post #53. Working Woman's Wardrobe - Long Sleeved Dresses

Happy Friday! I'm still sniffly and recovering, but thanks for all of your sweet messages about being sick last week!

 I hope you're as excited for the weekend as I am! This weekend, we have a few friends coming in town and *brace yourself* we are attending the South Carolina game! It's going to be difficult to wear garnet, but after a few cocktails I don't think I'll mind so much. 

I got a text from a friend recently that sparked this post. She asked if I'd seen any cute long sleeved dresses for work - her boss had several, but they were all designer. Or sweater dresses (quite possibly the most unflattering thing I could ever wear). For those of us just starting out in the real world, it can be tough to wear stylish and professional clothes to work every day without repeating too frequently. I find this especially true in the winter, considering the only thing I want to wear in the morning is leggings and wool sweaters. Not exactly workwear.

I scoured the internet to find this week's Friday Five - Five dresses, winter and work appropriate, under $150. 

1. Ann Taylor 3/4 Button Shift Dress - $149, currently 30% off {buy it here}

2. Ralph Lauren Suede Trim French Terry Dress - $129, on sale for $90 {buy it here}

3. Michael Kors Draped Wrap Effect Stretch Jersey Dress - $120 {buy it here}

4. Zara Dress with Front Seams - $60 {buy it here}

5. Nanette Lepore Rabat Two-Tone Ponte Dress - $249, on sale for $148 {buy it here}

Which dresses are your favorites?

Xo - Morgan

(P.S. In other exciting news, I think my blog design is finally almost ready! It took longer than I expected, but I'm so excited for the makeover! Get ready for a big reveal next week *crossing fingers*)

post #38: Weekend Review {Cafe Strudel}

Weekend Review + Big News in MM Blogland!

Happy Monday pretties! Hope y'all had a relaxing and fun weekend. I sure did!

Friday night, Jo and I enjoyed a new experience together - Delhi Palace, an Indian buffet! The food was a little spicier than what I'm used to, but was really good and definitely something different. Once I got adjusted, I really enjoyed the meal.

Saturday we woke up and headed to Cafe Strudel for brunch. Cafe Strudel has the best outdoor porch for a weekend brunch. This was the first time we've dined outside, but it sure was perfect! The weather was to die for, and we had the best service. Several of the employees came out to fuss over Milly, which she always loves! Do you blame them?

I had the smoked salmon bagel on a sun-dried tomato bagel, which comes with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and tomato. I omitted the onion. It was mmmm mmm good.

Jo had the Hangover Hashbrowns. Complete with cheese, tomatoes, banana peppers, onions, egg, and lots of potato goodness, this dish (usually my go-to) doesn't disappoint. 

After brunch, we went walking (and Milly swimming!) along the River Walk to work off our hearty food choices. I spent the rest of Saturday afternoon running errands and getting started on our fall wreath. Here's the first sneak preview...

{had so much fun dressing this baby up! post-stain}

We spent Saturday night eating cheese fondue and grilling. We watched silly movies, played trivia games, had some drinky drinks, and just goofed around. See Instagram for evidence. It was great to have a carefree date night.

My big news is that Makeshift Margaritas is getting a makeover! I have hated my blog template pretty much since I've started blogging. I want my readers to want to look at my blog, and if I don't want to look at it, I'm pretty sure y'all don't either. That being said, after reading all of your comments on Friday, I bit the bullet this weekend and really researched designers. I found Sophie and Rory on Etsy and was instantly sold. It was seriously a fraction of all the other designers I'd been considering, and her work was gorgeous. 

So, stay posted in the next few months for my new design! I can't wait to see what Laura has up her sleeve. If she figures out my "classic, but modern," "nothing busy, but really fun!," and equally puzzling hopes for this design, she will truly deserve an award. 

Now, time for another cup of coffee.

Xo - Morgan

Not following along yet? Use Facebook, Bloglovin, and Instagram to stay posted!

post #37 - F5: Lazy Weekends, Fall Decor, Boots, Target, and a New Blog Design!

It's Friday? Five Things for September 13.

Hey there, pretty blog friends! Hope you've had a super week!

5 highlights of this week...

