Work Visitors.

After yesterday's post, I got called outside to the pool because there was a slithering visitor. Not the first time a snake has been spotted at the pool so I made sure no one was near it and was about to go back inside to call security so that they could relocate it.

Right as I was walking towards the steps to go inside, someone said, "look! There's a fox!" Now that was a first. This time, I immediately ran inside and called security, grabbed my phone and ran back outside so I could snap a pic. His coat wasn't all red like you'd expect, but he had the cutest face!

Pretty exciting end to my day!

Weekend.

Nothing too exciting to see here.

My weekend was full of working events - rehearsal dinner Friday night, wedding Saturday night and an after-wedding brunch this morning. Cameron was out of town this weekend for a bachelor party, which was perfect timing since I was hardly home.

There were a few highlights to the weekend though:

-got in a good, sweaty cardio workout at the gym Saturday morning

-laid out at the pool with Emily and Caroline Saturday before work

-got to take home a HUGE bouquet of peonies from the wedding Saturday night. They smell AMAZING.

-celebrating my cousin, Kyle's, 9th birthday today after work!

Hope you had a great weekend!



Wedding Wednesday - The Band!

I have always been a huge fan of music, especially live music. All types of music. So when thinking of my wedding band, I knew I wanted someone who could sing it ALL.

Not sure if I've mentioned it before, but before my current job, I actually booked bands and DJ's for weddings & events! (Company website here.) I loved talking to the brides, grooms, event planners and the musicians.

I met this one girl, named Quiana Parler, who's voice blew me away. She also happened to be beautiful, inside & out, and her little boy could melt your heart, he is that cute. Since working for OBE, I've always known that when the day finally came, Quiana would be singing at my wedding.

Side note - Quiana actually played for Cameron's brother's wedding last October and at the end of the night when everyone was saying goodbye, I told Quiana that 2013 would be the year! I love it when I'm right. :)

As mentioned in my photography post, three emails were sent out the day after we got engaged to ensure I got my most important vendors. Quiana was one of them. Actually, I may have texted her. We're tight like that.

Ok, enough rambling, here are some interesting facts about Quiana:
-She was a top 48 contestant on the second season of American Idol.
-She has toured with Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson & Keith Sweat.
-She is a Charleston native!
-She has performed on Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America and more.
-She is the voice behind the catchy Morris Nissan commercial. (Cameron's family especially found it interesting that she is playing for our wedding and did play for Cameron's brother's wedding since they own Morris Nissan.)
-She played Effie in the North Carolina Theatre's version of Dreamgirls in 2008.

And now, let's hear her sang!

Quiana Parler and Friends

Next week we're taking our engagement pictures! Nerves are starting to kick in!


Tasty Tuesday - Quinoa with Corn and Scallions with a Honey Lemon Dressing

Quinoa with Corn and Scallions

Recipe and photo from Just a Taste.

 

Ingredients:

4 ears corn, shucked
1 Tablespoon grated fresh lemon zest
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
1 Tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups uncooked quinoa
4 scallions, chopped

Directions:

Place the corn in a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the corn. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let the pot stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Remove the corn from the pot and let it cool on a cutting board until it's easy to handle. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the kernels off the cob.

Prepare the dressing by whisking together the lemon zest, lemon juice, melted butter, honey, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Rinse the uncooked quinoa in a sieve under cold water until the water runs clear.

Cook the quinoa in a pot of of boiling salted water per the package directions.

Add the quinoa, corn kernels and chopped scallions to the bowl with the dressing and toss until it's evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Weekend Haps.

My work put on our 4th annual car show this weekend on Kiawah Island and it was a big success! It was a long 10 hour day but it was worth it.

On Sunday, Cameron and I hit up the outlet malls. I was specifically looking for an outfit to wear in our engagement pictures (next week!) and found a cute dress at Banana Republic for only $26!

Also bought this sweater from JCrew, in white,for next Fall / Winter for only $18!

After 5.5 years, I finally hung my college diploma. Cameron was nice enough to let me hang it in his office.

Mine is on the left..his three (can't see one) are on the right. I feel SO smart haha.

And finally, some homemade pizza for dinner. Pesto, tomatoes, chicken & italian cheese blend. YUM.

Hope yall had a great weekend!

Lately.

Photo dump time.

