2014 Recap {Part One}

These posts are my favorite! I love looking back through my previous posts and reminiscing on all types of events that happened in the past year. 

{January}

Co-hosted a baby shower for Emily

Went beach camping

{February}

Baby Lane was born!

Participated in the Food Lion Frugal Cook-Off!

Emily turned 30!

{March}

Kathryn turned 30!

Cameron got a new job!

We celebrated our first anniversary!

Part one, part two

{April}

Jenny & Justin got engaged!

We lost our sweet Rara

Baby Taylor was born and we threw her a sip and see!

{May}

We celebrated Caroline's 30th birthday

And Alicia's 30th!

{June}
Celebrated Jen's 30th birthday

Cameron turned 30 and we threw him a fun birthday bash!

So basically, there were lots of 30th birthdays and new babies!

Back tomorrow for Part Two!

Glazed Lemon Cookies.

Morning! Cameron and I had a verrrrrry laid back Sunday yesterday and I randomly came across this recipe for Glazed Lemon Cookies while browsing Pinterest from the couch. I had all of the ingredients, so I figured, I haven't baked in a while, why not? Normally my baking skills do not do my last name (Baker) any justice, but these turned out amazing! They were light, the perfect consistency, and just the right amount of lemon flavor. 

Glazed Lemon Cookies

Recipe and photo from Two Peas & Their Pod

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons lemon zest

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

4-5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 35o degrees F. Line two baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk and set aside.

3. In a small bowl, add granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers, until fragrant.

4. Beat butter and sugar/lemon mixture together until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

5. Slowly beat in flour mixture on low speed until blended. Drop dough by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Gently flatten dough with the palm of your hand. (I rolled into a ball then flattened, to give them a more even look.)

6. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are just set and slightly golden brown. (Mine only needed to bake for 10 minutes, so check them at the 10 minute mark.) Cool cookies on baking sheet for 2 minutes and transfer to cooking racks. Cool completely.

7. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Dip each cookie top into the lemon glaze. Let cookies sit until icing has set.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Friday Five {Five Outfit Ideas to Wear on Christmas}.

Is anyone else baffled that Christmas is in 6 days?!? Seems like we say it every year, but it really snuck up on me this year! Thankfully I have all of my shopping done. My birthday is also right around the corner (4 days after Christmas) and THAT has snuck up on me even more. I will officially be in my 30's. 

Here are five outfit ideas for your Christmas day attire, whether you like to dress up, or keep it comfortable. I personally like a mixture of both. I definitely don't wear anything tight because there is usually a lot of eating going on. 

{one}

A tassel trim blouse paired with skinny velvet pants

{two}

Add an infinity scarf to a simple outfit to spice it up a little.

Or the infamous blanket scarf.

{three}

A sassy python print dress

{four}

A jeweled sweatshirt - classy and comfy

{five}

Fun accessories

pumps // necklace // studs // earrings

Caroline Bowman Art.

Today I wanted to feature a co-worker of mine, Caroline Bowman. Not only is she gorgeous and super sweet, but she is also insanely talented! Check out some of my favorite pieces below. 

Dark and Stormy Floral

Easter Sunday

Cyclone 3

Cyclone 7

Night Rider

.Underground Sound

Visit her website to check out the rest of her art or contact her if you'd like her to create a commission for you!

You can also follow her on Instagram @caroline_bowman

I Love Weekends.

Remember when I used to work nothing but nights and weekends? I do not miss that at all. Because if I was still doing that, I would have missed out on so much fun this weekend!

Friday night, as I mentioned, we went to our supper club's 2nd Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater party. I kind of cheated and did not wear a tacky sweater, but I did wear a tree skirt as an actual skirt! And I wasn't the only one!

Saturday was a gorgeous day in Charleston, so Cameron and I, along with our friends Jen and Joe, grabbed an awesome lunch at The Southern General on Johns Island, then went for a boat ride! For lunch, I had the Cu-Banh Mi and it exceeded expectations, but I definitely want to go back and try the Sesame Shrimp sandwich. 

We rode from Johns Island to the harbor, turned around and picked up some margaritas from the Crab Shack for our ride home. It was the perfect day for a quick booze cruise. 

After we got off the boat, we met my parents and sister at a place called Craft Conundrum in West Ashley. It is a store/bar that sells hundreds of types of bottled craft beer, has 27 different types on tap, and also sells growlers for you to take home with you. Last night they had a food truck outside and a 2-man bluegrass band playing inside, as well.  It was everyone's first time (except for my sister, she's a beer nerd) and we'll definitely be back! 

You can see my favorite beer, Holy City's Pluff Mud Porter, peaking out from behind the Jenga

Sunday was spent on King Street for Second Sunday with Emily, Caroline, and Lane. I love Second Sunday because they block off the streets to cars and there's much more room to walk around and browse the shops. Restaurants even set up tables on the street, which is awesome for people/dog watching. 

I don't know why my hair looks so red in this picture...

Then Cameron finished off the weekend with dinner at his parents house. It's always nice when I don't have to cook! :)

Hope everyone's weekend was just the way they liked it! Whether that be busy of fun events, or nice and relaxed! So tell me, what did you do??

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!