Joy Is Style

STYLE :: High Heels

2011-05-20T19:03:00.000-04:00

A guy asked me this morning whether any woman actually liked to wear high heels. He stared at me like I was crazy after I immediately replied, "Why yes, many women love to!" A few girls quickly swung to my defense, repeating my statement. It was a chorus of heel lovers.

Other guys joined in with question upon question about our quest for beauty.

"But don't they hurt?" "Is it hard to balance?" "Does the heel ever get stuck?"

{image via Simplygoodstuff.tumblr.com}

We explained that yes, they do hurt but that they also elevate any outfit. Sometimes its just fun to wear heels. I usually wear heels when I'm doing something out to the ordinary: going out with friends, going to a celebratory dinner, going to the ballet. It always involves going somewhere, doing something.

Also, you kind of get that 'rule the world' feeling when you are suddenly 4 inches taller.

One of the boys eventually relented. "Well, I do really love how you girls look in them."

We win.

What do you think? Are you the high heels type?

Whitney

P.S. In other news, the site where my old blog layout was from no longer exists (much to my chagrin). Looks like it is time for another blog background!

FOOD :: Banana Crumb Muffins

2011-05-16T23:21:00.000-04:00

Announcement: After one full week of living in my new apartment, I have finally pulled out the mixing bowl and created my first baked masterpiece. This oven never knew that it would ever get to bake such deliciousness!

I ran (literally, for a morning jog) down to Food Lion with the full intention of buying ingredients to make a strawberry rhubarb crumble. To my dismay, I discovered that rhubarb is not yet in season. Never fear! I pulled out my handy dandy iPhone and found a replacement recipe in seconds.

Everybody give a round of applause for these tasty banana crumb muffins:

I know you're dying to heat up the oven immediately and bake these babies for yourself. Well it is your lucky day, because I have the recipe for you right here, on this very blog!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers. (I prefer muffin papers, solely because they are cuter)
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins. You could probably cut these ingredients in half. It was more than enough scrumptious cinnamonness.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

The last step, as always, is to enjoy your baked goods and share them with friends!

Whitney

FOOD :: The drink of the South :: Mint Julep

2011-05-08T09:58:00.001-04:00

Missed the Kentucky Derby?

Well I did too.

Yesterday marked the 137th Kentucky Derby!! I wish, I wish with all my might that I was there but it looks like I will have to wait till the 138th Derby.

Whether you were there or not, this is the weekend to celebrate the Southern classic. To get in the derby spirit, I invite you to whip up a classic Mint Julep. The up side? This mint julep, unlike the official mint julep at the event, does not have a $1000 price tag. Whew!

Here is the official recipe from Southern Living and AllRecipes.com (don't worry, I tested it):

{Image courtesy of Southern Weddings, photographed by Tracy Turpen}

Ingredients:
3 fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
Crushed ice
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon
1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
1 fresh mint sprig
Powdered sugar (optional)

Preparation

Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon.

Now put on your big floppy derby hat and cheers to Animal Kingdom's victory!

~Whitney

LIFE :: Moving day

2011-05-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

A lot of people hate moving. They hate the hassle of packing and unpacking, they get upset about leaving their old home behind. I'm not one of those people.

Whether I'm moving down the road (like this time) or across the country, I am always excited for the adventures that come along with moving to a new place. Right now, I'm boxing up everything in my room and hauling it out to my car. So far, it's been a great work out.

I've been collecting furniture from Craigslist and FreeCycle and I plan on posting a full round up of my (nearly) free finds next week.

Off to finish packing!!
Whitney

LIFE :: Busy, busy

2011-05-03T22:15:00.001-04:00

Hi friends! I just wanted to give you a heads up that I will be MIA for the next few days. Why? Well, I'm in a MAJOR period of transition. I'm finishing up finals, preparing for summer school, starting a new position at work (yay!) AND moving to my very first apartment. All this week.

{image via apunchofcolordesign.com}

I'm very excited about all of the changes in my life and I can't wait to report on some of them.

Happy Blogging!
Whitney

STYLE :: THE Dress

2011-04-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

Truly, madly, deeply in love with Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen gown.

{image courtesy of Getty}

Want to see more of this classic, gorgeous lace-sleeved dress? Fashionista rounded up a collection of images from the wedding that shows the gown from every angle.

LIFE :: Sail Away

2011-04-28T15:18:00.000-04:00

I'm considering skipping all of my finals and sailing away in this beauty.

{image courtesy of Velvet Italia May 2011 photographed by Marcus Ohlsson}

In all actuality, I guess I will continue studying.... but a sailing adventure does sound tempting.

Whitney

FASHION :: Water for Elephants

2011-04-26T23:18:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I went to see Water for Elephants which finally came out in theaters and it was just as excellent as I had hoped. I have a horrible fear of movie adaptations but it has been almost three years since I read the book and I think enough time has passed for me to forgive any artistic liberties.

While the plot was wondrous, my favorite parts of WFE were Reese Witherspoon's drop-dead gorgeous outfits. From the slinky evening gowns to her casual headscarves, I'd wear nearly every piece of clothing in the film, even though it is supposed to be based in the 1930s!

Jacqueline West designed the costumes for Water for Elephants. She has also designed the clothing for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and The Tree of Life (due out later this year).

Above are some sketches that Jacqueline made for InStyle magazine. I am fascinated by Ms. West's ability to bring these sketches to life in the film. Which sketch is your favorite? I'm particularly keen on Reese's red gown.

The time has come or me to continue studying for tomorrow's exam!

Whitney

Monday Magic :: America

2011-04-25T22:49:00.000-04:00

I've spent the majority of the weekend and ALL of today finishing up a term paper that is due at midnight. My brain is fried and I've typed so much that I may have developed carpal tunnel in one day. Solution: the picture will do the talking for me. Enjoy this awesome infographic of sorts from HaleyForEtsy!

P.S. According to this, North Carolina is known for fashion bloggers. I'd tend to agree!

SPORT :: Tennis

2011-04-21T09:07:00.000-04:00

{image courtesy of ritzybee.typepad.com}

Off to play some tennis this morning to celebrate the lovely weather and the fact that I'm officially on Easter break!

It's taking me a while to get a hang of the game but I'm enjoying my attempts. Plus, I promised myself that once I've played for two months, I'm allowed to get a cute tennis skirt. It's all about incentives, my friends!

What's your favorite sport?

Whitney

FASHION :: Formal Night

2011-04-19T16:56:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I had my sorority formal and I got the chance to get all gussied up. Here's a Polyvore of my lovely outfit:

Formal Night by whitneydav featuring peeptoe shoes

Eileen Kirby silk evening gown, $425

There are some minor differences, mainly in that I couldn't find my exact dress online. This substitute is gorgeous, but at a whopping $425 it isn't feasible on a college budget. I really, REALLY lucked out with this dress though. I walked into Nordstrom Rack on Tuesday, tried on exactly one dress and fell in love. Even better? It was 60% off the lowest marked price so I was met with a lovely surprise at the register. Final price for the gorgeous gown? $35!! You just can't beat that.

