Friday Faves

Thank goodness it is Friday! And I don't think it could be a more beautiful day to kick off the weekend. 

 Here are a few of my Friday Faves for this week.

How beautiful are these fresh flowers from the Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market? Can every weekend start like this?

May's Birchbox finally arrived this week. Be on the lookout for the May Birchbox review coming soon!

Breakfast in bed this morning...also note the patriotic berries celebrating Memorial Day Weekend ;)

I hope everyone had a fabulous week and will have an even better Memorial Day Weekend. What big plans do you have for the weekend?

Always,

CB

Birthday Recap

So I haven't been extremely devoted to posting lately but I am trying to get back in the swing. It's ironic that when I have more free time on my hands, the less likely I am to post rather than when I am midway through finals week were suddenly I cannot stop! Procrastination at its finest. 

I wanted to share a little birthday recap with you all via iPhone photos I took thought the day.

My first stop on my birthday was Starbucks for my free birthday drink...Grande Soy Hazelnut Macchiato please! 

Following a pedicure and a visit with some family friends I went to my absolute favorite sushi restaurant in Augusta, Takosushi. This place is a unexpected fusion of sushi and Mexican cuisine. Any place where I can get cheese dip and a sushi roll is fine by me!

After a delicious lunch with a couple of my closest girls and a little shopping I did some laying in the sun with friends and this little guy. Isn't he the cutest?

Before going out to dinner with the family I opened a few presies! My brother (with Mom's help) got me these Jcrew espadrilles from my Birthday Wish-list. I have been wearing these bad boy everywhere and let me tell you, they are comfortable... and this is coming from a girl who stands 8 hours a day at work. If you don't already own a pair of espadrilles, or even if you do, you need to invest. You won't regret it!

Dessert #1

Dessert #2

 After a fabulous dinner at Edgar's Grill, where I had dessert number one, the delicious dark chocolate flour-less cake. We came home for cake and ice cream, dessert number two. Calories don't count on your birthday right? At least that's what I tell myself. 

The fun didn't even stop on my birthday. When I came back to Charleston I was greeted with a package from my Big which was pretty much the best surprise ever. Big sent me these tortoiseshell-esque Kate Spade earrings and I am in love! They are perfect right?

My birthday this year was one of the best I can remember. I loved having a relaxed day full of people and things that I love. I received so many birthday wishes and it truly reminded me of how lucky I am to have so many people that care about me. So a huge thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special this year! 

Always,

CB

Birthday Wish List

I am one of those people that gets exceptionally excited about birthdays. I always have and probably always will. My 23rd birthday is just a few days away and I am wondering when I got so old! I will admit birthdays get a little less exciting after 21, but this year I will be spending time with my family and that sounds pretty great to me. I have compiled a birthday wish list below just for fun! 

Birthday Wish List by thecharlestonbelle featuring tory burch shoes

Always,

CB

Apartment Living

So I went and did something kinda grown-up today. I purchased a couch...I know this sounds lame, but it is a decision I have been mulling over for awhile now. Currently I have a hand-me-down couch, more like a large loveseat really, that has served me well this past year in my first apartment, but it was time for an upgrade. 

I spent several afternoons over my spring break checking out furniture stores trying to find something neutral, comfortable, and within my budget. I decided on a couch from a big box store. While it is not my dream couch (i.e the Pottery Barn Basic) I am happy with my purchase. Now if the darn thing would just get here already!

In light of my recent purchase I wanted to share some thing that I love and inspire my apartment decorating decisions. When I get my apartment how I like it (which may or may not ever happen) I will share some pictures!

Apartment Living by thecharlestonbelle featuring an alabaster lamp

Always,

CB

I may not have gone where I intended to go...

I am a life planner. I like plans and I like when life sticks to my plan, but rarely does this happen. Life loves to hit me hard with a reality check once and awhile reminding me that no matter how hard I try I cannot plan for everything. I came across this quote the other day and it really stuck with me. 

