Happy Birthday Matthew Cole

Today is "Charleston"’s Birthday!

He has finally caught up to me and my wise age of 26!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAYBEE!
I could never have asked for a more loving, caring, supportive and absolutely amazing boyfriend. If I could give him the world today (and everyday) I would.

Because "Charleston" has a real estate class tonight until 8:30pm, it makes it hard for me to go to Greensboro to celebrate, and therefore we celebrated this past weekend here in Charlotte.

Last year, "Charleston" killed a MONSTER deer that he wanted to get mounted for his man cave. We dropped it off many months ago at the taxidermist. Well on Saturday, it was time to pick this little buddy up and take him home. So.... Saturday morning we took a little field trip to the taxidermy to get Deroy the Deer.

Then Saturday afternoon Sister, I think, really needed to get out of the house. Therefore Sister, Sam, Mom and Olivia came to Charlotte to visit and enjoy lunch at The Penguin. Olivia got to see Aunt Blain's apartment and be a big girl in the Queen City!

Saturday night, it was my turn to treat "Charleston" to some birthday fun! Before dinner, I gave him his birthday present. "Charleston" is so much fun to buy for because he has so many hobbies and interests. He had been "hinting" that he liked this particular pair of Costa sunglasses so I just had to get them for him! He was so excited and I hope he loved them!

We later enjoyed a nice little dinner at LaVecchia’s Steaks and Seafood and then joined some friends out at Dandelion Market for some drinks. I had a blast; I hope "Charleston" enjoyed his celebration as much as I did! Any time with him is the best time in the world.

Some pictures to share the day with you:

Oh yeah, I also attempted to bake. Lets just say I am not a baker. Disaster in the kitchen. I tried to make a cake...didn't happen. So I ended up with some cupcakes that I broke down and put Carolina blue sprinkles on just for the birthday boy. (You know you have stolen my heart when I bring Carolina blue sprinkles into my apartment!)

**click on any picture to view larger**
"Charleston" and Deroy. Babe, you're a stud!

"Charleston"'s mom and I made him pose all over the front yard with his deer! Ha Ha

Olivia loves laying on "Charleston"'s lap. The first time I watched him hold Olivia, I was highly impressed with his baby skills! Isn't it hot when a guy naturally knows how to handle a baby? I think so :)
He got him some new Costa Del Mars...Blackfinn style!
(as usual I wrap his gift in several boxes so he has no clue what it is when I hand it to him!)

You are simply handsome :) I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Happy Birthday Matthew! You are an amazing man even at the ripe old age of 26! I hope this is the first of many birthdays we will experience together!

Kendra Scott Has What I Want

I am not lying. I need to be checked in to an obsession treatment facility.

Thank goodness… thank goodness… THANK GOODNESS my father taught me how to manage my money, distinguish needs and wants, prioritize purchases and save. Otherwise with this obsession I would be broke. This is becoming a true test of my willpower. The birdie on my right shoulder tells me to buy it while the birdie on my left shoulder is telling me I have a car insurance payment coming up. Arrrgggg.

Kendra Scott Jewelry is calling my name. I AM two seconds away from pulling out my debit card and purchasing the Sari Starburst Pendant Necklace in Violet ($60). I know it is ONLY $60 but that is $60 that could go towards gas or food or anything else that I actually need to survive this month. Right now, I am going to be good....I am not going to buy, so I will continue to obsess.

My jewelry obsession is honestly sad. Why couldn't’t I have an obsession with T-shirts or stupid Silly Bandz Animal Bracelets (even though I am not in the 5th grade) ...these obsessions are a lot cheaper! BUT NOOOOOOO, I happen to LOVE jewerly. I would honestly rather starve then go a day without my accessories. Ugh this is just frustrating….Kendra Scott has it going on and I want a piece of it!!!!

**click on any picture to view larger**

Sari Starburst Pendant Necklace in Violet

Nell Bib Statement Necklace in White Lily
Lisanne Chain Swag Earring in Sky Blue
Kiri Necklace in Smoky Gray

Otylia Cocktail Ring in Pebble on Gold-tone

Nyla Starburst Earrings in Mint Green

Carly Botanical Stud Earring in Violet Purple

My dream job used to be a photographer for The National Geographic but I think now I am leaning more towards a jewelry designer...... all the jewelry in the world designed just like I want it??...um, yes please.

A True Inspiration at 8 Years Old

As I was reading my friend Amy’s blog, I came across a recent post about Ellie, a precious little girl from Charlotte, who after fighting her battle with cancer for over two years, yesterday, gained her angel wings.

A million feelings rushed through me as I read through Ellie’s Journal written by her mother. It was beautiful.

