Road Trippin’ Style and Eats

Hello lovelies! I’ve been gone for the past few days because I’m road tripping to Texas. Currently, I’m sitting in a hotel room in the middle of Arkansas. When we got here, we sat outside by a fire pit the hotel had to unwind a bit. It’s amazing what sitting on your backside for 10 straight hours can do to you. My biggest complaint has been my inability to use my iPhone the whole time because I’d go over my data limit. First world problems, right?

The first day of the trip we set out from my house in Maryland and got lunch at an adorable brewery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My attempt to eat healthy during this road trip began and ended with this lunch. I ordered a vegetarian black bean burger with guacamole and a special white sauce on top. It was the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten! Unfortunately, any attempt to be healthy ended after that when I went and bought chocolate-dipped pretzels.

After the brewery, we continued on our way down through western Virginia and into Tennessee. There were so many picturesque scenes that I couldn’t capture them all. Some things are just meant to be viewed with your own eyes and not through the lens of a camera.

I tried to dress decently on this road trip but gosh it’s hard when all you want to do is wear sweatpants and a hoodie. On this particular day, I was wearing a red tunic from Rachel & Zoe, Lauren Conrad ankle jeans, and Daisy Fuentes sunglasses I found at Kohl’s on clearance. I love aviators for my face shape! I have a round-ish face, so to balance it out square or triangular shaped glasses look best. I simply cannot wear any rounded glasses without looking like a bug.

Follow me on Instagram (@wittynpretty21) for updates on my road trip!

Saturdays in Fredericksburg

Happy Monday friends! I know the first day of the week is hard to get through but if you’re like me you’ve already had a few cups of coffee so it’s slowly getting better. Embrace the warm deliciousness of it! Check your email and Facebook feed while dipping that wonderful biscotti in your coffee. Isn’t it the best?

This past weekend my family and I took a little day trip to Fredericksburg, VA. It was really nice to get away from the ol’ hometown for a few hours and enjoy all the history that Fredericksburg has to offer. The reason we went in the first place was for my dad. There was a local gun expo in town and he loves that sort of thing. He’s an avid target shooter and enjoys talking about his hobby with other people that share the interest. While he was doing that, my mom, sister, and I went to get cupcakes and see the Civil War battlefield.

Afterwards, we shopped around in the downtown area of old Fredericksburg. We went in some antique shops, checked out an Irish shop where we bought candy for the road, and I went in a high-end thrift store looking for Lilly Pulitzer. No luck. I ended up not buying a thing, which is weird for me! I fell in love with all the quaint little stores and adorable old houses that lined the streets. I saw this one, “The Pinkadilly Tea” and just had to take a photo. Pink doors are my love!

The rest of our day was spent in a new love of mine- Hobby Lobby. I had never been to this store but had heard it had cool stuff. The whole family went in and marveled at the aisles of things we didn’t need but so desperately wanted. Even my dad, who’s no fan of shopping, spent a few minutes exploring the massive store.

Our weekend was lovely and I’d like to go back and raid a few more high-end thrift stores. Let me know what you did in a comment below!

A Date in Williamsburg

Hello lovelies! I’ve been so busy lately and traveling a lot. Last week, I went to Colonial Williamsburg with someone special (winky face)! It was a long, hot day of walking around and sight seeing. I didn’t even bother to wear any makeup beyond mascara and a little concealer to take the look of death away from my under-eye circles.

We started the day by checking out the little shops and boutiques in downtown Williamsburg. I adore local cheese shops and gourmet grocers. There’s just something so exciting about exploring the food selection of another town. It’s the classic case of the “grass is always greener”. After trying local yummies, we went in a little store called Ocean Palms. To my surprise, it was a Lilly Pulitzer store! I ended up finding a skirt I wanted half off. I can’t wait to do a post on it, you will fall in love!

After this, we went down the Duke of Gloucester street, taking in the pretty little buildings and reading up on historical happenings. We even got ourselves in a few mock stalks for a picture. As I said, it was very hot and we went through water like crazy. To keep cool, we ducked into little colonial shops and explored the period items they had for sale. I found some lavender soap that smelled divine. I had to stop myself from buying it though, bars of soap just make my skin itchy!

