What's better than the little things stuffed in the stocking or from your favorite Aunt? These are all of the gifts that are under $20 but still amazing none the less!

Enjoy- 



One // Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark Brownie Mix here
Obsessed with anything Peppermint Bark

Two // The Carry on Cocktail kit for Gin and Tonic here
Also comes in Bloody Mary, Champagne Cocktail, Moscow Mule, and Old Fashioned 

Three- Lilly Pulitzer Travel Mug here
Perfect to take your drinks to go and add a little color to your day

Four // Tory Burch Mini Duo here
Love the original fragrance and a perfect opportunity to try both

Five // American Flag Spatula here
Good to stuff in the stocking and save for summer 

Six // Thank You Notes here
You can never have enough thank you notes especially during the holidays

I hope y'all have enjoyed this years Gift Guides and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! See you soon!
x

Now I don't know if your like me but boys are the hardest to shop for. If its your dad, brother, or boyfriend, they can always be the most challengeing. I tried my best and I hope any boy (or man ;)) in your life would enjoy the gifts below!





One // Vineyard Vines Holiday Tie here
Such a classic tie and perfect for Christmas dinner.

Two // Monogramed Cuff Links here
A nessesity for any boy.

Three // Monogramed Catch-all here
Something they would never think to get themselves.

Four // Apple TV here
A little pricy but worth the investment.

Five // KJP Flannel Shirt here
Perfect for sitting next to the fire or chopping down a Christmas tree.

Six // Cozy Lounge Pants here
For those Christmas mornings and any other cold night.

See y'all next week for our last Gift Guide!
x
I hope y'alls December is going well because we are now diving into the girls in your life! Whether for your mom, sister, or best friend, there is something they can enjoy here!



One // Winter Hat here
Perfect for those cold snowy days.

Two // Patagonia Vest here
I have one of these and I love it! Can dress it up or down.

Three // Bobbi Brown Holiday Palette here
This palette is so cute and I am obsessed with all of the colors.

Four // Nest Winter Candle here
I gave this to my mom last year and it has been burning all through December. 

Five // Dogeared Pearls of Happiness Necklace here
So dainty yet so cute

Six // Monogramed Scarf here
Perfect for any girl- hint hint: my initials are EEP ;)

See y'all next week for more!

Happy Holidays everybody! I hope y'all have had a wonderful fall and transition into winter. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it is time to move onto Christmas! I don't know about you but I love Christmas- not only the gifts but also the feelings of happiness going on throughout the month of December!

To make sure y'all have got the feeling too, I am doing four different gift guides this year to cover all of your bases. Every week until Christmas I am going to be sharing a different gift guide and today we are starting out with whats on my list!

Enjoy!


One // Barefoot Dreams Poncho here
So cozy and a must need for those cold days

Two // Lilly Pulitzer Planner here
Mines about to run out so I need a new one

Three // Longchamp Backpack here
Perfect for when you don't wanna carry a purse

Four // Navy BNA Hat here
A cute gift for a Nashville native

Five // Ugg Dakota Slippers here
Cozy yet can wear outside on a lazy day

Six // Beaches by Gray Malin here
My obsession with coffee table books and beaches in one perfect place

See you next week for more gift guides!
x
Hello everyone and welcome back- If you have been wondering where I have been I have only one thing to say, school is hard and life moves fast.

But putting that aside, I am back, ready for fall (food, sweaters, yes please) and here's what I've been loving this month.


One--  This Fondue ^^ On Saturday I had a little date night and decided to really live with no ragrets regrets and order the fondue for my meal and let me tell you it was fabulous

Two-- Sea Salt Spray Many many months ago I picked up some Sea Salt Spray for my aching hair and even though we are no where near an ocean and it is fall, I love using it and making my hair have a little more texture and looking beach-y or just plain wind tossed- you decide. Similar here and here.

Three-- Tea Since fall and colder weather is officially upon us I have been getting back into having a couple of mugs of tea everyday. I am someone who gets so cold really easily (ask my roomie :)) and so a nice warm cup of tea at night is making me happy. I lean towards english breakfast in the morning and chamomile at night.

