Summer Loving

We just got back to Baltimore after spending an amazing three weeks at the beach. While at the beach, we had no real schedule (except eventually making our way to the beach and at some point  finding something to eat). It was quite the reality check to come back to some very real deadlines.

 

Nine days until movers come.

Eleven days until we have to drive to a wedding.

Twelve days until our lease ends.

Thirteen days until our new lease starts. 

Sixteen days until we move to Virginia. 

 

So right now, my life looks a lot like this: 

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and when Dixie gets into my craft supplies, it looks a lot like this... 

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Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited for our next adventure. But it's impossible to be excited about packing. It's even more impossible when just last week, my life looked like this. 

Tower Beach, South Beach

Tower Beach, South Beach

I have a ton of pictures to share, but the never-ending process of packing isn't going to become slightly less never-ending by itself. Until then, here are a few pictures of my favorite places in Hilton Head.

01. Our Home

Lyndall and Dixie

Lyndall and Dixie

Charlotte

Charlotte

Lilly x Target Hammock

Lilly x Target Hammock

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02. The Beach Club

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03. Harbour Town

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04. The Beach at Harbour Town

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05. The Harbour Town Yacht Club

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Happy summer darlings!

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Beach Day - Five Ways

I can now officially announce that Iam leaving Baltimore in August and moving to Lexington, VA. Until then, I'll be at the beach in South Carolina enjoying the sun and relaxing before the big move.

I always thought people who quit their jobs without having another lined up were absolutely crazy, but once this idea was presented to me, I realized just how much I needed a break. Now I don't dread waking up every morning, I don't spend five days a week trying to stay warm with a blanket in a mostly windowless room, and I don't stare at the clock count the minutes until 4:45 every afternoon.  I feel like my sanity has finally returned.

I've been at the beach for about a week and a half now, and am loving having such a flexible schedule. Besides Dixie (who has gotten SO tall!) waking me up at 7:15, the only consistency  in our day-to-day schedule is spending a couple hours on the beach. 

Check out my must haves for my five favorite ways to do a beach day!

 .one. 

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 must haves:  shoes with backs that can't slip off, a backpack for easy toting, a comfortable bathing suit with solid support, a cover up that can get dirty in case of a fall or if your chain falls off, a koozie to keep your drink cold as you cruise around, and, of course, an adorable beach cruiser. shop my picks here:

 

 .two. 

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must haves: a comfortable towel with plenty of room to lay out, sunscreen for you face, lips, and body, a bikini with minimal visible tan lines, comfortable slip on sandals, a waterproof and rinse-able beach bag, and an easy, breezy cover-up. shop my picks here:

 

.three. 

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must haves: a visor to protect your face (because hats can get too hot), a giant tote to carry all your important things, a waterproof case for your phone so you can use it while lounging in the water, a bathing suit with extra coverage for when the water washes off your sunscreen, a light an dairy maxi that you can slip on over your suit, and a giant inflatable on which you can float away. shop my picks here:


 .four. 

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must haves: a reliable cooler with a seat cushion and place for your rod, A water bottle that will keep your drink cold all day, sandals that are waterproof for wading and solid enough to step on a sting rays tail if you catch one by accident, a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and your hair out of your face, a sporty bathing suit that you can move around in, a lightweight cover-up that protects you from the sun. shop my picks here:

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 .five. 

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must haves: a comfortble chair with a built in cooler, a bathing suit without knots that won't pull or dig into you all day long, sandals with suppoart that you can slip on after a long day, an airy cover-up that you can rinse to easily remove any sunscreen and sand, a stadium cup that speaks the truth, and a striped umbrella for when you need a break from the sun. shop my picks here:


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3 Weeks with Chewbacca

Little Miss Dixie is officially 11 weeks old today! As she's gotten more comfortable with us, and the apartment, she's gotten much bolder and is becoming quite the adorable handful. (I've included some pictures at the bottom of this post!)

@MissDixieDoodle

She looves playing and thinks that she can take on anyone. If the person / animal / inanimate object that she wants to play with does not play back, she will bark at it until they do. I personally witnessed Dixie bark at a foam roller one morning.

