a photo, a wish, & a thank you.

the extremely hectic nature of the week i just put behind me only makes me feel a smidge better about not having prepped a friday's fancies post this week. in lieu of my usual post, i'll leave you with a little photo & a little wish: that this weekend is one i'll always remember, for all the right reasons.

 

 

and if you're positively itching for some fashion-inspired material, here is last year's friday's fancies labor day look. i can't believe it's been over a year since i first started participating in alison's link-up. it's something i genuinely enjoy putting together nearly every week, & it has enabled me to become acquainted with a great group of fellow bloggers. and if that wasn't great enough, i'm beyond excited that she will be guest posting here on siddathornton next friday, as i recover from the bachelorette festivities of this weekend.

 

thank you, alison, for all you do!

monday - a wilmington wish list.
tuesday - lunch time currents.
wednesday - bachelorette party essentials: one last nod to neon.
thursday - love lists: august.
friday - a photo, a wish, & a thank you.

here's to a weekend of safe travels, strong drinks, & best friends.

 

photo: boats in alabama \ instagram

love lists: august.

read on to discover the items that brought a smile to my face in the eighth month of 2012.

1. clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel. this is seriously the best moisturizer i've ever discovered for my skin type. my skin tends to get oily, but it isn't always - i guess that would make me a 'normal to oily' type of person. the gel - rather than the lotion they also offer - is so, so light weight & moisturizes without clogging my pores or making me overly-hydrated. i will continue to re-purchase this for as long as they continue to make it.

2. l'oreal voluminous carbon black mascara. i heard all the raves over this product, but i was still hesitant to pick up a tube of it [i don't know why - it's only $5.99 in my local drug stores]. but the other day, i decided i was ready to take the plunge. i'm SO glad i did. this mascara is exactly the kind of mascara i like: makes lashes thick, a bit on the clumpy side [yep, i'm one of those], & extremely dark. this is another product i will continue to re-purchase. it's a great value, & it layers well with my other go-to mascaras.

3. revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in honey. i finally - finally - got my hands on the one shade i was determined would be my first of this line. i absolutely love it. the balm wears off after about an hour, but the color stays for at least four. as a follow-up to all the hype these products have been getting, i'm impressed. my mom got a really beautiful shade as well - i can't remember what it's called, but it has more of a purple tint to it.

4. this girl's youtube channel. she's always been one of my favorites, but lately, i have really been loving her videos. i trust her opinion 100%, & i continue to believe that she is an excellent role model for all her viewers, no matter their ages.

5. our new girl. she has really come out of her shell in the past few days. pound puppies are the way to go, y'all.

6. estee lauder double wear light foundation. here's another product that has been on my radar due to all the hype surrounding it. in my search for the perfect wedding day foundation, i have to admit - this one was a front-runner. and the other day, when my mom & i were in dillards [coincidentally to purchase number one on this list], i trekked over to the estee lauder counter & asked if i could sample a few shades of the double wear. the girl gave me three sample tubes, which i used over the course of the following week. not to mention, when i asked her what foundation she was wearing [because it looked absolutely beautiful on the skin], she told me she was wearing the very foundation she was sending home with me. i was almost sold then & there. i chose the 'light' option because it is photo-friendly, whereas the original version is not. i'm so excited to finally have a tube of it in my makeup collection!

7. wearing mac painterly paint pot alone on the lid, paired with big, black lashes. i love eye makeup. i really do. but with my 8 a.m. arrival time for work - & my tendency to sleep in - i've had to modify my makeup routine a bit. painterly works perfectly to hide any imperfections on the eyelid, especially veining. it also gives a nice, finished look to the eye, & when paired with big, black lashes, i am left looking fresh, awake, & on time for work.

8. my 26 in year 26 list. i thrive off of goals & new beginnings. and that's exactly what this list is.

9. my friends. plain & simple. i'm so blessed to be surrounded by people who are so unconditionally supportive & accepting. and i'm thankful.

