Friday Five. {Rocksbox, Garden Update, Emily McDowell Studio, and More!}

Happy Friday and happy Memorial Day weekend! Cannot stop looking at the clock, counting down the hours until this extended weekend kicks off for good! 

{one}

I'm on my third Rocksbox now and I am not planning on stopping anytime soon! I'm sure you have seen bloggers all over talk about Rocksbox, but if you haven't, here's the deal: Sign up for website and complete your style profile, pay $19 a month to have 3 pieces of jewelry sent to you to wear for as long as you'd like! Most sets are worth $200 in value, and you can return your boxes for new ones as many times as you'd like in that month! Still not convinced? If you like any of the jewelry so much that you can't live without it, you receive $10 a month to spend on the already discounted (usually 20% off) piece! Want to try your first month for free: use code MEGANBFF551 at checkout! 

Here are some examples of pieces I've received so far:

Whitney Necklace by Perry Street

Retail Price: $75, Rocksbox Price: $60

Kendra Scott Tessa Stud Earrings in Iridescent Drusy

Retail Price: $65, Rocksbox Price: $52

 Sierra necklace in Crystal by Urban Gem

Retail Price: $90, Rocksbox Price: $72

{two}

Our garden is growing like crazy and I am so excited that I will soon be able to walk outside, pick veggies off the vine, and plan a dinner or a snack around what's ripe! I've already been using romaine and herbs, and am deciding on what to do with the two jalapenos that I picked on Wednesday. Now that I think of it, I have two tomatoes that are about to go bad, so I'm thinking homemade salsa is in our future! 

{three}

A sorority sister of mine posted on Facebook earlier this week about a friend of her's who designs cards. Not those typical mushy cards, but cards that say exactly what's on your mind, as well as cards that say the perfect thing when you're put in a situation where you don't have a clue what to say. Then, I saw her on Good Morning, America yesterday! I really wish I would have known about these when my bud, Tim, was sick so that I could have sent him some to make him laugh. And when he passed away from that nasty disease cancer, I wish I would have know about these cards to send his wife and my friend, Jenny. She hated when people told her those cliche phrases like "he's finally healed" (pretty sure I told her that), "everything happens for a reason," and "he is an angel with God now." 

Here are some favorites from Emily McDowell Studio:

{four}

At the gym a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a watch that Megan was wearing. I overheard her telling Ryan that it tracked steps, number of calories burned, and monitors your sleep. What I was most surprised about though, was how stylish it was! See ya, unattractive Fitbit!

Anne Klein Fashion Fit Multifunction Smart Watch

{five}

That's all I've got for today. Have a great weekend!

Our Easter Weekend.

What a wonderful Easter weekend it was! The weather could not have been better, we got a lot accomplished, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and spent it with our loved ones! 

Luckily, I had Good Friday off, and indeed it was a Good Friday! I spent it with Emily and Lane - we had lunch at Park Cafe and walked up and down King Street. 

Later that day, Cameron and I went on a boat ride with some friends, which ended with dinner at Mex 1 at 10pm. 

Saturday was warm but pretty overcast all day, which was perfect for our planned day of yard work. We headed to Lowe's and stocked up on which seemed like every herb and veggie imaginable. Everyone else must have had the same plans as us, as it was packed! Also bought a few shrubs, rose bushes, and a bird feeder! 

These.smell.so.good!

While I was tending to my garden, Cameron was in the front yard replacing the mailbox and mailbox post that we're pretty sure is original with the house, which was built in 1959. Getting the mailbox post out of the ground literally look him an hour to remove. And here's why.....

From his hand below, that is how much of the pole was in the ground!
You can also see all of the rust...which is why we replaced it....after 4.5 years of living with it.

That evening, we enjoyed a well deserved delicious meal of NY strips, gorgonzola gnocchi (via Trader Joe's), caprese salad, and moscow mules.

