Hit or Miss....Wall Decals ?

Living in a rented apartment kind of puts a damper on my decorating instinct. I just don’t ever have the feeling that it’s “home” or something permanent (obviously, because it’s not!) but it hinders the follow through of my creative side. I don’t own the place and won’t be there “forever” so why spend the money to paint the walls or buy particular furniture for a particular room? Therefore all I can do is dream until the first down payment is made. Therefore, I have hoarded ALL KINDS of design s, colors and ideas I can’t wait to make permanent in my mansion one day :)

One of the ideas I have always been curious about is wall decals; I am actually slightly wishy washy on them. Do they look as good as the online picture as they do on the actual wall? Do they look cheap or out of place? I have seen people use the shapes before to create a wall with polka dots but my favorites online are the quote decals. I am a HUGE quote person; the kind of person that if it were acceptable at my work, would have a quote at the bottom of my email signature; that kind of obsessed with quotes person.

Are quotes/words/sayings tacky on a wall? I’m thinking they could pass as long as they are meticulously placed in the appropriate location. Did all my designer potential go down the drain with this thought of wall quote decal or is anyone else on board? I just don’t know….

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This could be cute above a group of frames of fun vacation pictures

So sweet!
I would love this one for a bedroom or home office.

This could go in any kids room!

Could be cute on a bathroom wall..

Could be fun......NOPE!!!! Just Kidding! This is ridiculous! Who would ever put this on their wall!

Summer To Fall Transition

The hair on my head has a mind of its own. Depending on what I eat, how much exercise I get, if I took my vitamins and how much “styling” I do to it, it either grows like a weed or splits like a fork in the road. Some days I can LOVE it and some days I just don’t “feel cute” because it’s a disaster hair day. (Ask “Charleston”, he knows all too well the kind of mood I get in when my hair is wrong and I don’t look cute!) I’m not the person that schedules a cut and color every six weeks either. I wait until I absolutely cannot stand the hair on my head and immediately jump online and schedule an emergency cut and color session. That emergency has come and is scheduled for tomorrow. It’s also the turning point from Summer Blain Hair to Fall Blain Hair. The transformation from blonde to brown occurs. Tomorrow’s inspiration is going to come from the following: I got so excited about this girls hair color that I sent it straight to Erin (my hair girl) and she is going to re-create this on my head! I cannot wait! What do you think?!

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(Not going to go to heavy with the stripes but definitely have some smaller blonde ones poke through!)

Perfect transition color from summer to fall...at least in my opinion! (If not, it's just hair color!!! Take a walk on the wild side!!!)

In Needed A Dose Of O.C.

I was missing my weekly dose of little miss Livi, therefore “Charleston” and I headed to Kernersville Friday night to stay with my Sister and Sam and to spend some quality time with my niece! I am such a proud aunt that it is stupid ridiculous; I just love her little face so freaking much! She played, ate, pooped, slept, played, ate, pooped, slept…you know, the usual 5 month old schedule. Life is good.

Olivia is such a good baby. She never cries, sleeps through the night, and smiles CONSTANTLY. The cutest thing is to watch “Charleston” and my brother-in-law Sam interact with her. Seeing Blair as a mother comes as no shock; she is a natural. Throughout life Blair and I babysat A LOT so seeing sister raise her own child just looks normal. But to see guys in their 20s, interacting with a baby, is the most precious thing ever. Sammie and “Charleston” look like pros. It all just melts my heart.

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Olivia Claire was excited to eat some peaches!

I just love that little bird mouth!
Livi has gotten to be such a big girl; being able to sit up in her chair for meal time!

Life's Lessons As A Woman

(This one was kind of hard to write. Its against my human nature to admit my weaknesses. I know they are there but bringing them to the public is simply hard. anyone agree? I like to come across as this confident woman but... we can't always be superwoman at every moment in life. We need these lessons to help us grow.)

Over at the blog, Enjoying the Small Things, Kelle Hampton posted today about Dove’s Self Esteem Movement. Simply stated, the movement is to empower women and young girls to be confident in themselves no matter how they were created or what cards they have been dealt throughout life. Kelle then posed her own question to her readers…What do you know now that you wish you would have known at 13?