I also wore stunning earrings named after yours truly. If you haven't checked out Modest Peach, do so now. All of the jewelry on Modest Peach is exactly my style. Click on Earrings and then click on Whitney to see my pair.

Here are some pictures of the dress in action:

Tell me, are you more of the dress up type or the dress down type?

xoxo,
Whitney

LIFE :: North Carolina Tornadoes

2011-04-18T16:39:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, a storm system ripped across North Carolina. The weather was perfect for tornadoes and a total of 62 twisters touched the ground over the period of a few hours. The devastation is widespread and my own hometown of Raleigh was hit rather hard. Thankfully, all of my family and friends as well as their property is safe, but as of right now, twenty-two people have lost their lives in this storm and countless homes have been destroyed.

I was in Chapel Hill, a few miles down the road from Raleigh, when all of this occurred and it feels very surreal. The storm was not bad in Chapel Hill and within 20 minutes the sun was shining. It is really crazy that tornadoes can cause such destruction in an isolated area and everything else remains unharmed.

My warmest thoughts go out to all those North Carolinians affected by the tornadoes. If you would like to help out after this disaster, please make a donation to the Triangle Red Cross. This money will go to providing shelters and food as people recover and begin rebuilding their lives.

~Whitney~

All images courtesy of wral.com

STYLE :: Sarah Pinto and Water for Elephants

2011-04-14T08:49:00.000-04:00

At the very tip-top of my I-want-it-now list are these adorable preppy planners from Sarah Pinto.

I'm particularly in love with the pink and green elephant design. Maybe the reason behind the elephant obsession is the much anticipated movie, Water for Elephants. I LOVED the book and I'm desperately hoping that the movie won't let me down.

Either way, there have been a lot of elephant pictures floating around the blogosphere as of late and I smile every time I see one. Did you see the stunning shoot in Vogue this month with Reese Witherspoon and her elephant pal? As long as we keep getting stunning pictures like these, I don't care if the movie is good or bad!

{photos courtesy of Peter Lindbergh for Vogue}

What do you think? Do you have elephant fever? Are you planning on seeing the movie?

Until later,

Whitney

FASHION :: COUTURevolution

2011-04-12T11:47:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday I attended the second annual COUTURevolution fashion show in Chapel Hill. The show featured sustainable fashions designed by UNC students and my dear roommate Liz was one of the models. Designers used vintage fabrics, recycled fabrics and natural fibers to create stunning outfits.

It was held outdoors in the beautiful Forest Theater and we couldn't have asked for better weather. 75 and sunny. Oh fab.

I was so impressed with the amount of work the volunteers put in as well as how creative and AWESOME some of the styles were. Here were my favorites:

LOVE the back of this dress!

Oh look! It's my roommate!

Yes, that is a skirt made out of newspaper.

This one stole the show. Isn't it gorgeous? It is entirely made out of newspaper. Even better, it is all created from the Daily Tar Heel, UNC's newspaper. Stunning.

Backstage with the models.

Doesn't she look fierce? You can check out the rest of the professional photos by Chris Florio here.

Which design is your favorite?

Happy Tuesday!

Whitney

LIFE :: Google Reader

2011-04-11T16:27:00.000-04:00

Oh jeeze. I try to steer clear of my computer on the weekends but then I have to come back to my Google Reader. Today I had 305 unread posts and after a few minutes reading, I'm only down to 246.

As much as I love Google Reader and every single blog that I follow, maybe I should do a purge soon? It is giving me some unnecessary anxiety and also is tempting me to waste a HUGE block of time as I peruse my own little blogosphere. Do you use Google Reader? How many blogs do you follow?

FRIDAY FIX :: Bakery

2011-04-08T11:19:00.000-04:00

Mark my words, I'm going to open a bakery someday.

And someday when I get my own kitchen (aka next month), I'm baking these puppies. Sea Salt Caramel Brownies.

What's your favorite dessert?

LIFE :: Carolina Cup 2011 :: The Whalegate Party

2011-04-07T08:46:00.000-04:00

Out of the three years that I've attended Carolina Cup, I'd venture to say that this year blew my other dates with the Cup out of the water!

We awoke in the wee hours of the morning (4:30am) because we were supposed to be at the fraternity house, ready to go, at 5:30. When we arrived at 5:30, we were the first ones there (of course), and the majority of the boys were still asleep (of course). So we took a string of unflattering early morning photos:

Note the random chair on the couch. Questionable.

We eventually got on the bus (only an hour late) and started the journey to Camden, SC. Country music were the tunes of choice and more than a few sing-a-longs were involved.

Once we made it to Camden, the good news started pouring in.
1. Our tent was A5. Right on the fences. I saw so many horses!
2. lunch was CATERED barbeque. Delicious.
3. It was sunny and warm. Weather makes all the difference!

My day mainly consisted of finding various friends from different schools, taking pictures with them, taking pictures of horses, and taking pictures of the Vineyard Vines patchwork SUV. How awesome is that?

Unlike last year, I did not break any electronics!!! This is a big step in the right direction.

We left the fields around 5:30 and nearly every person slept on the trip home. I'm still catching up on sleep, I swear!

Okay, I'm off to go take an exam (ew). Wish me luck!

Did you go to the Cup?

~Whitney

P.S. I promise this is the last time I'll talk about Carolina Cup for at least a year! I'm sure you are all grateful for that.

CRAFT :: Carolina Cup :: Cooler Days

2011-04-05T08:07:00.000-04:00

The South is full of traditions, from summer pig pickins' to bluegrass festivals. Southern Greeks have plenty of their own traditions and I took part in one such tradition this past week.

In many Southern schools, when girls get invited to fraternity events that involve traveling (Formal, Mountain Weekend, Carolina Cup), they paint the coolers that will inevitably be filled with alcoholic beverages for the trip.

Some of these coolers are real masterpieces and I swear the girls must neglect all schoolwork and sleep to finish these babies. While my cooler may not belong in a museum, I was VERY proud of my artistic skill. I convinced myself early on that I was only capable of drawing stick figures and haven't spent much time attempting to improve my lot in life as a terrible artists. When I began painting my cooler, I discovered two things: 1. painting is really relaxing and enjoyable. Who knew? 2. I have some semblance of skill!

Here is the finished product!

Want to paint a cooler for an event? Here's some advice.

1. Paint a white base coat on the entire cooler. This will make sure that your colors are vibrant.
2. Use acrylic paint. If possible, use the indoor/outdoor acrylics
3. Check out the Cooler Connection for ideas on what to paint. There are literally thousands of other coolers to draw inspiration from.
4. Make sure to cover your work of art with paint sealant after you are finished. Otherwise, you face the risk of it getting scratched up on it's first trip out into the world.

Happy April + April Fool's

2011-04-01T09:19:00.000-04:00

I am quite literally the most gullible person on the planet. I distinctly remember the kids in my middle school cafeteria saying "Who wrote gullible on the ceiling?" and I would immediately look up. Every. Single. Time. I used to dread April Fool's Day because I'd fall for every joke. I psych myself up and tell myself not to believe anything, yet it never works.

