BATB – Page 2 – a beauty, style, and travel blog

Simple for Summer…

It has been more than a little quiet around here, but I am not apologizing 😉 Sometimes you need a break. Sometimes you want to lay low. And sometimes its too hot to move…AKA summertime in the South (this includes Mississippi in July…just AWFUL).

One of the benefits of living in Florida is knowing that you can experience the perfect ‘beach weather’ here on any given day. I myself have voluntarily gotten in the Gulf over Christmas break (I’ll admit, it was a little chilly). But there’s something *special* about July and August here, despite football season and pumpkin spice everything making their annual comeback. 90 degrees and full humidity doesn’t feel fall to me 😐

This is when that whole ‘less is more’ approach starts to make sense. Less clothing and less makeup for summer is a no-brainer. However, I might finally be realizing the less time I spend ‘fixing’ myself or picking out the “perfect outfit” (which I do know by now is a rareity), the more time I have to spend with friends and family. The light bulb is burning bright, y’all!

I do think I’ll always enjoy taking my time to get dressed for a night out, trying on multiple different outfits to find the right one, and combining three lip-glosses (#teamgloss, always) to get the perfect shade. Getting ready–when I’m not rushed–is actually a way for me relax, as odd as it may sound. I guess you could say I perform under pressure! 😉

I know one day my ‘me-time’ might not be just mine anymore. Which makes it even more special! #singlewithnokidsperks 🙂 Regardless, I don’t see my love for clothing, makeup, and beauty products fading anytime soon. But I am finding that my personal style is becoming more simple, for summer and beyond. The same is going for my beauty routine, too. Whatever is effective and effortless, I’m all for! And dare I say natural, as well? (Who am I becoming?)

I am excited to embrace a more simplistic style for now (and if I’m really lucky, maybe some fall-ish fashions sooner rather than later). I think this outfit embodies the less-is-more, minimalist trend, but is still feminine and fun. It can be paired with so many different accessories and is truly a “throw and go” for wherever your weekend might take you. It makes it easy to focus more on the present and worry less about what you’re wearing, without sacrificing style! ❤

Hope y’all have a nice, long Labor Day weekend! Special thanks to one of my fave spots in Tampa, On Swann, for letting me hang out for the afternoon.

xx Hannah
Dress: Michael by Michael Kors (available in multiple colors / patterns, mine is currently on major sale!)
Bag: Givenchy
Shoes: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: Prada
Photography: Grace Studio

Shrimp & Grits

I haven’t posted in a hot minute (moving, traveling, and crazy work weeks will do that to you). But I finally got the chance to make a real good mess in my new kitchen and wanted to share the recipe and my tabletop accessories with y’all.

I love to cook and set a table, even if it’s a tiny table (like the one I’ve got now). In my last apartment, my kitchen was more like a closet, and I had not made a fun meal in months. I wanted my first dinner in my new place to be extra special. I knew I’d need a little backup from some of my favorite foods from home to achieve that.

One of my most loved chefs and restauranteurs, John Currence, has some incredible spots in Oxford, but Big Bad Breakfast and City Grocery always take the cake for me. It would have been a disservice to him and myself to make his famous Shrimp and Grits recipe without his tasty Tabasco-cured bacon, which was created just for BBB, as we all lovingly call it. Thankfully, they can ship it anywhere in the world within a day or so. It is melt in your mouth good!

I also have a girlfriend that hand-makes and packages her own stone-ground corn grits. She’s available in gourmet stores and restaurants around the nation, but there was something about buying her product at a store at home that felt right! I am still doing keto, but of course I had to sample the Delta Grind grits to make sure they tasted right 😏 Once I started, it was hard to stop… they are that yummy!

If you can’t get your hands on these brands, that’s okay. Use your favorites instead! This recipe is meant to be simple and I think great for weeknight cooking. Its also perfect to make when you are having company, because it doesn’t require a ton of skill. As long as you don’t burn the bacon or the grits (which could technically both be made ahead of time), it’s pretty hard to mess up. The end result is a spicy, warm, and comforting dish that will definitely leave you nice and full.

