Mad for Plaid

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of family and fun! Mine was great - I was able to help prepare food for the homeless, then turn right around and help prepare food for my family's Thanksgiving feast! Of course, I went home for Thanksgiving. If you don't know me personally, then you don't know that I'm from a really small, rural town in North Carolina. I moved to Wilmington for school and now work there full-time. Going home is always great. Growing up, I hated living in such a small town, but now I love going home and having a bit of peace and quiet. My boyfriend lives about 45 minutes away from me in a way smaller town. He took me to explore this piece of land that he loves - it has a great barn on it! I was slightly obsessed...

Plaid Top | Jeans (similar) | Booties (similar)

Now, about my outfit... Plaid is a fall staple. It's a definite must-have in your closet. I own so many different plaid and flannel shirts, but this one has to be my absolute favorite. It's lightweight and long enough that I could totally wear it with a pair of leggings and riding boots! And it's comfortable enough that I don't want to immediately take it off after wearing it all day. I'm also kind of obsessed with the jeans and booties combo. You'll totally see me rockin' it in many of my future posts. Most of my jewelry is from Rocksbox. Seriously y'all, check it out - you can try your first month free with my code: morganbff257! You sign up and they'll send you three pieces of jewelry (from your wishlist) each month, and if you love any of the pieces, you can purchase them at a discounted price! I'm on my fourth month, and I've loved every piece they've sent me! You won't be sorry that you tried it... and if you don't like it, well hey, at least you got to try it for free!

Stay classy, friends!

15 Accessories Under $50

I love accessories. Plain and simple. I believe that accessories are what make an outfit complete. I cannot leave the house without a pair of earrings, a bracelet or necklace, and a ring. If I do, I feel lost and naked all day! But I also know that accessories aren't just jewelry, there's a lot that goes into the category of accessories. And there's a lot of accessories that will make the perfect gift this Christmas season. I've provided you with 15 gift ideas for $50 and under. Take a look!

1. GiGi New York iPhone 6 Case - I am a huge fan of this iPhone case, but of course I'm a girly girl and love just about anything pink and gold! This case is just so classic. Why not dress up something up that we know we all use so much? $35.00

2. Tartan Blanket Scarf - Blanket scarves are huge this year! They seriously make the perfect gift! I like how this one isn't as big and "in your face" as the original blanket scarves. Sure, the big ones keep you extra warm, but this is the perfect size to wear to work or class! $44.00

3. Street Level 'Large' Faux Leather Shopper - I've been swooning over this bag for quite some time. It is the perfect size to slip my laptop and agenda in and take to work. This blag is just so classic - and did I mention it comes in four different colors? $48.00

4. Plaid Blanket Scarf - Okay, so I couldn't post a tartan blanket scarf without posting the original blanket scarf. This baby will keep you incredibly warm. Not kidding - it's my go to scarf when I'm leaving the house. I even wore mine while hiking in the mountains. It definitely kept me warm. $22.00

5. Lilly Pulitzer Cosmetic Case - This is a great gift for that girl who loves to travel (hint, hint mom & dad). But really, everyone needs a good cosmetic case - why not purchase one that's fun to look at? I'd have to say my favorite print is the breakwater blue underwater escape. There's just something about coral that I love! $48.00

6. Loren Hope Sophia Earring / Deep Sea - Studs are in. But if we're being honest here, we know that they've always been in. I have a great pair of big Kate Spade studs that I love, but these are just as great. And this deep sea color is great for the Christmas season! $36.00

7. Kate Spade Initial Ring - Like Reese Witherspoon once said, "If it's not moving, monogram it." This is the perfect gift for a close friend. And what's best is that it's basically one size fits all, so you don't have to worry about finding out their ring size! $32.00

8. Pinch Provisions Mini Emergency Kit - This is the perfect gift. Seriously! This kit has everything a girl needs, including hairspray, earring backs, double-sided tape, a deodorant towelette, and so much more. This is a gift that will definitely get a lot of use. Especially if your clumsy and forgetful like myself! $18.00

9. Kate Spade 12-Month Agenda - I know I've touched on this in the past but I'm so thankful that Kate Spade and Lilly Pulitzer decided to come out with 12-month agendas! I buy one every December, and with the 18-month agendas, I'am stuck unable to use the first 6 months. What a waste of paper! Anyways, this one is absolutely adorable and a great gift for that organized person in your life. $40.00