So this year, I'm writing it down. If I write it down, I will most definitely remember it (right??).

This year, I will laugh at every joke. I WILL NOT FALL FOR ANY OF THEM.

I will not fall for it when my 19 year old cousin claims he is engaged to his girlfriend.
I will not eat any foods handed to me.
I will think before I answer any questions.
I will not believe any couples that "break up" today on Facebook.
I will just smile and laugh and enjoy this gorgeous first day of April.

{image via weheartit.com}

{image via: ohcaptain}

STYLE :: JFK and Jackie O.

2011-03-30T15:33:00.000-04:00

Speaking of politicians, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for John F. Kennedy. He may have had some questionable policies but there is no doubt that the Kennedy family embodies the American spirit (and style).

{image via mashion.wordpress.com}

{image via http://kennedys.tumblr.com/}

{image via theimpossiblecool.tumblr.com}

I can promise you with 100% certainty that I will be posting more Kennedy photos in the future. I may be slightly obsessed.

Whitney

LIFE :: NCSU Student Senate President

2011-03-29T13:00:00.021-04:00

This boy, who I just so happen to be dating, just ran for Student Senate President at North Carolina State University.

{image via The Technician}

Doesn't he just look like a little politician in the making?

Yesterday was voting day so I spent all day yesterday handing out fliers and trying to convince students at NCSU to vote for the best candidate. The competition was fierce and tensions were terribly high. We anxiously waited up until 3 a.m. to hear who won the contest and unfortunately, Scott's opponent won. We are upset, but Scott did his best and it was a great experience.

He had an AWESOME campaign song (which may have been my favorite part of the campaign). Check it out:

The worst part about political campaigns is that there can only be one winner... and that winner takes all. Onward and upward! On to other things, other interests....

Until later,
Whitney

TRAVEL :: Paris Je T'aime

2011-03-25T15:50:00.000-04:00

I just tuned into Paris Je T'aime and I have lost nearly all of the French I learned in college and I only stopped taking classes two years ago. After I got over this harsh realization, I resorted to actually reading the subtitles and so far, so good. Yes, I've only been watching it for 10 minutes but it has made me itch to travel to the city of lights and love.

I'm dreaming of cafes and berets. Of cobblestone streets of the Champs Elysee and getting lost in the Louvre.

Here's to you, Paris. May I visit you soon:

{ via paris2london.tumblr.com}

{Source: Unknown}

{ via parisapartment.wordpress.com }

I realize that Paris is much more than just the Eiffel Tower but doesn't it just look divine when surrounded by balloons?

Here are a few pictures from my trip to France in March of 2007. Three whole years ago. Wow.

You can't really tell, but this is from the top of the tower.

Off to enjoy a weekend of bowling and movies.

Au Revoir!

Whitney

FASHION :: Carolina Cup Outfits

2011-03-23T10:28:00.000-04:00

We only have two weeks until my favorite day of the year and I am anxiously counting down every day! Carolina Cup is on April 2nd!! For those of you who don't know, Carolina Cup is a horse race in Camden, South Carolina. College students from all over the south take buses to the event which is half fashion show, half tailgate, and you might even see a horse if you're lucky. I heard someone refer to it as Preppy Woodstock earlier this week, which is pretty fitting.

Of course, I take my outfit for Carolina Cup very seriously, but this year is something extra special because I get to dress a boy too! Check out our outfits. What do you think? Are they preppy enough?

Carolina Cup by whitneydav

I'll admit that the thing I'm most stoked about is that the boyfriend's Cordial Churchman pink seersucker bow tie is going to match my pink seersucker dress so, so well!

Is anyone else going to the Cup this year? What are you looking forward to the most?

FASHION :: Heidi Klum Hair

2011-03-17T13:47:00.001-04:00

Between your guys' advice and my minor panic attack about cutting my hair too short, I decided the Heidi Klum would be the perfect hair cut option!

I'm loving it so far! What do you think? Now to get to work on getting that Victoria's Secret model body.....

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!
Whitney

FASHION :: Bobs and Long Bobs

2011-03-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

I am getting my hair cut this afternoon and I really want a change. I refuse to change my color because I love my red hair, so that only leaves me one option: chop it off! Below are some inspiration pictures but I simply cannot choose which one I like best. I need your help! Which style is your favorite?

{Via Southern Weddings}

{via www.newhair-styles.com}

{via newhairstlyes2011.net}

{via www.newhair-styles.com}

{via deliciouslyorganized.blogspot.com}

Any help would be much appreciated!

xoxo,

Whitney

LIFE :: Sending out hope for Japan

2011-03-14T09:39:00.000-04:00

Source: imgfave.com via Anita on Pinterest

On this Monday, I'm sending my love over to Japan. Hold on to hope.

TRAVEL :: Miami Airport

2011-03-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

{image appleday.tumblr.com}

I have now been in the Miami airport for 4 hours and 10 minutes. My flight is terribly delayed and the powers-that-be have not given us a departure time. It feels a bit like limbo.

Maybe it is a sign that I should stay in Miami and soak up a bit more sun. We shall see.

I did have a marvelous trip filled with massages, sun and sand. I've even recreated my beach outfit for you in my enormous amount of free time at the airport:

Items in this set:

	O'Neill Hat Trick Cover-Up $40 - delias.com O neill swimwear »
	Liya Push-up Halter Top $24 - victoriassecret.com Victoria secret bikini »
	Tory Burch "Flip Flop" Ivory/Green Thongs $45 - shirise.com Ivory shoes »
	Color-Block Tote Bag [ROOTOTE ELEVEN-A] Yellow Green + Purple - One Size $52 - yesstyle.com Purple tote bags »
	Southern Proper rileysclothing.com

Happy Thursday, everyone! Here's hoping that I make it out of this terminal soon!

xoxo,
Whitney

Monday Magic :: Bed + Macaroons

2011-03-07T12:12:00.000-05:00

{grownupshoes.com}

I quite literally spent the entire weekend catching up on sleep. I rarely sleep past 8:00 am, but I didn't wake up until noon on Saturday! Insanity!

While I wasn't sleeping, I was baking the best macaroons on earth:

These are a must-bake! They are simple and absolutely scrumptious.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel
3 large eggs
24 ounces sweetened flaked coconut (about 6 cups firmly packed)
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted]

Directions:

Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Line 3 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar and salt; beat until blended. Beat in orange peel, then eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in coconut. Drop batter onto sheets by tablespoonfuls, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake macaroons, 1 sheet at a time, until golden on bottom and browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on sheets.

Using fork, drizzle chocolate over macaroons. Chill on sheets until chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes.

{Recipe from Epicurious.com}

To make it extra special, I added half an airplane bottle of Gran Marnier into the chocolate sauce. It gave it a little extra zing and made the macaroons taste a little more gourmet.

Hope you all had fabulous weekends! Tomorrow I jet off for Miami and I cannot wait!

xoxo,

Whitney

Friday Fix :: SPRING BREAK!