Four-- Yoga Pants Alright alright call me basic and get it out of your system but during these cooler temperatures I love putting on a big ole jacket and a pair of yoga pants and off I go to the dining hall. While many places offer yoga pants you can't beat the quality of these.

Five-- Cozy socks Nothing says "it's gotten colder" like throwing on a pair of socks to lounge or to sneakily wear under boots for class ;) I can only guarantee that my fuzzy socks will only appear more and more as time goes on.

What have y'all been loving this month and whose ready for November!!

-e

Annnddd we are back! I am (finally) back in the groove of classes and the craziness of working all. the. time. With that I apologize for some delays as getting back in the groove was as challenging as you would think after spending 4 months away.

With school back in session comes school and school life 24 hours a days, every single day. Is it just me that thinks that there is ALWAYS something going on? I turn around and there is another club that I (think at the time) will be so much fun and perfect and I always think "sure I have time for that." Spoiler alert- I don't. There is a lot of change that happens during sophomore year. People always assuming change only twice during college- the beginning and the end. While yes, the beginning and the end are the biggest changes I don't think I expected change already during sophomore year.

With more work comes less time for fun stuff so I figured I'd let you know that posts may become a little less structured. Don't get me wrong- the posts WILL still be coming, there may just only be one a week and not two- is that ok with y'all?

If your like me and struggle to get back in the groove don't worry I have some very basic tips--

1. Force yourself to do the work NOW- When I got back two weeks ago I was always telling myself- oh it's fine I don't need to do the work now, I can wait until I get back from my next class. Nope nope nope, trust me and just force yourself to work, even if you think you have time later.

2. Eat breakfast- I love love love breakfast and I credit it with helping me stay focused during the day.

3. Drink Water- There will be a post coming later on why I think this is such a good idea but trust me now and start!

4. Get some sleep- I know I know your excited to be back and see your friends and get out to the parties but you need sleep!

I have a love/hate relationship with perfumes. Some I adore and other give me a headache. I am a sucker for a fresh and floral and can't really roll with the super strong and sweet scents. Over the years I have found two perfumes that I go back to time after time and I never leave them. I have each of these in a spray bottle and a roller ball to toss in a purse on the go.

The perfume that I first fell in love with was Burberry Brit Sheer. I was given a sample of this and fell in love. I actually went on a wild goose chase trying to track down this scent because I loved it so much and wanted it. It is said to "reveal a floral mix of peony, peach blossom, sweet pea with just a hint of nashi." It may sound a little crazy but I love it and it is just enough to wear everyday.

The second perfume that I got for Christmas this past year is Tory Burch's Signature Perfume. This may be a little heavier but I love it just the same. Mixed of "floral peony and tuberose blend with crisp citrus notes of grapefruit and neroli" this perfume has some of the same elements and I love it dearly.

If you want to try any of these out but may be not willing to dive in head first- either go into your local store whether Sephora or anywhere these are sold and give them a smell. You can either purchase a less expensive roller ball before buying the whole deal!
These past couple of weeks have been crazy! Summer is winded down quickly and move in happened last week. Now that I'm all moved in and classes have just began, some craziness has stopped while some has just began. With that, here is whats been On My Mind!
I went to Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville the other day to try their famous 100 layer donut! 
If your not following me on Instagram- check me out!!

One-- Olympics Did y'all been watch the Olympics! I love love loved sitting down every night and getting so into all of the sports. I love watching swimming, diving, rowing, and gymnastics (#FinalFive!!)

Two-- New Girl Scout CookieThe two new flavors of Girl Scout Cookies are calling my name! There is TWO news S'more cookies and I cannot be more excited. I love S'mores and I love cookies so this is perfection. I can't wait until January!

Three-- Motoki This may be old news to some but just in case this video had me crying with laughter. This guy driving with his mom and lip syncing to the music was so so funny. A must watch.

Four-- Bullet Journal I've been thinking about making a bullet journal aka a super aesthetically pleasing and organized planner/journal. Any one have any thoughts?