10. Alex and Ani Sailor's Knot Bangle - I'm sure most of you have heard of Alex and Ani. If not, then it's about time you crawl out from that rock you've been hiding under. I especially love the gold bangles - but I've always been more attracted to gold than silver. I chose this bangle because I have a boyfriend with a love of the water and we have shared many fun memories out on his boat. But don't fret, there are so many bangles to choose from! $28.00

11. Anthropoligie Double Pearl Necklace - I've been seeing this necklace everywhere! It's so classy looking and is a great statement piece. And what's best is that it's on sale right now so hurry up and get one before they're gone! $15.00 (on sale)

12. Kendra Scott 'Decklyn' Pendant Necklace - Kendra Scott definitely didn't go wrong when designing her logo. This beautiful necklace is 14k gold and perfect for light layering! I promise you won't regret purchasing this piece. $50.00

13. J. Crew Tortoise Link Necklace - Y'all. It's hard for me to put into words how obsessed I am with this necklace, but I'll give it a shot. I love just about anything tortoise shell print - my boyfriend can vouch for that. And who doesn't love some bling with their tortoise shell print? I SURE DO! $40.00 (on sale)

14. Quay My Girl Sunnies - Quay makes some killllller shades and they are most definitely a must have right now. Of course, like I said before, I'd choose the tortoise shell print, but any of these sunnies will stand out! The subtle cat-eye is the perfect amount of cat-eye for me. $50.00

15. Crochet Double Cuff Over-The-Knee Socks - I have a pair of over-the-knee socks that I wear all the time in the winter. These are the perfect lounging socks, but will also look great folded over with a pair of boots! Go ahead and go for the 2 for $20 deal... you'll be wearing these a lot! $20.00

Happy shopping, friends!

15 Under $50 for the Man in your Life

Hey folks, Turner (AKA: Morgan’s Love Machine) here. My lovely other half has asked me to do a blog entry for her “15 Under 50” series. This one is going to be for the man in your life, because who better to tell you what to get your man, than another man.

A little about me first, just so you know where I am drawing some of my inspiration from. I am a born and raised North Carolinian who grew up on vinegar based BBQ, sweet tea, and my Nanny’s *basically* famous chocolate pie. I was raised on a dirt road between two tobacco fields with a cow pasture in the front yard, and a pond it the back. In short, I was born in the sticks. However, moving to Wilmington has opened my eyes up to a ton of different things, so I like to think of myself as a nouveau country boy. A lot of what you are going to see here is going to be stuff for the outdoors, but I’ll toss in some other things for a night on the town, or a stroll through the city streets. So, if your man is like me, consider getting him a couple of the things on this list.

1. Council Tools #2 Hudson Bay Axe: As someone who chops their own firewood, there is no better tool to get the job done than a wooden handle axe. While he won’t be splitting large logs with this one, it will definitely come in handy at the campsite when he’s doing light duty splitting, delimbing, or driving in camp stakes. The best part about it? It’s made right here in North Carolina, so you know you’re supporting a local craftsman and his/her family when you buy it.    MSRP: $52.02 (but you can find it for closer to $40).
2. NC Flag Patch Hat: If your guy is anything like me he has a ton of old ratty baseball caps lying around. Morgan tells me to get rid of them all the time, but they all hold some memories, and a little good luck if you ask me. Check out these awesome hats from the folks at House of Swank, a local NC based company and give him a blank canvas for some new memories. MSRP: $25.00
3. Yeti Rambler: It is hard to have a list of gift ideas for guys and not include at least one Yeti product. While I don’t think every soccer dad needs a huge cooler just to keep the Capri Suns cold, this is a Yeti product I can really stand behind. Double walled stainless steel means his drink is going to stay cold for hours, but his hands will stay dry due to its sweat free design. The rambler series is currently sold out on Yeti’s website, but there are plenty of local dealers who have them still.  MSRP: $39.99
4. Dollar Beard Club Subscription: I’m sorry, but your man doesn’t want that multi-pack of razors. He wants a thick manly beard and the right accessories to take care of it. For about $40 you can get him a kit of goods to take care of that thick beautiful mane.  MSRP: Varies depending on package
5. Wooden Six-Pack Caddy: There is nothing worse than finding your favorite tasty brews only to lose a few good soldiers in-route to the party because of wet cardboard. Get him one of these awesome six-pack caddy made of salvaged redwood beams. Also, you could paint this and create a one of kind gift that he can show off to all of his friends! MSRP: $45.00