1. Lazy Weekends

Last week, I backed out of going to the Clemson game and stayed home with the pup. I started Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market with a girlfriend. Milly naturally made friends with the biggest horse dog there, we enjoyed mimosas, and I got some peaches, kale, goat cheese, and crab + avocado ravioli.

{nice and tired when we left.}

{my "single for the day" lunch - lavender goat cheese, pretzels, and cookie butter! mmm}

I watched the Georgia/South Carolina game with Jo's mom and called it a night. The next morning, I headed to the Panthers opening game in Charlotte with some coworkers. A fun time was had by all!

2. Fall Decor

I finally put out some fall decorations! I picked up the glass leaf plates at TJ Maxx over the weekend and love the touch they add to the table. And pumpkin candles...*insert sigh of happiness

{our kitchen table is ready for fall!}

{pumpkin spice candles make me a happy girl!}

3. Boots

Is it time for these yet? I'm quick to put on my cowboy boots - in fact, I wore them to our first football game against Georgia. But, when are we officially allowed to start wearing our riding boots? I got a pair of brown Nine West riding boots last year for Christmas that I love, but this year I'm in the market for some black ones. Is it just me, or are decent looking black ones harder to find? Let me know if you have any suggestions. Until then, I'll just keep dreaming about these.

{stuart weitzman 50/50 stretch over the knee boot}

4. My Target Haul!

After Christina posted an Instagram picture of her Pumpkin Spice M&Ms, I knew I'd be heading to Target to pick some up. Naturally, I didn't leave with just M&Ms. I tried to find the new Essie shades I talked about here and here, but of course they were sold out. I think I found the next best thing in Sally Hansen's Insta Dry - "Gone Grey." I also found some great smelling citronella candles for 70% off!

{clear organizer for work, sharpie pens, pumpkin spice m&ms, nail polish, & candles. + lots of diet coke, not pictured ;-)}

5. Blog Designs!

My little blog is still growing! It's been so exciting to keep gaining followers each day on BlogLovin, Google Friend Connect, and Facebook. (Not following yet? What are you waiting for!) The only thing that's been getting me down is my blog design. Right now, I'm using a freebie - I can't quite decide when the right time is to bite the bullet and purchase a paid design. Here's where I need your advice, experienced bloggers - at what point did you purchase a blog design? A certain number of followers? Page views? Are you happy with your designer? Could you justify the cost?

6. A Little Humor For Today

I had to add a 6th this week. This link is too. funny. Dying. Like, tears might be escaping. 

Thanks for following along with my little old life! Your comments just make my day ;-) And if you're not following along yet, I'd sure love to have you along for the ride!

Xo - Morgan

post #18 - Basil {Restaurant Review}

Columbia Cuisine - Basil!

On Friday night, I went with a friend to try out a new restaurant in Columbia called Basil. While Basil is new to Columbia, it's not new to Charleston or Charlotte- I have several friends who are regulars there. I haven't been to any of the locations, so when my friend suggested it, I couldn't wait to visit.

I tried the Pear Martini, and she tried the Thai Tea Martini. We were both happy with our choices!

(Pear Martini)

(Thai Tea Martini)

I got some recommendations going in from the Charleston friends, since the menu is a little overwhelming if you don't eat Thai on the regular. I enjoy it, but I definitely don't eat it regularly. Both friends suggested the Pad Thai, which is the international dish of Thailand. I figured I couldn't go wrong with this choice, and it was delicious!!

(rice noodles stir fried with chicken, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, scallions, peanuts, and pad thai sauce. garnished with fresh bean spouts and a wedge of lime)

My friend got the Basil Tilapia, which looked amazing as well!

(lightly floured, deep fried, topped with vegetables and stir fry sauce with fresh jalapenos)

For those of you who like it spicy, you can choose the heat of your meal. I didn't need any extra spice, but my friend got it HOT! (She said it wasn't super spicy).

Neither one of us can wait to go back to Basil! We had great service and a truly enjoyable evening. Next time, we'll bring the husbands along to get their take on the food. The dishes were delicious and large (with enough for leftovers!) so we think they'll be satisfied.

Until next time!

MBC

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