Is it really November?!

Last night was Halloween. We had ONE trick or treater come to our door. ONE!
I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing? Thankfully, we live in a very quiet neighborhood and all of our surrounding neighbors are older than us (from late 40's to late 80's) and all but one without kids at home. I would have thought that being in an older neighborhood meant that kids loved to trick or treat here to get all the candy, but clearly I was mistaken.
Fortunately, I didn't buy any candy.

Matt and I have been super busy with working on home projects. Almost every day there is something for us to be doing, or at least every weekend. We have finally unpacked every box and I am just now (currently taking a break from) finishing up our last room to put away (the office). There is still much work to be done and the list goes on and on, but we are enjoying the process!!!

A few snippets from life:

Had our 5 year anniversary of being together on October 7th :)

We celebrated with some Starbucks treats after church

I made some killer Bourbon Punch for football Game Day 

4 cans of Ale-8-One (or you can use Ginger Ale)

3 Tbsp of Bourbon (I used Knob Creek)

1 cup of OJ

1 Tbsp of lemon juice

lots of ice & stir to mix

Front Porch pumpkins and mums 

Lowes always has plants on clearance. Got a huge tub of mums (orig. 19.99) for $7!

We had our first successful yard sale

This was actually at the end when we tore it all down to take to Goodwill. 

Sun & Sunflowers around the house

 One thing I love about Trader Joe's is their cheap flowers. Bunch of 6 for $3.99

Hope everyone is having a wonderful fall season. The weather is gorgeous here in Charleston. Except not everyone is enjoying warm, crisp air, sunshine, and hot apple cider...... my prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast. Have y'all seen the reports and photos? Crazy.

Ways to Help:  Trinity Grace East Village    Redeemer   Hope for NY

Amanda & Andy's Wedding Weekend

{beautiful} sunrise flight

As most of you know, I spent a week in Michigan to be together with my high school best friends back in July. We traveled from all over (TX, SC, and WA) to celebrate our friend Amanda's marriage!! We had a lot of fun catching up, laughing, crying, going to our favorite places/haunts, getting mani/pedis, and enjoying the festivities for the wedding weekend!!

Tina & Sam getting their nails done

Our favorite summer stop for a cold treat. I adore their pineapple milkshakes!

(Swirly Top has been around since 1948!!!)

After getting our nails done and having lunch at Applebees, we got all dolled up for the rehearsal. We drove 40 minutes north to Port Huron and arrived at the church early to put on the pew bows (the way Amanda says "pew bows" makes me giggle every time). Everyone was on time in order to rehearse. They only went through the ceremony once (wow!) and then it was time to head for dinner!

Amanda & her dad

The bridal party

Inside St. Joseph's

The Rehearsal Dinner was at Quay Brewery which is located in downtown Port Huron. We had the entire back patio all to ourselves. We ate dinner, bridal party gifts and thanks were given, and we had the groom's cake for dessert (the raspberry wheat beer was really tasty and the food was delicious!! definitely recommend the restaurant).

the happy couple with the groom's cake

nothing has changed in over 10 years

We had a sleepover that night just like old times. It was nice to catch up on life.

In the morning, the bridesmaids left to get their hair done, so Tina and I ventured over to Samantha's parents house. However, I accidentally left my dress at Amanda's and Samantha's wonderful boyfriend Nick saved the day by driving me over there to retrieve it. We all got ready and then headed up to arrive early for photos and to help in whatever way we could. The weather could not have been more beautiful!!!! It was a perfect day :)

Sam's bridesmaid bouquet 

I only got a few shots during the ceremony

the beautiful bride!

After the ceremony, we drove over to the bridge (connects Canada & Michigan) to drop

off the girls for bridal party pictures. We then left to get to the reception at Tina's Country House back in New Baltimore/Chesterfield. It was dimly lit and beautiful with all of the candles and mood lights. They had a buffet dinner and an open bar. There were toasts and lots of dancing. The bouquet toss may have gotten a little out of control :)

gorgeous flowers on the head table & the wedding cake

the guest book

Amanda designed the centerpieces and made the table number stakes & a tasty drink

Hmmmm and I definitely have more evidence

love them

congrats y'all!!!




I was also able to spend time with my friend Jenny from Saturday night til Monday :)
 We were best friends from high school youth group. We have
had many adventures together through the past 11 years.
We were able to reconnect and have some good conversations,
do a little shopping, and have a movie night like old times.

Easter Pretties

{I just realized I never did an Easter post. Wow. Talk about really late!}

This year's Easter was low-key. We went home to be with our family for a short weekend.

I decided not to take our big camera, so I took a few snapshots on my phone instead.

A few days beforehand, Matt and I went to our first ever Messianic Seder meal at our brother & sister in law's church. It was lovely evening to remember Passover.

"to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His grace and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1: 5-6

Wordless Wednesdays {Floral}

                                                                                      Source: youaremyfave.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                         Source: mango-watermelon-love.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                             

                                                             Source: greenlikebathwater.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                              

                                                                                  Source: purlbee.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                                          Source: laylagrayce.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                                                      Source: dandee-designs.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                                            Source: katiedaisyart.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                                                 Source: thedecorista.com via Jamie on Pinterest

                                                                           Source: brandymelvilleusa.com via Megan on Pinterest

                                                            Source: anthropologie.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Remake 4 Christmas Edition {Pinterest}

It's already almost the end of December and I have yet to post about my latest accomplishments!! The entire list is a mix of Christmas ideas/gifts and Pinterest projects, so
here goes:

1. Eggplant***

Eggplant is not an easy vegetable to work with. Ever since having this dish over in East Asia, I've been craving it. I think I finally found a recipe I like.....

*Nothing like the authentic :)

2. Blog Button (with drop box)****

I took Web Design for two electives in high school where I learned basic HTML, but I hardly remember anything I learned! Haha! I've been meaning to make a new Etsy banner for my shop (now accomplished), and thought I'd start out with a blog button first. 

*As long as you follow the instructions, you can do it (there are a lot of steps though)!

3. Fabric Flowers**

These were definitely harder than I thought to make. I switched the directions and did the wrong stitch lengths and had to start over. 

*I liked the flowers better when the length was cut in half.

4. Gift Bag****

What a great way to repurpose wrapping paper! I bent in the center so I could fold it up to store. Later I added handles from a Trader Joe's paper shopping bag.

*Make sure it's pretty heavy duty/thick enough to withstand weight

5. Tinsel & Ornament Wreath****

Such a fun, vintage twist on the usual Christmas wreath!

*I technically didn't really follow a tutorial. I had bought the tinsel wreath last year in the Target One Spot and then hot glued ornaments all around in green, silver, & red!

6. Tile Coasters*****

I purchased 6 basic white tiles at Lowes (16 cents each). Chose coordinating scrapbook papers and cut to size. Use Mod Podge to adhere to tile and then coat with too (I used Matte) and then spray with a sealer (I used Clear Valspar Matte). Hot glue cork to the bottom. Ta-Da! 

*I made these for every single woman in my family. That totals to 8 sets of coasters!! 

7. Puppy Chow**

My mom has a peanut allergy, so we never made puppy chow in our lineup of Christmas cookies. We decided to make some last night and split it up into 8 sandwich bags to give/portion control

*Didn't do the hazelnut step in this recipe and mixed Nutella with some Peanut Butter

[As always: the Pin & the Board]

#1 from Good Eats

#2 from Creations

#3 from Celebrating in Style

#4 from Gift Wrap

#5 from Christmas Cheer

#6 from Inspiration

#7 from Sweet Tooth

Hope everyone has a merry Christmas Eve!!! :)
and a wonderful holiday season!