Jewelry Organization

Hi everyone!

I'm just over a month away from move-in day at UGA ( !!! ) so I've been starting to clean out my stuff and decide what is coming to school, what is staying at home, and what can be thrown away. I spent most of my day yesterday cleaning out my vanity and my desk, and last week I did a huge overhaul of all my clothes. Probably my biggest reorganization project yesterday was my jewelry -- it was a tangled mess!

This is my vanity post-clean out! So much less cluttered than the way it started! I mostly use the shelves on either side of the desk to hold my keepsakes, so there was really minimal rearranging there. You can't really tell from this picture, but the other side of the shelves also houses my perfume collection and my scarves.

I keep most of my jewelry on the bottom two shelves on the right side of my vanity. I keep the vast majority of my bracelets and necklaces in the jewelry organizer, just to keep them out of the way. I group everything together by item and material, so gold bracelets go in the same slot as gold bracelets, and silver necklaces go with silver necklaces, etc. I keep the costume jewelry my mama gave me in the smaller slots, and I keep the matching sets together. All of my dangly earrings hang off the cute wire Eiffel Tower so I can see and access them easily. Each piece of my nice jewelry stays in the box it came in on the second shelf.

On the actual desk part of my vanity, I keep the items I wear most often on a gorgeous engraved silver plate a friend gave me for Graduation. I lay the pendants in a line across the plate and let the chains dangle off the back, but I never let the chains overlap so they don't get tangled! Next to that, I keep an old Tiffany & Co. box with all my cheap stud earrings.

The main idea behind my jewelry organization is that if there's an item I use a lot, I want to be able to see it. If I don't use it a lot, I put it out of the way. The real challenge is going to be deciding what to take to Athens, because clearly I have many favorite necklaces!

Any tips for jewelry organization in a dorm room?

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

Kiawah

Hi everyone!

So sorry I've been MIA, but I went to Kiawah with one of my best friends, Charlotte! It was my first time to Kiawah, but it was so much fun! I loved laying on the beach and relaxing, and it was so nice to have a just-girls weekend!

We went to the Ocean Course for dinner one night...the view was amazing!

I'm back now for about a week before I leave for Sea Island with my family!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

National Wear Your Lilly Day!!

Hi everyone!

Today, June 21, is more than just the first day of summer...it's also National Wear Your Lilly Day! Lilly girls all over the country are sporting their prints in honor of the Queen of Pink and Green!

Me, Mama, and Baby Sister in our Lilly!

Have a Lilly day!

XO,

Carson

Accessories for White Dresses

Hi everyone!

I got a few requests to elaborate on my previous post about white sundresses (FYI all post requests, etc. can be sent to dixologyblog@gmail.com). I was talking about how you can get pretty much any style out of a white sundress just by changing accessories, and I was asked to show y'all my favorite ways to accessorize a LWD. So, here's the four white dresses from my last post, made into compete outfits to show y'all my four favorite ways to add to a basic white sundress!

I like earthy, neutral accessories to go with the relaxed, slouchy dress. I would definitely wear my cowboy boots (for more on how to wear those, click here) because they would compliment the swingy, flirty dress. But, then again, I'd wear them with any dress here! A plain cross-body bag adds to the relaxed vibe, and I love this cool leather wrap bracelet and flower pendant! 

(Dress: Windsor; Boots: American Rag; Bag: Chloe)

 One of my favorite ways to wear a white sundress is with gold accessories! The gold adds a little bit of sparkle without being over the top. Again, a simple cross-body bag and sandals let the fun dress stand out, and some simple gold jewelry can go a long way. I adore these cute sunflower stud earrings!

(Dress: Windsor; Shoes: Asos; Bag: Louis Vuitton)

I would definitely choose the edgier dress of the group to try the more glamorous accessories. Make the crisp white stand out by contrasting with hot black high heels and a black clutch. You can't tell from this picture, but the front of the dress makes a V-neck that's perfect for a pretty statement necklace. This sweet pink one balances out the hard-core black shoes and bag.

(Dress: Robert Rodriguez; Shoes: Forever 21; Bag: Chanel)

The final way to wear a white sundress is to class it up with some pearls! I'd choose some plain white heels, and add a pop of color with a bright bag!

(Dress: Modcloth; Shoes: Mango; Bag: Tory Burch)

I'm sure there's a ton of other ways to accessorize white sundresses; these are just the four ways I usually do. White is such a classic staple of Summer in the South, I'd love to hear other ways to wear my white sundresses!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson

White Sundresses

Hi everyone!

