Remember that time I used to blog?

I woke up this morning with the motivation to blog.  It's been a good 9 months since I have blogged, but it has been much longer than that since I've had the inspiration to do so.

Let me catch you up…

• I have now been married to my Nicholas for a little over 7 months.  They have been the best months of my life.  If the first year of marriage is the hardest, then I can't imagine how amazing the years to come will be.  Marriage has been most natural and wonderful transition of our lives.
• Back in May, I quit my job as an assistant teacher and took a job at a very large insurance company back in Jackson utilizing my degrees.  I was determined that that was where I should be.  Husband got a job teaching and coaching football back in my hometown.  I thought I had finally started my career and was on my way to greatness.  I was there three months and cried every single day.  I was MISERABLE.  Then, in a crazy turn of events, the doors opened, and I was offered a job as an elementary school librarian.  I took it and ran.  I've never been happier or more excited to go to work every morning.  Education is exactly where I should have been all along, and I adore EVERY minute of being with those children.  I couldn't dream of a better career.
• Oh yeah! We're renting the cutest little blue house in my hometown.  We are 4 minutes down the road from my parents, and we are so happy.  The puppies have a big back yard to run around in (and escape from).  We're so excited for our first Christmas as a married couple, in our own home, with our little furry children.
• and…..we have no plans for children any time soon! Haha! Of course, sometimes we get the baby fever, but we're loving life being able to do what we want, when we want.  We have plans to travel and see the world a little before we expand our family.  Husband and I look forward to the days of children, but we're just not ready to share each other yet.

It's funny how something I loved became something I kind of dreaded.  Maybe that's changing.  I'm not making any promises of a consistently updated blog, but I do miss it.  Mississippi Hippy might take on a different genre or personality.  

It's always been a kind of hodge podge of things I find interesting and inspiring.  However, I noticed that when I was blogging consistently, I became a much more materialistic version of myself.  There was always something I wanted or needed or felt like I had to have to be a good blogger.  I didn't like that.  It's not who I am.

It's perfectly fine, in my opinion, to like and want nice things, but I was pushing it.  I followed all of these beautiful blogs by people with much higher means than I, and I expected my life and blog to look the same way.  I was jealous and comparing my behind the scenes to other people's highlight reels.  That's where the wheels fell off.

I've taken a step back, repaired my psyche, and would like to take my creative outlet in a different direction.  I have no idea what that direction is quite yet, but y'all will be the first to know.

So there's where Mississippi Hippy is.  Just like real life, it has had its ups and downs and curve balls, and THAT'S OK!  I have always wanted to be nothing but REAL with you guys and in life.  So, that's what I will do.

Sully Clemmer Photography

No More Thigh Gaps

Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past few months, let me introduce you to my latest fashion/model/girl crush obsession, Robyn Lawley.

Robyn is considered a "plus size" model.  Crazy, right?  She's absolutely GORGE and flawless and there is nothing PLUS size about her.  She is an Australian born 24 year old model who has dedicated her life to combating the negative, unrealistic body image that the fashion industry impresses on the minds of women today.  She was the first "plus size" model to grace the cover of Italian Vogue and Australian Vogue.  She loves food, and she has designed her own line of swimwear for the normal sized woman.  (and I want every piece from the collection)

Y'all, this girl is revolutionizing the fashion industry.  Robyn is the face of Ralph Lauren and their first plus size model.  When she started modeling at age 16, she battled the brink of eating disorders.  At 6'2" everyone told her she should model, and she was a natural.  However, as she mentions in many interviews, her body was just not meant to be sickly skinny like the high fashion models we're seeing on the catwalks today.

I love this girl.  Not only because she's obviously beautiful inside and out, but for the way she makes me feel about myself.  My whole life, I have battled body image and disordered eating.  Learning more about her and her journey has helped me truly appreciate and love my body.  Every woman should love her body NO MATTER her size.  Our bodies do so much for us every single day.  It is perfectly ok for women of all shapes and sizes to love themselves.  Because I come to love my body, I take better care of it.  I eat healthy and exercise daily because it makes me feel good and nourishes the body I love.

Women have got to abandon the negative body images.  We need to come together to encourage one another and build other women up.  I absolutely LOVE other women who love and support other women.  We are all special, unique, and beautiful.  We are made in Christ's image.  By banding together, we can change the media images we see.  By demanding we see NORMAL women, it can change the whole body image culture that has been cultivated over the past few decades.

Check out the interview Robyn did with Ellen Degeneres below.  It's so refreshing, and I truly love both of these women and everything they each stand for.

One more thing on this subject:

Have you heard about Aerie's new #AerieReal campaign?  “Get Real. Think Real. No Supermodels. No Retouching. The real you is sexy.”  I love it and will definitely be supporting this brand more!

All of this to say, just love yourself and take care of yourself.  There's nothing wrong with being curvy and there's nothing wrong with being skinny. As long as your are healthy and taking good care of yourself, every shape and size is PERFECT.

