Loving

There are LOTS of things I'm loving today. Maybe because it's my Friday and I have a 3 day weekend. Or maybe it's just because good things have been happening to me lately. I don't know, but I'll take it!

-Gas prices!!

Picture taken last week. Today it was at $2.91!

-I got to see my sorority little sis on Monday while she was vacationing on Seabrook Island with her family! It had been so long since the last time I got to see her and it was so fun to catch up!

-Big thanks to ESPN for letting me watch what turned out to be the final the USC vs. Arizona game Monday night! Since we don't have cable, it usually doesn't allow me to watch live games, but I took my chances that night and voila! Got to watch the whole game! We lost, but we did an amazing job and I am so proud of the team!

-The beautiful Kate Spade necklace that I bought from Jill last Thursday. It arrived in the mail a few days later and it is SO pretty! It just screams bride to me. The necklace is in perfect condition and is so much prettier in person.

-MY DRESS IS IN! I randomly called the shop on Tuesday to find out how long dresses usually take to come in once they're shipped and they said it was actually received last Friday! I will probably schedule my first fitting for August since I'm wanting my bridal portraits done outside in the Fall. No winter portraits for this girl.

What are you loving today??

Wedding Wednesday: The Checklist.

Honestly, before I started typing this out, I didn't really think I had that much left to do for the wedding even though it's 9 months away. Um, yeah, I was way wrong. I've gotten all of the big things done and I feel like I'm at that weird time where I don't want to do the rest too early, in case I change my mind.

Set a date

Book venue

Book photographer

Book band

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Book caterer & bar

Create wedding website

Register

Book florist

Shop for wedding dress

Book ceremony musician

Book rentals

Take engagement pictures

Select bridesmaid dresses

Select groom & groomsmen attire

Find veil

Book cake baker
Hire coordinator

Buy cake knife & server

Order save the dates

Send save the dates

Book officiant

Pre-marital counseling

Order guest book

Finalize guest list

Find a reasonably priced videographer

Hotel room blocks
Calligraphy - pay or learn?

Engagement announcement in Post & Courier

MOB & MOG dress shopping

Find wedding shoes

Find wedding jewelry

Find garter

Book makeup artist & hair stylist

Menu tasting

Take bridal portraits / hair & make up trial

1st dress fitting

2nd (final?) dress fitting

Make ceremony programs

Buy bud vases!

Buy a "M" and "C" and paint gold

Figure out where we want to do first look

Figure out where I'm getting ready & where Cameron is getting ready

Who will set up ceremony chairs?

Order invitations

Address invitations

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue

Book RD caterer

Book RD rentals

Book RD music

Buy RD dress

Order pom poms for send off

Order koozies

Buy bridal party gifts

Bachelorette party

Buy gifts for parents
Bridal shower

Purchase wedding bands

Create wedding day timeline

Put together picture list for photographer

DIY drink stirrers

DIY signs for River Rd and venue

DIY signs for reserved seating & seat yourself

Hankies for ceremony?

DIY moss letters for bar?

Get marriage license

Book transportation from reception to hotel

Book honeymoon

RD invitations

RD groom's cake

Final vendor payments

Music selections to band and ceremony artist

Book wedding night hotel room

Order thank you notes

Wedding announcement in Post & Courier

Walk down the aisle & say I do!

Am I missing anything??

Tasty Tuesday: Zuppa Toscana

Last night I made this soup for the second time and it has definitely become one of my favorites. I received collards and potatoes in my CSA two weeks ago, so that's what made me crave this soup.

Zuppa Toscana

Photo and recipe from Annie's Eats.

1 lb. Italian sausage (or half regular, half turkey sausage)  I used chorizo

1 large onion, chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup white wine to deglaze the pan

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

2 russett potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks

2 cups fresh kale, chopped  If you don't like/have kale, use collards

3 cups chicken broth

2.5 cups water

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper

Place a large stockpot or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. 

Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook until well browned. 

Remove the cooked sausage from the pot with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl; set aside. 

Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes. 

Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook for a minute more, just until fragrant. 

Add the wine to the pot and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits.

Add the potatoes, kale, chicken broth and water to the pot. 

Return the sausage to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer on medium-low.

Cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and cooked through. 

Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve immediately.

Fun in the Sun!

In between working Friday & Sunday night, I got to have some fun in the sun on Saturday!

Emily, Caroline and I, with our men, took the dogs out to the Kiawah dog beach. The hauling of the coolers, chairs, bags, dogs and tent was not so fun, but after we finally got to our spot, we all had a blast!

Megan & Brady, Emily & Gracie, Caroline & Birdie

Our little family..with Bennett in the background. :)

he would only drink water out of the cooler.

that's one sleepy pup.

As if that wasn't enough sun, after the beach we went back to Cameron's parent's house to swim in their pool. Then we still weren't sick of one another so we went back to our house, ordered pizza (didn't fall asleep this time) and played some drinking games.

What a fun (and exhausting) day!

Fear The Fish!

Tonight, the South Carolina Gamecocks begin the playoffs of the College World Series. They are playing for their THIRD STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE!

-It started with 64 teams..

-Only 8 made it to Omaha..

-#8 ranked South Carolina beat #1 ranked Florida..

-South Carolina loses to Arkansas, ending their 22 consecutive NCAA tournament winning streak..

-South Carolina beats Kent State, and then goes on to beat Arkansas later that evening, becoming the first team since 1952 to win two games in one day in the CWS..

-South Carolina beats Arkansas again, knocking them out of the series..

-Tonight, they play Arizona in the double elimination playoffs.

-If South Carolina wins, they will join only one other team (the OTHER USC), in winning three straight CWS championships!

Let's go Gamecocks!!



For Sale!

BCBGeneration dress

Top is made of silver sequins with black frayed edges. Bottom is navy blue.

Size 2

Excellent Used Condition

Bought off of Ebay and it was a little too snug for me!

$30 shipped.

Paypal only.

All edges are meant to be frayed.

BCBGeneration cut out shoulder short sleeve top

Size Small

Excellent Used Condition

Bought off of Ebay and it was too big for my liking.

Let me know if you'd like for me to put my modeling skills to use if you'd like to see how the shirt looks on. :)

$20 shipped.

Paypal only.

close up of pattern

On another note....LET'S GO GAMECOCKS!!!

Happy Birthday, Cameron!

Twenty-seven was a great year for you!

-We went on our first "real" vacation together - a cruise!

-You received not one, but TWO Masters degrees!

-You passed your PE (Professional Engineer) exam and expanded your collection of diplomas / certificates for your office.

-And you asked a pretty amazing girl to spend the rest of her life with you. ;)

I hope year 28 is even better than all of the rest! I love you so much!

Tasty Tuesday: Key Lime Cupcakes.

I made these tasty treats for my Dad for Father's Day. His two favorite food items: peanut butter, and key lime pie. I've made him banana cupcakes with peanut butter frosting before, so I figured it was time to try a key lime goody!

Betty Crocker's Key Lime Cupcakes

Photo and recipe found here.

Cupcakes

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® lemon cake mix 

1 box (4-serving size) lime-flavored gelatin 

3/4 cup water 

1/3 cup Key lime juice 

1/3 cup vegetable oil 

3 eggs

2 or 3 drops green food color, if desired

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar 

2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons Key lime juice

Frosting

(I cheated and bought the store bought stuff)

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar 

Grated lime peel, if desired

 

 

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

 

Bake 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. With toothpick or wooden skewer, pierce tops of cupcakes in several places.

 

In small bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and enough of the 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons lime juice until glaze is smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle and spread glaze over cupcakes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

 

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in vanilla and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed; beat on medium speed until fluffy. Frost cupcakes, mounding and swirling frosting in center. Garnish with lime peel. Store covered in refrigerator.

Remembering Louis & The Charleston Nine.

