Q & A

alisathumbnailllo

Hey loves! Now that I am nearly 6 months into blogging I figured it was about time I did a little Q & A! Have other questions for me? Let me know in the comments below. Enjoy!

How tall are you? I am 5’6 (I think)

What size do you wear: I am a medium top, large bottom usually, 29 inch waist, 8 1/2 shoe

Who do you look to for blogging inspiration? I have 2 favorites- Kahlea Nicole and Camryn Glackin, her blog is called Coral & Charm. They both seem so real and fun, like someone you could be BFF’s with!

Are you married: No, but I have an amazing boyfriend ❤

Something  I never leave the house without? Burt’s bees. I think I’m an addict (:

What moisturizer do you use? Ponds cold cream. I love how cool and refreshing it feels.

Favorite beauty splurge? Jessie James Decker lip kit! But your own here!

Who takes your photos? Either my friends Brittany, Skie with Skie View Photography or my loving boyfriend.

What is your least favorite thing about yourself? Real talk: I used to be very fit, like 6 pack at age 10 fit, (I was a competitive gymnast) but now that I have a 9-5 job my body has changed. But I am working on getting active again!

What is your favorite thing about yourself? My eyes. I love how a simple swipe of black eyeliner makes my blue eyes pop!

Do you blog full-time? No, but it is a goal of mine! I work full time as digital content producer for a fortune 50 company.

Do you workout? I’ve been taking body pump classes at a local gym for a few weeks now. If you ever get to try a class you’ll know what I mean when I say its the hardest workout ever but I’m hooked!

Favorite store? Right now I am a bit all over the place… depends on what I am looking for!

What draws your eye when you are shopping? It can go two ways- something that stands out and can be worn for a special event or something that is a great staple and will be versatile in my closet.

 

XOXO,

Allison

April Goals Recap

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Holy moly! How quick did April come and go?! Such a busy month and now its time stop and smell the flowers. May flowers that is! Here is a quick recap on where I stand with my monthly goals. How did you do on your goals?

Monthly Goals:

-Don’t buy anymore clothes {both my wallet and Justin are going to love this one}

  • Semi successful with the exception of some much needed new pairs of denim shorts.

-Pay off at least 1 credit card. Thank you tax season!

  • Finally paid of my personal credit card… that was until we bought a new bed.

-Try something new!

  • Calligraphy class is not for lefties. Lesson learned!

Weekly Goals:

Keep plugging away at the gym {YGG}

  • I still have the membership. So thats a start!

Daily Goals:

-Remind loved ones just how much they mean to me. Just because I say it doesn’t mean they feel it!

  • I’d like to think that this has been my most successful goal this month. Always tell loved ones how you feel because opportunities are lost in the blink of an eye.

-Water, water, water. Gotta get ready for bikini season!

  • Coffee is bean water, does that count?

 

Keep an eye our for my May goals post set to come out sometime this week. I am trying something new with my goals and I am excited to share it with you all!! Until next time..

XOXO,

Allison

Body Image

Real

This is a tough topic for me to talk about since I still have a hard time coming to terms with my body. But I think it’s more important than ever to do so. I hope that by putting myself out there it will help me to connect with you all on a real level because that’s all I ever wanted to do when I started blogging.  I wanted to be someone real, relatable and someone you could truly connect with. A role model of sorts. Having said that, I feel the need to address the highs and all of the lows I experience while putting myself out there to ultimately be “liked”… or not. During my short time blogging I have learned just how much faith and courage it takes to truly open yourself up to others. I want so much to be a strong, confident voice for “loving one’s body” but half the battle is first finding the confidence within myself. So what better way to cope with these feelings than to write them down?

Body image is something I have struggled a lot with over the past few years and with the season of tank tops and string bikinis nearly upon us, my body frustration is more apparent than ever. This season I found nearly half of my shorts from last year are too snug for comfort. During my past photo session these body image feelings rolled over me like a turbulent wave. I was excited to get in front of the camera but when it came time to review the images I began the self-doubt. I pointed out every flaw that I didn’t like about myself. Poor Justin handled my roller coaster of emotions like a champ, encouraging me to smile and by telling me how beautiful he thought I was. But we are our own worst critic and no amount of compliments and affirmation from the outside is going to impact us until we begin to love from the inside first. With all that being said I want to vow to do a few things today-

  • Continue to share with you the good and the bad- ups and the downs and all the highs and lows that come with putting yourself out there.
  • Try not to be so hard on myself- I am who I am for a reason. I might not know the reason yet but if I stay positive I truly believe that all things will fall into place.
  • And most importantly always stay true to myself- This is so challenging in a world based on appearances and first impressions. But when I remind myself why I started this blogging journey and who I want to be, the path becomes clearer.

Ultimately, our perceived body image comes from the inside. I hope to one day be a strong voice for body positivity but until that day comes I vow to continue to better myself and share my stories along the way.

XOXO,

Allison

Spring Stripes

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Despite the late start, the flowers are finally in full bloom! {Thanks to some April showers}. How beautiful are these blossoms we happened upon last time we went out to shoot. Spring makes me soo happy!

I’ve been busy transitioning my winter wardrobe into spring, out with the old and in with the fresh and new! I’ve noticed I have a small obsession with blue and white striped shirts. There is something about these blue stripes that is so classic and timeless. Pretty sure I have 4 different variations of these stripes. I have linked below some of my favorites all under $40! Just click your favs and the link to shop with pop up below!

