Thoughts for Thursday: 30th Birthday Wish List

Linking up again with Annie from Home of the Malones and Natalie from East Coast Chic for Thoughts on Thursday!
 
As hard as it is for me to believe, I am turning the big 3-0 {yikes!} in approximately two and a half months. I have just started to actually feel like an adult in the past couple of years and now I have another big milestone looming in front of me! For the most part, I have accepted the fact that I am turning the 3-0. I mean, these days 30 is the new 20, right!? That's what I keep telling myself! Evan and several others have already started asking me what I want for my birthday, so I compiled a little big "wish list" of things I would love to have.

1. David Yurman 14k pearl bracelet - I have actually wanted this for years. It is classic and timeless and will go well with most of my work attire.

2. iRobot® Roomba 630 Vacuum Cleaning Robot - I just recently discovered that these exist AND that there are versions out now that  work really well! I was skeptical whether this robot vacuum could really do as good of a job as me vacumming, but after reading a number of reviews; I am convinced that it can! This will not likely be a birthday present this year, but maybe for Christmas!? One can hope!

3. Longchamp tote- I have a ton of Longchamp bags as they are my favorite bag. I am addicted. I love this color and I especially love the smaller handles. This adds a little bit of variety to my  current Longchamp bag selection.

4. Kate Spade bow jewelry- You can't go wrong with anything Kate Spade in my opinion, but I especially love anything Kate Spade with bows!

5. Jack Rogers beach shoes- Again, I generally stick to many of the same things. I have a number of pairs of Jack Rogers and also have a pair of their platform sandals, the Clare Wedge in Platinum. I love these because they have a heel, but not too much of one.

6. Kate Spade stud earrings- I have these in white and love them.  As mentioned above, can't go wrong with Kate Spade and bows!


 

 

The Best Garlic Bread

I have never claimed to be the best cook, but generally I can follow a recipe pretty well. This is one of the few {very easy} things that I can make without a recipe. People always rave when I make this, so I figured I would share.

 

Ingredients:

loaf of bread {I generally use an Italian loaf, but almost any kind will work}

3-4  cloves of minced garlic

2 tablespoons parsley

1 tablespoon garlic powder

Apprximately 1/2 cup of butter of margerine {I use Smart Balance to be healthier}

 

Directions:  



Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Cut loaf of bread into slices three quarters of the way through {this makes it easier to tear pieces off later}. Spread butter mixture in between bread pieces on one side. Wrap completely in aluminum foil and put bread in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.

 

Feel free to use more or less garlic depending on your preference. My family loves garlic, so we put a lot in our bread.

Enjoy!

4th of July Weekend Recap: Parades and Proposals

What a weekend!  Evan, Bella and I had so much fun celebrating July 4th Weekend in the Northern Neck of Virginia (otherwise known as the NNK) with Evan's side of the family. Per annual tradition, the little town where Evan's grandparents lived, Sharps, has an annual July 4th Parade led by Evan's side of the family. This was the first year that I have been in the parade and it was lots of fun to hold Bella and parade around the main street of Sharps. Unfortunately, since I was in the parade, I failed to get any pictures of us!  Following the parade, we had a big cookout with tons of food as always. I made red, white and blue rice crispie treats and macoroni and cheese.

 

The float almost completed.

 

One of Evan's cousins who just recently finished his first year of law school at Charleston Law, Bradon, prepping the tractor that will pull the wagon float. He's single ladies!

 

Evan playing soccer with Bella. Bella is oddly obsessed with soccer balls and barks every time someone kicks one (this is odd considering that Bella DOES NOT bark basically ever). She always has to be in on the soccer action and is surprisingly good at soccer! It was pretty funny.

Probably the most momentous thing that happened this weekend, was my Mother-In-Law, Jane, got engaged. Everyone (other than Jane) knew that Bill was going to propose on July 4th and he decided to involve the entire family in the process. Grandchildren and children on both sides of the family held a sign that asked Jane to be Bill's wife.  You can see the natural progression of realization on Jane's face in the pictures below as she realizes what is happening. She had no idea that Bill was going to propose on July 4th!!

Of course she said yes.

 

Evan congratulating his Mom on her engagement.

Evan and his somewhat older "twin." It's a running joke in the family that Evan and Uncle Robert are so similar in their manerisms, interests, looks...the list goes on and on...it's uncanny. I joke that if I want to know what Evan will look like in the next 10-20 years, just look at Robert.

 

On Saturday, everyone went down to the rivah for kayaking and swimming at Uncle Mcray and Aunt Francis' house. The weather was perfect; not too hot and sunny! 

 

Views from the rivah.

 

Bella thought about jumping in the water numerous times; but was too scared. She is still not a fan of water unfortunately. 

Hope everyone had a great July 4th Weekend!!

Guest Room Updates

This will the first of (hopefully) many posts regarding room updates in our home. I recently "completed" the smallest of our guest rooms and I wanted to share the results. Completed is probably not the most accurate word to use to describe any room in our home as I am always changing and updating things. I never feel like any of the rooms in our home are perfect, but am always trying to improve them. This drives my husband absolutely crazy!!  Please note: I am not an interior decorator of any kind, but I try my best! 

Materials:

Black and White Duvet Cover and Shams: Ikea

Throw Blanket: Ikea

Yellow Overlay: This was actually a table runner that I use as an accent piece on the bed. Etsy.