As y'all know, I love my sundresses! I actually don't have any more room for them in my closet, but that's okay because I wear one practically every day during the summer. One of my favorite looks is the white sundress because of the versatility of white, and I don't need a tan (which is always a problem for fair-skinned girls like me!) Here's a few of my favorites:

1. This is one of my favorite shapes in sundresses! The bloused bodice over the chiffon-y skirt is so forgiving, and it stays so cool on hot days! (Dress: Windsor)

2. I love love love the flirty keyhole on this dress! It's an unexpected flash of skin, but it's not too over the top! (Dress: Windsor)

3. Fun backs add a cool twist to a classic white dress. (Dress: Robert Rodriguez)

4. I can't resist anything eyelet...it's such a classic Southern fabric! The Deep-V neckline is the perfect backdrop for a pretty, long necklace.

One of my favorite things about white dresses is that you can do so much with them! You can make a completely new outfit with any one of these dresses just by changing your accessories! You can do classically feminine pearls one day, and earthy, boho sandals the next!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

Happy Father's Day!

Hi everyone!

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there, especially mine!

                            Me and my daddy tailgating before a Georgia game

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

P.S. look how crafty I got for my daddy's present!

What's in My Bag?

Hi everyone!

I've been super busy lately running errands and trying to get a head start on dorm shopping. Here's what I keep in my bag on Summer days when I have a ton to do!

Clockwise from Top:

Sunglasses: Living in Atlanta, I have to keep sunglasses on me at all times, especially when I'll be driving! I love the way the Ray-ban Aviators look!

iPhone: Need I say more?

Planner: I've already told y'all about how I basically live out of my planner. I keep a list of things I need to do each day inside, and I keep it in my bag so I can just move down the list as I check things off!

Keys: I love the cute Lilly Pulitzer key fob!

iPad: Just in case I have to sit in a waiting room at some point during my day and need something to read.

Umbrella: Atlanta weather is bipolar...it could be beautiful and sunny one minute, and pouring the next! Again, Lilly...

Wallet: I love how much space this wristlet from Marc Jacobs has inside, and when I use this, I don't have to take a whole purse out with friends!

I know it looks like I carry a lot around, but I actually have spare room in my bag! It can't hurt to be prepared!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson

Cute Tech Cases

Hi everyone!

I absolutely adore my iPad and all the fun, useful things it does. I use it for pretty much everything: reading, checking Facebook and Twitter, and I plan to start taking notes on it next year. Unfortunately, the cute Lilly Pulitzer case I had my iPad in just broke because I use it so much, so I'm looking for something equally cute that will also protect my iPad while I carry it around campus next year. Here's a few of the ones I've been looking at

1. Lilly Pulitzer -- this is the case I've had my iPad in for a while, and it actually works really well!

2. Kate Spade -- such a cute pattern!

3. Marc Jacobs -- I love the pocket on the front!

4. Marley Lilly -- I love the seersucker and the fact that there's a sealable flap covering the screen!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

New Car!!!

Hi everyone!

Today I got to go pick up my big graduation present from my parents...a new car! I talked my parents into getting me a Volkswagen Eos since Baby Sister gets my SUV!

Her name is Candi, and of course I had to get Georgia Red!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

Southern Cities: Augusta, Georgia

Hi everyone!

So sorry I was MIA for a few days, but I had to go to Orientation at UGA, then went straight from Athens to Augusta to visit my grandfather. We didn't do a whole lot, mostly just hung out at his house and went out to eat, but it was nice to spend some quality family time after a hectic two days at Orientation. Since I have family there, I've spent a good amount of time in Augusta over the past eighteen years, and there's a bunch of fun things to do there. If you're ever in Augusta, here's the top three things you have to do:

Our favorite restaurant in Augusta is the French Market Grille West, which serves yummy, sometimes spicy, Cajun food. Seriously, we have never made a trip to Augusta without visiting at least once, and sometimes more! I highly recommend the Cajun popcorn, which is fried crawfish tail meat served with sherry wine sauce, for dinner, and Peanut Butter Pie for dessert. Y'all. I can't talk enough about Peanut Butter Pie. It's actually my favorite food, and I can never pass it up, especially when we go to French Market.

If you're lucky enough to be in Augusta the first full week of April, you're probably there for the thing Augusta is most famous for: The Masters. I've been a few times, and it's so much fun! You get to dress up and walk all over the Augusta National Golf Club, and it's great people watching! If you get to go, make sure to get something with the Masters logo on it to prove you were actually there!

