focus.

Happy Monday! After closing on our land last Friday and making an all-too-quick jaunt to North Carolina over the weekend, I am officially back to reality. With my marathon only six days away, my excitement is growing--and so are my nerves! I have a crazy week of work {including a three-day meeting in Porstmouth, New Hampshire} standing between me and the plane ride to DC on Friday night. 

In order to help me keep my focus, I have three very special visitors on the blog this week...

Many thanks again to Melissa, Caitlin, and Kelley for making my life infinitely easier this week :) 

Trust me: you won't want to miss their beyond gorgeous guest posts. We're talking serious eye candy!

I'll be back on Friday with the 100th edition of Friday's Fancies! SO EXCITED! 

Thank you for being such a loyal and loving crew! #countingmyblessingsthisweek

P.S. If you need anything at all this week, please email me--it's the best way to catch me :)

friday's fancies #99.

Happy Friday! I don't know about you, but I have been longing for this week's Friday's Fancies! While browsing Rent the Runway for inspiration, I had a lightbulb moment. What woman can rock sequins on a five-day-a-week basis? Vanna White, of course! I have been a huge fan of Wheel of Fortune for as long as I can remember, so here is a costume I concocted, channeling my love of my favorite gameshow. It could be easily translated with any sparkly dress in your closet--or with a quick rental from Rent the Runway :)

This little Mark & James by Badgley Mischka Mini Sequin Pixie Dress could be my favorite rental from Rent the Runway to date. I felt like a major princess when I wore it to a holiday party last December--and I would love to rock it as Vanna White ;)

Since Vanna is always blinged out, I know she could rock these Elizabeth Cole West Earrings {also via Rent the Runway}. Who can resist some serious sparkle?

To showcase her million dollar smile, this Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick would be an absolute must for an Vanna costume.

Sassy shoes {like these Kate Spade Licorice Pumps} would be ideal for any letter-turning walks!
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Join the Friday's Fancies family by clicking here + adding yourself to the mailing list! Any and all fashion posts are welcome--we're here to be inspired, without worrying about pricetags :)
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I hope those of you linking up today had as much fun with this post as I did--and thank you so much for linking up! If you're in need of even more costume ideas, check out the Halloween posts from last year. After our big closing, I am NC-bound for the weekend to go wedding dress shopping with my bestie!! I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend :) I'll see you on Monday!

P.S. Don't miss my Friday's Fancies getaway guest posts on la chapstick fanatique + Ellie Love!

it's getting real.

It's been a long day coming, but...

Though we won't get to walk into the doors of our new house, we will officially become landowners in the Ocean State! Since {cv} and I have never been homeowners, it all feels pretty surreal. We have been drawing up plans for months now and this is one {big} step toward making that dream home a reality :) {cv} and I hope to break ground early next spring, giving us plenty of time in the winter months to pick out some of the smaller details. While it will be a labor-intensive process, it will be worth it to finally walk across our wrap-around porch into our front door for years to come.

For those of you who have done this before: how dressy do I need to be for the closing? Does it take a long time? Give it to this girl straight ;) Many thanks for all of your encouragement along the way--the process is really just beginning and I'm so excited to have you all along for the ride!

P.S. Don't forget that Friday's Fancies is all about costume prep tomorrow...I'm so excited to see what you make! I have mine ready and I'm itching to share it ;) See you at midnight!

road-ready playlist.

With my marathon quickly approaching, I have begun the tedious task of weeding through my playlist for race day. I only plan on wearing one earbud so I can enjoy the race environment, but I need it because music definitely helps me stay on pace. Over the last few months, a few friends and blog readers have asked what music I use to help pass the miles. This is my current latest 45-minute running playlist, though it is always changing, so expect updates in the future :)

My 45-Minute Road-Ready Playlist: Forever {Chris Brown} | Till the World Ends {Britney Spears}
Bulletproof {La Roux} | That's What You Get {Paramore} | Written in the Stars {Tinie Tempah featuring Eric Turner} | Sugar, We're Goin Down {Fall Out Boy} | Too Close {Alex Clare} | Dead and Gone {T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake} | Dark Side {Kelly Clarkson} | Run This Town {Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West} | We Run the Night {Havana Brown featuring Pitbull}
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Ok, some of these may be oldies, but they are definitely goodies in my book. There are a few rather new songs on there too, just to keep me current ;) {And yes, there are non-explicit versions for all the rap songs, Mom!} I can't wait to hear what else you have on your running or workout playlists...I am always looking for additions. Enjoy your Wednesday, friends!