~Blog Love~

Today I am going to share with you a blog that I recently came across and L-O-V-E. Some of you might have already heard about, but if you haven't you must check it out! Kate, at The Small Things, is a hairdresser, DIYourselfer and jewerly maker with wonderful hair tutorials that even I can do.

My favorite so far as been the tutorial on how to trim your own bangs. Anyone who has bangs knows how much this is helpful, bangs can get out of hand very quickly.

Kate also blogs about DIY crafts and just anything else she loves. So check it out!

Birthday Celebration #2

Well it's official I am 30! And, you know it's not that bad, so far so good. Everyone who knows me, knows that I love celebrating birthdays and usually they last at about a week, which is why I have two post dedicated to my birthday celebration. Last weekend, however, was the "official" birthday celebration. Since my birthday was on a Sunday and there was a home FSU game I decided to have a 30th birthday Tailgating party. It was a blast. My sister and her husband came for the weekend, as well as, one of my dear college roommates. What a weekend! I mean it has taken me almost a whole week to recover, which is why I am just now sharing it with everyone.

We started the weekend off at one of my favorite spots, The Wine Loft.


My sis and I striking a pose

Then we headed to dinner at another one of my favs, Masa.


Kira and I enjoying a little vino at dinner

Then on early on Saturday we headed to the stadium for the tailgating party. My sister and Mr. C did such a great job setting up and decorating the tailgate. Oh and the weather could not have been more beautiful - it actually was kind of hot.

I just love the cupcake toppers my sis made!

And, then on Sunday all the company left and I enjoyed a lazy, relaxing day!!

Birthday Celebration #1

This past weekend my parents paid a visit to celebrate my birthday (they have to babysit on my actualy b-day). We had a blast! I always enjoy it when my parents come to Tally to hang out. We started the weekend off right with happy hour at Level 8, a roof top bar in Tallahassee, and then finished the weekend off with my dad's yummy blueberry pancakes. It was definetly a great way to start off my week of birthday celebrations.

Eli Turns 1

Last weekend Mr. C and I traveled to the beach for our nephew's 1st birthday celebration. What a blast! I know people always say thier nephew's are the cutest, but really Eli is the cutest little boy EVER. He has such a fun, playful and sweet personality.

Some might think that my sister and I went alittle over board with a dinner party for a one year old, but you only have a 1st birthday once. The theme my sister decided on was "One Year Old in a Flash".  So from the invitations to the place settings, everything was based around pictures of Eli.

We planned this great elaborate dinner party with prime rib, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes - yum! (You see my sister fixed this dinner at Easter and it was soooooo good, everyone wanted a sequeal.) Unfortnatley, though we all got caught up in all the excitment of Eli opening gifts and mingling that we forgot to turn off the oven at a certain time and our prime rib ended up being more like a pot roast.  (sad face)

Oh well that's our memories are made :)

Let the Countdown Begin...

Gosh I can't believe it is October 1 all ready! This year sure has gone by so fast and this month is going to be a busy one for Mr. C and I. Not only will we be celebrating Eli's first birthdayy...but also mine. Yup, this year it is the big 3-0, so let the countdown begin.

I'm not going to lie I am a little bummed about turning 30. My life is not exactly how I pictured it would be when I reached my thirties. To start off, I thought I would be a little farther in my career, making more money (of course who doesn't want to make more money), and definitely didn't think I would be living in Tallahassee. But then there is the other side of me that is excited to see what my thirties will bring. And, I am very blessed to have the life that I have - a wonderful husband, the sweetest puppy dog Maggie, a loving family, good health and in this economy a J-O-B.

As some of you know I am obsessed with Pinterest and recently I came across this quote. The minute I read it, I had to pin it and someday I am going to frame it. It is my new motto. So, with that, let the countdown begin!! Only 22 days left till my 30th birthday - WOO HOO!!

P.S. As I am writing this post New Kids on the Block Hangin Tough is playing -  man did love Jordan when I was in 4th grade.

Cakes & Corks

Last night some friends and I learned the art of cake decorating at a fun event called Cakes & Corks. The event was held at a fairly new event venue called The Space at Feather Oaks - a renovated barn surraounded by beautiful oaks and stables. Learning how to decorate a cake is somehting I kind of have secretly wanted to try. A couple of times I have thought about taking one of the classes at Michael's, but they always last a for a few weeks and I just couldn't commit. So when I heard about this I didn't think twice. I mean what's more fun than learning how to decorate a cake and drink wine at the same time! (that's the cork part- in case you havent' figured it out already)

Well here is my final product. Isn't it beautiful?!?!



Me, Katie and Parker sporting our FSU cakes

Tropicla Storm Lee

Well this has definitely been a relaxing weekend at our house - it has rained for almost two straight days now thanks to tropical storm Lee. I mean it has been nice to get some rain cause we could use some and I am sure the farmers are loving this rain, but a girl can only clean and organize for so long! But all in all, I have to say this Labor Day weekend was a pretty good one - I mean, it is the start to football season and of course my NOLES kick it off right with a shut out over ULM (34-0). Go Noles!!

However, game day was just Saturday, so the rest of the weekend I was busy cleaning and straighting things up around the house.  I did manage to try a new recipe. I have always wanted to try making some homemade gumbo. My father-in-law probably makes some of the best gumbo I have ever tasted and  since there wasn't much else to do I thought this would be a great weekend to try it myself. I kind of married to recipes together, one from Alton Brown and a Paula Deen. All in all it turned out pretty good. The roux is probably the most difficult part. I am not ready yet to share my recipe quite yet, as I need to perfect it a little more. But it did taste pretty good for a first try.

Maggie helping me cook

The finished product! (not sure whats up with the gray line across the bottom, sorry!)

Of course, then today (again thanks to T.S. Lee) the power went for almost four hours. I had this great mexican meal planned, but with no electricy that went out the door. So we opted to end the weekend with a nice dinner out! Tomorrow is back to the grind, but at least it is only a four day week! Yipppeee!!

 Hope every one had a great holiday weekend!