Weekending | 3.29 Alex's Birthday

my weekend... 

This weekend I went to Raleigh to hang out with my family + Jack and to celebrate Alex's 24th birthday {pics are on my parents camera). I had just gotten back earlier in the week (3/24) from my amazing trip to Puerto Rico {will have more on the blog later this week} and I was excited to share about my travels with my family. 

what I loved about my weekend: FOOD

Making chicken {the way Lyndsey did down in PR} for my parents. #iCanCook

Sushi Date Night at Mura

Family Time + working on the layout of my parents new house

New Necklaces.

Ben and Jerry's The Tonight Dough. Simply Amazing.

NCAA Tournament: I had Duke, like most, in the Final Four, BUT I also had Michigan State... I think I might be the only one who did!!

The Podcast: Serial.

Watching Alex eat his 1.6 lb T Bone steak Jack and I got him for his birthday #brolovesfood

Relaxing.

How was your weekend? 

xoxo

Have You Heard || How to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! 

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th and is a cultural and religious holiday named in honor of the patron saint of Ireland. It commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland as well as Irish heritage and culture. It is not only  celebrated by the Irish, but also many people throughout the world. According to the U.S News & World Report, "A reported 127 million Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, as a group more than 26 times the Republic of Ireland's total population plans to wear - and spend - some serious green."


Here is my list of How To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2015:

1. Wear something GREEN or get *pinched*
Now for this you can go all-out head to toe in green or wear something more subtle like a green shirt or green shamrock socks. If you don't wear green, beware you may get pinched. The thought of pinching someone for not wearing green started in the early 1700s when the holiday started being celebrated in the US. The thought was that if you wore green you were invisible to the Leprechauns, which was a good thing because Leprechauns pinched anyone they could see.

St. Patty's Day 2014

2. Add some Accessories
Jewelry, buttons, pins, headbands are all great ways to dress up your green. On St. Patrick's Day, nothing can be considered overdone. I think it would be fun to accessorize with something like this little Leprechaun Buddy. 

Party City

3. Learn some Irish words and sayings
Of course the Irish have their own words and sayings so if you want to sound like a true Paddy, try inserting some Hiberno-English into your conversation. Here are just a few you can try: 

• "What's the craic?" (their version of "What's Up?"). Craic is an important word in Ireland what describes the enjoyment of an activity or event.
• "Ah, now" (their version of "hey now") This saying expresses dismay at something and in this example is a playful one towards someone giving them a difficult time about something that is not really that bad.
• Eejit (their version of idiot, but in a playful way). If someone does something silly you can comment "Ah, now ya big eejit!!"

4. Try Irish dancing

Irish dancing is a form of step dancing which is not only popular in Ireland but also all over the world. It is a fun way to burn calories. You can learn to Irish dance by attending formal classes, but if you are like me, you will just try to copy something from YouTube and have a fun time pretending you know what you're doing.

 

5. Drink Something Green!

Most bars and pubs love St. Patrick's Day {because it is one of the few holidays known for an increase in alcohol consumption} and will cater to customers with festive St. Patrick's Day themes. If green beer does not interest you check out the Shamrock Shake at McDonalds or make your own.

Whatever you do, have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to pinch those not wearing green!





xoxo

Weekending || 3.14 & 3.15

What was there not to love about this weekend?

a slice of my weekend... 

Being outside {Sunday} in the sun

can't forget trying out my new selfie stick #basic

Birthdays--- it's always appropriate to celebrate your actual birthday & your half birthday... right?

Sleeping in aka sleeping past 8:30am #thestruggleisreal

Homemade pie for 3.14 PI Day courtesy of Mrs. Linda

Meatloaf Sandwiches at The Gap Deli

Beer and Wine Challenges {similar to the Coke vs Pepsi Challenge}

Watching home videos of Jack and his family: I especially loved Camp John-Jack and #comeherepoochie

How was your weekend? 

xoxo

5 on Friday the 13th | Are You Superstitious?

ONE|Skimm’bassador

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I have been hooked on theSkimm for a little over a year now and I am working to become a part of the Skimm'bassador program. You can help me out by signing up for theSkimm using my unique link below. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

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TWO|A new Boyfriend

I picked up this Poplin Boyfriend Shirt a few weeks ago at Old Navy and LOVE it. It’s a perfect shirt to pack for my trip next week AND it’s on sale right for $20.00 + and extra 30% off Sale with code ONSAVE. I am thinking about getting the pink pin striped I’m a 4/6 and I ordered a small.

THREE|Chips and Salsa

This week some of my Life Group gals and I celebrated our birthday of our friend, Allison. We had dinner, drinks, and lot’s o chip and salsa at Cantina 1511.

FOUR|Season Finale- The Bachelor 2015

I absolutely love watching The Bachelor and have loved watching all 19 seasons of the show, owning it! I was so happy that Chris proposed to Whitney and think that they are going to have a wonderful life together. I was somewhat disappointed by the announcement of the “Never in Bachelor History”  of having two Bachelorettes. I thought it was going to be a dramatic twist at the end of the show where Chris did something crazy, but nope! It will be interesting to see what happens with the two bachelorettes, especially putting the 25 men on night one with the ultimate say about who they think will make the best wife.  The next show will premiere on May 18 on ABC. #willyouacceptthisrose

FIVE|Jack-Jack

I am looking forward to spending time this weekend with Jack before I head out next week for Puerto Rico!?!

It's Friday...and I am linking up with: Darci, April, Christina, + Natasha | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife

xoxo 
Elise

**please note I will receive a Skimm’bassador point if you sign up using my link***

Thursday Thoughts with ETB | 3.12

I think...

I am unsure about the comeback of JNCO Jeans—anybody with me? #hello90s

these 80+ degree Charlotte days are making life so much enjoyable especially with the time change  

Aldi & Trader Joe’s are two of my most favorite places to get groceries –try Aldi out if you haven’t yet 

I really like the Aldi Intermingle California Red Blend Wine + its only $5.99 {prices may vary due to state & local laws} #takethattwobuckChuck

I’m going to Puerto Rico one week from today!! – I think I need to start packing

you should know that my brother and I live less than 2 miles apart, which makes it super convenient to have sibling nights

I am going to drink something green this weekend -- Maybe beer, maybe a smoothie #happyStPattysDay

linking up with Meagan has been a JOY of mine on Thursdays—you should link up too

              It's Thursday...and I am linking up with: Meagan

xoxo

Elise 

Weekend | March is HERE!!

What I loved about my weekend… in a nutshell

Sunshine & lots of it—I enjoyed Saturday outside at Freedom Park and spend Sunday with the air off and doors wide open

Bar class –at a new studio opening in Charlotte

Early morning shopping to avoid the crowds

Tickle fights—especially with the kiddos I babysit

Sushi goodness with friends—we may or may not have ordered 7 rolls + an app

Being a kid again playing Mario Kart & Mario Party (and of course Jack won)

Jack and I cooking Sunday dinner together + brownie sundaes

TIME CHANGE- here's to longer sunny days

What I will forget about my weekend—the horrible UNC/Duke game

How was your weekend? Did you enjoy the sunshine? 

xoxo