Five on Friday || Ready for the Weekend

ONE|Secret’s Out 

TOMORROW morning Jack’s family and I head down to Saint Martin! I am super excited and am looking forward to clear blue water, skies, and some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Cheers to a fun vacation!!

TWO|Perfume

Last night at Nordstrom Sara introduced me to what could be my next {expensive} obsession, Jo Malone. I took home a sample of the Peony & Blush Suede Cologne and am going to try it out for the next few weeks. Anyone have a good suggestion out of the many scents that they love? Suggestions needed.

THREE|B-Cycle

I found this photo of me and my bestie, Alyssa, when she visited Charlotte in April. We had such a fun time renting bikes and riding them all around town. This is going to be one of my favorite activities to do this summer.

FOUR|The Bar Method: Charlotte-SouthPark

Tuesday and Friday 6am class has become tough this past week. Between the 4/5^ths week and the longer summer days I cannot seem to drag myself out of bed. Soon, the SouthPark studio will open up, but until then they are offering FREE classes. Sign up for free community classes here.

FIVE|1989

June 8^th cannot {until after my relaxing time in SXM} come soon enough because… I am going to Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour !!!  I am suppppper stoked! I have been looking forward to this for a really long time and cannot believe the time has almost come. From her outfits, to sets, to live music I cannot wait!! #WelcometoChalrlotte

xx

Weekend || 2015 Memorial Day

Yes…I do realize that it’s Wednesday, but having a 3 day weekend threw me off, so without further ado… What I loved about my weekend:

Beautiful summertime weather for the entirety of the weekend

Long car rides and listening to music

Traveling all over NC—from Mount Airy to Charlotte to Boone and back

Dinner & ice cream at The Depot

Amanda is #finallyAChandler, marrying her best friend Caanan!

BOONE, NC

First River adventure of the summer #7hourtour

Boone Bagel & The Ham Shoppe

xx

Join Me || Power of Prayer

Please join me in deep prayer and recovery for the Eddings family during this tragedy. Gentry and Hadley are beloved by all. Gentry has led worship at Forest Hill Church and they both possess a deep faith.  But it will be challenged in the days and weeks to come like no other time. GoFundMe: Eddings Family

"Pray without ceasing" 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 

xx

Finally Friday || Cheers to a 3 Day Weekend!

Yuuuup. That sums it up perfectly. 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Y'all! I know that everyone will enjoy this beautiful weekend we have ahead of us.

xoxo

Thursday Thoughts with ETB | 5.21.15

I think...

it was time for a new iPhone and I finally upgraded..only to a 5 though #thanksJHG

watermelon and I are meant to be together

6 am workouts really increase my energy levels and happiness for the day #CLTbarMethod

every weekend should be a 3 day weekend... wishful thinking

this weekend is special because I get to see my two good friends get married here in Charlotte and TWO of my good friends will be in town to celebrate!! #finallyAChandler

after being apart from Jack for the past 19 days it makes me more appreciative for the days we get to spend together 

the Bachelorette is going to consume my Monday nights, along with a glass of vino #teamClint

green tea is going to be my summer time drink, thanks Starbucks

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

xoxo

Have you Heard | Beds For Kids

Did you know that thousands (over 7,500) of children in the Charlotte area sleep without a bed or on the floor every night in Charlotte? I was shocked when I heard and I wanted to do something, anything, to get involved and let others know about a great organization, Beds for Kids.

Last week I was able to attend the Beds for Kids Dream Big Benefit with my friend Lyndsey and her dad, Jim. The event was created to raise awareness, funds and resources to supply families in the Charlotte area with furniture.EA Decker was at the event not only to enjoy, but also to take pictures. I hope you enjoy a few snapshots of the event.

Beds for Kids (BFK):

Mission: To provide a bed and other essential furniture to every child and family in need in Charlotte.

Program: Furnishes futures for children and their families through the referrals of other effective agencies as families move from shelters in to permanent housing.

Not Just Beds: In addition to beds, donate your new or gently used furniture items and lamps to help us fully furnish a family's home.

How BFK got started:

In 2010 church small group delivered some furniture to a family in need pieces to a family who had just moved out of a Charlotte shelter and into a home. Realizing something needed to be done for this family and many others one of the small group members, Tim Rowley, decided to do something and in 2011 BFK officially began. Since 2011 Beds for Kids has delivered 2,386 beds and 15,433 essential furniture pieces to children and families in need.

