Five on Friday

It's finally Friday y'all - I've been on vacation all week and I swear, I didn't even know what day it was sometimes but I do know that today is finally Friday and since I've been absent on the blog this week with my adventures, I thought I'd use my Friday Five to share what I've been up to! Prepare for all the pictures! And note - this edition is coming to you from the backwoods of Mississippi, well cell service is non-existent and WiFi is the only saving grace... 

One. Anakeesta - Our family has been spending vacation time in Gatlinburg, TN since before I can remember... when we lived in MS it was about 6 and a half hours and now that I'm a VA resident, it's also just 6 and a half hours... just in the opposite direction! We decided that we'd spend the weekend ahead of our week in MS in our old haunt of the Smokey Mountains - it's been 2 years since my last visit and my parents couldn't remember how long it had been.

Gorgeous mountain views....

One of the new attractions is called Anakeesta; which is Cherokee for "the high ground", it's a ski lift or chondola (that's a chair gondola...apparently...) ride to the top of the mountain side where there are shops, some dining, zip lining, a mountain coaster, a treetop walkway and a garden. They are still adding on to Anakeesta, so I'm sure we'll have to make a return trip to see how it grows. The views are spectacular and I'm sure they'd be absolutely breathtaking in any season! I'd love to see them in the Fall! We rode in the chondola to the top because I'm not wild about heights and swinging about in a open air ski lift seat is just not a thing I'm signing up for...

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?

Knock! Knock! Anyone home?

The gardens are still in the process of being built - but what they already had was absolutely beautiful! Rippling waterfalls and streams, crocus and pansies blooming...and the blue skies and mountain ranges in the distance certainly don't hurt! I'm sure once it's all said and done, the gardens at the top will be amazing - how could they not be with that backdrop?

One of the things they have is a treetop walkway - 16 bridges that span through the treetops - and so we made our way along the treetops, watching people zip along over us on the zip lines. It really was such perfect weather and the views were stunning! I've always loved the mountains, I'm so blessed to actually live in the mountains now!

We made our way down the mountainside via chondola; my Dad chose to ride on an open air ski lift but I don't do heights so well...so my Mom and I followed behind him in the enclosed chair gondola. It really was such a fun thing to do and if you're in Gatlinburg, I'd definitely recommend taking a little ride up the mountainside to Anakeesta!

Two. A Dusting of Snow - When we woke up on Monday morning to head down to MS, there was a light dusting of snow on the mountains, almost like someone had sifted down powdered sugar on everything! It was nothing like the snow we've been seeing in Northern Virginia but it was still awfully pretty to look at, and so I took several pictures as we made our way out of the mountains and onto the interstate.

At lower elevations, there was pretty much no snow...

I think it's so funny how as you look up the mountain...the trees turn from green to brown...

Three. The Mississippi Museum of Arts & Entertainment - Meridian is where I grew up and while the city itself seems like it's falling into a bit of disrepair (sorry fellow Mississippians, I'm speaking the truth) they do have a new museum that is dedicated to the pioneers of arts and entertainment from the state of Mississippi and on Tuesday, we met up with my "little sister" McKenna and toured the museum.

"Luke - I am your father!" 

McKenna & I on the roof of the museum.

Cruising down the Mississippi River...

This is where I went to college - and McKenna is currently in school there. 

The pews were salvaged from the church I grew up in; a tornado destroyed in a few years ago & they managed to save these.

The museum had a special exhibit for a limited time that celebrates Jim Henson - who I had no clue was from Mississippi. They had several of his puppets and costumes and creatures from movies like The Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth on display - definitely very neat! I was super enthralled with the puppets from Fraggle Rock, I spent some formative years watching that show... *sigh* memories...

Four. Family & Friends - We've been scooting around here and there to meet up with family and friend while we are in MS for the week... cruising to Laurel for dinner with one side of the family, making our way to Jackson to meet up for dinner with friends, popping into our favorite Mexican restaurant to have dinner with the other side of the family and friends and then heading to the middle of nowhere backwoods of Mississippi for another dinner with extended family.

The Watson Family

Kristen & I!

