Lucky Score

This is the third year I've been in search of the perfect felt mistletoe to hang in our home for the holidays. By perfect I mean a substantial size, full, with white berries and a big red bow. This year I finally found it on Etsy but at a price point of $29. In swoops West Elm with a very similar handmade mistletoe at a tiny price point of $9 (plus save 10 percent with your student ID in stores or by signing up for their emails online; free shipping too).

The search is over, and I'm so happy with my lucky score. Mistletoe is up, kisses galore!

Weekend Recap

It's officially winedeer season! I crafted away on Friday night...

And sent most of these party animals to their new home on Saturday. We had a neighborhood only holiday shopping event and brunch, and it was so much fun.

Bentley had a special guest over this weekend, cousin Lennox. They slumber partied.

Sunday's highlight was brunch at Crook's Corner. Three cheers for their french toast.

Hope the weekend was good to you. I can't believe we have a holiday next week!?

Five

One day you're walking through the Pit as a senior, five years later, as alumni celebrating a reunion. Here's a look back on Carolina Homecoming 2013, where our story began.

{clearest sign of home}

{alumni center}

{golf tournament at finley}

{helping big boss}

{milestone mixer at back bar}

{class of 2008}

{cheers with topo beers}

{my people}

{bell tower tailgate}

{unc vs. virginia}

{cheering the heels to a victory}

{kicking back in the pit}

{my carolina sweetheart}

{that was then, this is now}

{postgame party at the carolina inn}

{a happy weekend}

But sometimes when the springtime comes and the sifting moonlight falls, they'll think again of this night here and of these old brown walls, of white Old Well and of Old South. With Bell's deep booming tone, they'll think again of Chapel Hill, and - thinking - come back home.

- Thomas Wolfe, UNC Class of 1920

Stop… Weekend Time!

Saturday morning I'll be…

winedeer and other Mrs. Loves Life The Shop goodies at my neighborhood's brunch and holiday shopping event. I've got 27 winedeer in waiting that need their glam squad before morning so away I go! Enjoy life out there, and don't forget to live. it. up.

Happy Friday

From Bentley! He's excited for the weekend as he's having his cousin Lennox over on Saturday for a Slumber Party. He may even share his coveted triceratops. Maybe.

Crush

Here are two things I'm crushing hard on in Chapel Hill…

Running into Coach Roy Williams and taking our first photo together!

Lunches at Merritt's Store & Grill. Show me a finer BLT with pimento cheese + jalapeños.

Seriously… Show me.

Home Happenings

I picked up this cute face from Furbish Studio's Fall Flea. 

A party that you push around? Every home needs a bar cart.

Squealing Puppies

Hold up! So back to this rehearsal dinner. I tasted the most amazing southern delight.

So good I had to take a picture with it to commemorate our introduction. Squealing puppies… Do you know about these? I didn't until this very moment above. Nothing comes up when you Google these elusive treats. They're sausage balls in hushpuppies that you dip in spicy mustard. Oh my stars. That's all, that's it, and they'll take you to the moon and back. I've got to track down somewhere else that serves these. Know of any? On the hunt...

Fall Happs

I introduced my mom to the N.C. State Fair, and she loved it as much as I do. I ate all things fried, shopped the crafts and ran into my friend May… Three times! 

One of my favorite eats in Germany was onion pie. I ate onions like apples as a kid, that's how much I love onions, so a whole pie… Celebration. I purchased this German cookbook while on my trip (of course it's cheaper on Amazon) specifically for this savory pie recipe.

I went to a fun family rehearsal dinner, and they had some of my favorite cookies as favors.

The wedding was a blast complete with the bar in the barn's silo and mason jar lights.

I don't skip Thanksgiving, so my ode to the turkey decorations were up Nov. 1.

I spent a pretty weekend at the lake, and I'm a sucker for reflection photos.

And the rest, well, it's just gravy.

Looking Back: Skellies

Last October I discovered the fun in painting Dollar Store skeletons, so I was sure to continue the tradition this year. I crafted skeleton trophies for a costume contest at work.

I also sprayed a dozen skeletons gold and worked them into garland for our bar area.

I repositioned some to use as place card holders at the dinner table… Fall tablescape fun!

