I had great intentions of having Ryan snap a photo of me each day for this post – somewhere scenic and beautiful and not just me standing awkwardly in front of a flimsy mirror like normal.

The first morning he did take this photo

But that was as far as we got.

It didn’t take me long to get in 100% vacation mode.

But I still thought a what I wore post would be fun to share my vacation outfits, so I’ve put together some photos for you. Sources are listed under each photo with links where available.

for the flight

jeans: emersonfry lowrise vintage | blouse: old navy {old} | shoes: DSW life stride romp wedge

to the club

dress: borrowed | shoes: payless {old}

to mama’s fish house

dress: nordstrom rack max studio | shoes: payless metallic wedges

to the luau

dress: old navy printed ruffle sundress | shoes: payless {old}

to casual dinner

shorts: jcrew 5″ chino | shirt: marshalls {old} | necklace: target {purchased recently, but can’t find it online} | shoes: payless {old}

to the zipline

zip-up: lululemon in stride jacket | capris: marshalls | flip flops: rainbow {old and very worn in}

to the snorkle trip

tunic: marshalls jordan taylor | sandals: gap outlet

to the bbq

shorts: banana republic factory store | shirt: target {old} | necklace: target | sandals: gap outlet

to the beach

dress: old navy {recent purchase, but can’t find online} | flip flops: rainbow

dress: target kimono dress | sandals: gap outlet

coverup: target ruffled tube dress | flip flops: rainbow

coverup: nordstrom riviera stripe tunic | flip flops: rainbow

beach accessories

sunglasses: banana republic | hat: san diego hat company large brim hat

beach bag: lands’ end canvas washed tote

to swim

old navy | rey swimwear | lands’ end canvas | old navy

And that is what I wore {Maui edition}.

the guide

 

 

 

To follow Emily’s creative life {and snag a free printable download or two}, visit her at www.jonesdesigncompany.com and www.facebook.com/jonesdesigncompany.

the goods:

Eating healthy takes a lot of discipline, forethought and knowledge. Or, maybe just a personal chef to do all of that for you!

We have just the lady to help you out – BJ Corpening, owner of Bread of Life Personal Chef Services. After taking her one and only nutrition class while pursuing her Culinary Arts degree, BJ began researching the options and benefits of healthy cooking and eating. It was at that point she realized her purpose in life was to help others in the quest to eat natural, healthy foods that benefit the body. Read on to hear her story and see what she can do for you.

Little Black Dress | Little Red Wagon: What is Bread of Life all about?

Chef BJ: It’s mainly a personal chef service, which is how it all started. I’ve recently branched out to corporate and individual catering. I make meals that are healthy, balanced, fresh, organic, and hormone free.

LBD: How did you get started in this business?

Chef BJ: After I got my degree, I tried the restaurant business and didn’t really like it. I prayed a lot about the decision, because I didn’t want to go into business for myself. But it seemed like the best way to get my culinary point of view across about being a healthy cook. Obviously, restaurant-style cooking is not always the healthiest way, so I decided I had to cook on my own. That was 2004, so I’m in my ninth year!

LBD: Why this is type of cooking so important to you?

Chef BJ: People always say, “I should eat healthier…I should…I should…I should.” We don’t take the time to actually do it. People choose convenient food over fresh foods. I’m telling people, “It’s cheaper, it’s easier, it’s healthier to cook from fresh than it is from convenience foods.” Convenience foods will just add a lot of garbage to people’s system and if they want to lose weight and just feel better overall, this is one way of doing it.

LBD: So this all came from your one nutrition class in school?

Chef BJ: This one semester of nutrition just clicked with me and I started reading on it and I was just absorbed with the fact that food was so important. I realized we aren’t eating just to feed ourselves; we’re eating for our health. It was like dominos, needing to know more and more. It became important to me to know the source of my ingredients.

LBD: What are some practical tips for families with kids about eating more naturally?

Chef BJ: Find out what they like and cook the same thing on your own. Like chicken nuggets, for instance – make them yourself at home, either fried or baked. If you can have your children help you in the kitchen – chopping or stirring – it will make them want to eat it. They take ownership of it and they love that and become interested in it. Take them to the grocery store or the farmers market. They will see that this is where our food comes from and this is why we eat it.

LBD: Tell us about all of the services you provide.

Chef BJ: I do the personal chef services, where I bring everything needed to cook meals and prepare them in people’s homes. I usually cook multiple meals while I’m there and vacuum seal them for easy storage. I also do catering services, dinner parties, cooking lessons, and romantic dinners for two.

We found that Chef BJ comes highly recommended from those who have benefited from her services!

“On behalf of Smith & Howard I would like to say thank you for your catering services during our busy season this spring. Many of our employees reported higher energy levels due to the health conscious menus you selected. We were also very impressed with your professionalism and flexibility to accommodate the wide range of tastes of our staff.”

