A Sight to See

Hello, friends! I hope y'all had a nice weekend! I started my new job  this past week and after a relaxing weekend am finally getting settled in the low country  Now that normalcy has been restored, I thought I would share with you my recent experience buying glasses.

In 2005, I had Lasik surgery. Since then, I've had no need for contacts of glasses...which has been very nice on my pocketbook. Though I don't have any true vision problems, I notice a strain in my eyes after spending hours a day working in front of screens. Between my computer, iPad and iPhone it's just too much sometimes. By the end of the day, my eyes are exhausted. Last month, I decided it would be beneficial to visit my eye doctor and invest in a pair or prescription "reading glasses" to combat the weakness in my eyes. 

After meeting with my doctor and determining my need, I set-out to find the perfect frames. If you're anywhere online, it's hard to miss all of the ads for the new eyewear houses. From Firmoo to Coastal to Warby Parker, I was a little hesitant to make the first move but decided it was worth an investigation. After doing a little research, I learned Warby Parker had a showroom in Nashville  While you can't order or buy at the store, being able to try on the frames I liked online made all the difference. Not only was the Warby team member helpful, but reassuring in what worked for my face shape. Once I decided on a pair, I was given a card with the frame name and color code to make ordering at home simple. 

Ordering from the Warby Parker site could not have been easier. All I had to do was simply fill in my prescription and send a virtual proof of the actual prescription from my doctor's office. The easiest way to do this was using my phone's camera and sending it via email. After verification, my order was filled and arrived at my house within a week. The glasses were safely stored in a hard case with a cleaning cloth perfect for storing in a handbag safely!

Winston frames in Lunar Fade
(Please pardon the paleness) 

I was very pleased with my purchase and am excited that WP even offers sunglasses! If you're in the market for new spectacles don't be afraid to try an online site. Warby Parker will even send a pair to those less fortunate when you buy a pair!

If you have any questions before ordering, feel free to ask me or connect with Warby Parker on their website or twitter @WarbyParker

A Few Quick Tips:

1.) Don't be afraid to try a new style of glasses.

2.) Make sure to have your optometrist measure your pupillary distance (PD measurement) to use when ordering. 

3.) Your insurance provider may cover your online purchase. A simple reimbursement form may be all that is necessary. Be sure to check with your provider beforehand to know what to expect.

4.) If you aren't near a pop in shop, Warby Parker will send you five different frames (at a time) to try on at home free!

Until next time, may your day be full of magnolias, bourbon and stylish spectacles!

My Music City Song

Nashville has been good to me. Nearly five years ago, I moved here for the journey that was grad school and ended up filling the pages of my life story with more adventures than any girl could dream. While things haven't always been easy or as I wanted them to be, life was kind and handed me more laughs, smiles and a perfect love that I still don't think I deserve.

Looking back, I should have known the third day I lived here Music City would define the person I've become and the person I'll always strive to be. I would have never felt at home without the love and friendship of someone I think of now as the big sister I never had. Her warmth towards others and ability to make me (and any of her friends) feel like we are the most important person in the world has forever made me strive to be half the friend she is. After counting while packing my boxes, I must have received well over 100 cards from her in five years and each was, and is, just as meaningful to me as the one before.

 I'm thankful for the two short, and usually running late, years of working with her and my boss at the law office. The runs to The Peanut Shop in the Arcade, holiday/birthday lunches, The Waffle Shop trips and the few occasions we dressed in theme (Dork Day/Swine Fly Awareness) will always be treasured- right next to the long conversations that helped me figure out who I am and convinced me to go on the first date with my charming beau of nearly four years (even though I didn't have a thing to wear). A boss, coworker and job will honestly never compare. 

Swine Flu Alert!

While I'm not technically using my masters degree now and hate to think of the large number associated with that piece of paper, I'm thankful for my first day of class sitting next to a girl that knew just as well as me that we should be best friends. If it weren't for wine dates before class I don't think either of us would have graduated. Of course we got in trouble for talking too much and not paying attention, but we had bigger fish to fry and late night happy hour to move on to. I appreciate my friend's kindness in letting me use her washer and dryer, having me over to the pool and mostly for taking me to the hockey game with her that one night we walked across the street and she threatened to leave me at the bar if I didn't introduce myself to the cute boy I'm still dating today. My sweet friend's laugh is contagious and she is as lovely (and as fashionable) as they come. Though she's moved on to bigger and better things, I still thank Nashville for her and for many years of friendship in the future. 

