Archives for August 2015

August 28, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I am a firm believer that just because fall is around the corner, does not mean you have to give up all things colorful. Join in the fun & learn how to win a tassel necklace via Instagram!

{Rose gold T-shirt: J. Crew} {Pants: J. Crew}
{Tassel necklace: Perle by Lola}
{Clutch: Target, several similar} {Flats: J. Crew}

TGIF friends, let’s talk some fall style! I know that we are just one week away from labor day weekend, so everyone is thinking, gotta finish wearing white before I am no longer allowed. While that cliche statement may be true for some, it does not personally apply to my style and wardrobe. I do cut back on white doing fall and winter, but you will not see it totally disappear. I love a good white top or sweater with a dark jacket or jeans. With that being said, I did purchase these corals pants for fall. They are going to be something that I can wear to both work and play. If you are like me and like dresses and skirts more than pants, than these pants are a pair for you to try! They are super comfortable, elastic at the waist with the perfect crop at the bottom. They can be worn with a heel and dressed up, or downplayed with a flat or sandal for a super casual look. Total great purchase by my books!

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls… the search for the perfect tassel necklace is over!! I have been admiring the jewelry collection, Perle by Lola, for quite some time. I love the organic and feminine look of this tassel necklace and it can be worn tons of different ways! The necklace features authentic bone, semi-precious stone, and a high-quality tassel. AND YOU ARE IN LUCK because Drafts & Crafts and Perle by Lola is teaming up this weekend to bring our sweet followers an Instagram giveaway. You can win your own necklace designed and hand-crafted by Lola. The giveaway entry will begin tomorrow, so be sure to check out my Instagram feed!

The photos for this post were taken by Sarah of Sarahdipity Photos (you must see her amazing website!!). Sarah is a local photographer in Jax and I have had the pleasure of getting to know her and her business through local networking. Sarah is such an amazing photographer and fellow creative. I can truly say that she is kind and genuine in her work and all that she does! Sarah shoots a wide variety of photography, so if you are in the market for a photographer, she is your girl!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

August 23, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

After two months in Florida’s summer heat, I am now in the phase where I am dreaming of cooler nights. These joggers are great for making the transition into your fall wardrobe. 

{Joggers: Anthropologie Under $35!} {Top: Anthropologie}
{Shoes: Ralph Lauren, similar}
{Clutch, Golden Finch Boutique, similar}

I love all the activities and simple pleasures that come along with summer: lounging at the pool, beach days, happy hours, ice cream parties, sundresses, and bright colors. However, I do not care for summer’s humidity. Let’s face it, you can sweat just walking from your house to your car!! I know we still have some time before it cools off, but I am craving some fall weather! If you had the chance to read my summer sale post, Tips for Shopping Summer Sales, than you know that I am looking for those pieces that will transition seamlessly from summer into fall.

These gold pants are such a fun piece that everyone should have in their closet. They are extremely versatile, so comfortable that you can wear wear them with flats and a cute tee and classy enough to dress up for work or date night. These pants are just one of Anthro’s amazing selection of joggers, I am also loving these (on sale)and these (on sale). They come in several colors that are great for fall, navy, red, and gold. Beware that the pants seem to run a little large. I am wearing a medium and still have a little wiggle room. So if you are around a size 4, you will definitely want to order a size small. P.S. These snaps were taken at Florida Creamy in Avondale (Jax), best homemade ice cream ever!! They are also a candy store too! It’s a must try for locals! I had a fun ice cream and shopping date with my BFF, Rebecca.

Have you fallen in love with jogger pants yet?? Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

August 18, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Here is how I styled a surprise date night for the husband which just so happened to be on our 18 month wedding anniversary! Plus, a few other ideas for an inexpensive date night! 

{Dress: Wolfgang, a boutique in Jax
if you are local you must check them out in 5 points – Riverside
also LOVE this one & this one}
{Champagne Flutes: Bliss Designs (Boca Raton, FL}
{Mini bowls: Anthropologie}
{Gold cake stand: H & M}

I have been dying to plan a unique date night for my husband! Jason and I have been busy bees since moving back to Jacksonville. I can honestly say that we have been having a blast with our friends and family close by. So much so that we had not done something just the two of us in over a month! After being together for 5 years it’s important to keep things exciting, so I really wanted to have a romantic evening.

While these photos may look like a photo shoot, I actually surprised him with a little “bubbly” beach picnic. Jason thought he was meeting me down by the beach after work to grab dinner and do one of our typical photo shoots. Yet instead, I had planned a picnic on the beach that would include champagne, cheese, crackers, & fruit! We sipped the bubbly out of the champagne flutes from our wedding… I love special touches like this! Some would call me a hopeless romantic! We sat on the beach just talking and falling more in love as we watched the beautiful ocean waves crash on shore. This date was just what the doctor ordered!