2011-03-04T10:03:00.001-05:00

{The Heads of State}

Today is the day! The beginning of SPRING BREAK!!! I'm spending the morning lounging around, reading blogs, and being lazy in general. Fabulous!

I'm heading to Miami for a few days to visit a friend and I can't wait for some sunshine and sand (and sunscreen). Do you have any fun trips planned this spring?

xoxo
Whitney

PS- you probably noticed all of the changes around the blog. What do you think about the new background? It is much simpler and I'm digging it! I promise not to change it up again on you any time soon.

HOME :: Inspiration Boards

2011-03-02T08:43:00.007-05:00

I've had it in my head for some time now to create an inspiration board. While my MacBook is essentially one big inspiration board, I wanted to have something more tangible. I've been looking around the web for ideas and here are some lovely inspiration boards/walls that I've discovered:

{Style-files.com}

{Source Unknown}

{Rue Magazine, Issue 2}

{Apartment Therapy}

{Four Walls and a Roof}

{Countryhome.com}

Drumroll, please! Here is my new inspiration board. I'm hoping to continually update it with fabulous photos I find.

Do you like it? How about the inspirations for my inspiration board above? Which ones are your favorites?

Happy Wednesday!
Whitney

Monday Magic :: Bocce Ball

2011-02-28T20:31:00.003-05:00

We were lucky enough to experience a weekend with temperatures in the mid-70s. This has been an unusually warm February in North Carolina and I have been spending as much time outside as possible. Yesterday, I spent the day in the park learning how to play bocce ball. It is definitely one of the simplest games I've ever played but it was an enjoyable afternoon.

What did you do this weekend?

Happy Monday!
Whitney

Friday Fix :: Garden

2011-02-25T11:21:00.003-05:00

{matchbookmag.tumblr.com}

We keep having sporadic spells of warmer weather here in North Carolina. The 70 degree days are only promoting my dream of winter being banished forever and spring coming (very) early. They also make the subsequent 40 degree days less tolerable.

Here's to Spring! May you come early and may I be able to sit in a bed in an English style garden with a bright red balloon in the very, very near future.

Happy weekend!

FASHION :: LBDs under $50

2011-02-23T11:08:00.009-05:00

You asked, I listened! Blog friend, Charity at Isle of View asked if I could compile some little black dress options after she saw my Valentine's Day LBD.

A great LBD is essential to every woman's closet but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank to find one. Below is a list of 6 fabulous little black dresses, all below $50! Have at it, girls!

1. Sashay Around Dress $48 modcloth.com
2. Cleo Crochet Dress $45 delias.com
3. Till Sunrise Dress $50 modcloth.com
4. I'll Make It Anywhere One-Shoulder Tunic Dress $40 shopruche.com
5. Frenchi Stretch Lace Dress $22 (wow!) nordstrom.com
6. Women's Chiffon Sleeve Jersey Dress $26 oldnavy.com

I'll be back later this week with some mid-priced LBDs. Planning on getting one? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Monday Magic :: Petal Aisle

2011-02-21T09:39:00.004-05:00

{Image from Martha Stewart Weddings}

Sometimes I come across pictures that just seem out of this world. This petal aisle would be so easy to create but the effect is downright ethereal.

LIFE :: Valentine's Date Night

2011-02-17T12:40:00.008-05:00

Hi friends!

I hope you all had fabulous Valentine's Days, whether you shared it with friends or loved ones. I wanted to let you guys in on what my V-day consisted of.

As mentioned in the previous post, my boyfriend insisted on keeping me in the dark. I'm not very good at surprises and was probably more than a little annoying in my persistent guesses as to where we were going. The only directions I had were to dress up.

What I wore:

I'm a firm believer in the power of a little black dress :)

What we did:

{image from: http://snrrs.com/archives/759}

{image from: http://triangle-restaurants.com}

First we went to an Italian restaurant in Raleigh and then we hit up Fraziers Wine Bar on Hillsborough St. Highly recommended.

What I got:
Chocolates, chocolates, and more chocolates as well as this framed picture of the two of us.

Overall, I would like to commend the boyfriend on an amazing Valentine's Day surprise! Little did he know that I had a surprise for him as well. Tomorrow night, we will be gracing the RBC center with our presence to watch the Hurricanes v. Flyers hockey game. The Flyers are his favorite team so it should be fun. I'll let you know (of course).

What did you guys do for V-Day?

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:06:00.005-05:00

{http://inspiredbythisfeeling.tumblr.com}

What are you guys doing on this fine Valentine's Day? I actually have no idea what I am doing. My boyfriend has decided to be super secretive and the only instructions I have is to dress up. Hmm, mysterious. I keep asking him for hints, but to no avail.

I will be sure to let you guys know what happened after the mystery is uncovered. Eek!

LIFE :: Be Mine, Valentine!

2011-02-09T17:02:00.008-05:00

I know that everyone and their mother has blogged about the Kate Spade BMine Valentine e-cards but just in case you have only been checking out my blog (I don't blame you), here are a few of my favorites:

Quick! Go send a card to everyone you love here!

xoxo, Whitney

P.S. I love everyone who reads this burro, burro much.

ARTS :: Obama: The College Years

2011-02-08T08:12:00.009-05:00

My politico boyfriend recently shared a great TIME magazine article featuring a set of pictures from Barack Obama's freshman year at Occidental College. These are awesome. Really.

I always want to know more about influential figures' pasts and Obama is pretty high up there on the influential members of society list. The images capture the fun side of a young man that grew up to be President. I think we are lucky to have this glimpse into the past.

I'm glad he kicked the smoking habit but I really wish he'd bring that fedora back. Want to see more? Check out the original article here.

ARTS :: Robert Doisneau

2011-02-02T22:35:00.009-05:00

Sometimes a few happy photographs have the power to turn a gloomy day a little brighter. The work of Robert Doisneau does that for me. He spent his time taking photographs of happy people in Paris. Who wouldn't want to stare at romantic pictures of mid-century Parisians? Yeah, I didn't have an answer for that either.

FASHION :: Pretty Ballerinas

2011-01-18T13:50:00.006-05:00

I thought I'd continue on with my affinity for all things stripey with these lovely flats from PrettyBallerinas.com.

At $179, they are a little steep for my non-existent income but they are perfectly preppy! I'll put them on the shopping list and if I win the lottery (which is a goal of mine), they will be the first thing I buy.

FASHION :: Today I'm Loving: Anne M. Cramer

2011-01-13T14:31:00.005-05:00

I didn't think it was possible, but these adorable skirts from Anne M. Cramer fully satisfy my appetite for stripes. Tres chic!

See them here

LIFE :: Gifts of Christmas : The Silver Lining

2010-12-09T09:59:00.007-05:00

From Left to Right: Kate Spade New York Crystal Constellation Large Dangle Earrings, Lenox Kate Spade Corona Grove Collection, Ann Taylor Perfect Exotic Metallic Pump, Peach Couture Silver Rayon Scarf, Tiffany and Co. Return To Tiffany bead bracelet.

