Summer Day in Manteo, Nags Head, and Kitty Hawk

June has always been one of my favorite months of the year. It usually involves the most traveling, boat rides, beach trips, marks the start of summer, and I go into a summertime state of mind. I feel the most alive this time of year, while the anxious thoughts of work and life fade away. So, you could probably imagine I was beyond excited to partner with The Outer Banks this month and become an #OBXpert!

Friday Favorites

Swim Top: Floral Border Print Top || Swim Bottom: Floral Border High Waisted Bottoms || Hat: Straw Fedora || Umbrella: Striped Beach Umbrella

It's Friday and today I'm sharing a few recent favorites in all things fashion and life! I got back from the Outer Banks last night and had the best time. I'll share more photos from the trip next week. 

Let's get started...

1) Dillard's Swimsuits. When I was searching for a cute swimsuit to bring to the OBX, I stumbled upon the cutest high waisted swimsuits at Dillard's (who would have thought?!)... a place that I haven't really shopped at lately but that will probably change now! Shop some of my favorite ones:

2) Caprese Pasta Salad. I tried this recipe a week ago and ate the entire thing way too quickly. It was delicious, so fresh tasting, and my favorite pasta salad I've ever made. You have to try it this weekend!

3) TJ! My fiancé is an all-time favorite of mine but TODAY marks our 1 year countdown until I get to marry my best friend. June 10th, 2017. We are heading to Charleston this weekend to get some wedding to-do's completed. We're looking forward to some food tasting on Monday! I'm also very, very excited to have engagement photos taken next week with our wedding photographers, Jake + Heather. I haven't shared much wedding planning details since I was thinking, "well, it's over a year away and I have plenty of time" but that is no longer the case! Over the next year, I'll be sharing plenty of wedding planning details in hopes to help some other future brides-to-be.

4) New friends. I met a bunch of awesome people on our trip this week and I hope you'll check them out. Each one of them taught me something new and even TJ learned a ton! It is so much fun getting a bunch of people together who have things in common yet also have their unique talents! Here are their sites: Meg Biram | Lavin Label | Feast and West | Spicy Candy DC | Kelli Boyd Photography | A Lacey Perspective

I hope y'all have a wonderful Friday and weekend! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for a new website design sometime very soon. I can't wait to share the new logo & design.

xo, Shelby

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What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Dress: to rent: Halston Heritage Lilac Disco Maxi Dress c/o || to buy $: Halston Hertiage || Shoes: Sam Edelman || Clutch: GiGi New York || Earrings:3-in-1 Flora Chandeliers

I'm sure some of you all might have a wedding or two to attend this summer. We went to a beautiful wedding of a friend of mine this weekend at The Duke Mansion in Charlotte. It was gorgeous and although it isn't officially "summer" for a few more weeks, it sure felt like it this weekend at 94 degrees! As I sat there in the ceremony seeing the men in their jackets sweating their faces off, I felt SO happy that I had decided to wear this flowy, breathable, and fun maxi dress. It was probably the most comfortable dress I could have ever found for a summer wedding! You can rent it here or if you're a millionaire, you can buy it here. 

Tropical Vibes

Anyone else feeling those tropical vibes?

You know you're due for a beach trip or a vacation in general when you keep finding yourself drawn to anything and everything beach-related, or in particular, palm-print covered. June is typically the month when my family would take a week off work and go stay at an oceanfront home somewhere on the coast of NC or SC. We're not doing that this year but TJ and I are going to the beach next week for a super exciting trip and we can't wait. If you aren't already following along on Instagram, click here! In preparation for that, I felt it would be the perfect time to share this palm print swing dress with you all! It is under $100 and has the prettiest island-y color scheme going on. 

Dress: Palm Print High-Neck Swing Dress || Shoes: 'Odynna' Pointy Toe Pump || Bag: 'Dinky' Crossbody in Chalk c/o || Watch: Leather Strap Watch || Lip Color: in 'Syrup'

May Pretties

How is it already June?! 

The first day of each month is always so eye opening to me. I like "firsts" in general... first day of the year, of the week, of the season. I like not knowing what the month will hold but hoping that it will hold a lot of great things. While new months may also bring some not-so-great things, in between the unknown, there will always be the good parts or "the pretties". Today, I'm taking a look back at all of the great things I enjoyed about May! Most of these are photos I've shared on Instagram over the past month but since not everybody uses that app, I'm transferring them to the blog in the form of "May Pretties"!

