Rush Bag Prep for 2024

 Hey there princess!

With Rush 2024 on it's way, I know that a lot of girls are prepping their Rush bags for the week. I went through Rush in Winter 2009, and became a Kappa Alpha Theta at Baylor University. My experience was incredibly positive, and I am aware that things today are different than they were back when I went through Rush. 

When I went through Rush we all wore our winter coats (Baylor Rush still takes place in January) and purses aren't allowed in the room. My solution was to keep a lipstick, pocket mirror, ID, and my Motorola Razr in my coat pocket and leave it outside of each room (Baylor also doesn't have houses). Below are some ideas of what I would use as a Rush bag if I were to go though Rush today, and some essentials I would keep in the bag. Please keep in mind that I am not being paid to advertise any of these items, they are just things I really like!

RIBBON STRAW ZIP-TOP TRAVEL TOTE

MONOGRAM MARY FRINGE BAG

ITALIAN CANVAS ZIP TOTE

CANVAS ZIP-TOP TOTE

These are just a few examples of some bags that I think would be great for Rush (and for college students in general) because they:

A. All have zippers

B. Are all customizable 

In a sea of girls tossing around a bunch of identical bags that they bought on Amazon Prime day all over the place, you want to make sure that your items are secure, and that your bag is easily identifiable. 

Now.... as far as things to put in your bag...

There is one item that I think is absolutely essential, and that I will recommend again and again and again, and that is this Chanel lip product (my favorite shade is Sensual Rose). I have worn these liquid lipsticks for YEARS, and I am not kidding when I say that they last ALL DAY. It is a great product, and is pretty much the only thing I will wear on my lips. 

LE ROUGE DUO ULTRA TENUE

Tide Pen Stain Remover for Clothes

Hand Sanitizer (this one is super cute and trendy)

Tic Tacs (I like these mini boxes - perfect for any purse/travel bag)

Band-aids (get your skin tone - this is not the time for Hello Kitty. You want your personality to stand out, not your blisters)

Cough Drops (you will lose your voice by the end of the week, DO NOT CHEW GUM)

I love Airborn - try your best not to get sick!

These claw clips are cute, and can keep your hair from getting frizzy/sweaty walking from one party to the next. Get this set of four so if someone asks to borrow one, they can just keep it and you'll still have extra!

LES BEIGES

l absolutely love this pressed powder. There is a mirror in there as well so you can check your makeup throughout the day. Keep in mind the coverage is light! 

Sparkle on!

New Orleans for New Year's

Hey there princess!

To celebrate the end of one crazy year, my husband and I took a trip to New Orleans in the week between Christmas and New Years. Neither of us have ever been to New Orleans before (I am a native Texan and have never been to Louisiana before!). This trip was so needed and so much fun for the two of us after a year of being shut up in the house staring at the computer screen.

Before leaving for our trip, I polled my family to ask for the best places to stay, shop, and eat at in NOLA and boy did they come through! 

We stayed at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter, which ended up being really close to a lot of the things that we were wanting to do. A lot of places were closed due to COVID, but there were fewer crowds on the street, and we were able to enjoy walking around the city without the typical hustle and bustle. If you live in our neck of the woods and are looking for a short get-away - I would highly recommend going now! 

I had so much fun walking up and down the beautiful streets full of history. The brisk air was perfect, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Now that I am home again, I want to buy some books about the history of New Orleans. The French Quarter is full of an incredible mix of both modern and classical architecture. 

There are towering Magnolia trees and sleepy Spanish moss lining the narrow walkways framing the houses that look like they have stood there for centuries. The breeze coming off of the Mississippi River was cool and refreshing in the warm afternoon sun as we made our way around Jackson Square. All around are beautiful sights, delicious smells, and the sounds of lively jazz music.

Some of my favorite places were food-related (can you blame me?). 

Both mornings of our stay, we ate breakfast at the fabulous Cafe du Monde where we each got hot and delicious beignets positively drowning in powdered sugar. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it! All of the dining is outdoors, and the seating looks out at Jackson Square on one side and the Mississippi on the other side. 

We were also lucky enough to get to hear some incredible jazz musicians playing while we ate our breakfast and enjoyed the morning. New Orleans is the birthplace of Louis Armstrong, and the birthplace of jazz. Sitting back and listening to these incredible artists play "What A Wonderful World" while eating a delicious breakfast was the exact medicine I needed to recover from 2020.

Another incredible stop on our trip was Bourbon House, where we were able to enjoy a quiet dinner (I had shrimp and grits, and it was delish!). I would totally recommend stopping here if you haven't been here before. It was so quiet, especially for a Sunday night. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and was located directly across the street from our hotel on Bourbon Street. 

The absolute highlight of our trip, however, was a dinner at Court of the Two Sisters. This stop required a reservation, and it was honestly so much fun to get dressed up for dinner! I can't remember the last time we went out to eat and had to look somewhat presentable (maybe our honeymoon?). 

This place was packed with history and charm, not to mention some of the best food I have ever had! Our salads were mixed in front of us, and we were so impressed with the food and the atmosphere. 

The building, as it currently stands, was erected in 1832 by Zenon Cavalier (what a name!) a financier of note in the early day s of Louisiana history. Prior to this, the location was the residence of Sieur Etienne DePerier, Governor of the French colonial period (1725 - 1733). The restaurant is called Court of the Two Sisters because the space was previously a fancy variety shop owned by two sisters who were members of an aristocratic family of Old New Orleans. 

