1/31/13

Super Bowl Sunday

I'm not a huge football fan. I can get into a Texas Longhorn game but that's about it (and a UNC game, but let's be honest... UT has us beat there). Although, my love of all things themed lets me get excited about the Super Bowl every year. It's fun to plan a party and who doesn't love football food?! We aren't throwing a party this year but that doesn't mean I haven't thought about what I would do if we were. Here are a few of the dishes I would make if we were hosting.

Bacon Guacamole
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Bacon-Jalapeno Cheese Ball
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders
Flourless Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Covered 'Football' Strawberries

I also love watching the commercials every year... it's WAY more entertaining than the actual game. Although, I hate this trend of releasing commercials before the actual game. I am trying to stay away from all the spoilers out there. So far I've only seen one, so I think I'm doing pretty well.

Looking forward to Sunday to hang out with friends, eat good food and watch expensive commercials!

1/30/13

Wish List

These are the items I have currently been lusting after. It's a totally random group of items but I would love to add them all to my wardrobe.... especially the camera bag! I need it in my life!

Mint Beaded Bloom Bib
 
J Brand 901 Waxed Legging Jeans
ONA The Chelsea Camera Bag
Kate Spade Trendy

1/29/13

Red Carpet: The SAG Awards 2013

More awards shows means more amazing dresses! Here are my favorites from Sunday's SAG Awards.

Jennifer Lawrence
Amanda Seyfried
Giuliana Ranic
Nina Dobrev
Jenna Fischer
Kiernan Shipka

I loved the blues and Kiernan Shipka looked totally adorable! She looked sophisticated and age appropriate... she looks so much more likable than her character on Mad Men.

Counting down to the Oscars!

1/28/13

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a good one. I got to rest up and get over the last bit of my cold while spending time with my hubby, just me and him (and the dog).


There was lots of sleeping in, coffee drinking and catching up on my magazine reading. I love my magazine subscriptions but often times I don't have time to read them until after they've stacked up for months.

Saturday we spent the day walking around downtown window shopping with the pup. I love walking around 2nd St. and popping in and out of all the cute little shops. We stopped at Medici to get a drink - Beer for J and a hot chocolate for me.

Medici
Isn't it pretty? If only it tasted as good as it looked. I mean where was the whipped cream?! We love this place but I'll be sticking to coffee or tea from now on.

Perla's
A candid J thought was appropriate. (see Kleenex on left - still battling sniffles)
Afternoon drinks at Perla's is one of my favorite ways to pass the time. I got a Hemingway daiquiri that was amazing. Although, let me tell you, they were strong. We also got a order of the Cornmeal Fried Oysters. The only way to get me to eat oysters is to fry them and these were gluten free - win! Both J and I loved them and had to restrain ourselves from ordering another serving.

Hotel San Jose
Next up was a drink at Hotel San Jose. This place is super cute. I love getting a drink on their patio. I would love to have a stay-cation at this bungalow style hotel nestled in the heart of SoCo. I have heard the rooms are amazing. Gracie also loves their extremely dog friendly vibe. It was like puppy social hour.

We ended the night at our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant, Azul Tequila. Always delicious and their salsa is the bomb!

Sunday was a more casual day. We read, watched a Hitchcock movie, watched Downtown Abbey and Girls! It was a good couch day.

I did manage to get off the couch for a Junior League Admissions meeting where I learned more about the organization. Their presentation was quite impressive and I look forward to getting involved with them. I have been looking for away to get involved in the community and this seems like the perfect outlet.

And, of course, I watched the SAG red carpet last night. I'll give y'all a run down of my faves in tomorrow's post!

1/25/13

What I've Been Pinning This Week...

I'm still here! Sorry I have been MIA recently. We were out of town on a ski trip (more of that to come in a later post) and then I got sick. This cold is taking me a while to get over but that doesn't mean I haven't been pinning. So here is a look at what caught my eye this week...

Style Inspiration

Bows!
Chanel
Clare Vivier Monogrammed Clutch - Need!

Recipes To Try

Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookies
Snicker Doodle Brownies
Date Ideas
40 Free Date Ideas
 

1/18/13

What I've Been Pinning This Week...

Brunch Ideas
Baked Breakfast Baguette
Mini Yogurt Parfaits
Pancake Cupcake w/ Maple Buttercream and Bacon

Recipes to Try

Mini Garlic Monkey Bread
Mango Agave Sorbet

Things I Love



1/17/13

J's Birthday

***J - you are prohibited from looking at this post***

My hubby has a birthday coming up in February and I am brainstorming what to get him. He always tells me just to get him a book and he'd be happy but where is the fun in that?!

Here are a few ideas I've had...

Nike+ FuelBand
DKR Texas Memorial Stadium Print
A trip to NY or elsewhere
Areaware Alarm Dock
Vintage Nike Sneakers

Do y'all have any ideas of good gifts? I could use some suggestions.

1/16/13

Books

I know it's a common resolution but for me I really want to read more in 2013. My husband seems to go through a book a week and it really makes me feel bad about not reading. My problem is it takes me a long time to 'get into' a book. I have to have a good amount of time to sit and read which makes reading before bed out of the question. I am trying to set aside more time on the weekends to get my reading in.

My goal for 2013 is to read at least a book a month. I got off to a good start over the holidays. And read two books. Death Comes to Pemberley and South of Board.


Death Comes to Pemberley was set as a sequel to Pride & Prejudice with a mystery element. It was a fun read and interesting to revisit the characters of a favorite Jane Austen novel. I would definitely recommend this for those looking for something fun.


South of Broad was overall kind of a sad book. It was interesting to see the history of a group of friends growing up in Charleston, one of my favorite cities, but I just never got involved in the story. In the end it just wasn't my kind of book.


The Casual Vacancy is what I am currently reading. I wanted to read this for obvious reasons. My love of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series made me curious about this book. I am not too far into it but so far I like it. I'll let y'all know how it is once I'm finished.

Do y'all have any good books to recommend I read in 2013?

1/15/13

Where in the World...

J and I have recently been talking about where to take our next vacation abroad. We haven't taken an international trip since our honeymoon three years ago. We aren't even sure if we can fit in a trip this year but we have fun dreaming.

There are a few of places on our bucket list but we have an even longer list of places we'd like to go to. It all depends on the time of year we can take our trip, prices of flights, etc. I'm sure y'all know all about that.

Here are a few places we have been talking about...

Greek Islands
Germany
Thailand

Have any of you taken any trips you would recommend? Or are there places on your bucket list you would like to visit?

1/14/13

Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2013

It's Awards season! As I'm sure you all know the Golden Globes were on last night. I love watching for the red carpet looks. Here are some of my favorites. These ladies really nailed it!

Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen
Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta
Amy Adams in Marchesa
Adele in Burberry
Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood Couture
(How cute are her and Ben?!)
 
I thought Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did a great job but I wasn't in love with their outfit choices. I feel like their gowns in the promo spots were better than anything they wore last night. But they did make me laugh!

There were also LOTS of people who should make a worst dressed list but I won't do that. ;)