6 self care subscription boxes you've never heard of

Subscription boxes have come a long way since the early days. Even though the booming subscription industry has only been around for the past few years, it's pretty amazing to look back on my early Birchbox and Julep subscriptions and see just how far these brands have come. They truly paved the way for self care and beauty brands to develop their own subscription boxes, and now there are more options than ever. 

My friends and I were at lunch the other day and were joking about how we get everything we possibly can delivered. Maybe it's a millennial thing or maybe it's a lazy thing, but whatever it is, you just can't deny the convenience of having day-to-day items delivered to your front door. Over the past few weeks, I have been stumbling upon a ton of new to me self care subscription boxes, so I thought I'd share a few of them with you today. I'm pretty sure I'll be signing up for almost all of these soon, and I'd love to hear if you have personal experience with any of them! 

Tulip: Toothpaste Delivered 

Okay for some reason, I might be MOST excited about Tulip. I find myself buying A LOT of toothpaste, and I feel like it's constantly on my grocery list. I love that Tulip has some unique toothpaste flavors, that you can get a new toothbrush with each shipment too, and that the packaging is so sleek. Definitely adding this one to my list. 

Happy Legs Club: Razors Delivered 

For the past few years, I've been using my husband's Harry's razors. However, for some reason, I've been having a few slips of the wrists recently which have left my legs a little bit tattered. It made me think that I might need to find a women's razor company instead. Happy Legs Club razors are made specifically for women and are created in Asheville, NC. Love me a southern product!

Function of Beauty: Personalized Shampoo + Conditioner Delivered 

I think I am mostly intrigued by Function of Beauty because it sounds so cool. Here's how it works: you tell them what type of hair you have, what your needs are, what scents you like, what color you want, AND what you want the bottle to read. I think this would be such a fun gift for a house-warming, especially for someone who just moved-in with their significant other. 

Lola: Feminine Care Delivered 

Raise your hand if you've ever been stuck without a tampon before work and had to make a seriously annoying trip to the store just to buy a box? Me too. Honestly, buying tampons is SO annoying. And, after doing a little research and podcast listening, I'm not entirely convinced that they're good for you, but Lola is doing what they can to change the face of tampons. There are several companies out there making changes in feminine care, so do a little research and decide what's best for your needs. I love that Lola allows you to customize your box down to the exact number of types of tampons you might need. Sold.

P.S. I'm also intrigued by Cora! 

Care Of: Vitamins Delivered 

One day, I am going to get myself on a vitamin regimen, and maybe Care Of is what's going to help me do it. Care Of are personalized daily vitamin packs delivered to your door. You simply answer a few questions about yourself, view your recommendations, decide what you want in your pack, and wait for them to arrive. Plus, they have your name on them! Cute, too! 

Hubble: Contacts Delivered

While I don't wear contacts, I can imagine Hubble would be pretty convenient if I did. You can even tell them exactly how many you need each month, so if you don't wear contacts daily, no need to buy a 30 day supply! And you can get your first box free. 

A big little secret about art galleries

One of my favorite things to do in college was to take an afternoon to explore local art galleries. I had a fascination with not only the art before me, but the story behind the artist and the piece. I loved meandering through the galleries and getting lost in the art. It was a therapeutic, quiet time that allowed me to sink into a different space in my head than my daily writing activities for my English major. It might have also allowed me to feel a little bit like Charlotte from Sex and the City, too. 

Since then, I've loved getting to know different artists through social media and beyond. It's amazing that things like Instagram and Etsy have allowed artists to jump from selling their own art online to having gallery representation. On Friday, we went to one of Atlanta's most well-known galleries, Gregg Irby, to celebrate an exhibit called "The Locals." The show featured some of the South's up-and-coming artists including my friend, Renee Bouchon, among some pretty awesome other women.

Let's be real: I don't know about y'all, but over the years, I always assumed that galleries were for genuine collectors with large, sometimes nonexistent budgets. However, as I walked through the show admiring the gorgeous pieces of art before me, I was kind of shocked. Want to know a bit little secret about art galleries? A lot of the pieces are affordable! And not just affordable, but attainable, too. In fact, I even found an artist featured in the show whose work I actually own. Mind. Blown. 

