If you were't able to shop the Lilly Sale, you truly missed out! I was able to get everything that was on my list and so much more! I'm especially excited about the shower shoes that I picked out as well as the yellow dress because it has been on my list for a long time. My mom surprised me by ordering a lot of shirts but would only show me two of the (hopefully many) ones she got me, those are shown above. I'm even more ecstatic about the Luxletic windbreaker that I was able to score..yay for the Lilly sale!

What did you get?

Today is the big day, move-in! (yes, I'm currently freaking out), I've been obsessing over decorations for my wall. I have come to love the look of hand-painted canvases, especially the Pinterest perfect ones. 
Check out some of my favorites below! 

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest & have a great day!

Since pulling items together for my dorm, I've learned many (money-saving) lessons. I've always loved Etsy, but I never knew how versatile their site was...they. have. everything. Absolutely everything!! I have a thing for pillows (see last month's save vs. splurge here), but couldn't seem to bring myself to pay $74 for a pillow that I could potentially use for only one year, so I turned to Etsy. Of course, I found the exact pillow that I wanted for a much lower price! It's a win, win situation!

For those wondering-- the quality of the pillow I "saved" on is just fabulous. It truly exceeded my expectations! 

What have you saved or splurged on recently?

I love marshmallows and the color navy. I have a scary obsession with day planners and color coding, for that matter. Georgia is my favorite font and The South is my favorite place. "Home" is anywhere below the Mason-Dixon line, preferably on the Carolina Coast. I was named after my father and am 100% a daddy's girl. I'm a Pirate, at East Carolina University, of course. I have a passion for helping people and hope to serve others somewhere in the medical field. I don't have a favorite color, but if I did it would be Lilly. I live for thank-yous and handwritten notes. I find joy in knowing how to fold a fitted sheet. I monogram everything, including my retainer. I'm proud of where I come from and will never apologize for my beliefs. 
Most importantly, I have been saved by His grace.

What else do you want to know? Shoot me an email -- asouthernheartblog@gmail.com.
Have a fab week, y'all!

one || two || three || four

Whoop, whoop...we've finally made it to Friday! Although I am sad to report, summer is coming to a close (less than 2 weeks) for me, so despite my many technical difficulties with this week's outfit post, I've decided to share some of my favorite Lilly dresses instead. I believe that wearing Lilly can brighten any (and all) occasions...so wear it while you can!

I'll be heading to Raleigh this weekend for lots of "back to school" shopping!! Add me on snapchat (@asouthernheart) 
to follow along!

Happy weekend! What are your plans?

If you've been reading along, I've decided to (try) and tackle a half-marathon within the next few months! So over the last few weeks I have found out some very awesome tips and tricks that have helped make running more enjoyable for me.

1| drink water
This should be a given, but I can't stress the importance of staying hydrated, especially when you're combining the summer heat and exercise. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your run!

2| stretch
Again, this should be another given but it's always nice to have a reminder! Stretch before and after your runs to prevent injuries, cramps, and even soreness. By stretching and taking care of yourself, you will feel better during and after your runs!

3| invest in a foam roller
This kinda-sorta goes along with stretching, but these foam rollers are life changing. I wish I would have learned about them before my senior year of field hockey! Check Amazon, Dick's, Target, even TJ Maxx for these life savers!

4| start slow
Starting slow was something I really struggled with. I've never been a runner (except on a field, like in a practice or game scenario), so struggling with 2 miles really hurt my spirits. Once I realized that to be safe I needed to start slow, all was well and now I am running much more than 2 miles! :)

5| find someone to hold you accountable
Whether it's your mother, brother, sister, or your friend, having someone to remind you of your goals every now and then is great and quite encouraging. My mom has been running some with me and one of my dear friends shoots me a text every couple of days to check on my progress. The extra reminder helps me stay motivated!

What tips do you have for beginner runners?

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I've moved down to the beach house for a week of much needed relaxation with the fam. Don't worry, I will still be following my Monday/Wednesday/Friday blog routine! Feel free to keep up with my "staycation" (since I'm 15 minuets from my house) on Instagram -- @asouthernheartblog & Snapchat -- @asouthernheart. I also have a few exciting changes coming to A Southern Heart this week, so be sure to stay tuned!

If you've been keeping up with my monthly to-dos, you saw in July I wanted to run a 5k (check) while one of my to-dos in August is to keep up with my half-marathon training plan. Exercise is an important part to anyone's day, personally, it helps me have more energy and helps me sleep better at night! However, I can't stand working out without music, so I've shared my most recent (and extremely random) running playlist with y'all. I seriously apologize for the random-ness of this playlist, but I've found that having a mix of upbeat songs helps me stay focused. I especially love to lip-sing along while I'm running-- it's certainly a sight to see ;)

What have you been running, walking, or listening to lately?

Overall, July was a great month for me! I returned from an amazing two week trip in Europe, turned 18, and spent many days soaking up the rays on the Carolina Coast. As I anxiously welcome August, I know that it's going to be a difficult, but an exciting month as I venture into the unknown world of college.

1| stay on track with my half-marathon running plan
2| complete a diy project-- I'm thinking a canvas for my dorm
3| figure out planner organization that works for me and my new college schedule
4| continue posting outfits on Wednesdays
5| reach 300 followers on Instagram (you can help me by following @asouthernheartblog)

1| spend all of July 4th on the beach with friends and family
Yes, yes, and yes! I was out in the sun with friends and family from dusk until dawn celebrating our country's Independence!

2| post a killer recap of my European adventures
Check! If you missed them, be sure to read about France, Italy, Germany and Austria by clicking on the links.

3| run a 5k
Another check! Well...kinda! I didn't actually run in a 5k race because the timing didn't really workout BUT I did complete 3.1 miles (more than once!!!). Now on to the half-marathon training, wish me luck!

4| prepare a packing list for my dorm, and of course, share it with y'all
I prepped a list using multiple lists from my favorite bloggers. Be sure to check out that post if you're getting ready to 
leave for college!

5| enjoy small moments with my parents-- next month is college move in!!
Absolutely! My official move in date is August 19th, so in 19 days I will be in a (somewhat) unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. I've been spending every moment possible at home with my parents, I know they drive me crazy, but I will certainly miss them! 
{see July's to-dos here}

What do you hope to accomplish this month?