Thursday, April 30, 2015

BM... the bridesmaid kind

I'm dedicating today to a bridesmaid shout out! There is clearly something special about rallying the girls around. I love the hype, and for me it never gets old. Unless I gain a new best friend between now and the time I'm deemed as too old to be a bridesmaid I think I walked my last aisle alone last weekend.

So, the only way to say goodbye is with a running list:

long or short?
chiffon or cotton?
cut your hair
color your hair
up do
leave it down
pull it back
strappy sandal
peep toe
nude pump
pack comfy shoes
pack your stickies
get a tan
workout
keep your make up natural
lipstick or gloss?
no gloss? 
ahh, more gloss, got it.
smile!
make sure to smile!
keep your flowers down
hold my flowers
walk slow
always look at the bride
fluff my dress
find your partner
dance
rally

Some of my faves...





Cheers to all my ladies! 

xoxo - A

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

What's Up Wednesday!



I'm linking up today with Mix & Match FamilyThe Larson Lingo and Pinterest Told Me To for What's Up Wednesday. Join the fun the last Wednesday of every month and answer these questions...



What we're eating this week... last night I made a quick and easy dinner. I wanted to use something from our herb garden, so I made pork chops with a rosemary and garlic sauce, sauteed spinach and orzo. It was actually pretty good, and I'll probably be putting it into rotation!

What I'm reminiscing about... this past weekend I was in my best friend's wedding. It was so much fun, and I can't stop thinking about how awesome the band was! Plus, being a bridesmaid is always more fun when you love your dress (and hair and makeup)! It was a fantastic weekend spent with friends and family, and a perfect way to kick off wedding season!



What I'm loving... sea salt spray! I've been over using and over abusing John Frieda's Beach Blonde Sea Waves Sea Salt Spray. I'm currently growing my hair out for our wedding, and the thought of blowing it dry now that it's getting warmer sounds miserable. So, I've turned to air drying my hair with a little sea salt spray and hairspray. Easy, breezy!




What we've been up to... As I mentioned we were at a wedding last weekend which happened to be where we'll be getting married. We capitalized on the time there, and met with our florist and finalized our cake! I don't care much for wedding cake, but I think it's going to be pretty good!

What I'm dreading... I'm so ready for summer to be here, but honestly I'm not looking forward to the scorching heat!

What I'm working on... one word - WEDDING!

What I'm excited about... I can't wait for our guests to receive our save the dates. They should be going out soon, and it finally feels like the festivities are kicking off.

What I'm watching/reading... everything Bravo! It's a horrible obsession, plus I want to be best friends with Andy Cohen. 

What I'm listening to... I think I've found my new summer song - Meghan Trainor "Dear Future Husband" It's pretty catchy and very timely!



What I'm wearing... Before we went on our cruise at the end of March I found the jumpsuit below at Belk, and I've fallen in love. I recently wore it to our engagement party, so it can definitely be dressed up for something special.



What I'm doing this weekend... attending an oyster roast/graduation party for my sister and brother-in-law which really means eating my weight in oysters.

What I'm looking forward to next month... I think I've mentioned before that Mr. B and I will have roommates for May and June, and we couldn't be more excited. My sister, brother-in-law and sweet niece will be staying with us before they move to Buffalo. 



What else is new... exciting news on the work front. Waiting for the final pieces to fall into place before I spread the news, but cheers to having something new and exciting on the horizon!

Have a great Wednesday, ya'll!


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Wednesday Wine Down

Can I call it Wednesday Wine Down if it's not quite wine time? The answer is YES! We can dream, right? And Jimmy Buffett got paid for always thinking it's five o'clock somewhere, didn't he? Anyways, I digress... 

While Mr. B and I were at Southern Season over the weekend I found some great summer wines that I've been ready to have more of. 

First up, Edmeades Zinfandel. I was told that it would be great chilled, and paired well with anything grilled, smoked, or barbecued. It was pretty tasty, and I definitely recommend it!



Second up was described as a great seaside and poolside wine. I usually only like sparkling rose, but this was really good!

l'escargot rose

On to something different, but you'll need a glass of wine for it... spray tans. But not just a spray tan, but mobile spray tanning. First, I have to say that several years ago I definitely said spray tanning was gross and I'd rather be fair skinned than orange, but it's true that everyone looks better with a little glow!

There is a company around town, Glo, that will come to you in the comfort of your own home and spray you down. I'm sort of obsessed! My sister and I will be bridesmaids in a wedding this weekend, and I have set up a little "sip and spray" for us to enjoy!