Curtains: Etsy {Here}

Curtain Rod: Lowe's {Here}

Yellow Pillows: {I have had these for severak years and cannot remember where i got them, sorry!}

Leaf Emroidered Pillow: Pottery Barn {I do not think they carry it anymore}

Linen Monogrammed Pillow: Pottery Barn

Burlap Lamp Shade: World Market {Here}

Large Mason Jar: Michael's {I painted it with yellow chalk paint}

Hanging Chalkboard: Michael's

Side Table: TJ Maxx {painted with white chalk paint}

Lamp: TJ Maxx {Painted with yellow chalk paint}

Bed: This was part of my bedroom set growing up. Originally the set was a maple color and I painted it white {specifically with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, color Old Ochre} for an updated look.

Yellow Letter: Michael's

Assorted Picture Frames: Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, and World market

 

 

First, we painted the room with Valspar paint in the color, Autumn Fog. I chose yellow as my accent color for the room.

This quote has a lot of meaning to Evan and I, as it was used during our wedding ceremony. It was really simple to use a chalk marker on this small chalkboard to create the look.

These curtains from Etsy were only $23.00 each {I needed two for these windows}. Although they are simple; I thought it was a really inexpensive way to add some color to the room.

As mentioned above, I used a table tunning as a bed accent. I thought it tied well with the curtains since they are the same design.

 

Love these pillows that I believe I found on Etsy and Pottery Barn.

 

As mentioned above, the Duvet Cover and Shams are from Ikea and were relatively inexpensive. I have had these for quite some time and thankfully went with the rest of the decor in this room. I purchased the alternative down comforter at Belk several years ago during a day after Thanksgiving sale.

Voila! Done {for now}!

Thoughts for Thursday: Greeting Cards

Linking up again with the lovely ladies of East Coast Chic and Home of the Malones for Thoughts on Thursday.

A couple thoughts on this Thursday prior to July 4th weekend; specifically regarding greeting cards:

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems to me that the cards these days at most stores are not that great. I feel like half the time I want to apologize to people for the card I get them because I think it is merely subpar. I will generally say to my parents: "sorry that is the best I could find; the card selection stinks this year."  And yes, I am that person that generally reads every card in the category I am looking for before making a card selection.  My goal is always to get a card that knocks that person's sock's off; know what I mean!? Unfortunately given the selection of cards out there, I don't always feel that's possible.  That's where these cards come in.

Emily McDowell Cards

A coworker and friend of mine, had a card on her desk last week and I loved it so much, I asked her where she got it. She directed me to Emily McDowell cards. These cards are not for everyone and may not be perfect for all ocassions, but I like them due to their dry humor!

 

Treat

More card ideas...another coworker and friend of mine mentioned this website called Treat, by Shutterfly, as a great place to create and endless posibility of custom cards. Generally. these cards appear to be more reasonable than most cards you would get at a store. I am definitely doing this for anniversarys and birthdays in the future!

 

How cute is this card?

 

Hope everyone has a great July 4th Weekend!

Bella's First Birthday

Oh Bella... you have changed our lives so much for the better in the past year.  I know you are just our dog, but  to us, you are a very important part of our family and (obviously for all to see) we treat you as such!!

 

Here are some pictures from Bella's First Birthday festivities.  Y'all are probably thinking that maybe I went a bit far with my pawty festivities (as my husband has expressed on numerous occasions), but I promise that all subsequent birthdays will be much more subdued than this year's.  I just had to make a big deal of Bella's first birthday!

 

Bella in her pawty hat. It was actually really easy to make.

 

I saw a picture of a dog with pearls on Pinterest and ever since, have been dying to have an excuse to put some on Bella!
 
 

We got Bella a cake from Yappy Hour Bakery that came with the cutest little bone candle that she actually blew out. In the picture, the icing looks red and green, but it actually was pink and green.

 

Bella loved her cake! We let her lick a good bit of the icing right off the cake!

 

Bella's presents.

 

Bella had a joint birthday pawty with her best dog friend, Piper, who's birthday, coincidentally, is only a day apart from Bella's.

The spread included: dog treats from Yappy Hour Bakery, puppy goodie bags, puppy chow, and pupcakes.

 

Piper and her Mama, Brooke.

 

 Happy First Birthday Bella and Piper!! Hoping for many more birthdays to come!

Thoughts for Thursday:

I am taking a vacation day tomorrow, so I decided to blog today so that I can relax tomorrow without (too much) of a to-do list.

Here are my thoughts for the day:

{ONE} Bella is having her First Birthday Pawty this Saturday and she turns one this Sunday, June 29th! Among other things, I ordered a cake for her first Birthday from Yappy Hour Bakery in Huntersville, NC (located in Birkdale Village).
More to come on her birthday festivities next week.

{TWO}I found this letter at Home South, and thought it was a great additional to the front door for summer. I added a lace burlap bow and voila!

  

{THREE}  Not Just Coffee

 

For those that work in Uptown Charlotte, specifically, near the 7th Street Market, you should check this place out. They are a little pricey (around $4.95 for a latte); however  they are worth it. My favorite is the Vanilla Sugar Latte.

 

 

{FOUR} This cutie. He will hate that I am posting a picture of him on my blog, but I can't help it. I am loving his new bow tie Wednesday traditions. This is the bow tie from our wedding.

 

 I am linking up with Home of the Malones and East Coast Chic today!

 

 

 

 

  Hope everyone has a great weekend!