College Loves

I spent Friday night at the Westin in Uptown Charlotte with some college loves. 

Maura was in town for work, so it was the perfect calling for us to get together. 

We enjoyed chatting it up, dinner & drinks on the porch of Vida and dancing the night away.

Spotted: It's Bentley.

DEWeezy

Mountain Dew nailed it with their current DEWeezy campaign.

SPOT ONE:

"I am Little Wayne, and this is how I do.

I would say Deweezy is mainly about finding yourself, finding your thing and doing you. I mean that's what I do. I hate anything average. I hate normal. I refuse to be basic. I don't follow cliches. I'm so not stereotypical, and I live to be that way. I'm super serious, and I'm very hard on myself, but that's just what it is, I'm a professional.

If you believe that what you think, you can do, than there is no room for doubt. Obviously if you think you can do it, than who's going to tell you, you can't. Don't be afraid of it. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks about it. You live it, and you believe in it. I don't set out to be different, I set out to be me, and people think it's different.

That's boldness and that's self belief, and that's how I do."

SPOT TWO:

"Life is a lot like skateboarding. Say there's a new trick I want to land. The first, second and most likely the third time, I will fall. But, I get back up. That's because I tell myself, and I've told myself, I will.

It's not what you do, it's how you do. Find your thing, and do you."

GREAT THEME:

Find your personal success by carving your own path. (Seriously, let's do this!)

Hello, College Sweethearts

First Snapshot: Here we are after Carolina beat Miami back in 2004. 

Ketchup

No, no, catch up... Let's catch up. 

I'm continuing to enjoy my stationary subscription - especially this card by Snow & Graham. 

I had a great time a couple of Wednesdays back at Pref Night. It's certainly a tradition I plan to continue for years to come. I saw a pretty top I need to hop on the hunt for as this night is grand for style inspiration. Some of these sorority hopeful's outfits are showstoppers. 

I've enjoyed delicious meals with family - one of which was grilled by Hank's dad and another was a Sunday brunch with my dad and Hank at Another Broken Egg. This brunch spot is quite tasty and their philosophy is "nothing short of right is right." I'm ready to head back to try their bloody mary with homemade pepper vodka along with their beignets. 

The weather has been especially nice for hammocking, so that's where you'll find me and Bentley. I've said goodbye to weekends at the pool, and I've welcomed pumpkin spice latte season. I've enjoyed Hank's homemade guacamole and shopping for treasures with Cara. 

I had a lovely time hosting GetLit at my house with May. We hosted 17 ladies, and it was a blast. The book was The Fault in Our Stars. Some of our menu items included a mimosa bar, pimento cheese, mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pizzas. We had a door prize where everyone shared their wish, and the favors were candy cigarettes - pulled from one of the main characters. The best takeaway from this book is live your best life today. 

On an all things good note, my mom surprised me with a Disney Princesses lunch box with matching sandwich and snack bags - such a cute treat. One of my favorite kitchen pieces lately is the above carafe - it's quite versatile. I recommend Trader Joe's Pita Chips w/ Sea Salt paired with their Cilantro and Chive Yogurt Dip as a tasty snack. I've been carrying the above tote bag from Madewell (it's only $5) to showcase my North Carolina pride. 

Hank and I rocked it one Saturday at Big Boss Brewery. We set up for an event, helped host almost 100 people and had fun all the while. Cara came to support too! I suggest Big Boss' brew Harvest Time - all in all a fantastic brewery with a very cool / down to earth owner. 

Bentley and I had a fun hike through Umstead State Park with my dad. It's my favorite time of year to take this Sunday morning hike as it's incredibly calming. Live your best life today!

I tip my hat to the chef.

Hank cooked a fab meal this week - we started with Modelo Especial + limes, green olive and basil tapenade + table water crackers then caesar salad, grilled filet mignon with fig-cabernet vinegar glaze and grilled sweet potato wedges with spicy cranberry-bourbon glaze for the main event. Check out Bobby Flay's Grill It! for some great recipes. Three cheers!

It's football season.

My pregame breakfast included a bloody mary and a Carolina Pop-Tart. In regards to our bloody mary mix, have you tried the brand Fat & Juicy? It's great. Bentley rocked his fedora in support of our new coach, Larry Fedora, and then it was off to Kenan Stadium we went.

Shrimp Pesto Pizza

So delicious it was worth the oven burn on my arm.

Recipe: First I laid out wheat pizza dough (from Harris Teeter's Deli Section) on my pizza stone. Then I spread around a bit of olive oil and seasonings on the dough. The seasonings I used were Mama Francesca's Garlic Bread Topping and Pizza Topping (these can be found at Harris Teeter as well). Then I spread around a generous amount of Classico's Basil Pesto (about 2/3 of the jar).

In regards to the shrimp, I used half a pound of shrimp, and I separately seasoned it with garlic and salt & pepper. I cooked the shrimp in a saute pan on its own with olive oil for 30 seconds on each side (it will finish cooking once in the oven). Then I added this shrimp to the pizza. Then I topped the pizza with mozzarella cheese, bits of goat cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. I baked it in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Home Happenings

New Sea Look at our dinner table - gold coral candleholders.