Galleries like Gregg Irby are making art attainable for young collectors, and there are a ton of other galleries both in person and online that are doing the same. Here are a few of my favorite places to look for art from aspiring artists and those who have "made it." Any places I'm missing? Would love to hear where you find your art, too! 

Well and Wonder

Atlanta Artist Collective 

ArtCloud

Gregg Irby 

Anne Irwin

Spotlight on Art 

Monday, My Day

It's been a while since we had a Monday, My Day post around here, so I thought a rainy Monday would be the perfect time for it. How was everyone's weekend? We spent ours with family and friends, and I have to say, it was the perfect balance of low key and upbeat. Plus we got some house things accomplished last week which means we're finally getting a little more settled. Hooray! Here are some of my favorite links, finds, and happenings:

We'll be basking in the sun at the beach one month from today which means my hunt for a bathing suit is ON. Leave it to Southern Living to round-up some great suits including this one from Lime Ricki. I also have this one headed my way this week. Adorable. 

As you know, I love a fun beauty find. Have y'all heard of Tulip? You can make a one-time purchase or sign-up for a subscription. I'm intrigued! 

Father's Day is just around the corner, and I'm dishing my favorite gifts over on Annette's blog today. 

The bane of my existence every week is meal planning, so when my SIL offered me a free Hello Fresh box, I jumped at the chance. We've had two boxes delivered (and one arriving today!), and I am hooked. Not having to go to the grocery store or talk about what to have for dinner has been life changing. 

I picked-up a few cans of Spiked Seltzer last week, and OMG they're so good for the summer! 

Shout-out to Rachel for sending me the fabulous recommendation for Crazy Love for a client meeting last week. If you're in the ATL area, this place is worth the trip OTP. 

Finally,  in addition to the great swimsuit hunt, I'm also on the great cover-up hunt. I can't find one that I like - 

any suggestions? 

Gray Malin, Bon Voyage

So, I guess now is the time to admit that ever since I saw Gray Malin at Southern C, I've developed a bit of an obsession. I've always been a fan of his work, but since our house doesn't lean nautical, I've never considered owning one of his pieces. Now, I absolutely must have one of his photographs. 

Typically, Gray's work is playful, dynamic, and colorful, and his latest collection, Bon Voyage, is no exception. I love how this collection marries Gray's signature up-in-the-air photography skills with his cheeky vision. Based on iconic men and women, the collection merges pop culture and first class style. Basically, I love it; see a few for yourself below (and find the full collection here) to decide if you can get on board, too.

images via

Monday, My Day

Tomorrow kicks off an incredible month of travel for me. I'll be up bright and early to head to Alt Summit for the second year in a row, and I cannot wait. The event is in Palm Springs, and I am pumped to be immersed in chic and colorful mid-century mod architecture and decor for a few days. Be sure to follow along on Instagram because I am sure you'll be in for a treat. In the meantime, I'm sharing some of my favorite links and happenings from around the web. A fun kick-start to the week if I do say so myself! 

Links & Happenings

Is anyone else always on the hunt for healthy lunch ideas? Goop's article on favorite lunch ideas by Chef Dads had my head spinning. How lucky are these kiddos?!

This list of 15 places telling tourists to stay home was fascinating. From Santorini to Venice, tons of popular destinations are facing issues with their economies and ecosystems due to tourism. Needless to say, it is an interesting read. 

As I choose finishes for our house, I keep referring back to this post about mixing finishes. I ALWAYS have it open on my phone for easy access. I keep telling people our house is like a Rolex - if Rolex can mix silver and gold, so can we. ;) 

Mardi Gras season is underway! We're headed to Mobile later this month where my second cousin will be KING of his crew...such a fun moment for the fam! Need to get your own Mardi Gras fix? Here's SL's favorite mail-order King Cakes. 

In preparation for tomorrow's trip, I'm headed to Cherry Blow Dry Bar this afternoon for a blowout. Getting a blowout is my absolute favorite form of pampering! What's yours? 

