Weddings 2014

Gosh I was thinking on my way to work the other day how calm things have been this year wedding-wise. 

We've been to one so far but then I thought about all of the weddings in the Fall we have been invited to attend.  We have two on one weekend at the end of September...both work with Kevin...and they're two hours apart (one in Greenville, SC and the other here in Charlotte).  This won't be our first double wedding day...we went to two weddings in one day the weekend before getting engaged in 2011.  We have one two weeks later for a gal I work with.  Then the following weekend for a friend of Kevin's.  That's four weddings in four weekends!  The last one is in December for friends of mine down in Charleston.  

These five weddings we have at the end of this year - none of the couples were invited to ours.  Some days I wish I could go back and change some things about our wedding, mainly adding more people but we did what we felt was right at the time.  I can't regret that now.  It was the right decision.

I love going to weddings.  I'd love to go back and count how many Kevin and I have attended in our 5.5 years together...bet we average about 6-10 a year, sometimes more.  And I went to a lot right after school...there was one year (2006) I had 10 weddings and was in 4 of them.  THAT was a crazy Spring and Summer...bachelorette parties, bridal showers etc. and a lot of travel for all of those fun events!

Tell me about your wedding escapades!

  

Cowboy Boots

Who wears cowboy boots around here?  Anyone?

I think I've told you all how I can't wear those cute brown flat boots you all wear with your skinny jeans tucked into them.  My legs are too big.  But I will wear some cowboy boots with my straight jeans over them.  Or I wear my Lilly Travel Pants tucked into them.

I wear the boots year round.  I know that's crazy but I wear them for my construction site visits for work.  Who in their right mind wears $380 boots to get muddy?  Yeah I'm not sure why I do either.  I honestly don't know what else to wear!

These are my favorite ones and I currently have them.  I bought them in 2009 right after my bf at the time and I broke up.  Did any of yall do that?  All my college girls - we'd all buy something after a relationship ended.  Every time before these, it was a Longchamp bag.  This time - the real deal - boots!  They were evidently good luck because Kevin and I finally started dating right after this.  

My boots before this pair were too brown.  This time I was sure to get Tan so I could wear them with brown and black.

And five years later, my boots are just getting started.  I have had them resoled one time.  They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.  I call them Airport Shoes which means they're the best for a lot of walking.

They'll probably last me a few more years at least.  I am thinking a total of 10 years would be good.  Makes the price not as terrible.  

Getcha some boots, friends!

Austin visits Charlotte

Kevin's Aunt and Uncle (now my Aunt and Uncle too!) were in Charlotte last Wednesday and we got together for dinner at Kevin's parent's club.  He is Kevin's, Mom's, brother!  See some resemblance.  

 They just bought a home in the mountains to vacation in and escape the Austin heat!

I didn't deserve to be in public that night...I looked horrendous.  But family is family and they don't care.

We were thankful for the opportunity for us all to get together!

Simple Weekend

We had a simple little weekend.  

Friday night - fish camp with Kevin's parents.

Saturday - working in the yard.  I made this lil flower bed and spread mulch in the back yard.  Kevin cut the grass and trimmed all of the backyard bushes...next yard project - trim those massive hollys in the front yard.  This will happen one night this week.  

Well deserved.  We worked hard and it was HOT!  Kevin's buddy Mark came over and we all hung out. 

Then we took Uber to the plaza midwood area to see Brad and Shauna and hang out on their porch.  They have a 3D TV so now of course Kevin wants one!  PS - click here for Shauna's blog....it's one you'll want to follow and bookmark.  She posts the best recipes and lots of other things.  She's a real life blogger as I like to call them!  And she actually blogs every week!

Sunday - another trip to Lowes, more mulch, more yard work.  We actually do enjoy yardwork even if it doesn't sound like we do!  

5pm - FlyWheel/FlyBarre sign ups for the week.  Hot commodity!