I may not have gone where I intended to go...A year ago I would have thought my life would look quite a bit different. I would have the ring, the wedding, and the happily ever after. Needless to say, I am not living in suburbia with the husband, 2.5 kids, a white picket fence, and a dog.  I often forget that I have so much to be grateful for right now. I am halfway done with graduate school, I live in the most beautiful city in the country, and I have the greatest friends and family that love me. Looking back I often wonder if I would have been ready for what I had dreamed up in my life plan. Was it an unrealistic goal to begin with? 

Lately I have been trying not to plan every detail of my life and know that what is supposed to happen will happen and be comfortable with the stage of life I am in now.  I am trying to remember things will unfold as they need to in their own time, not mine.  ...but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. 

You may not have the life you intended, you may not have the boyfriend, the promotion, the perfect apartment. You may not have been accepted into your dream school, you may have trouble finding a job, or you may have moved to a city you hate for a job you hate even more. No matter what your situation looks like remember that you are where you need to be in life whether you realize it or not. Trust that things are going to work out for the best and that no matter how much you worry it won't change the outcome. Embrace the life you have right now, throw the 5 year plan out the window and  don't be so hard on yourself.

Always, 

CB

Saturday Shopping and Sales

While finals week is upon us (only two more to go!!) my favorite way to procrastinate is to peruse all my favorite online shops. I have come across a few really great sales and I had to share.

Tory Burch is having their Friends and Fans sale! 25% off of most items excluding fragrances and beauty items. The last Friends and Fans sale I ordered a pair of Reva flats. I had been wanted them for awhile, but I had a hard time spending that much on a pair of flats. The 25% off helped out a ton and I don't regret the purchase one bit. So if you have been eyeing a certain Tory Burch item, now is the time ladies. Here are some of my faves from Tory Burch right now. I may or may not have already ordered the Miller sandal and I am strongly considering the espadrilles.

Tory Burch by thecharlestonbelle featuring backpacks bags

Other noteworthy sales include 40% off everything at Loft, and an extra 25% off everything at Jcrew Factory.

Happy shopping! 

Always,

CB

April Birchbox

So I am pretty sure I am the last girl to jump on the Birchbox bandwagon, but let me say I am oh so glad that I did! I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my first Birchbox for quite a few days now, even checking my shipment tracking multiple times a day (Am I the only one that does this...not ashamed).

Well it finally arrived today and I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning. I could not get to my mailbox quickly enough this afternoon.

Here it is, my first (of I am sure many) Birchboxes

My Birchbox contained 5 items

1) Sumita Eyeliner in black- I. Am. In. Love. I don't know about you, but I am on the never-ending quest to find the perfect eyeliner. One that has staying power, yet goes on smooth, and is not too expensive. Let me tell  you, this is the eyeliner. It is so soft and easy to apply and it will stay put all day long! At $11 a pop this eyeliner is really a steal.

2) Harvey Prince's Hello Perfume- I am guilty of picking a scent and staying with it for years. For those of you that like to change up your perfume for every season, this is the perfect summer fragrance. It smells so bright and citrusy. Hello Summertime

3) Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care Shampoo- I have color treated hair so I am always looking for a good shampoo to extend the life of those pricy highlights. I have tried this shampoo once and so far I like it. It wasn't anything fabulous, but I am still glad I got to test it out. 

4) KIND bar- I am a big fan of granola bars as I am running out the door, late for class as usual. My normal go to bar is the Coconut Chocolate Chip Cliff Bar. I was pleasantly surprised with the Kind bar. It was chewy yet crispy at the same time. I also really like when you can actually see the ingredients that are in the bar and it isn't over processed. I will definitely be purchasing a box to mix up with my normal breakfast bar. 

5) Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash- I have not tried the body wash that came in my Birchbox, however, it smells amazing!  I think I am going to save this little guy for travel, but I am pretty confident I will love it. 

The only product from this month's Birchbox that I plan to purchase is the Sumita eyeliner. 

I hope you enjoyed my Birchbox review. Who else has a Birchbox subscription? What fabulous products have you discovered?