Ellie Potivan reminded me today what it means to live life and be thankful for every minute we take a breath. She is TRULY an inspiration. My heart goes out to her wonderful mother (Amy) and father who, over the past two years described Ellie’s journey, truthfully and with all their heart on her website. I also reach out to Ellie’s twin sister Grace. At just 8 years old, I can never imagine the pain of losing your other half. Ellie is now in the right place to faithfully watch over her family, away from pain, hospitals, medications and treatments.

Please keep Ellie and her family in your prayers as they move forward with Ellie’s funeral tomorrow here in Charlotte and the many days and years that will follow them.

The following are pieces from the entries of the journal her mother Amy kept on Ellie’s Caringbridge website. Her spirit and grace as a mother is beyond words.

* It saddens my heart to inform you that today's Lung scan was tragic ... the growth is tremendous and our Ellie has about 40 tumors in her lungs. Some tumors are new... some are old... but the growth now is aggressive.

** As Ellie worked to control her pain and breathe... she said, "Mommy, yes... I can do this... I can get through the pain. I will be Ok Mommy, I can do this...I will be Ok". I hear her soft lips say then between small gasps of pain. Then Ellie said for my comfort, "I think I am feeling better Mommy." But her posture told me otherwise. Ellie would rather suffer silently than cause me pain to watch her hurt. As Ellie speaks, it is not the voice of an 8 year old... as we have said before... Our Ellie is an old soul, wiser than most of us in her spirit. Ellie is being heroic, our little cancer warrior, even in her darkest most fearful hours - she is still thinking of others feelings above her own. An angel sent to show us a new path and way to live our days.

*** In fact, only a week ago Ellie said to me, "Mommy if I die before you - I will be your angel and always with you." YUP... I almost drove off the road in hearing those words. I did finally respond to her, "Ellie that makes me so happy - sounds Great! And if I die before you - which I really hope happens - I will by your angel!"

**** As for our sweet Grace....This must be so hard for her, I just can't imagine her pain these days. Grace came home late night, after being at a friend’s house all day. My sweet twin daughter asked me, "Mommy how did Ellie's scans go today?" For the first time in my life during this disease I just said it, "Not Good Grace." Grace's face dropped "Mommy what do you mean is the cancer there?" I said, "Yes... Grace and it is growing."
I heard my mind shrieking "Amy what are you doing! This is so blunt, so cruel... this is her twin sister!" But, my heart said, "Amy this is the truth and you can no longer cover this to protect Grace... she now needs to be brought along on this journey."
Ohhhh... how sad this day is for us all.
So much innocence lost today... by Ellie and Grace.
Cancer Sucks.
When our Ellie heard Grace was sad (that Ellie was hurting) - Ellie was worried and sad for Grace, "Oh Mommy Poor Grace is she Ok?" I am like, "Ellie.. Grace is sad you are hurting." Ellie then says, "Mommy tell her to come in and see me - I am Ok.... I will be Ok".

***** "Mommy, I think it will be too much for me to travel to the beach house (where Ellie wanted to spend her final days). Do you think Faithanne, Savannah, Megan, Alex and Samantha can come to me?" These are Ellie's first childhood best friends in Wilmington, NC. I called our friends and within minutes the 2 families were packing their bags and driving to be with Ellie. She later asked also for Chloey and Emma and now a 3rd family will join us from Wilmington. Tim asked if this was a smart idea? I told him, "Ellie asked for this, this is Ellie's closure that is needed before she leaves for heaven."

****** "Ellie, only God knows our beginning, middle and end. He created us with a purpose in our lives and he sends us home when we have served as his messenger. You have been our angel, you have taught me more in your lifetime. I wish I could take it all away. But I can't. I have tried all I know Ellie to take away this cancer - but only God can. Ellie when you hurt, when you have fears... just reach out to Jesus. Ask him to hold you in his arms for comfort and take away your pains and fears. He loves us more than anyone in the world. Ellie if you hear Jesus calling you, Mommy will be ok. I will miss you desperately... but soon we will be together again." I am trying to slowly let her know, that she does not have to fight anymore, it is ok to fly.

Taco Meatloaf

I was tired of eating salads and yogurt yesterday that I just had to have a hot meal for dinner. I still wanted to stay on the healthier side of things so I made Taco Meatloaf out of the Hungry Girl cookbook. This was a new recipe for me but the shopping and directions seemed cheap and easy so I was all over it!

Let me just say… it was one of the easiest things I have ever made and it was delicious and satisfying! I assembled it in 8 minutes and while it cooked for 45 I got the bathroom floor mopped! Kill two birds with one stone!

