Happy Hour vol. 1

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Welcome friends to my very first edition of Happy Hour! When making plans for the blog this year, I wanted a place to just be able to round up all the thoughts, finds, and ideas that I have during the week and share them with you! There is nothing I look forward to more during the week than happy hour with my girlfriends, so I wanted to bring that to the blog- consider this our time to catch up, chat, laugh, and share everything we're loving!

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Escape More & Win Cabana Life for a Year!

Dress: c/o Cabana Life (Get 20% off your order with code "GIRLMEETSBOW20") || Wedges: Antonio Melani (sold out, similar here, here, & gorgeous splurge!) || Apple Watch with this band || Earrings: c/o Lisi Lerch

Hey friends- well the fun just keeps on coming this week and today's post is no exception! Over the past year I've shared my love for Cabana Life with you- their SPF 50 clothing is as pretty as it is practical- and today y'all get the chance to WIN it for yourself!

Across the country it is bone-chillingly cold (even here in Florida it's in the 40s!) and when it gets this frigid it always makes me want to escape! Escape the cold, escape the routine, escape the ordinary! Since I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't have a private jet at my beck and call to take me away, clothing can be just as fun and still help me to (mentally) escape. I absolutely love the Cabana Life mentality this season to Escape the Sun & Escape in style (what other way is there)?! 

To help y'all "escape" Cabana Life is giving away a year's worth of clothing! Yep- you can win a wardrobe for a year! You can either enter to win here or check out my Instagram later today for another way to enter! (Just look for the photo at this pretty pink hotel!)

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Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale is HERE!

Stella Shift dress in "Oh Shello" (I'm wearing size 2- runs big)

Hey y'all! First of all thank you so much for your feedback & kind comments on my New Year's Resolutions post yesterday- I really have a feeling that this year is going to be the BEST yet!

And you know what is a good omen for a great year? A huge Lilly Pulitzer After-Party sale! Like the sale in August, today the sale kicks off in-stores only, and then it will go live at 8am on Wednesday 1/3/18! As I'm sure y'all know well by now... the sale is CRAZY!! I have a doctors appointment in the morning, so you better  believe that I will be logging on my iPad and checking my spot in line every 30 seconds ;)

So today I'm sharing some of my recent favorite Lilly pieces that I have a hunch will be included in the sale. Most of these styles come in multiple prints, so if the one I'm wearing isn't available then there will usually be an alternative print in the same style! 

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2018 New Year's Resolutions, Goals, & Word of the Year!

It seems surreal to be chatting today about 2018- I mean, what?! The year's just seem to be flying by faster & faster, and I'm just trying to keep up! 

I know not everyone loves New Year's Resolutions & goals, but last year I set some really intentional ones- and I'm proud to say I accomplished all but 2 (and even those I made some great strides!) Setting concrete goals for myself helps to keep me on track and gives me something to strive for. Sharing them through the blog is such a great way to keep me accountable to them & to get more personal with y'all and share a piece of my heart! 

So, without further ado, I'm thrilled to share my Personal & Blog Resolutions for 2018 with y'all!

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Sunday Scripture: Last of 2017!

 Happy Sunday and happy last day of 2017! I can think of no greater way to sign off on the end of one year and welcome another than by looking to the sweet words of the bible.

Friends, if there is anything that I have learned this year, it's most definitely that God can do WHATEVER he wants- and He can do it WHENEVER he wants to do it. There are many circumstances that have happened in which I was tempted to give myself credit or conversely blame "life"- but the Lord has shown me that is is His path & provisions that have both paved my steps and stopped me from veering in the wrong direction.

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2017: The Year in Review

Happy Friday (and the last Friday of 2017)!! I know I keep saying it, but I really can't believe this year is coming to a close. It has been such a year of learning, growth, strengthening, & faith and I am truly grateful for each and every experience! 

It is so much fun to look back on the year and see all that I have gone through. I'm grateful that this blog, besides a fun place to share fashion & finds, also serves as a diary of sorts! There will be so much more to come in 2018, but for now let's take a walk down memory lane...

JANUARY

One of the posts I am most proud of was this one On Embracing Confidence.

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What I Bought from the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

Halogen Mixed Media Ruffle Shift Dress (Size XS- 40% off!)

Hey girlfriends! Long time no chat! I think I knew the holidays were going to be busy, but I had no idea how much it would knock me out of my routine. I got back to St Pete yesterday and am now playing catch up on everything- but I'm excited to be back with y'all!

After all the work of preparing for Christmas and the holidays, it's always hard to come back to reality- they truly are the most wonderful time of the year! I really wanted to savor this season and soak up time with my family & friends- and it was just joyful!

But you know a great way to recover from the post-Christmas blues?! Shopping all the great sales that are currently running!! Today I'm going to share what I picked up from the Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale (warning: SO many great finds 40-50% off!) as well as some of the other great sales going on. Let's get to the fun!