Last week, I started freelancing with Parachute by MapQuest. My first article is up, and I am super proud of it. I get to be a little sassy with these which is fun. Take a peek to satisfy your French sweet tooth! 

What to Wear for Thanksgiving

Can you believe turkey day is next week?! Holy cow this time of year flies. What are your plans for the holiday? We're traveling and will be visiting family throughout the state of Alabama. I don't know about your family, but mine cooks for an army, no matter how many people may or may not be around the table. The usual suspects like turkey and dressing are there, but there's also some family classics like sour cream potatoes, seven layer salad, and green bean casserole. Every year, I start thinking about what to wear for Thanksgiving that not only celebrates the occasion a little bit, but also allows plenty of room for a little stretch...if you know what I mean. 

Since I know we'll probably be enjoying several Thanksgiving dinners, I've got my outfit planned already. Anyone else's outfit down to a science? It usually includes stretchy pans, an oversized or drapey sweater, and colors that represent the season, and this year is no different. This oxblood sweater by Bobeau (c/o) is lightweight which is perfect for lower Alabama because it tends to be on the warm side. While it's long, I was pleasantly surprised how flattering the shape was. The sweater curves in at the waist some which emphasizes your waist in the best way possible; it is your smallest area, after all! 

Stretchy pants come in all shapes and sizes, and while I'm tempted to wear the most comfortable pants I've ever put on my body (not even kidding), I'm going to step it up a little and wear my Spanx denim leggings. They're high waisted, stretchy, and a great balance for the flowy top. Add my tried and true leopard wedges, and I'm ready for all the Thanksgiving food I can possibly eat.

Photos by Amber Corbi. 

Monday, My Day

Good morning! First of all, I have to say Happy First Day of School to all of my teacher friends headed back to the grind today. Here's to new beginnings, new students, and a new school year! It's still weird for me not to be going back to school (but in the best way possible). We spent a relaxing weekend at home doing house research and watching a lot of the Olympic coverage. Are you guys watching? I couldn't take my eyes off of gymnastics last night; it's my favorite event, hands down. This is our last weekend together at home for a while due to a lot of traveling and other obligations, so it was nice to be low key. I'm excited for the week ahead working on some fun collaborations, getting a ton of work done, and hitting the road for the weekend. Let's make it a good one!

Favorite Links and Happenings

Last week, I discovered The Players Tribune. Founded by Derek Jeter, it's basically an online blog for professional athletes to write about their lives, games, opinions, etc. So fascinating! And they're great writers! I really enjoyed reading about Matt Kemp's recent trade to Atlanta written from his perspective. 

I would be remiss not to talk about Instagram stories. What do you guys think?! Christen at Letterhappy made a great pro-con list about both Snapchat and Instagram. Go take a peek. 

A tweet from Morolake Akinosun pretty much confirms if you put something into the universe, it's bound to happen.  

I've decided I really need to get a primer. What's your favorite one? I think I'm going to try this one for a little extra glow. 

Y'all know I love me a good podcast, and I've heard great things about Snap Judgement. Have you listened?

The lovely drink in the photo above is a Sungold Zinger. Mmmmm.

Monday, My Day

Happy Monday, friends! I am actually looking forward to this week. For one, I've got a super busy schedule which for some might be overwhelming, but when I am crazy busy, I am crazy productive. For another, we've got a three day weekend coming up which leads me to another reason I'm excited about the week ahead: the 4th of July! The Fourth is my second favorite holiday (right behind Halloween), and I am looking forward to celebrating the stars and stripes. In the meantime, here are a few links to get you through the week:

Favorite Links & Happenings

404 Proud launched last week, and their cheeky Atlanta t-shirts have me smitten. Pretty sure I'll be picking this one up soon (even if it is for a dude). 

Have you seen the apartment that's INSIDE the Eiffel Tower? Yes, you read that right. Find all the deets on the digs here. 

I'm a sucker for linens, and I especially love the idea of using cloth napkins. Maybe one day we'll make the full transition, and when we do, I'll be purchasing mine from Dot & Army. 

