Cheers to Birthdays--Lauren

Today is Lauren's birthday! 9 years ago, around this time, Lauren (the first friend I met in college) invited me to her parents house for a birthday dinner with a group of girls.  I already knew I was going to love college, but it was at the point, that I knew I had found a group of friends that I truly loved.  And not much has changed!  That same group that celebrated Lauren's birthday and cut quite a few King cakes, are still great friends today!

Our lives also took a similar path when it came to the boys...well two boys in particular.  We both eventually ended up marrying State boys...but both never met them in college. Justin and I were at some of the same functions, and Adam and Lauren were actually in a picture together, but never met. We both agree the timing would have been ALL wrong! So now our girl clan (all with wolfpack husbands) can still tailgate together! GO PACK!

So a very happy birthday, Lauren! Ready to celebrate the next 9 years...and many many more! : )

The Last For a While

Last weekend, we were in Raleigh for the last wedding for quite some time! After 3 years of feeling like the weddings were coming faster than we could keep up, our final wedding weekend (that we know about) has come and gone.

And what a way to go out! Not only was the wedding in our old stomping grounds--Raleigh--but it was one of my best friends from college saying "I do".  And it was about time!  Katherine and David met when we were seniors in college (undergrad)...yes...2007, friends! It was definitely worth the wait though! The weekend was so fun from beginning to end.

No one in our group is a fantastic public speaker, so any time we have to plan the dreaded speech it takes weeks...many weeks and even more emails to get it right! Friday night, we nervously got through the rehearsal dinner--and after our speech/awesome poem written by my cousin's sweet wife...all the girls were finally able to relax.  Some of David's family friends threw a party for all the out-of-towners to kick off the weekend!

The wedding was beautiful and Katherine was stunning! We all got ready together and helped  Katherine get ready.  I have to say, of all my bride friends, I thought Katherine would be the one to stay cool as a cucumber---but during the ceremony, she did give me a look that made me think I needed to find some tissues---quickly! Everyone kept it together, though, and it went off without a hitch--other than David trying to put her wedding band on the right hand!  And may I add, when the father of the bride says his one line, "her mother and I", it is much more elegant when there is an amazing British accent behind those words!

So, our tradition continues...the garter made it's fourth appearance.  We all have a ribbon with our married initials and our wedding date. For some of us it was our something borrowed, for me, my something blue...either way, it's a fun way to share a small part of our wedding with our group of friends. And Katherine will hang on to it until it's the next girl's turn : )

The reception was beautiful and the band was A-mazing! Let's just say "Call Me Maybe" and "Party in the USA" were played---I was a happy girl!

Katherine also included her Indian side and changed into a sari during the reception.  Her grandfather had it made in India---LOVE it!

So, our long long string of weddings surely went out with a awesome night!  We were able to catch up with so many college friends and have a great night in Raleigh! GO PACK!

Right now Katherine and David our down in the Dominican Republic avoided Hurricane Isaac---knowing them both, I'm sure they are making the most of it--and turning it into a party!

Drum Roll Please....Our house!!

When we decided to buy a house, I knew it would be a process...but I was not expecting the stressful, expensive, some times ridiculous experience we had! Although we loved our house we were renting in Dilworth, it was tiny. I don't mean kind of small...I mean tiny...975 square feet to be exact.  And the bathroom....oh the bathroom...our new walk in closet is larger! That's no joke!

Since we live 4 hours from our hometowns, we also wanted enough space that more than one family member at a time could come visit!

When we first started looking, I found a great realtor, Leslie! She is from Charlotte and really knew her stuff when it came to real estate! It wasn't long after the search began that I realized how picky I was.  If the kitchen was a nightmare, I didn't even want to go inside. His and hers sinks were a must...a deal breaker really!  This house had been on the market for quite some time...but it wasn't until they FINALLY dropped the price that we thought it might be a possibility!

So here it is!! Our first home!

This house was flipped...so this was actually a carport that was turned into a bonus room!!

This is still a work in progress! You can see our corner of stuff over there! We're slowly getting rid of things we don't need anymore.

I love Pintrest, but I have to say, I have done very few projects that I have seen.  When I saw this idea, though, I thought it was genius!  When you first walk into the bonus room from outside, there is a very large bookcase in the wall. While we like to read, it would take us forever to fill this bookcase.  So pintrest gave me a very practical idea.

We removed three selves, added some hooks, and now it's a great place for keys, mail, sunglasses, etc! I must say, it is the best home project I have done so far!

Like I said before, the kitchen was very important to me! I had no intention of going into a house and renovating the kitchen...not to mention, I can't imagine how much that would cost! So the first time I saw this house, I immediately LOVED the kitchen!

There wasn't a backsplash behind the stove, but I found this little number at Hobby Lobby (thanks to Meghan) for a more modern version!

We also bought (more like splurged on) this wine cabinet...but I had to have it!