I discovered even bigger skeletons at Michael's and created a hot pink lady.

This skellie needed a friend so I painted a gold posse for friends and our trick or treat table.

You can never have too many skeletons - no bones about it.

Sailin' on the Quote Boat

Life's too short, people. Too short...

Chicago Marathon 2013 (not me, Hank!)

I was home sweet home from Germany on a Tuesday and was on my way to Chicago early Saturday morning. Our party of five took the train into the city from the airport and walked to our hotel. It was a quick little shimmy to the Hilton on Michigan Ave. (we even passed a Trader Joe's). Our hotel was right across from the finish line so we knew the runners of the group were set to go. We got comfy in our room for a bit, crafted race signs and then it was onward to the expo. We did lunch at a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives spot, Hackney's. The three amigos (Amy, Hank and Ryan) got in a two mile run and while they rested afterwards, me and my mother-in-law, Lisa, took to the streets to explore Michigan Ave.

I splurged on Chanel's Quartz nail polish. Later that evening, we enjoyed a carb-filled dinner at Lou Malnati's, home of the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Yum! By night, the runners got their gear ready, and then it was off to sleep as we had an early morning ahead. 

... GOOD MORNING, RUNNERS! Lisa and I got Hank, Amy and Ryan on their way and then found the nearest Starbuck's and set up at mile two. This sign was definitely a hit...

There's Hank… See him below!? I was so, so excited to see him. In a sea of over 40,000 runners (from 120 countries and all 50 states), I wondered if it was even possible. This was Hank's first marathon of any sort, and he made. it. happen. If you really want to be inspired, be a spectator of a marathon. You'll see all kinds of people making a life goal a reality. The wheel chair races were amazing to see, and there were blind runners being led by guides. That was just wow - if you have a dream, live it out, people around you are.

Marathon finisher! It was a gorgeous day, and our three runners did their very best.

Cheerleaders + Runners... Go, Team!

As an aside, you could tell all eyes were on this city after what happened in Boston. The streets were crawling with security in every nook and cranny. There were bag searches, bomb sniffing dogs, barricades upon barricades and police patrolling every inch of the race course. The general public was not allowed at the start and finish lines. Needless to say, I felt safe. Thanks, Chicago. After the race, we got ready to explore Chicago. We started at none other than... The Bean.

I LOVE the Bean / Cloud Gate. It's probably the coolest city landmark to me next to the Eiffel Tower. I don't know what heartstring it tug, but I'm obsessed.

After a bit of sightseeing, we ate Chicago-style hot dogs and grabbed beers in Millennium Park. Then it was onward to our boat tour with the Architecture Foundation - one of the best ways to see the city. We went at 5 p.m. which made for some great lighting. We cozied up on the back row of the boat as we sipped hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps. After the boat ride, we grabbed drinks at The Signature Lounge at the 96th, home to the best women's restroom on the planet. Seriously, you walk out of your stall and are faced with floor to ceiling windows showcasing the skyline. We were way up in the night sky and watched the city twinkle below. Afterwards, Hank and I grabbed dinner to go from the sports bar Jimmy Greens and called it a night. 

Hank and I stayed in Chicago an extra day to see more of this great city. We enjoyed breakfast at Yolk before taking to the streets. The above photo is in front of Buckingham Fountain. The below photos are from, well, none other than the Bean… Again! I just had to go back when it was less crowded. 

We walked Michigan Ave., popped into Nike, grabbed popcorn at Garrett and saw The Chicago Theatre. 

The best meal in Chicago? Au Cheval. Hands down. This place had the coolest vibe, great waiter, awesome food. I had the Hemingway Daiquiri {rum, maraschino, grapefruit, lime}. Then we dove head first into the roasted marrow bones, beef cheek marmalade and toast. Their cheeseburger is known as the best in Chicago so we both had that cooked medium rare with fries. We both got it with fried egg this time, but next time, I'm definitely adding their thick cut peppered bacon, because it looked amazing.

We relaxed the rest of the day away with a walk on Navy Pier and a ride on the Ferris Wheel. 

Stunning views of the city from the top...

I still had a sweet tooth so we grabbed Eli's Cheesecake to go to snack on in the airport, and that was that, a trip well done. Until next time, Chicago. And to the Bean, I love you.