Fall Faves

Since I was AWOL most of the week, I have been a bad blog follower so my Friday favorites must come from outside the blogosphere. Fortunately I had no problem selecting my favorites this week because they all come from Boden's fall line. How adorable are these clothes? I seriously could buy my whole wardrobe from this one catalog.

Finally the best favorite of the week.... my cousin and his precious wife welcomed a new baby boy into our family this week. He couldn't wait to meet us so he was 4 weeks early but he's doing great and we're so glad he's here.

Meet baby "Ace"

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

A Side Note About My 4th

A friend mentioned I had not said anything about me in a while so here's a brief summary of what I have been doing.

I have become a voracious reader. Speaking of "Committed" is calling my name.

I am running again. This is my last week on the Couch to 5k program. Yay! Not sure my a$$ is any smaller but I could outrun an attacker. A slow attacker at least.

I paint a lot also. Pictures to come hopefully next week.

Over the 4th, Chris and I escaped to one of our favorite spots, Asheville, NC. We went to the Grove Park Inn. The Obamas recently stayed there. Asheville is a great bohemian city and the Grove Park is full of history. We spent the day in the spa. I got a green tea facial and exposed myself to some people. Not intentionally but all I will say is it involved a loose bathing suit, a plunge pool and two ladies taking a tour.

After our amazing day at the spa, we went to one of my favorite places, Tupelo Honey Cafe for Grit Cakes with Sunshot Salsa and Pimento Cheeseburgers. There is nothing like a pound of cheese to top off a day at the spa!

Hope you are all doing well.

Before 30 List: Planting A Garden

I'm a lawyer as most of you know so I know all about technicalities and how to get around them. This even applies to my Before 30 List. So I said I wanted to plant a garden, right? Yeah well I wasn't thinking about the fact that when said garden would need to be planted my house was on the market. I didn't want to donate herbs and veggies to a potential buyer (we ended up not having any of those). Anyway my garden exists in terra cotta pots on my front porch but as an officer of the court I say that this totally counts. So here is my garden...

I've crossed three things off my list in a little over 3 months. Okay 4 months but I am quickly working towards finishing Jane Eyre. I need to finish that soon because if I don't I might not ever. It was my favorite book in high school but I swear this time I feel like I'm having a voluntary root canal.

A White Artichoke and The Would Be Art Thief

A quick recap of my weekend so far.

My sister and I spent yesterday in Charlotte, NC and went to a book signing for one of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster.

We started the day with lunch at 300 East, which is one of my favorite places. Then we went to my favorite store, Paper Skyscraper and I picked up these cute items (and the hilarious card above).

Next we headed to Southpark where I made a much anticipated purchase at Anthropologie.

I bought a white artichoke tea light holder. How cute is this? Seriously, I have wanted a white artichoke for a while but everyone that I say that to thinks I am crazy.

Anyway, I then made my inaugural trip to Ikea. It is as awesome as you all say it is!

Finally, we headed to the book signing and here's a pic. Sorry for the quality, the guy taking our picture didn't as much of a picture as he did a 2 second video. I'm on the left with my boobs hanging out. Regardless, we went and it was super fun. Jen is hilarious and I highly recommend her books ( her new one is seriously cheap at amazon so I put a link below). You will laugh out loud.

Today, I got a traffic collision report after some emo kid backed into me at the bookstore. I wanted to strangle him all standing there is his skinny jeans, big plaid shirt and short tie ensemble. Kids! Long story short, I am fine and it just scratched my car. I still wanted to punch all 65 pounds of him.

Hope you all have a lovely and collision free weekend!

A Surprise Party

Friday night my sister and threw a very small surprise party for my mom who is turning... well it's her birthday we will just say that. We did everything ourselves and unfortunately I did not take good pictures of the party. I was so busy and then once everyone got there I completely forgot. Anyway, here are a few of the party.

We used this cute garland from Martha Stewart. Excuse the picture it was taken by a 7 year old. She was more on top of the picture situation than I was.

We also used these pom poms from Martha Stewart. We hung them in front of the windows outside and placed a few around the house.