Taco Meatloaf

Ingredients
1 pound raw extra-lean ground turkey (I used chicken)
3 slices of fat-free cheddar cheese (I used reduced-fat cheddar)
1/2 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese (I used reduced-fat cheddar)
1 cup canned sweet corn kernels
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup salsa (I use Herdez salsa. My FAVORITE! It is on the salsa aisle of the grocery)
1 packet of taco seasoning mix, dry

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook peppers and onions for three minutes over medium heat in a pan sprayed with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, combine onions and peppers with turkey, corn and seasoning mix. Spread half of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the loaf pan (about 9″x5″- I used a small rectangular ceramic dish) sprayed with nonstick spray.
Layer the three slices of fat-free cheese on top of the mixture (try to keep slices away from the pan’s edges). Evenly top with the remaining meat mixture.
Pour the salsa over the top of the loaf. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
Top loaf with shredded cheese. Return loaf to the oven and cook for another 15 minutes.

I AM SO PROUD OF HER !

I have the smartest and most intelligent, creative, talented friends ever…and this is one of them!

My bestest since preschool, Lauren, recently won the Washington Women in Public Relations Emerging Leaders Award. Lauren is a Senior Account Executive for GYMR. Created in celebration of WWPR’s 30th anniversary, this new award is a special designation for those women who have already made a significant impact on the industry and highlights their potential to contribute to the industry for many years to come, making them truly emerging leaders.

WWPR honors three outstanding young women, ages 21 – 35, in the Washington, D.C. metro area who have excelled in public relations and related fields. Lauren was honored last Tuesday, June 15 at Social Restaurant and Bar. A distinguished panel of judges made the selection and they based their selection on the honorees’ demonstrated excellence and accomplishments in the communications field as well as their leadership qualities and high ethical standards.

WWPR is the first and only D.C. based professional organization advancing women in the communications industry. WWPR is comprised of over 130 public relations professionals, representing many of the Washington DC metro area's corporations, nonprofits, public relations agencies, and universities. For 30 years, WWPR has been committed to providing its members with monthly professional development programs offering best practices, insight and knowledge from the industry's leading speakers; networking opportunities, positioning in the marketplace and leadership in the community.

I am so proud of my Homey G Funk!

CONGRATS MUSE! YOU ARE AWESOME!

(Click pics to view larger)

Lauren had to give a speech at the reception....she nailed it!

Muse, you are beautiful!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

I Gotta Pocket, Got A Pocket Full Of Sunshine

Its’ Thursday… whoop whoop!

I woke up on the right side of the bed…

The weather is beautiful here in Charlotte…sun and more sun in the forecast for the next 4 days!

I am caught up on laundry, bills, and life in general…

I have a wonderful weekend planned with Ryan and Heather’s wedding...

And….my hunny-hunny is coming to town tonight! That’s a big whoop whoop!
(Kind of like the Whoop Whoop given in this video below! Bah ha ha ha, just watch at 00:53s and again at minute 1:44! You gotta love the ghetto.)


Anyway,
“Charleston” is Ryan’s best man so he took Friday off work in order to be here for the wedding festivities! I love having him here. It brightens my every minute. It makes me the happiest girl in the world; seriously because I miss him every minute he is away.

So....That’s why it’s a fabulous Thursday! I have so much to look forward too!

Because I am in such a good mood, I want to share one other video that started my morning off right! I was just like this girl while in the shower this morning :)
This clip makes me smile. I would be lying if I said I had not watched it every morning this week...it gets me going!

She Is My Little Supermodel

I love her. I swear, during the weeks when I am away from her, I miss her sweet baby smell. I want to kiss her little head and play with her little Mohawk. I love how she already thinks she is a big girl, babbling and making noises all the time.

Tomorrow she will be three weeks old. I never knew it was possible to love her any more than I thought I already did the day she was born, but every day I love her more. I might have a slight OCD with my niece; she is just the most precious thing I have ever laid eyes on.

I went home last Sunday after Jackie and Michaels wedding to see her and have dinner with mom, dad, sister and Sam and I could have eaten her little toes and hands off because she was so freaking cute. She spit up all over my dress; I don’t care…its Olivia, she can get away with murder in my book!

I have tons of pictures from her birthday on March 27th but here is a couple to start with…more to come tomorrow! (Be prepared, I’m sure she will start showing up ALL over my blog)
I am the proudest Aunt ever!

(sorry, the pictures are in no particular order)

Sam, Sister and Miss Olivia Claire

The Howard Family

She is perfect and looks pretty in pink!
This was her first headshot after she was born! Baby supermodel...I think so!