When she's not running around like the spawn of the energizer bunny and the roadrunner on speed, she really enjoys walks. She does start to get bored if people don't stop to pet her and tell her how cute she is, but luckily that rarely happens.   

But most importantly, this girl LOVES chewing, which is how she got the Chewbacca nickname. She will chew on basically anything: a toy, a chair, another dog's tail (usually Charlotte's - my parent's doodle). She is relentless. Luckily it's been hot out, so we've been freezing all her toys, which gives us 15 minutes of distracted puppy. More recently, we have invested in Kongs. 

I was hesitant to buy Dixie a Kong because (1.) puppy ones are so tiny that I thought she'd swallow it and (2.) puppies have sensitive tummies and I didn't want to clean up what might happen if her little belly couldn't handle a glob of peanut butter.

My vet suggested I try using a wet version of Dixie's puppy food. Dixie rotates between Fromm Prairie Gold and Fromm Gold, which do not have wet options. Instead we've been trying a few combinations using her dry food. These options will also work for dogs that are stubborn about eating their food and dogs that are dieting! 

Enjoy! Don't forget to read to the bottom for Dixie Pics!

Stuffed Kong:

  1. Grind 1/4 cup of kibble in a food processor (if you can fit the kibble inside the toy without grinding it, you can skip this step. Grinding it works best for the dental sticks or other kong toys that you stuff on the outside)

  2. Mix with a small amount of water or low sodium chicken/beef/veggie broth until it becomes a thick paste (if you skipped step 1, mix until the kibble is soft and all the liquid is absorbed)

  3. Add a small amount of your pup's favorite people treat. Dixie and I are trying:

    • honey

    • peanut butter

    • banana

    • apple

    • mango

    • peach

    • pineapple

    • oatmeal

    • shredded cheese

    • unsweetened yogurt

    • unsweetened applesauce

    • pumpkin

    • sweet potatoes

    • green beans

    • bacon (a small amount for extra special occasions)

    • shredded cooked chicken

    • shredded tuna

If you don't want to freeze your kong, this is a great guide to stuffing it! I'll be trying some recipes out with Charlotte & Dixie over the summer, so stay tuned! 

Leave a comment if you have any tricks for calming a chew crazy puppy AND  follow @missdixiedoodle on IG for daily doses of cuteness!

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New Puppy Checklist

I am so excited to announce that my birthday puppy will be arriving THIS FRIDAY. In preparation for Miss Dixie's arrival, I have been reading everything I can about preparing for and training a puppy. I'm basically an expert now. Not a real expert, but an Olympic expert. As in when you watch curling or figure skating during the Olympics and after an hour of watching the competition and listening to the commentary, you feel like you know everything about the sport and should make a career change to become a star curling commentator. That's the kind of puppy expert I am.

little miss dixie at five and a half weeks

little miss dixie at five and a half weeks

Being the puppy virtuoso that I am, I compiled every puppy checklist I could find. I was determined to have absolutely everything I could possibly need for the puppy's first year in time for her arrival. 

Then my budget gave me a good dose of reality, and I realized that maybe I don't 100% need lavender oatmeal all-natural organic shampoo right away. Especially when the dog store by my apartment offers free shampoo and bath stations. And yes, a harness is great, but I have no idea what will fit her by the time her vaccines have kicked in and I can take her to the park. 

one of my new puppy must haves

one of my new puppy must haves

I decided to be a little more realistic when planning to spoil my puppy and split my shopping list into three parts: what to bring to pick up your puppy, what to have ready when you bring the pup home, and what you can buy later. I've also compiled an Amazon wish list that has everything on the list and assigned each item a priority based on when you should buy it. 

You can check out & download the shopping list below or head over to Amazon and shop the wishlist here.  

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Leave a comment if there's anything you think I missed, and make sure you follow me (@hellodarlingsblog) and Dixie (@missdixiedoodle) on Instagram!

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Graduation Style

Graduation season is in full swing. I can't believe it's been three years since my own graduation. 