Easter Sunday we went to church with Cameron's parents, ate a late lunch at my Grandmother's house, then ate dinner at Cameron's parents house. It wouldn't be a normal holiday if we weren't driving back and forth over Charleston, and eating way too much!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend, too! 

Friday Five {What I've Been Up To}.

{one}

Two weekends ago my Grandma Anna turned the ripe young age of 80! Not trying to brag, but I seriously have some good genes on both sides of my family. We celebrated at my Aunt & Uncle's house in Summerville. We had an awesome dinner prepared a little bit by everyone and afterwards, we sat around the table while Grandma Anna opened up her gifts and cards.  The best gift was from my mom, uncle, and aunt. They snuck into my grandma's old photos without her knowing and put together a photo book of memories. It was so neat to listen to a story about each picture.

Grandma with her granddaughters

Picture from the photo book - Grandma Anna was and still is a looker

Uncle Jerry & Aunt Debbie who drove from Iowa!

{two}

I posted a few weeks ago my weekly meal plan based around Skinnytaste cookbook recipes. I'm happy to say that none of the recipes disappointed and I would definitely make them all again!

Here are a few photos that I took, which look nothing like the cookbook's. ;)

Skillet Lemon Sole with Tomatoes and Capers
(I made with tilapia because that's what I had)

Chicken Pasta Caprese

{three}

Last weekend we celebrated our 2 year anniversary with dinner at Cypress, followed by coffee with Bailey's at a local coffee/dessert shop in Avondale, and ended with some nightcaps at The Roost with friends. 

I hadn't been to Cypress since prom my senior year of high school. It was amazing then and now, including the service! They started us off with two glasses of champagne and we ordered the cucumber tuna rolls to go along with it. I ordered the butter lettuce salad and Cameron ordered the Ceasar salad. He definitely had food envy after having a bite of my salad! For our entrees I ordered the filet topped with Boursin cheese and Cameron ordered one of their specials - veal with a soft shelled crab. We decided to forego dessert because they did not have bread pudding and well, we were stuffed! If you ever go to Cypress, even for their bar upstairs, you must order the lavender martini! So refreshing and delicious. Even Cameron liked it! 

I'm hoping my hair doesn't look this red in person. Someone please tell me if it does!

My yummy butter lettuce salad with bacon jam, buttermilk blue cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, and chives. SO GOOD.

Filet topped with Boursin cheese accompanied by asparagus, leeks, roasted garlic, crispy potatoes, and Madeira sauce.

{four}

Last weekend we also spent a lot of time in the yard getting it ready for Spring. I focused on my garden area, but did not plant anything due to the cold snap we had. Maybe I can plant my herbs and veggies today since I have the day off! I also picked up some peony bulbs at Costco last weekend. Who know's if they'll grow here in the scorching hot summer. Here's a good old fashioned before and after photo. Don't mind the pink ribbon - we're getting quotes to take down a few trees in the yard. 

{five}

I paid my car off this week!!  

Friday Five {Monogram Frenzy, Boxcar Betty's, The Citadel, Garden + Oat My Goodness}.

Happy Friday, y'all! 
I am SO glad it's here because I, for once, don't have to work this weekend! Tonight we'll probably just keep it low key, tomorrow night we have supper club, and Sunday we'll be celebrating our Dads!

{one}

I don't know what came over me, but I went on a bit of a monogram frenzy over the past two weeks. 

His + Hers Monogram Tumblers // Baublebar Acrylic Necklace // 
Design Darling Business Card Holder

{two}

As mentioned yesterday, I went with a couple of girls to Boxcar Betty's last night, a new restaurant in West Ashley. I wound up ordering the blue cheese and buffalo sandwich. It was good, but next time I would order extra blue cheese. I couldn't taste it at all. I definitely had sandwich envy over Caroline's Boxcar sandwich, which had pimento cheese, peach slaw, homemade pickles, and spicy mayo. 

We inhaled our sandwiches so fast and weren't quite ready to go home yet, so we stopped by Triangle for a drink.

