Carolina Football Ladies Night

This night was so. much. fun. I'll be back every year from here on out.

At 5 p.m. I was out the door and first in line to have my picture taken with Coach Fedora. He even autographed my sparkly Carolina football helmet which made it twice as cute.

{Coach Fedora is awesome.}

We enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while shopping. We had a Q&A with players and heard from Coach Fedora along with other Tar Heels. I competed to put my "uniform" on the fastest. I didn't win, but I won a cool Carolina shirt (and know the tactic for next year). 

We toured Kenan Stadium - starting with the Olympic weight room.

Helmet love! Then it was onward to the football locker room...

We're we got a pep talk from Coach Fedora!

Then we ran out onto the field through the tunnel - under the lights.

I had a great, great night with these ladies.

... And even came home with lots of swag. Here's a video recap from the night.

Proceeds benefited the UNC Children's Hospital so all that fun for one great cause. 

{Check out the fun I had at the Carolina Baseball Ladies Night too.} 

Random Lake Bits

On our way to the lake, Hank and I love passing by this misplaced Californian mansion.

Grandma was pruning my parent's flowers and voila, showstopper. Grandmas know best.

Lunchtime rolled around and my mom wouldn't tell us what we were having. Then she brought out the surprise sandwiches, and well, she outdid herself. {french baguette + roasted pork tenderloin + caramelized onions + sauerkraut + provolone + mayo}

Two sweet girls painted this cooler for my dad. I'm pretty sure I need a Carolina one.

Bentley lived it up as a happy lake pup boat riding...

And letting his hair down, well really, letting his ears flap in the wind.

Daniel's

I dined at one of my favorites, Daniel's, on Friday night with Hank. Daniel's is family owned, Italian and all levels of delicious. Their bread and calamari start a meal off just right.

My glass of prosecco and main dish, penne alla case with pancetta, made me...

Happy, happy, happy. This place is seriously fantastic. Thank goodness for Daniel's.

Sass.

This is how Bentley defines it.

Mascot Love

Last week I hung out with Rameses for an hour and a half photo shoot around campus.

All I can say about that is... Dreams really do come true. I could not stop laughing/smiling.

Looking Back: New Bern

This historic port is full of small-town charm. New Bern was the perfect place to spend a weekend with my mom. We strolled, snuck into Tryon Palace (the gardens were lovely), grabbed drinks at Captain Ratty's, loved on bears and stopped into the birthplace of Pepsi. 

New Bern is slow and easy going and that's what I loved about it. As North Carolina's second oldest town, I'd suggest a boat or trolley tour, shrimp and grits at The Chelsea and just walking... a stroll along the waterfront, pop into shops downtown, take time to admire all of the broad, wraparound porches. This place is Southern with a slice of lemon.

Shrimp Pesto B.L.T.

Y'all. This was so easy and so good. Be sure to check out the delightful recipe here.

Home Happenings

So I really wanted this most perfect little elephant. I picked it up for my friend May awhile back so I had already grown attached by the time I made the delivery. Months went by...

 

Yep - I really wanted cutest elephant. So in comes a Home Happenings swap. I sent May pictures of things I was willing to swap, and we came up with a fun selection of treasures.

I love my new elephant. May loves her new treasures. Home Happenings swap success.

Tabletop Extravaganza

On Sunday I went to a Tabletop Extravaganza with sister-in-love Amy to check out wedding happenings. You walk around with fancy gin fizz cocktails while snacking on passed hors d'oeuvres and oohing and ahing over delightful wedding tablescapes.

{very luncheon tablescape}



{blissful reception tablescape}

{barn rehearsal tablescape}

Aviator & Crabs

Last week we met sister-in-love Amy and her fiancé Ryan at Aviator Brewing Company's SmokeHouse for dinner and beer in Fuquay Varina - great first time at Aviator.

I had their award-winning crazy wings, and they were so good... so hot. Ryan asked Hank to be a groomsman that night - happy day! This past weekend we also enjoyed an annual tradition - a steam blue crab cookout at Hank's coworker's house. Crabs? I love crabs.

The crabs and beer were endless. Hank made some awesome baked beans courtesy of his mom's recipe so I'll certainly share that recipe here soon. People were on thirds!

Home Happenings

{Carolina spirit, turtles and alligators, oh my!}

Day Camping

Hank and I had some fun this weekend hitting up Jordan Lake to visit our campers - my dad and some of the Lake Tillery family. We did the usual - float, ride the Sea-Doos and cook. 

With the exception of a little fish nipping my finger while floating - I love the disconnect and relaxation camping brings. ... And adventure? There are always entertaining happenings!

Za Night

Friday night we had our friends Nick and Jen over for dinner. I was happy as can be with a squeaky clean house, fresh flowers, a tasty dinner menu planned and these two on the way. 

We started with hummus, wine and strawberry salad (strawberries, spinach leaves, pecans, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette). Then we dined on shrimp pesto pizza (wheat dough, pesto, shrimp, mozzarella and goat cheese) and finished with peach frozen yogurt. 

We played games including one of my favorites - Ring-O Flamingo - and chatted away until the morning. The guys even had their own rare beer tasting. Great start to the weekend!

Olive Outfits

Dresses & Little Boots, Selfie Style

Lola

I had a pineapple named Lola over the weekend. She was quite posh.

She assisted in the production of a great summer dinner: grilled shrimp, the fruits of summer - pineapple and watermelon and Greek tortellini salad. Thanks, Lola!