This house was flipped...so I would assume that, originally, there was a wall separating the kitchen and the den.  We love how open it is so you can carry on a conversation while cooking supper! The table was assembled by Justin (after I gave up from frustration) and all the furniture we had to purchase (another thing that is crazy expensive! Thanks Rooms-to-Go for reasonable prices)

I've found most of our decorating extras from HomeGoods. It is the most amazing store...and SO cheap! I feel guilty going anywhere else!

When we knew we would have to buy more furniture (since we were moving from our tin can) we bought a king size bed for our bedroom! Best. Decision. Ever.

All our furniture in this room also had to be purchased! Again, thank you Rooms-to-Go!

And one of my favorite rooms....

This bathroom is amazing! This was also part of the "flip"...we can't figure out how it was originally designed...I can assure you not like this! Some one was really thinking of women when they mapped this room out!

The rest of the house is some what of an on-going project! We got some great furniture from my aunt and uncle, and then a set of beds from my grandparents so that was a huge help!

Since this house was renovated, it has an odd amount of bathrooms. Our house is actually listed as 4 bedrooms, 2 full 2 half baths.  I'm sure we will appreciate all the toilets eventually but right now it's just a lot to clean!

Upstairs doesn't get much use yet...unless we have guests! So all these rooms are also a "project"!

So the first "house post" is finally done! Sorry for the delay...I'm quickly learning there is always something on the house to-do list! We love our new nest and can't wait to entertain here with friends and family! We feel very blessed for all we have!

The House of the Mouse

When we decided to take a trip (2 months late) for our anniversary, Orlando seemed like the perfect place!  It was definitely a place of many exciting things....it was where we had our first "real" date, where we met some of our best friends, and where Justin proposed!! It is also happens to be where one of my favorite places is located...Disney World!

I mean...how can you not smile when you see this precious mouse!!

We started the weekend off at MGM Studios--which we had not been to since we decided it would be fun to run 8 miles around Disney a few years ago.  Much more entertaining when you aren't huffing and puffing!  We rocked the Fast Pass and didn't wait in a single line!

Afterwards, we decided to spend one last night out on the town in Orlando.  Since we were celebrating our anniversary (again...two months late) it was only fitting to go back to Seasons 52---the same spot Justin took me on our first date in Orlando!

FLASHBACK!!!!!!

The food was just as great...this time, though, we weren't quite as nervous : )

Our last day at Disney we decided to cram it all in one day! Animal Kingdom, a quick trip to Epcot, then on to Magic Kingdom for the parades and maybe a few roller coasters.

We both had not been to Animal Kingdom in years, and I had forgotten how awesome that park is! They had so many great shows, rides, and..animals...of course!

For those that know how much I love Disney, they also know how much I like obsess about the parades!  They are the happiest 15 minutes of the day! So I dragged Justin to every parade on the list!

The parade at Animal Kingdom was, by far, the best!...except good ole mother nature! The first float had not made its way through the streets when the rain started...but hey! How many Disney parades do you get to see?!? And please check out Minnie's ride...I'd drive it!

He was a good sport!!  

That night, we had planned to watch the electric parade at Magic Kingdom, but it started raining again.  Rather than standing in the rain...AGAIN....we voted that a ride on Space Mountain (that's also indoors) was a much much better option!  As we were leaving...in the rain...again...there were TONS of people watching the fireworks...in the rain! Not just a light sprinkle...but a full-on rain! I understand some people only get to Disney once in a lifetime...but some times you have to throw in the towel!

It was a quick trip, but fun and relaxing at the same time! It's crazy to think that, at one point, we thought we would be calling Orlando home for at least a few more years! I think we both agree, we are very thankful to be back in NC-- but had one hill of a time reminiscing about old times, seeing old friends, and people watching in downtown Orlando!

Even the ice cream is happy!! Oh, Disney....we'll surely be back! : )

Cheers to Birthdays-Kelly

So, with the start of the birthday season for our group of friends, I thought it would be fun to give a birthday shout-out to the birthday girl throughout the year!

It's only appropriate that Kelly's birthday is the first one because birthdays are very important to Kelly--whether it be her own or someone else's.  Over the years, I could always count on Kelly to make sure I was having a great birthday!

Kelly and I lived together in the sorority house, studied abroad together in Italy (and shared a tiny room with tiny tiny beds), lived together in Raleigh, and then took the party to Chapel Hill for grad school.  When starting grad school it was so nice to have someone with you that was going through the same thing! I can't imagine moving to Chapel Hill and getting through my first year living alone.

Here are a few gems that I can across...

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As with most groups of friends, it seems that weddings, engagement parties, and bridal showers is what brings us back together these days.  With three girls getting married within 6 months of each other, weddings consumed most of our free weekends.  Kelly was, of course, part of my wedding party and many others last year as well!

Trying to cover up tan lines with make up, then getting make up on the bridesmaids dress, then trying to get the make up off before Lauren saw.....now trying the make up idea again with a baby bib for protection! 

So here's to Kelly on her 27th birthday--my friend and long time roommate!! Cheers!