Katie & Cory's Wedding

We had a great time at Katie and Cory's wedding this past weekend. Cory is a fellow KA brother and one of Evan's our good friends from college. Katie and Cory's wedding ceremony was held at St. Francis of Assisi and the reception was at the Umstead Resort and Spa in Cary, NC. The Umstead Resort and Spa is AMAZING; but I was not really surprised given we are talking about a five star resort here. We were thoroughly spoiled at this wedding!  Here are some highlights from our Saturday afternoon/evening.

We asked the concierge to take a quick couple of shots of Evan and I prior to heading to the wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, this was the only one that was not blurry! Thankful we at least got one decent (could be better) picture in!

I thought the pink straws were a cute touch for cocktails, so I had to get a picture of them. The drinks were definitely flowing at this wedding (not complaining)! 

 

The centerpieces were beautiful. Loved the choice of pink, green and white.
 

The food....delicious. Above was mine.

This was Evan's.

Cory had a "cheese" groom's cake as he loves cheese (a lot).

Bride and groom sharing their first dance!

Congrats to the happy couple! We are very much looking forward to spending more time with them once they are back from their honeymoon! 

Five on Friday

Hope everyone had a good week!  It has been a busy week and I finally had a moment this morning to throw my five together!!

{ONE} Katie and Cory's Wedding this weekend

One of Evan's good friends from Randolph-Macon College (our alma mater) is getting married this weekend in Raleigh. I love weddings in general, but I especially love going to R-MC weddings because it is always one big party with all of our college buddies (R-MC is a small school, so you basically know everyone if you went there). I am looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces!
 

{TWO} Our first session with Bella's new Trainer

Our first session yesterday went really well and I am looking forward to fine tuning the already pretty good manners Bella has. We began tackling one of Bella's biggest problem's last night, pulling on the leash when we walk her. The technique that our trainer uses is to quickly change direction every time our dog pulls on the leash. So far this seems to be helping and our trainer advised us that it may take up to one week of using this technique to stop the pulling, the key is to be consistent and relentless. Our trainer also advised that any sort of choking leash (we had been using a British-Style Slip Lead) can undo any sort of training progress we have made with Bella. I wouldn't have thought that! We were also advised that the use of any sort of retractable leashes can be dangerous (if they malfunction). Here is the scary example our trainer gave:  a car is whizzing by and the retractable leash you are using breaks and doggy runs out into the road and is hit by a car...scary, right!? Maybe I am being a bit dramatic, but according to our trainer this happens more often than one would think! Yikes, bye bye slip leads and retractable leashes! We were given orders to work with Bella at least twice daily (ideally three times) on everything we learned this week. Hope we can find the time to get the work in!  All in all, very good information.  I will keep y'all updated on Bella's progress.

 This picture was actually taken in Sharps, VA Easter weekend, but I forgot to post it.

{THREE} Wine is now on tap at our favorite local watering hole, Crafty Beer Guys

 

{FOUR} Dog Supplies in Huntersville, NC

This is where we get Bella's food and basically all of her treats, toys, etc. They have discounted prices and they have a huge selection of the best quality food, treats, and toys. Also, if you pay with cash, you get an extra ten percent off of your purchases. You can find their website with their location and hours here.  

 

{FIVE} The Kong Large Squeezz Stick Dog Toy

Sorry for the fuzzy picture; Evan took this picture this morning and Bella would not stop moving her head! We love Kong products in general, because it's one of the few products Bella cannot demolish in two minutes. This one not only squeeks, but is hollow in the middle, so you can stuff peanut butter, treats, etc. in it.  You can find this toy on Amazon here.

 

HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!

 

 

Easter 2014 Recap

Happy Monday! As mentioned on Friday, Evan, Bella and I ventured up to the NNK  for the weekend. Here is a recap of our 2014 Easter Weekend:

 

Bella went to the groomers this past Friday and unfortunately she had to be clipped a good bit more than normal due to some minor matting of her hair. Evan and I have promised to be better about brushing her daily so that we can keep her hair longer!

 Bella had the best time out of any of us: she had three other dog friends to play with all weekend, was retriever of footballs, baseballs, softballs, and had free reign over all of Sharps, VA.  Because Sharps is so rural we can allow the dogs to just roam outside with little worry of them being hit by cars or getting into too much trouble.

 

Okay, maybe a little ridiculous, but you have to remember I don't have a little girl yet (one can hope), so for now Bella has to deal with the bows and frills. Thankfully, she does not seem to mind too much!

Bella in her little bunny ears on Easter morning.

 

Bella's Easter basket.

 

The "loot" in Bella's Easter basket. She is a bit spoiled!

 

 

A few shots prior to the family reuniuon on Saturday.

Saturday morning consisted in some minor landscaping before the family reunion. Go-carts are helpful in moving mulch apparently.

 

Evan and his nephew, Hudson. He is adorable!!

 

 

Easter Sunday after church in front on Walther and Martha's house. There were a ton of people, but these are shots of our immediate family.

 Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!

Five on Friday:

{ONE} Bourbon and Bowties

I have known about these lovely bangles for quite some time, but have been lazy about actually making it to one of the boutiques in Charlotte that carries them or trying to find them online. I finally searched today and was excited to find a store that carried them online and quickly ordered one. Unfortunately a lot of the more neutral ones I was looking for are currently sold out, but I am going to keep checking back. So excited! You can purchase them online here.

{TWO} Kayce Hughes Jordan Dress

I am thinking about possibly wearing this dress for professional pictures that Evan, Bella and I are finally getting in several weeks. Thoughts!? You can find it here.