(excuse the fact that I'm not in a dorm- it's coming soon)

Whether you are from the south or not, sports still may be significant and whether you like them or not, they can still be fun and entertaining to watch. As many people know Sunday night football in almost upon us and getting comfy and cosy while getting ready for the game can be fun but also relaxing.

Since I am originally from Nashville my "home team" is the Tennessee Titans aka one of the worst teams ever, ha! But besides that I think it can be so entertaining to watch a little American football while you pamper yourself and get ready for a busy week. Whether you get super into the game (like some people I know) or you just want to watch with your friends, I have some perfect ideas. 

Outfit
Comfort is KEY. After a long week of classes and a long weekend of activities and school work there is nothing I want more than to curl up in my bed and turn on something to watch whether it be football or a rom-com. Although it is still *technically* summer, my dorm room can get cold. My roommate and I were lucky enough to get a dorm with AC but it can get cold! So I almost always opt for some comfy sweatpants (mine are from J.Crew) and just a t-shirt.

Snacks
In my personal opinion snacks are just as important as the outfit. As y'all may know I am a HUGE snacker so having something light but yummy munch on while you get ready for bed and get ready to watch the game or a movie is a must. Something that screams movie or football game at home to me is popcorn! I love love popcorn and it can be healthy too! I know what your thinking, don't think that the popcorn at the movie theater is good for you, spoiler alert, it's not. But popcorn that you can make super easily in a microwave (a college essential for some) can be really good for you! (Kettle is my personal fave)

Relax
While some people you know may be getting super into a Sunday night Football game, I personally do not. While it is fun to watch something entertaining, I love to get chill and watch whatever ends up on the TV. If you have a TV in your room or relay on the common room TV, you gotta fly with whatever. College is about compromise as some of you may know so whatever is on, you gotta roll with and sometimes that might be football! If you aren't a fan, step outside of your comfort zone and relax a bit.

I hope everyone in school right now has a relaxing year and hopefully finds something fun to do on a Sunday night whether it be football or not!

The first year of college was a whirlwind of news. New friends, new experiences, and new beginnings. One year ago I, just like most people my age, had just felt one of the highest highs of graduating high school. After the storm had calmed, the nerves set in and the months of waiting began. A mix of excitement, some serious nerves, and googling random "college" questions at 2am when I just couldn't sleep. 

Just like that it was time. With a lot of prayers and a lot of hugs, it was time. I had decided to do a program offered by my school where incoming students can take a class starting two weeks early. 

Thank the Lord that I did that program because I ended up meeting two of my best friends, and I'm rooming with one of them this year! Making friends in college was something that I had always thought about. I went to the same school for elementary school, middle school, and high school and stuck around with a grade of people more or less a few for 13 years. That being said I was completely freaking out literally asking "How the heck do I make friends??" I had been lucky enough to have an amazing group of friends for all of high school and I really credit them for making high school what it was. So then having to find a NEW group of friends completely weirded me out. 

Something about college that no one tells you is everyone there feels the same way about the first few days of school. The *cool* kids that you see  moving in effortlessly that look super not nervous? They are freaking out on the inside too about starting classes, making friends, and living away from home- trust me. Every single person you see for the first couple of days feels the exact same whether they look like it or not. 

Going back to my experience,  I was so so lucky to get a friend group together in the first couple of days where no one cared who you were. While I may not be friends with some of those people now, during your first few weeks it doesn't matter who you are friends with just talk to everyone. No one is going to care if they don't know you yet, just sit down with them and talk because you could become best friends. This was hard for me because being thrown in a social situation that it going to set the pace for the next FOUR years of your life can turn me off and I can get quiet. Something I would tell past me and any of you that may be the same is to trust yourself and stop overthinking (I'm Queen of Over-Thinking) everything will be ok! 

My school is a little different where we don't have sorority rush until January. I think that if I had to pick my sorority in August I would have been more overwhelmed than necessary. Not that I'm against August rush (I bet it helps you make friends a lot easier) I just don't think I could have done it. So I waited until January and had to really really step out of my comfort zone and join a group of people that wasn't just like me but would be fun. Whether I regret it or not I don't know. 

