Weekend Ruminations; August 21-23

This Monday started off with a hot cup of coffee and a mini cinnamon roll, so far so good!  We had a great weekend over here with friends and family, and the tiny deliciousness helped cure the Monday blues!

Saturday we hosted the baby shower my friend's sister and I have been planning.  It wasn’t a normal shower, since the baby is already here... more of a sip n’ show (is that a thing?!).  Whatever you call it we had a great time swooning over Baby Hazel!  And keeping with the party theme, she was even dressed as the cutest little pineapple complete with a headband leaf!

The Cake Push-Pops were definitely a hit!

Sunday was spent catching up on girl talk with my sister and my brother’s girlfriend.  We went to the Mermaid Winery.  If you are in the Norfolk area you must try this cute little spot.  You can try different flights, or stick to your favorites.

Now it’s time to power through these last few weeks of summer in the office dreaming of cool weather, and even cuter clothes!

Weekend Ruminations | August 8 & 9

Another perfect weather weekend for the books.  Well a perfect Saturday and Sunday, Friday came with a much needed rain storm!

Saturday started off on the right foot with an early morning workout and some book reading over coffee.  Then it was off to run errands all over town but ended with the most delicious dinner date at our local Country Club.  It was our first dinner there and we already can’t wait to go back.  And with a walk around the pool and golf course grounds before dinner, this place is really becoming a little slice of heaven so close to home.

Sunday morning after church and brunch, it was back to the club for a round of golf for Brandon and his buddy and pool time for me.  I finished by girly beach-read book and caught up on my favorite magazines.

Back at home Brandon was craving something sweet so he found a Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that is “21 day fix approved” (We decided to give the plan another go after great results from our first 21 days).  Pumpkin spice seemed a bit odd to use on a hot summer day but I was all for some chocolate chips!  The cookies tasted a bit like pumpkin pie, and I may appreciate them a bit more in cooler temperatures, but overall a yummy Sunday night treat.  Check out the recipe here!

Now it’s back to Monday and we are ready to take this week by storm!   Happy Monday ladies!

Weekend Ruminations

A quick follow-up on a great weekend that lead into a busy work-week.

A late Friday night at our work concert series was followed by an early morning wake up for Brandon and I so we could head over to my sister and brother-in-laws to watch our nephews.  Our two favorite little guys were so well behaved even with our "no electronics rule" (I know... cruel and unusual punishment).  It was a beautiful day outside so we took full advantage with a bike ride to the park, a run through the sprinklers and ended our adventure in babysitting with a game of uno!

We rewarded ourselves for returning both boys in one piece with an early dinner date to the best all-you-can-eat sushi spot in the area.  We stuffed ourselves and top it off with desert.

{Kagura Japanese Restaurant in Chesapeake, Virginia}

Saturday night we headed to a friends to watch the UFC fight.  We watched a long night of fights to see the 34 second final battle.

Sunday afternoon we headed to the golf course to hit a few balls on the driving range.  I spent a lot of time filling in my divet marks and correcting my form (ha... what form?!).

I don't see myself hitting the course with Brandon anytime soon, but it was a fun way to get out outside for a few hours.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was the kind that makes you want to buy a lottery ticket and spend the rest of your days as a professional vacationer (that's a career, right?!).

 

I was back down in the Outer Banks visiting with family who was down from Michigan and Pennsylvania.  A weekend at the beach is amazing, but add in a crowd of family and it is heaven.

 

 

We rode down late Wednesday night so we could wake up to enjoy a full morning.  Brandon and I had started our 21 Day Fix plan and I wanted to keep up with it so I woke up early to get my workout in before the rest of the house woke up.  The fresh beach air was the best way to start the day!

 

 

We had amazing weather all weekend which made for long days spent on the beach.  We all enjoyed swimming in the ocean, lunches on the beach, and bocce ball in the sand.

 

 

Saturday morning, my aunt, cousins and I woke up before our alarm clock to walk to the ocean to catch the sunrise.  We sat on the beach and watched the sun come up along with the other morning beach combers.