I know I am 26 but it still blows my mind that Blair and Sam created this little thing!

She HATED having her hands covered up and only hours old, knew how to hold her daddy's hand.

The proud father!

Sam is such a good daddy. Olivia is going to be a mommy and daddy's girl!

G.A.L = Great Aunt Lori

Talking baby talk to her already....about to go in for the kill on her sweet little fingers!

Mom and I after staying up all night waiting to meet Livi!

Boiling Over

I have this bible that I bought several years ago when I first moved to Charlotte. I love it. It is a Women's Devotional Bible. I will admit, I have slacked off recently with reading it each night. I probably haven't picked it up in over a month. Tonight I opened it up to the next devotional and I think there was reason I had not touched the Bible in a month...He knew I needed to read this devotional right at this moment; here and now. It was what I needed to hear.

Boiling Over

Scripture Reading:

Numbers 12: 1-15

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, the said, "Listen to my words:

"When a prophet of the Lord is among, you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them. When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam - leprous, like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy; and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with is flesh half eaten away." So Moses cried out to the Lord, "O God, please heal her!" The Lord replied to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Devotional:

APPLAUDING OTHERS can be surprisingly difficult. It's easy enough to fake it, to smile approvingly and nod in agreement. But sometimes with others are recognized for achievements, it's hard to feel anything but that ugly burning twinge of jealousy. Outwardly we're clapping and congratulating , but inwardly we're slowly beginning to simmer. Who does she think she is anyway? What's so special about her? Why all the fuss over one person? And if we don't catch it in time, that simmer an turn into a hard boil that erupts in anger, harsh words and broken relationships.

The root of jealousy, when we dig down deep enough, is often insecurity. It's not so much a question of what's so special about someone else as it is a question of what's so unspecial about me? What's wrong with me, we wonder, that God doesn't use me like that?

When Miriam and Aaron saw the way God was using Moses, they were jealous. They wanted to be what he was. And who wouldn't? God actually talked to Moses face-to-face. He had a unique role in history that no one else ever played.

But Miriam and Aaron also had unique roles in history, roles that Moses couldn't fill, roles that they alone could fill. God had used them in wonderful ways. Miriam was a prophetess. Think of how rare in that day - a female prophet! Aaron was the high priest - the priest above all other priests. He was different from Moses but amazingly gifted. Miriam and Aaron both had gifts used by God, but their jealousy started to burn, and they allowed their negative feelings to affect their positions.

God has made a place for you in his kingdom that only you can fill. You may be a Moses, out front leading the way. Or you may be serving in more behind-the-scenes ways like Miriam and Aaron. Your job is not to compare your work to another's and attach value based on what you see. Your job is to turn down the heat of jealousy and quietly go about the work God has given you to do. "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:4-5). When it's God's work, it's valuable. When we allow jealousy to simmer up and boil over, our own bitterness will only burn us.

Healthier Eating....I Have To Start Now!

I try to watch what I eat. I honestly try my hardest. I am not a small girl, but on the other hand, if I were blessed to stay this size for the rest of my life I would be happy.

I look at pictures of myself and 80% of the time I am disgusted and slightly ashamed of what I look like. Unless it’s a head shot, I criticize EVERY pat of my body (minus my butt and boobs :) ). I like my face (and those other parts). I am OK with those. But my arms, stomach, sides and thighs I really don’t like.

“Charleston” is the most amazing boyfriend in the world and there is not a day that goes by that he does not tell me how beautiful I am. I accept his compliments and I do believe him when he says it; I do believe he thinks I am beautiful. A lot of the time, in the moment, I do feel beautiful, but I want to have this feeling all of the time, even while looking at pictures. What girl doesn’t?

Right now, I am not 100% comfortable with myself.

I am ready to make a change.

The key to this change is going to be calories in versus calories out.

I have always been good at working out. I like the gym. I like to sweat. I like to push it and work hard. That is not the problem. The problem is I like food. I said it. I don’t know why but for me this was kind of hard to admit…I like food. There, I said it again.

I am not one of those crazy girls that binge eats, or has some eating disorder, I just enjoy cooking and eating good food. I don’t sit down and eat ice cream, bags of chips, hot dogs and soda. I actually NEVER eat any of those foods. In the past I have just been consuming too many calorie rich items (that I thought were not THAT bad) and consuming more than a normal portion.

I have done a lot of reading and research in the past several weeks. I have learned what a normal meal should really look like. It’s not surprising that one of America’s biggest problems is obesity! I need to re-design my thinking of what I buy, what I cook and what I eat. I need to do more research on new and healthy recipes so I don’t get bored with salads and raw foods. Cooking will still be fun, I just need to approach it differently.