Peach sangrias and a watermelon rita

{three}
I helped a friend coordinate her wedding last Saturday and before the ceremony, which was at the Citadel, I got Emily to snap a picture of me in this very special chair. You see, this chair that sits on the alter in the Citadel's chapel, is dedicated to my great grandfather, Capt. Justus Alvin Tiedemann. He graduated from the Citadel and then went on to become a professor there. Pretty special. 

{four}
I was able to pick my first veggies from my garden yesterday! As I was picking them, I knew exactly what recipe I would use these cucumbers for - the chilled garlic soy cucumber recipe that Katie posted yesterday. Will let y'all know how it is!

{five}
I was lucky enough to win Jillian's Oat My Goodness granola giveaway and I'm so glad I did. I am hooked. I got to choose 2 of the flavors so I picked Bad Monkey (peanut butter, chocolate, banana combo) and Sunrise (orange, coffee, mango, and macadamia nuts). I knew for sure I was going to like the Bad Monkey better, but surprisingly, I could not stop eating the Sunrise. This granola is available on their website and for you locals, it's available at Southern Season in Mt. Pleasant. 
(Yes, Stephanie, that means I'm going to ask you to bring me some.)

Enjoy your weekends!  

Friday Five {Let's Catch Up}

Sooooo I've kind of been MIA (once again). To be honest, I just have had no motivation to blog, or to even read blogs. I apologize for that! I almost feel like giving it up completely, but I would miss all of you!

So this is going to be the Let's Catch Up edition of Friday Five. 

Here are five things that have been going on in my life lately...

{one}

The BrightLife tournament last Monday was a blast! We left Sunday after Easter dinner and the trip went by pretty fast because I got to share the backseat with this cutie.

We (3 couples and lil ol' me) all stayed at Tim and Jenny's house. Jenny, of course, was the ideal hostess, feeding us when we arrived and even leaving Easter baskets in all of our rooms. The next morning we woke up bright and early (ok, some earlier than others) and finally made our way to Thornblade. It was so fun to meet all of Tim & Jenny's Greenville friends and help out behind the scenes of the tournament. I even bid on a few silent auction items, but sadly, didn't win. Can't wait for next year!

 A group of us (Jenny's sorority sisters) sponsored a hole at the tournament and this was our sign. I love the quote that Savannah chose for it. It's so true. 

{two}

Last Friday night we went out to dinner with our friends, Justin and Jenny, to Trattoria Lucca. A hidden gem in Charleston. It's one of their favorite restaurants, and now I know why. I'm always a little nervous about going to a restaurant where I don't know what 3/4 of the things on the menu are, but after reading the reviews, I felt a little better. Then, our server literally went through everything on the menu (a more updated menu than what is on their website) and my mouth was watering. 

(Sorry for the crappy pics)

Warm Cauliflower Sformatino
Soft Farm Egg, Crispy Guanciale, Parmigiano, Arugula

Crab stuffed shells with a tomato sauce
(Not for people watching their sodium intake)

Bucatini
Foraged Winter Mushrooms, Soft Jordan Farm Egg, Crispy Guanciale, Browned Goat Butter

{three}

Our containers are coming along nicely. What a difference two weeks makes! The raised bed garden - notsomuch. Only two little cucumber seed sprouts so far and it will be a month next weekend since we planted the seeds. I'm starting to worry. I should have just stuck with the starter plants. :/

{four}

The kind people at Yumvelope sent me a sample of their monthly all-natural snack box. I received two packages of gluten free cookies (spicy Mexican chocolate and lemon poppy seed), organic sprouted spelt sourdough crackers, Gourmegg (the perfect blend of thyme, tarragon, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper..love it in my morning egg white omelets), and organic chocolate. Definitely worth the monthly $21!

{five}

The weather has been awesome lately (except for the few spouts of rain storms). Upper 70's / lower 80's has been perfect for grilling out and our first Sandbar Sunday last weekend!