The Today Show had an excellent piece on what they've dubbed the "Gig Economy." As a one-woman show, I actually think I might be a part of this, and I totally think you can make a full-time living (like I do). My only issue is that they refer to it as a "side gig" until finding a "real" job. 

Have you heard that SJP is back?!

I got the Fancy Pants Start Planner in the mail on Friday. If you missed my unboxing on Snapchat (nicolemelv), there will be a blog post soon, so stay tuned! 

We met with an architect last week to start really planning for our home renovation. Even though we have a lot city hoops we have to jump through, we should be starting soon! Follow along on Pinterest to see some of my ideas. Any home decor mags I should definitely pick up?

Monday, My Day

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a great Father's Day yesterday. After a relaxing weekend at home, I'm looking forward to getting things crossed off of my to-do list this week. I've got a ton to do in order to prepare for vacation, so here's hoping I can take care of it all! What's on your radar this week? 

Favorite Links & Happenings:

I've officially given in to the fact that the 90s are back. I finally picked these up after weeks of research and admiring from afar. Be warned: I sized down TWO sizes (to a 5 from my usual 7).  

Still on a mission to find a great beach bag. This one is affordable, sustainable, and best of all, cute. 

I'm l-o-v-i-n-g everything in sight at Dear Keaton. This Atlanta-based online retailer is about to blow up, y'all. I just know it.

I spent the weekend snacking on Aunt Lollies pimento cheese topped with Mezzetta Banana Peppers. YUM!! 

This dress has been on major rotation in my closet. It's flowy and is the perfect length. 

Hamilton has been playing nonstop on my Spotify. I can't get enough! It's like a podcast or a radio show: you have to listen and pay attention to understand the story, so it was perfect for my trip to Auburn last week. 

We got to go to the VIP soft opening for Tupelo Honey on Saturday night, were treated like royalty, and left stuffed. It was fantastic! Welcome to Atlanta, Tupelo Honey! 

Boho Bus had their first popup shop this weekend, and I scored a cute top and pair of comfy shorts. Find more of their finds here. 

Prepping Your Guest Room

With the dawn of summer comes the dawn of summer guests. Even though our house is small (but mighty!), we're lucky to have space for family and friends to stay when they visit. Because our guest room houses my closet and my overflow drawer items, it's important that the space feels like an inviting, comfortable place for guests as well as functional space for me. Over the years, I've dramatically changed this room, one little item at a time to make it light and airy while remaining sweet and cozy. 

If your guest room has to be a space for you as well as your guests, I wanted to offer a few tips to get it in tip top shape. As you prep for your own guests this summer, keep these things in mind:

Bedding will make or break a guest's stay. Seriously. I would be lying if I said that I had considered this before. If I am being totally honest, I only recently decided it was time for our guest room to have some great sheets. Before just a few weeks ago, our guests cozied up under big box sheets, and while cute, these aren't exactly the most comfy. Perfect Linens saved the day with their Second Skin sheets. These 400 thread count, Egyptian cotton sheets are airy without clinging. And can we talk about the gorgeous embroidery? I chose Fern Green to match some of the other elements in our guest room, but I'm eying some of Perfect Linens' other color ways for my own room...like these scallops? Yes, please! What I love about Perfect Linens is that they are the sheet experts - they're the only website that sells only sheets, and there is research behind their brand including objective tests and fabric analysis. Talk about commitment to quality! And guys, they're incredibly soft. I can't wait to hear my guests' rave reviews! 

Note: Perfect Linens is offering 15% off of any of their sheets! Use the code PolkaDots15. 

Make room in the closet. Okay, so maybe you don't use your closet for overflow clothing like me, but I would bet that you use it for some sort of storage. Be courteous and make room in the closet for your guests to hang their clothes. Another great touch? Leave a few empty hangers front and center. It screams "use me!" 

Add the finishing touches. I wish I had my act together enough to put together a fantastic welcome tray full of flowers, snacks, and other essentials, but since I don't,  I have to improvise. I do like to add a little something special before guests arrive. This Diptyque candle was gifted to me (real blogger status), and I love the scent and how it looks on the night stand - which doubles as a trunk for storage. I'll leave a cute box of matches, too. Add an extra blanket and pillow along with towels, so guests have everything they need for a great night's rest. 