"Cat & Cam"

Woodmont Terrace Apartments and my first townhouse in Green Hills were 1.75 miles apart and for that I will forever be grateful. I can't count the hours I shared with my two sorority sisters turned best friends running back and forth my first two years here. From spray tans, to boys on buses, honkey-tonks to road trips these two gals have been my shoulder to cry on when times have been tough. I love that nothing changes from one day to the next. Though life has kept us busy as of late, it's as though a day never passes when we find each other again. I'm thankful for their love and support during my journey and delight in the thought of continuing in new journeys wherever life brings us. True friends are hard to come by, but I am certain you two are as true as they get. 

"AOT"

Nashville has granted me more opportunity than I could ever dream a city had. I dipped my hands in the athletic world at Vanderbilt, The Nashville Superspeedway and even the Tennessee Titans. I explored the lands from Green Hills to Murfreesboro and finally to Brentwood. I learned that music is more than a tune sung on the radio, but more so a story of someones life that can resonate down to your very core. Music City reminded me that I'll always prefer Kentucky bourbon over Tennessee whisky, food beyond my small town is absolutely incredible and family is the most important thing I'll ever have. Nashville has taught me to be a lady, enjoy everything life has to offer, being punctual is never overrated, and sometimes you have to tear your walls down and let the energy around you in. 

As I pack the last of my possessions and lay my head on my pillow to rest, I want to dream of all the love Tennessee has shown me- for tomorrow when I wake, I'll be closing the book on this sweet place I've fallen in love with and starting anew in a city that always seemed a distant dream. 

Charleston, I am ready for you and the possibilities you will bring, but for tonight, and a few last tears, I'll hold on to what is and will always be sweet Nashville-- Nashville, Tennessee. 

Until Next time, may your days be full of magnolias, bourbon and a lot of love for wherever life takes you. 

Holy Moly, I'm Moving...

to the Holy City!

In eight short days, I'll leave my beloved Nashville and embark on this new journey. I promise to provide more details in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, please send prayers and thoughts my way as I scramble to pack and get settled to start my new adventure.

Until next time, may your days be filled with magnolias, bourbon and lots of low country love. 

Project Wedding

This weekend I had the honor and pleasure of attending my lovely friend and Kappa Delta sister, Laura Kathleen's, nuptials in St Louis. You can see my previous post about Laura here. Laura and her fiancee, husband, are both St. Louis natives and decided to marry in one of the most iconic buildings in the city- The Fabulous Fox Theatre. 

Lobby of the FFT

Main Theatre at FFT

The Fabulous Fox opened in 1929 and is adorned in an exotic Byzantine theme. While the bride and groom had photos taken, we were lucky to tour the facility. The guide showed us the multiple dressing room floors and murals on the wall created by each performer & show that visited the venue. A special part of this was finding a Broadway friend's signature on the wall from his time touring with Spring Awakening!

Bridal Gown

Reception Gown

Exit Suit by Viktor Luna

Laura's vision made for a truly amazing event. Not only were we awed by three lovely bridal outfits, but were treated to a unique bridal bouquet of sparkling broaches. The details did not disappoint. From the photo booth to the candy and cigar bar and custom mother's gowns, everything about the night was perfect.

The media was hungry for the many photographic moments and other "celebrity" designers in attendance. I had the pleasure of meeting some of my favorites- Viktor Luna, Casanova and Joshua McKinley.  (Sorry for the heckling, Joshua- you looked amazing in your outfit and Puck and I love you!) Everyone was giddy with love and excitement for the new mister and misses. While it would be too lengthy to share every amazing detail that was the Baker wedding, I hope you enjoy some of my shots from the evening and take a minute to learn more about my friend Laura and all of the other amazing designers.

A blurry iPhone photo from high above the stage  

The wonderfully sweet & talented Viktor Luna 

My bestie stunning in purple

Project Runway designer and favorite, Casanova

Queen of the Fabulous Fox Theatre

Until next time, may your day be full of magnolias, bourbon and a wedding season full of love.

Bloglovin'

Follow my adventures on Bloglovin' 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello, Stranger

Hello, friends. Nearly a year has passed since I've shared with you, but I hope you can welcome me back with open arms. As we all live and grow, I'm sure we can agree that time seems to escape even faster than the year or month before. I can certainly say this is true in my world. Many things are changing and I hope to be able to share them all with you as we continue our trip around the sun. 

 Feel free to pop in and leave me a little "Hello!" or a little diddy about who you are and your blog. I would love to get to know you! 

  Until next time, may your day be full of magnolias, bourbon and a little Southern Sophistication!