Oh, I love metallics! Silver has the ability to punch up any outfit (or home) and still look classic (aka awesome). Give a little silver bling to your friends and family. No girl will turn down sparkly things.

LIFE :: Gifts of Christmas: The Michael Kors Watch

2010-12-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

Santa baby, slip a Michael Kors women's chronograph acrylic tortoiseshell bracelet watch under the tree, for me....
I've been an awful good girl....
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight...

Okay, now that I've gotten 'Santa Baby' stuck in your head for the rest of the day (sorry!) I have to introduce you to the number one gift on my Christmas list. Really, Santa, you don't have to get me anything else. ALL I WANT IS THIS BEAUTIFUL WATCH!
At $195.00, it's a little pricey for my tight college budget but have you ever seen a watch that made such a statement yet could be worn with nearly every outfit? Me neither. It's trendy, luxurious watch perfection.

Come back soon for another great Christmas gift suggestion!

~Whitney

ARTS :: The Great Gatsby

2010-11-29T16:48:00.005-05:00

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning-- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Scott and I watched the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby last night. Gatsby is one of my all time favorite books and I have fought watching the movie for months now. It seems to me that movies rarely stay true to the book and they are never as good as the book. Finally, though, I gave in and was pleasantly surprised.

The film doesn't take too much artistic license, and much of the dialogue is taken directly from the text. The movie got a little melodramatic in spots, and Daisy, played by Mia Farrow, was downright annoying, but overall I really did enjoy the movie. Especially the costumes--oh, the costumes! They were beautiful!

I heard that Baz Luhrmann is considering a Great Gatsby remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio. While I loved Moulin Rouge, I'm still not sure if I'm comfortable with a Baz directed remake. Thoughts?

~Whitney

FASHION :: Feast Interruptus

2010-11-23T11:58:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, namely because it revolves around food and family. I can't wait to get home and start preparing the Turkey and baking (desserts are my specialty).

While holidays at my household are pretty darn awesome, they will never compare to the holiday celebrations of the Hilfiger clan:

I'm hoping that if I dress equally well, buy a similar basset hound, and listen to Vampire Weekend constantly I can make my life mirror the fictional Hilfiger family.

Here's to a happy Thanksgiving for everyone! Cheers!

LIFE :: Book Club: The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2010-10-29T09:54:00.005-04:00

Image via Vogue

He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend,
a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter.
By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently
divert and pleasantly entertain himself,
as in all weathers, as in all fortunes.
~ Barrow ~

My friends and I have started a book club. Unfortunately, it will be a short trial run for the club because three of my best friends will be exploring the world next semester in various study abroad programs. What book did we decide on for our trial book club run? The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I just started it, but so far it is a super easy read. The big text has even made it possible for me to read it while on the elliptical. Gotta love multitasking!

Have you read it? I feel like I'm one of the few people that hasn't. What were your thoughts?

Also, don't you just love that picture of Gwyneth Paltrow?

FASHION :: Seeing Double Denim

2010-10-23T08:54:00.008-04:00

Now I have a very important question. Recently, many of my favorite prepster brands (cough J. Crew and Ralph Lauren) have been pushing an all-jean ensemble. I was taught (okay, self-taught) that it was a cardinal sin to wear a denim shirt/jacket with your jeans. Why are they trying to shake up my clothing-knowledge foundation? Worst of all, I actually like the Chambray shirts that have popped up. A lot. What is this world coming to?

Alexa Chung in double denim. Photograph: Danny Martindale/WireImage, via The Guardian

Chris Pine rockin' double denim, via aptly-named denimblog.com.image via StyleCaster

Here are the rules for an all denim ensemble, according to Elle Magazine:
1. It's all about the wash. Pair a lighter denim top with darker jeans or vice versa.
2. Break it up with a leather or suede belt.
3. Keep it simple by avoiding acid washed or printed denim (which I think you should be doing anyway)

That doesn't sound too difficult. What do you think? Could you pull off a DOD (Denim-On-Denim) outfit?

LIFE :: Rain, Rain, I'll let you stay

2010-09-30T14:54:00.006-04:00

After a blistering hot North Carolina summer, I'm welcoming the week of rain that we are currently in the midst of. I finally got to pull out some of my sweaters, and more importantly, I get to wear my new rainboots every day this week. Really, I've been jumping in puddles on my walks to class just because I can.

{image from Flickr}

I've been spending hours upon hours in coffee houses across Chapel Hill because I had four midterms this week. The exams were miserable, but my time in varioius coffeehouses across the town was splendid. Currently, I'm sitting in Caribou Coffee. Other destinations this week? Open Eye Cafe in Carrboro, Jack Sprat Cafe, Cafe Driade and good ole' Starbucks.

Another delightful discovery is that many coffeehouses also sell wine. And as of this month, I'm 21 years old and can purchase wine. This also made studying a lot more tolerable.

Next week I have yet another exam as well as two papers due, so I'm positive my coffeehouse craze is not even close to over. I'm okay with that. Bring on the vino!

{image from the Jack Sprat Cafe website}

Note the UNC Tar heel flag in the window of Jack Sprat. Represent.

The Long Awaited Return

2010-09-23T10:58:00.004-04:00

Hello friends,

As tends to happen in my ever-hectic life, I got distracted by other responsibilities (namely, that little thing called college) and unfortunately abandoned my favorite project, the lovely blog. I have been keeping up my Tumblr, which is just so quick and easy, but I've been missing Joy is Style!

So, I'm vowing now to be a good little blogger and actually update Joy is Style multiple times a week.

I came across this DIY wall idea from Design*Sponge and it is beyond awesome.

For a step-by-step, be sure to check out this post from Design*Sponge.

More later, lovelies!

Whitney

ARTS :: An Education

2010-07-27T12:43:00.011-04:00

I ordered An Education on Netflix a few weeks back and there is something about it that I can't get out of my head.
Maybe it's the slightly creepy and very tragic relationship between a high schooler and a much older man. Maybe it's the 1960s fashion. Maybe its just Carey Mulligan. Do I really have to add another girl to my girl crush file? This is getting fairly ridiculous.

An Education is based on journalist Lynn Barber's experiences. I love a true story.
Unfortunately, upon further digging into Ms. Barber's life, I discovered this article in which she admits to sleeping with 50 men during two 8 week terms at Oxford University. Do the math. That means she slept with someone new about every other day. That's not quite as romantic.

Til next time!
Whitney

FASHION :: The Hockney Handbag

2010-07-19T09:19:00.004-04:00

I splurged.

Yes, I spent weeks upon weeks without buying anything (except one dress at Target, but it was necessary. I had a party to go to!). Then, I walked into J.Crew one fateful afternoon and.i.fell.in.love.

Introducing my new purse, the J. Crew Hockney Handbag.

In my defense, it was on sale.

LIFE :: Crazy Love

2010-07-12T12:04:00.017-04:00

Oh hey there.

