This Week's Favorites


1. A NEW BOOK

This week, I started The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. This is a book I typically wouldn't choose for myself because the historical element reminds me too much of the books I used to read for school! But I heard great reviews of this title from friends + Goodreads, so I decided to challenge myself to explore outside of my typical genres. I love it so far. It moves much faster than I anticipated and I'm already taken with the main character,  Alice! 

Senior Year Room Tour


So excited to be sharing my senior year room! This is definitely my favorite room of all of college, I am obsessed with the natural light, hardwood floors, and how all my furniture came together. When curating this room, I decided to go mix of natural materials like the rattan headboard and light fixture, vintage elements like my dresser, along with tons of fun elements like the mural, art prints, and blue desk. To me, it's the perfect mix of relaxing and inspiring!

The dresser was from my favorite room at my grandparents' old lake house, so they gifted it to me! I'm obsessed. 
See what I mean about the light!?

This desk was my sister's old desk from Target which I re-painted!

This is a mural I painted over a sticky piece of canvas inspired by Emma Boys Design!

Stay Sunny,
Meg



A Sunny State of Mind Last-Minute Gift Guide


EEP! There are only EIGHT days until Christmas! At this statement, you're probably in one of two camps: excitement or excitement lined with anxiety because you haven't finished Christmas shopping. If you're in the second, have no fear -- here are my top ideas for yourself, your bff, aunt, sister, mom, girlfriend, or grandma. Happy gifting!


On My Wishlist

1. Bathtub/Bed Reading Tray | Amazon | $39
I'm pretty sure this is the most useful contraption I've ever seen. It's a bath reading tray that can fold into a laptop bed tray! Complete TWO cupholders.

2. L’ange Le Gloss | Ulta | $109
My trusty Bedhead straightener from 2010 is nearing its final days...  it only works with the cord at a certain angle (yikes!). So I'm asking for this Le Gloss straighter to replace it because it has the same wide plates that I love.

3. Eva NYC Healthy Heat Blow Dryer | Anthropologie | $60
My mom has this blow dryer and I figured it's time I stop stealing hers. It makes my hair the silkiest it's ever been -- basically a miracle worker. 

4. FP Slippers | Free People | $60
Upping my WFH uniform with these furry slides.

5. Splits 59 Flare Leggings (order by 12/20) | S59 | $98
I got these in gray earlier in the year and am asking for another pair in navy. I am obsessed with the high waist and the flare is a chic upgrade to normal leggings.

6. Claw Clip Set | Amazon | $13
Just trying to embrace my Gen Z culture with these claw clips.

7. Velvet Headband | Amazon | $9
I love this headband because it's a subtle color and the velvet is perfect for winter. 

8. Nuuly Subscription | $68 (if you use my link for $20 off!)
If you know me, there's a 100% chance I've said "thanks, it's from my Nuuly!" to you. Nuuly is Urban/Anthro/Free People's monthly clothing rental box -- you get to pick 6 pieces per month!

9. Boysmells Votives | Garmentory (small biz!) | $48
I've grown a small collection of Boysmells candles over the past year. I love this votive set because it allows you to try 3 scents and channel SPRING!

10. Just Because Stationery Set | Darling (small biz!) | $25
Living far away from the people I love, it's fun to send snail mail to remind them that I'm not just a person on a FaceTime screen. This set from Darling is so stylish and fun. 

11. Bath Favorites | Honest Bubble Bath $12 and Dr. Teals Epsom Salt $5 | Target
I have a routine of taking a bath every Sunday (aka a sabBATH), so I'm asking for bubble bath and bath salts to add even more luxury to the Sunday-scary-combatting routine. 

Gifts I've Received/Given That Have Stood The Test of Time

1. Madewell Zip Wallet | $20 with code BIGTIME | Order by 12/19
At this point, most of my friends own this zip wallet. I've had mine for 6 years and I am NOT gentle with it (lots of water, scratches, rolling around in the bottom of my bag), and it's still in great shape. It's too late to get it personalized in time for Christmas but you can do it on the spot (for free!) in some Madewell stores. 