You may remember reading my post last year about losing my funny friend, Louis, in the Sofa Super Store fire. If you're new to my blog, you can check it out here.

Today marks the 5th anniversary of that fire.

Each year does get a little easier, but when I read my post from last year, emotions came flooding back.

I don't want to make this a sad post, because I know Louis wouldn't want that.

So I just want to say Louis, we're thinking of you today and every day, and we miss your smile! :)



To my Chuckie!

I love you so much and am proud to be your daughter! You are such a hard worker and I can't wait for March 30th when you will be walking me down the aisle. I know we're going to need lots of tissue. :) Hope you enjoyed your weekend at the lake and will enjoy your cupcakes! I love you!

Alexandria Trip - Part 2. (Savannah & Dan's Wedding!)

Saturday morning, Emily and I were up bright and early due to the sun beaming through our hotel window. Of course, it didn't bother Cameron and David, as they slept in until we came back from Dunkin' Donuts with breakfast and coffee.

Once everyone was up and ready, we hopped on the free trolley that runs up and down King Street towards the water where all of the shops and restaurants are. We stopped in Anthropologie because Katie told us they were having a big sale. All I picked up, was this cute little guy who I had previously posted about! He was on sale for $15!

We didn't get to spend much time shopping around because the wedding ceremony was at 2:30pm.

Introducing Mr & Mrs Brennan!

The reception wasn't until 5:30pm so a group of us stopped at the Hard Times Cafe for a beer and a snack. We were told to ask for Princess so we did, and we loved her! She was hilarious and hooked us up with chili samples, which is what they're known for. It was so good! I'll give you one guess as to what I ordered for my snack......

duh.

Gamecock lovin' in NOVA.

On to the reception..

The reception was held at the beautiful Belle Haven Country Club. Cocktail hour was on the back patio overlooking the golf course.

After cocktail hour, we walked upstairs to the ballroom where the sit-down dinner and reception were held. We walked in and immediately heard some upbeat music from the band. I really liked how they were playing fun music from the get-go rather than some snoozy jazz. Good pick of a band, Savannah, they were AWESOME!

Mini ice cream cones for dessert!

Then the party started...

Kristen & Cameron doing the lawnmower.

Savannah doing the air guitar.

Dan playing the drums. He's really good!

so sweet.

Once back at the hotel, sillyness ensued.

mid-tackle.

That would be Cameron pushing David on the luggage cart.

We then ordered a pizza, and fell asleep. I had two missed calls the next morning, a $16 charge on my debit card, and no pizza. Must have been a good night!

Kudos to you if you made it to the end of this post.

Alexandria Trip - Part 1.

This week has been a busy, sleep deprived one so I apologize in putting the re-cap off for so long!

Our trip to Alexandria, VA was a blast! I love when all most of my favorite people are in one location having a good time together! Which makes me think of how fun our wedding is going to be, no matter what happens! If all of the people we love are there, that will be all we need!

Anyway, back to the trip...

We flew into the Reagan airport around noon and were almost immediately confused tourists. The metro really threw us for a loop, until the nice attendant came to our rescue and explained everything to us. After that, the metro was actually kind of fun! I'm sure it gets old after a while though.

After we stored our bags at the hotel, we walked up King St in hopes of stumbling across a good place to eat lunch. We succeeded! We wound up eating at a place called Hank's Oyster Bar. They had some TASTY bloody mary's....but they're only for horseradish likers because you could DEFINITELY taste the horseradish.

They brought you a cute little bowl of goldfish to start off with!

And they brought you a tasty little bowl of dark chocolate at the end! I think I ate most of it.

After our lunch, we had a few hours to spare so we went into downtown DC to check out all of the tourist-y things.

That night, Savannah and Dan had a welcome party for their out of town guests at The Chart House.  It was so fun to meet Dan's side of the family and to see my friends that don't live in Charleston!

Me with the bride-to-be

The Chi O's

After the welcome party we found a bar with a great DJ and sang, danced and stayed up well past our bedtimes!

Stay tuned for part 2...