CCCVII.

My Anthropologie apparel and accessory picks:

CCCVI.

My Shopbop obsessions:

CCCV.

A very wise Sweet Briar alum told me that there are always ways of getting past a strict dress code and making it your own. Keeping this concept in mind, I've had to get really creative when it comes to the strict dress code for my new part-time job selling silver jewelry. The dress code states that all employees must wear solid black bottoms and a solid black or white top. The rest of the code details get down to the nitty gritty EXCEPT for the color of your shoes.. my boss and coworkers weren't expecting anyone to mix black and brown..

I am here to state that a black outfit with brown shoes is perfectly acceptable and vice versa when done correctly. Color should never be a factor, it's all about the design. You can do this by piecing the right shoe with the right bottoms. Here are a few options:

Perfect with knee-length pencil skirt/dress and wide-leg trousers

Looks great with straight/skinny ankle/wide leg pants
and knee-length pencil skirt/dress

Awesome with straight ankle pants and knee-length pencil skirt/dress

Works with a knee-length or mini (just above the knee)
skirt/dress with or without tights

Suitable for pretty much any professional style bottom

Perfect with slight mini a-line or pencil skirt/dress
with or without tights or scrunched socks

Great with a knee-length or slight mini a-line or pencil
skirt/dress with or without tights or scrunched socks

Other options also include the classic styles such as the peep-toe pump, the classic pump, the ballet flat, the Mary Jane, and the t-strap heel. Of course these styles go with everything- that's why they're so timeless! Don't be afraid to think outside the dress code box.

CCCIV.

I am more obsessed with books than ever. I don't know the cause of this surge of excitement, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with graduating college and having more time to appreciate books on my own time.. Yeah, I think that's it. Well, my book collection is growing faster than I'm able to read them, so I've established a personal queue and a followup wishlist. Lately I've been completely immersed in Priceless, a memoir written by the founder of the FBI Art Crime Team. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in art, history, art history, archeology, and/or action movies. His life is basically Tomb Raider meets the Ocean's series..


Next I plan to throw myself at the following three books. They've been waiting so patiently on my side table..

Aaaand then the followup wishlist where my bank account runs dry:

I cannot wait for her book tour to come to Norfolk and Virginia Beach in November..

CCCIII.

These have to be the most beautiful (and expensive) handbags I have ever seen. Gucci, are you trying to kill me?

via

CCCII.

My dad and I have been tooling around with the idea of winning the lottery and investing the winnings in something that would, well, make a serious profit. Unlike most people that win the ridiculous prize, we've braced ourselves for the possibilities and the realities of not wasting the motherload and -cough- never winning. Piecing the whole business fantasy together is the real fun part anyway.

One of my dad's long-time dreams has been to brew his own beer and start up a gastropub and inn based on Grace Sherwood, a tried and convicted "witch" between 1705-1706. When I was young I thought the idea of the Witchduck Brew and Pub was too farfetched and gimmicky, but now that I'm older, more aware of ideas that sell, and seriously into craft and high-end beers, I want to make this happen SO bad.

The Pub: 1) The food would be pretty typical pub food, but based around which beers would enhance the food, and the fries would be called Broomsticks, 2) The draft list would include around 50 beers, 3) The beers would be served in specialty glasses like the Birch Bar in Norfolk, and 4) The waitresses would dress in all-black uniform, except in October they dress in witch costumes, 5) The decor would be warm and rustic with lots of wood and vintage objects.

The Brew: 1) It would be called Witchduck Brew after Witchduck Road, 2) The label would rival the St. Pauli Girl, 3) The German and Belgian-style wheat beer would be called White Witch, 4) The bitter beer (IPAs, bochs, lagers, etc.) would be called Bitter Witch, 5) The stout would be called Black Witch

THIS IDEA NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

CCCI.

The newest addition to my succulent garden! So precious!

CCC.

Oh, Need Supply, please open shop in VB.