10. pantene hair products. you know, i go back & forth between shampoos & conditioners, because i've been told that's what you're supposed to do to keep your hair looking its best. and that's what i'll continue to do. but i know one thing: my hair always looks its absolute best when i've switched back to pantene.

do you miss the vlogs?

i do. hopefully soon i will have the set-up to record videos again.

i am a little impressed with myself, though - i haven't missed a month's love list yet! 

see other favorites here.

bachelorette party essentials: one last nod to neon.

this weekend, i'm hopefully* headed southeast to alabama for my bachelorette party!

bachelorette parties are serious business. you've got dancing. you've got drinks. you've got festivities upon festivities. throw the beach into the mix & you've got quite an event to plan & pack for, in order to stay safe, sun savy, & hydrated. and with labor day signaling the end of summer-time fashion, i thought it'd be fitting to give summer one last wave goodbye with a neon-focused look. 

below are my picks for surviving a sun- & sand-filled fete.

sunscreen | sunglasses | nail polish | lip balm | hat | ihome | tote | water bottles

not only will the girls & myself be celebrating this weekend, but justin & his guys will be soaking up the rays & going out on the town for his bachelor party in myrtle beach, south carolina! be on the look-out for a recap of both events week after next. next week, i have some great guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers lined up - don't miss it!

here's to a beachy keen weekend!

*that is, if hurricane isaac doesn't throw a wrench into our plans.

read our engagement story here.

link- up: wedding wednesday \ something charming

lunch time currents.

reading graceling... still. it's not that i don't like it. i just can't get into it enough to sit & read for hours. i need to wrap it up, though... because the september book club selection is where we belong, by emily giffin.

writing immense wedding to-do lists. we're getting organized & are ready to tackle the remaining tasks!

listening to the hum of an office at work.

thinking that i really hate politics. and that it's total crap that gas prices are about to go up simply because there is a hurricane.

smelling my coworker's cup of coffee, sitting on the desk beside me. and it's making me anticipate the coffee i'm going to brew shortly.

wishing for a complete accept/decline list for the wedding.

hoping that hurricane isaac leaves my family's & friends' houses alone - in fact, that he will leave everyone & everything alone.

wearing scrubbie scrubs. and sperry's. and fall-time nail polish.

loving my family. and friends. and how they are always there to help me.

wanting to find out if we are still going to be able to trek to gulf shores this weekend. if that isn't going to work out, i think dallas or hot springs would be fun.

needing to guzzle water today. i'm off to a decent start.

feeling sore from working out. and proud of that fact.

clicking this post by wily brunette. and this one. and i have been reading & re-reading this post on ashore. those girls never disappoint & never fail to inspire. thank you.

care to join in? link up below!

a wilmington wish list.

 

here's a little list of things i hope justin & i can get

around to doing as we wrap up 2012 in our brand new city.

1. eat some delectable sea food at catch. justin was lucky enough to try this place out with one of his coworkers last week. his excitement over how great the food was, was all i needed to hear: i can't wait.

2. get our apartment decorated. want to see the design aesthetic i prefer? i think it's best described as ecclectic romantic. check it out here.

3. go for a long run at my park. i have been stalking hugh macrae park ever since justin started interviewing in the wilmington area. and now that i've researched it online a bit, i can tell it's already so much more than i could gather by peering into it from oleander drive. i can't wait to run, walk, & explore in this park.

4. go christmas shopping at mayfaire towne center. although my experience with this cute little shopping center is limited to a delicious meal at tokyo 101 & admiring all of its shops [& starbucks!] as justin & i cruised down military cutoff road, i already know i am going to feel at home there. absolutely cannot wait to pop into its j.crew or ulta... & to discover some new favorites. oh, & they have a barnes & noble. and a bath & body works. need i go on?

5. ride the ferry from south port to bald head island & see old baldy, north carolina's oldest standing lighthouse. have i told you about my love of lighthouses? no? well, i love lighthouses.