Basically, I can't wait for our next trip to New Orleans! There is so much more that I would like to do and see now that I know what to expect. Do you have any recommendations for me? Have you ever been to New Orleans? I've about halfway decided to sign up for a Krewe and ride in the Mardi Gras parade. Maybe a bit too much....

A Palm Beach Bridal Shower

Hey there princess!

About a year ago, my younger sister, Coco (who was my Maid of Honor) and my mother threw me a 1960's Palm Beach themed bridal shower at my family's home in Houston, Texas. It was honestly one of the best times ever, and such a beautiful party. 

I painted a centerpiece for the party based on my engagement photos (featuring my favorite Lilly Pulitzer maxi skirt), and bought a fun frame for it at Hobby Lobby. 

My mom found these adorable invitations on Etsy and they are my absolute favorite. To me, invitations are super important to any party because they set the tone for the event. Guest know from the invitation what they should expect in terms of the level of formality, and who is hosting the event, and it is also a great keepsake from the party! I love holding on to invitations from past-parties that I loved attending!

Regarding decor, my hosts fancied-up my family's dining table with a Lilly table runner from Etsy (can you tell we are all huge Etsy addicts??). One of my favorite touches was using the depression glass that Coco and I have collected since we were young to serve the sandwiches and food. We both have the cameo ballerina dishes, mine in yellow and hers in green.

Look at how beautiful that table is (and in the background you can see me sneaking a bite)! We had tiers of sandwiches from Chicken Salad Chick and tons of snacks, beautiful flowers, and an unbelievable macaroon tower. 

I mean look at how stunning it is! I could die! This tower came from a shop in Houston called Sweet, located in City Centre and the flavors Shailee chose were lavender, rose, and lemon (they were all divine). I felt just like Marie Antoinette!

One of my bridesmaids also put together some amazing charcuterie boards, and my mother and sister put together plates of Lilly shift cookies, candied pecans, and tons of bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cake. 

Just for fun, Coco and I made some white chocolate-covered popcorn and then absolutely drenched it in pink sprinkles. It tasted pretty good, but mostly it was just super festive! 

I am so thankful to my sweet friends and family for making my bridal shower such a special day. I know that I am going to remember this party for a long time! 

If you want to see more of my little parties and celebrations, please follow along at @heythrprincess on Instagram!

I would love to hear about the special parties in your life - whether it's a bridal shower like mine, a birthday party, or just a party for the sake of a party. How are you celebrating?

Sparkle on!

Party in the USA

Hey there princess!

My family and I loved celebrating the 4th of July this past weekend. It was the perfect escape from all of the stresses of life - with work, and the world around us seeming so tumultuous - it was a real treat to sit back, stuff my face, and enjoy the fireworks. 

My little sister, Coco, started us off on a healthy note. She made these amazing strawberry, blueberry, and marshmallow kabobs set on this festive American flag platter. They were incredibly cute, and admittedly the only nutritious thing I ate that weekend. Big thanks to Coco for getting us to eat some fruit!

Next, my mom got the most amazing macaroons ever from a local place in Tomball called Indulge Bakery (click here for the website). My favorite flavors are Bomb Pop and Pop Rock! Look at how perfectly patriotic the colors are!

Coco set the table with some very festive flowers as well. I love all of the sweet little touches that come together to make a family meal special and memorable. Flowers are always so happy (especially these glitter-covered roses)!

Not ones to leave out the main dish - we got some amazing turkey and brisket from Bexar Barbecue in Tomball. Seriously - this meat was to die for. I have had the brisket before, but this was my first time with the turkey and I have to say I am in love. Forget the traditional 4th of July hot dogs - I say just go straight to the good stuff. Life is too short.

After lunch, we had tons of fun swimming in my parents' pool, and enjoying some fireworks. I am so incredibly thankful to be an American, and to live in the same city as my parents so that I can raid their refrigerator. 

If you want to see more of my 4th of July fun - hop on over to my Instagram (@heythrprincess) where I share all of my little adventures. 

I hope that y'all had a fun and safe 4th of July and I can't wait for the next adventure life throws at me! Let me know how y'all celebrated your Independence Day!

Weekend Getaway: Savannah, GA

Hey there princess!

This summer I want to do a little spotlight once a week on some of my very favorite travel destinations.

This week, we are going to Savannah, Georgia. This port city is the oldest in the state of Georgia, and played a crucial role in both the American and Civil wars.

Today, Savannah is know for its beautiful gardens, beach views, historical architecture, and terrific cooking! One of my favorite places to eat when I'm in Savannah is The Lady and Sons, a restaurant opened in 1989, which is run by legendary chef, Paula Deen, and her two sons, Jamie and Bobby. Their "ho cakes" are famous for their buttery flavor, and my favorite dinner item has got to be the crab-stuffed shrimp on a bed of jasmine rice and asparagus. 

Another great place to stop and play in Savannah is Tybee Island. In my opinion, the beach is the best place to spend warm weather (and hey, I'll even squish my toes in the sand during the dead of winter). Since the weather is so nice outside, take a walk and splash in the sea on this little piece of paradise. The beaches are white and clean, and the locals are incredibly friendly. 

While you're on the island, stop off at the Crab Shack, where the elite eat in their bare feet (or in flip flops... whatever). The fish is always fresh and the atmosphere is too much fun. You get the eat with your bare hands as you look out at the sun setting on the water. Also, they sell their amazing "Captain Crab's Secret Spice" shell-food seasoning at the gift shop, which is totally worth the splurge. I use it in all of my own cooking at home. 

There are about a million other things to do in Savannah, but those are just a few of my favorites! Where are your favorite places to travel over the summer? Let me know in the comments below!