So, go grab yourself a glass of wine, and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Weekend Recap

Well we're officially less than 6 months away until the big day, and we spent the weekend enjoying every minute. Mr. B and I started off the weekend with a celebratory homemade cocktail and Mr. B's famous grilled steaks. It was the perfect end to a very long week!

Blanca Julep
courtesy of Food & Wine

8 mint leaves
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 1/2 oz favorite bourbon
1 oz club soda

Muddle mint, lime and simple syrup together. Add bourbon and club soda, then fill with ice. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime wedge. Enjoy! Makes 1 cocktail.

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to our favorite coffee shop and the farmer's market for our first visit of the season. I was on a mission for herbs, and I didn't leave empty handed. I love planting herbs every season, and I'm much better at keeping them alive then flowers. Herbs are easy for me... they are either very clearly alive or dead. I left with a ton of basil, rosemary, garlic chives, cilantro, parsley and oregano. I see lots of great meals in our future! 


Just half of our urban garden... look at that basil!

After we got our plants situated, we cleaned up and headed out for a day date. We ended up at Weathervane and Southern Season in Chapel Hill. Mr. B and I love a good gourmet store, and could seriously spend hours looking at everything! We couldn't help ourselves and left with some goodies including Vivian Howard's Blueberry BBQ Sauce. We used it on grilled pork chops and grilled green beans for dinner and it did not disappoint! 

After Southern Season, we treated ourselves to a couple beers at Carolina Brewery and ended our date back in Raleigh at our favorite watering hole, House of Hops. There isn't much of an outdoor ambiance at House of Hops, but Mr. B is enjoying himself while showing off what he likes to call "engagement beer".


Sunday was just as fun and relaxing. We really caught spring fever, and enjoyed planting our new herbs so much Saturday that we ended up at Lowe's and left with tomatoes, green peppers, jalapenos, banana peppers and cucumber plants. I'm hoping we can keep those alive, and we'll have a small stash later in the season!

Every weekend after grabbing coffee at our favorite coffee shop, Mr. B and I pass the same little sub shop, SubConscious, and comment every time about how it must be good if it's still standing. If you're from the area you've probably seen it before and thought the same thing. The parking lot is always empty, but in a weird way the building seems very inviting. So, today was the day! We decided after our coffee that we'd come back for lunch. Let me tell you. We are way behind on what was a great sub! 

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying the last few hours of what was a fantastic weekend, and a great start to spring here in the City of Oaks!

Happy Monday, ya'll!

Friday, April 3, 2015

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! It's really starting to feel a lot like spring here in NC, and I can't be more excited! I have spring and summer fever. I can't wait for long, hot days ahead, but before all that happens here's what's been on my mind this week.

::one::
As previously mentioned we've been waiting to hear where my besties would be moving to, and the answer is.... Buffalo, NY! I'm pretty sure I can get used to snowy travels to the north. I've already added airline tickets as a line item on our budget! The pro - my sister and I love a layer and we work a scarf. The con - I have yet to find the best lighting for FaceTime and I usually end up looking like I have a case of jaundice. It's a work in progress!

Luckily for me this move doesn't happen before their sweet family makes a pit stop with Mr. B and I for several weeks this summer. We have a long list of things to accomplish during their stay!  I foresee lots of grilling, laughs, and if I'm lucky lots of these in my future!

Besties
::two::
We recently spent several days cruisin' the Caribbean, and it was tons of fun! The only bad thing is now I want to be on a permanent vacation.  I definitely went through a stage where I told anyone that would listen that I'd never go on a cruise again, but this trip has put me back on the map. I'm ready to book another!

A couple of my favorites from our trip...





::three::
I recently made the recipe below for dinner, and it was so easy and quick. I served it over Martha Stewart's Cilantro Lime Rice, and it was the perfect weekday meal. A note - I used Harris Teeter's Roasted Cantina Style Salsa. Highly recommend! 

Creamy Salsa Chicken Tenders
::four::
Mr. B and I are quickly approaching the 6 month mark until the big day! We have so many fun things planned, and I can't wait for all of the festivities to begin. The first on the docket... our engagement pictures! We've decided to have them done at our alma mater (Go Wolfpack!) and the nearby arboretum. Hopefully everything will be in bloom and the sun will be shining just for us. Now on to figuring out what to wear...

::five::
Since it's getting warmer out, I'm ready for my favorite beer to hit the scenes again. I barely scratched the surface on this before its season was over last summer. I will most definitely be indulging on this all summer long!

Fullsteam Brewery Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale

TGIF... Enjoy your weekend!

If you want in on the fun, join ChristinaAprilDarci, and Natasha  every Friday!