6. play a round of golf at one of these places. and by play a round of golf, i mean ride in the cart while justin plays a round of golf. and also, try every once in a while to hit the ball [and actually make it go up into the air, instead of it rolling like a bowling ball across the grass].

7. attend church services at some different places. we are hoping to get more involved in our community once we are both back in the same place. i think church would be a great way to meet & get to know some people!

8. get starbucks sunday & go for a stroll on the beach. no explanation necessary.

justin, i hope you're gearing up to take on all of these activities once we're back in the same city.
and after we complete these things, we'll be making a 2013 wilmington wish list! get excited!

photo: wilmington \ instagram

*special thanks to megan from my wilmington nc - great, helpful blog!

friday's fancies #41 + friday's letters.

friday's fancies #41: roadtrippin' every weekend. by siddathornton featuring short shorts

I HAVE to tell you: i felt extremely qualified to participate in this week's friday's fancies theme, which is - obviously - roadtrip. why? well, i have been on three road trips in the past five weeks, so that makes me a pro in roadtrip attire. and, of course, for each of those road trips, i could be found dressed a chicly as the above [yeah right]. we all know that comfort is the main ingredient for those long hours in the car, & i think this striped burberry prorsum t shirt perfectly fits that bill. it's cute, but i can just tell by looking at the photo, that this shirt is ultra-soft. could there be a more perfect article of clothing for a roadtrip, than denim shorts? i don't think so. these rag & bone the cut-off denim shorts are seriously cool. i may be in love. but my love of this burberry prorsum earlsburn leather tote cannot be topped. the day i add one of these to my collection will be a happy day indeed. i also love the understated elegance of the vera wang lavender lara round toe ballet flats. they take the outfit in a more grown-up direction than some of the sandals i was considering. and, really, no outfit is complete without a little bit of accessorization [is that a word?], so i went the funky route with this alexander mcqueen skull charm leather wrap bracelet. all in all, this outfit is a big winner in my book. roadtrip, anyone?

dear justin, i miss you. dear kara, i miss you. dear laura, i miss you. dear loved ones who don't live in shreveport, i miss you. dear friends, thank you for the ultimate twenty-sixth birthday celebration. dear self, you absolutely will follow your diet & exercise plan next week. after all, your bachelorette party is right around the corner. dear bridal party, i absolutely cannot wait for our trip to gulf shores next weekend. i love you girls & can't wait for some serious r & r on the beach. dear readers, speaking of my bridal party, be on the lookout for a feature in which i'll profile each of my ladies - coming in the next few weeks! dear self, let's make twenty-six the best year yet. dear weekend, please be good to me. dear nottoway, i can't wait to see you again!

sunday - starbucks sunday: relaxation currents.

monday - justin's new job.

tuesday - a little girl named libby lou.

wednesday - twenty-five: a year in review.

thursday - twenty-sixth birthday snapshot.

friday - friday's fancies #41 + friday's letters.

link-ups:

friday's fancies \ {long distance loving}

friday's letters \ adventures of newlyweds 

twenty-sixth birthday snapshot.

I HAVE to say: twenty-six had a pretty perfect start.

messages from my favorite people all day long.

dinner with a few close friends at sushi gen.

galavanting at both superior steakhouse & stray cat.

the only thing i can think of that would have made my day better - i am sure you can guess what i'm about to say - is the presence of absolutely all the people i love.

[yes, especially you, justin].

but mostly, i just feel both lucky & grateful that i've managed to collect some of the best people in the world over the years, & call them friends. friends that are there to celebrate with, to traverse rough terrain with, & really, to just experience life with.

thank you to all who helped start off this twenty-sixth year of life with absoutely nothing but pure joy. i owe it all to y'all.

and now i'm looking forward to family birthday brunch, coming this weekend!

here's to twenty-six. 

photo: stray cat shenanigans \ instagram

twenty-five: a year in review.