I can’t say at 13 I needed to know tooooo much, but there is a piece of information that I wish I would have known when I was beginning to date and have serious boyfriends in high school and college.

You control your happiness, no one else. You are not dependent but independent.

It has been something I have struggled with... Ever since my first relationship in college I have let the man of my life at the time control me emotionally, robbing me of MY happiness. He never knew he was doing it and he never did it intentionally, but, I based my happiness on the attention, effort, and commitment he had to me and our relationship. Ultimately it was my lack of confidence in myself thinking that having him in my life, him wanting me, is what made my life happy. If we were ever struggling, arguing and not getting along, I felt as if my world was ending because I based so much of my happiness on him and “us”. What would I do if I lost him? No matter how much he might be pulling me away from the person that I was, I always allowed that silent control. My happiness was based on him. By secretly allowing someone to control my every thought, I lost myself.

Where was my brain? What in the hell was I thinking. My mother and father instilled in me that I am a strong and motivated individual and that the world was an open book ready for me to read every page. For so many years and relationships this loss of MY own happiness was a repeated tragedy. I lost "Blain" and the person that I inspired to be. My happiness was based on him; based on someone else.

It wasn’t until a couple years ago that a quick sharp turn in a relationship made me realize how wrong I had been for allowing this to strangle me. A relationship ended and for the first time in SO long I felt FREE. It was a sense of feeling that I had not had since high school. I was in control; my happiness was mine. I was a girl with an education given to me by my generous parents; I had a successful career; I had friends; I had my health; I had my family. No one could take any of that away from me and all of that was happiness. I determined my next move, not some guy. A relationship was not what was going to drive my happiness; not anymore.

Since this realization I have never felt better in my life. I am confident because I am happy on my own terms. This decision is mine, my happiness is mine to determine and why should I not wake up every day and be happy about all that surrounds me. Even though I still struggle with this at times and loose sight of the big picture, I have to take the time and reel myself back in. Remember what I have learned and where I don't want to go again. It might always be a slight struggle but my relationships since this turning point have grown and I have become an independent woman willing to support the man in my life but remembering to support myself at the same time. My personal happiness leads to a happy relationship, not a happy relationship leading to a happy personal life.

I control my happiness, no one else. I am not dependent but independent.

Carolina

I go through those phases where I have that one single song that just takes a happy day and makes it brighter; on a sad or frustrated day, my frown gets turned upside down.

Lately that song has been Carolina by Eric Church. I have to stop myself at work from belting out the lyrics as it breaks for the first time in to the chorus…and of course every time after that.

The best part was seeing Eric the other weekend in concert and hearing this song LIVE! 10 times even better!

I will also agree with Eric in that I could never imagine calling another state, other than North Carolina home! I love this place from the mountains in Boone and Asheville to the Coast in Wilmington and the Outer Banks. What is there not to love about North Carolina!!

Carolina – by Eric Church

There's a cabin in a valley

My grandpa built on your land

Your mountains are a canvas for the maker's hand

Tonight I'm fishing Elk River

If only in my mind

No I haven't seen her banks in such a long, long time

I carry you in my heart

Your memory comes over me like the dark

And like a phone call from my baby

Saying honey I miss you like crazy

Like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina you keep calling me home

Calling me home, calling me home

Calling me home

Sometimes I grow weary from going all the time

I'd love to take a minute

And let you ease my mind

I'd love to see my Mama

And maybe go for a drive

But I gotta play the star in some little town again tonight

But don't get me wrong

I love what I do

It's just another song about missing you

And like a phone call from my baby

Saying honey I miss you like crazy

Like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina you keep calling me home

Calling me home, calling me home

Calling me home

Oh, oh, I'm almost home

Like a phone call from my baby

Saying hone I miss you, I miss you like crazy

Just like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina, Carolina, Carolina

You keep calling me home

If you have never heard of Eric before, I suggest you try out his Carolina CD. One of my favorites from start to finish!

Better In My Closet

I think these would all look better in my closet then online.

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Love this outfit! perfect for work!

Two colors you never see, but...perfect! I might have to pick new boots though; maybe ankle boots. For someone with very short legs like my stumps, these just don't flatter!
Perfect outfit for a fall Saturday afternoon?! Yes please!

and this belongs around my neck....

and this wants to become friends with my skinny jeans.....

and these on my feetsies....

and this for a Friday night to dinner with a cream color cropped cardigan and fun jewels around my neck...

and this just because....just because I have a fetish with winter coats!