The Williams/Smith Family

Five. Laurel MS - Yesterday we headed up the road about 45 minutes to Laurel, which is where the HGTV show Home Town is filmed. I went to college in nearby Hattiesburg and when I was in college, Laurel was just a blip on the radar that I flew through driving in between Meridian and Hattiesburg for school - but now, thanks to Ben & Erin Napier, it's kind of a big deal. We met up with McKenna, who is now in school at the University of Southern Mississippi (my alma mater) and perused the town for a few hours.

After we perused the mercantile and I made a purchase (of course), we headed over to Pearl's Diner for lunch (delicious Southern style cooking y'all) and then poked our heads in several of the stores lining the streets of the little downtown and I found several things I'd have loved to buy - but I refrained, ha-ha! Then we made our way over to Scotmans & Co. to snap some pictures and pick up a couple goodies. The store is filled with things that just scream "deep South" and conjure up images of front porch sitting and everything that comes along with it... moon pies.. a Grape Nehi.. and plenty of bug spray, ha-ha!

Our final activity of the visit was to drive around the streets of Laurel and try to spot some of the houses that Ben & Erin have done on the show - they were harder to spot than you'd think but I think we found a couple. I know we found one of my personal favorites in the deep blue house with the generous front porch! After a stop at Shug's for some cookie dough (second time in less than a week - that's winning at life), we headed back to Meridian and called it a day. 

And that's this week's Five on Friday - and it's certainly miles longer than it usually is! I hope y'all have had a good week! My cousin gets married tomorrow and then we're headed back to Virginia and I am so looking forward to being home again! I've had a good time here in the back woods of MS but I do think I'm a Virginian now, it certainly holds my heart! Y'all have a good weekend and I'll pop back in on Monday!

Stitch Fix Update

Do you all do Stitch Fix? If so - I know you know what all the hype is about and if you don't, I'd love to share with you what it's all about and how much I love it! I'd also love to share some of the great items I've purchased in the past few months and honestly have become integral parts of my wardrobe since I purchased them!

  

I mentioned to my stylist back in mid-September that I was planning a trip to Italy in late November and wanted/needed a lightweight jacket that would work well for Italy's climate in late Autumn - The Market & Spruce Kathleen Cargo Jacket absolutely fit the bill and has been a wardrobe staple ever since I received it! I wore the jacket all over Italy - it was the perfect weight and fit and the pockets at the sides (that snapped shut) were perfect for popping my phone and small wallet into so I wouldn't have to carry a bag. 

I wore the RD Style McKinley Ribbed Detailed Pullover all over Rome - the sweater is cute and flattering but also lightweight, which worked spectacularly when the sun came out and the city warmed up! It's also been the perfect layering piece throughout the Winter. The Tart Milla Crew Neck Knit Top has also been perfect for layering and looks crisp and tailored with chic navy and white stripes and kelly green at the neck and arms. 

  

Stitch Fix is a styling service via mail - you fill out a detailed style profile at www.stitchfix.com that details your size, your likes and dislikes, styles you'd like to try, etc... it's a thorough process and the style profile can be updated as often as you like - if your style changes, you can change your style profile! Your Fix can be set up for every three weeks, once a month, once every three months - you can schedule your fix for whatever interval suits your needs and budget!

The 41 Hawthron Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan (y'all see how much I love a cardigan...) was the perfect addition for the Christmas season with it's wine and white stripes and if you peek at the picture in the center below, you'll see I'm wearing the Bay to Baubles Sutara Filigree Pendant Necklace from my September Fix with the cardigan - a perfect addition to this outfit! I have worn the Market & Spruce Hillari Cowl Neck Cotton Blend Pullover so many times I cannot count - it's warm and cozy but also looks put together.

  

I wore the 41 Hawthorn Henri Surplice Wrap Ruched Knit Top on Christmas Day and let me tell you - how thrilled was I when I discovered the Tom's Classic Alpargata Novelty Felt Flats in my December box? I'd been admiring them from afar and my stylist just read my mind! The Market & Spruce Jessamy Faux Fur Trim Cargo Vest has also become a staple - it's the perfect addition to almost any outfit and just adds a little something extra to a look.

