11.05.2017

halloween 2017



halloween this year will go down in history as one of my favorites!  we met up with a few friends at a stranger things-themed festival in downtown raleigh.  it was so much fun seeing all the 80's costumes and people dressed as characters from the show!  i went as my favorite heroine from game of thrones, daenerys targaryen/khaleesi/mother of dragons, while cory went in his favorite rock star costume ;)  i made my costume by hand (using this awesome tutorial), and almost didn't finish in time... but i'm happy i did because i won second place in the traditional costume contest and got a $50 giftcard!!  woot woot!

khaleesi and drogon!

the cutest little dragon you ever did see!


there was a polaroid photo booth at the festival!  so fun and nostalgic!

so rock and roll!

wonder woman and another 80's rocker!

we ran into eleven...

willy wonka...

and even negan and lucille!

we ended the night with more friends at watts and ward for some cocktails and cigars! (if you live near raleigh and have not been here, you need to stop what you're doing and go there right now).



we also had a little pumpkin carving date night at home earlier in the week.  i wanted to do something a little different, so i looked to my favorite podcast for a little inspo, while cory kept it traditional.  you can see our pumpkin creations from years past here (2016), here (2014 when i had red hair!), and here (2013)!  i don't know what happened in 2015, haha!

stay sexy.  don't get murdered.

a little out of focus, whoopsie!



halloween 2017, you were wonderful!

10.28.2017

louie's two year adoptaversary!!!


last tuesday, we celebrated louie's second official year as a trottier!  it seems like just yesterday we were walking through our front door with him (not really knowing what to expect), but we couldn't have asked for a more perfect dog! this past year brought so many exciting adventures for the lou man... we traveled to the mountains and the beaches of north carolina, and he got to see his grandpawrents (see what i did there) in michigan and florida!  he also got a brand new set of eyeballs (bilateral cateract surgery), and is discovering so many new fun activities like chasing birds and barking at basically anything that moves!

i love him more and more everyday, and still find myself wanting to stay in every weekend and cuddle with him, rather than going out somewhere.  i hope he loves his life with us, as much as we love having him here!

link to louie's one year adoptaversary (when he was much fluffier)




louie posing with all of his goodies, including a cool new jacket!  i love him so!


10.01.2017

living room mini makeover


i'm finally done with my black & white gallery wall project, and i love the way it turned out!  the second i saw this idea on a beautiful mess, i knew it would be the perfect update for our living room.  i made a random gallery wall over our couch when we moved in a few years ago, but i was getting kind of sick of looking at the same thing day after day.  for this project i chose a collection of family photos that are near and dear to my heart, and every time i look up at them i feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  in addition to the gallery wall, i added a few new pillows and a little record station for a complete (mini) living room makeover!  here's a peek:

before...

...after!!!

i used a level, tape measure, painters tape, and a little basic math to get the frames perfectly spaced.  i learned this painters tape trick from a martha stewart magazine a few years back, and it has been life changing!  i made marks on a strip where i wanted the nails to be, then re-used the same strip for the other levels... easy peasy!


i  used these frames from target.

here's my cute little record nook.  i bought the record holder from urban outfitters, and the rug is from rugs usa!  it's really plush and well made... and it only cost $17!!! (in fact, i'm so in love with it that i'm trying to find an excuse to buy more for other areas of the house).

9.04.2017

easy baked everything bagel dip


girl walks into trader joe's.  girl purchases everything but the bagel seasoning. girl is addicted to said seasoning and puts it on everything.

the above story pretty much sums up my love affair with this stuff.  seriously though, it's so yummy on toast, pizza, bagels, grilled cheeses, and anything involving avocados. i love it so much, that i decided to come up with my very own recipe for baked everything bagel dip.  this recipe is so easy to make, it's almost embarrassing!  it's a twist on a hot onion dip recipe i've made several times which is always the first dish to be wiped clean at parties!  and this baked everything bagel dip is no different... it's bound to be a hit for sure!

ingredients

hello, lover.

mix cream cheese, mayo and parmesan.  spread into a lightly oiled baking dish.  sprinkle with seasoning.

bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

serve with bagel chips, bread cubes and tortilla chips.

yummy!


easy baked everything bagel dip

ingredients:

2 8-ounce packaged cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup mayo
1 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
~ 2 Tbsp. everything bagel seasoning


instructions:

  • preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • in a bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayo and parmesan cheese.
  • spread mixture into lightly oiled baking dish.
  • generously sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over mixture.
  • bake until golden and bubbly (about 20-25 mintues).
  • serve with tortilla chips, bagel chips and bread cubes  
  

8.27.2017

annual north topsail beach vacation



a few weeks ago husband, the dog and myself packed up our swimsuits and a whole lotta food and beer and headed to the coast!  this was our second summer in a row staying in north topsail beach, and i fall more in love with it each time i go!  it's dog friendly, uncrowded, and there's lots of good seashells to be found!  my parents joined us as well, and it was so nice to spend some relaxing quality time at the beach with my family (they hadn't vacationed at the beach in years, which is crazy because they live in florida!  i think they really enjoyed being there).  the weather was a bit rainy (we at least got in one full beach day), but we had plenty of food, movies, and louie cuddles to keep us entertained in the meantime.  it cleared up each night long enough for us to enjoy looking for shells on the beach while watching the sunset (great time to take photos too, the lighting is so beautiful you don't even need to edit the pictures).  we lounged on sandbars, ate lots of delicious fresh seafood, and got some much needed rest and relaxation!  here's a look:


"i'm ready to go to the beach,  mom!"




my parents are adorable!



beach treats!

we ventured out on a sandbar that went really far out at low tide!  there were areas where the sand dipped down and formed our very own private pools  :)


the boats pull right up and deliver their fresh seafood!  we went here twice to pick up some shrimp and grouper.  it sure was tasty!

the grill masters!


louie loves his grandparents!

i sure do love me a good cactus!

this deer lives on the island, we spotted her munching on someone's knockout roses in their yard.  she's certainly chosen a nice place for a home  :)

it's safe to say that he loves the beach!


the sunsets were amazing!








until next time, topsail!  we will definitely need to make this a yearly tradition!