7 Things to Do in Hilton Head

About a month ago, my boyfriend and I went to our favorite place, Hilton Head Island.  We have been there every year since we have been together (5 years) and we just can't stop going back.  I always have a list of places I want to visit but somehow we just keep going back to same place!  I've been wanting to compile a list of things to do for those who may be planning a trip there in the future.  We have found some really good spots to eat,  places to stay, and fun things to do.

1. Grab a bite to eat in the cutest "backyard" at A Lowcountry Backyard.  

You can't go to Hilton Head and NOT eat at this restaurant.  Sunday morning brunch is their prime time and every single thing on their menu is on point.  The atmosphere is my ideal environment too with their backyard seating, fountains, and 90's music playing in the background.

2.  Rent bicycles and explore the island. 

If there is any place in the world to rent bikes and explore- this is it.  This island was made for bikes.  Bikes, walks, tennis, really anything outdoors.  There are safe bike paths spanning the entire island and you can pretty much find a bike rental company on every street.  Most hotels also have their own bike rentals.  Some companies we've heard great things about were Hilton Head Bicycle Company and The Bike Doctor.  This is the most beautiful island and you get to enjoy the scenery so much more when you're cruising on your bike!

3.  Have a beach day at Coligny Beach.  This is a popular beach park within close proximity to some really cute shops and restaurants.  There are also a lot of restrooms, water fountains, and swings :)! If you get hungry after a morning in the sun, you can walk right over to Coligny Beach Plaza and be there within minutes.  That reminds me of my next favorite thing to do...  visit The Frosty Frog!

4. Order a daiquiri from The Frosty Frog.  Frozen drinks after a hot day in the sun? Yes please.  I suggest ordering a "Tropicolada".  This cafe/bar also has a sandy area where you can watch tv outside in the sand.  It is the cutest.  

5.  Order take-out from a local treasure- The Sea Shack.  Ever have one of those hole-in-the-wall type places that has the best food that has ever graced your body?  The Sea Shack has the best fried seafood and it is the perfect place to go if you want to have a "night-in" at your hotel.  Don't forget to order a slice of blueberry key lime pie for dessert! 

6. Watch the sunset at Harbour Town.  This is on the south side of the island in the exclusive area of Sea Pines.  You do have to pay $5 to get on this side of the island but it is totally worth visiting.  This is also where the famous Salty Dog Cafe is, along with a bunch of other shops.  I just love seeing the lighthouse and watching the sunset off of the dock.  Here is a throwback photo from a few years ago at Harbour Town.

7. Book a room at The Westin or one of the other beautiful resorts on the island.  The Westin at Hilton Head seriously has the best pool-scape I've seen.  The numerous pools are surrounded by gorgeous dark wood making it feel so luxurious yet cozy.  There are also a few bars and restaurants there too.  Another great pet-friendly hotel is actually Comfort Inn- we've stayed here with our dog four times and we love it.  It is close to everything and although not oceanfront, you can walk to the beach very quickly.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite place to visit.  Let me know if you have any other good suggestions of things to do if you've already visited! I would love to try them out.

Shelby

Earring Essentials

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 

If I had to choose one place to go buy some everyday, simple but elegant, light-weight and budget-friendly earrings, I would choose Kohls... simply for the LC Lauren Conrad collection! I've always found some of my favorite earrings to be in her collection and although they aren't made to last as long as fine jewelry, they are just what I need most of the time.  They are perfect to wear to work all day because they are gorgeous yet not going to pull your ear lobes down like some jewelry.  They are pretty light-weight making them comfortable to wear and beautiful.  You can almost ALWAYS find them on sale too.  I've linked up some of my favorites above!

Also, this past weekend I discovered a special kind of paint- chalk paint.  I will post a tutorial on using it later this week but I am truly obsessed with it now.  I want to paint everything in sight! Just kidding, but not really.  I can't wait to share with you what I've done this past weekend with some old furniture.

