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!

The Last Weekend Before Christmas...

With the temps being in the 70's, even close to the 80's this past weekend, you wouldn't have known it was the last weekend before Christmas. However, all of the go-go-go definitely let us know that the holidays were upon us. Thankfully, a cold front is coming through (as in 50*, which is probably laughable to you Northerners) and it will be in cooled off just in time for Christmas.

Friday night, we went to a friend's 40th birthday oyster roast. Always great to catch up with those guys and their wives. After that, we headed downtown to celebrate another friend's birthday! Glad I'm not the only Christmas time baby. We walked through Marion Square from one bar to the other and walked through the big lit up Christmas tree that is in the middle of the park. Such a neat view.

Saturday was spent running last minute errands and grabbing lunch at D.D. Peckers. When we saw that they had buffalo tator tots with blue cheese crumbles, we knew immediately we'd be trying those bad boys out. They were amazing, as expected.

 

That night, we made our rounds to two Christmas parties. An oyster roast that my Godmother was hosting, and then on to my aunt and uncle's. 

Me and my pretty sissy

Things got a little interesting as the night went on and Cameron and my mom broke out their signature dance move...

 

See..it happens often..

Caroline and Andy's wedding in 2009

Our wedding

He even does it in honor of her when she's not there..

Jason and Jessica's wedding in 2011

Anyway...

On Sunday, we went to church with Cameron's family. It was an extra special trip to church because Cameron's grandmother, who has been in a rehabilitation facility for about 3 months, was able to be transported to the church. It was the only thing she wanted for Christmas. You could tell how happy she was to be there, and how happy all of the members of the church were to see her. :)

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Keep your eyes open for an awesome giveaway (especially for you newlyweds!) coming up soon!

Ticky Tacky.

Although I had to work Saturday night, it was a great weekend! Tacky sweater party and lots of lounging on the couch thanks to rainy days and achy heads. 

Caroline and Andy hosted this month's supper club and it was tacky Christmas sweater themed. Always a fun theme! I love seeing what everyone digs up and wears. Cameron's cousin was kind enough to let us borrow her sweaters. They were a hit, especially my sweet shoulder pads. 

-2014 Christmas card? - 

- Caroline's gorgeous Christmas mantle. - 

-Henry's Uncle Si shirt and Ashton's shirt that said "All Mommy wants is a silent night." - 

- Birdie getting in on the tacky action. Except she's cute. - 

 - Cameron and Andy enjoying their White Elephant gifts. - 

- Supper club girls. - 

If you'd like a pair of matching red sweater leggings, you can find them here at Wally World.

Back tomorrow with a great recipe for the next rainy day!

Friiiiiiiiday.

Happy Friday before Christmas! I still have a few small things to pick up to complete my gifts but you better believe I will NOT be going to the mall or Target.

This is somewhat of a last weekend (ok, just Sunday) recap post since I never got around to it this week. 

Went to brunch on Sunday at Fat Hen. I had one of the top 5 best sandwiches of my life! It was the "PULLED BBQ DUCK SANDWICH with house made BBQ sauce, blue cheese bacon cole slaw and pomme frites."

 

Then, Emily and I went to our friend Stephanie's house for her 2nd annual Cookie Exchange! This year everyone brought sugar cookies and decorated them at her house.

Later that night, as if I wasn't emotional enough from the horrific Newtown events, I watched The Bachelorette wedding of Ashley & JP. I could not keep it together! That, my friends, is a tear catcher placed across my face.

I can't believe I just posted this awful picture of me.

What's on your agenda this weekend?
Saturday is shopping and a Christmas party and Sunday we're going to a friend's baptism of his son and celebrating our engageiversary!

Weekend Recap + Menu Monday.

Monday again already?!? I need one more day to sleep in!!

 

Friday night was lowkey - grilled some steaks, picked up this sweater from Target, and saw Skyfall.

 

Saturday was my work Christmas party. It wasn't a blast, but it was nice talking to everyone outside of work. The food was good!

 

Sunday we went to brunch at Sunrise Bistro with Emily, Caroline & Andy, then we headed downtown for Second Sunday on King Street! It was Cameron and my first time going to Second Sunday and we loved it! Ok, maybe I enjoyed it a tad more than Cameron since there was a lot of browsing in the store. Loved seeing all of the dogs, familiar faces and discovering new stores.



Me, Emily & Caroline with our King of Pops popsicles. The chocolate sea salt is SO SO GOOD!!



 

15 days until Christmas!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

 

----------

Also, as requested by Emily, Menu Monday is back!

 

Monday - PW's spicy Dr. Pepper BBQ, spinach gratin & sweet potatoes
Tuesday - Chicken & artichoke pasta
Wednesday - Lasagna Soup
Thursday - Working event until 7pm aka whatever we can find in the fridge
Friday - Homemade pizza
Saturday - Friend's Christmas Party
Sunday - Buffalo chicken soup

Weekending. (And finished Pinterest project!)

This weekend was full of friends and Christmas spirit!

First of all, I arrived home from work Friday evening to 4 packages! Two were presents to give, two were presents to receive.

Frankie sent me a beautiful pickle ornament. :)

Later that night we had a relaxing night at home. We invited two couples and their pups over to grill out and sit by the fire (getting good use out of that fire pit!). It was a fun, low key night.

Smore's supplies.

 

Birdie enjoyed sitting by the fire.

Brady enjoyed digging a hole and laying in the dirt. (Ugh.)

And Benny stayed warm snuggling in the chair.

 Saturday, all I really wanted to do was be lazy on the couch. Cameron wasn't a fan of my plan, so we went downtown to find him a jacket and grab some lunch. Operation find a jacket was a success (FINALLY!).  Ate lunch at a Greek restaurant called Taziki's. Sat a few tables down from Mayor Joe Riley, which was pretty neat. I would definitely recommend Taziki's, but Olympik Deli is still #1 for my taste buds.

Later that day I had to go pick up Cameron's super secret Christmas present. Can't wait to share with yall! On the way home, I took this pic - while driving. I love our bridge and our sunsets.

Christmas party #1 of the season followed that evening. But there are no pics to prove it.

Sunday I had to be up bright and early to start setting up for my company Christmas party. Here is the reveal of the Pinterest inspired centerpiece! They turned out awesome and we got a lot of compliments on them!

And a couple of pics from the evening..



Raffle time! I won a $100 gift card to Kohl's! And promptly spent it when I got home. Ha. What? They were having a 20% off sale that ended that night so I HAD to use it! :)

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend, too!