This is the menu.

Here are a few recipes. Now of course I didn't take any pics of the food either but I searched online for some similar photos.

Cucumber Sandwiches

1 Loaf of White Bread

8 oz Cream Cheese

1 1/2 Tbl Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning (don't judge me)

1 Cucumber, Sliced Thin

Using a round cookie cutter, cut the bread into circles that are a similar diameter to your cucumber. Set aside. In a small food processor, combine the cream cheese and Mrs. Dash until well blended. You can add more dependent on taste. Spread the cream cheese mixture on one side of the bread and top with a cucumber. Voila!

Mar-a-lago Key Lime Pie

Oprah featured this recipe a few months ago and I have been dying to make it every since.

Check it out here!

Happy Birthday

So many of you probably noticed my little icon missing on the comments sections of your blogs this week. I was super duper busy at work and I am terribly sorry for my absence. I missed out on so much inspiration I know.

To make up for my lack of blogging this week, I am going to feature my all time favorites this Friday. These are the rooms, things and posts that I have found myself bookmarking and lusting after repeatedly (including that Kate Spade rose bowl above. I have wanted that forever!).

Here are my "Classic" Favorites...

This is a post I have gone back to over and over again for inspiration, Stefanie's office from Brooklyn Limestone.

Favorite Home Feature Ever.... Katie Lee Joel's home featured in Domino

One of my favorite living rooms ever. I love the ottomans in front of the hearth.

I have always loved and envied Nicole's library over at Making It Lovely. So jealous!

I have always loved this post from Kelly at Fabulous K about her DIY bulletin board. It's Fabulous just like Kelly herself!

Another post I go to again and again, this home featured on Young House Love. I love the simple clean lines...

These are my favorite all time kitchens...

Since today is all about my long time favorites, these are some of my favorite items I find myself staring at again and again...

Lucite Trays from Dabney Lee at Home

Ten Thousand Things Necklaces

iomoi Coasters

Tiffany Celebration Rings

And Last But Not Least...

In light of Chris' B-day, here is a story to entertain you...

It was mid-April and as always I had spilled the beans and told my husband what I planned to buy him for his birthday in a few weeks. An Under Armour Moisture Wicking Golf Shirt.

“Yeah I like those. They have like these little holes but there aren’t enough holes to make me look like….” He said as he looked at me. I have a horrible habit of finishing people sentences so I quickly followed.

“You are wearing a net shirt.”

“Yeah. I don’t want to look like I am in West Side Story.” Let me stop to tell you my husband is a man’s man. He won’t wear pink, shop, hold my purse while I try on clothes or go to couple’s showers willingly although I did catch him watching “A Cinderella Story” one time. He has a façade of cool that must remain up at all times.

“The guys in West Side Story did not wear net shirts and they weren’t gay,” I retorted ever defensive of one of my favorite musicals.

“Jessica! They danced around all the time!”

“They were dancing to express their feelings but those guys were tough!”

“Are you kidding me? They just snapped and walked towards each other!”

“They did not. They actually fought and they would have popped a cap in your ass,” I exclaimed. It’s good to note, I am prosecutor and therefore know all about caps and caps being used to pop someone’s ass.

“No they wouldn’t. They would have just danced around me!”

“They were not gay. They had girlfriends! That’s the whole point of the story. Tony and Maria.”

“Sham marriages,” Chris said simply. Fuming with anger that he would minimize the balcony singing love of Tony and Maria, I finally responded the best way I knew how.

“You know what…. Bite me.”

Despite your lack of appreciation for musicals, you are the best husband a girl could ask for. I wonder every day how I was lucky enough to be married to you. I adore everything about you.

A Southern Tradition

On my birthday I made a Before 30 List of the things I wanted to do before I turned 30. One of the items was to surprise my husband and I did that yesterday by taking him to the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It wasn't a total surprise in that he knew beforehand we were going but it was a surprise when I got the tickets a few weeks ago.

If you have never been The Masters is a great sporting event to attend if you ever get the chance. The course is gorgeous and expansive. I love all of the azaleas although they weren't blooming yet at the famous Amen Corner. It was a great day with beautiful (but hot) weather. Here are some pics...

