Thursday Dreaming

I would take a little bit of this:

chop, mix, stir and bake in with a little bit of this:

and yea, I'd be in kitchen heaven.

Thursday Dreaming

I Am A Petal Pusher

Before I even try and tackle Southpark Mall when I am in need (want) of a particular clothing item, I always hit up several of my "staple" boutique shops to see what they have to offer.  One being Belle Ville in the Epicentre, another being Fresh on Providence Road and the last being Petal on East Blvd in Dilworth.  Yesterday, Petal was my drug of choice.  I needed (wanted) a dress to wear to several bridal showers and luncheons I have coming up in the next several months. Something light, airy and comfortable to dress up or down. 

Petal delivered, and delivered several other cutie things that my wallet just couldn't afford right now:

Glam Ruffle Down Dress in Teal

(this looks awesome with a wide belt!)

Glam Short Sleeve Tie Back Dress
(Pictures don't do this justice!  Its slinky, shear and silky!)

Cooper By Courtney Short Sleeve Romper

LA Clothing Maxi Dress
Perfect for my upcoming beach vacations!

LA Clothing Vibrant Romper in Navy
With a long gold necklace and espadrilles...yes please

Citizens of Humanity Elson Slim Leg Jean in White

LA Clothing Chiffon Lined Dress in Green

I ended up going with the dress above (LA Clothing Chiffon Lined Dress in Green - pictures don't do this one justice.  The color looks very different and the belt is light brown) and am contemplating going back and getting the Glam Short Sleeve Tie Back Dress for a rehearsal dinner.  The only thing is it is really shear and I would have to find something to wear underneath the entire thing.  Oh well, we will see. 

Who am I kidding though, it probably will end up in my closet! (as well as the vibrant romper. I have plans to go back today!)

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOUTIQUES!

A New Addiction

My weekend included a little bit of this peanut.....

Livi - the purple little people eater

 And then this....

I was talking with Blair's mother-in-law, Barbara, Saturday morning telling her how I HATE to read but always try and pick up a good one to take to the beach with me. (Even though 99% of the time I still don't make it to page 20.)  In several weeks I am headed to Folly Beach with "Charleston's"  family and I told Barbara that this year I thought I might try to read The Help while I am there.  I saw the preview for the movie and thought I might try to be one of those people that reads the book and goes and sees the movie!  I have NEVER done that.  It's so much faster to just see the movie. :)

Well that same afternoon Barbara popped her head in Blair's house and handed me the book.  She had gone to Boarders (to check out the sales since they are closing) and picked up a copy just for me!  I was ecstatic! (Thanks Barb!)  Saturday night, Blair and Sam went to a birthday party so I stayed at home with Livi-belle.  After I put her to bed, I didn't know what to do with myself; I had no one to play with and the TV selection was worse than a Sunday morning. 

So...I picked up the book and started on page 1.  Two hours later I couldn't put it down.  What was wrong with me!  I never get into a book like this!  Since then, that's all I have wanted to do.  I am addicted.  (I read last night instead of catching up on episodes of Say Yes To The Dress if that tells you anything.)  I am more than half way through now and will honestly probably finish it by the end of this week!

What in the heck am I going to read now at the beach?  Any suggestions?!  I am on a roll with this reading thing, give me something good!

One a side note:  I am slightly very proud of myself; this is going to be the first book I have finished in over a year! Maybe I turned over a new "grown up" leaf in my life!

Working for the Weekend

This picture pretty much sums up my week so far:

Busy and Exhausted.  Out of town on the weekend equals catching up with cleaning, laundry, and the grocery store on Monday and Tuesday after a long day of work.  Several other obligations on Wednesday, smashed between work, dinner and sleep has really gotten the best of me.  I am flat out exhausted.  Right now I am really working for the weekend.....all fueled by endless cups of stiff coffee.

A Lake Weekend

This is what I looked at all weekend.....just the right prescription for a long work week. 

Lake Gaston, NC

Please excuse the photo quality, it was so gorgeous and clear outside that I took the picture from inside the screened porch and didn't realize it until just now!

Thank you to Brian and Cristin for having us up to visit! 

I am ready to go back....

"Charleston's" 7 Days of Birthday Surprises

On June 23^rd I decorated one corner of the living room to be the birthday spot.  It was the first day of “7 Days of Birthday Surprises.”  “Charleston” was turning 27, therefore I wanted to celebrate and shower him with 7 surprises!  Get it, turn 27 get 7 surprises? 

Ok anyways…


If you can’t tell already, I LOVE birthdays and I LOVE going all out for them. They are special. I mean look at Jesus’ birthday, how about that celebration huh?! I know none of us compare to Jesus but…the world was never the same once each of us entered it. A birthday is the celebration of life. What is better than life?!

So let’s celebrate!

Day 1:  New Hurley Board Shorts!  If I have the option of 12 different suits, my hunny hunny should have the option between at least 2 shouldn’t he?

