Friday Favorites

I get asked pretty regularly what my favorite products, trends, etc. are and I figured I would start putting together lists of some things I'm loving. From music to makeup, if I like something, I like it all the way. There's not a lot of gray area in my life. 

Anywaysss... here are a few things I am loving/addicted to/can't get enough of right now-

Friday Favorites - 05.16.14 by rulesforbelles featuring abalone jewelry

1. Kimonos- I have never been much of a cardigan girl but I do love to layer. It's pretty difficult to layer when it's 98 degrees outside with 100% humidity... welcome to the South, am I right ladies? Enter a kimono. Most of them are super lightweight, somewhat sheer and just add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. It says, "I'm too cool to put in a ton of effort, I'm naturally this fabulous."

2. bareMinerals bareSkin Foundation- I have oily skin and an obsession with full coverage makeup which is not a great combo for summers in the South. I always struggle with how to balance wearing enough makeup to feel covered but not enough to where it's running down my face... the struggle is real y'all. So enter this miracle worker. I have only worn it a couple of times now but I think it is going to save my life/face this summer. It's such a nice balance!

3. Kendra Scott Elle Drop Earrings in Abalone- I have been obsessed with Kendra Scott's jewelry for quite a while now and finally got a pair for my birthday. While they are all fabulous, the Abalone is just too good. They are fun and quirky while sleek and sophisticated. And they match everything. Run, don't walk, to get some. Right now. 

4. Drybar VIP Pack- Taylor gave me this for my birthday and it's safe to say, I. Am. Obsessed. It includes dry shampoo, mousse (perfectly titled Southern Belle) and hairspray. They are half sizes so they can fit in your purse. Woohoo!!! 

5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb- Between allergies and being incredibly particular, I always have trouble finding a perfume that is just right for me. So last week, I took a Zyrtec, headed to my local perfume counter and spent the better part of an hour trying as many different scents as I could stand. And boy was it worth it. I absolutely fell in LOVE with this scent. I am not a flowery kind of person, so I was hesitant because of the name, but it is not a floral scent. It has a touch of floral but it's very clean and just smells pretty- if that's even a thing... I've only worn it for a few days and have been stopped by strangers to ask what perfume I was wearing. Seriously, if you're in the market for a new fragrance, GO BUY IT. They sell a hair mist too. I'll probz buy that. I'm that in love. 

6. Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara- Y'all.......... this stuff is MAGIC. It is blackkkk and after a few coats looks like falsies. I'm obsessed. 

7. Anything having to do with Iggy Azalea- From Fancy's Clueless themed video to Problem (with Ariana Grande) to how much she loves fashion and her big butt, I think Iggy and her music are perfection. I'll be shaking it to her allllllll summer long. 

So that's what I'm loving right now. What about y'all?? Let me know on twitter.

-C. xx. 

365.

One year. 365 days. 525,600 minutes.

A year ago, today, I announced on my Tumblr that I would be starting this little adventure of a blog with some of my favorite people. While Rules For the Southern Lady was so good to me for so long, it had taken a turn for something different than what it was originally intended for and I needed to take a step back. I'm excited about some things coming up, though. I'm definitely not finished with Tumblr just yet!

The actual anniversary of this blog is June 1st so I'll have a long, emotional, sappy, etc. post for y'all then but for now, I just want to say THANK YOU. It still shocks me that anyone cares about my thoughts and opinions. I have such amazingly supportive readers who love the South, Starbucks and One Direction as much as I do :) This blog has brought new people into my life and deepened my relationship with some existing friends and I could not be happier.

Year one has been mindblowing. Year two is going to be even better. Get ready y'all. We're about to take over like kudzu.

Love love love each and every single one of you fabulous Southern (and not-so-Southern) belles!!

-C. xx.

