dance recital season

In honor of my dance teacher of 15 years, Judy Matassa, for instilling "A Love of Dance" within my heart.

Oh it’s that time of the year, when you're busy doing everything from sewing costumes to staying late at dance class to perfecting all of your dance routines. Tis’ the season to be completely worn out, anticipating the reveal of the recital theme, thrilled to get your next costume, and so ready to be on stage. You are praying your pointe shoes last until the recital, and that you don't break anything before the recital.

Amidst all of the dancing and sewing, you are also trying to figure out what gift you will be getting your dance teacher and dance friends. Of course there is always the option of flowers, but I would come home with so many flowers after a recital that I'd barely have enough vases to use them all! I would have loved a cute, personalized gift that I could use after the recital!

A. Ruffle Cinch Sac $25
B. U R U Mini Wristlet $17
C. Medium Rosette $8
D. Small Rosette $5
E. Key Fob $5
F. Icon Hang Tag $7
G. Zipper Pouch $15
H. Pinch-Top Eyeglass Case $15
I. Littles Carry-All Caddy $12
J. Mini Zipper Pouch $12
K. Wristlet Wallet $25
L. Organizing Utility Tote $30
M. Ruffle Mini Zipper Pouch $18
N. Cosmetic Bag $30
O. All-In-One-Organizer $20

Items such as the rosettes, key fobs, and zipper pouches are small, cute gifts you could give. For someone close, you could think about a personalized bag they could use for their shoes, bobby pins, hairspray, and anything else they may need for the recital and dance class.

For the months of May and June, I will also be able to provide you with adorable dance themed water bottles that can be personalized for all of your friends at dance from Ellery's Design in addition to my Thirty-One products! A friend I went to school with at East Carolina University makes these great  personalized  products. For $8 for the small bottle or $9 for the large, you can add these products to any Thirty-One purchase!

gift ideas for college graduates and new professionals

Last May, I graduated from East Carolina University with a BSBA in Marketing. I’m so fortunate that I found a job working in the field I went to school for right out of college. Right out of college, meaning a week after I walked across the stage at graduation, came far, far too soon!  Boy, was I ill prepared with little or no organizing and office essentials for the first few months of work. 

I have discovered a few items that I love to use, and could have greatly used that first week of work!

The “Cindy Tote” is one of my favorites for work. It is a professional looking bag that easily accommodates a laptop. The "organizing utility tote" is another one of my favorites because of all the pockets on the outside and the perfect amount of room for a filing box inside. My "thermal tote" fits in the fridge at work perfectly with my lunch and snacks. I use my "wristlet wallet" when I go to company events that I would prefer not carry a purse. I can fit my phone, business cards, and ID perfectly in the wallet that can be carried around my wrist. I just ordered my "Hang-Up Home Organizer", and I'm looking forward to having a place for my calendar, task list, and other things on my wall instead of cluttered on my desk.

Personalization such as “Pirate Alum” or a classy monogram would be a nice addition to any of the products as well! There are gifts that can fit any price range for the perfect graduation gift. I wish the best to all of the new graduates and new professionals!

bless you

My forever faithful white 2000 ford taurus was yellow after work today. A thick dusting of yellow pollen had covered all of the cars in the parking lot and the parking lot itself. The one thing I'm allergic to is pollen, so you can only imagine how much fun I had on the way back home, sneezing the whole way.


I've decided that I will be keeping my "Littles Carry-All Tote" with tissues and hand sanitizer handy in my car for the Spring season. If you're like me, you should consider having your own "Littles Carry All Tote" handy with your tissues and sanitizer ready in your car at all times. This is also  great as a gift for a friend that is sick, a gift for someone else allergic to pollen, a small gift to say thank you, or something cute to give the mother of the bride for the wedding. 

Of course, there are other great uses for this tote such as: k-cup coffee storage, crayon holder, bow holder, sewing kit, and anything else small that you need to organize!

The best part is that they are only $12 each! :)

lotsa dots

Polka dots are back in fashion for Spring! Thirty-One has some beautiful bags, wallets, and rosettes in a polka dot print called "Lotsa Dots" that looks great with everything. 

wallet: thirty-one by tamara // rosette clip or pin: thirty-one by tamara // dress: express // 

shoes: steve madden // watch: michael kohrs // earrings: simplysoles.com

monogrammed bag drawing

I'm giving away one of my favorite Thirty-One bags to one lucky person! If you win, you will get to choose your own pattern and monogram color. This bag has pockets and compartments to fit everything, it looks great dressed up or down, and it is affordable! The drawing will take place on March 25th, so make sure to share on Pinterest, Facebook, and/or Twitter soon!

crochet toms and monogrammed bags

Toms, dotted prints, and monograms... some of my favorite fashion trends right now! I got my dotted "Lotsa Dots" Thirty-One Organizing Shoulder Bag with a coral monogram and my crochet toms in the mail this week just in time for this beautiful North Carolina weather. Excited about wearing both of my new purchases this week!

A closer look at my afordable, trendy outfit:
Bag- Thirty-One through Tamara $42 plus $7 for personalization
Rosette- Thirty-One through Tamara $6
Top- New York and Company $10 those clearance racks pay off sometimes!
Pants- American Eagle $44 unless you have a sister that works there :)
Shoes- Crochet Toms $58 i may need to buy these in every color now!
Earrings- Forever 21 $4.80

perfect weekend trip

It was so hard to wake up this morning after such an amazing weekend and the time change. Matt and I decided to go to the beach this past weekend for a much needed relaxation weekend. It was colder than we would have liked, but we still had the opportunity to do a little fishing, surfing, walking along the beach, and playing with Achilles.

We just went for the weekend, but for some reason I am unable to completely pack "light". (A problem I think most of us face) I started packing using my Expand-a-tote Day Extender, and soon realized it was already full! Thankfully, I remembered that I could unzip the extended portion of the bag prior to switching

bags. What a great bag! Just unzip to have enough room for your hairdryer and extra outfit!  Not to mention I got it in my favorite print "Lotsa Dots"... although a pink or coral colored monogram would make it even cuter.



Another great bag I used on our weekend trip together was my thermal tote. It was absolutely the right size for a couple drinks and snacks to take on the road, fishing, and the beach!