Witching Hour

In keeping with tradition, I tend to do a weird/happy weekend-type post on Fridays (examples here, here and here), because, well, you made it to Friday so you deserve it. 

Today is no exception. Thanks to my forever roomie, merebear, and my love of Reformation Day (shout out to Martin Luther and ECS' version of the holiday), I took this lil quiz (and shocker...) I got a perfect score (I should considering how many nights this movie kept me terrified and awake as a child much to the dismay of my exhausted parents).

So, head over to this link and see how well you know everyone's favorite witches.

Because only fabulous things happen on Halloween,

{got a car for my 16th birthday- shout out Kelsey camp, channeled my inner Katy Perry, met JT}

 Happy Friday, folks!

The Eyes Have It

This time of year, these last few weeks particularly, I've been running in a million different directions. Don't get me wrong, I love fall, but the transition from relaxing summer to busy autumn has always been a tough one to master. 

With no rest for the weary in sight, and my first event for MBQ as project coordinator (and still assistant editor of the publication), I've been tasked with creating a phenomenal breakfast event for Memphis big-wigs in my spare time (which hasn't been much).

My hectic schedule wouldn't bother me so much if the signs of it weren't starting to show up... on my face in the form of dark circles and less-than-sparkling eyes. Not cute; especially when you'll be greeting the equivalent of Memphis dignitaries while making sure table linens are pressed, table arrangements are on mark, and the script and program run smoothly.

Thankfully, I have a few secret weapons to help stave off unwanted puffiness, dark shadows, and lackluster ojos. I give you my magic potions.

 

Save: Roc Retinol Correction Eye Cream $20

*I use this as part of my nightly regimen, but usually only every few nights since it's strong and I have uber sensitive skin. Can be found at you neighborhood Walgreens, Utla and the like. P.S. this stuff will last you for.ev.er. A little goes a long way and I still have a nearly full bottle after a year.

Splurge (on the real deal): La Mer Eye Balm Intense $185

*Thankfully my dearest Merebear got me samples from Nordstrom because the real deal would have beyond broken my piggy bank. Although, I'm running out and considering asking for it for Christmas/my bday. This stuff is that good. It's gentle enough to use day and night even on my sensitive skin, and seriously helps with the puffiness.

These weapons + some gold shimmer shadow (try "half baked" or "snakebite" in this lil lifesaver) + Maybelline Great Lash Mascara + a matte red lip (my new favorite is MAC Retro Matte in Dangerous) = my go to look these days. 

Easy way to look polished, on trend, and best of all...awake.

{case and point: last night's Flyer party with Sara}

  

Cheers to the Amurica Photo Booth and looking rested when there's no rest in sight.

Gang's All Here

Blame it on the journalist in me, my love of all things Entertainment (E!), or just plain curiosity, but I don't consider my day "started" until a few things have happened.

These things include, but are not limited to, drinking a large cup of coffee, scrolling through the top news on E! Online, and hanging out with the girls. 

In this scenario, the coffee has 2 sugars and heavy cream, E News is the only legitimate form of news (an argument for another post, but celebrity coverage is one thing a gal can count on in this crazy life), and the girls are my blogger consultants.

So yes, now is the time to insert any joke about cyber friends. Good. Now that that's done, I'll introduce you to the ladies I check in with nearly daily (besides my TNB's).

Sally Ann and Molly from A Piece of Toast. Amy from Dallas Wardrobe. Courtney from What Courtney Wore. Mary from Happily Grey. Julia from Gal Meets Glam. Helena from Brooklyn Blonde. Mackenzie from Design Darling. Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black. Erin from Elements of Style. and last, but not least, Inslee from Inslee Illustrations.


So, meet the gang and see for yourself why they're so spectacular.

The Time Has Come...

...the Walrus said. To talk of many things. 

Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings.

The Walrus and The Carpenter, Lewis Carroll

Gully; Harriet the Spy

{photo taken in my driveway on the first day of fall, 2012, headed to an Ole Miss game}

It's here; it's here. One of my most favorite times of the year -- fall. 

That is all.

HBD MC

Keeping the merriment going... today Modern Cotton is 1 year old. After much redesign, I changed my former blog to MC and relaunched it on September 21st, 2012. 

So very much has changed in a year, and I'm happy to have a large portion of it documented here. 

Cheers to the future!

HBD Brother Ben

You'll always hold a special place in our family... you volunteered.

Happiest of Birthdays to my one-and-only brother, Robert Benjamin Todd. You made the "core 4" the "fab 5," and you are the ideal match for our Emmy Lu. 

For all the laughs, sporting events, and advice... I'm thankful you've been in my life for 6 years.

 

{BT: "Carrie Underwood just waved at me. Yep. Uh huh. Me!"} 

Mama said...

...there'd be days, like this, my mama said.

-The Shirelles 

 

{our cold brewed coffee at Tamp & Tap}

Yesterday was just an ordinary day, but it turned out to be one for the books. It started off earlier than normal because I had the opportunity to speak to a newspaper class at Hutchison High School. It went well, and then I scooted over to a Germantown Chamber meeting for the magazine we publish for them. Afterward, I made the trek downtown to my office, and soon noticed there wasn't much on my agenda (rare considering we're in the middle of production for MBQ and Memphis mag). 

With pangs in my stomach and cravings in my head, all I wanted was to meet up with someone and go to lunch (shout out to Mere and Emmsbemms whose lunch rendezvous leave me insanely jealous). In vain, I texted a few people who were either at work, out of town, or otherwise engaged. That's when I decided I'd try my wonderful mama.