Oh what you do to me Ruche.com!

A New Move On My Own

I was an orange in a juicer.

Emotionally drained.

Every ounce of feelings and soul had been squeezed out of me yesterday.

It wears and tears on my heart to make decisions without a concrete plan; especially a decision that effects someone else.

When I came to Charlotte in 2007, I was coming off a college track record of moving every year. I went from Lee Dorm on NC State’s campus, to a four-bedroom townhouse at University Suites, to the sorority house, to a five-bedroom house on Canterbury Street, and finally into a two bedroom house on Dixie Avenue with Allie. It was a vicious cycle of packing and unpacking; re-arranging and re-adjusting.

But when I got to Charlotte, I settled into an apartment with two friends that I called home for more than two years. For once it was nice to stay put. Last January though, with the push and pull of the economy, my two roommates and I made the decision to move to a cheaper apartment (but nicer) in uptown. We packed, unpacked, re-arranged and re-adjusted.
We were once again settled into a new three bedroom, 1500 sq ft apartment. I was ready to stay put for another (at least) two years. Well several months ago, one of my roommates, Anna, got engaged and informed us she would not be renewing the lease come January.

This news came as no shock and Leann and I thought we would simply find someone to move into Anna’s space. That’s when my head and my heart started going in all directions. I have shared living space and a bathroom since the day I was born. I have lived with roommates for the past 8 years and not for one second would I trade a minute of it but…when was it going to be my turn; become a “grown-up” and get a place of my own? I will have the rest of my life to share a space with a “roommate” (hopefully a husband) so with this pending move ahead of me do I make it solo? Do I get my own space? My own kitchen? My own bedroom? My own living room? My own bathroom?

As these questions were all lying on my heart because getting a place on my own means leaving Leann, I couldn’t ignore them. I also couldn’t ignore one other HUGE fact. Over the past three years, I have fallen in love with Charlotte. I see myself here; possibly raising a family here and establishing some roots here. Therefore, when will it be appropriate for me to stop throwing money at rent and ground myself in the Queen city with a house purchase? Is it smart for me to move into a two bedroom with Leann, sign a year lease, but then run into the possibility of finding my dream home next summer? If I have to break a lease, I force Leann to move out or burn myself having to find someone to sublease for me while I break the bank and purchase my very first home.

Therefore with all of these questions and possibilities, my insides have been eaten alive with emotion. I would never want to hurt Leann because she moved in as a stranger but has become a very close friend; I don’t want to leave her high and dry. But, I am ready to have something that’s “mine”; something that I will live in until I decide to move, not having to move because a roommates engagement or job change.

Well I did it; I made up my mind. I have decided come January, to get a place of my own. A two bedroom apartment or condo somewhere here in Charlotte that will be just for me. I stressed all day about telling Leann my decision but after discussing it with her last night, she was very understanding and supported me in my decision. That’s why I love her. That’s why over the past two years we have become good friends. She is an amazing woman.

So…long story short. For the first time in my 26 year history, I will truly be on my own in my own place. I’m going to have to learn how to budget myself a little better because inevitably it will be more expensive but I am excited for this new chapter in life!!!

Friends, Wine and GOOD NEWS!

Secrets.

I am usually so good with secrets but this one has seriously given my lip muscles a cramp trying to hold it in…

“Charleston” is moving to Charlotte!

I am beside myself …although…I really don’t think it has hit me yet. It probably won’t until Sunday night on the 17th when he ends up staying in Charlotte instead of driving back to Greensboro!

Several weeks ago, “Charleston” had an interview with BASF, and afterwards I had this gut instinct that he landed the job. Something inside of me told me to stay positive and this situation would work itself out. We have talked over the last year about how bad we want to be in the same city and experience “week day life” together and so far, every day, I have prayed so hard this would one day come true.

Well being the intelligent, organized, self-motivated and responsible man that he is, “Charleston” is making this dream a reality. I am so proud of him for accomplishing this professional advancement and can’t wait to be the woman to stand behind him and support him throughout this new adventure. He starts his new job on October 18th and will officially become a Charlotte resident again! (He is from Charlotte so you can only imagine how excited his family is as well!)