"And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female."-Genesis 1:27

in color and in black & white

Wednesdays always lack inspiration for me.  I tend to struggle through the day while dreaming about crawling back into my pjs and bed the moment I get home and wait for Modern Family to come on.  I'm sorry, but it's true.  It's just struggle bus city on Wednesdays.

Thursday shall be better.

In the meantime, don't forget you can shop my closet on Tradesy.

this is getting serious, guys

Blazer: Charlotte Russe | Tank:  Charlotte Russe | Trousers: Target | Shoes: Tory Burch | Watch: Michael Kors (similar) | Bracelet: David Yurman

I got so many weird looks from students as work today.  By the end of the day, I wanted to yell "THEY'RE JUST PANTS!!"  I didn't though, don't worry.  They're just children.  They've never seen a fine pair of trousers like these before.  It's cool.

In other news, Whole Foods opened in Jackson today.  It makes me miss living there really bad.  I just want to be closer to a Whole Foods.  Is that too much to ask?…not that I can really afford to do my weekly grocery shopping there, but it would be really nice to have the option.  Maybe some big wig from Whole Foods will run across my little blog and take pity on me.  They'll say, "Hey! We should help that girl out.  We'll start building Whole Foods Ocean Springs, Mississippi next week! Sorry for the inconvenience, Chelsea!"….a girl can dream, right?

For the record, H&M can totally open here on the coast too.  They're opening one of them in Jackson soon, and they just opened one in New Orleans.  Something needs to give here, people!!!  Help a healthy food and fashion loving girl out, please and thank you!!

One last random thought…I REALLY wanted to wear my black Chuck Taylor Converse with this outfit today, but my Rainbow Bright shoelaces from the 7th grade are still in them.  Even though they're extremely faded, I felt a little weird about mixing Rainbow Bright with this look.  Thoughts?

Something Blue

Shirt:  Urban Outfitters (similar) | Jeans:  KUT from the Kloth | Shoes:  Guess (old) | Watch:  Michael Kors (similar) | Bracelets:  Alex+Ani, Ronaldo

Saturday, after picking up my wedding dress only to have my bridal portraits canceled due to rain, I got to spend time with my parents and high school friends.  We had a yummy dinner at Ruth's Chris (a rare occurrence for my mom's birthday), then we went to the coolest little new bar in Jackson called, Apothecary.

If you've seen the movie The Help, you've seen the outside of the bar.  Some scenes in that movie were filmed in a legendary soda fountain spot called Brent's Drugs in Jackson.  In the back of Brent's Drugs, after hours, is Apothecary.  You walk through the empty place to the back where there is a door.  You knock on it, tell the host how many in your party, and are then seated in the neatest little back room bar.  It's all so secretive like during prohibition and really dark and dreamy.  I had a drink called a Brown Derby--whisky, rye, and grapefruit. Yum.

It was so good to spend time with great, old friends and celebrate birthdays and all the fun times to come.  A very special Happy Birthday to the best mom in the whole world.  21 years young today, and she will forever be my best friend.  She's the Lorelei to my Rory, the macaroni to my cheese, and the chocolate to my peanut butter.  Love you forever and like your for always, momma!

The Ice is Melting

Coat: Michael Kors (old) | Sweater: GAP | Shirt: Target (similar) | Pants: Calvin Klein (similar) | Booties: Guess (similar) | Watch: Michael Kors (old) | Bracelets:  David Yurman, Alex + Ani, Ronaldo | Bag:  Michael Kors | Sunnies: Jondie (old) 

Fiancé was just too handsome to not document today!

As I was walking one of my first graders back to her classroom today, she pointed out all the things about my outfit that she wanted.  First it was my shoes.  She really wanted them and did all she could to convince me that they would fit her.  Next it was my sweater, then my bracelets, and finally my engagement ring.  She proceeded to tell me that she knew who gave me my ring.  When I asked her who she thought it was, she replied, "your man."  I laughed so hard while I told her she was right.  My sweet little first grader then asked me if I had gotten it for my anniversary.  I told her no, that it was my engagement ring and that I was getting married in March.  As we arrived at her room, she got the dreamiest look on her face and said, "I can't wait to get married."

Lord have mercy they start young, but isn't it every little girl's dream to be swept off her feet by their prince charming?  I could see that image in her head written all over her face.  I couldn't help but think about how blessed and lucky I am to have found my prince charming.  He is so incredibly good to me, and I can't wait to conquer life with him.

A special thanks to him for taking these pictures! I'm going to teach him how to use that camera well if it kills us!…that might be going a little overboard.  He's such a good sport and makes me laugh uncontrollably.  Hooray for melting ice, by the way!!!

10 Things That Make Me TERRIBLY Happy

Emily Lee Photo

-Fiancé (Duh!)

-Day time TV talk shows (i.e. Steve Harvey, Ellen, The Chew)

-When people win the $20,000 on Family Feud (I've obviously been watching way too much TV during these snow days…)

-My super old and worn in Ugg boots.  They're ugly and stained and perfect.