Now academically I struggled especially second semester with sorority recruitment. My high school wasn't easy per say, but they didn't push me and in college- they PUSHED me to my limits. Every person and every college is different and I am so happy I decided to attend where I attend because they pushed me in a way I  needed to be pushed. I maybe stupidly took two very hard classes at the same time second semester and because of it I spent most Saturday mornings camped out in the library while most people where hungover. Even then I didn't get the grades that I wanted and because of this I have to work even harder this upcoming year. But to be honest, I am so excited. I already have friends but I'm open to more. I am already in a sorority so I don't have to party every weekend just to be "seen" by the older girls. 

It also helps that the classes that I am taking this next semester really excite me and to be honest I don't know if that has ever happened to me before. I was a student that just went through the motions getting requirements out of the way and continuing but for the first time in a long time I am excited to learn and I credit not only significant people in my life (friends, family, Professors) but also myself. I am open to learning and I couldn't be more excited. With that being said I may say this and this could be worse than last semester and I will let you know. All I know is that I survived my freshman year of college and I'm proud and ready for the future. And just like that the first year was over. I had joined clubs and made friends. How did that happen? 

Thank you so much for reading this long long post. I had a lot to say and could continue for days.

For any of you who are getting ready to go to college- please feel free to ask any questions!

PS If you want more college posts- like roommates and my not so great time, let me know!

I went out to dinner the other night and like always it was hot hot hot! I kept it simple with a simple Loft dress. I love the blue embroidery and you all should know I can't stay away from blue and white especially during the summer. Because of the continuous summer heat, I opted for a pony tail and it kept my hair out of everywhere perfectly.

This dress is also on sale so get it while it lasts and I would defiantly recommend it!

Dress- Loft, Shoes- Tory Burch, Sunglasses- Sunski, Bracelet- old Links of London (similar)


If you are like me and are either heading back to college or moving in for the first time (!!) you are probably scrambling everything together. This time last year I was about to head for my very first year and I had no clue what to bring and what I would really need.

There are tons and tons of posts and Pinterest lists out there but this is what I personally thing is what you really need.

School 
Backpack
Binders and Folders (can get at bookstore once you get there)
Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters (same^)
Calculator
Index Cards
Post-it notes
Scissors!!!
Tape
Stapler
Planner

Bedding and Bath
Two sets of sheets
Pillow(s)
Mattress Pad
Mirror
Hangers (the thin felt ones are the best to maximize space!)
Shower Caddy and Shower Shoes
Tissues
Bath Towels
"Fun" Towels to take to the lake or beach
Wash Cloths
Blankets
Bedspread
Bathrobe
Curling Iron/Hair Straightener
Hair dryer

Toiletries
You know what you need- the basics!

For the Room
Command Hooks
Extension cords (check your schools policy!)
Bulletin Board
Fan
Lamp/ light bulbs
Photos/Posters for your wall
Rug
Storage Bins
Bedside table (I had one but not everyone has room)
Jar for loose change (It appears everywhere)

Electronics and Food
Chargers
Batteries
External hard drive
Headphones
Printer (optional)
Flash Drive
Bowls and Plates
Bottle opener
Cups, Mugs, and Thermos
Plastic Food Containers (for your snacks!)
Water Bottle
Mini fridge
Water Filter (pitcher)

Cleaning (for when you have to)
Air freshener
Detergent/Dryer sheets
Disinfecting wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Duct Tape
Flashlight
Laundry basket
Stain remover
Basic tools
Mini Vacuum

Randoms
First Aid Kit
Stationery
Sunscreen
Umbrella
Bicycle and Lock
Cash Box
ID
Things to keep you entertained

I'll be moving in soon and I'll let y'all know how it goes!


I think I have had a love for Ray-Bans for a while now but I have a good habit at wanting more and more sunglasses. While I love Ray-Bans, they can be pretty pricey and easy to break. Something I stumbled upon the other week was a brand called Sunski. They are well priced and very good quality (with a lifetime warranty!) They are based out of San Fransisco and even better than that, they donate 1% of each sale to the planet. 1% may not seem like much but it adds up.