WITH TWENTY-SIX on today's horizon, i thought it'd be fun to look back on this past year & all that has happened... i was just about to turn twenty-five when i started this blog, & now i'm turning twenty-six. a year ago, i wasn't engaged, & now i am. i had lived in louisiana my entire life at this time one year ago, & now i have lived in kinston, north carolina, & after i get married, i will live in wilmington, north carolina. my sister left the country [well, at least for a little while]. the day finally came when i brought myself to read another classic. in my twenty-fifth year, my friend jenny got engaged & married, my friend lindsey got engaged, & my cousin geoff got married. travels upon travels were documented, both of the land & air varieties. my blog child turned one. i finally, FINALLY got to see taylor swift in concert.oh, & we absolutely cannot forget that luke wilson made me cry. boy, has it been a year!

perhaps you remember this post?

read on for the official results.

1. choose my career path & pursue it.

if you read my blog, it may not necessarily come as a shock to you that this one is not crossed off. what can i say, i have a lot of interests.

2. write a children's book & get it published.

if you make it all the way to the end of this post, you'll find this goal - in two parts - in my new list for the coming year.

3. take the GRE.

4. see taylor swift in concert.

5. clean out my closet & donate my clothes.

6. construct a budget & stick to it.

if only you knew how crazy this year has been.

7. visit kara at millsaps.

8. become a morning person.

i'm getting better at this, but not good enough for me to feel okay about crossing it off.

9. send a postsecret.

there are so many secrets i want to send off. i need to just do it.

10. go to a movie by myself.

i still haven't done this. and in light of recent events, i'm kind of scared to now.

11. knit a scarf.

12. run a 10k.

yet another goal you'll find in my new list, alongside loftier ones.

13. lose the weight & keep it off.

'the' isn't crossed off just yet, because i'm not finished losing the weight. but i have lost weight, & i couldn't be more thrilled about it. i'm really starting to like my body again, which is such a great, rewarding thing. now, for the keeping it off.

14. read at least 20 books.

while i'm fairly certain i have indeed achieved this goal, i can't be sure because i didn't really keep a record of it. in the twenty-sixth year of my life, i plan to critique each & every book i read. not only will this give me an accurate count when it comes time for year twenty-seven, but i will also be able to contribute a lot to my critique cache feature.

15. visit a place i've never been to before.

16. make this bracelet.

it's a shame that the website that housed 'this bracelet' no longer exists. it's also a shame that i'm cheating & telling you that i accomplished this task, when really, my coworkers accomplished it for me, then gifted me with the precious results.

17. sew something all by myself.

i have to admit, i've spent exactly zero time seated at the sewing machine in the past year.

18. watch breakfast at tiffany's in its entirety.

it's ridiculous that i haven't been able to find time in the past year to watch this movie. i promise you that i will this year.

19. go out of the country.

i may not have done this in the past year, but kara has.

20. create a workout routine & stick to it.

21. learn to play a song on the guitar to kara & i can sing a duet.

another one i just... straight up neglected to carry out.

22. never go to bed without brushing my teeth.

i can't cross this one off, but i can tell you that i did a REALLY good job... just not a PERFECT job.

23. pick a laundry day & stick to it.

i can't - in good conscience - cross this one off, when a pile of laundry is staring at me from across the room as i type this.

24. complete my four art projects.

oh, how i am behind in my art work!  

25. live for the moment.

eleven victories out of twenty-five possible?

come on, lauren, you can do better than that. and maybe you will...

1. get married.

2. visit boston, massachusetts & portland, maine.

3. go on a cruise.

4. move to wilmington, north carolina.

5. have a dinner date with my husband.

6. go out of the country.

7. complete all the projects on my arts & crafts board on pinterest.

8. buy a devotion book.

9. journal every single day. even if it's just one word.

10. decorate our first christmas tree together.

11. pitch my children's book to some publishers.

12. oh, & before that happens, i should probably get the book on paper. and illustrate it.

13. watch my dear friend lindsey get married.

14. have siddathornton redesigned, by a professional.

