Summer in Virginia is brutal. 95°+ turns into "feels like" 110 with the humidity. Imagine casually walking outside with a camera expecting to take photos, but no, that's not possible because its so humid the camera lens keeps fogging. Late afternoon storms with torrential downpours are normal. The sun shines most of the time, but by golly it's nasty out. I can fry eggs on the sidewalk I wanted to. And I can't forget about having sweat beads on my face when I'm simply standing still. So here's to trying to catch a break from the heat:
Go to the pool: Take a break and go swimming.
Protect yourself from the sun: Yes, this means Mom is right (hard to admit, I know). Wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
Wear shoes that don't suffocate your feet: Try Rainbow Flip Flops. The support these shoes give is well worth the money. Plus, they're durable.
Keep hydrated: Drink plenty of water. Have a bottle or glass of water on hand every where you go. Try iced tea too!
Exercise early in the morning or wait until after 6pm: Don't even attempt to run during the heat of the day... not a brilliant idea.
Read a book you can get lost in: Maybe it will be set somewhere cold.
Bag: Old Bikini top: Rampage Bikini bottoms: Target Baseball hat: The Black Dog (similar) Sunglasses: Cole Haan Croakie: The Black Dog Sun hat: Michael Kors (similar or similar) Flip flops: Rainbow
"Tuckernuck is an online retail destination curated for the classic, all-American lifestyle." This line is the first read on the About Us section of the classy e-commerce site Tuckernuck. It is clear with only a little browsing that this line defines the company. From anchor bracelets to printed shorts, this site offers it all for those looking for classic, elegant, and sophisticated. Tuckernuck is a toned down preppy: a little less fratty and a lot more classy. It offers a more grown-up wardrobe selection, but at the same time is fun, vibrant, and youthful. I am 17 and would buy close to everything on the site if I had the money.
Tuckernuck offers a large selection of smaller brands. This makes it a very good place to look for specific things because there is a good selection of items from brands you may never have heard of (I found out about Sail to Sable this way). I went on Tuckernuck looking for a dress for a wedding a few weeks ago and found The Baja Sea Fan Kilpatrick dress from Persifor, which is now a serious contender for purchase. The website is very easy to navigate and has multiple photographs for each item. This alone keeps me coming back as most e-commerce sites don't have this feature.
I have not purchased anything from Tuckernuck yet, and if I do, my opinion of the business might change. That being said, the only negative thing about Tuckernuck are the prices! For me and my budget, most of the items would be a splurge; however the items are high quality and timeless, which makes buying worth it if the piece will hold up. Tuckernuck is based out of Georgetown (go to this section if you're ever in D.C) in Washington, D.C.
1. I am an avid fanatic of country music. Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Kieth Urban (I saw him in concert the summer after 8th grade, and if you ever get the chance to see him live, DO IT! He is just as good live as in recordings), and George Strait are on the top of my list. 2. If i don't go outside for more than 20 minutes a day, I get headaches. I think this is more of a mind over matter thing for me, but I really enjoy being outside. Even if its 5 degrees out, I have to be outside for some part of my day. Call me crazy, but fresh air truly makes a difference in my overall productivity of the day. 3. I really like school. Well parts of it... I absolutely love the learning aspect of it, but I hate the social aspect of it. I'm one of those people who would rather have a conversation with an adult than with someone my own age. Knowledge is something that can never be taken away from me and that is in part why I find learning and schoolwork fun and enjoyable. However, being in such close quarters to a thousand plus people between 14 and 18 years of age for 6 hours, 5 days a week is a daunting task. That part wears me out more the most. 4. Reading is my one of my best-loved hobbies. There is something to be said for getting so involved in a book that when you put it down, your confused as to where you are. Read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and you'll understand. 5. My dog is my best friend.
How can you not fall in love with him?
6. I love baking. Cooking not so much, but baking is fun. Thefinished product is usually a sweet and the dough has to be tasted of course. And the spatula licked. And the bowl. And the beaters. It's also rewarding. A tangible and edible (most of the time) is created. 7. Nike shorts and T-shirts are my after school uniform. They're comfortable and more of a motivation to get moving... No changing required to go running or do crunches, you can just get up and go! 8. On the estate I will someday own, will be a mile-long winding drive, lined with trees, leading up to a historic house with white columns and double doors facing the rolling hills of the countryside. What can I say? I have large goals ahead of me. 9. I really like the ocean. The appeal for me is its vastness and the lack of its full understanding. It is something that mankind does not truly know everything about and for that reason, I am drawn to it.
10. I am a nerd, if you can't already tell. And I am so utterly proud of it.
I came across a photo of this chocolate cake on tumblr and it was one
of the one's you can taste in your mouth just by looking at it. The recipe is from addapinch.com and is titled The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe {Ever}. And let me
tell you, it is all that and more. It is very easy to make (the prep time is only 15 minutes) but does
call for espresso powder, which took a few minutes of searching for at
the grocery store.
I made this cake a week ago and had the last piece today. It tasted the exact some. If you put a piece in the microwave for 15 seconds, the frosting turns into a chocolaty lava... You have to make this, however be prepared for comparing any and all cakes to this cake and never finding a superior one.
Every year my mom and I go to the Washington International Horse Show and every year we walk around the concourse to browse the different vendors. Dubarry always has an employee wearing these boots, standing in a pan of water for the entire show. I love the classic and timeless look to these boots, and although they are very expensive, I think I would wear them enough to warrant buying a pair someday.
Sarah Vickers; Photo from Classy Girls Wear Pearls
Last year, I purchased a pair of Lilly Callahan shorts in the Get Nauti print at a midsummer Lilly sale on Martha's Vineyard. I am incredibly picky about the way my pants and shorts fit and usually leave stores frustrated and discouraged. However, when I put on these shorts, they "fit like a glove," as my mother says. Try Vineyard Vines and J.Crew for more.
Many have deemed this "the perfect pullover." I have no way to say if that's true or not as I have never tried one on, but if it looks comfy and warm in photos, it should be in reality as well!
Thank you to Vineyard Vines for choosing this photo for Tumblr! I checked the Tumblr page a few days ago and started dancing around the room when I saw my dog on it... I picked him up and held him up to the computer, but he was more interested in the doughnut I had siting on the computer desk then the photo (surprise, surprise). However, I was singing the "It's my birthday" victory chant for quite awhile.
This past Thursday's snowfall put us Virginians in about four inches of snow. It seems miniscule, but any amount of snow in the Washington area puts everyone into a frenzy and before you know it, the streets are covered in a good inch of salt and sand.
I had a great time sledding as the snow was whipping around Thursday night. This was all possible thanks to wool socks, Bean Boots, and thick gloves. The snow was the heavy type of that makes sleds go fast and building snowmen possible. The snow has since disappeared and is replaced by the polar vortex to remind us that it is still winter (even though it's predicted to be 56 degrees on Sunday).
