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Everything Else

A Little Summer Shopping

I won Changing the Universe‘s blog giveaway winning a 25 Design headband. I couldn’t choose between pink/black roses & green ones, so once I saw a discount code on FB I decided to order a second so I could have both!

To solve my sunburnt head & neck issue for future beach & pool trips this summer, I bought this $10 hat at Target. While I was there I also picked up this black tankini. I already have basic black bottoms. I love that it’s lined & very long which works well for my long torso. Since a post isn’t the same without photos, here’s self-portraits of the purchases {but don’t think for a second you’re getting a bathing suit pic~ not going to happen}. I think I’m ready for my next beach trip!

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Categories
Photography

Memorial Day Weekend {part 2}

Another beautiful day meant another beach day! We started the morning thanking God at my grandparent’s church’s beach service. My view from the back of the golf cart on the way there. [flickr id=”5792358032″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

I promise I was paying attention & not just taking photos. But I couldn’t resist a “toes in the sand” shot nor a “Suz in the shadow” shot {ignore that I’m rewearing the Lilly pants from dinner the night before. You hadn’t noticed, right?!}. [flickr id=”5792358090″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

My grandfather & his friends estimated approximately 900 people were in attendance. [flickr id=”5791800235″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

It was really hot that morning. But by the time Mom & I went back down{after watching the last Oprah}, a breeze had come up &  it ended up being a gorgeous beach day. I finished Unbroken, took a nap to the sound of the waves & enjoyed a few cold Bud Light Limes before we came back to the house. Mom, Nana & I made the same appetizers again before baking blackened grouper, asparagus & corn on the cob {all from the local market}.

We watched The King’s Speech that night {I’d already seen it but enjoyed watching it again}.

Mom & I walked the beach again Monday morning before we packed up. Bags at the door, Steven, Beth, Nana, Mom & I headed back to the beach for a few more hours of basking in the sun. [flickr id=”5791929319″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

I had to wear a baseball hat since the top of my head was red. I thought that was the only too-much-sun spot until I just realized my neck is peeling. Awesome. I’m officially a redneck!

Categories
Food Photography

Memorial Day Weekend Saturday

My immediate family {minus the husband who had to work} gathered at OIB late Friday night. Nana & I caught up on the final Oprah’s waiting for the others.

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Saturday morning, Beth, Mom & I went for a three mile walk where even a little rain didn’t slow our strides & chats. We were at the beach from 11-430 staying chilled with Sunset Slush & Firefly pink lemonade. Hungry & a little pink from the sun, I made Jenny’s Sundried Tomato Bagel appetizers {gotta love a 4 ingredient app}. [flickr id=”5792096284″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Thanks to call ahead seating, we walked right to our table at Inlet View. [flickr id=”5792096794″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] [flickr id=”5791538767″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Mom, Beth, Steven & I waiting until after we’d ordered dinner to check out the top deck. [flickr id=”5792097360″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

I loved the company, the food, the whole view & those great chairs. [flickr id=”5792097482″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Categories
Everything Else

Five Fabulous Bloggy Favs

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!

How do I list just my five favorite fabulous bloggers?! I checked & I now attempt to keep up with around 150 blogs. Some are decorating, others books, fashion, & lots are newly married-turned-TTC-turned-mommy blogs. I think they are all fabulous & I love the different perspectives & ideas my all blogging friends provide.

When I started blogging back in 2008, my first favorites included Matt Logelin, Suz Steece, & Pioneer Woman. I could go on & on talking about how awesomely fabulous they are, but y’all already know that. I’ve also loved & followed my fabulous in-real-life friends BA, Jenny, Alethea, Nicole & Beth since their blogs began. I bet y’all already love their blogs too!

Instead, I want to share with y’all a few of my current favorites: my fabulous BlogHer roommates & Sally & another blogger named Suzanne! I think I originally got to “know” all five of these ladies through twitter. Lucky for me, I’ve met three in real life {only 2+ months til I meet the others}. These are five fabulous women who’s blogs I check out first on reader & then click over to comment on their witty posts. All five are mothers & I’m already taking notes on the sweet, fun, fabulous ways they are raising their children.

I first met Alena of Charmingly Chandler when she traveled to the PW cookbook signing {I found this photo she’d emailed me of the group & it’s the best one of us}. I loved her & her precious daughter Sophia from the start. I also won my first {& so far only} cloth diaper from her! Alena & her fabulous family came back again to hang out before & during Jenny’s triplets shower. From there, our friendship has taken off & then it’s grown even more once we decided to be roomies for BlogHer. I can’t wait to see her again in person & I know they’ll be lots more photos!

Diana of Hormonal Imbalance calls herself a crunchy housewife. I love her honest posts about parenting Bella, ups & downs of marriage & life as a military wife {I’m still sad they aren’t moving to NC}. Her recently post in a bathing suit made me love her even more ~ so brave & looked rock star hot as she prepared to see her hubby for the first time in a while. I’m really looking forward to meeting her in San Diego.

Miranda from Not Super Just Mom rounds out as my fourth BlogHer roomie. She’s an English teacher {I hope she doesn’t look to closely at my grammar!}, wife, mom to Joshua, & PPD survivor. She lead a great blog series recently promoting & supporting mental health week. But she’s not all serious stuff ~ I loved following her #idolsnark tweets while watching American Idol! I can’t wait meet & party with her in August!

Sally of Exploits of a Military Mama sat next to me at dinner after we met PW. The time flew by over pasta & laughter. I’ve followed along {through her tweets, blog & emails} as she’s over come single parenting while her husband was deployed, moving further away, & now her exciting second pregnancy. Sally’s blog is a great cloth diaper resource & she & Sully are just too cute. Photo below is the only one I had of us ~ it’s from dinner & front to back, Sarah, Sally, me & Beth.

I love finding local bloggers. A pretty, talented one who shares my name?! I was hooked on Suzanne’s Pretty*Swell from my first click. We tweeted & emailed then after she invited me, I joined a local Raleigh blogging group & was able to meet Suzanne there. I don’t eat bacon but her post on the NC State Fair had me laughing out loud. Her first daughter {whom she calls Small Fry} is so sweet & she even vlogs. Suzanne just gave birth to baby Sunshine & I’m hoping to be able to get to meet her soon!

Don’t forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Categories
Photography

Weekly Project 365

Day 141 Book Club Night Out! I’m still thinking about that yummy margarita of mine. [flickr id=”5778843017″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 142 Sunday I packed & hung out with Jason & Moe. There was a little chipmunk on our back deck that fascinated the kitty & I. [flickr id=”5778843983″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 143 My first night in Forest City. My fake Jack Rogers wedges broke within minutes of our arrival. I bought these flats at Belk that night. [flickr id=”5778844567″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 144 Our view on the way back from dinner. Something to be said about sun setting over the mountains. [flickr id=”5779389848″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 145 I love the outside of the Water Oak. [flickr id=”5778899201″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 146 I watched the crazy rain storm from the hotel window. [flickr id=”5778899597″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 147 This Scotty fan’s Explorer had me LOLing while driving down to OIB. Raleigh is definitely proud! [flickr id=”5778899721″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]