6. Wireless Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: A party isn’t complete without music. Get him this awesome bluetooth speaker that he can take anywhere! Morgan and I use ours all the time on the boat, in the yard when we’re having bonfires, or having people over! This one from Amazon is heavily discounted right now and you can grab it for $30! MSRP: $100 27.99
7. Leather Sunglasses Strap: I don’t care too much for the standard foam croakies, I always seem to wear them out pretty quickly and end up dropping my sunglasses anyway. So, I switched to using some rope tied to the end of my sunglasses a while back. However, if I were to get a new pair of sunglasses, they would be sporting these awesome leather sunglasses straps from Buffalo Jackson. MSRP: $27.95
8. Portable Pizza Pouch : I really should be including this on 15 gifts to get Morgan (14 of those are pizza, and this is the 15th gift). But this is a great stocking stuffer that is sure to get a couple laughs from everyone. MSRP: $8.00
9. Wooden Accessory Docking Station: Ask Morgan, I lose either my keys or my wallet EVERYDAY. Granted I could just leave them on the counter and they shouldn’t get lost, but I’m sure I’ll still misplace them. I love this docking station, it makes it easy to have everything in one place and it looks so good that it might even inspire me to put my stuff on it. MSRP: $35.00
10. Topo Designs Dopp Kit: If your guy is still carrying his soap and toothbrush in a ziplock bag it is time to get him a dopp kit. This one from Topo Designs is the perfect size to hold all of his shower supplies for weekend getaways and he won’t look like a goober carrying around a plastic baggie full of shampoo. One of the best things about this one? It’s hand stitched in Colorado! MSRP: $29.00
11. Black Oxide Money Clip: Every guy needs a good money clip. There are times when you don’t want to carry around a big bulky wallet but still need some cash and a few cards. This one from Manready Mercantile is a great option. I love that over time the black finish will patina showing the brass underneath. Bonus points because it is made in the USA! MSRP: $38.00
12. The Noble Series Soy Candle: Let’s face it, your guy’s place stinks. I’m not sure why, but Morgan’s house always smells better than mine, I assume it’s because she sprays perfume every time she leaves the house but it may be because I really need to pick up my dirty laundry. A big problem with getting my house to smell nice is that just about every candle and air freshener is marketed towards women. While I love the smell of cucumber melon, it isn’t what I want to smell in my own place. This is where the the Noble Series Soy Candle comes in. I love their Cedar + Sage scent because it has a nice woodsy scent but doesn't smell like a campfire or a christmas tree. MSRP: $28.00
13. Opinel No7 Hermione Knife: Sure, I could spend $100+ on a nice benchmade knife. They are solid knives that cut well, but honestly, I will lose it within the first month of owning one. Thankfully, you can still get a quality knife without breaking the bank. I love the Opinel brand of knives. They have been around since the late 1800’s and are considered a “working man’s knife”. There are a ton of different styles to choose from (most under $30) but I really like the No.7 Hermione. It is made from reclaimed wood from the French Frigate “Hermione” which brought aid to the US in the American Revolutionary War. MSRP: $27.49
14. 100 Deadly Skills: This is the ultimate dude’s bathroom book. It seems like it would be cheesy but honestly it is a really good read and would be a great gift for anyone who travels a lot or is into self-reliance. MSRP: $11.00
15. Brackish Plum Thicket Pin: I know that all of these gifts are supposed to be under $50, but at $55 I couldn’t resist adding the Brackish pins, so I threw this one in last. One of these would be an awesome stocking stuffer for the guy who wears a blazer as it adds a little color without being gaudy. They have a bunch of different styles that can be matched to one of their bow ties or worn alone. Plus, it is awesome that they are all handmade in Charleston, SC. MSRP: $55.00

Well That is all I have for y’all. I hope you found something exciting to get your other half this holiday season!

Peace and Blessin’s

-Turner

15 Gifts Under $50 for the Preppy Girl

The Christmas season is upon us and if you're like me, buying gifts for people totally stresses you out. So I've decided to do a series of gift guides up until Christmas to try to lessen the burden of gifting for you! These guides will be posted every Tuesday and Thursday - so keep an eye out for them. Today's guide is geared toward that one totally preppy girl in your circle of friends. Here are a few gifts that I'm sure she would absolutely love!