{THREE}  Bow Tie Thursdays

Evan has decided (randomly) to dub Thursdays "Bow Tie Thursdays." Did I mention I love this look on Evan and I wish that he would wear bow ties more often (hint hint)!? This beauty is from Brooke and Michael's wedding last spring (purchased from High Cotton).  You can also find Brooke's Blog here.  

{FOUR} Our first game in the new Knight's Stadium  

We had a blast and can't wait to go again! 

 

{FIVE} Fidler Family Reunion

I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone on Evan's side of the family for an Easter weekend

get-together with lots of food, beer, and corn hole!  Also, as silly as this may sound, I am excited to have an event for Bella to wear her Easter "outfit," even if it will only be for twenty minutes or so (depending on how long she will let me keep it on her). Bella loves going up to Virginia because she gets to play with several other doggy friends of hers (namely a Red Bone Coon Hound named Bessie and a Black Lab named Sui (pronounced Soo-ee)!

Happy Easter Weekend!  



 

Easter Bird's Nests

 

This weekend, we are heading up to Virginia for a Family Reunion on Evan's side of the family. With it being Easter, I thought I would whip up something cute for the kiddos (and adults).  I found these on Pinterest (courtesy of With a Grateful Prayer and Thankful Heart Blog) and I had to share my variation on these. I used pretzel sticks instead of chow mein noodles, but either could be used.  I also added more marshmallows and butter than the original recipe called for as I like them extra marshmallowy (I don't think that is a word)!  They are super easy and took less than 1.5 hours to make from start to finish! 

 

These were made with pretzel sticks (the one's I made).

These were made with chow mein noodles and picture is courtesy of With a Greatful Prayer and Thankful Heart Blog.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups Mini Marshmallows

1/2 cup Butter
4 cups of Pretzel Sticks (snapped in three pieces or so)
Jelly Beans, M&M's or Robin's Eggs to fill Nests (I used Cadbury Mini Eggs)

 

 

 

 

Directions:

Spray muffin pan with PAM (for Baking ideally).

In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Add marshmallows, stir and microwave 45 seconds on full power. Stir; microwave an additional 45 seconds. Stir; add pretzel sticks. Stir until coated with marshmallow/butter mixture.

Spray a little PAM on your hands. Spoon the coated pretzel sticks in each cup, then use your hands to form it into little nests.

Put the pan in freezer for an hour or so.

Pop each nest out using a fork.

Place on a lightly buttered serving plate or a plate lined with parchment paper or wax paper so nests won't stick.
Fill with candy and enjoy!

 

Weekend Recap: Atlanta

We spent the weekend in Atlanta primarily for the Braves game Saturday night. The game itself was great, but before....have you ever had one of those days that regardless of how organized and how hard you try, you just continually run in to bad luck at every turn?

Yeah... we had one of those days...we spent two to three hours driving around Atlanta/Buckhead trying to find various  unique stores that I was excited to check out...nothing! Ugh!  We could not seem to find anything anywhere; it was like all the stores were hidden. Evan and I were both very frustrated! We went to Lenox Mall and even there...traffic and the parking was crazy! Apparently valet parking at Lenox Mall is the way to go, duly noted for future! We just couldn't catch a break! The chaos in Atlanta made me so thankful that we live in Charlotte...I mean jeez!!  Thankfully on Sunday we were able to make up for the lack of shopping on Saturday by hitting up the Outlet Shoppes At Atlanta! They have a C Wonder Outlet and I got some great deals on jewelry!

All in all, we had a great time.



Mary Mac's Tea Room for lunch for some no frills Southern cooking.

 

Sampling the beer selection at Gordon Biersch Brewery.  I enjoyed them as they were all pilsners and pale ales.



Us at the game.

View from our great seats.



Randomly, on our way back to our hotel, we ran into the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile!  We could not pass up the opportunity to snap a picture!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Five On Friday: All Things Bella

Happy Friday! It wasn't planned, but it appears for the most part, that this week's five is focused primarily on our dog, Bella.

{ONE} Bella's Easter "Outfit" from Old Navy
 

It was only $5 and it has the cutest little bunny tail and ears! It is on clearance and only in the stores.

 

They also had this pink and white striped polo as well (also on clearance). I couldn't resist buying it.

 

 

 

{TWO} Girl's Best Friend Tee by Lauren James 

 

 I absolutely had to have this t-shirt when I saw it! You can find the T Shirt here.  Lauren James has a whole assortment of adorable T Shirts (plus: they all have pockets).

 

  

{Three} Bella's New Dog Trainer  

Although Bella generally is a dog owner's dream (even at 9 months), she has a couple problem areas that we would like to work on, namely: not pulling while walking on the leash and staying by my side when she is not allowed to play with other dogs (all problems while she is on the leash oddly enough).  We are very much looking forward to working with Bella's new trainer, Ruth Wenzel, who lives in Huntersville and is an ABC Certified trainer!  We chose to do six one hour private sessions and Ruth will come to our house (or another location since most of Bella's issues pertain to being in very public places).  We start in two weeks...can't wait!  You can find her website here.

 

 

{Four} Bella's New Dog Bed

 I got this one from Joss and Main and I am very pleased with it.  It goes very well with our family room decor and most importantly, it's machine washable! Although this particular dog bed is not currently available, they routinely have a pet "event" where you can find similar pet beds.

 

  

 

 

  

 

{Five} Our Trip to Atlanta This Weekend

 Somewhat last minute, but Evan got great tickets to a Brave's game (11 rows back from home plate)  this Saturday and so I quickly booked a hotel room in Buckhead for the night. I have a surprise for Evan (potentially a wardrobe item) that I ordered this week for the game! I am looking forward to some good meals and quality time with the hubby!

 

  

 

 

 

HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL!!