Life Lately

Here's what I've got on my phone to share...

Pretty new painting in our house by a sweet Charleston artist. It was one of those I saw it and couldn't stop thinking about it kind of things. You know the kind.

I had fun tablescaping for one of my best friends, May. Her business, All She Wrote Notes, celebrated its first birthday in August. I'm all for tassels, pinatas, confetti and glitter. 

My mom and I had a sweet day shopping around downtown Apex. We came across the cutest little free library.

Love this gallery wall at one of my favorite lunch spots, Parker and Otis, in downtown Durham. It's always a 'make my day' treat when Hank and I meet there for lunch.

Rawr! Great morning at the Carolina Tiger Preserve in Pittsboro. Highly reccomend. Cara and I even wore matching tiger rings - we couldn't help ourselves.

Hank and I had some fun at Clark's birthday party. Cara outdid herself with the most amazing brunch and Bloody Mary bar. That bacon!?

And she personalizes corn hole scoreboards with pics - that Cara.

I homemade key lime pie for Hank as that's the way to his heart.

There was a s'more bar at a bridal event I went to with May. I love s'mores so this was just a dream.

While our Heels season tickets are on the second to last row, I took this photo so I would say our view isn't THAT bad.

Hank treated me to this stellar towel from Anthro, and it could not be more fitting.

Summer came and went... My goodness!

I love birthdays. I decorated away for my sweet employee's special day.

Snagged the cutest Cokes when the #ShareACoke tour made a stop at Carolina. And would you believe it... I shipped a personalized set to my friends Maura and Steve and a package theif opened the box and stole the Cokes! They must have been quite thirsty.

I met my best friend Kathleen's baby Kennedy, and I just love this photo of her - it's my favorite.

We danced it away at the Jason Aldean concert. 

Hank and I hit up an amazing local Vietnamese spot one Friday night. Vietnamese coffee is my jam. The food was all so flavorful and fresh. Two thumbs up to Taste Vietnamese Cuisine.

I won a Laduree cookbook and proceeded not to make my own macaroons but pick some up at the Farmers' Market (which is where you'll find me any given Saturday morning).

Homemade pizza sauce. Yes, please.

Campus pretty.

Fire skies are the best. Enjoyed them from the front balcony this weekend.

B and I took some selfies to enter a 'best in selfie' contest. We're good with this one. 

I truly believe every day is a party so I try to sneak in little party bits here and there. It's the little things. Whew... That was a lot. Here's to confetti, fire skies and friends. Happy Week.

Pretty Asks

So excited for two delightful weddings ahead for my best friends. Maura and Steve are getting married in New York in October.

May and Chris are getting married in North Carolina in May.

Happy for all the fun ahead in 2015.

Carolina Beachin' It

Hank and I had a fun weekend at Carolina Beach this summer.

We rolled into town, and our first stop was Brew Thru. It's a neat place to load up on drinks for the weekend. You don't even have to get out of the car, you just select your drinks, and they put them in your car for you. We stayed at the Courtyard right on the beach. It's nice because all rooms are oceanfront, and they have a pool. 

We enjoyed lunch at the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar (featured in Our State magazine) and dinner at Shuckin' Shack. I would reccomend both. The Shack is small so definitely not the best place for large parties - it's fun to grab a seat at the bar and shuck away. By night we explored the Boardwalk which is open late so lots to see and do. 

We enjoyed late night at Britt's Donut open since 1939. We slept in late the next morning before heading to Kate's Pancake House for brunch. 

It's worth it just to go for the pink bricks. We played on the beach on into the evening - watching the sweetest wedding take place. 

After a lost earring and pair of sunglasses later, the beach won, and we called it a day. Although I will say Hank did an awesome job trying to dive down to retrieve my sunglasses. So awesome that my wayfarers went down, and Hank came up with some Tory Burch shades. I about lost it (literally). That is some luck. 

That night we had a tasty dinner at Havana's before having some fun at the dive bar Fat Pelican. Love that place! You walk in and pick out your own beer in a huge fridge. The yard is crazy with random ish everywhere, and I loved it so.

Sunday we had lunch at Surfhouse on our way out of town, and it was great too. The atmosphere is cool and fresh.

A very foodie beach! We ate enough on this trip but next time we are in town definitely grabbing ice cream at Squigley's as I hear it's delicious. Loved being able to walk everywhere, the Boardwalk has so many colorful and fun photo opps, and it was just a stellar weekend.

The Sayeprano

While I was at the Farmers' Market, I made friends with the owner of local restaurant Cilantro - he even gave me free basil... Score! The owner asked what I loved to cook or what my signature dish is, and I didn't really have an answer. I asked Hank later that day, and he suggested an Italian sandwich I make, and I said yep, that's it. This sandwich has since been dubbed 'The Sayeprano' playing off the show The Sopranos and all things Italian.

It's simple really but absolutely delicious. It combines sourdough bread, pesto, roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and prosciutto. All ingredients are grilled together to a melty goodness that to me is sammie perfection.

Western Wake Farmers' Market

These $5 Farmers' Market flowers made this rainy morning bright. I highly reccomend the Western Wake Farmers' Market if you're in the area. They had amazingness from growlers of local brews to delicious cheeses and then some. Here's my Saturday morning haul of all things wonderful:

I had no idea this gem was right in my backyard. Yippee!