15. take a web design course.

16. complete a triathlon.

17. run a 5k.

18. run a 10k.

19. run a half marathon.

20. work toward becoming a renaissance woman.

21. resume reading the bible. and make some serious headway.

22. keep a record of all the books i read. and write a critique of each one.

23. keep the weight off & live as healthy a lifestyle as possible.

24. get more pedicures.

25. get involved in my community.

26. visit new york city.

yes, some of the items listed above could be considered a 'given,' considering the [quickly-approaching] events that lie before me in the remainder of this year. but humor me, will ya? it is my birthday after all.

photo: birthday morning sky \ instagram

a little girl named libby lou.

ON SATURDAY, my family welcomed a new addition to our home. of course, i've been calling her new girl, & now i can't stop. is new girl an appropriate name for a pet? i don't really think it is.

we found libby lou at petsmart in bossier, as the pound puppies are brought up there nearly every saturday morning in the hopes of them being adopted & brought home with their new families. we met lots of precious puppies that day, but when we rounded the corner & saw her, my dad & i knew she was the one.

she has a very, very chilled out temperment. if you want to hold her, she will stay still & nudge you every once in a while with her nose. put her down, & her tail wags non-stop. she is very observant, & will crane her neck in order to take in her surroundings. she is a very smart girl, & we are really loving getting to know her. and we think she is genuinely happy to be in her new home.

though i gather from the photo above that she did not particularly care for her first bath. [but she needed it].

photo: new girl's first bath \ instagram

justin's new job.

REMEMBER HOW justin & i are moving to wilmington?

well, the truth is, while i am here in shreveport wrapping up the plans for this event,

he is beginning his brand new job in  our brand new city. he is working hard, &

i am missing him like crazy. and, let's be honest, i am jealous he is now posted up

in our brand new apartment, 10 minutes away from the beautiful, rural beaches of this place.

i hope the next few weeks fly by, so that i'll be headed back with him to wilmington & all that is in store for us there.

justin, good luck today as you start this new chapter of your career.

everything that has happened up until now has been a blessing in disguise,

bringing us to where we wanted to be all along. i am so proud of you!

photo one: wilmington \ iphone

photo two: justin & me \ instagram

starbucks sunday: relaxation currents.

OH, HOW i miss starbucks sunday posts!

oh, how i miss drinking starbucks on sunday!

it has been entirely too long since i've enjoyed either one of the above. so, behold: currents brought to you on this lovely, lovely sunday after a truly rejuvenating weekend of rest, relaxation, & productivity. oh, and the drink i'm currently sipping? none other than a tall caramel frap, of course!

reading graceling. still. and i'm getting a bit fed up with myself that i still haven't finished it. i just haven't been giving myself enough time to sit down & read lately. i guess that's what happens when you're working full time, planning the last details of your wedding, & working out as much as possible. it's ok - i'll get back into my reading groove soon!

writing as much as possible. i've really been loving the written word lately, rather than grappling with it like i have been in previous months. i may just be getting inspired...

listening to the hum of the air conditioner outside. it's cold in our house, & i love it. as anna claire has pointed out before, 'you could hang meat in here.' i like bundling up. especially when it's summer, & i'm missing the chilly months, which have grown to be my favorite.

thinking i'm really happy with the way my diet & exercise programs have been going lately. i'm going to add pilates into the mix this week, which always makes me feel so great.

smelling caramel frap. and loving every second of it. i'm also smelling the 'bar hair' that's sitting on top of my head, reminding me of my time in a smoky bar last night. and hating every second of it. the smelling of the hair, that is. i had fun last night!

wishing days were made up of 36 hours.

hoping i continue to feel rested, motivated, encouraged, & inspired.

wearing a very long blue & white striped dress. and a brown cardigan. and smoky bar hair, piled on top of my head.

loving that i attended the gem & mineral show yesterday with my parents. not only did we check out all the interesting wares, i also scored some rocky road fudge & more pink sapphire earrings to add to my growing collection. i can't express my love of pink sapphire jewelry - all i can say is, it makes me happy. oh, & i'm also loving the fact that i'm looking forward to going to work tomorrow. that is something that very rarely happens to me.

wanting to be in the same place as justin.

needing to drink more water.

feeling content & rested, but also anxious about what i should be doing. it's a strange feeling, & i don't particularly care for it.

clicking her new leaf's entire blog. i think it's just the amount of pep my blogging step is in need of recently.

care to join in? link up below!

wishes for this weekend.