There are a couple of things that I wish people told me. Like, do NOT drink too much the night before  graduation.  If you do, any time somebody sees a picture from your graduation, they will be told "she was VERY hungover that day"  or "that's when she still had her wine weight" (true story: one of these is about my mom's college graduation and one is about my graduation day). 

Tip number two: be prepared to be warm. I went to College in Memphis, TN, and it was so hot outside the days leading up to graduation that Childish Gambino performed in his underwear. It also rained right before the ceremony began, so the humidity was through the roof. But even when ceromonies are inside, it's going to be warm. When Hopkins crammed everyone in the gym for the boyfriend's graduation, it was a bit unpleasant- and I wasn't even the one in the gown. 

Lastly, you should definitely keep your phone with you during the ceremony, on silent of course. You'll want to take pictures with your friends before the ceremony and you will for sure need it to meet up with your family afterwards. My college designated a classroom where we could leave our purses,  but I opted to lock most of my things in my car, and carry my phone, car keys, and some lip balm with me.  

With these tips in mind, I've styled five looks that are great for any graduation! I focused on outfits that would be comfortable under the gown, look great for pictures (with the gown closed, open, or off), and let you keep any essentials with you! The best part though - everything is from ShopBop, so you can use your Amazon Prime membership to have everything shipped via FREE two-day shipping!!

 

LOOK ONE - BLUE & GOLD

STYLESTALKER Bianco Romper ($149) -- 01. House of Harlow White Sand Five Station Necklace ($75) - 02. Elizabeth and James De Maria Cuff Bracelet ($225) - 03. Stuart Weitzman Gladiator Sandals ($398) - 04. Diane von Furstenberg 440 Metallic Cork Micr…

STYLESTALKER Bianco Romper ($149) -- 01. House of Harlow White Sand Five Station Necklace ($75) - 02. Elizabeth and James De Maria Cuff Bracelet ($225) - 03. Stuart Weitzman Gladiator Sandals ($398) - 04. Diane von Furstenberg 440 Metallic Cork Micro Mini ($168)

I love the color and asymmetry of this delicate romper. Rompers are great if you want something that looks similar to a dress in pictures, but you don't want to worry about it moving around too much under the gown.  The elegant ruffles on the right side of the piece adds a flourish that you don't see in typical rompers. It is made from lightweight crepe fabric, which will help you stay cool and ready for pictures. 

01. This House of Harlow necklace is a favorite of mine; it also comes in black, and I've worn that one to a few functions. I love the subtle texture of the white panels. This necklace makes a statement without drawing attention away from the overall look.   02. The skinny bars are a delicate touch to the outfit, but its the large gold plate that packs the biggest punch. Instead of making a statement, this bracelet works to balance out the non-ruffle side of the look.   03.This cork purse is big enough to fit your phone and a few other small essentials but small enough to wear under your gown. While this bag may seem natural and neutral at first glance, the metal hardware on  the closure draws the eye, as do the metallic flecks adorning the cork.    04. If the ceremony is on grass, the gladiator sandals are the way to go. You don't have to worry about slipping around if the ground is uneven or the grass is wet (like you would in wedges), and you won't sink into the ground (like you would in heels). 

 

 LOOK TWO - PINK & GREEN

alice + olivia Nina Cutout Box Pleat Dress ($385) -- 01. Garrett Leight Dillion Mirrored Sunglasses ($375) - 02. Ringly Daydream Tech Ring ($195) - 03. Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Mini Affair Bag ($195) - 04. Vince Faye Open Toe Booties ($425)

alice + olivia Nina Cutout Box Pleat Dress ($385) -- 01. Garrett Leight Dillion Mirrored Sunglasses ($375) - 02. Ringly Daydream Tech Ring ($195) - 03. Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Mini Affair Bag ($195) - 04. Vince Faye Open Toe Booties ($425)

Dresses are the more traditional under-gown graduation style. While this dress has a traditional silhouette, the small front cut out and large box pleats keep it flirty and fun. The back zipper is complimented by two mesh panels, which will help your skin breathe during humid ceremonies. It also features a polyester-spandex lining for extra comfort. 