I went casual with my table because I felt like it matched the meal. Shrimp and grits is certainly not fancy, but it is still pretty, and it’s got everything you need right there in the bowl. In fact, you only really need a pot and a pan to make this entire meal. It makes me love this dish even more 😍 (I HATE cleanup)

A link to the recipe for City Grocery’s Shrimp and Grits is posted below, as well as links to the items I used for my table. Traditionally they serve it with spicy corn muffins and lots of butter (nom nom). If you try out this meal, let me know how it goes!

**To stay in ketosis, I substituted a pre-made (read: microwaveable) cauliflower Parmesan risotto for the spicy cheddar/parm grits for myself. Unfortunately, it was no close second. Next time, I may try to recreate the grits using cauliflower 🙃**

Table is from Pier1, dishes , wine glasses , and small votive holders are from Crate & Barrel, chargers, napkins and napkin rings (now sold out– may be able to find them in-store) are from Pottery Barn, tortoise glasses and ice bucket are Impulse!, and bamboo silverware is vintage.

Link to recipe: http://joelmcneece.com/2016/05/23/city-grocerys-shrimp-grits/

And last but not least, a very special shout out to Liz at BBB for getting this bacon to me on time! XX Hannah

Searching for Something

Today’s post is about the joys of moving, among other things. I should be a pro at it now, because I seem to subject myself to it more often than most. If you didn’t know already, I am a certified gypsy!

My friends and family know that I’m usually on the move once every year/ couple of years. It’s no secret! Is this ideal? Absolutely not. Would I like to find a place that feels like home? Of course. Does it make for a great excuse to do a closet-clean out? YES! For whatever reason, despite all of the stress it causes, I keep changing it up.

My mom was recently in town for a girls weekend / pre-packing party and she asked me something that really made me stop and think. She asked me what I was looking for. She said that it seems like I’m always searching for something, but what it is, she isn’t sure. And she didn’t know if I would find it here in Florida.

I’ve been thinking about that conversation for days now. What am I looking for? I don’t know. Or maybe I do, and I just don’t want to give it life 😐 What I do know is that I’ve always been an extremely curious person, somewhat of a ‘free spirit,’ someone who longs to travel and have experiences in different places, wanting a life that is full of moments both good and bad: perspective, I suppose you could call it.

I’ve fallen in love with both people and places, had my heart and trust broken, felt abandoned, lonely, and sad. But I’ve also had extreme highs: made irreplaceable memories with friends, seen places that are achingly beautiful, and taken chances that paid off in the end. I can’t say I regret much, even though there are things I’m proud that I did and things I’m not so proud of. You live and you learn.

Despite the ups and downs (these past couple of years have been the definition of a roller-coaster ride), I try to remain positive. No matter how many times I feel like I could give up on a few things, there’s some sort of hope that makes me hang on to them. At the end of the day, I don’t think I could fully appreciate one without the other. It is sort of a romantic way of looking at life, but for me, it holds true.

I’m hoping that whatever I’m looking for will stop me in my tracks sooner rather than later (if you’re out there, this is your sign!) I’m open to it now, I swear! 🙂 And I think the curious part of me–the part that likes to live in the moment, be present, meet new people, learn new things, see new places, indulge in spontaneity, and live out these so-called ‘life experiences’–will always exist. And that’s not a bad thing.

But in what I’m sure is a relief to my parents (and some of my friends), I am starting to realize those experiences don’t have to define you; you can define your own life, all by considering what YOU really want out of it.

Be honest with yourself; when is the last time you were honest with yourself? It’s a tough one to answer, but I’m finding it more of a necessity now than ever.

As for what I’m looking for, I truthfully am still figuring it out. It’s now a goal of mine this year to answer that question. So let me think on that for a bit (while having a little fun) and I’ll get back with you! 😉

XX Hannah

Jumpsuit: Finders Keepers

Earrings are older, sold-out, but can find the same or similar online: J.Crew

Bag: Zara, also appears to be sold-out, but can find similar: Cult Gaia

Shoes: Schutz, also appear to be sold-out, but similar style here (and on sale!): Schutz