This morning - a sleepy lil boy!  He played all weekend long!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Goodies

I finally got most of my orders from Nordstrom.  Here are some of the things I love!

Philosophy Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel all in one!  This is truly a steal of a deal and I don't buy this unless I get it at this sale.

Same with this.  I love this scent -- it's soft, calming and lasts all day!  These are also pretty bottles to have in your guest bathroom!

I love Zella workout clothes and have a million pairs of pants and capris, but I didn't have any navy leggings so I got these for the winter mornings of trotting in the dark!  They're so reasonable and hold up well.

I got this Zella headband in black when it was $5.90 but it's sold out and now they are featuring this color.  Honest review - I used it this morning and it wouldn't stay in place like my Sweaty Bands do.  

And lastly, I got the NARS Cheek Palette for $49, usually $73.  I haven't tried this yet but I know I love the bottom left blush...that's my favorite ever so I knew I could justify this purchase.

Heck, I can justify all of the purchases one way or another.  Poor Kevin, ha!  I did get a few other things but I took them back or they are Christmas gifts for people who read my blog.  

What did you guys get?!

Cheers, it's Friday!

Wishing Away

I never like to wish seasons away but for some odd reason, I'm really looking forward to cooler evenings, less humid mornings and football season!  On February 13th this year, I really liked the snow.  In the Spring, I really liked the excitement of the farmers market opening and peonies.  Summer brought sundresses and cookouta.  Now I'm ready for pumpkins and that crisp fall air.

Progress

Thank you for all of your comments on yesterday's post. Nice to know most of us are in the same boat!

I've been obsessed with Flywheel lately. My friend Tara got me hooked and I like telling everyone I know about it now.  Anyone do Flywheel or any other stadium cycling?  I like burning a lot of calories in 45 minutes. Running doesn't burn this much this quickly.  

Each class I try to get better. Effort is measured by the Total Power number.  One of my favorite parts of Flywheel are the statistics you get on your app the second you leave the class.  I also like that the room is dark so no one can see you panting ha!  

Highly recommend trying a class if you have it in your city!  If you're in Charlotte shoot me an email and let's go together!

Anti-Social

I'm becoming anti-social.  I love seeing people and Kevin always says I recharge by being with people.  He recharges by being by himself.  

Lately, I don't want to do anything.  Maybe I'm plain tired of plans.  Maybe I'm tired of being on the go so much.  Maybe I'm tired of traveling.  Maybe I'm over having too many commitments.  I just want to do what we want to do.  I don't want to be kinded into doing stuff.  I don't want to do stuff because I feel like I have to do it.  I just want to be!

Kevin thinks it's funny because I'm becoming more like him.  At least for the time being.  We just go nuts all week at work and it's the last thing we want to do is run run run all weekend.  This past one was perfect...a few things going on, nothing major.  I liked it. 

I'm probably just in a phase.  

Who is going through this right now?  

Lindsay's Baby Shower

This past weekend was a nice one!  Lindsay's college girls from Carolina were so kind to include me in her baby shower.  Lindsay is one of my oldest friends...we grew up across the street from each other!  She just moved to Boston from Philadelphia so her husband can do his residency at Harvard.

The girls from college call themselves the "Hey Girl Hey" girls so they made the cutest banner that said, "Hey Boy Hey" since she's having a boy.

We had to tell her to turn to the side because from the front and back she doesn't look pregnant!

Diana, Valerie, Cat, Lindsay, Diana, Sarah, Amy.  The nicest gals.  I'm so glad Lindsay has them in her life!

The end of September will be here so soon and we can't wait for that baby to be here!

On Sunday, Kevin and I decided to do a bunch of stuff around the house like swapping rugs out and cleaning out some junk.  We need a rug for this room that doesn't clash with the oriental rug in the living room (they're right next to each other) ...but it still needs to be dressy enough for a formal dining room.  I just ordered one from online so we'll see how that works!