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Merry Christmas!

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." 

(Matthew 1:23)

Oh happy day sweet friends- it's Christmas! This is such a special day in which we celebrate the birth  of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The older I get the more I truly have begun to comprehend that the very best gifts of all are my family, friends, and Lord. The "stuff" is simply that- stuff. But having a God who loves me enough to send his son for payment of my sins? Priceless.

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Dear Santa...

Jacket: Loft (sold out, almost exact) || Tee: Zuilly (gift) || Shorts: J. Crew Factory || Tote Bag: c/o Honeymoon Hats || Sunglasses: c/o Diff Eyewear || Shoes: Converse || Apple Watch with this band

I feel like today's post has to come with a big disclaimer, something along the lines of "I'm not a crazy nut... it really is 85 degrees in Florida & shorts are all that don't make me sweat!" (Or you know, something like that!) ;) 

Last Sunday some of my favorite gal pals and I did a peddle pub boat ride called "Kraken" here in St Pete and I knew between the sun and the peddling I would need to stay cool- so out came the shorts! I added this hilarious tee that my bestie, Abby, got for me for Christmas (she so knows my love of early 2000s hip hop) and of course this "Dear Santa" bag was the perfect finishing touch. Megan is SO talented and makes the cutest hats and bags for every occasion! They are the most festive touch!

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Gifting with Girl Meets Bow: For the Dogs & Mamas!

Striped Dog Wine Bag (on sale for 40% off) || Sparkle Dog Sweater || Blackwatch Plaid Collar & Leash || Gold Dog Tape Dispenser || Scottie Dog Wine Stopper (on sale for 40% off)

Adoption Day Ornament || Striped Dog Bed || Plaid Dog Bowl || Dog Grooming Shampoo

Spotted Dog Slippers || Co-Pilot Tee || Dogeared Necklace

I know I say this every single gift guide... but this one really was so much fun to put together! I'm sure it's because I'm a dog-mama myself, but there is nothing like the sweet snuggles of our furry friends. So, I wanted to make sure to put together a fun gift guide to treat those sweet four-legged family members as well as the dog-mamas who care for them.

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Last Minute Holiday Look + My Favorite Netflix Christmas Movies

Off the Shoulder Top: Loft (only $10!!!) || Pants: Loft || Earrings: c/o The Knotty Tassel || Heels: Target || Clutch: Nordstrom || Apple Watch with this band

Happy Monday sweet friends! Can you believe we are in the one week countdown until Christmas?! I'm kind of freaking out over here (so many gifts still to get!) - I even have a holiday party tonight that I STILL don't have a gift for or a dish that I need to make. Yeah, I'm well aware that it's less than 12 hours away! #NotEnoughHoursInTheDay #OrWeekend

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The Best Tunic Under $30

Tunic: Lush (Under $30!) || Vest: Loft || Jeans: J.Crew Toothpick || Booties: Vince Camuto (similar) || Monogram Necklace: Moon & Lola || Apple Watch with this band

Hey y'all!! Happy Thursday/Friday Eve :) This week has been a total whirlwind- between finishing up Christmas shopping, crazy days at work, and nightly Christmas parties and events- I feel like I can't catch my breath! #TisTheSeason I guess?!

Any who, it's been super fun weather lately for us Floridians because it's actually been chilly! I've been able to bundle up & wear layers, which is pretty novel around here! It's actually been hard to dress for, because we get so few cold days and I have so many pieces that I want to squish into the week of chilly weather! ha. 

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Gifting with Girl Meets Bow: Stocking Stuffers + $1000 Giveaway!

1. Pineapple Phone Charger || 2. Scripture Cards || 3. Baublebar Tassel Earrings || 4. Gold Swell Bottle 

5. Kate Spade Business Card Holder || 6. Ted Baker Stationary Set || 7. Kate Spade Pink Bangle (other color options available) || 8. Pineapple Ornament || 9. Sugarfina Bubbly Bears

10. Charger Organizer Bag || 11. Coasters || 12. Flamingo Ornament 

13. Pink Teleties & Gold Teleties || 14. Clarins Hand Lotion

Hey y'all! I can hardly believe that Christmas is only 13 days away (oh em gee!!) which means that gifting season is winding down- and this is my second to last gift guide! I hope that you have had as much fun shopping them as I have had putting them together!