 

 

On Sunday, I tried to squeeze a day full of activities in before lunch.  My brother's sweet girlfriend, who teaches yoga and dance, woke up early with me and gave me a private little yoga session on the beach.  It was hands-down one of the best workouts I have had!  Before heading back for coffee we played around with poses and head stands. 

 

 

After breakfast, I took a ride down to the boardwalk in Duck.  I grabbed grapes at the local farmer's stand and walked along the water's edge.

 

 

I raced back to the house to get in a little paddleboard fun.  The sound was so calm and made for fun paddling and an awful attempt at yoga on the board.

 

 

After taking a shower (because of course I fell in the water), I headed back home.  It felt so good to be home and unpacked, but during the week it is hard to not want to be back with my toes in the sand.

Weekend Recap - Life Lately

A little recap of life lately as told by my iPhone (which now sadly has a cracked screen…)

 

The weekend away to the New Jersey was fantastic.  We took a trip to Cape May and enjoyed lunch at Hemingway’s, a great little spot on Beach Avenue, biked along the Sea Isle Promenade, and cheered on the horses in the Kentucky Derby!  While the weather was more sweatshirt than bikini, but it was a perfect start to the beach season.

This view from the house was heaven!

The front porch ferns have been hung!  I am loving the look and now to decide if we should hang our front porch swing or if we go with rocking chairs with a drink table.

 

To celebrate my sweet friend’s birthday we went to the local ballpark to watch the game!  It was a great night catching-up with good friends. 

 

Event season is in full swing at work and while I am still in the ranks of booking bounce houses and fire trucks, I did get the chance to meet the production company that put on the local Lava Music Festival and got the best seats in the house for the headliner, Fitz and the Tantrums on Saturday Night.

And as the work week starts I am looking forward to a weekend trip with my college friends!  Something to look forward to makes the Monday morning cup of coffee taste just a little sweeter!

Packing my bags and hitting the road

I am wrapping up the week early and heading north to the beach in New Jersey for a weekend get-a-way with family.  The weather may not look ideal for beach bumming, but my bags are almost packed and I am ready to go.

 I thought I would share a little of my outfit choices for the weekend before it iswas rolled and stuffed into my luggage (rolling really is the best way to pack).

I can not wait to wear these amazing new lounge pants. 

Pants: New York & Co | Shirt: New York and Co | Sandals: Tommy Hilfiger

Obsessed with white pants may be an understatement.

Pants: Joe Fresh | Shirt: H & M | Sandals: American Eagle

 

Pants: New York & Co | Shirt: Target | Wedges: Target

Now I am not quite sure where the weather may lead us, I figured you can’t head to a beach house and not throw at least one bikini in the bag.

 

Bikini: Victoria’s Secret | Beach Cover: Target

 

I did manage to stash in a dress and workout clothes because, well I am a compulsive over packer… opps! 

 

I love to include outfit pieces that I can mix and match that can leave me set for any situation.  What are your favorite things to pack for a weekend away?

Weekend Update

This weekend had a little bit of everything.  Fun times with friends, honey-do lists and lots of relaxing.

 Friday night we went with friends to the Eric Church concert and stayed out way past our bed time.  His concert was one of the best we have been to, a great musician and a great night all around.

We spent a lazy rainy Saturday morning at home and spent the evening out at a work promotion event.

Sunday after church my sister and I had a FaceTime closet cleaning session.  We went through both of our closets and purged and organized our wardrobe for Spring.  Beth was there to help talk me through what needed to go, what needed to be replaced, and where we could wear all the cute outfits I could make with what was left!

Then I headed outside when the sun finally came out and prepped the new hanging baskets for the front porch!  I have dreamed of a Southern Living-esque front porch with big boston ferns for years and can’t wait to complete ours!

 And the rest of the night was spent with a little Law & Order marathon and prepping for the week ahead!

How was your weekend?!

Weekend Maxis

I love a good maxi dress!  It is the perfect solution to a Saturday morning spent staring in the closet for an easy outfit to wear.