2. Glossier Boy Brow | $16 | Order by 12/21
My holy grail beauty product. 

3. Artist Loft Journal | Michael's | $7 
After trying PILES of different journals (even Moleskine), this has to be my favorite. The pages are super smooth and bleed-resistant but my favorite part is that it has TWO ribbon bookmarks. 

4. 13mm Gold Hoops | Amazon | $50
I got these for Christmas last year and have worn them basically every day since! They're perfect for looking put-together but are weightless. These hoops and a swipe of Boy Brow and I'm out the door.
For your best friend, mom, or self -- this is my favorite bible with huge margins for art and journaling. 



Spirit + Style


I have school spirit, I love South Carolina, I'll go to a football game... but that doesn't make me *sporty.* You will not find me in a football jersey and rarely in a USC t-shirt -- but I still want to visibly support my school! Enter: Kyle Cavan X College Vault.

I first got to meet some lovely ladies of the Kyle Cavan/College Vault team at NYFW 2019 (time of my life), and I've loved the brand ever since. They specialize timeless, every-day-wear-worthy jewelry that reps your school or sorority. 

Since summer, I've been collaborating with the team to help them design and launch their newest jewelry line featuring vintage college logos -- so chic. I love how I can represent South Carolina at my internship, while traveling, at home, and with any outfit. Kyle Cavan is the only jewelry brand that can offer this vintage line, making their pieces such a special gift to commemorate your time at school. 

In this post I'm showing two ways how I wear my Kyle Cavan jewelry to show my Carolina love every day. 

For my first look, I went for business casual internship wear with a black silk shell, patterned blazer, jeans, my Vejas, all topped off with a KC Carolina Vintage sunburst necklace and South Carolina Florentine Seal necklace







I'm going to have this outfit on repeat all fall long!

Loving how the gold looks against black. 

For my second look, I went with a casual dress I'd wear out to dinner with friends, my Vejas again, and my go-to duo of KC Carolina Vintage sunburst necklace and South Carolina Florentine Seal necklace.



The necklaces are the perfect accent to a collared shirt/dress!


I had so much fun with this styled shoot and seeing the progression of the beautiful vintage line. Thank you, Kyle Cavan and College Vault, for sponsoring this post. Go Gamecocks!

Stay Sunny,
Meg

Photo Diary: Paris

With canceled trips, closed borders, and the danger of COVID, traveling abroad right now is nearly impossible -- not to mention unsafe. That means for many of us, we have an unfulfilled desire to adventure! Looking through old photos of Greg and I's Paris trip has satisfied *some* of my wanderlust, so I'm hoping that scrolling this photo diary will do the same for you. Plus, you can get inspiration for your Parisian getaway when it's safe to travel again. Consider these unshared photos from my time abroad as a sort of virtual vacation! So grab a Whole Foods croissant (it'll do for now) or a glass of French wine, crank La Vie en Rose, and enjoy!

The most excited I have ever been!

Paris was EXACTLY what I pictured

First crepe! (of many)

Feeding my chocolate croissant addiction

The best meal we had -- L'as Du Fallafel

Degas Statue at Musee D'Orsay

The first Laduree -- my 8th-grade self is quaking.

My favorite art we saw -- Monet's Water Lillies at Musee L'Orangerie

So many precious cafes!



At Les Deux Magots -- where Hemingway used to go and write



So ~Parisian~


The Louvre! We went on Valentine's Day night



Sainte Chappelle -- so beautiful!

Valentine's Dinner! You can see the fear in my eyes about eating escargot haha




En route to our picnic at Luxembourg Gardens

SIMPLY THE BEST!


I hope these photos brought some wanderlust and joy to your day! If you have questions about specific locations or products pictured above, feel free to DM me on Instagram

Stay Sunny,
Meg