Shelby 

How to Dress Up Denim in the Winter

J. Crew Denim | Beige Open-Front Blazer | Vince Camuto Booties | GiGi New York Clutch | Top from Vestique last winter

Let's face it.  It is freezing and although we all have been day-dreaming of warmer days, the sunshine doesn't even seem to want to come out.  We have a long road ahead of us before we can take out our sandals, dresses, and swimsuits and it's sometimes difficult to decide what to wear to certain events during this frigid time.  This is where our favorite skinny jeans come in to save the day.  But you feel they aren't dressy enough for a special occasion?  I went to a friend's birthday brunch (Happy Birthday, Hope!) this past weekend and discovered a few simple ways to dress up my denim without freezing my booty off:

1. Pair them with a blazer.  This beige blazer pictured above was less than $33 and I absolutely know I am going to wear it every week to work.  It's warm AND takes the outfit to a whole different level. (Wearing a Size Small)

2. The darker, the more dressy.  I love a good pair of dark-washed jeans.  They just look so crisp and clean, especially with a contrasting colored top.  Dark denim with a light and neutral colored blazer- you can't go wrong.

3. Booties.  If you don't want your feet to freeze and fall off of your cold little body.. throw some wedged booties on with your jeans.  They will pull the whole outfit together while keeping your look on the dressier side.

So, no more excuses for staying inside and hibernating this winter! (JK I will continue to do that.) Pull out those favorite jeans of yours and dress those babies up.

Shelby

New Year

Tweed Blazer/Jacket | Relaxed Boyfriend Jeans | Tortoise Shell Keyhole Top (sold out online) | Antonio Melani Chanttel Pumps | Black Handbag or similar 

Well, it is 2015.  You've probably thought about a few goals of yours for the new year and I thought I would write down mine.  It'll be neat to be able to read it a whole year from now and see what I've accomplished.  So, here are a few things I hope to accomplish in 2015:

Show more gratitude for the people I love.

Especially these past few months, I have realized how important my family, friends, and boyfriend are in my life.  I sometimes don't show just how appreciative I am for them but I hope to simply say "I love you" more, spend more quality time with my loved ones, and don't take for granted any moment spent with them.  

Learn more about photography.

I basically just press a button now and know which lens I like to use most often.  I hope to possibly take a photography class and learn more about the settings about what all my camera can do.  My camera can take pretty good photos now so I can only imagine the potential it has once I learn more.  

Eat out less. Cook more.

See ya waffle fries.  It is time I start using my kitchen more often and stop wasting so much money on eating out.  It'll make it a lot easier to stay healthy too.  I'll be healthier, have more money, and gain cooking skills! Maybe I'll post some blog recipes I learn over the year.  

Read more.

Once I went off to college and decided to major in something quite difficult, I felt like I only had time to read books for school.  I want to read more books for fun, maybe before going to bed each night.  My boyfriend has read so many books and he sounds like a dictionary sometimes with the vocabulary he uses.  Reading just makes you smarter and it is interesting so why not?!

Stop stressing over the future and simply enjoy each day.

I have always worried about what I was going to do for my career and what my future held.  If I have learned anything in 2014, it is that you can't always make plans.  I thought I was going to be in dental school by now but this is my last week at my current job and I'll be starting a new job at an amazing pharmaceutical/clinical research company in just 10 days.  I'm still not totally sure what my future holds career-wise but I plan on not worrying so much about that sort of stuff in 2015.  I hope to enjoy each day, meet new people, strengthen my relationships with people I already know and love, be thankful for my health and my family's health, and live stress-free.  

Happy New Year, everyone!

PS. Thanks for reading this little blog I decided to create.  I get really excited when people randomly tell me they enjoy reading it.  Hopefully it has helped you find something cute and affordable to wear or inspired you in other ways.  I plan on posting a lot more great content in the next year!

Shelby