Interested in Beds for Kids and their mission? See how you can get involved here.

  

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 

1 Peter 4:10,11 

xoxo

Weekend || Amanda’s Bachelorette Party – Wilmington, NC

What I loved about my weekend…

Celebrating my dear friend Amanda before she gets hitched #finallyAChandler

Wrightsville beach waves

Tropical Storm Ana for not raining on our parade

Germany and Asheville #America

Port City Java + healthy harvest muffins

Exploring downtown Wilmington & views on the river walk

Wigging out. Purple hair + purple tulips

Level 5, the best rooftop bar in Wilmington being located in our building

Also… a very special Mother’s Day to the one who knows me best, is always there for a phone call, a pick me up, and enjoys my love of Thai and coconut shrimp. Loving lately getting all of the snail mail you send my way. You are simply the best!! xoxo 

How was your weekend?!?

Frugalista || Cinco De Mayo || Taco Bell

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

If you know me, then you know I am a frugalista to the core #owningit. Anything to save a penny here or there I am in no doubt going to do it. Free anything- i'm there. Coupons- all over them. And finding any change: penny, nickel or dime, makes my day just a little brighter! 

In honor of May 5, a.k.a. Cinco de Mayo, all Taco Bell customers are welcomed to a free Biscuit Taco with a choice of bacon or sausage from 7am-11am.

I had never tried Taco Bell breakfast-- but since it was free, I was willing to give it a try. I thought that the line was going to be crazy-- but it ended up that there were only 2 people in line in front of me. I had the sausage biscuit, and it was delicious!

Anybody else have free Taco Bell this morning?!?!


UPDATE: on of my coworkers just let me know that Sonic is having 1/2 priced Drinks/ Slushies ALL DAY in honor of Cinco De Mayo!! ENJOY! 

xoxo

Weekend || Getaway || Bald Head Island

What I loved about my weekend… Island Living!!

Shrimp, seafood, and some more shrimp

Laying out poolside with our strawberry daiquiris, piña coladas, & mint juleps for derby day

Drinks, Appetizers, and Dinner at Mojo’s on the Harbor

Hot Tub time with the gals

Relaxing and enjoying the first beach trip of the summer

Exploring the island on a beach cruiser

Celebrating David’s birthday #30andfabulous

The Royal baby was born: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Golf cart adventures and sometimes pretending we were in Jurassic Park

Beautiful sunsets enjoyed with wonderful friends

Searching for wildlife: which ended up being 2 black snakes and 9 turtles

Special thanks to Ms. Hannah for setting up the entire weekend and making it such a fun time!!

How was your weekend?!?

xoxo

Weekend || Bestie & NASCAR Style

What I loved about my weekend… it was jammed packed with fun events:

Spending time with my best friend, Alyssa, miss you already and don’t forget the hair dryer “car wash”

Being a kid and playing at Discovery Place for the Science Rocks event #geekoutfreakout

Views from Fahrenheit, Bristol Race, Charlotte Greenway, & the mountains

The Suite life—watching the Knights game in style #thanksCC

Sour Patch Kids game with Jack while on the road to Bristol

Shopping: Hello JCrew Warehouse Sale & Lilly +Target both in one weekend #broke and #iSurvivedLillyforTGT

10 mile bike ride around Charlotte thanks to B Cycle

My First NASCAR Race Ever, which was quite eventful thanks to the rain

Living life to the fullest = hardly any sleep, but well worth spending time with my bestie

How was your weekend?!?

xoxo

Five on Friday || Finally Friday!!

ONE|BFF

One of my best friends, Alyssa, and her boyfriend, Sam, are visiting this weekend from Michigan. I am looking forward to a fun filled weekend with them + Jack. Tonight we are going to Science on the Rocks: Geek Out, Freak Out.

TWO|Coasting

If you didn’t see my post on Instagram, you missed out on these awesome coasters that my brother gave me for my birthday. They are one of a kind and I have loved using them at work and home.

THREE|Wedding Season

This past weekend kicked off Wedding Season for Jack and me. We celebrated The Hargrave’s and had a wonderful time in Mount Airy.

 

FOUR|Wine

A close friend of mine sent our group text this picture and it perfectly describes my week. #itsclassy

  

FIVE|Pound Cake

Over the weekend I celebrated my birthday with Jack’s family. His wonderful mom made this pound cake and whipped cream from scratch.I wish that I had some right now, it was marvelous. 

Photo cred: Jack

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

xoxo

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