What are your guest room prep tips?

This post is in partnership with Perfect Linens. All opinions are my own.

Everyday Summer Essentials

Even though it's technically not quite summer (June 20th, where are you?!), we've got devilish heat in Atlanta which means, summer is here, y'all. There are a few things that I rely on when summer hits, and I couldn't survive without them. I thought I'd share a few of my summer essentials with you today: things I can't live without during the dog days of summer.

Turkish Towel - These incredibly absorbent towels are a definite necessity for summer because of their multiple uses. Toss yours in your beach bag for days at the pool and beach, or keep it in your car for impromptu picnics in the park. I picked mine up from Home Goods. 

Micro-Pedi - Since your toes are out in the open during the summer, you've got to keep your feet looking so fresh and so clean (clean). The Micro-Pedi is a life saver, removing dry and calloused spots for an easy in-home pedicure. Don't forget to keep a great summer polish on hand, too (I scooped mine up at Allie's swap party a few weeks ago!) 

Coola Sunscreen - I may have mentioned this one once or twice before, so you know I love it! I keep this little travel version of Coola's SPF 50 spray in my purse at all times, especially on the weekends. You never know what outdoor adventure awaits you in the summer; better to be prepared! 

A Summer Read - When it's raining, I love curling up with a good book. Okay fine, I love curling up with a good book just about any old time. One of my favorite things to say when I was teaching is that I got to turn my brain off during the summers. While I keep it on now, a book with a summer vibe is exactly what I need. 

Polarized Sunglasses - I got these Maui Jim's last summer in Seaside, and I wear them almost daily. They fit my face so well, and I have crystal clear vision when I wear them. I always hate when you still have to squint while wearing sunglasses - I never experience that with these; they're that good.

What are YOUR summer essentials?

Shop the post:

I received a micro-pedi from Lipton Publicity. While this post has a sponsored element to it, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Mid-Year Resolutions with Chobani Simply 100 Crunch

Since beach season is upon us, I feel like everyone is kicking up their healthy routines Let's call it a mid-year resolution. In true mid-year resolution spirit, my friends and I started a little health challenge this week. Here's how it's working for us: 

Every Sunday, each of us decides 1-3 goals for the week. These can be anything that pertains to healthy habits whether that's exercise, food choices, or even hygiene improvements (like taking your makeup off before bed). If we meet our goals for the week, we are awarded a point for the week. The person with the least amount of points at the end of our six week challenge (aka. the loser) hosts a girls' night for the winners. Sounds easy enough, right? 

Well, let's just say that maintaining healthy habits is easier said than done. In an effort to make better decisions about what goes into my body, one of my goals is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables at every meal and adding healthy snack options in between. And y'all, I love to snack. This week, I've been noshing on Chobani Simply 100 Crunch. I picked up three flavors at the store and have been making my way through each one. And to make things even more challenging, Chobani is sharing 100 fun ways to burn 100 calories. Anything that uses shopping to burn calories gets an A in my book. 

I've always loved Chobani's Flips, and the Simply 100 Crunch is a take on that concept except these portions are...you guessed it...100 calories each! Mango Cone Crisp, seen above, reminds me of sorbet in a cone. Dried mango with little waffle cone crunches (ahem, and graham crackers)? Don't mind if I do. 

Have you developed any of your own mid-year resolutions? If so, share them in the comments! Let's support each other!

This post is in partnership with Chobani. 

Personalize Your Kitchen

Raise your hand if you've got a zillion food storage containers in your kitchen. Raise your hand again if you're not quite sure where they all came from (and who they actually belong to). ::Raises hand twice:: I'm pretty sure I'm not just speaking for myself when I say that our food container cabinet is out of control. We've acquired all sorts of containers over the years, and the organization is a bit of a mess. 

This spring, I'm resolving to not only take control of my own kitchen, but help my friends stay organized too with name labels by Minted. Minted's new name labels were primarily created for kids, so parents can label anything and everything, but I saw these labels and thought: why can't I get in on the fun, too?! I immediately thought about all of the trips to friends' houses this spring and summer for parties, girls nights, and other gatherings. I would inevitably be bringing containers filled with goodies to each event, so why not make sure I get my container back and help my friends keep their kitchens organized, too?