Tiger Woods (and he didn't say the F word once that I heard, which is quite the departure for old TW).

Happy Birthday

To Me. Happy Birthday to Me.

So today's the day. It's my birthday. A blessed time sort of like a Papal Conclave or the World Series of Pop Culture. Just kidding but I do turn 29. 1 more year until I turn 30. I was inspired by Nicole at Making It Lovely who had a list of things she wanted to do before she was 30. I think 12 goals are fitting since there are 12 months before the big 3-0 so here goes...

My Before 30 List

1. Run 5 miles (at one time)

2. Make Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon

3. Lose 20 pounds

4. Get Pregnant

5. Go Someplace I Have Never Been

6. Volunteer

7. Re-Read Jane Eyre (My favorite book from High School)

8. Pay off my Credit Cards

9. Plant a Garden

10. Buy Some Fabulous Shoes and Clothes (after the 20 pounds are lost)

11. Surprise my husband with something special

12. Give up Sugar

Thanks to everyone who has or who will make my day so special! I love you all!

Fashion Faux Pas? The Seersucker Suit (on a fat frat boy)

I wanted to take a few minutes and address a fashion faux pas that I believe is restricted to my home state of South Carolina. It is the Southern staple:

Frat Boy in a Seersucker Suit with a Plaid Bowtie and old Rainbow flip flops

Oh yes ladies, it is ever as attractive as it sounds. I don't know that my description of this outfit can do it justice but I will try. Here is a step my step guide to looking like a tool at any college football tailgate...

Step 1. Pick out a seersucker suit. Extra points if it's just a bit snug. Now some of you oohh and ahh over the seersucker. Personally I don't think it should be worn unless you are playing the "old Southern lawyer" in a John Grisham novel or if you are selling chicken at your own national chain restaurant. Nevertheless I do acknowledge that approximately 4% of all males look good in this (J.Crew models included); however, any affection you will have for this suit is about to be quickly dashed.

Step 2. It's a football game and you simply cannot underestimate the need for formal wear at a 95 degree football game in the scorching late summer Carolina heat. Given these factors, you have no choice but to reach for the faithful red, navy and green plaid bowtie. The extra credit available in this round is if you abandon the respected order of things and add a navy bowtie featuring tiny palmetto trees. Add palmetto flip flops and you are one step closer to being governor.

Step 3. This is the kicker. Footwear. Now we have acknowledged the formality of Carolina football tailgating but an outfit such as this must represent that while you are a serious guy, you like to party (although the beer stains by the end of the day will likely do that). To show that you are ready to have fun you must pair this outfit with none other than the South Carolina go to footwear, the Rainbow Flip Flop. Now there are two opportunities for extra credit here. Extra Credit #1. If the pants are a bit too short so that your ankles are showing you get extra points and #2 if the flip flips are really old and worn you get extra points.

Now you can always go for this simple outfit but we must acknowledge the variations. First, I personally find this irresistible when a 6'1 overweight former high school linebacker wedges himself into this. Second, the Clemson suit sporting orange seersucker and a purple bowtie is the ultimate representation of this sensation.

Does anyone else agree with me that this is the worst outfit in the history of mankind? I look at every girl who lets their boyfriend wear this like, "Ummm seriously? You are okay being seen with a young Colonel Sanders in flip flops? Really? At least wear a tie that matches and flip flops with a suit?"

I feel like a weight has been lifted! I have been living under the oppression for many years and I have finally aired my grievance about this outfit! It has been aired! I feel better.

What's your fashion pet peeve?

I Love This Time of Year

I really do. I love January, February and Early March. Although I am not a cold weather fan there is something about this time of year. I love watching the stores fill with hearts and hints of pink and red. I love the promise of a New Year and the sense of renewal January brings. I heart Valentine's Day and my birthday is in the beginning of March. It's a blessed time, like a Papal Conclave or The World Series of Pop Culture....

Happy Winter.

Image from Irene Suchocki on Etsy. Her images are amazing. I am thinking about this one for my living room when we move. What do you think?