The Best Summer Top

Top: Off-the-Shoulder Floral Islander Top || Jeans: Wide Leg White Trousers (on major sale) || Bag: Coach 'Dinky' Crossbody in Chalk c/o || Necklace: Signature Flower Necklace c/o || Watch: Tan Leather Strap Watch || Lip Color: Lipstick in "syrup" || Shoes: Pointy Toe Pump

Have you ever walked into a store and immediately saw something you just felt like was made for you? It wouldn't feel right if you were to walk out and not get it. It has your colors, your print, your style... everything!  I completely felt that way when I saw this top! The off shoulder detail had me interested but the colors are what really had me loving it. It almost looks watercolored and it's basically my version of the perfect summer top!

The Best Memorial Day Sales!

In case you're wanting to do a little bit of shopping this holiday weekend, I've rounded up some of the best sales going on at some of my favorite retailers! 

Hope y'all have a great long weekend! I hope to spend a good piece of it on the lake and eating cookout food!

XO, Shelby

The Best Memorial Day Weekend Sales

Ann Taylor || 50% off Full-Price Purchase + Extra 40% off Sale Styles w/ code: SUMMER50

ASOS || Extra 20% off w/ code: HISUMMER

Banana Republic || Extra 40% off w/ code: BRTAKE40

J. Crew || 30% off your purchase w/ code: WEEKEND

LOFT || 60% off Summer Faves & all Sale Styles

Nordstrom || Up to 40% off

Happy Shopping!

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Blog Tips: Staying Organized

If you already have a blog of your own where you post fairly regularly, you know how difficult it can be to stay organized, especially if you have a full-time job on top of that. By the way, check out a blogging Q&A interview I did recently for Bond Twenty right here! I still have a long way to go when it comes to organization but I've also come a very long way since I first created my blog. Now that wedding planning has started, I don't really have a choice but to get my booty in gear and schedule things out! I figured I would share the strategies that have worked for me so far and please share some of your own in the comments! Blogging is a never-ending learning curve and every single day I learn something new. 

Shifting Things

Dress: Navy Shift Dress (almost sold out); Other Option (under $100!) || Shoes: White Ankle Strap Pointy Toe Pumps || Scarf: Washed Floral Scarf || Bag: Poverty Flats by rian c/o || Watch: 'Tailor' Multifunctional Watch

Wedding Brunch Styled By Whiskey & White Events

Photos by Blue Barn Photography

Last August, TJ and I had the fun opportunity to be a part of a styled wedding brunch shoot with Emily from Whiskey & White Events which was featured on Inspired By This yesterday! We had never been a part of something like this before and it ended up being so much fun. One of my favorite things that Pretty in the Pines has brought to my life since starting it back in summer of 2014 has been having the opportunities to meet so many creative and talented people around this area that I would not have met otherwise. Take a look through these gorgeous photos by Rachel at Blue Barn to get inspired for a bright and bubbly summer brunch! Warning: There are a lot of photos because I couldn't choose favorites! Too many good ones and I love everything brunch-related so here ya go:

Lilac Midi Dress for Spring & Summer

Dress: Lilac Sleeveless Cross-front Midi Dress || Shoes: Pointy Toe Pump || Bag: Crossbody (similar); less $ option here (under $25) || Lipstick: MAC in 'Syrup' || Watch: Tailor Multifunction Light Tan Leather Watch || Earrings: Flora Chandeliers

Two Colors That Will Never Get Old

Navy and white seem to be two of the most classic colors that never go out of style. Whenever I purchase anything in those two colors, I always know I'll get my money's worth. This time of year in particular also seems very navy-and-white appropriate with summer right around the corner! Two of my latest finds include these high waisted navy shorts and this pretty crisp white blazer.... pair them with some cute frames from here and you'll be looking classy & fresh as can be in no time! 

Smile More, Complain Less

Life is short. Have fun and live positively. That is the idea behind Smile More, Complain Less, an organization that was recently started by my cousin, Emily, and her husband, Patrick. A couple months ago, our family lost a very incredible person, Nick (Emily's little brother), who had the most positive outlook on life we had ever seen. Behind his sweet smile and signature laugh, he was fighting a hard battle against cancer after being diagnosed when he was 25 (you can read more here). Throughout the entire journey, he never complained and always just kept smiling and lifting others up. He left us all wanting to live more like he did.