01. The cat eye frames add an understated pop to the look. The pastel pink mirrored lenses may not be the best for the bright afternoon sun, but they are the perfect shades for a mid-morning ceremony.   02. I've become a big fan of Ringly tech rings since the  "no electronics on the desk" rule was instituted at work. This ring will discreetly alert you to notifications on your phone. With four different vibrations, you can tell which notifications you should check, and which ones you can keep your phone politely stowed away.   03. When it comes to bags, Rebecca Minkoff is the queen. The simple quilts adds a gentle femininity to the look, while the chain with interwoven leather adds a bit of shine. While this bag may not fit perfectly under your gown, it can fit if you wear the strap long. It can also be worn doubled for a shorter look.   04. These peep toe booties are an understated way to round out the look. I love the simple nude leather contrasted with the aged-pewter heel, which is wide enough that you won't sink into the ground while walking to get your diploma.

 

LOOK THREE - NUDE & BLACK

AIR by alice + olivia Twist Back Crop Top ($176) - Cynthia Rowley Bonded Pique Scallop Skirt ($225) -- 01. Jacquie Aiche Crystal Lariat Necklace ($320) - 02. Wonderland Stateline leather Sunglasses ($285) - 03. See by Chloe Vicki Cross Body Bag ($36…

AIR by alice + olivia Twist Back Crop Top ($176) - Cynthia Rowley Bonded Pique Scallop Skirt ($225) -- 01. Jacquie Aiche Crystal Lariat Necklace ($320) - 02. Wonderland Stateline leather Sunglasses ($285) - 03. See by Chloe Vicki Cross Body Bag ($365) - 04. Vince Agatha Open Toe Booties ($450)

This look is all about balancing minimalism with surprises. This tan top is understated and modest in the front, but features an exposed zipper, large triangle cut out, and twist accents on the back. The pure color and midi length make this skirt seem minimalistic, however, the fused material gives it a strong structure. The scalloped hem also gives the skirt a bit of a pop!

01.  This necklaces is really two necklaces in one. The top is a delicate lariat silhouette featuring a bezel-set cubic zirconium. The second necklaces is the faceted black tourmaline pendent that drops from the chocker making a subtle statement. The adjustable lengths makes this necklace suitable for multiple necklines.    02. These glasses are a modern take on the classic aviator shape. The frames of these aviators feature luxe leather, which is further elevated by striking bronze hardware.   03. I am in love with the oversized tassel drawstring on this teeny bucket bag, which does make it hard to wear under your gown; but I would never want to hid this bag anyway. This bag is well suited to the person who has more than her phone, but sticks to a few essentials. There are no pockets, so its important to stick to the essentials with this bag or else you will constantly be digging through it.   04. These colorblocked booties are perfection to me. The simple colors add complexity without too much busyness, and the cutouts are perfectly placed (toes, instep, heel). These booties feature velcro closure to keep your feet snug and secure as well as a chunky, covered heel. 

 

LOOK FOUR - LAVENDER & CORAL

Elizabeth and James Corrin Crop Top ($255) - For Love & Lemons Guava Skirt ($158) -- 01. Tory Burch Cat Eye Sunglasses ($175) - 02. Adia Kibur Floral Crystal Drop Earrings ($30) - 03. Building Block Phone Sling ($105) - 04. Splendid Edgewood Tho…

Elizabeth and James Corrin Crop Top ($255) - For Love & Lemons Guava Skirt ($158) -- 01. Tory Burch Cat Eye Sunglasses ($175) - 02. Adia Kibur Floral Crystal Drop Earrings ($30) - 03. Building Block Phone Sling ($105) - 04. Splendid Edgewood Thong Demi Wedges ($68)

I have a love for crop tops, but I know that there is a very delicate line. It's the line between wearing a crop top at your wedding (Vanderpump Rules) and channeling your inner Taylor Swift. The thin lattice stripe running down the center of this top may make it seem like it should fall on the racier side, but the structured bodice, delicate color, and high neckline prevent it from being to risqué. For Love & Lemons can also fall short of the T Swift classy standards, but this skirt passes the standards with flying colors. The tropical orange skirt features an easy jersey lining adorned with a delicate lace overlay and asymmetrical hem. 