- to catch up on this girl's blog. and this one. and this one. and this one. and, many more.

- to go here & sit, laptop present in order to carry out my first wish, & sip on one of these.

- to cruise on the boat out here. summer days on the lake are such a fond family memory.

- to finish this book & get started on this one.

- to make another to-do list regarding this event, probably focused on the tasks mentioned in this post.

- to go on a long run & enjoy scenery like this.

- to go through the favorites i've saved here & catch up on the articles i've collected.

- to find myself planted firmly in this mind-set.

honestly, i just cannot express my excitement over the
hopefully relaxing & productive weekend that lies ahead.

tuesday - two months! & happy first birthday, siddathornton!

wednesday - to mr. & mrs. colomb!

thursday - on dancing like crazy.

friday - wishes for this weekend.



on dancing like crazy.

IF YOU ever get a chance, sit down & try really hard to think about how short life really is. i'll be honest, the last time i remember really & truly being able to grasp this particular sentiment, i wrote this post. and during that time, i feel that my appreciation of the fleeting beauty that is life, was tangible. something i could see, in the people i love. something i could feel, both in my heart & with my hands. something i smelled in a field full of freshly-cut grass.

and while i have to admit to the sad truth that i cannot always be present in that mind-set, i've found there are little ways to remind myself - little bright points i can use in my life that seem to take me by pleasant surprise & whoosh me into gratitude.

and as my family & i danced both friday and saturday night away at my cousin geoff's wedding, i had flashes of that feeling, that gratitude.

i guess that's just bound to happen when you're dancing like crazy. you let go, you forget, you let your body do what it wants to do, in the moment. you don't have to try. you just have to appreciate & celebrate the freedom of life. and, you know, i think it's something we should all do, if only once in a great while.

photos: we are the dancing queens \ instagram

to mr. & mrs. colomb!

I TOOK this photo of jenny & david over two years ago, & on saturday, they got married!

here are some photos from the festivities:

here's to many, many years of happiness for these two. congratulations & best wishes!

i did my darndest not to cry, but it's official: i'm a sap.

here, here!

read their engagement story here.

photo: jenny & david, jazz fest 2010 \ point & shoot

other photos: c/o anna claire stevens \ her instagram

happy first birthday, siddathornton!

I CAN'T really believe it's already been a year

since i first began writing & sharing my life in this space.

there have been ups & downs,

time periods of severe inspiration,

& time periods where dry spells reigned supreme.

most of all, i'm just thankful.

thankful for the creative outlet i've found here,

thankful for the great connections i've made,

& thankful for the comfort derived from

being part of a place in which i find endless inspiration.

here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year:

- carolina summer, day three: downtown greenville.

- fall favorites.

- untitled enlightenment.

- what i wore (a couple of weeks ago).

- homecoming bound.

- a small comfort.

- a foggy morning run.

- thank you.

- our engagement story.

- eighteen.

- starbucks sunday: justin's iphone artwork.

- resolutions.

i guess when i said 'a few,' i really meant 'way too many.'

i'm so happy to celebrate one year for siddathornton,

& i can't wait to continue writing, reading,

& relating here for many years to come.

view siddathornton's inaugural post here.

photo: siddathornton's birthday cake \ print by elisandra, found on society6.

also: look for a re-design coming up soon.

this one will be home-made,

but around the beginning of 2013,

i'm going to have a professional

get their hands on this space

& really clean it up for me. i'm excited.