What To Do Now....

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It’s been a really “weird” week. While I should be getting into total freak out mode because I get married in 11 days, I am rather calm. I have actually been thinking more about what-in-the-world I am going to do AFTER the wedding. I am constantly going over in my head to-do’s and schedules. What am I going to focus on when, in a single day, this year long hoop-la will be over?!

I considered signing up for some sort of race; rather it be a half marathon or full marathon but I really want to get involved in the Charlotte community and do something not for myself. I wish I was loaded and rich and could give tons of money to local charities but I feel the best I have to give right now is my TIME.

I want to find a solid and consistent volunteer opportunity here. In college, through my sorority, ADPi, I used to visit the Ronald McDonald house in Durham. We would make meals and do crafts with the kids and families that were staying at the home. The Ronald McDonald house here in Charlotte is awesome and I thought about checking out opportunities with them. I would love to establish myself somewhere in hopes of one day being on their board or committee groups and really making a difference.

I also thought about checking into Levine Children’s hospital because I have this draw to support kids that do NOT deserve to be battling cancer. (I guess that also kind of fits hand-in-hand with the Ronald McDonald House).

Overall I just wanted to throw it out there to see if anyone else had any other suggestions for wonderful opportunities to get involved in the Charlotte community! Let me know!

Also, wanted to share with you a little sneak peek of my card from my Valentine this year. He is just too cute. He even took the time to paste on an “addition” to make this card politically correct:

House Remodel

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No no, don't get too excited.  "Charleston" and I are NOT remodeling our house.  With our wedding in 19 days (holy moly!!!) we definitely do not have the time, spare cash or the appropriate stress level to accommodate the start of a remodel at this time!  We were just saying this morning how we can't wait to start saving again, starting with our tax refunds, so that we can do something fun to our house this year... but...for now, I will just live vicariously through these guys.....

I found this remodel through a design blog that I read regularly.  It has to be one of the cutest little houses I have seen go from zero to hero.
Check it out!!!!

Outside Before:

Outside After:

So stinking cute!

If you think that's good, check out the inside here:  Farmhouse Remodel

This little gem has so much character now!!!

He's A Keeper

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I was going through my file box the other day as I was getting my tax papers together and ran across my "personal" file.  Over the years I have dropped all kinds of cards, invitations etc that I just wanted to hold onto for a little longer.

I found this card that "Charleston" gave me on our one year anniversary.

I knew all along this man was a keeper.  Melt my heart. 

"One year ago today you came into my life and every moment since then has been filled with happiness and joy.  You are the most beautiful, amazing woman that I have ever met and these are not words to describe how much you mean to me.  I love you more and more everyday and I know that the number of our anniversaries will only be limited by the length of our lives." ~ "Charleston"

The Man Cooks

Saturday night we had a plan to meet some friends at Selwyn Pub for a couple drinks.  "Charleston" wanted to cook a quick dinner before going and I have learned, if the man wants to make dinner....don't turn down the offer.  Grab a glass of wine, sit back and just enjoy!

He started the meal by marinading two pork tenderloins all afternoon. 

He then butterflied them and stuffed each with sundried tomatoes, small cubes of goat cheese, basil spread, and fresh garlic.

Once stuffed, they were tied with string to keep the deliciousness inside. 

He then placed them on our charcoal grill, seared once on each side and then moved off the direct coal to slowly cook.

I decided to pitch in and make some veggie skewers to grill as our side dish.

Onion, Mushroom, Red Pepper and Green Pepper 

Successful little meal!  I prefer to eat dinner at home any night over going out!!!

LOVE THIS MAN!!!

"I Like The Way You Work It"

Meet my Aunt - 

Lori Higgins Rohs

No other word describe her but fabulous.  She is an amazing intelligent woman, incredible mother of three, and as you can see absolutely beautiful.

(Her ONLY downfall....she's a UNC Tarheel, but we forgive her)

I was so thankful that she came with us on my bachelorette weekend in Atlanta.  The experience would not have been the same without her!

We had an absolute blast!

Me, Aunt Lori, Sister Blair

(personal portraits in a dark cab with a flash never work out that well! ha ha)

Aunt Lori went to dinner with us Friday night at Ecco and then to Whiskey Park to sip cocktails and dance the night away!

and that's exactly what we did....

"Shorty get down, Good Lord

Baby got 'em open all over town" 

"Gettin paid is her forte

Each and every day true player way

I can't get her outta my mind

I think about the girl all the time" 

"East side to the west side

Push your fat rides it's no surprise

She got tricks in the stash

Stacking up the cash

Fast when it comes to the gas" 

"I like the way you work it (no diggity)

I got to bag it up"

"Hey yo hey yo hey yo hey yo

Hey yo hey yo hey yo" 

And that was just PART of night one! 

I love you Aunt Lori and thank you for being there and making my weekend so special!

(photo credit given to Ms. Sara Ted Boehm)

More pictures to come of the rest of the weekend with my fabulous G/F's!

Shop Attack For The House

I shop attacked again for our house.

This time it was for a rug to go in our middle floor living room.

I have been drooling over this little gem for quite some time and on Monday, Ballard Designs had a 15% off site wide coupon. I had to jump on it!

The only downfall:  This rug was considered a "special order" therefore it says it will not ship until April.  Bummer

But again.... sticking to my rule that "I am going to fill our house with stuff I LOVE and want to keep for years" so....if I have to wait a couple months to get it.  So be it!

Ballard Designs Sarafina Rug: