Things I Like About Winter

After our wonderful dose of warm weather yesterday, I am even more ready for spring than I already was.  I've been tired of the cold since, ohhh...October (even though it wasn't really that cold here yet)  It's even snowed a lot this winter for NC and I don't like snow.....at all.  I don't even think it's a little bit pretty.  So even though I am extremely ready to move into the next season, I am trying not to wish these last days of winter away.  In honor of trying to tolerate and semi-enjoy the days until March 20th, I decided to make a list of things I like about winter.  (I warn you, it's not very long, but I tried....)

1.  There is football for some of winter

2. Boots and leggings

3. My hair cooperates better when there isn't as much humidity

4. Thanksgiving and Christmas

5. No mosquitoes and less bugs and snakes

6. Fleeces and VS PINK pants

andddd folks, that about does it.   

oh and one more,

7. I can wear gloves while pumping gas (I'm a bit of  germ-o-phobe) 

So while I continue to enjoy these things, I'll also be looking forward to the many great things spring will bring.  Below are a few things for spring that I'm loving. 

Vestique Innocent & Edgy Dress

LuLu*s Hibiscus Melody Navy Blue Dress

Ruche In the Blink of an Eyelet Top

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...& to Those Who Are Nice

This is kind of a long story, but it's worth it.... Last Friday, I found a dress identical to the one below (except it was black and white) in a local boutique.  I loved it the minute I saw it, the picture doesn't do it justice.  The stripes and gold buttons screamed nautical and I knew gold JRs would go great with it (like they don't go good with everything...)  It was casual, but also work-appropriate.  So I tried it on and loved it, but I kept thinking that it would be even better in navy and white, but was still sold on it anyways.

   Throughout my 20 minutes of browsing and trying on different dresses, it was just me and the owner in the store.  I had been warned by several people before I went in there and knew from previous visits, that she isn't the friendliest cat on the block so I made it a point to kill her with kindness. Well...it didn't work...and she was still not very friendly or welcoming to me.  So, even though I loved the dress, I didn't get it.  Not that she needs my support to keep her store open, but I would love to think that small businesses are grateful for the customers that walk in their doors, especially in this economy. 

Anyways, I have thought about that dress several times this week, but I refused to go back and get it.  Fast forward to yesterday afternoon.  I walked in Forever 21 and it was like the music stopped and I was the only one in the store.  Staring and glaring at me, was the IDENTICAL dress I saw at the boutique for a THIRD of the price and in NAVY AND WHITE.  Talk about meant to be...  Guess good things do come to those who wait...and to those who are nice!

Navy and White Striped F21 Dress

Navy and White Striped F21 Dress

Navy and White Striped F21 Dress

Guppy Love

I got this little guy last weekend from Anthropologie and I absolutely love him!  He's super cute and very practical.  I think he is intended to go by the kitchen sink to hold your rings while doing dishes, butttt he's on my bathroom counter holding my pearls.  Love him!

Gulping Guppy Ring Dish

Gulping Guppy Ring Dish

Sea-Inspired Cookies

I'm not a big sweets fan, but I LOVE these and had to share!

 (originally seen here)

(originally seen here)

You can get these here!

Get these on Etsy!

Sea It...Love It... - Z Gallerie

Love these bowls from Z Gallerie!

Silver Starfish Bowl

White Starfish Bowl

Sea It...Love It... - Target

In terms of shopping, this is one of my most favorite times of year! I kid you not, I get anxiety when I go into stores and see their new spring and summer collections.  Pottery Barn and the gigantic nautical collection they have every year (dinnerware, bedding, etc.) is a prime example.  All of these choices pose a major problem because I want it ALL and I can be quite indecisive while shopping.  I have said for years (ask my friends) that anything sea-inspired sells out pretty fast; at least it does around here. If something at Old Navy or Target has a seashell or an anchor on it, it's gone within days.  More designers should catch on to this!  Below are a few things from Target  that they've just put out.  We better get it while we can, it might not be there for long...

Long Coral Charm Pendant Necklace

Long Starfish Necklace

Coral Starfish Necklace

Coral Stone Ring

Coral & Aqua Ring

A Few of My Favorite Things

For my first post, I want to share a few of my very favorite things.  These first four things are Nantucket Brand.  I recently got their beach print overnight, duffle, and cosmetic bags.  I also got the makeup tote. (All in navy)  I can't say enough nice things about these.  They are fabulous solely because they have seashells on them, but they are also great sizes and very practical.  They're also machine washable which is a huge plus if you do a lot of traveling. 

Nantucket Brand Overnight Bag

    

Duffle Bag

Cosmetic Bag

Makeup Tote

Another one of my favorite things is my Halsea seahorse print wallet.  

Halsea Kona Koi Envelope Clutch

It's certainly not the smallest wallet I've ever owned, but this is great with me.  It has several card holders inside and a large zip pouch for cash and change.  I've had this for over a year and it looks exactly like it did the first day I got it.  Most things from this collection are made from a laminated material and I've found it's pretty hard to mess it up.

Below are a few other things from the collection that are on my wish list.

Halsea Kona Koi Large Tote

Halsea Hanging Garment Bag

Introduction

Welcome to Seashells and Southern Belles! I spend a rather large amount of time scouring the internet for anything nautical and sea-life inspired and decided to start a blog to have somewhere to share all my findings.  Even though I'm two hours from an ocean, my house is full of sea-inspired accents.  I've tried not to go overboard (no pun intended) but I don't care if I have because it's what I love!

Not everything on here will be nautical. Believe it or not, I occasionally do find things I like that don't have seahorses and sand dollars on them. The Southern Belles part comes from my love of everything southern.   I've grown up in the south and love good ol' southern football, southern/preppy clothing, southern accents, southern gentlemen, southern hospitality, etc.

Enjoy!