Minted's name labels are dishwasher safe, waterproof, & nontoxic, meaning they won't disintegrate when they meet water; they'll last and last and last. I loved the idea of getting labels that had my name on them for my own containers, but I also picked up a few extra sheets to serve as hostess gifts throughout the summer. My friends are always so great about hosting, and every now and then, I love giving them a little something to show my appreciation. 

Stick these labels on the bottom or top of your containers to personalize your kitchen. One word to the wise: careful not to use these on your glass containers unless you want them to be permanent! You can pick up your own kitchen labels from Minted here. The design process is super fun, and there are tons of designs to choose from. Get creative and get organized!

P.S. The energy balls seen here are this recipe. They're super easy, and I make them all the time! 

Shop some of my favorite name label designs here:

I received the labels seen here in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Secrets to a Successful Styling Session

It's always so funny to me when people ask me what my style is. I immediately start blubbering all kinds of words that don't make sense, "Well, I like neutrals and solids, but my closet has a lot of stripes and I tend to love a punch of red, so I guess that's not entirely true. I like to be classic, but a little trendy, and probably a little preppy, too." I'm sorry, what? What does any of that even mean?! See? Blubber. 

When I was invited to have a one-on-one styling session at Range boutique in Atlanta, I basically jumped at the opportunity. Finally! A chance for someone to help me define my style, tell me what looks good on me, and maybe even push me outside of my comfort zone. Sign. Me. Up. 

One of the first things out of my mouth when I met the stylist was that I was scared. And it wasn't a lie. I've never had a stylist work with me to find something that looks good. She reassured me that everything would be great, and that I could walk around and choose some items, and she would too. Note: I showed up wearing a black top, white jeans, and sandals. She immediately informed me we would be trying some color. Bring it! 

I quickly filled my room with some items, and so did my stylists (I had at least 3 women in the store helping me!). I tried on TONS of things which made the whole experience fun, and I loved showing the stylists what I was wearing for honest opinions. It was a smashing success because I was able, willing, and ready to receive advice. 

Here are a few of my other secrets to a successful styling session: 

1. Get outside of your comfort zone. I touched on this a little bit above, but one thing that I made sure to do was get outside of my comfort zone. I purposefully didn't choose any black, white, or navy. I wanted to experiment with color and seek an addition to my wardrobe, not another piece of the same style or thing. Range specializes in clothing from California which is quite different from what I usually stock my closet with, but I loved playing in those clothes and finding something that would fit in without standing out (P.S. the blue top below came home with me!) 

2. Welcome anything and everything. It's all about having an open mind. I tried on a pair of loud, funky, coral and navy floral pants that I was thisclose to loving. I also tried on jeans that I figured would be a little snug based on the size, but at my stylists' recommendation, I gave them a try anyway. It was an experience, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything! 

3. Have an event/outing in mind. Range is definitely a place where you can walk in with work clothes, and walk out with an entirely new outfit to take you straight to dinner. One of the ladies even described a situation in which a woman came in, said she was going to dinner at 10 Degrees South and picked up an entire look (down to her bra!). She changed in the dressing room and was off to her date! 

4. Don't forget the accessories! Seriously the best part. I had so much fun trying different bracelets, necklaces, and bags. You can never have too many accessories, and accessories will absolutely make or break a look. I pretty much fell in love with the shoes in these outfits and may or may not have to go back and get them. Oops.

The bottom line is this: embrace opportunities to play with your style. Who says it can't evolve over time? And who says if you love Lilly Pulitzer, you can't also grab something from Rebecca Taylor? No one! Style is a way to have fun, and a styling session? Well that's just icing on the cake. 

If you're interested in your own styling session at Range, pop into the store at any time! They have a brand new location (just a few miles down the road from their first store), and they'd love to help you find a look for any outing you can dream up. Don't forget the 4 secrets to a successful styling session, and don't forget to let me know what you find!

I received a store credit to Range in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own!