Spring Herbs

Spring has sprung, and I have all I need to plant my first herbs - basil, cilantro and oregano. In regards to herb markers, I took skewers from our pantry, popped them into wine corks, labeled and voila! Here's to all things renewed, refreshed and to the happiest of Easters.

Smile Friday

Smile... It's Friday!

Regal Eagle

The hotel we will be staying at in London is over 200 years old. I've been oohing and ahing over the rooms, and I cannot get enough of this room with that mirror. Gorgeous.

I took to the streets, well eBay really, and I found the below mirror for our own home. 

It's looking fly (pun intended) and all regal eagle in here, and I'm just loving it.

Happy Quarter of a Century, Amy!

Enjoy your special day and all of your exciting happenings ahead - newly engaged and a new house. Love this picture of you and Hank - wishing you that same laughter and happiness.

Olive Outfits

Loving my denim vest, this necklace from Furbish and the final hurrah for boots.

Bloglovin'

I was sad when I found out that Google Reader is on the outs. Fear not! Bloglovin' is a fantastic (and free) app that keeps you up-to-date on all of your favorite blogs. Check it.

Weekend Eats

It's Ina Garten's Tuna Salad time.

See all that up front? It's Leek Bread Pudding, and we need the recipe stat. 

Tiny cupcakes (from left to right) - coconut, peanut butter and almond. 

Uh oh Chipotle. Lime is all levels of delicious. Taking Hank to try this week!

Ah-movie-zing.

It's out! There is no excuse not to see this incredible movie for a dollar and some change.

Hi, Nice Space!

Hi, Nice Space! showcases real people who have a really eye-catching space.

Yes to this modern front door and absolutely yes to this bathroom floor. 

I'm all for magical bits, and I fell head over heels in love with these glowing sticks. 

The below rustic ampersand marquee light was a true showstopper.

Brick floors throughout the downstairs - make my floor dreams come true. 

{Nicely done dining and bathroom areas by my friend, Sarah. Unique bits that I relished in.}

Past Hi, Nice Space! features: Mary Elizabeth | Elle | Maura

Sailin' on the Quote Boat

Do it because you love it.

Smile Friday

Smile... It's Friday!

Mooseclumps

I'm so excited! My neighbor, Ryan T. Bliss, published his children's book, Mooseclumps. 

It's named after their super cute smooshy-faced cat, Moose. Ryan wrote and illustrated Mooseclumps, and his wife, Jessa, designed it. If you love Shel Silverstein, you'll especially love this book (available on Amazon). "Mooseclumps is the irreverent, hilarious debut work of author/illustrator Ryan T. Bliss. Alongside some of the world's most cherished children's poetry collections, Bliss' poems and hand drawn illustrations are both outrageously absurd and enchantingly touching." I walked on over to their house to purchase my copy and be first in line to have it signed. To (happily) note: Ryan and Jessa are both graduates of UNC.

Let's kick it.

Kickball season has officially begun. Go Team.

Yoda Pup

Carolina Baseball Ladies Night

I had some fun at the Carolina Baseball Ladies Night at Boshamer Stadium. We arrived to a buffet of snacks, wine and beer and a bit of shopping. I loved these Carolina heels.

We moved to the third-base bleachers for a Q&A session with Coach Fox and four players. 

Then it was time to tour the stadium. My group started with the indoor batting facility. The players talked about various hitting drills, their bats and then it was time to hit balls off the batting tees. 

Then it was onward to the Locker Room where we learned about uniforms - Carolina style. 

We spent some time in the Player's Lounge. 

As well as the Weight Room and Trainer's Room.

I loved this moment - walking out from the dugout under the lights. 

There I am in the dugout - my favorite picture from the night. 

This event was so much fun I felt the need to cut a cartwheel on the field. 

Our last station was the Bullpen where we learned about pitcher preparation to enter a game and how to grip different pitches. 

Here I am in the dugout with Laura and May as the night was wrapping up. 

We ended the evening posing for a picture on the field - there's my feet and Coach Fox's. 

Hi, Coach Fox!

This was a great event benefitting the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mateo | Bar de Tapas

Mateo is an awesome tapas restaurant in downtown Durham. Hank and I are heading to London and Barcelona this year, so it was fun to preview the tapas lifestyle that is Spain. 

As for drinks, I ordered their Cheerwine Sangria - red wine, citrus, seasonal fruit and basil. 

This place is seriously great. I love a wide variety of snacks to make up a meal. We enjoyed carpaccio de pulpo {octopus carpaccio, smoke potato salad, red onion}, coles de bruselas {brussel sprouts, migas, CHC smoked farmer's cheese, bartlett pear, pecan vinaigretta, pickled cranberry}, costillas de puerco {pork ribs, espellette pepper jelly}, morcilla y batata {blood sausage, local sweet potato puree, pickled pears, chestnut, moscatel vinaigretta} and a bone marrow special that was delicious.

We finished off the meal with a fig-based bread pudding. Next time... Churros!

It's a Bentley day!

Our neighborhood had it's second Yappy Hour, and it's always a tail wagging time. Bentley enjoyed doggie friends, treats on treats, an agility course, relay races and a pretty day. 

Bentley even won the drawing for a basket full of goodies from Woof Gang Bakery. 

Home Happenings

{Little haps around the house.}

She's engaged!

Congrats to my sister-in-love, Amy, and her fiancé, Ryan. 

"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."

Ode to Biscuits

My favorite breakfast spot, Rise, continues to ignite my tastebuds (and I let them know). Here's a bit on their biscuits... Below is my favorite one yet - eggplant parmesan. 

This one below was a tasty St. Pat's Day treat - house made corned beef hash with a runny egg and hollandaise sauce on a biscuit. Well, just turn me Irish already.

Hank ordered the creamy mac & cheese biscuit with a slice of bacon. 

Rise is a true slice of biscuit and donut heaven. It's a neat little gem with an ever rotating menu, and it's easy to keep up with each day's delights by following them on Facebook.

Spot of Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Love, Us

Boo (Princess Part Three)

We made our way to Epcot for lunch in Mexico. I love San Angel Inn. You dine under the stars among Mayan ruins. They have margaritas... and Mexican, so I was happy as can be. 

 

After lunch and an Epcot ride or so, we were off to Magic Kingdom. Hi, Minnie. (She's my favorite.) We had some fun on staple rides such as Space Mountain and the Mad Tea Party.

 

We explored a lot in the new Fantasyland. It specializes in Beauty and the Beast with a side of The Little Mermaid. I tried LeFou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern - it's frozen apple juice with mango foam and a hint of toasted marshmallow - quite the mix but somehow it works.

Then there was meeting characters including Gaston. He had the best facial expressions. 

We went strong until closing time - ending the night with fireworks and shopping.

We were awake for about 22 hours on Sunday so we slept great that night. We booked a late flight Monday, so we spent the day sleeping in, drinking bloodies by the pool and heading back to Downtown Disney for lunch and a bit more shopping / taking it all in. 

 

As always it was magical Disney and one fantastic mother / daughter weekend. Love!