Along with a great cause and great quality, they are so cute!! I have a small face and often struggle to find sunglasses that fit my face. These are perfect!

They have a bunch of different styles but the cutest (in my opinion) are the Dipseas. I cannot say enough how much I love these sunglasses and I will be ordering again!

These are the ones that I have and I LOVE them!! The "blue" may not be as strong as the picture but they are still awesome!



Sunglasses- Sunski, Shirt- J.Crew (old- similar)

Are y'all as big of a fan as I am?!


I love Bobbi Brown makeup. It was the first makeup that I ever had when my mom took me to their counter in Nordstrom to get my makeup done for freshman year Homecoming. Ever since then I have loved their makeup and kept coming back. I am not a fan of crazy makeup and Bobbi Brown really captures that and makes my face look put together but natural.


So with that in mind I popped by the Bobbi Brown counter in my local Nordstrom (anyone picking anything up from their anniversary sale?!) to get a peek at whats new. Along with picking up a staple that I had run out of (their lovely pressed powder) I saw some new things they had and picked up some things I've always been too afraid to try.

I first got their brow shaper and when the women was telling me about it I thought it was going to make my eyebrows super crazy defined but it was magical. I promise you that it works wonders and does not look like you filled your brows in a ton. Trust me- it actually looks super super natural and I love it!

Another something that I picked up is the Nordstrom exclusive Foundation Cushion Compact (with SPF 35!) This little product is so cool and makes your face look super clean and like I always like- natural. It is a funny concept, you get a little sponge full of product and you dab it all over your face and it works wonders. Something even better is that when you run out of the foundation sponge, it pops right out and you can buy a refill without having to buy the whole deal again!

Lastly was something that I picked up on a whim at the checkout (typical). It is a lip gloss titled 'Almost Peach'. This lip gloss does not look like much in the packaging but put it on and I swear it may be the best color my lips have ever seen.

I love Bobbi Brown and will continue to go back time after time again. I hope y'all enjoyed the little treasures that I picked up!

If your like me you may not tan easily. A tan is something perfect to rock with a summer dress or white jeans but sometimes they may not be easy to get. I don't have a ton of time to sit out and tan all day this summer so sometimes when I'm craving a little color I use a bit of fake tanner (gasp- I know!) No one should ever ever ever use a tanning bed and I'm a little too nervous to get a spray tan so the self tanners that you can find in the drugstore work perfect for me! The one that I have been reaching to most is the Jergens Natural Glow.

This stuff is the bomb. It has a lovely little scent that kinda reminds me of a coconut but not strong at all! It leaves a very natural glow without the really crazy fake tan look and you can build it up. I will use it over the span of a couple of days when I get out of the shower, let it dry for a bit, and I am good to go- easy!

Be careful though- this is still fake tanner (even though it comes out as white?) and it can still stain a little bit. But other than that this product is a new must and I may even be picking this up come fall when the summer glow starts to fad.



I want to start a series where every couple of week I cultivate all of my favorite stories, articles, songs, etc that I have been loving and share them with you lovely people.

So with that short intro, here is what's been On My Mind-

If you aren't following me on insta- check me out here!!

One-- Hattie B's 
I am a Nashville native and I have never in my life been to the now famous Hattie B's! One of my close friends (who isn't even from Nashville) took me and I can now see what all of the hype is about. It. Was. So. Good. I can't really handle very spicy food so I opted for the mild and it was perfect. Such a good meal and such a good atmosphere and the line was as long as you would think (even on  a Wednesday afternoon!) If you are ever if Nashville please try this place out (and tell me your coming!)

Two-- Kill The Lights by Alex Newell and DJ Cassidy (here
This song is AMAZING. I know everyone already may have their summer song but please check this out. I cannot get it out of my head and every time I'm in the car I always have to play this song- it never gets old! It isn't even that popular on Youtube but trust me y'all this song is going to be a hit.