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A Perfectly Pink Striped Sweater

Sweater: LOFT (on sale!) || White Jeans: Loft (run tts) || Booties: Vince Camuto (this year's version linked) || Clutch: Nordstrom (similar) || Earrings: c/o Lisi Lerch

Welcome to a brand new week y'all! Did you have a great weekend? Mine was B-U-S-Y... from a Juice Beauty Influencer event Friday, to a Saturday morning volunteering & Saturday night Christmas party with friends, to a Sunday spent with Santa- it was full of all the Christmas feels! :) 

I also made a good dent in my Christmas gift list, and at an unexpected place! I popped into TJ Maxx for one thing... and somehow picked up 5 gifts! Mine had just gotten a huge Kate Spade shipment in and I was able to get notepads, planners, notebooks, water bottles & coffee mugs for some of my favorite fashionistas! It was a total win- so if you're looking for some great gifts definitely see if your's is stocked up too! 

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A $10 Top for Now and Later

Off-the-Shoulder Top: Loft ($10!!!) || Jeans: J. Crew Toothpick || Booties: Vince Camuto (this year's version) || Clutch: c/o Vera Bradley || Tassel Earrings: similar style

Can I get a high five for Friday my friends?! YES! As I'm sure you can imagine, Q4 (Oct-Dec) is peak selling season in retail and work has been bonkers. I feel like my days are flying by and I blink & it's Monday and then I blink & it's Friday! But i'm definitely not complaining that the weekend is here. Bring on the happy hours!

Now it's not often that I tell y'all to stop everything you're doing and check out this top... but stop everything you're doing and check out this top! Let's start with the #1 selling factor: it's $10- yeah I can't believe it either. My friend Sarah encouraged my to pick it up last time we were shopping & I am so happy that I did! While it works perfectly now with jeans and booties, I can totally see it in the Spring with shorts and converse tennis shoes (come on Spring)! 

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Faux Fur for the Win

Ruffle Top: Gibson || Jeans: J. Crew Toothpick || Boots: Sam Edelman "Penny" Riding Boot (my favorite) || Fur Vest: local boutique (almost exact) || Necklace: Joan Boyce (similar) 

Y'all know I have love upon love for these ruffle sleeve tops- if you don't own one yet you are so missing out! The shape is extremely flattering, there are a million colors to choose from (orange I'm looking at you next!)  & they ring up under $50! Winner, winner :) 

I think this blush pink is just such a pretty shade for the winter season (can we all give an amen that winter pink is a thing this year) and I challenged myself to use this top as a focal point for a "winter date night" look. Since obviously you have to bundle up as the temps drop, I thought that adding a luxurious layer of (faux) fur was the perfect way to make this top say "I'm here for dinner AND drinks!" ha. Dazzling jewelry helps pop the outfit too!

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Gifting with Girl Meets Bow: For the Lilly Pulitzer Lover

Elephant Pillow || Candle in a Jar || Phone Case || Velour Robe || Paradise Bound Packing Bags || Ceramic Mug || Infinity Scarf

Beach Towel || Hat || Cosmetic Bag

Luxletic Leggings || Cocktail Shaker || Flip Flops || Pajama Pants || Weekender Packable Bag

As I'm sure y'all can guess, today's gift guide was WAY too much fun for me to put together! There is literally nothing in this post that I would be sad if Santa brought me... it's all so colorful and fun! One of the things I love most about Lilly Pulitzer, is that when you use one of her pieces (or wear one of her dresses) it just makes you happy! Like goofy-grin-on-your-face happy! And in today's crazy and ever changing world, I certainly think we could all use that kind of happy. So whether you're shopping for a Lilly girl, or just a girlfriend who could use a colorful gift, I hope these ideas help you with your shopping!

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Two Holiday Looks to Win Your Next Soiree

I don't know about y'all, but one minute my December calendar was nice and light on commitments- and the next it was FULL of parties, luncheons, gift exchanges, and celebrations! Now, don't get me wrong, I love the season of celebrating and spending time with all my favorite people, but inevitably I start to panic about finding the perfect outfit for each occasion (#FirstWorldProblem - I know!) 

Luckily, I found Julie Brown NYC just in time to avoid panic this year! What I love the most about this collection is that we share the same affinity for bright colors & bold prints- even in the winter- so picking out holiday looks that match my style personality was so much fun!

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Sunday Scripture

If you know original source let me know

This is one of my favorite verses to remind me to "stay the course"- and not give up. The Lord has such a unique plan for my life- and yours- and if we give up in the middle, then we won't reap the rewards of the amazing plan He has for us! So keep forging ahead friends & do not grow weary. There are so many wonderful things ahead!

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Holiday Cheer

Sweater: Gibson (Sold out, similar here) || Jeans: J. Crew Toothpick || Booties: Vince Camuto || Earrings: Fab'rik (almost exact) || Apple Watch with this band || Bangle: Kate Spade

It's hard to believe that today is the first day of December! I feel like I say this every month, but 2017 is FLYING by and I can't believe we are only 31 days from ringing in the new year! eek!

Knowing that the most special time of the year is upon us got me really thinking about how to fully embrace & savor the holiday season. So I put together a little list of how to add "holiday cheer" into my life for the next month and I hope that it will give y'all some inspiration too!

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