Like the new blog layout? I do. It's got that shabby chic feel and those ribbons make it seem like a present. I like presents. I like blogs. Blogs virtually wrapped as presents are right up my alley.

So, what have I been up to? Well, a lot. I think I'm just going to start back in with what I've done in the past week. Get ready for picture-mania!

1. I visited my best friends in Charlotte, NC for the Fourth of July. Megan (of the wonderful blog, The Oatmeal Diaries) was an amazing hostess and I still can't get over how great the parfaits were. It was an absolutely perfect weekend of catching up and having fun. I was also reminded how ridiculously hilarious my friends are.

We went to Harrisburg for fireworks on the 4th. There were... a lot of rednecks. But also great fireworks. I'll consider it a win-win because people watching was spectacular. Mullet-spotting is a favorite past-time of mine.
2. On Wednesday I went on a triple date with my high school best friends and all of our boyfriends. It. was. epic. And by that I mean, I was really really proud of getting three hole-in-ones in putt-putt. Just call me Tiger. Minus the infidelities.
In all actuality though, 18 holes of putt-putt is far too much. I'd have been much more entertained if it were 9 holes.
After putt-putt, we played Mario Kart. I rocked it. It was a good night for my ego.

3. I saw Michael Buble in concert on Friday. I've always been a fan of Michael (we're on a first name basis) but I never knew he was so hilarious. If having an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous voice that makes any woman swoon doesn't work out, he'd definitely succeed in stand-up.
Examples:
When he was introducing the band, he came to a trumpet player and said "this kid has come a long way. Clap loudly for this Raleigh native. He's one of your own!" Once the roar died down (and we did roar) he says, "Well you guys are great. Too bad he's from San Antonio, Texas."
I felt betrayed. I forgave him when he sang glorious love songs to me.
See pictures and videos below. Imagine you were there. It was amazing.

That really big guy off the stage in a black suit was his body guard. He never smiled.

Update... I've been sitting here for over an hour waiting for a video of Mike to load. I've painted my nails, eaten lunch, and done laundry during that time. Unfortunately, I don't think Blogger likes me uploading a 5 minute video. Never fear, I'll try again in the future.

Give me a break, give me a break...

2010-06-03T21:38:00.003-04:00

Finish it with me, everyone! Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar!

Okay, now that I'm done with my jingle, I have an announcement.

I expected to have a nice leisurely summer, but it has turned out to be a whirlwind! I'm working two jobs, my family is moving, and there is a LOT going on in my life (both good and not so good).

Due to these unforeseen circumstances, I am taking a hiatus for a few weeks to figure out how to:

1.) manage my increasingly busy life
2.) step back and decide what I would like this blog to be for me.
3.) make the blog prettier!

So, I just wanted to clue you in on why there have been less posts lately. Don't worry, I'm planning on barraging you with stylish joy and joyish style when I return.

I'm off to a wedding this weekend! I'll be back in just a few short weeks!

FASHION :: Girl Crush: Emma Watson

2010-05-24T13:27:00.007-04:00

Riddle me this....

How did this little girl

turn into this stunner?Hermione has got it going on. Brains and beauty! When I grow up, I want to be like her. I'd also like to sit in 1950s soda shops, drinking milkshakes, dressed in an updated sweater-set and have a great British accent. Oh, and if I knew a few thousand spells, that would be a plus.

FASHION :: Inspiration: The Hollywood Black Dress

2010-05-17T09:50:00.001-04:00

A-listers have always been commended for their fashion know-how both on and off the red carpet. Hollywood darlings have been responsible for new trends in fashion since the silent films of the 1920s. More important than the trends that celebrities spark are the fashions that stars turn into classics.

The black dress has become the epitome of class and sophistication. Here are some of my favorite black dresses from film:

Audrey Hepburn's black sheath dress in Breakfast at Tiffanys is often emulated (but I really don't think any one has pulled it off quite as well as Ms. Hepburn)

Check out the back of the dress. Gorgeous.

In a more recent film, the Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl sported an Armani LBD.

Another great back! I want an LBD exactly like this (though not with the Armani price tag)

Ava Gardner evokes classic Hollywood glamour in The Killers (1946)

Ava Gardner was also a North Carolina native! There is an entire Ava museum in Smithfield, NC.

While I'm team Jen, you can't deny the sexual chemistry between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I bet it was the black dress.

I adore Jennifer Connelly's black dress in A Beautiful Mind. Such an interesting neckline.

Which dress is your favorite? Are there any iconic black dresses that you think belong on this list?

FASHION :: Beachwear

2010-05-14T13:15:00.001-04:00

I may not be heading to the beach any time soon, but I am planning on going to the pool with some friends tomorrow.

Here are my beach/pool essentials for 2010:

Victoria's Secret, Top $24, Bottom $18
(now, if only I looked like her)

Classic Critter Flip-Flip, J Crew, $16.99

Lilly Pulitzer Elina Embroidered Coverup, Bebo.com, $98

Sunglasses, Target, $16.99
(I'm a huge proponent of cheap sunglasses...probably because I ALWAYS lose mine)
Reisenthal Picnic Basket, Amazon.com, $39.99

Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer, all drugstores, $9.99
(As a red head, sunscreen is an absolute necessity. It would probably be SPF 85 though!)

What are your beach basics?

FASHION :: Lilly Pulitzer on RueLaLa

2010-05-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

I love, love, love sample sales. Long, long ago in a land far, far away (New York City), I stumbled into a sample sale in SoHo and it changed my life. Where else can you find designer clothing at up to 90% off? It was heavenly. I became a very well-dressed middle schooler after that fateful day (Until two months later when I had a growth spurt and had to return to buying my clothing at Old Navy and American Eagle).

Unfortunately, North Carolina isn't known as the sample sale capital of the world. In fact, I don't know if there has ever been a real sample sale in the Tar Heel state.

I would lament over the sad lack of sales in the NC area.... if it weren't for RueLaLa!

RueLaLa has daily online sample sales! What? I can get my fashion fix while I'm sitting in my pajamas watching Regis and Kelly?! Life = complete.

Tomorrow, at 11:00AM ET, the Lilly Pulitzer boutique sale will be on RueLaLa. I've purchased a brand new Lilly shift dress at one of their previous sales for only $59!

There is a preview of the sale on RueLaLa and it looks fabulous!

Not a member of RueLaLa? Well, it's your lucky day. Click here for an invitation!

I'm on the look-out for a new Lilly purse/tote. Do you plan on buying anything?

LIFE :: Happy (Belated) Mother's Day

2010-05-10T13:15:00.013-04:00

Mother's Day at the Davis household was excellent this year! Really, it is up there on the list of best Mother's Days ever.

Mama Davis is not only my mom, but one of my closest friends. We have a unique relationship that is often closer to a friendship than the typical mother/daughter roles. She can always make me laugh. Even though we've had some mom-umental (haha get it? Man, I'm cheesy) fights, I appreciate that I can talk to my mom about anything under the sun.

Mom, since I know you read this, I love you!

Yesterday morning, we had a family brunch at our house. My grandma and aunts came to enjoy the delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and grits that my dad made. My job was to provide the parfaits.