Three-- Kristen Wiig as Jojo from The Bachelorette (here
I am unashamed to be a Bachelorette lover (anyone else?) It is so bad but oh so good and this impression of the current Bachelorette Jojo is so funny! I love Kristen Wiig and she kills the impression. 

Four-- Pokemon Go 
Can anyone explain to me the madness behind Pokemon Go? It seems to have taken off very very quickly and people can't seem to get enough. I don't have it, do any of y'all? 


I think Caprese salads may be one of my favorite foods. I don't know what it is able the mozzarella and the tomato but there is something there I cannot get enough of. Since they are super easy to make, yesterday for lunch I decided to whip out some mozzarella I always have laying around, tomatos and decided to use some leftover pesto! What resulted was a yummy and healthy lunch. 

10/10 would make again!

Homemade Pesto Recipe:
What you'll need-
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (I used Parmesan) 
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions-
Place the basil and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse several times
Add the garlic and cheese and pulse again
While the food processor is running, gently add the evoo, stir in the salt and pepper and you are good to go!

Super easy recipe can be found here!

See you soon!



I don't know about up north, but in the south the summer heat continues throughout the night, only dying down a bit. I am obsessed with sitting out on a patio, eating, drinking, and talking to friends while we enjoy all of the beautiful weather. This embroidered shirt dress is perfect! It is perfect to wear to class and into the night and is also so lightweight you would never guess. I think that this dress is so versatile that it will be super easy to wear it going into fall and I can't wait.

Also, my hair, oh my hair. Remember what I said about humidity and then puff ball? Yes? Well for all of you lovely people who struggle with the same thing, I cannot recommend a half up, half down look more. You would be amazed just how much better you feel and how much lighter it will be. No more hair sticking to the back of my neck and no more touching it to try and smooth it- the half up, half down gets a A+ from me.





What I'm wearing: Dress- Cece (on sale!) Shoes- Boutique find 

I hope everyone had an amazing Forth of July! I hope it was filled with family, fun, and food! My family had a big and patriotic meal, here's what we were eating.


Look how incredible this cake is! My sister made it and the recipe can be found here


I loved this! It was a mix of blueberries, watermelon, and feta.

I hope you all had an amazing holiday and I will see you very soon!

I think the Forth of July may be one of my favorite holidays. All of the other major holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc) are so cold but the Forth of July falls right in the middle of summer where is is hot hot hot. The Forth of July calls for sparklers, american flags, and my personal favorite, yummy food (my fav is watermelon!) I love whipping out my favorite patriotic shorts and if the 4th of July isn't the perfect day to wear them, I don't know what is!





What I'm wearing: Shirt- Target Basic V-Neck, Shorts- Chubbies, Shoes- Jack Rogers, Sunglasses- Ray Ban

I hope you all have a fun and festive 4th of July!! I will see you very soon with some yummy food for happy tummies.


Be careful out there with fireworks everyone!!


Sitting here on my big comfy couch, I am thinking why do this. Why start a blog among the thousands of others doing the same thing. But then I think about how I love to share what I love. Whether it be the outfit I wore today that made me feel great, a recipe I find super yummy, an article that inspired me, or anything in-between, this is where I want to write it down, document it, and share it with whomever will read it. 

First let me introduce myself, Elizabeth or Lizzie- I love both. Nashville born and raised, a college student about to start my sophomore year. The first year was a whirlwind of firsts and new adventures which we can dive into on another day. I have always had a passion for fashion, cooking, and interior design amongst other random interests here and there. More importantly than that, I have always been told never to give up and so today, June XXX 2016 I am starting this blog and won't give up, but enjoy and to thrive in something new. 

So with that in mind, WELCOME to An Itsy Bitsy!! A blog dedicated to an itsy bitsy bit of everything (see what I did there...) I will let y'all know what I'm wearing, cooking, and lovin' and I hope you may find something new, just how I have the past year. 

I want my dearest readers to see me and to see what I'm loving each and every week. We will read together, see together, and grow together, and as I try new things, you will as well, hopefully!

I can't leave my first post with out throwing in a tacky southern saying from this southern girl- Y'all come back now!

With that in mind, see you very very soon!!

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