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

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

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

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

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

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.