Bands on the beach. #HangoutMusicFest

Braid your hair and grab your Ray Bans—it’s festival season, y’all.

http://gurl.tumblr.com/post/80522550235/10-clothes-and-accessories-for-the-ultimate-music

This weekend is the fifth annual Hangout Music Festival, and it is SOLD OUT.  (Like... of freaking course it is. UGH.) Some of this year’s headliners include The Black Keys, The 1975, Outkast, Wiz Khalifa, and Jack Johnson—among many, many others.  It sounds like someone with my eclectic music taste selected this lineup, and I could not be happier.  (Seriously, why did I not buy a ticket?)  As if the killer lineup wasn’t enough, this music festival is on the beach. In the South.  Sign. me. up. Seriously, it's like Coachella minus the dust storms and kale but add Southern accents. So basically how we picture Heaven is going to be.

Is it May yet? #HangoutFest pic.twitter.com/aowFCroG8R
— Hangout Music Fest (@Hangoutfest) March 11, 2014

For all of us who won’t be traveling down to Gulf Shores to partake in the festivities (insert sad face emoji), I’ve made a Hangout Wish List playlist.  

instagram.com/modernmagnolias

Enjoy the amazing lineup via Spotify, and mark your calendars for next year—I have!

“There’s nothing like a music festival.  People are ready to have a good time.  I don’t think anyone comes to a music festival going, ‘I’m going to be a complete bummer today.’”—Gary Clark, Jr.

xx, T.

#MothersDay: Brunch and Cocktails

Mother’s Day is all about honoring your mother and I happen to have the greatest one around. No really… you may think you do and may have even commemorated it in dried macaroni once upon a time but I really do! (shout out to my beautiful mama below)

Show your mom you love her with this truly southern dish: tomato pie. Don’t be fooled, this is no sweet pie. This yummy goodness is the perfect brunch staple and, trust me, your mom will eat it up… literally. While we are on the talk about mamas, you can all thank my best friend’s mom, Mrs. Burdette, for this recipe inspiration!

How ahhhhmazing does this look??

Ingredients
3-4 ripe tomatoes *see substitution note below

1 prebaked 9-inch piecrust

1 tablespoon of chopped or dried basil

1/2 small yellow onion, chopped
1 cup chopped, cooked bacon (or bacon bits)

1 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

Directions
Dice the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit in a paper towel lined colander for as long as possible. Overnight is fine! This will help all the liquid/water come out and prevent a soggy pie. If you only have a short amount of time, mash and squeeze the tomatoes as much as possible to get the liquid out!

Layer the piecrust with the diced onion and tomatoes and bacon.

Mix together the mayo, basil and cheddar cheese. Spread mixture evenly over pie making sure not to press down too hard on the mixture (again preventing a soggy pie… no one wants a soggy pie!!).

Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees until it’s bubbly and brown. Let it sit for 25-30 minutes before cutting. You can also refrigerate it and serve cold or room temperature later.

*If your tomatoes are not in season, which they should be by now, or just don’t look good in the store you can substitute the fresh tomatoes with one 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes.

 Now… you may be thinking, “This is great, Sara, but how can I realllly celebrate Mother’s Day with my mom.” Don’t worry girls, I got you. Mimosas are so yesterday—serve this Poinsettia cocktail alongside your tomato pie.

http://littlethingsandvodka.blogspot.com/2013_12_01_archive.html

Fill about ½ the glass with champagne, and a little less than ½ with cranberry juice, and top with a splash of triple sec. Mix it up a bit and cheers to that sweet, southern mama of yours!

But for real, this is how to show mom you love her. 

Enjoy!!

Sara 

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Mother's Day Gift Guide Straight From A Mother

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyorley/19-pieces-of-advice-from-tami-taylor

Your mother was your first best friend, your first nurse when you were sick, your first taxi service when you were too little to drive and always your biggest cheerleader. So what do you get the woman who's been there from your beginning? If you struggle to get just the thing she'd love this year, no fear. As a mother to three children myself and with two mothers to buy for, I've got every type of mama covered. We love anything thoughtful and especially anything that reminds us of our children (awwwwwww), but we also love when people put US first and get us things WE are interested in. So with that in mind here are some optionnnnnnnns. 