 

{our VisionSouce trip to Maui, Hawaii in January 2011}

For those who don't know, my mom is an optometrist and VP of a non-profit to boot, so her day off (Wednesday) is usually stacked with appointments and various errands no where close to downtown. That's why I assumed she'd be way too busy to trek downtown to grab a long lunch. To my delight, her schedule had opened up and she met me at Tamp & Tap.

 

{when we walked the St. Jude 5k to be near Emily as she 

ran the half marathon in December 2012}

We ordered, ate, sipped cold brewed coffee and chatted about life, love and how I shouldn't be turning 24 this fall since she hasn't aged a bit. It was one of those rare lunches where no one had anywhere else to be and we could stay as long as we wanted. Sadly, I can't recall the last time it was just my mom and me for a meal out. It was a rare treat, and certainly a highlight. One of those moments you know you'll look back on and say, "Remember when..."

As we left, I said I was surprised she had time to come downtown for lunch. Her response couldn't have been a better life lesson (crazy how mama's are full of these little lessons). She said, "I had so many things I knew I needed to do, but thought, 'I better grab life's joy while I can.'"

So get out there and grab life's joy, while you can. 

#LuluLessons

 

{lulu's birthday in 2012}

You Only Live Once...

...so, eat the damn red velvet cupcake. 

-Emma Stone

In my case, it was a strawberry cupcake from Muddy's in honor of Chris Herrington's last day at the Flyer before he crosses enemy lines to the CA. But, I thought Emma Stone's quote was fitting. 

The official quote is, "You're a human being, you only live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake."

Sure, I run and try to eat right, but sometimes.... ya gotta eat the damn cupcake.

Express Yourself

It's all in the details, y'all.  

After living with merebear for 3 years (aka the majority of my college experience) she finally rubbed off on me... well a little. I'm still not fond of chai tea and I'll never be okay using hairspray, but I like to think we picked up each other's good habits and made each other better. Case and point: I am now a clothes and accessories freak, and I place sole blame on her.

If I had a dollar for every time she'd lay out my outfit selections and as I groveled pleading for more comfortable options she'd say very matter-of-factly, "Beauty is pain, Anna. Put on one of these choices," I'd be a wealthy woman. 


Alas... I'm far from the monetary wealth I aspire to, but that doesn't mean my closet has to suffer, does it?

Today's fall-y chic outfit was inspired by the chilly weather as I walked outside for my run this morning.  Mind you, it was 6:30 a.m., and it's since warmed up quite a bit, but I refuse to let that deter me. Autumn is a mere 5 days away, and I'm beyond ready.

Bring on the colored denim, woven scarves, and pumpikn spice candles, this November baby is ready for the best season of the year.

what i'm wearing: 
-black cotton top from h&m (similar here, here, and here)
-hunter green skinny jeans (mine are tractr)
-black ugg clogs (my investment shoe for the season as seen here)
-statement necklace borrowed from Lulu purchased from Chico's (similar here and here)
- Personal mani/pedi with OPI's Lost on Lombard
 

A Jackie, Not a Marilyn

"If I'm going to be a senator by the time I'm 30,

 I need to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn."

Warner Huntington, III

Legally Blonde

 

In honor of showing that class and old-school values can get you somewhere in life, today I salute Jackie O. 60 years ago today, she tied the knot with JFK and began the legacy of Camelot. Sure, she had her setbacks, but as a fellow journalist and "good girl" I think she's pretty darn spectacular, for her style if nothing else.

Thanks for being a shining example for classy broads everywhere. For that, she gets mad props.

Copy Cat (er, tiger)

Looks like tigers are officially trending. Lucky for Memphis fans.

 {click here to see Queen B rocking the trend, but you saw it here first.. not sayin' just sayin'}

Eye of the Tiger

Coming off of a roaring weekend, it seemed only fitting to share my new obsession: tiger clothing. 

Entering the second year of season tickets to Memphis Tiger basketball with JT (and attempting to make it to some tiger football games, too), I decided it was high time I update my blue apparel and mix in some tiger stripes. To my delight, it seems that tiger/animal prints are here to stay and now I have not only options, but choices when it comes to which tiger shirt I want to don come game day. 

 

[instead of purchasing 15 tiger head T-shirts, I decided these stripes make a good alternative]

 

[I know, this is technically men's, but it look so comfy for winter games]

 

[this is so presh; and a steal for $13.50]

 

[this is perfect for work or a more sophisticated tiger tailgate]

 

[ loving this for football games in the Mid-South heat]

 

[perfect accessory for winter games]

 

[blue + tigers = perfection]

 

[ click here for dueling tigers-- p.s. this one's organic]

 

[the eye of the tiger, need I say more?]

 

[the shirt that began my search]

 

[tribal tiger sweater]

 

[FY Tunic]

 

[rawr]

 

[Kenzo gold tiger jewelry? Where do I sign?]

So, If you see me near the FedExForum from November to March (pending Grizz games and the Justin Timberlake concert), ideally I'll be in one of these with a gold tiger around my neck.

Roaring into the Weekend

Happy Friday, folks!

Jump Then Fall

Labor Day is has officially come and gone (and with it, the first of the TNB's turned 24, I went on my very first camping trip, and it's officially football time once again), and you know what that means? Bring on the best season ever -- fall.

I've never been shy about my affinity for the season (as told here, here and here), and this year is no different. In hopes of ushering in the cooler temps, colorful foliage, and pumpkin muffins (for recipe click here) with haste, I wore my (Minnetonka) moccasins (a steal from Marshalls at $30) and wine-stained lip gloss (from the oh-so-lovely YSL) today. 

*yes, the title of this post is a TSwift song