Sunday when we got back from Myrtle Beach, we went on a Major Motion boat ride with Cameron's family.

 Had the day off from work on Monday and got a lot of important things done..like lunch with Alyssa who was in town. She'll be 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I am just so excited for her and Chris! I have three pregnant friends at the moment and they're all having boys! As well as Natasha and Julie having boys, too! It's a boy year, fo sho.

 Another important stop on my day off..caramel frap, my fave.

 And the last important item on my day-off to-do list: another boat ride! This time on Cameron's friend, Scott's boat.

Yesterday I didn't have to be into work until 1:30pm so I ventured over to Mt. Pleasant to run some important errands..y'know, like shop. I almost couldn't believe that I picked up this super cute Jessica Simpson dress to try on at Marshall's yesterday. It had a nice price tag of $50 but sadly, it was just a little too big for me. So I texted my Clemson friend, Austin, to tell her about the dress. I am a nice Gamecock like that. :)

 The knock-out roses in our backyard are blooming like crazy. I love them!

Happy Thursday! The weekend is right around the corner! :)

Wedding Wednesday: J + J - 4.14.12

As previously mentioned last week, we ventured to Myrtle Beach this past weekend to celebrate our good friends Jen and Joe getting married!

Jen was in my sorority pledge class and I remember the first time I met Joe. It was our junior year and we were moving into the sorority house. He was hauling boxes up flights of stairs with the most positive attitude. Pretty sure my boyfriend at the time was back in Charleston, leaving me and my parents to do all of the heavy lifting. After meeting Joe, I remember thinking to myself how happy I was for Jen that she met him and that he must really be a nice guy if Jen was putting up with him. :)

And here we are, about 7 years later, celebrating their marriage!

PS - Jen is super crafty and talented so all of the decorations you see in the pictures, she probably did herself (and with the help of her bridesmaids).

Congratulations, Jen & Joe!


Tasty Tuesday - California Cole Slaw

This is my mom's go-to cole slaw recipe since she is not a fan of mayonaisse. The dressing is light and sweet, and the sunflower seeds and almonds provide for extra crunch. You should definitely make this for your next cookout!

California Cole Slaw

1pkg chicken flavor Ramen noodles
2 pkgs slivered almonds
1 pkg sunflower seed kernels
1pkg shredded cole slaw mix
4-6 chopped green onion (I leave this out sometimes)

Dressing:
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup oil
Flavor packet from Ramen noodles

Combine chicken flavor packet, vinegar, sugar and oil in a jar and shake well.

In large bowl, layer IN ORDER, crushed Ramen noodles, shredded cole slaw, almonds, sunflower kernels, and onion. Pour dressing all over cole slaw. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours to allow plenty of time to soak the noodles (overnight).



Today! (And Tomorrow!)

Today:

-Cameron is up in Columbia taking his PE exam! Send lots of good vibes his way! :)

-I'm going to Emily's school to eat lunch with her and her kids! Apparently her school has really good food and every Friday is pizza day. They even have a vegetarian option that happens to be Greek pizza. YUM!

-After lunch, I have another date - a coffe date with my friend, Becca! Can't wait to catch up with her!

-Then off to work for a rehearsal dinner.

Tomorrow:

-We're heading up to Myrtle Beach for Jen & Joe's wedding! Can't believe it's finally here!!

Loving.

Happy hour and fried pickle date with Lindsay at Fat Hen last week!

Perfect weather for back porch dinners.

Frozen yogurt treats.

My sweet guys.

And last, but certainly not least, this awesome video to get us Gamecock fans pumped up for the 2012 football season!

Wedding Wednesday - Photography.

While working at my previous job, I got hooked on wedding photography blogs. I stumbled across this cute girl's blog from Charleston and immediately fell in love. I knew that when my day finally came, I would book her IMMEDIATELY. And that's what I did.

The day after we got engaged, still a little hazy from all of the champagne, I sent out three emails to the three vendors I HAD to have.

-The venue: The Island House

-The band: Next week's Wedding Wednesday!

-The photographer:

Juliet Elizabeth.

I just love her style. Relaxed & beautiful. Check out these pictures and you'll see what I mean!

It doesn't hurt either that she is one of the sweetest, down to earth, playful and genuine people I've ever met.

It's Biz!

My beautiful friend and bridesmaid, Jenny!

Check out her blog for more pictures!