I'm pretty sure that all grandmothers are angels walking the Earth, and my Grandma Jean is no exception. This year she is celebrating 89 years of life, so we decided to throw her a surprise birthday party. I think she earned it! My whole family was in town; and for the first time in many years, we were all together. I am proud to say that we PULLED IT OFF ! Check out a peek at our celebration below! Of course with everyone being together, we had to take new family pictures...which was quite the show. Trying to arrange almost 20 adults and 7 children is no small task; and in the process, I'm pretty sure we provided great, free entertainment for our neighbors. My Grandma Jean has 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, 6 grandchildren, 1 granddaughter-in-law, 3 grandson-in-laws, & 7 great-grand children. We are quite the crew, and I wouldn't have it any other way! Cheers to family y'all!! Thanks for reading XX- Molly
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Y'all fall is on its way!!! Which means...cooler temperatures, pumpkin everything, and an excuse for an update to the wardrobe! So, I thought I would share some of my favorite looks for the upcoming season. Fall in the South can be a tough one; sometimes it's cool and sometimes it's still a little warm; so having items that pull double duty is a must! This dress is one of my favorite finds for fall! It's suede with a laser cut pattern and is perfect for layering! The fringe booties are a must, and they are an unbeatable bargain! The dress is from my "Bestie's" store, Number Fourteen. Check out her website and be sure to follow along on SnapChat; it's the best way to order all of her new looks! The booties are from Target. This dress is another favorite of mine that transitions easily from season to season. It's light weight, but can easily be layered to create any look. And... as an added bonus, it has pockets! Shop the dress here at - Uniqlo Check you nearest Anne Taylor Loft Outlet for the necklace - it's a great staple! I decided to carry my summer bag into fall this year; I just can't get enough of the fringe! Click here to shop Rebecca Minkoff products. This look has all the classics wrapped into one and lots of color! Don't be afraid to wear your bright colors into fall. -A great pair of denim jeans -A classic white button-down shirt -A wrap -A fun scarf My favorite jeans are Paige denim (I basically own them in all colors.) The button-down shirt can be found at Crown and Ivy; it's great because it offers a little stretch. The wrap comes in many different colors and can be found at any major department store. And the scarf shown here is old; but it is from Target, and they offer great scarfs at an affordable price - so go crazy! This is a great cute, casual Saturday afternoon look. And yes, I am an advocate of wearing white jeans in the fall! I think they look crisp and pair well with fall sweaters and boots. So, don't pack these away just because Labor Day has passed. The jacket is also an Anne Taylor Loft find as well as the scarf, which I love because it has a chambray look with metallic yarn intertwined. The shirt layered underneath is a plain grey, peplum t-shirt from Number Fourteen. The army jacket look is still strong, and I'm a fan of the vest; it can be layered with more and worn for
a longer period of time. This scarf is one of my absolute favorites, It's by Stella & Dot; and they just brought back a new version for this year's fall collection. It is an absolute must!!! Shop here through my friend Charlotte & support another girl boss! Hopefully, these looks have helped get you in the spirit of fall and learned how to transition your summer wardrobe. Fall is all about the layers, layers, layers! So stock up!! Cheers to cooler weather and turning leaves! Thanks for reading - Molly The 2016 U.S. Open is stirring up happy feelings as I reminisce over our trip to the U.S. Open last year. It was SO MUCH FUN! A huge thanks to our friends for filling us in on all the deets and the "how-to's." We'll never forget our first U.S. Open or Honey Deuce drink ;) Take a walk down memory lane with me and get a glimpse of our fun-filled day! Even though I have only been one time and don't consider myself an expert, my friend Santhi is... so here's a list of her tips for conquering the U.S. Open: -Monday (Labor Day) is an excellent day to go -Buy grounds tickets -- you can walk all over the property, and you have access to everything but the Arthur Ash stadium. -Check the schedule before hand and plan out who you want to see and where. Many of the famous players can be seen on the warm-up courts, and that's a great way to catch a glimpse without paying the price for an Arthur Ash seat. -The famous Honey Deuce cocktail is a MUST! -Collect as many U.S. Open cups as you can -Be sure to eat well and stay hydrated...it can be a long, hot, fun-filled day! P.S. - I would personally recommend this to anyone for Labor Day plans; so put it in your calendar NOW for next year-- we already have! Thanks for reading y'all! Cheers to the long weekend ahead!! XX-Molly What's better than a work trip to Las Vegas!? But seriously... Check out all of my favorite Market trends and Vegas "to-do's"! Summer 2016 Market Trends: Cacti and succulents are a HUGE trend right now for the home. Aesthetically they have become apart of interior accessories physically as well as popular textile and artwork prints. Guys, I'm dead over this sofa. I need it right now! Colored upholstery is all over the place these days and I think it's a great way to infuse a pop of something unexpected into your decor. Be bold and try something different! This particular piece is from A&B home - hand designed and crafted by Sunny Lim Ko Seng - go check it it out! Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals! They are still hot, hot, hot! However, these tone on tone pallets are mixed with tons textures and patterns to create visual interest. This look was sponsored by Loloi Rugs. Kate Spade Home...enough said! I'll take one of everything please! Check out all of their product offerings here. Books are the new accessory! Stacked or lined, old or new, covered or original they are appear in all aspects. These are a great way to add color, texture, or height to your space for a very minimal cost. Check out your local flea market for these old treasures that can be transformed. Bold Prints & Bold Colors! Art work just isn't taking on it's form in a frame anymore; bold artistic prints and patterns are appearing on fabric and furniture! The chic bohemian beach look is still popular. This style offers sophistication with comfort. Restoration Hardware has created a phenomenon within the home fashions industry, and from what I can tell the look isn't going away any time soon. I love the way these neutral tones and denim fabric are paired with the dramatic, soft pink lettering, and the contrast between the clean lines of the cocktail table and the rustic storage bins. A peak into the AMER showroom featuring some of my summer designs. Vegas "to-do's" View from the Cosmopolitan Hotel: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G First top for anyone traveling to the west coast should be In-N-Out! It is the absolute best burger and fries on the planet. Dinner with a sweet friend at La Comida, in downtown Vegas. After an afternoon of shopping at the outlet mall of course :) "The Flower" drink at the Chandelier bar in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Not only is the location amazing but the drinks are too! This drink is a "must have". You take a sip of the drink, eat the flower, and finish the rest of your drink...but the catch is that the flower makes your mouth all nub and tingly! Supper fun! In all of the work and craziness I forgot to document many places and moments...oops! But here's a complete list of my favorite things to do/see: -Hoover Dam -Red Rock Canyon -High Roller Faris Wheel -Mastros Butter Cake -Pizza Rock -Triple George -A ride in the gondola at the Venetian Hotel -Historic Vegas Sign So it looks like I just broke the golden rule "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas", just kidding... Thanks for reading! Cheers y'all - Molly Mays Ya'll - My "bestie's" got married!!!! I'm just a little bit over the moon about it!! Take a peek at our trip to Pittsburgh and Bri & Eric's F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S wedding weekend! Who doesn't love a love story? The festivities began on Thursday evening with a welcome party complete with the most festive wedding décor you've ever seen, grilled pizzas, and Moscow mules! Friday's agenda consisted of the most chic bridal luncheon you've ever seen at Hotel Monaco; a pit stop at the Bride's store, Number Fourteen, of course; and a super fun rehearsal dinner at Olive or Twist! Saturday. The BEST. DAY. EVER. We started the morning by getting beautiful, sharing sweet memories with Bri, and sipping on mimosas. Then we partied all of three minutes on the party bus ride over to the church. Once the "I-D0's" were done; it was P-A-R-T-Y time!! It doesn't get any better than that folks! Cheers to the Happy Couple - Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness! We love you B & E and are so blessed to have been a part of your fabulous day! Thanks for reading y'all XX - Molly I think everyone probably has a favorite thing that their grandmother makes! And you also probably think that no one else makes it just quite the same... I was so glad when we moved back to Charlotte to be able to use all of the wedding gifts we received over a year ago (we left most of them with my parents as they wouldn't fit in our 600 sq. ft. slice of Manhattan). I grew up making pound cakes with my Gammie. She would pull up a chair, so I could see over the counter. Then she would help me scoop, measure, and stir the ingredients. For my bridal shower, she surprised me with my very own pink Kitchen Aid mixer! So, it only seemed fitting that the first thing I made with it would be her Sour Cream Pound Cake! Take a peek at both my first attempt at baking Gammie's pound cake on my own and the delicious recipe. First, gather all of your ingredients together before you start. Also, measure any ingredients at this point, so everything is ready to go as you need it. First, beat the softened butter at medium speed for about 2 minutes. Once the butter is soft and creamy, you'll add the sugar slowly on medium speed for 5-7 minutes. Next, add eggs one at a time to the mixture beating just until the yellow of each disappears. Be sure to stop the mixer every now and again throughout the process and scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. This ensures that everything is being evenly combined. Now combine your baking soda and flour. Add these dry ingredients to your mixer alternately with the sour cream. Be sure to add the flour mixture one scoop at a time at a slow speed. Always start and end with the flour. ATTENTION - DO NOT LEAVE MIXER RUNNING WHILE ADDING FLOUR - trust me...it doesn't end well. You and your kitchen will end up looking like there was a snow storm. While the flour is mixing in on the lowest