I think they turned out nicely, don't you? They were also 100% scrumptious.

I got my mom a binder from NoFo, a great restaurant in a converted Piggly Wiggly. The binder, titled "Keeping Coupons", provides an organized way to house and use all those coupons that we always seem to forget to use. Maybe this will help...

They have an entire collection of organizational binders for keeping house, holding dine-in menus, and keeping recipes. We may need to start a collection.

After we stuffed ourselves with breakfast food, we all went down to the farmer's market. I love the farmer's market. I got myself some fresh strawberries and some local honey. A couple people have told me that eating a tablespoon of local honey a day helps ease allergy symptoms. I've had awful allergies this year, so I'm willing to give it a try. Does any one have any additional allergy advice?

The rest of the day was spent watching Bridget Jones' Diary and Clueless. I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day.

Here is a picture I found of my mom and I from.... 1994? 1995? Some time in the mid-1990s.
Last but not least, this is Mama Davis looking absolutely stunning. Wow.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Whitney

LIFE :: Story Time: Carolina Cup Killed My Camera

2010-05-08T08:32:00.009-04:00

March 27th, 2010 was both the best and the worst of days. It was the day of Carolina Cup, a horse race in Camden, South Carolina.

Fraternity boys and sorority girls from all parts of the South flock to the most preppy tailgating event on the planet. Lilly Pulitzer dresses, big hats, seersucker and madras pants abound. Needless to say, I look forward to this day all year!

Unfortunately, I have awful luck when it comes to technological devices. Really, I have never met another individual who is as accident prone as myself. I should have known not to take my camera and iPhone into the land of prepsters doing kegstands and racing horses. Of course, I brought them along.

In an effort to keep them safe, I put the technological devices into my friend's purse far away from me and my accidents. I'm fairly sure my bad luck rubbed off on her.

Her water bottle, which may not have been filled with water (...), opened within the bag and my iPhone, her Blackberry, and my dear camera went for a nice little swim.

They all met their demise.

I spent the afternoon lamenting the death of all of my electronic devices.

Here are the final pictures my little PowerShot ever took:

South of the Border: a touristy spot (that is kind of gross) on the NC/SC border. We took a picture with Pedro.

Some of the lovely Carolina girlsSome of the handsome Carolina boysRidiculous menswear.

Moral of the story: I really need a new camera. Any suggestions for an inexpensive digital camera?

Second moral of the story: Don't let your electronic devices go swimming.

Third moral of the story: Fraternity boys wear ridiculous (ly wonderful) clothing.

FASHION :: Shopping Secret: Go-Jane

2010-05-07T09:29:00.009-04:00

I have a confession to make. I'm obsessed with finding a good deal.

As a poor college student, I very rarely purchase anything that isn't on sale.

Lucky for me (and you), I have found the source for inexpensive sandals! GoJane.com is my secret source for all my summer shoe needs. The majority of sandals are between $10 and $18. Which. is. awesome.

My very, very favorite shoes are ruched white sandals that I bought from GoJane.com exactly one year ago for $13. I wore them every single day last summer and this spring until finally, yesterday morning, they died. I was near tears (exaggeration) and also in a bind because only white shoes would go along with my very cute navy skirt.

I ended up wearing my white Jack Rogers which I hate with a vengeance. Most people love them, but the wooden heel gives me the worst calluses. Comfort is key.

Due to the upsetting death of my favorite shoes, I returned to GoJane.com this morning and purchased three new pairs to compensate:

Woven Design Slingback Sandal, GoJane.com, $12.60
Patent Braided Slingback Sandal, GoJane.com, $10.50

Leatherette Sandals, GoJane.com, $10.90

So, moral of the story is that I got three new pairs of shoes for only $40! I can't wait until they arrive in the mail. I love packages.

FASHION :: "Did You Know Dolphins are Just Gay Sharks"

2010-05-06T07:37:00.008-04:00

First off, if you don't know where that quote came from, shame on you. Secondly, I'll give you a hint. It is from the best show on television, Glee. Third, sorry to break it to you, but dolphins aren't gay sharks.

I always get excited on Tuesdays because I know Glee will be on TV at 9pm. Really, I plan my day around it. Missing Glee would make my life a little less happy.

I would like to pay homage to Ms. Emma Pillsbury, the OCD school counselor. Not only is she a red-head (like myself), she has adorable style:

Man, she's cute. I've got a girl-crush.

Want to know where to buy any of the pieces shown above? Leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you!

HOME :: Dorm Room Design: Bedding

2010-05-04T10:04:00.004-04:00

I desperately want this duvet for my dorm room next year. It's a bit on the pricey side. I wonder if I can find an alternative. Note the pink piping... so cute!

The Caroline Duvet from Serena and Lilly. Love.

I'm fairly sure the above is supposed to be a child's bedroom. I'm still a kid at heart. It works. More dorm room design inspiration to come!

LIFE :: It's Summer!

2010-05-03T17:42:00.010-04:00

Today I finished my last final. This can only one thing: IT'S SUMMER!!

I spent the afternoon packing up my belongings and now I'm back home. Of course, my things are all out in the car. Someday I will bring them all inside and unpack. I promise. Just not right now.

I am so glad that I have four months without school work.

Here are a few of the activities that I want to do over the summer:

Have a picnic

{Adrienne Gunde}

Visit the newly renovated North Carolina Museum of Art

{image by Scott Frances}

Go to the Raleigh Flea Market and find some art to hang on my walls
Go to some summer concerts (Backstreet Boys, anyone?)

Visit my best friends in Charlotte for July 4th

Work on my fitness. 5x a week. woo.

So, that's the plan. What else should I add to the list? Suggestions?

FASHION :: Inspiration: Titanic

2010-05-01T12:39:00.001-04:00

Last night I watched Titanic. It's been years since I've seen it and I completely forgot how epic it really is.

It's got everything necessary for a great movie. A great love story, adventure, history, and Leonardo Dicaprio. Leo, you make my heart go on.

The Victorian era with its ornate furniture, huge jewelry (hello, Heart of the Ocean necklace!), and beautiful dresses are my inspiration for the day. Enjoy.

{The Spotted Sparrow}

{The Brides Cafe}{Moats and Boats Design Studio}{Snippet and Ink}{The Brides Cafe}{The Brides Cafe}

Friday Fix: Dreaming

2010-04-30T08:01:00.000-04:00

Where I want to be:
Where I am:
Three more days until I will have four months away from Davis Library (and the Undergraduate Library, and the Park Library, and any other study setting).

Three more days of motivation.

Almost there.
Whitney

FASHION :: The Love Language

2010-04-29T09:26:00.001-04:00

I am a fairly preppy person. Most of my closet is devoted to J. Crew and I'll admit that I even have some Lilly Pulitzer dresses. Sometimes, though, I have the desire to completely change my look.

Last night I went to one of those great indie concerts where everyone was cooler than me. The best part was looking around at all my fellow concert-goers in awe of their unique, creative, free-spirited outfits.