 I stumbled across this piece last year when searching for a bridal shower guest outfit.  Thank goodness for Instagram love and the “yes get it!” replies I received during my dressing room dilemma (the hardest dilemmas in life right?!) because this great piece came home with me.

 

Dress: cato | Jacket: Joe Fresh Brand | Purse: Target | Sandals: Ralph Lauren

 

 

Gotta love the detail! 

 

What is your go to for an easy Saturday look?

You've Got to Cherish It

Another weekend has come and gone and as the dog and I watch the rain outside we decide it is time to prep for the week ahead.

But first we have to talk about the wonderful, sunny day filled weekend we had! 

Friday, I headed to the Old Dominion University campus for a work training class.  The campus is beautiful and really had me missing college.  Made me want to pull a Billy Madison moment, grab a college kid by the cheeks and yell “Stay here, stay as long as you can, for the love of God…. Cherish it!”

The classroom setting made me consider a masters degree, cause I am a nerd and a junkie when it comes to learning new stuff (and collecting certifications and degrees).

When I headed back home to the real world I couldn’t get over how nice of a day it was so we spent the whole afternoon outside playing frisbee with the dog and washing the car, which turned out to be a waste because the pollen here is out of control!

Saturday morning we woke up to another windows open kind of day and headed right outside to play in the yard.  Some laps with the dog and at home mani later, it was time for us to get ready for our friend’s baby shower.  Lori and Buck are adding another little girl to their family this May and we are so excited.  I took this opportunity to wear my new green dress at it was perfect.  The shower was at the beautiful home of Lori’s friend and the house on the water was a perfect backdrop to the day.

Sunday, Brandon headed to work and I headed to church, with a quick stop in Target, where I grabbed that amazing pineapple bowl I was eyeing.  I couldn’t stay awake to hit the online sale and the target near us had a smaller than most shipment, but I scored that great bowl, and a few other target home décor pieces so I will count that as a small win!  I had lunch after church with a new friend who is new to this small town life new too!  In an area where everyone is a local, we are figuring out this new lifestyle together!

Sunday afternoon involved a trail walk for work pictures for an upcoming guide.  The umpteen laps we took in the park to get the right shot successfully got me to my 10,000 steps for the day.

Thankfully we got the perfect shots in before the rain came and Sunday evening was spent lounging and soaking up every bit of weekend time!

How was your weekend?  Are you a Lily Lover that spent their Sunday in line?

Spring Weekend Recap

This weekend’s weather was the epitome of spring.  With a family reunion at my in-laws the perfect weather was a welcome surprise from the purposed storms that the weather man was reporting all week.

Brandon and I spent an idyllic Saturday at my in-laws soaking up the sunshine and enjoying time with family.  Lunch included a pig roast and corn-hole.  Brandon and I enjoyed a little quiet time in the hammock, before all the little ones decided they wanted to join in and we had one big swing.  The night ended with a huge bonfire in the yard complete with marshmallows for roasting.

On Sunday we woke up to another windows open kind of day!  Maxi dress season is back and I took full advantage with one of my striped favorites for church. 

If only the days could always feel this good!  

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a great one! 

Friday was spent soaking up the sunshine while site visiting for some upcoming events.  And any excuse to get out of the office on a Friday in Spring is heaven sent.

After work I hit the mall for one less look for a new dress for Saturday’s wedding and lucked out with a perfect look wedding guest dress (and another great new dress for summer… there was a big sale, I couldn’t help myself)

For theWedding

I mean, how could I not grab this one too!

Saturday’s wedding was a beautiful ceremony at a vineyard in New Kent, Virginia.  The barn reception site was picture perfect and it was an amazing night with great friends.

Sunday we headed to my parent’s home for Easter brunch.  It was a loud and full of family… just the way I like it.  We each got our Easter baskets (because my mom is the best and even adult kids need Easter baskets too!) and the bunny made a special visit to take my nephews on a bunny hunt.

After brunch we headed to visit Brandon’s family and our adorable little nieces dressed in their Sunday best and stopped at Lowe’s to pick up some gardening supplies to get our home ready for Spring.