If you have a few days, take a day trip over to Aiken, South Carolina! I love Aiken because it's real horse country, and there's some beautiful houses and stables to drive by, but there's also good food and amazing shopping! If you like equestrian fashion, there's tons of shops that will cater to that, but if you don't there's also tons of cute little boutiques!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson

Carson's Dix-onary

Hi everyone!

I was out to dinner with a friend recently, and we were talking when the waiter dropped waters at our table. I was saying something along the lines of "I was fixin' to text her," but when the waiter heard me use that phrase, he rolled his eyes. I know "fixin' to" isn't perfectly polished English, but it still kind of bothered me. He doesn't even know me, why should he judge me based on using a phrase I heard daily in my house? I suppose he just doesn't understand the language of the South, although it's not all that difficult to grasp. So, for all y'all who don't know what I meant when I say I was "fixin'" to do something, here's my Dix-onary, a collection of classically Southern words and phrases.

1. Fixin' to: what you say when you are getting ready to do something
    Example: I'm fixin' to go for a run, but I need to change first.
2. Y'all: the quintessential Southern word, it's generally refers to a group of people, though some Southerners use it to refer to a single person
    Note: It is not a good idea to say "you guys" in the South...don't do it, it upsets us Southern girls to be called a "guy."
    Example: Y'all look so pretty for the dance tonight, and y'all's dates look nice too!
3. Bless her heart: what Southern women say when they insult someone, but want to appear as if they take pity on them
     Example: Poor Janie just can't control that wild hair, bless her heart.
4. Used-a could: what you say when you were once able to do something, but can't anymore
    Example: I used-a could play piano, but I forgot how.
5. Over yonder: where something is located if it's not right in front of you
    Example: The movie theater is just over yonder up the hill.
6. Hush your mouth: the Southern way of saying "shut up"
    Example: Reeves, hush your mouth, Mama is fixin' to tell us something.
7. Reckon: when you believe you will do something
    Example: I reckon I will read Gone with the Wind before the end of Summer.
8. Cussin': when someone is so angry they are using less-than-appropriate language
    Example: Daddy was so mad he was cussin' when the delivery man showed up late.

I'm pretty much over the thing with the waiter, but I'm definitely going to continue to use my Southern language. Just like learning any other language when you're a child, these words and phrases are so ingrained, it's hard to use anything else!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson

How to Wear the Maxi

Hi everyone!

One of my favorite trends right now is the maxi dress! It's so fun and flowy, and you can do so many things with it! I usually do the boho thing when I wear mine, but they also look cute with chic and sophisticated accessories. I also love that you can wear the maxi for just about anything...it's great if you have errands to run during the day and don't have time to change before meeting your friends or going on a date at night! I usually wear my maxi dresses one of these three ways:

I have this maxi from Lucky, and it actually is full-length since I'm so petite! I love that the straps are detachable, so I can wear it with straps or without depending on how I'm feeling. This is the dress that I usually wear by itself, because it has an empire waist that separates the elastic-y bodice from the chiffon-y skirt. I love to do neutral flats and earthy, leathery accessories like this bag and necklace!

(Dress: Lucky Brand; Shoes: Tori Burch; Bag: H&M)

Another great option, especially for petite girls like me, is to wear the maxi with a belt. For this style, I like dresses that have a natural to low waist so the belt doesn't look awkwardly high. I especially love the soft, feminine details on this white Alice & Olivia dress! I usually choose a braided belt because it can be adjusted to fit me where the waist of the dress is...no hole-punch required! Again, I like neutral, earthy shoes and bag, and dainty accessories like this necklace to match the softness of the dress.

(Dress: Alice&Olivia; Shoes: Dollhouse; Belt: Anna Fields)

I also love maxi skirts, especially this one from Lilly Pulitzer. I talked my mom into getting it for me on a mother-daughter shopping trip, and I can't get over how cute it is and how well it fits, which is saying a lot because I'm only 5'1! I love that it's slightly more preppy than the dresses and the high-low hem that rises just high enough to show off your cute shoes! I usually wear such a bright skirt with a plain white tee shirt or tank top, and fun bright accessories that are in the same tones as the skirt.

The real question for me is which one of my maxis I'm going to take on my family's beach trip next month! I love the beach-y feel of long, flowy skirts and dresses, so I may just have to take all three!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson

Happy Birthday Mary Reeves!

Hi everyone!

Today is my little sister's 16th birthday! I can't believe she's driving!

Have a lovely day!

XO,

Carson