Color Me Sad

I am feeling very blah right now. Mr. Southern Helle left for school, marking the beginning of our 6 month (geographic not legal) separation. It also marked the day I became a (gulp!) single mother for my stepdaughter. Considering I was a free-wheeling single without any children just four short years ago, you can see how this almost sends me in to a panic attack. Sometimes I still feel like a kid and I wonder how the hell I am going to guide and raise a fourteen year old on my own.

Today's clothing choice even reflected my current state of mind: grey and black. Initially it looked like I was going to a funeral so I added the teal tights at the last moment for a pop of color. Fake it 'til you make it. Besides, let's be real... who can be completely gloomy when they are wearing bright teal tights? It did brighten (ahem...bad pun) my day just a touch.

Dress: Modcloth
Vest: Humanité
Tights: Target
Shoes: Madeline Stuart at Ross
Necklace: Forever 21
Ring: New York & Company
Bracelets: Claire's Boutique

Promises I Can Keep

At the threshold of each New Year, I vow to become a thinner, thriftier woman who smokes less. And at the end of every year, I am still have a few extra pounds, credit cards that beg for mercy and a pack a day habit. My blogmate posted some very realistic resolutions that actually sound as fun as they are attainable. I like her style. I even stole one of hers!

1. Spend more time outdoors: As much as I feel I deserve to vegetate on my couch while indulging in a Real Housewives marathon and eating chips, I always feel so much better when I hit the road, beach, trail or tennis court. Inspired by my continued reading of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (seriously... I have read it three times in the last month. I am a little obsessed), I am even kicking around the idea of hiking part of the Appalachian Trail one day. Not that I am quite ready for it now but let me go all Chinese proverbial and point out that every journey begins with a single step. My stepdaughter wants to learn how to place tennis so I need to drag myself out of the house and in to the sunlight on weekends. We are moving to South Carolina in the summer, thus giving me an excuse to get out and explore a new area. There are so many reasons to DVR those Housewives marathons. After all, I can always watch them at night!

2. Start pairing all the wine I drink with actual homemade culinary masterpieces (made by me, of course!): My Pinterest boards dedicated to food are insane. You would think I was Julia Child. And while I do get the occasional wild hair and prepare a gourmet five course meal, most nights (especially weeknights) find me going for the conventional grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Which is fine but would be so much better if I made a grilled Swiss and apple sandwich and a tomato basil soup from scratch. In 2013, I would like to stretch my culinary prowess and challenge my palate more often. My stomach will thank me.

3. Drink more wine: Duh!

4. Continue to tinker with this blog and still have fun doing so: Our blog started out as a way for two friends to keep in touch and inspire each other from across the miles. I have a blast doing and I feel like we have already come a long way (just take a peek at our earliest posts... and realize they are only four months old). But I can still step up my game artistically and style-wise. I have a notebook full of outfit ideas that need to become a reality. I have a tripod and a slightly better camera than when I started. The tools are in place, now it is time to use them.

What You See Isn't Always What You Get

Happy New Years Eve! Time to give 2012 a bon voyage and welcome in 2013. I am swilling champagne and swathed in sequins at a swanky gathering. Ahhh.. the life of a fashion blogger...

Actually, I am at home with my recently teetotal husband who is refraining from drinking because he reports to a military school the day after New Years. Also joining the party is our sullen fourteen year old whose attitude is about to get her grounded. I am sipping Moscato from mini bottles my husband recently liberated from our camping supplies kit. The last time we camped was September so it is quite the fine vintage.

All jokes aside, I am with the people who matter most (even the fourteen year old, though I may not like her very much right this moment). Too bad Leather Peacock couldn't make it down but we will catch up again soon. 2012 was a good year and I am looking forward to 2013. It is already showing promise of being a tumultuous but fulfilling year.

To our readers, I appreciate your patience with us as we continue to make advances in our blogging and develop our fashion sense more and more. We can only get better and both of us vow to put more energy and creativity in to this blog.