Planning a relaxing or romantic date with your significant other does not have to be expensive. Jason and I try to be mindful that when we go out to dinner we can easily rack up a $75 dollar bill after getting an appetizer, dinner, and a few drinks. With that being said, we try not to do this every weekend, but it usually happens. Here are a few suggestions of less expensive date night alternatives:

1. Beach, river, or park picnic!

2. Order your partners favorite take-out and rent a movie that you know they have been dying to watch.

3. Find out when your local museums have free entry night & stop to get ice cream after 🙂

4. Get the ingredients to make some personal size pizzas together. Don’t forget to pair it with your husband or wife’s favorite wine!

5. Find out if any local parks have “move night” in the park. Get cozy on a blanket and bring some snacks!

6. Go apple, strawberry, blueberry, or pumpkin picking!

These are a few of my favorite dates! I hope these suggestions could open your eyes to some new ideas! Thinking outside of the box can be challenging, but I highly recommend remembering to incorporate some romantic date nights! Do you have any other ideas for some reasonably-priced date nights? Do share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

 

August 11, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

There is no better way to wrap up summer than with a fun and timeless piece. Plus, a few of my personal tips for shopping summer sales that are going on now!

{Skirt: Anthropologie} {Chambray: J. Crew Factory}
{Tote: Jonathan Adler} {Flats: J. Crew}
{Bracelet: Bourbon & Boweties}

The best time of the year is back! Ok, maybe the second best time of the year because my favorite time of the year is the Christmas! The second best is when all of my favorite stores have their end of summer sales! The sale that I like to focus (my wallet) on is Anthropologie’s end of summer sale. I got this skirt on sale and it filled with the cutest pattern ever! Can I be real for a second, Anthro is one of my favorite stores, but it is not always in the budget. These were all pieces that I liked in the beginning of the summer, yet since I held I got them for much less than original price. I wanted to share with you all some on my go-to tips for shopping end of summer sales!

I think it is important to keep a few things in mind when shopping “end of summer sales.” First, if you are going to buy pieces that are more geared toward summer fashion make sure it is a timeless look. For instance, this sunbather skirt features a fun pattern that will be cute for years to come. My girlfriend, Josie, even said that it is one of those pieces that you can keep for your own daughter. Isn’t that such a sweet thought, sharing timeless fashion with your child! Second, if it is not a summer staple that you could wear for years to come than make sure you are buying items that will carry you into fall. I would suggest staying away from multi-colored or neon items. Look for colors like, gold, gray, black, nude, greens, light pinks and blues. Last, it is going to get cooler in the later months so I recommend purchasing items that can be easily layered. I can’t wait to share the rest of the items I bought from the Anthro sell with you!

I love to wear high-wasted skirts with a knotted chambray. I own two of these exact chambrays because it is the best shirt ever! Also, these J. Crew gemma flats are my new black flats for fall! How will you be transitioning your wardrobe into fall?

Keep in touch,
Dani

July 6, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Ever have left over watermelon and not sure what to do with it? This watermelon salad is the perfect side dish any day of the week! 

Watermelon is by far my favorite fruit to enjoy, especially in the summer! Nothing says, “a hot summer day” like a cold slice of fresh watermelon! The only problem I run into is that I buy an entire watermelon and then don’t eat the whole thing. The most recent time I bought a whole watermelon was to make mojitos, don’t forget to checkout my watermelon-lemon mojito recipe. I only used about a quarter of the large melon on the cocktails, so I wanted to create another recipe with the leftovers.

I saw a recipe in my Southern Living Magazine and was dying to try it! My mother and I made the salad for a dinner party (when my parents came to visit), IT WAS DELICIOUS! I love a good change, rather than serving the regular, old salad at every dinner party. I usually post my own recipe creations, but this salad was too tasty not to share! Here is the recipe from the Southern Living magazine with just a few small changes that I made:

{Time} 30 mins
{Serving} 8-10

{Ingredients} 

• 4 large tomatoes cubed
• 3 cups cubed watermelon
• 8 oz of feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lime
• 3 tablespoons of chopped mint
• 1 tablespoon extra vigin olive oil
• 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

1. Cube the tomatoes and watermelon. Chop the mint.

2. Place every ingredient in a large mixing bowl. Toss the salad thoroughly.

3. Chill the salad in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.

How adorable are my mom (left) & my best friend’s mom, Mrs. Chrissy (right)??

This recipe is great if you are entertaining 6 or more guests. It yields a generous portion, making it a wonderful side dish for a get-together. Do you have any must-try recipes made with watermelon?

Keep in touch,
Dani