1. Lilly Pulitzer 12-Month Agenda - This item is at the top of my list this year. I was so excited when I found out Lilly was releasing a 12 month agenda. I get so annoyed when I buy an agenda at the beginning of the year and can't use the first 5 months. What a waste of totally good paper. Ugh, Lilly always gets it right.
2. Marley Lilly Scalloped Monogram Tote - Scallops are always a must. This bag is absolutely adorable - and the perfect size to carry to work or class! I'm a huge fan of the cognac color. You can't go wrong with a monogrammed item.
3. Vineyard Vines Whale Cuff - I love myself some arm candy. This cuff can add the perfect pop of color to any outfit - and the signature whale embellishment is adorable. Of course, I'm a sucker for gold jewelry, so I'm in favor of the pink cuff!
4. Gold Carnaby Zebra Stacking Dish - I have been obsessing over this stacking dish for the longest time. This dish is great to keep on your nightstand as a catch all for your jewelry! The price of this dish has me wanting to buy one for all of my friends.
5. Crown & Ivy Solid Puffer Vest - I own a striped puffer vest from Crown & Ivy (see here) and I love it! These are the PERFECT gift and they won't break the bank. Everyone needs a good solid puffer to keep them warm and looking classy when the temperatures drop.
6. Calf Hair Passport Case - Is your friend traveling abroad next semester? If so, this is the absolute perfect gift! I wish I had this passport case when I traveled to France. I probably would've been able to locate my passport quicker and save myself a lot of panic attacks. 
7. Vineyard Vines Striped Whale Mittens - These mittens are the cutest! They're a totally practical gift. I love a gift that people can use for years and years. And if you feel like splurging, there's a matching hat and scarf to boot!
8. Minnie & Emma Monogrammed Sleepy Eye Mug - Oh my goodness, I love mugs! If I had enough room in my cabinets, I'd buy more. This one is so lovely and the perfect description of how I look in the morning - sleepy eyes for sure. Throw in some hot chocolate packets and you've got a fun gift!
9. Moon and Lola Hartford Block Monogram Necklace - I'm not kidding when I say that I'm obsessed with this necklace. It's great that there are so many different color choices - you can sport your school colors! Turquoise is close enough to teal, right? (Go Seahawks!)
10. Krass & Co. Navy Sailor's Delight Shorts - Krass & Co. took a product that most girls are obsessed with and put a fun spin on it! These shorts would become a workout staple for me - I love a good pair of dry-fit shorts.
11. Lilly Pulitzer Votive Candle Set - Everyone needs candles! Seriously... what happens if a crazy snow storm knocks out your power?! You'll have a set of Lilly Pulitzer candles to brighten up your home and make it smell wonderful. You can't beat that.
12. Smathers & Branson Greek Needlepoint Hat - This would make the cutest stocking stuffer for any sorority girl. I may have asked my boyfriend for one this year - Alpha Phi alum, represent! But really, needlepoint is so classic and ladies, they make fraternity ones too! Perfect gift for your man.
13. Monogrammed Seersucker Scalloped Lounge Shorts - Like I said before, scallops are a must. Seersucker and scallops are a knockout combo. These shorts will be your go-to lounging shorts
14. Kiel James Patrick Classic Bowtie Bracelet - I love this idea. Guys shouldn't be the only ones able to wear a bowtie! See how to style these beauties on one of my fav blogs here.
15. DIY Cake Pop Kit - Okay ya'll, seriously? Who doesn't love a cake pop? Especially those delicious ones from Starbucks - they're so hard to resist. This is a great gift for those girls that just love to bake!

Happy shopping, friends!

Chambray & Boots + Rules of Leggings

Crown & Ivy Chambray Top | Scarf (Similar) | Leggings | Frye Boots | Kate Spade Earrings

The weather here in Wilmington has been nothing short of interesting lately. Yesterday, I was boating with my man in a bathingsuit, and today I'm all bundled up. Crazy right? I guess I'm used to it though - I've been here for almost 5 years! This look is classic - if you don't own a chambray shirt, you need to go grab one pronto! I love this one because it's a pullover, so it's easy to throw on and run out the door. I grabbed this scarf from Marshall's the other day and absolutely love it. It's so thick and soft and the pink colorblock design really adds that perfect pop of color to the outfit. I decided to pair this top and scarf with a pair of black leggings. I know there are some {haters} out there that believe that leggings aren't pants and I have one thing to say to them: you're wrong. But I do believe that there two rules when it comes to wearing leggings as pants:

Rule #1: Whatever you're wearing on top must cover your butt. Because if your butt is covered, your front is also covered. And ladies, no one wants to see what you've got going on down there in the front. Seriously. No one. 

Rule #2: Your leggings must not be see through. Please, I'm begging you, don't wear see through leggings. It's tacky and I will judge you. Sorry about it.

You can purchase really great leggings from J.Crew and Victoria's Secret! I decided to pair this outfit with my Frye boots. These boots are my absolute favorite pair of shoes. I know I've talked about them before on the blog, but I mean it when I say that they are definitely worth the price.

Stay classy, friends!