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Anyways…now that that giant cat is out of the bag…I can relax and move on to the wine festival…

On Saturday we attended the Great Grapes Wine Festival in SouthPark's Symphony Park. The weather was gorgeous; The music was entertaining; The wine was flowing. We walked around for an hour or two and sampled all kinds of North Carolina wines, in the process trying to look “professional” as we sipped, commented and swirled our glass. When we were done “sipping”, Lauren, “Charleston” and I pulled up a big blanket in the shade, bought two bottles of local wine and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon!
The weather was wonderful! Jeans and short sleeves...my favorite!
Miss Lauren Vincent came into town Saturday for the fun festivities! I am so blessed with the most amazing girls in my life!

Diva all around!

Cheers to my baybee!

Not only was Saturday the wine festival but it was also Miss Laura Faust’s birthday! With plans to go out that night, we opted not to stay at the wine festival ALL day so we headed over to Taco Mac to catch the NC State vs. VT game (which I will leave with no comment except for sad times for the Wolfpack) and a bite to eat and then home to rest up for a fun night at Dixie’s Tavern! Happy Birthday Faust!

Overall a fabulous weekend for Faust’s birthday and the news coming out that my hunny hunny is moving to Charlotte!

Kicking It In The Kitchen

I have been busy in the kitchen, trying all kinds of new things. Several weekends ago I had Matt’s parents over for dinner and it was so much fun. For an appetizer, I made Mexican dip with Tostitos, and for dinner we had Tequila Lime Chicken with Pico de Gallo, blue cheese mashed potatoes and green pea salad. The Mexican dip, blue cheese potatoes, and green pea salad were family recipes but I stole the Tequila Lime Chicken and Pico De Gallo from The Pioneer Woman. This was definitely something I would make again!

Tequila Lime Chicken

Ingredients
3 whole Limes, Juiced
5 cloves Garlic, Peeled
1 whole Jalapeno, Sliced
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
½ cups Cilantro
½ cups Tequila
5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 cup Monterrey Jack Cheese, Grated
Pico De Gallo (recipe below)

Preparation Instructions
Combine lime juice, garlic cloves, sliced jalapeno, salt, cilantro, and tequila in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Turn on the blender/food processor and drizzle in the olive oil until it’s all combined.
Slightly flatten chicken breasts with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Place in a plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and marinate for several hours or (preferably) overnight.
When ready to cook, remove chicken from bag and place on the grill. Cook until completely done. Toward the end of cooking, top chicken breasts with grated Monterrey Jack and allow to melt. (You can also top chicken with cheese and melt under the broiler.)
Serve topped with Pico de Gallo!

Pico De Gallo

Ingredients
5 whole Plum (roma) Tomatoes
½ whole Large (or 1 Small) Onion
3 whole Jalapeno Peppers
Cilantro
Lime Juice
Salt To Taste

Preparation Instructions
Pico de Gallo:Chop jalapenos, tomatoes and onions into a very small dice. (Leave seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico). Adjust amount of jalapenos to your preferred temperature. Next, chop up a nice-sized bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir.
Squeeze the juice of half of one lime into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again.

On Sunday night my friend Jenna hosted a dinner at her house and all the girls brought a side item while the boys were in charge of grilling the meat! Since we were utilizing the grill I decided to make veggie kabobs. The marinade was so easy and the flavor was wonderful. I love kabobs because they are the most convenient way to get a serving of veggies into your day. I made so many kabobs that I have been adding the leftovers to my salads at lunch this week! Roasted veggies on a salad..YUM!

Veggie Kabobs

Ingredients
2 medium red or white potatoes
1 cup red, yellow and green bell pepper chunks
1 cup red onion chunks
1 cup white button mushrooms
1 cup zucchini chunks
1 cup yellow squash chunks
1 cup cherry tomatoes
Marinade, recipe follows
Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Preparation Instructions
Cook potatoes in salted water until fork tender; let cool and cut into 1-inch chunks. Place potatoes and the vegetables in a shallow dish or container. Pour marinade over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.

Marinade:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. The marinade can be prepared in advance and held covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.