1. Mark & Graham leather Tote 

http://www.markandgraham.com/products/everyday-leather-tote-camel/

The bag can be personalized for mom and it's a classic shape that she can use everyday and still feel stylish. I love the colors, they are subtle and they don't scream Vera Bradley- which you should NOT get your mother. Unless she's a VB fan and then you have to bite the bullet.

2. Lilly Pulitzer Infinity Scarf

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/Accessories-Shoes/Scarves/entity/pc/61/c/247/7252.uts?swatchName=Spa+Blue+Lobstah+Roll

The colors are great for summer and the no fuss of an infinity scarf is perfect for mom to finish her casual outfit with. 

3. Gallery in a box

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/champagne-gilt-wood-picture-frame-gallery-in-a-box/?pkey=e%7Cframes%7C98%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C7&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-%3Fcm_sp%3DMyRecs-_-LeftNav-_-Search%7CSku_Top_Marketing_Rule%7CFrames

I love this idea for mom! The older moms get, the more they treasure memories. Surprise your mom with her own gallery frames and fill them with a mix of old and new family photos. She will love this. 

4. On a budget? Cook for mom. Moms love good food and loving gestures, so combine the two! Check out the Barefoot Contessa's recipes for FREE on the Food Network website and Whip. It .Up. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/ina-garten/ina-garten-behind-the-scenes.html

In fact, there are over 1,000 of her recipes for free, whereas on her website she makes you buy her cookbooks. So set the table, create a beautiful presentation and treat her with a feast! 

5. Hydrangeas from Terrain is a great gift for the mom who loves to garden, or just loves flowers in general.

http://www.shopterrain.com/mothers-day-nature-walk/white-robe-hydrangea-birch-bark-pot/productOptionIDs/5f63e4f8-60b3-4ee7-9cbc-15481ea61cb2

I love the bark pot and the moss touch they've added to the hydrangea presentation to make it look rustic and special. And mom can even plant the beautiful flower into her garden. Perrrrfect. 

6. Spruce up mom's summer table with new, updated linens.

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/cool+multicolor+herringbone+table+runner.do?&from=fn

I love this World Market Table Runner and the matching napkins. Mom can breathe new life into her plates and utensils for the season. 

7. If your mom loves all things beauty, get her signed up with Birchbox.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-02-16/a-surprise-in-every-birchbox

Personalize it for all of mom's interests and she will love her monthly packages! Birchbox has more than mascaras and lipsticks; you can create skincare, body or fragrance boxes just for your dear mother. 

Have I gotten your Mother's Day thoughts going? Make mama feel special! She'll thank you with hugs and kisses, which are the best gifts of all. Let the Magnolias know what you think over on Twitter using #ModernMagnolias!

Erica Hanks

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A Decade of Mean Girls Is So Fetch.

If y’all can believe it, Mean Girls premiered 10 years ago today. If that doesn’t make you feel like you’re entering/in adulthood (VOM), I’m not sure what will. In honor of today, we are going to throw it back to a time when Lindsay Lohan was in her prime and take a little time to point out several reasons we love Mean Girls will never get old.

Mean Girls is super quotable for everyday life.

http://fuckyeahmeangirls.tumblr.com/post/7035049475

Because this sounds so much better than just “Congratulations!”

Too-Gay-To-Function Damien (it’s only okay when Janis says it) has some of my personal favorite one-liners throughout the entire movie. I have 100% thrown out a “She doesn’t even go here,” to my friends if a rando walked in a bar/party/wherever. And you better believe I have said this to anyone who has come in my room too early on a Saturday:

http://fuckyeahmeangirls.tumblr.com/post/6645309003

Damien just gets me.

Also, I kid you not, I literally volunteered to do every calculus problem in front of the class senior year of high school in the hopes that I could channel my inner pre-rehab Lindsay Lohan and scream “The limit does not exist,” in front of the class. Side note: I totally made this happen. Like, where is my mathlete jacket, Kevin G?

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lycv12JQFo1ql289xo1_250.gif

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lycv12JQFo1ql289xo2_250.gif

When your friend calls and cancels plans you’re annoyed, but it makes you feel slightly better that you can pretend to be Regina George. “Boo, you whore!” *Bonus points if your friend is pulling a Karen and faking sick*

Okay, like this one is not practical for everyday use, but still hilarious.

http://fuckyeahmeangirls.tumblr.com/post/9262353431

 There is literally no way to include every quote from Mean Girls that we love. I think I could have conversations for an entire week with Gretchen Wieners quotes alone.