Day 2: Running Socks and Earphones

Day 3:  Microwave Omelet Maker – I am always on the hunt for new ways to take breakfast to work because “Charleston” is not one to eat right when he wakes up.

Day 4:  Big Rock Fishing Tournament T-Shirt

Day 5:  Char-Broil Cast Iron Smoker Box I actually got my mom and dad in on the 7 days of surprises and they gave "Charleston" this gift and the next.  (The man loves to grill if you couldn't tell from previous posts!)

Day  6:  BBQ Hooker Four-in-One

Day 7:  The Final Surprise!!! (well...kind-of)

For his final present I got him the Moultrie Game Spy Re-Action Compact Camera.  (Don't ask me, it's a hunting thing.  All I know is that every time we went into the Bass Pro Shops store at Concord Mills we had to stop and look at this thingy.)

So I gave him what was supposed to be his FINAL surprise (the hunting camera) when he got home from work on his birthday but.... I had one more thing up my sleeve......

I had his parents, Rob and Barbara, his sisters, Katherine and Lorene as well as Mason and Melissa, Ryan and Heather, John and Marla, Carter and Laura all waiting at 300 East for a birthday surprise dinner.  I am sneaky like that!

Thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate "Charleston's" birthday.  I hope it is one he will remember forever!  Happy Birthday LN!

The Cozy Coupe

As a kid, there was always that one toy that you didn’t have but one of your friends did. Therefore, you couldn’t WAIT to go to their house to play.

When Blair and I were young some kids up the street from us, Brandon and Ashley, had a cozy coupe; the most awesome car in the world to a six year old! They had an unfinished basement and on rainy days their parents would back their cars out of the garage and let us go round and round on our wheels of choice. The cozy coupe was always an argument so Brandon and Ashley’s mom Karen would bring down her timer from the kitchen and each of us would get several minutes until the bell went off..

Therefore, for Livi’s first birthday, what did I just have to get her?!  A cozy coupe of course!



Everyone got to push Oliva around in her new ride!  First it was Dad's turn...

And then Mom's turn....

And then of course "Charleston's" turn..

I love it when toys stay classic; never losing their original look or feel. Of course they have made some upgrades like the removable floorboard which allows smaller kids like Olivia to keep their feet in the car at all times while they are being pushed. Remember when your feet would hang out the bottom and you could get going fast down a hill like Fred Flintstone; I’m surprised we all still have ankles!



Dinner Was Ready....Without Lifting A Finger

I know I have mentioned it over and over again but I can’t thank God enough for sending me a man that knows how to cook.  Never before did I think it was something I really cared about but after being spoiled by “Charleston” I hope I never have to look back.  I love to cook and always have BUT every girl deserves nights like this every now and then:

I went to the gym, came home and dinner was almost ready and on the table.  I didn’t have to lift a finger or make one decision about the menu.  I didn’t have to grocery shop, cut, chop, clean, etc. etc.  I made us each a water cup!

“Charleston” tried a new recipe for smoked beer can chicken and it was amazing!  He used a new rub which used almost every single spice in the cabinet but it was worth it, crisped to perfection.  He also grilled corn and baked some mini potatoes. 

What more could a girl ask for?....

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Oh yea, how about beautiful flowers from the Farmers Market?!  While I was sleeping in the following Saturday, "Charleston" made a quick run to the grocery and made an extra stop at the Farmers Market to pick me up these beauties!

They were gorgeous and they lived almost an entire week and a half!  It was incredible; I didn't instantly kill them (which is usually the norm in my house).

I count my blessings everyday.  Thanks "Charleston" for being you!

My Niece Is Now An Independent Little Woman!

And on a side note before we get the weekend started....

Look who finally decided to start walking on their own!

Olivia is now totally independent, just in time for Sister and Sam's beach week with Sam's family. She will be all over the place!

(sorry for the poor picture quality)

 and I couldn't resist posting this cute little butt.  One day she will be so mad at me for this but she doesn't have the slightest understanding of how precious she is.  Sister was trying to change her diaper and when she went to grab a new one, Olivia was up and out.  Cartoons were on TV; there was no stopping her!

Need to Be "Knee deep in the water somewhere...."

Oh. My. Goodness.  It has been one of those weeks. 

My hunny hunny turned 27 on Wednesday and we had some of the bestest birthday activities!  I wanted to try something new this year for his birthday so I did a little theme, "7 Days Of Birthday Surprises", since he is turning 27. 

Get it? 

"7 Days of Birthday Surprises" started last Thursday and (obviously) ran until this past Wednesday.  It was so much fun and something I think I might have to adopt as tradition for "Charleston's" birthday!  Details of "7 Days Of Birthday Surprises" to come in a later post along with pictures! 

Wednesday night I also surprised "Charleston" at 300 East with a birthday dinner that included 10 of his closest friends, mom, dad and both sisters.  He was absolutely caught of guard and it was perfect!  I love being sneaky!

And today we are headed to the beach for the holiday weekend with just the two of us!  Whoo hoo! My toes in the sand and a little relaxation!  Can't wait!

Happy Friday Friends!