Now back to the work week and planning my spring cleaning plans (fun, I know)!

Weekend Recap

The intern at work laughed when I didn’t know how tinder worked (and that I first called it “kinder”) and then my brother invited me out to a bar to hear his friend play at 9, and my first response was PM?!  Let’s just say this last week had me feeling a bit old…

So I decided to toss aside the old lady sweater and be fun this weekend. 

Saturday after rearranging our garage to fit some extra freezers Brandon’s uncle gave us I headed to Virginia Beach.  My sister, youngest brother and I went to the oceanfront Abbey Road to hear Ben’s college roommate play.  Jackson is a great live performer and it was a great night out!

Sunday was spent cleaning up the house and having my parents over.  We tried out a restaurant in town that Brandon and I have been wanting to go to.  We had planned our Friday night date night there but it turns out this little mom and pop diner closes at 8, so maybe this is the perfect little town for my old self! 

Weekend Recap

Back to Monday!  We had a great weekend over here and I am sad, as always, that we have to wait five more days to get to do it all again.

 

Saturday while Brandon was working I met my sister for a lunch date at Mermaid's Winery in Norfolk.  We first tried this place for Beth's birthday last year and loved it.  We had been waiting for a great weather weekend to try it again.  Unfortunately the patio had been closed for the season, but we enjoyed ourselves just as much inside. 

 

Can we talk about how much I am loving this fall weather!  The perfect temps for putting together some of my favorite layering outfits.

 I had an epiphany moment over my Saturday morning coffee of how I wanted to lay out our office and after talking it through with my sister, I was excited to head back home to sketch out my space plans, 

 

Sunday started with cinnamon roles and lots of coffee before we drove to World Market to pick up my birthday desk (thanks honey)!  Brandon would have put a pair of horse blinders on me if he could as we walked into that amazing store.  He had to steer me straight to the register as I started to wander.  It was my first time inside and I have already planned my trip back to check it all out!

 

I have to say, the Josephine Desk may be the simplest piece of furniture to put together and I did it all by myself!  It is gorgeous!

 

Three pieces and the same tool I use to use to replace my rollerskate wheels... that's my kind of construction work!

My in-laws invited us over for dinner and we ended our weekend enjoying some homemade pie!

 

How was your weekend?  What has been your favorite furniture finds lately?

 

Weekend Recap Birthday Edition!

I kicked off my birthday weekend enjoying pizaa on the couch watching Halloween movies with Brandon.  With no neighbors nearby (unless you count the deer) we don't get any trick-or-treaters. 

 



no little kiddos wanna make the long hike up the driveway...



Saturday, I froze my buns off on the sidelines of my oldest nephews soccer game, cheering on the kids for their last game of the season.  

 

Then I had a little happy birthday to me moment and went to mall to add some new clothes to our closet.  I forgot how much I dislike in-store shopping... I mean the parking, the crowds, the taking clothes on and off... but I am glad I went since some great pieces I saw online fit much differently then I expected.  I scored some amazing deals and can't wait to put some new outfits together.

 

My sister treated me to dinner and some Anthropolgie shopping at the new store in Virginia Beach that just opened.  The shop is amazing and full of incredible pieces, including a spoon rest and ring dish that have a new home in our kitchen!

 

I want all the mugs!!!

Sunday was spent with my family and Brandon at my parent's for brunch.  The award for greatest brunch contribution goes to my brother, Mark, and his pinterest-worthy fruit salad grill! 

 

 

After a delicious brunch we headed over a local brewery.  We took over the tiny shop with all of us there, but it reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family.

 

if you live in Virginia Beach be sure to check out Beach Brewery near Oceana Naval Base... great staff and good drinks!

 


everyone but my brother-in-law and nephews

Brandon and I then headed back home, stopped by a friends house and then finally made it to the house to enjoy the last few minutes of the weekend together.

 

How was your weekend?!  Did you enjoy the extra hour or has it now thrown off your entire sleep schedule like me?

 

{carried my camera around all weekend and only used the iPhone... way to go me!}