 

http://www.gifwave.com/2hHU/movie-mean-girls-girly-regina-george-gretchen-wieners-gif

Even ten years later, Mean Girls has made the internet immensely more hilarious.

You combine Mean Girls with literally any other movie or television show, it’s going to be pure gold. My personal faves: 

http://meangirlsofpanem.tumblr.com/image/76367010229

http://lesmeangirls.tumblr.com/post/42670079366#notes

http://meanmadmen.tumblr.com/image/48135301195

And like, this tumblr is absolute perfection:

 

http://meangirlsarthistory.tumblr.com/image/84155383008

Mean Girls gets better every time you watch it. Yes, the movie was funny when you were 13, but it’s honestly gets even better the older you get. I guarantee I didn’t get half of the jokes in the movie when I was younger because they were borderline inappropriate for me to hear anyway. I have also come to appreciate the fact that there are multiple Saturday Night Live alums in the cast. Like no wonder the movie is so freaking funny. Amy Poehler alone, as not a regular mom but a cool mom, is worth watching the movie for.

http://thelostie.tumblr.com/post/19161618541

 For all of this, and much more, we want to give a big Modern Magnolias thank you to our girl Tina Fey. To show your appreciation, I hope you’re being super fetch, wearing pink (DUH IT’S WEDNESDAY) and eating tons of Toaster Strudels. I’ll be doing both, while performing Kevin G’s talent show act, because yes, I can rap the entire thing flawlessly.

 

http://her0inchic.com/post/32801249908/yo-yo-yo-all-you-sucka-mcs-aint-got-nothin-on

Stay Grool,

Mary Lauren

P.S. Mean Girls is totally on Netflix now, so happy watching! Don’t even bother yourself with watching that Mean Girls 2 nonsense that ABC Family made.

Take It From A Man: On Monograms

Hopefully after my last articles (On Lilly Pulitzer, On What Not To Wear) we sufficiently addressed the notion that things/stuff/possessions do not equal quality personality traits. Keeping this in mind, I feel it's fair to tell you that no one cares what your name is. I would apologize for my bluntness but who are we kidding here? Someone needed to say it and apparently I have no fear... or a death wish of some sort.

Southern prep accounts be like "Monogram EVERYTHING" pic.twitter.com/YmhstsYkRT
— City Betch (@rackcitybetch) April 25, 2014

I'll wait while you undoubtedly reach for your monogrammed tissue holder that you keep inside of your monogrammed purse. You know, that cute purse that you got to match your monogrammed sweatshirt, Hunter boots, jewelry, school tote bag, bed spread, car decal...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/52565520623688270/

Doesn't sound quit so ridiculous until you start rattling off every single item you have that is plastered with your name. I love you girls, I really do, but y'all are worse than the bro who got his own name tattooed on his back. We all know that guy and we all hate him. At least his precious monogram is covered most of the time by his Affliction t-shirt.

Monograms are classic in both their functionality and aesthetics. I have numerous personal items, both apparel and hard goods, that are monogrammed for me or have been passed down through the family, but you can always have too much of a good thing.

Many of you use monograms more than a Wall Street power broker had cocaine in the 80's. Let that soak in for a moment.

http://rebloggy.com/post/gif-swag-dope-cocaine-drugs-money-leonardo-dicaprio-jonah-hill-drugs-gif-the-wol/74021747682

Now, do you think you have a problem?

If you think nothing's wrong or that you "totally have it under control" I can assure you that you are wrong. Furthermore, to whomever is sitting in their monogrammed nike running shorts and matching neon tank top saying that their Momma always said, "If it moves, monogram it" -you're a liar and no one believes you (chances are you never had anything monogrammed before sorority recruitment).

Love your name. Love your monogram. Just calm it down with the self-branding that's enough to makes Nike jealous.

@STEubanks