I'm young. Now is the time to have fun with my clothing choices! Here are some of the things I've got my eye on...

Free People, Henna Cotton Skirt $78

Urban Outfitters, MinkPink Florence Cami $54 Free People, Embellished Tube Dress, $188

Francesca's Collections, Square Root Dress

Also, if you have a minute, check out The Love Language (local, amazing NC band!) and St. Vincent. These bands inspired the fashion-360 that I'm considering.

I'll let you know if I buy anything. I've got the itch to shop.

Whitney

LIFE :: How Not to Study

2010-04-27T22:22:00.001-04:00

I have mastered the art of procrastination. After final exam #1 today, I had ambitious plans to study for final exam #2 (which is in less than 12 hours, eek) and go ahead and get started studying for final exam #3.

This did not occur.

I rocked out final exam #1 and proceeded to spend the rest of the day wasting time in any way possible. I Facebooked. I tweeted. I Stumbled Upon. I YouTubed. I did anything and everything that did not include looking at my notes.

My lovely friend Megan, the mastermind behind the food blog The Oatmeal Diaries, made my day by giving me a 'just because' cupcake from Sugarland.

It was beautiful. And the chocolate curls on top were scrumptious.

Before:

After:

Since I was feeling pretty lame about my inability to learn important information for tomorrow's exam, I thought it would be fitting to learn more interesting things. May I please introduce you to one of the most brilliant Youtube video series of all time: Drunk History

I spent my evening alternating between Drunk History videos and an all-time favorite show, Glee. I particularly enjoyed the reference to our rival school, Duke. All UNC students and fans can now be validated because the writers of Glee also hate our rival. Sweet, sweet victory.

Alas, it is time for me to hit the books. Most likely I'll read through my notes once tonight and then wake up at an insanely early hour tomorrow to finish. Hello, sunrise!

The good news is that tomorrow is the official Last Day of Classes (LDOC) and the weather is supposed to be marvelous.

Sweet dreams!
Whitney

P.S. Have other ways to procrastinate? Feel free to share them.

ARTS :: The Goal: 100 Best Novels

2010-04-27T08:24:00.001-04:00

Image from Domino Magazine

Summer is so close! I have my first of four finals today. By this time next week, I will have moved back home. Strange.

While I'm going to miss my friends like crazy for the four months (!!) that we are separated, I am excited to have more free time this summer. I love to read, but during the school year I only read textbooks. It's not as fun, I promise.

So, I've decided that this summer I'm going to start on The Modern Library's 100 Best Books List. The goal is to read fifteen novels before school starts back up in the fall! My friend Kristen, who will be across the world in Arizona, will also be working her way down the list--a perfect way for us to stay in touch!

Here is the complete list:

ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand
THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand
BATTLEFIELD EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

1984 by George Orwell
ANTHEM by Ayn Rand
WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand
MISSION EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard
FEAR by L. Ron Hubbard
ULYSSES by James Joyce
CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller

THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald

DUNE by Frank Herbert
THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert Heinlein
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert Heinlein
A TOWN LIKE ALICE by Nevil Shute
BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger

ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell

GRAVITY'S RAINBOW by Thomas Pynchon

THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck

SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut
GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell

LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding

SHANE by Jack Schaefer
TRUSTEE FROM THE TOOLROOM by Nevil Shute
A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving
THE STAND by Stephen King
THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN by John Fowles
BELOVED by Toni Morrison
THE WORM OUROBOROS by E.R. Eddison
THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
MOONHEART by Charles de Lint
ABSALOM, ABSALOM! by William Faulkner
OF HUMAN BONDAGE by W. Somerset Maugham
WISE BLOOD by Flannery O'Connor
UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry
FIFTH BUSINESS by Robertson Davies
SOMEPLACE TO BE FLYING by Charles de Lint
ON THE ROAD by Jack Kerouac
HEART OF DARKNESS by Joseph Conrad
YARROW by Charles de Lint
AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS by H.P. Lovecraft
ONE LONELY NIGHT by Mickey Spillane
MEMORY AND DREAM by Charles de Lint
TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf
THE MOVIEGOER by Walker Percy
TRADER by Charles de Lint

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams

THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood
BLOOD MERIDIAN by Cormac McCarthy
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess
ON THE BEACH by Nevil Shute
A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
GREENMANTLE by Charles de Lint
ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card
THE LITTLE COUNTRY by Charles de Lint
THE RECOGNITIONS by William Gaddis
STARSHIP TROOPERS by Robert Heinlein
THE SUN ALSO RISES by Ernest Hemingway
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP by John Irving
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury
THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson
AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner
TROPIC OF CANCER by Henry Miller

INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
THE WOOD WIFE by Terri Windling
THE MAGUS by John Fowles

THE DOOR INTO SUMMER by Robert Heinlein
ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE by Robert Pirsig
I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves
THE CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London
AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS by Flann O'Brien
FARENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury
ARROWSMITH by Sinclair Lewis
WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams
NAKED LUNCH by William S. Burroughs
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER by Tom Clancy
GUILTY PLEASURES by Laurell K. Hamilton
THE PUPPET MASTERS by Robert Heinlein
IT by Stephen King
V. by Thomas Pynchon
DOUBLE STAR by Robert Heinlein
CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY by Robert Heinlein
BRIDESHEAD REVISITED by Evelyn Waugh
LIGHT IN AUGUST by William Faulkner

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST by Ken Kesey
A FAREWELL TO ARMS by Ernest Hemingway

THE SHELTERING SKY by Paul Bowles
SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION by Ken Kesey
MY ANTONIA by Willa Cather
MULENGRO by Charles de Lint
SUTTREE by Cormac McCarthy
MYTHAGO WOOD by Robert Holdstock
ILLUSIONS by Richard Bach
THE CUNNING MAN by Robertson Davies
THE SATANIC VERSES by Salman Rushdie

As a starting point, I crossed out all of the books on the list that I have already read. Eleven down, 89 to go!

I think I'm going to start with Brideshead Revisited next week when I move home.

Want to join in?

HOME :: Green + White Delight

2010-04-26T07:21:00.002-04:00

At this point in my life, I don't have a place of my own to decorate. I live in a sorority house, so the decorating has already been done for me. While I may not have a house to decorate yet, that doesn't mean I shouldn't be on the look-out for inspiration!

I've always loved green and white rooms. The white always makes the area feel open and light while the green evokes images of spring, regardless of the weather outside.

images from Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens

Image from Country Living

Image from Better Homes and Gardens

Image from Southern Living

Introductions

2010-04-25T13:12:00.001-04:00

Well, good afternoon!

I have decided to carve out a section of the blogosphere for my thoughts and inspirations. From clothing to cupcakes, furniture to art, music to movies, there are so many beautiful parts of our world that just make life more joyous.

I'm a firm believer that by surrounding yourself with happiness, you become a happier person.

Up first, a playlist to make the this cloudy April day a little brighter:

Enjoy!
Whitney