffed sausage after. The cut of this dress is almost exactly the same as the one above, but I don't care. I know what works on me and what I feel most comfortable, plus the belt on this makes it look more dressy.

enough about me, what have you been loving this fall?
 any great new finds I need to check out?

Make sure to follow along on insta as this weekend promises to be a crazy one filled with a quick trip to Boston and a Rhode Island wedding...I am already tired just thinking about it!

xoxo,

CAD 

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I won't regret my 30's

So we all know I turned the big 3-0 in August and am currently embarking on yet another decade of my life. A decade that I am genuinely excited about. Partly because I feel like I have some things figured out in this crazy world but mostly because I feel settled, ready to take on anything.

This is a huge paradigm shift from my usual crazy approach to life.  I am a most certainly a worry wort, and if you know me personally you are probably shaking your head up and down with a ridiculous look on your face in complete agreement with that fact. 

I borrowed this pic from Stephanie's blog- it was the only pic I could find that makes me look pensive, like I am thinking about life or something...

When I turned 29, I remember feeling an instant flood of emotions: excitement, fear, peace, nausea, contentment and nervousness... the list could probably go on and on. I was proud of the life I made but nervous at the same time - did I accomplish all that I wanted to, would I have regrets? Would I be crazy not to have regrets?  Will I make a mistake?  Aren't my past mistakes the very reason why I am the person I am today? 

ugh, I need to just shut up. 

I tend let this worry consume me and get all hung up on the weirdest crap. But I am working on that, for realz. 

 I recently came across this article called "11 Things You'll Regret In Your Thirties" and instantly thought it was written specifically for me. 

Read the article... 

go ahead, I will wait.

now, tell me it doesn't ring true? 

This article is something that I find myself reading often because it is the kick in the pants I need. It just really puts things into perspective for me. 

and here is my perspective:

I work really hard everyday at work and give my job the best of me sometimes. I need to give my husband the best of me too. I see my parents on a regular basis but I don't truly spend quality time with them. Sitting on the couch in the same room with them does not count. I care about what other people think even though I really don't want to. The older I get the more this seems to dissipate. Reid and I are taking every opportunity to travel and be semi-newlyweds before we start a family. Speaking of starting a family, this sorta scares the bejesus out of me. I am really proud of where we are in life but can't help but what wonder what the future will bring. I am thankful everyday for my family and friends even though I may not show it. 

It makes me feel really good that I can admit to all of that. This perspective of mine is ever changing and evolving. Some days I might not be able to be as honest or as sappy, it all depends on what mood strikes.

Long story short, I am just putting it out there that I will not regret my 30's. I refuse to look back and say I wish I had done this or that. This "regret" is a frame of mind in my opinion and if you try to make the best of every moment what is there to regret?

I will get off my soap box now because I have a million things to accomplish today. We are headed back up north tomorrow to Boston.....

wish me luck!

xoxo,

CAD

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When South Went North.

So...

Maine was perfect.

Everything about this past weekend was truly special, amazing and relaxed.

I cannot tell you how nice it was to reconnect with our dear friends Stephanie and Justin, and finally meet their new little peanut, Gray. And boy was I was smitten with Gray from the moment I slid in to the car next to him. If you follow along on insta, I would assume you already knew that last tidbit of info.

Our hosts were amazing and gave us the perfect Maine adventure. In fact, to me the highlight of the trip was that there was no pressure and no judgment. No pressure to be anywhere at a certain time or to put an outfit on. No judgement when we came home and immediately put pjs on or accidentally drank two bottles of wine. I owe this highlight to the great friendship that lives between us and our gracious hosts. I was over the moon excited to spend some time with my old roomy and so tickled to see our husbands reunite. For a better insight on our star crossed past, check out Steph's post from yesterday....

Ok, and who knew Maine was this beautiful? not that this girl!

 I was just so not prepared for the colors this state has to offer this time of year. The leaves are the most vibrant reds, golds, and oranges you have ever seen. And the sky...it is an indescribable color of blue. It honestly puts a Carolina blue sky to absolute shame. Oh, and the weather, it was perfect, and at moments quite warm. We simply could not have asked for anything better.

oh gosh....the food was also amazing. Stephanie stole my heart away upon arrival when we were immediately whisked away to the most divine hole in the wall named the Eagles Nest. Lobster rolls with glorious butter and fried fish sandwiches drenched in malt vinegar completely hit the spot after a morning of travel. It did not stop there as the rest of the weekend was filled with even more no judgment foods consisting of wings, pizza, more fried food and one more stop at the Eagles Nest for a lobster omelet.

I took sooo many photos and had such a hard time choosing my favs to share. I guess that's what happens with you put two friends/bloggers together for the weekend.

Grab a coffee and settle in for what's about to happen.

And just in case you were wondering what happens when two bloggers go up a mountain together?

This pic of Stephanie pretty much sums it up.

We hold canned mimosas in one hand and our big DSLR cameras in the other. We take too many pictures of each other because normally the only other people around are our husbands, and we all know how they feel about taking pics for the blog. And maybe we wear outfits that are so not suitable for mountain climbing. About 2.5 seconds after this pic was taken, I saw a snake and ran across this mountain top shrieking like a little girl. true story. 

We truly had a magnificent time with this little family and feel so blessed to have traveled way up North to see them and get some good Gray snuggles in.

till next time loves!

xoxo,

CAD

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Monday

Monday is here yet again and sure did came all too fast.

We made it back from Maine in one piece and real life is already in full swing. Tomorrow I am off to be a guest judge for Fredericksburg's Parade of Homes and as much fun as that sounds, I have a feeling I will be wishing to be back here....

Maine was simply amazing and I cannot wait to share our grand adventure tomorrow on the blog. I started my recap post tonight, but I took too many pictures to get through tonight.

Make sure to follow along on insta today becuase I am bound to see some pretty exciting stuff. Parade of Homes never let's me down!


xoxo,

CAD

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