Friday Five. {Playing Catch Up}

Good morning! I noticed that I haven't posted about what's been going on in my life lately, so this Friday Five will be about focused on just that. 

Let's go.

{one}

We changed up Thanksgiving a little bit this year. Usually we drive out to the country to hang with Cameron's extended family, scarf down some food, then high tail it to Summerville to eat another meal with my family. This year, we drove to Summerville about 2 hours before we actually ate so we could spend some quality time with my family, rather than being rushed. 

{two}

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Brady turned 9! I posted this picture to Instagram and I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry right after. I just don't want my baby to get any older!! 

{three}

The same day that Brady turned 9, the Gamecocks ended their five game winning streak against the Tigers. I decided to watch the game with all Gamecock fans, so I made Cameron snap this selfie with me before we parted ways. Oh well, there's always next year, right?!?

{four}

This year we hit up Michael's the day after Thanksgiving because all of their trees were 50% off. We've mentioned the past year or two that we need a tree for all of our miscellaneous ornaments. Our big Christmas tree is filled with gold and white ornaments so the misfits always got hidden in the back. Now they have their own tree to shine one and I love it! Those are the ornaments with the most meaning to them. 

{five}

Tonight is our 2nd Annual Tacky Sweater Christmas Party and it just so happens that today is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! Last year's party was hilariously awesome and I can't wait for tonight! 

Have a great weekend!

Ultimate Comfort Meal - Spaghetti + Meatballs.

If you're ever looking to put a little extra love in to your spaghetti, how about making your own marinara and meatballs?? It will be so worth it!

How to make your own marinara sauce -

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, peeled

1 TBSP Tuttorosso tomato paste

1 (35 ounce) Tuttorosso peeled plum Italian style tomatoes

1/4 tsp sugar

5 whole basil leaves

salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in skillet, add garlic and cook over medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring for one minute.

Add the plum tomatoes, sugar, and basil. Stir to combine and then add salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened and reduced, about 30 minutes. Season again with salt and pepper. Discard basil and garlic.

Serve over your favorite spaghetti noodles (our favorite is Dreamfields, a lower carb pasta) with these yummy turkey meatballs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top! 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Special thanks to Tuttorosso for providing me with some of the yummy ingredients for this recipe!

Minted :: Not Just Cards Anymore.

Minted is known for their high-quality, super stylish invitations and stationery, but did you know that they also carry gorgeous (not to mention affordable) art? I purchased two pieces last year and was super impressed. They also offer 10 different types of frames for your art, at an additional fee. 

By using this link, you will receive $25 off your first order of $50 or more! You can use the credit on your Christmas cards (check our their new envelope addressing service), art, personalized notebooks, and the list goes on! 

Below are just a few examples of the lovely art that they offer:

Waiting

Golden Gait

Morning Blooms / Artist is from South Carolina!

Falling Petals

Oyster Blues / Artist from Mt. Pleasant, SC!

Blue Ginko

This post was not sponsored, I just love Minted a lot. It does, however, contain affiliate links. 

Linking Up: Gifts Under $100

Back again this morning for the final Favorite Things link up with April, Zelle, Elise, and Katie. Today we're sharing our gift picks that all come in under $100! The items that I have picked I would be confident in giving, knowing that the recipient would love! I also wouldn't mind receiving any of them. :)

West Elm Glass Shadow Boxes

J. Crew Linen Drop-Shoulder Swing Sweater

Pottery Barn Faux Fur Throw

Minted Art

SPARQ Slate State Cheeseplate

West Elm Stemless Champagne Flutes (Set of 4)

Cyber Monday Sales!

Baublebar - 20% off with code CYBER20

Minted - 25% off of Art & Gifts with code 25CM

J. Crew - Free Shipping, 30% off full price items, extra 40% off sale items with code MONDAY

J. Crew Factory - Entire website is 50% off, plus get an extra 10% off and free shipping with code YOUVEGOTSALE

West Elm - Up to 25% off and free shipping with code SUPERDUPERSALE

World Market - 20% off with code SUPERCYBER

Gilt - 30% off with code CYBER30 and free shipping with code GOLDSTANDARD

Tervis - 20% off and free shipping with code CYBER

Tory Burch - Spend $300, receive 20% off - spend $500, receive 25% off - spend $750, receive 30% off - with code LUCKY

Kate Spade - 30% off with code CYBER30

Gap, Banana Republic, & Old Navy - 40% off with code CYBER

Anthropologie - Free shipping on all orders + 20% off of sale items with code EXTRAJOLLY

Tuckernuck - 15% off entire site with code SHOP15, 20% off purchase of $150 with code SHOP20, 25% off purchase of $500 with code SHOP25, 30% off purchase of $1000 with code SHOP30

Asos - 30% off with code ILOVEMONDAYS

Target - Extra 10% off home items, which are already reduced, with code CYBER10

But first! Don't forget to go through Ebates first to earn that cash back! 

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and some restrictions apply.

Weekend Catch Up.

This weekend was a pretty low key one, which I'm always ok with, especially right before the holidays where everything is go, go, go! 

Friday night, we had a girls night at Caroline's house and her co-worker did an Arbonne spa night for us. I was actually really impressed with their products and liked the fact that we got to try so many of them. Their products are pricier than what I would normally pay, but after learning what parabens really are and the fact that I turn 31 next month, it may be time to step up my skin care game. Have you tried Arbonne products before? Did you like them? 

Saturday just consisted of running errands, eating lunch at Five Loaves (yum), watching football, and grabbing a casual dinner at Outback. 

Sunday morning, a couple of family members on Cameron's side and I hosted a baby shower brunch for my sister-in-law, Nancy. She is due in January with our third niece (first baby for her, other sister in law has two girls) and we could not be more excited! It rained non-stop all day, but I think everyone still had a great time. There was some really yummy food and Nancy got some great, thoughtful gifts. 

Sunday afternoon we held our 2nd annual Friendsgiving at Kate's parent's house on Little Oak Island (almost to Folly Beach). There was everything from oysters, to fried turkey, to all of your go-to Thanksgiving sides and desserts. Could not wait to put my stretchy pants on when I got home. Friendsgiving is becoming more and more special with the addition of each little one. :)

Awesome view

This guy melts my heart

Group pic (yes, we all wore plaid on purpose)

Linking Up: Stocking Stuffers.

Morning! Back again to link up with April, Zelle, Elise, and Katie for their Favorite Things Link Up and today we're sharing our stocking stuffer picks! All I do now is Cameron's stocking, which can sometimes be boring because all he wants are practical things, so this was fun to do a girly version of things us girls want but not necessarily need. 

My favorite item on this list is the Bittermilk cocktail mix. They are based out of Charleston and I learned about them a couple of months ago because my co-worker's husband works for the company. There are six different flavors..the 6th being just released last week at Sean Brock's newest restaurant in Charleston, Minero. 

one - bittermilk cocktail mixer
two - tassel keychain
three - sugar giftset
four - hanky panky underwear
five - capri blue candle
six - sugar paper monthly calendar