speed, add your flavorings: vanilla extract, almond extract, and Gammie's secret ingredient... amaretto!! Be sure to taste the batter and add more flavoring as you wish. While your batter finishes mixing, prep your tube pan by giving it a good coating of Baker's Joy, or by greasing and flouring it well. Now it's time to add your batter to the pan. Be sure to make the batter as even as possible, but remember that the "top" of the pan will be the bottom of the cake. Next comes the BEST part of all...licking the batter bowl!! Be sure to leave yourself a little treat! My paw-paw and I used to chase each other around the house with spatulas trying to get some of the batter from the other (Sorry Paw-Paw, this one was all mine!) Place your cake on the middle rack of your oven. Be sure it's pre-heated to 325 degrees. Set the timer for 1 hour and 20 minutes. When the time is up, check the cake with a cake tester. If the tester comes out clean, the cake is done. It may need a few more minutes depending on your oven. Once the cake is done, take it out of the oven and place on a cooling rack for 10 minutes (in the pan). Then remove from the pan and cool completely. And just like that you have "Gammie's Sour Cream Pound Cake"! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It certainly is a special family tradition, and I hope that it can become one for you too! Recipe: 1 cup softened butter (2 sticks) 3 cups of sugar 6 large eggs (room temperature is best) 3 cups of all-purpose flower 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda 1 cup sour cream (1- 8oz. carton) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 1/3 cup Amaretto (adjust to taste!) Bakers Joy spray Tube pan Wire cooling rack Cake tester or tooth pick Cheers y'all! Thanks for reading XX - Molly An LWD is just as important to have in your wardrobe as an LBD! Now is the best time to buy the perfect one because most of them are on sale, and they can easily transition into fall. Add a cropped leather jacket and some fringe booties, and you've got it made. Check out my top five picks of LWD's for any occasion... #1 -Around town - Pair this look with either Jack Rogers or Converse and add a colorful bandana around your neck, and you're good to go! (Check out my friend's look here) #2 - Casual yet tailored - This look can easily be dressed up or down. Wear with flats and a cross body bag or wedges and a clutch! #3 - The must-have maxi- These are great for date nights with wedges and a clutch, and they can easily transition into the perfect beach or cruise wear by simply adding a pair of flip flops and a colorful necklace! #4 - Perfect for church - A classic style dress with simple lines made of a dainty fabric is perfect for church. Add your own flair with accessories! #5 - Work wear - A tailored look is best for this. Throw on a blazer and some heels, and you have the perfect corporate look. Cheers to finding the perfect LWD that's just right for YOU! Thanks for reading XX - Molly And we're back... Vacation is officially over... Every year for the 4th of July, my family and I take off down to South Carolina to this little slice of heaven called Wild Dunes, on the Isle of Palms. It is divine! Wild Dunes is the perfect location, too. You feel like you're worlds away, but it's only 5 minutes from Sullivan's Island, 10 minutes from Mount Pleasant, and 20 minutes from Charleston--one of the most magical places on Earth! Take a look below for a peek into our low-country vacation and tips and tricks on where to go and what to do! The view from our town house could not have been any more perfect--right on the ocean! P.S. - We always rent through Beach Side Vacations. The first thing I do when I arrive is unpack and put my suit case away. I also try to pair up all of my outfits on hangers so it's easier to get ready, and I can spend more time on the beach in the evenings. Upfront planning really pays off! A casual evening stroll to dinner Acme Low Country Kitchen is a must do on the island. The food is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S, not to mentions their killer happy hour every weekday from 5-7--all top- shelf choices are just $5 - SIGN ME UP! Our first day on the beach... nothing short of pure bliss! Sullivan's Island is another favorite spot and a "must-do." It has an old Caribbean island feel--warm and welcoming, casual and comfortable. Take a stroll or a drive up the tree lined streets. The downtown strip is filled with local trendy restaurants and quaint shops. This is my favorite house on Sullivan's Island. I drive by it a minimum of 3 times each visit. I can totally see myself just moving right on in! We spend as much time on the beach as possible, so we pack a serious survival cooler full of all kinds of goodies. Lunch on the beach just tastes better, and my favorite is a Palmetto Pimento Cheese sandwich. We can't forget a refreshing cocktail--I prefer Bud Light Lime or Jose Cuervo pre-mixed margaritas (makes for easy serving!) Our 4th of July festivities include,cocktails, Low Country boil, & fireworks on the beach!!! Another great area, that is often over looked, is Historic Mt. Pleasant. It has all of the charm Charleston has without the hustle and bustle. One of our very favorite restaurants is The Old Village Post House. It's actually on old U.S. post office turned fine dining. We spent our final evening in Charleston! Dinner at - High Cotton Photo Op. - Magnolias Photographer - My adorable Daddy If you're planning a trip to Charleston or a surrounding area, be sure to add some (or all!) of these spots to your list!