For a short break from the heat, we went to some shopping outlets and I found a Ralph Lauren shirt for half off and my beau bought me J Crew shorts! After our shopping, we went back to downtown Williamsburg and had dinner in a really nice restaurant called Shields Tavern. Everything from the food to the waiters were themed around the time of the Revolutionary War.

Our final adventure before going home was a ghost tour of Colonial Williamsburg. Spooks and Legends did our tour and it was really incredible! The tour started at 9pm with a tour guide dressed in colonial clothing. Each location we stopped at had it’s own ghost stories and freaky haunts. It honestly gave me goose bumps at times. The tour lasted an hour or so and I took pictures hoping to see something in one of the windows. No such luck.

By the time we got home we were both exhausted. We had many laughs and cute moments, but I think we were both thrilled to crash and go to sleep. Long days require long rests. I’m still recovering.

Summer Days With George and Martha

I love summer days when you have time on your hands to just enjoy the outdoors and the abundant sunshine. Earlier this week, I took some time out of my day to visit Mt. Vernon, the home of President George Washington. It’s located on the Potomac River and surrounded by lovely fields and forests. I honestly could have spent all day there and not seen everything. Despite the breeze, it was just too hot to be outside for very long. Here’s a peek at my day!

Being the tourist I am, I thought it would be most appropriate to carry around my Kate Spade bag all day. As much as I adore it, it got really heavy! I wore light weight clothing to make up for it though. My shorts are J Crew and top is a throwback from Old Navy years ago. I’ve gotten a lot of wear and tear on both of these items. I just love bright colors like these for the summer months!

The incredibly beautiful gardens next to the President’s mansion. It truly is a little oasis right by the Potomac River. The various flowers and plants that were in the garden have been grown there since the Washington’s resided in the home.

Not many people know that besides politics and the military, George Washington was a successful farmer. He absolutely loved the land and rose early in the morning to meet with his farm manager.

 

The porch view of the Potomac River.

The front view of the home. The trees lined the driveway and provided a wonderful breeze to enjoy while walking around.

 

Livin’ La Vida Liz

It’s Friday! Congrats, you made it through the week! As I get older, I realize how important a few days off are. Life is just draining at times. I’ve been commuting up to Fairfax, VA 3 times a week for my new job and between my chronic case of road rage and the money I spend on gas I’m just so ready for weekends.

Speaking of my new job, I’m absolutely loving it! I have great bosses and coworkers. Last night, a few of us went to an Irish pub to hang out and get to know each other. A few of us will be working remotely soon so having good relationships with everyone is key to getting things done. I definitely enjoyed getting to know people in an informal setting. I mentioned it in another post, but I’m the only girl that was selected to be on this contract. It’s turned out better than I thought it would. All of the guys are really great and are fun to be around.

I’m also really thrilled to say that I got my first pay check! It’s such an amazing feeling being able to earn your own money and rely on yourself and not someone else to take care of you. What’s even more exciting is that I’m going to start saving money for my future! My contract is up in November and I really would like to move to either Northern Virginia or somewhere in Florida. Since I would be getting my own apartment, I’d need to buy pretty furniture so I’m really excited about saving for that!

The biggest excitement of all right now, is my graduation next weekend! I have my Lilly Pulitzer dress all ready to go and fabulous shoes to go with it! The family and I will be headed down to Virginia Beach for a few days of celebration and beach time. Here’s hoping we have good weather! As a graduation present, my parents are buying me a really nice camera so I can have great pictures of the biggest day of my life and I’ll be able to share them with you! I guarantee I’ll be crying when I walk across the stage to accept my diploma. All these memories will just come rushing back of the greatest time in my life. I’m starting to tear up already. Lord help me.

Enjoy your weekend beautiful people! I’m off to finish some work and then go to the gym!

P.S. My top is from Banana Republic, sunglasses are from Aldo, Blazer is Ann Taylor, and red skirt is from Kenar.