My New Years Resolutions, Fashion and Otherwise

I have made the point the past few years to not make New Years Resolutions. I generally believe that if you want to change something, about yourself, your actions or how you impact the world, you should do everything you can to make that change, no matter what day it says on the calendar. This year however, I realized that are several major things about myself I want to better or change and that this start of a new year is a perfect way to start it:

1: Appreciate my family more. While I was home, I got to spend a lot of time with family I dont get to see that often. While laughing, talking, and looking in my cousins eyes, I couldn't help but see myself. Through the laugh lines, I could see my past and how important these relationships truly are. I don't want to lose our history, my history and how much peace and joy each conversation brings. Whether its talking WWII with my grandpa or playing Kings Court with my brother and sister (in law), I vow to appreciate you all more.

2: Appreciate my friends more: I think I have a tendency to not appreciate those closest to me and I am blessed with some amazing friends. Number one on my list being Southern Helle. In 2013, no matter where the Navy takes me, I vow to appreciate them more and be there for them in whatever way I can.

3: Save more money while Rocking Out Like the Fashionista I want to Be: I am still not sure how its going to work but I would like to save more money while also taking more advantage of my wardrobe (outside of uniforms) and rock out whenever I get the chance, no matter the occasion.

4: Update the blog more! In conjunction with wearing and rocking out my wardrobe more, I vow to update the blog more and be a better blogger and bloggermate.

5: Drink more wine. I think this is the easiest to do.

Happy New Year everyone. May 2013 be filled with friends, family, fashion and lots of Duplin Wine!

Christmas Fashion, Peacock Style

Happy New Year my fellow fashionistas!

I'm still alive, if not a little worse for wear. I was able to go home for Christmas this year to see family for the first time in three years, for which, I am extremely grateful and one reason I have been oh so delinquent in posting. I was also the president of the committee that put on my command's annual Christmas party. I rocked out in a full length blue velvet gown, ordered at the last minute (the day before the party) from Nordstroms.

Please ignore my satan eyes, its my inner devil coming out!
I love the way it hugs my fairly generous curves, and the color really works with mine and my eyes. I am still in love with this dress and the way it made me feel in it.

The party was an amazing success, with other people from the hotel trying to crash it. I also managed this shot of one of my besties from the ship, in between songs and glasses of wine.

Though the flash didn't go off, like it was supposed to, artistically speaking, I love this pic!
I plan on rocking in the New Year in something similiar and looking equally divine. I hope everyone had a festive, fashionable, fabulous Christmas!

My Walden Pond Is A Swamp In A Construction Zone

While taking a sunset stroll, I stumbled across this swamp area that is being cleared. With all the construction going on in this town, there is no telling if it will be a new strip mall or a doctor's office or part of the golf course within a few months. There was something so stark and ugly about all the razed trees and the swamp yet somehow the setting sun's light made it look so serene. Almost like it was supposed to be this way.

And thus ends my philosophical musings about nature. Eat your heart out, Henry David Thoreau.

Sweater: American Eagle
Jeans: American Eagle
Boots: Old Navy
Scarf: Target

Storm Chasing

My husband is a Left Coaster so East Coast weather patterns fascinate him. Having not seen one in person yet, tornadoes are his particular passion. This has led to him becoming something of a storm chaser. Today, a band of storms came up the coast, sending large water spouts inland that turned in to a few actual tornadoes in nearby towns. Instead of taking cover, my husband took to the road and headed 15 miles South-East to Topsail Beach in the hopes of seeing this for himself.

Even worse: I joined him! I blame a bad case of Christmas cabin fever. I needed to get out of the damn house.

Wind and rain were heavy upon our arrival but (much to his chagrin) the worst had already passed. The better half of our time spent on the island was under sunny skies.

Whether sunshine or storms, I love being at the beach. Not being a particularly religious or spiritual person, I still love the feeling of seeing something so grand and powerful, thus making my own problems feel so insignificant in comparison. That first sprint out to the waves breaking on the sand is a timeless ritual. I did it when I was a small child and continue to do it to this day.

Poncho: gifted by my mother
Puffer vest: Eddie Bauer Outlet
Beanie: Target
Sweater: Gap
Leggings: American Eagle
Boot socks: Target
Rain boots: Target



Eat your heart out, Jim Cantore!

The wind was holding me up in this position

Boots covered in sea foam. This is as close to a White Christmas and playing in snow as we get in Coastal Carolina.

Question: Why do I let him talk me in to such things?
Answer: Because he is so cute! *duh*

Sun starting to break through the clouds

Much calmer on the Intercoastal side of the island