The first step I have taken this week is to count my calories. I began using the LiveStrong calorie counter online to track my progress. I have been AMAZED at the calorie content in some of the foods I was consuming that I thought were “healthy.” Looks can be deceiving – especially packaging! Counting calories is not an easy task but I assure you it is well worth it. It is helping me learn what a true portion and serving size is. Counting calories puts things in perspective when you see total numbers of what you consumed throughout a day.

I want to become healthier and hopefully loose a couple pounds. I don’t want to be on a “diet”, I want to train myself to have a healthy diet. Items a lot of people consider “diet” foods are really what we all should be eating as regular food on a regular basis. It’s sad that our society has gotten to the point where “regular” food is considered burgers, burritos, fried chicken and french fries where as “diet” foods are things like lettuce wraps, fruit salad, and hummus. Kind of scary; it makes me not want to be another statistic. I am taking control of myself right now.

Friday's Easy Afternoon Playlist

Over the past couple days, I seem to have complied a pretty "lazy day" playlist to help me get through the afternoon work slump.

I like it.

Maybe there is something on here you like too.....

ENJOY!

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS!

So excited for a beautiful weekend here in the Queen City!

1. Belle of The Boulevard (Acoustic) - Dashboard Confessional

2. Queen Bee - Neil Halstead

3. Why Don't We Just Dance - Josh Turner

4. Love You Till The End (Stephen Hague Mix) - The Pogues

5. Heavenly Day - Patty Griffin

6. Sweet Thing - Keith Urban

7. Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Bob Marley

8. Nothing Fancy - Dave Barnes

9. First Dance - Corey Smith

10. Paint Me In Your Sunshine - Marie Digby

11. Your Smile - Josh Turner

12. Winter Song - Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

13. Forever Young - Alpha Ville

14. I And Love And You - The Avett Brothers

15. Hey Girl - O.A.R.

16. Hands Down (Acoustic) - Dashboard Confessional

17. and to stay classy....... I'm So Paid - Akon Feat Lil Wayne

Just call me Giada De Laurentiis

Its empty-out-the-cabinet-and–fridge-week at my house. Everything has to be used in some way, shape or form for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Therefore the Pioneer Woman has yet again helped me pull through to make a fabulous meal with what I already had!

If you love pasta….try this recipe.

If you love tomatoes….try this recipe.

If you love blue cheese…try this recipe.

If you love to eat…try this recipe.

If you love to cook cheap…try this recipe.

I promise, it will not disappoint!

Pasta With Tomato-Blue Cheese Sauce

Prep Time: 2 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6

Ingredients
1-½ pound Pasta (angel Hair Or Thin Spaghetti)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 whole 28-ounce Can Diced Tomatoes, Drained
Dash Of Sugar
Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, To Taste
¾ cups Crumbled Blue Cheese
¾ cups Heavy Cream
4 cups Baby Spinach
Half-and-Half, for thinning
Extra Blue Cheese Crumbles, For Garnish

Preparation Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. When hot, add minced garlic and cook for a minute. Pour in drained tomatoes. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

AND!!!!.......It is excellent leftover for lunch the next day!

If you live at my house...we eat leftovers, a lot!

Olivia Claire Howard - Happy Birthday!

Welcome to the world little supermodel - Miss Olivia Claire.
You are beautiful. Perfect.

(click on any picture to view larger)

Nothing explains the feeling of becoming a first time aunt. I have NEVER been so proud in my life. Not only proud of the most amazing little girl that has joined our family but proud because Blair and Sam created her. I waited ever so patiently over the last nine months to meet her and finally on Thursday, May 27th at 7:12am she decided she was ready to meet us! She came into this world weighing 7lbs 10oz and standing 21.75in tall! Within minutes of her birth, she was bright eyed and focused. She was concentrating on everything around her (maybe wondering if this was really her family!!!). Sister did wonderful through labor and Sam stood strong beside her.

Every time I look at her little face, I get ever so curious about all the possibilities she has before her. Will she play soccer like her mom or become a cheerleader like her grandma Tina? Will she follow in the footsteps of her parents and become an Appalachian Mountaineers or become a Wolfpack fan like me! Who will her friends be and what color hair will she ultimately have? Will she love to ride horses or ride her daddy’s tractor? The possibilities ahead of this little girl are endless and I am excited to see where life takes her!

I know these pictures are not good but they are the only ones I had on my cell phone. My camera is FULL of great pictures, I just have had more important things to do the in last 5 days then pull pictures off and post them up – I was spending time with Miss. Olivia! SO….. enjoy these and better ones will be posted later in the week!

I am in love….. and I am an AUNT!!!