I made dinner for Kevin's cousin's family who just had baby Seth in April while we were in China.  It was wonderful to finally meet this cutie!  He was so good.  We all went to dinner at Hickory Tavern and caught up.  It's nice having family in town that are our age.  She and I both married into the family and we are really similar...so it's almost like an instant friend that's also family.

Lauren's Birthday and Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Last night Emily, Kim, Lauren and I all went over to Tara's new condo to celebrate Lauren's birthday!

And today, I'll be doing this!  Before 7am I had already made two purchases.  Since it's free shipping, I don't feel badly about numerous orders.  I've already gotten my favorite Philosophy lotion and shower gel.  In my cart right now are some Zella workout clothes.  We shall see!

Happy Friday!

Pillows

Been playing with new pillows.

Too perfect.

Boring.

Much better.

The big ivory pillow is too wintery.

Still a work in progress.

No Bake and One Dish Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

I got permission from my Mother-In-Law to share the easiest cookie recipe ever.  Note: I cannot bake worth a hoot but I can make these.  Kevin says they aren't as good as when his Mama makes them.  At least he's honest haha!

Ingredients:

 - 2 cups sugar (I've tried Splenda and they aren't as good)

 - 1/3 cup cocoa

 - 1/4 cup butter

 - 1/2 cup milk

 - 1 tsp. vanilla extract

 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

 - 3 cups of uncooked oats (do not get the quick oats)

Directions:
Mix sugar, cocoa, butter and milk on stovetop.
Bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut butter and oats.
Mix and spoon onto wax paper to cool.  
Let them cool and harden prior to transferring into container to store (takes about 15 minutes).

Yes, one dish to clean after these cookies are made.  Can't get easier than that!

Weekend

Here's our weekend in pics. 

Rental house duties.  

Helping me do laundry. 

Pottery Barn class with Lisa. 

Trying to pick a bedroom wall color. 

Mills' new sleeping space on my side of the bed!

Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Amelia Island, Florida

I've been a lil blog slacker this week but I have a good excuse.

We've been in Amelia Island, Florida for a work trip of Kevin's!  We went two years ago and were fortunate to go back this year.  This was actually a really difficult trip for them to win and Kevin even won the extra night so we were there Monday through Thursday. 

The Ritz is always to perfection.  This is honestly one of my very favorite trips that they send their agents on.  It's just easy and relaxed.  Truly a vacation.  Not a trip.  There's a difference for sure!  Both have pros and cons!

The first night we had dinner at Brett's Waterway Cafe with Kevin's parents (they came too) and our friends Brad and Yvette.  The grouper...SO good.

Brett's has the best sunset views.

Later that night we met up with some friends at the hotel bar.  We went outside and found a lil fire pit thing with smores to roast.  Then things got rowdy as we all went for a dip in the ocean at 12:30am. 

Tuesday consisted of pool, beach, beach, pool. Repeat.  This was after an amazing brunch at the Ritz Cafe.  SO good.

That evening we saw this from our room balcony.  They were setting up for the event that night.

We had a lil pre party at a room of our friend's.

At the event - oysters and shrimp for days.  I think I ate two dozen oysters, at least.  No joke.

And they had a lot of other food stations too. 

Then they did a private fireworks show for us.  They were amazing!

A highlight of our trip was meeting Ally and Theo!  April connected us on Instagram (I'm always late to the Instagram party) and I discovered that Ally and I had talked through our blogs numerous times.  Thank you April for making the connection so we could hang out!

On Wednesday, we hung at the beach with Ally and Theo all day then watched some World Cup that evening before we took a car downtown for dinner.

We ate at the Salty Pelican on their rooftop bar.

Then we all walked over to the Greene Turtle for beverages (not the MD Greene Turtle).

We headed back to Charlotte with Kevin's parents on Thursday morning after a fabulous trip!

Now...the weekend to recover and catch up on life.  Today is my first day back in Charlotte in a week because I was in Baltimore over the weekend before we went to Florida.  

Laundry! Mills! Rental properties to deal with! Working out!  Yard Work!