Thanks for reading and following along! Cheers - Molly Let me start off by saying that I am no expert on this subject; these are simply my opinions and observations. I fly for work quite a bit, so I have experienced many different encounters on airplanes and in airports. So take this bit of advice as you wish... That being said, I'm sure most of us have had some type of unpleasant experience while traveling. It sort of comes with the territory, unfortunately. Traveling can be very stressful, and it doesn't always bring out the best in people. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful reminders or will at least provide a good laugh because you have experienced them personally. Enjoy! - Be sure to use the bathroom before you board your flight - you'll thank yourself later! -Try not to use the bathroom on your flight, especially if you're in the window or middle seat. You really shouldn't have to go if your flight is 3 hours or less. Hold it. -Don't recline your seat if you don't have to. Legroom on flights is tight as is; if you recline your seat, the persona behind you will probably recline theirs, and so on. It sort of creates a chain reaction that is unnecessary. -If you're listening to music in your headphones, make sure no one else around you can hear it. -If you're traveling with children, do not let them kick the back of the seat in front of them. -If the gate agent suggests that you check your bag to your final destination and you're part of a later boarding group, just do it! It's free, and you may even be able to claim your bag as you exit the plane! -Don't touch other people's items; leave this job to the flight attendants. And certainly don't squish other people's items into the bin; you don't know what they may have in their bags. -Be very conscious of your space. Space on airplanes is tight as is, so be sure to only take what you are given. Everyone else is suffering just as much as you are. -If you are unfortunate enough to have the middle seat, I do think it's appropriate for you to assert control over both armrests. The window seat has the window, and the aisle seat has the aisle. That being said, don't be rude about it or take more than your fair share. -While waiting in the airport, don't give you're luggage it's own seat especially if it's very crowded. It's luggage...it's probably been in worse places than the airport floor. Also, keep your belonging close to you not only for safety reasons but also for the courtesy of other passengers trying to navigate the aisles. - Remember where you are; it is an airport and people are generally in a hurry. Just like a highway, if you're strolling along MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE. It's fine if you aren't in a hurry, good for you (insert thumbs-up emoji here), but many other people are and trying to dodge the strollers in the middle of the aisle only heightens frustrations. -If you're riding the moving side walks, be sure to walk on the left and stand on the right. (but if you want my real opinion, if you aren't going to walk don't even get on - the purpose is to move people along more quickly.) - Once you are boarded, stow your belongings as quickly as possible and get situated in your seat. The less you fidget and move around, the more your fellow passengers will thank you. - When retrieving your luggage, you do not need to stand directly in front of the chute right up against the belt. Everyone take a breath, step back 10 steps, and relax. I find it best to watch from behind, often down the belt a little bit; and when you spot your luggage, step forward to grab it. - If you choose to only use a carry on, make sure you can actually lift your items. Often times a nice gentlemen will offer to help anyways. - After landing and the plane is parked, you do not need to jump up into the aisle as if you're dying, especially if you have checked luggage. What's the rush? Also, it is common courtesy to let each row fully exit in front of you. Do not run from the back of the plane to the front cutting everyone else off. Wait your turn. Hopefully these tips and tricks help make your next traveling experience just a little more pleasant, and feel free to share this post with your neighbor on the plane ;)
Cheers y'all! Thanks for reading! XX-Molly The 4th of July obviously calls for all things "Red-White-&-Blue"!!! Take a peak at what I'm packing for my 4th of July week at the beach... Be sure to follow along on Instagram @ mollygmays for sneak peaks of where we're going, what we're doing, and what I'm wearing! Cheer's to long holiday weekends...especially the ones that involve sun and sand! Thanks for reading XX - Molly |
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