-When my fur babies want to snuggle

-Coffee…it owns me, and I'm ok with it.

-The new Budweiser commercial for this year's super bowl.  OMG they raised their already ridiculously high bar yet again.

-All the incredibly sweet friends and family Fiancé and I have who are throwing us wedding showers.  Seriously, we could not be more blessed.

-Seeing my student's eyes light up when something finally clicks with them.

-Getting to catch up my ridiculously long blog reading list

Today is not my week to be featured, but don't forget to head on over to The Southern Coterie's virtual front porch and check out all the amazing articles.  Check out my articles every third Wednesday of the month!

Things I Kinda Sorta Love

Two and a half months…It's been a while.

I needed a break.  With so many things changing in my life all at once (and they're still changing) it was just too daunting to constantly be coming up with content.  I was trying to please everyone but myself.

What I discovered during my blogging break, however, was that this is my creative outlet.  A big part of my life was missing, and I felt lost.  So slowly, but surely, I'm back.  It might be sporadic because I am beginning a new job, moving, and planning my wedding.  (Only 2 short months away!)

I kind sorta love this blog, so I'm ready to get back at it.  I'm going to share some things with you that I kinda sorta love!

This beautiful bohemian space that I hope to model my new home after.

A little rosé to get through wedding planning stress.

Tyler Knott Gregson always touches my heart.

The Tone It Up girl's new show, Toned Up on Bravo and their Love Your Body Series!

My favorite magazine, Foam.

Being able to call this beach home.

and last, but never least, my fiancé!! Except I don't kinda sorta love him, I REALLY love him! :)

Image by: Emily Lee Photo

Thanks for reading! I'm so glad to be back!

Wishful Wednesday: Sweater Weather

So today is the first REALLY cold day here in south Mississippi, and believe it or not, I'm loving it.  Now don't get me wrong, I much prefer our Summer heat, but something about this year has me loving crisp air and the holiday season.  Don't tell anyone, but I've got my Christmas music going in my office today. Shhhh!

Onto the main event!  Lets talk about sweaters.  I seriously love them, which is weird because I used to hate them.  I hated feeling bulky and layered.  Maybe it was the extra pounds I was carrying?  Who knows, but I'm all about a cozy sweater this year.

I've put together a collection of my favorite styles for the season.

Slouchy Cardigan

Printed and Oversized

Eye Catching Elbow Patches

Corded and Comfy

I love a good sweater that you can pull the sleeves over your hands for the extra warm and cozy feeling.

Now someone get me one of these amazing Christmas sweaters to knock my already high Christmas spirit level up another notch, and call me giddy.

What's your favorite way to wear a cozy sweater?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Engaged

That's right! The beau got down on one knee and asked the question that every girl longs to hear from the love of her life.  After almost three years together, I get to marry my best friend.

So here's how it all went down...

Nick came up for Southern Miss' homecoming weekend on Friday.  When he comes straight from work, he usually gets here at about 5:30, but on this particular day, he arrived around 4:45.  I thought this was strange, but I had talked myself out of thinking that he was proposing this weekend.

I finished getting dressed because we were going to dinner before an alumni party with his fraternity brothers, and we watched some TV before we left.  I was being grumpy, and he was just all smiles.  I still didn't think anything was up because I just assumed he was just excited for the weekend with old friends.

On our way to dinner, Nick decided we should stop by the Southern Miss campus, our alma mater and where we first met, began dating, and have spent most of our relationship.  He had talked about wanting to walk across the bridge at Lake Byron at the entry way to the campus.  It's really beautiful out there, and rumor has it that the person you walk across the bridge with is the person you will spend the rest of your life with.

We had walked across the bridge twice before, so I still wasn't catching on.  The bridge leads to a little island in the middle of the lake, and as we walked across the pretty little bridge holding hands we were just chatting like normal.  When we reached the island, I began to walk towards the benches on the right hand side, but Nick walked the other way.  I asked where he was going, and walked that way towards him.

I was freezing, so I was cuddled up in his arms and looking the opposite direction when he said, "you know, I told you we'd be getting engaged really soon."  I turned to look at him to respond, and when I did, he began to get down on one knee.  I was absolutely speechless, except I somehow found the composure to say, "Shut up! No you're not!" haha..way to keep the moment sweet, Chels.  He then pulled the most beautiful and unique ring I've ever seen out of his pocket as he told me how much he loved me, that I was his best friend in the entire world, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

And then I lost it, and I was not wearing water proof mascara.  I, of course, said yes and began jumping up and down.  It was the most perfect and special moment of my life.  Nick had our photographer friend, Courtland Wells, hiding in the bushes taking these photos that are so incredibly special to me.  We then spend the entire weekend celebrating with friends and family.

I can't stop staring at my hand or my fiancé.  We've been shown so much love and support the past few days, and are overwhelmed by it all.  We're so excited to begin this journey together and spend the rest of our days together.  Thank you to everyone who has made this weekend so perfect.

Let the planning begin!