 

 

Do you have a spring obsession? Are you also on board this stripe train too? 🙂 Don’t worry, there is plenty of room for all of us!

XOXO,

Allison

Weekend Recap

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Happy Sunday, all! I can’t believe the weekend has already come to an end. I was lucky enough to get to spend some time outdoors before the April showers came through town. This weekend being being that of Earth day, the USNWC has this amazing festival called Tuck Fest. Although I didn’t get to participate in any of the races I did get to spend Friday night kicking in with my best gal pals listening to some live music, enjoying the view and brews!

Highlight of the night was being introduced to the musical amazingness of “The Revivalists”. 9 o’clock on a Friday after a long work week and I was ready to go home and crawl into bed until these guys took the stage! Such a fun, easy, rock’n roll vibe! Check them out below:

 

Cheers to another amazing weekend!

XOXO,

Allison

Home

home

It had been almost 6 months since I had last been home. All the busy weekends and stressful work weeks and next thing you know its been nearly 6 months. Too long for my heart. Its funny how you don’t realize how much you miss home until you come back. The familiar scents, the faces, knowing every road like the back of your hand and just taking it slower. Driving windows down with not a care in the world. That’s the feeling of being home. You sink back into that familiar routine, even if its been too long. Once you come back its like you never left. Your “home away from home” doesn’t feel real anymore.

Each time I leave home I have the most conflicting feelings of rejuvenation mixed with the yearning in my heart that this is where I will always belong.

And so today I am thankful for the home cooked meals, love, support and that always open red font door that make it so easy to come back home.

 

XO,

Allison

A Few Good Things

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— Lets talk about this tank?! How cute and flattering is the peplum shape! The straps are braided and the colors are SO vibrant and fun. Already naming this my tank for the summer!

— The fact that this weekend I will be home for the first  time since Thanksgiving. I am excited to spend the Easter weekend with friend and family but most importantly I miss my dog!! Be prepared for an insta stories takeover as soon as we are reunited. Sorry not sorry.

— Next weekend is a big deal! Justin is the assistant coach of the UNCC men’s LAX team and next weekend we get to travel to ATL for the playoffs! {hoping I-85 isn’t a nightmare} Not only did these boys make it to the payoffs, they also swept their division. So excited to cheer on the boys and our coaches! {probably going to loose my voice… }

— Spring weather means spring cleaning, finally getting to put away the sweaters and break out the cute dresses. And this makes me so happy!

— Murphy birthday weekend means cake on cake on cake! {my inner fat kid is rejoicing}

Happy Thursday!

XX,

Allison

 

Happy Birthday!

unnamedHappy birthday to my sweet, Justin. You never cease to amaze me. Your charisma an ability to charm everyone you meet still puts a smile on my face. You have such a way of putting me at ease even when absolutely everything in our lives is hectic. You sacrifice so much for others and always do what you can to make those around you smile. I hope you know that it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Although our road is bumpy and uncertain you do your best to assure me that everything is going to be alright.  You tell me that not everything is easy and its not supposed to be and I am trying to learn that that’s okay. But there is something about loving you that is so easy and that’s what I love about our love the most. I don’t have to overthink, I just know.

I hope you have the very best day and cannot wait to see what amazing things 26 brings for you. Bailey and I love you so much.

XX,

A

Mint OTS

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Happy Thursday! We have almost made it to the end of the week! (PRAISE)

I am typically not a bandwagon fashion fan, but now I am totally on board the “off the shoulder” {OTS} train! There is something so sexy about showing off your shoulders but at the same time I don’t feel too exposed.

When the trend first came around I really fought it because I hate having to get certain bras to wear with certain tops. It just seems uncomfortable and overkill. I just figured I would constantly be tugging and adjusting the shirt so that it stayed put on my shoulders. And while that might be the case with some OTS tops, this one actually stays put! I think its the length of the sleeves that helps keep it in place. And since the OTS trend is here to stay its given me an excuse to go shopping for some new strapless bras! Hello Victoria’s Secret!

XOXO

Top//Pants//Shoes

April Goals

hello-april

Happy April! April is a busy month for everyone in my household- 3 Murphy birthdays, Easter, Lacrosse playoffs (GO UNCC!!) and finally taking a trip home for the first time since Thanksgiving! I cannot wait to snuggle with my sweet Addie Lu and hopefully take a trip to Wrightsville beach!

Keeping these goals on track might be a challenge this month since I’ll be go-go-go all the time so I’ll keep them short and sweet! Big picture, this month is all about saving $$$ and bettering myself! Let’s go!!

Monthly Goals:

  • Don’t buy anymore clothes {both my wallet and Justin are going to love this one}
  • Pay off at least 1 credit card. Thank you tax season!
  • Try something new! {I signed up for a beginner calligraphy class, can’t wait!}

Weekly Goals:

  • Keep plugging away at the gym {YGG}

Daily Goals:

  • Remind loved ones just how much they mean to me. Just because I say it doesn’t mean they feel it!
  • Water, water, water. Gotta get ready for bikini season!

 

Do you have any goals this month? Or any advice about how I can achieve my goals with such a busy schedule? Please comment below, I’d love to hear from you!

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