01. The cat eye frames keeps with the theme of unique shapes, which runs throughout this look. The simple wire arms add a bit of cool shine to the look, and the blush gold frames and shades make sure the statement is a subtle one.    02. If you're planning to wear your hair up or pulled back for graduation, I'd leave these earrings out. However, I think that they would be perfect peeking out of long hair. More like a surprise than a statement. The clusters of colorful crystals help carry the colors of the outfit throughout the entire look.   03. This is the smallest bag I've featured. The open top means you can easily access your phone as needed, but there isn't much room for anything else. The back of the sling features a card slot in case you want to keep ID, a credit card, or a card fob with you during the ceremony, The crossbody strap allows you to easily store your phone and card under the gown, while the natural grain leather won't make the outfit too busy after the gown comes off.    04. You have to be careful with how much height you add to this outfit (or any outfit that pairs short with short). The faux patent leather adds some shine, but doesn't detract or draw attention from the rest of the outfit. The natural cork wedge subtly adds the little lift this outfits needs. 

 

LOOK FIVE - SUNNY YELLOW

J.O.A. Tropics Halter Top ($58) - Keepsake Draw the Line Shorts ($150) -- 01, Matthew Williamson Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses ($300) - 02. Alexis Bittar Liquid Hinge Bracelet ($195) - 03. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Cross Body Bag - 04. Matt Bernson Mer…

J.O.A. Tropics Halter Top ($58) - Keepsake Draw the Line Shorts ($150) -- 01, Matthew Williamson Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses ($300) - 02. Alexis Bittar Liquid Hinge Bracelet ($195) - 03. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Cross Body Bag - 04. Matt Bernson Mercer d'Orsay Flats ($219)

Shorts are hella comfortable. I would wear them everyday if I took the time to lay out my clothes the night before. Instead I have on work dress in seven colors that I rotate through on days where I have no idea what to wear and waited until the last possible minute to get out of bed.  I would totally wake up early for these high waisted Keepsake shorts. The well structured yellow top might poke out of your gown a bit, but I think it could be cute - especially if yellow is one of your school's colors. I love the contract of the high neckline and the plunging back with tieable bow.

01. I can't find anything happier than these sunny yellow aviators. The mirrored lenses add a dramatic update the the classic aviator style, which is complimented by the wire frames with neon temple tips.    02. This liquid bracelet looks like it could have been drizzled directly over your arm. My favorite part is that the bracelet is hinged, so you don't have to worry about it being too loose. The curved bands of the sculptural cuff act as an interesting contrast to the rest of the look.   03. This is the bag for whoever carries the most. It has an easy access front pocket for what you need most, as well as a zippered top which opens to a lined interior with one additional pocket. The chain strap is connected at the top by a lester panel for comfort.    04. Of all the shoes in this post, these are my favorite. I love the casual silhouette of the d'Orsay flat. While these flats may not typically be considered suitable to graduation, the pointed toe and embossed leather give them a more elegant feel. If you are going to buy any shoes for graduation, these are the ones I think you'd get the most use out of. 

 

Annddddd BONUS ITEMS: 

I wore a white dress for my high school graduation, so college was my first time doing the cap and gown thing. I learned at Baccalaureate that you need to use hair clips or bobby pins to keep your cap on during/after graduation. And sure, you could use the boring ones that match the color of your hair... but there are such colorful and glitter pins out there! You can always reuse these in your post-grad life, and they are a lot harder to lose than the boring ones.

Clockwise from top left: ban.do Flash Bobby Pin Set in Silver Glitter/Mint ($10) - Mrs. President & Co. The Lucky Charmed Barrette ($65) - ban.do Flash Bobby Pin Set in Gold Glitter/Neon Pink ($10) - ban.do Love Bobby Pin ($12)

Clockwise from top left: ban.do Flash Bobby Pin Set in Silver Glitter/Mint ($10) - Mrs. President & Co. The Lucky Charmed Barrette ($65) - ban.do Flash Bobby Pin Set in Gold Glitter/Neon Pink ($10) - ban.do Love Bobby Pin ($12)

Last, but certainly not least... I wish I thought of this three years ago. Why fold your program up into a fan when you can just bring your own!?