I've discovered so many wonderful brands that I didn't know about; Market & Spruce and 41 Hawthorn have become favorites of mine. The Warp & Weft and Kut from the Kloth pants have been excellent additions to my work wardrobe and I just cannot say enough good things about Stitch Fix. The scarf I'm wearing in the photo below (alongside that McKinley Ribbed Pullover) is another awesome Stitch Fix find. I guess what I'm saying is that so many of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe all arrived via my Fixes!

   

My Fix is currently scheduled on a monthly basis and so each month I'm sent five pieces based on the notes I've given my stylist, the style profile and since I've been doing Stitch Fix for just a while - based on previous fixes and the items I've chosen to purchase. When your Fix ships, the styling fee is $20 - but the best part is that if you choose to keep any of the items in your Fix, that $20 is applied to the total cost at check out. And - if you love everything in the Fix and keep all 5 items, you not only get your $20 styling fee applied to the purchase, you get 25% off the total too!

The pieces pictured above are two I just purchased last month - the dress is going to be perfect to wear to my cousin Alex's wedding this coming weekend and I love that lightweight green cardigan for a pop of Spring in my wardrobe! Keep your eyes on this space because I'm sure they'll both pop up in pictures sooner or later!

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix, you can use my link and when you do, I'll receive a little credit for sharing this awesome service with you. So check it out: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/nataliesummerlin?som=c&sod=w

Watson Wednesday

I sure am missing this little guy this week. Can't wait to see him on Sunday evening!

Five on Friday

One. It's March - Surely this means that Spring will be arriving just any time now and all the cold weather will just blow away? I know, probably not but a girl can dream - right? The irony of that thought is illustrated in my second point for this Friday...the first in March...

Two. It Snowed...Yet Again - A Winter Weather Advisory was put in place yesterday afternoon and this morning, I awoke to three inches of snow. Not exactly the surest sign of the early Spring that the groundhog predicted, right? I still think it looks absolutely beautiful but I do hope that by the time I return from the deep South, maybe the snow will be done? I guess we shall see...

 

Three. Memes of the Week - I love a good meme (or two or three) and so just like I did a few weeks ago, I thought I'd share a couple that tickled my funny bone this week. Perhaps they'll give you a giggle too!

The girlfriends I work with and myself are probably too interested in the whole Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper dynamic than anyone has a right to be... we've debated every aspect of the situation like it's our job (while we should have been doing our actual jobs...) At the end of the day, who knows what's going on? What I do know is that performance was amazing and the memes it spawned are hilarious. 

Honestly - the poke a stick with it - that's so accurate. I don't generally seize anything until I've had at least one cup of coffee...but preferably two!

Four. High Five - Perfectly Posh has an awesome deal going right now and I wanted to share it with you, in case you've ever thought of trying out Perfectly Posh! During the High 5 promotion, when you spend $35, you can add one of 5 popular products to your purchase for just $5! Tis the Season to be Freezin is a peppermint and vanilla body scrub, Smoocheroo is a Lip Plumping Balm, It's A Fall World After All is an Autumnal bath bomb trio, Muscle Through are magnesium bath salts and Snarky Bar is a body exfoliation bar.

The High 5 promotion is only for a limited time - so if you'd like to take advantage of this awesome deal, you can check out my site at http://NatalieSummerlin.po.sh and peruse all the awesome pampering products!

Five. Weekend Plans - I will be in Gatlinburg, Tennessee all weekend long! I grew up going to Gatlinburg sometimes two and three times a year and it's always had a special place in my heart, so I love spending time there no matter if it's for two days or two weeks (I've never actually spent two weeks there...). I'm not sure what all we will do while we're there but happily, the original weather forecast of rain on both Saturday and Sunday has changed and it looks like we'll get sunshine on Saturday - thank goodness!

Six. Exercise Update - I've been sticking with my exercise plan for two months now and while I've hit some bumps here and there, mostly with getting a fierce cold in the middle of this month, but I've knocked out two months of exercise.

I've been keeping track of all my work outs on the calendar in the basement "gym" space where I exercise and it is a source of motivation for me, so I'll definitely keep that up. I'll be on vacation for the first week of March, so I'm not sure what exactly I'll be doing - but once I'm back at home, I'll get right back at it!

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So this first Friday has one more than five - but what can I say, I actually had a little bit more to share this week! Y'all have a good weekend and I'll pop in here and there while I'm on vacation next week!