Patsy O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer at Smith & Howard and catering client

the guide:

website: breadoflifechefbj.com

phone: 770-634-8049

email: bjc30066@hotmail.com

In case you didn’t know (a.k.a. you’ve been locked in seclusion the last few months) one of our very own Marietta boys – Pip (or Phillip, as his mom still calls him, saying from time to time, “I guess I should be saying Pip!”) – is in the running for the coveted title of The Voice. We talked with his sweet southern mama, Chris, and asked her all about the experience, the fame, the bowties and what we can all do to keep Pip safe from elimination!

Little Black Dress: What has the whole experience with The Voice been like for Pip and your family?

Chris: I’d say overwhelming and unexpected. When he went to audition, we were really excited, but we never dreamed he would go this far. We knew he was a great singer, but we knew there were a lot of great singers out there! Apparently he’s got something that they’re looking for.

LBD: What do you think that “something” is?

Chris: I think it’s the dimples! {laughing} No, I think it’s his charismatic personality. It just draws people in. He had a small fan base locally before he went to be on The Voice, and you could see it developing then, but they’ve really fine-tuned it.

He’s really just a sweetheart in real life. I think that has caused [the people who work on] The Voice to adopt him in and really like him a lot. They like the whole southern gentleman thing.

LBD: Tell us the story of the bowties and his snazzy look.

Chris: Those are all given to him by Southern Proper. They were on the phone five minutes after he performed his audition. The girls who started the company, Emilie and Reagan, are Pip’s sister’s sorority sisters so they already knew him. All the bowties you see him wearing are theirs.

His sister Eileen and I helped him put that whole outfit together. She graduated from Brenau University with a degree in Musical Theater. When he first went to audition, they thought he was so good. They said, “You’ve got exactly what we want, but you gotta step up the dress!”

Pip had just started his sophomore year of college and joined a fraternity and he was noticing this whole, as he calls it, “frat look.” My daughter understood that. So, we’d go to the store and get clothes and bring them home and he’d try it on and choose what he liked. That’s how the whole look and the bowties came about.

LBD: What is it like to see Pip achieve some level of success in the public eye and already have some semblance of fame so quickly?

Chris: The situation seems separate from Phillip and the boy we know, but he still just seems like my son. Whenever he’s back home, he’s just “Phillip” – laying on the couch, asking me to make him food or rub his back.

But seeing him on TV, it’s like seeing Phillip playing a part – Pip. Which is really kind of what it is. The bowties, the suspenders, that’s all playing the part of Pip.

LBD: So, what are your predictions for the show and Pip?

Chris: I’m so amazed he’s gotten this far, nothing would surprise me at this point. But, I’m happy with any results, because he’s already gotten so much exposure. Even if he gets eliminated, he’s already got agents and producers contacting him, so he has possibilities. And, if he isn’t eliminated Monday, he’s in with The Voice and their tour and all of the things they will have lined up for the top eight.

LBD: Is this something you would have predicted for Pip when he was younger?

Chris: Not this, really, but I always knew he was talented. When he was younger than two, I noticed he could carry a tune really well. I got him involved in musical things early on, like local productions. They’d ask on the form if he could be in the background if he didn’t make the lead, and I’d always check “no.” I knew he’d get the lead. And he usually did!

Video of two-year-old Pip singing

He also played at places around the Marietta area a lot with his friend Melissa Drummond. And he was in the band at St. Joseph’s, where he went to school and church, singing lead and playing keyboard.

 Video of Melissa and Pip at West Cobb Diner

He doesn’t like to be up front because of the fame or recognition, but he likes the connection. To this day, that’s what he loves all of this for – the connection with the audience and the fans. He likes to please his fans and give them something they can enjoy.

LBD: What will be the best part of Pip’s fame for him and for your family?

Chris: Pip is the kind of guy that moms want their preteen and teenage daughters to be looking up to. He’s got a good heart and is good to people. He will set such a great example for kids and be a great hero for them to look up to. People will gain something from him. It won’t just be about him and his fame, he’ll give to the world.

LBD: How can we help Pip go all the way?

Chris: Pip has designed a Save Pip Poster. (Click to download) Everyone can contact Adam and ask him to save Pip. Your readers can all go and do that and send it to their friends and keep passing it along. Also, everyone can vote multiple times between 10 p.m. Monday and 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. (See below for details)

Rock the vote: You can vote the following ways – up to 10 times each way!

1. Call the number “The Voice” assigns Pip on Monday night’s show

2. Go to www.NBC.com/TheVoice

3. Click on The Voice’s Facebook page

4. Text {if you have a Sprint phone} the number the show announces

5. Immediately download the song Pip sings Monday night after the show (Only 1 time per voter)

So, there are many ways to Vote for Pip – watch “The Voice” Monday night and get on the Pip Parade for the Win!

Check out Pip’s Facebook page for more info: facebook.com/events