Christmas Wish List

I'll begin this blog like I have been beginning most...

Hey y'all. Yeah, it's been a while. And I'm not gonna like, I've had bloggers guilt for over a month I've just been to busy (and/or lazy.) Between the holidays, traveling, work and Christmas shopping by the time I'm on my computer it's a quick Facebook check, Nordy's check and email check then to bed.

Happy to say that our Christmas shopping is 99% DONE! I just have a few more things for Michael to pickup. I know for most, it's early to be done shopping but bare in mind half of our family lives in Australia. So I have to get everything shipped off in the next few days or else it

won't make it there in time for Christmas. We got some great stuff for everyone, hope they all love it!

Things I am hoping for for Christmas are... a variable temp Breville kettle, Crisp Champagne Voluspa candle, some Urban Decay eyeshadow, clothes, gift certificate to my favorite store Keys Country, and cookbooks. Nothing to exciting... it never is these days.

Here's hoping everyone gets what they are wishing for for Christmas :-*

Isla's First Birthday Photos

So this blog is totally bragging on my girlfriend Megan's super cute and creative ideas and awesome party planning for her little girl Isla's first birthday! Everything was DIY. I totally think Megan could sell her banners on Etsy! Don't you? Michael and I had a blast hanging out with them on Saturday. Isla, aka Smiley, is a precious little sweetheart. Isla really enjoyed her party. She was happy, *Smiley*, and energetic all day! The weather couldn't have been more beautiful either. Usually this time in Florida is still sticky and hot but with a cool night on Friday the weather ended up being perfect... breezy and in the 70's (at least that's how it felt.)

Megan did a great job with all the streamers she had already at the house! She had a couple streamer curtains hung inside and out.

The sweets table was my favorite! Of course. There were cupcake cakepops, GF and regular cupcakes and a smash cake for Miss Isla.

The cupcake cake pops turned out so cute! She used the recipe and cake pop mold that we found here. Love From the Oven is one of my absolute favorite blogs for baking and sweets!

Isla's highchair decorated!

Loved the layered Jell-O in baby food jars! Megan tried to use mostly Eco-friendly stuff other than the streamers.

Happy Birthday to You!

She was little hesistant at first... but then she figured it out. There was a moment when all Isla wanted to do was clap LOL so the icing was flying everywhere.

So cute!

Then came presents time!

The Hostess and I

Got this really cute shot of Isla

And shortly after presents, came nap time! LOL She was such a great little girl and lasted through her whole birthday party!

New Obsession!

Hello ladies! It's me, I haven't abandoned my blog! And I have a new favorite thing to share! Check out this website for great hair and makeup tips! Ever wonder how to do those new funky braids everyone always has? This will be your new go-t0 place for them. Not only that, you'll get awesome tips for nail polish designs an

d makeup too!

An example...

Not only do I love the sight for these reasons - but LC is usually the girl in the tutorials! FUN!

Here's the Link to The Beauty Department

Enjoy!

Keep Calm and Garden On

I love new projects! I decided to start my own herb garden after I threw away the last basil, thyme and cilantro I had bought from the grocery store and barely used before it all went bad. Such a waste of money and a big pet peeve. My solution? Plant an herb garden! Florida weather is perfect for it. I went with pots because it if it does get to chilly outside I can always bring them in for a few weeks.

I chose 8 of my favorites: Thyme, flat leaf parsley, basil, chives, lavender, mint, rosemary and cilantro. I really don't use lavender and mint but couldn't resist. They smell so good! I found a nice little recipe for lavender honey ice-cream I intend to make so it serves a purpose :-)

Everything is growing just wonderfully except for my chives... they're acting a little sketchy. So I'm waiting them out...

Found these super cute antique spoons for all the pots on Etsy!

And of course no garden of mine wouldn't be complete without a Pittsburgh Steelers garden gnome!

My first trimming of basil. I got so much! I was pumped. Made bruschetta and a ravioli bolognese last night using it.

What I've Been Up To

Well, I can definitely say I have really enjoyed the past few weeks.

I had a great trip home to Atlanta to visit my family and friends...

My parent's are AMAZING cooks so we went definitely got spoiled why we were there... spring rolls, fried rice, sausage cranberry pastries.... MMM making my mouth water just thinking about it! Can't wait to see the whole family again in September.

Then, I had my first of many visits in Florida from friends and family.

One of my best girlfriends Nicole came down to visit for a long weekend. It was her first time seeing our new place. We had the ultimate girls weekend. A Britney Spears concert in Orlando (Front Row!), a wine and movie night on the couch, a dinner at Roy's, and a day at the beach finished with cheese fondue. Pretty awesome. I was sad to see her go but so happy see made the trip down!

A few short days after Nicole left, my BFF and her boyfriend Caleb arrived! Their visit was a lot more chill but still so enjoyable. We had a lot of fun doing a low country boil one night which I topped off with a gluten free pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, went to Clearwater for lunch and little sun, and also out to a nice dinner and drinks another night. And even better, Michael took the week off from riding to chill at home with us too!

Easy to say it's been a crazy few weeks. And this afternoon, my Uncle, Aunt and baby cousins fly into Orlando for a Florida family vacation for the week. I say baby cousins, but they really aren't babies any more. Sad. I'm so excited to see them! Can't wait! We're gonna have a lot of fun in Daytona. I'll be commuting to and from because I've take off work so much lately, I'll probably have a lot to catch up on in the office but really wish I could beach bum it with them the whole week.

A Few of My Favorite Things: July

So everyone is always posting their favorite things at the moment and I decided to join on the band wagon with a monthly post of what I'm loving in the moment.

1. Talenti Gelato - also known as - Heaven on Earth. Michael and I can't seem to keep these in the fridge! His favorite is the mint chip and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their Belgium Milk Chocolate. I kid you not when I say it is the smoothest, most delectable, creamy goodness ever. And, it's really healthy as far as ice cream is concerned. It's always nice when you read the ingredients you're familiar with everything in it. Plus, it's GF so that's good for me!

2. Reebok's Reeflex After I'm done enjoying a little bit of gelato I sometimes go on a little walk through the neighborhood to make myself feel a bit better. We're into the light-weight shoe craze. I also have a pair of Nike Free's and I love those too but out of boredom we decided to weigh the two and these actually were a tad bit lighter so that's why it made the cut for the blog vs. the Frees.

3. Colored Denim So you see them everywhere now. Of course, I had to buy myself a pair. I opted got these lil Hudson cuties from Revolve Clothing (my favorite online store). They are super comfy.

4. Which brings me to my 4th favorite: www.revolveclothing.com. It's my go-t0 for all clothes. Their shipping is amazing, I usually receive everything in 2-3 business days. Even better, shipping is free! And another thing I love about them, there are many, is that they will price match everything. Bloomingdale's actually had the Hudson shorts $20 cheaper but charged for shipping. So I emailed Revolve's customer service and told them about it and they gave me Bloomingdales's price + the free shipping! Woohoo

5. Coconut Water This Florida heat and humidity can be killer. I've fallen in love with coconut water and drink it regularly for its electrolytes. It's refreshing and a change every once in a while from plain ole boring water.

Last but certainly not least, Slatkin & Co Candles from Bath & Body Works. I know what you're thinking... Yankee Candle are the best or maybe you prefer Gold Canyon. I bought Yankee Candles religiously for years. Until I saw these candles and their fun scents. Currently, I'm burning/obsessing over Pink Sangria and Peach Bellini. I know, sounds amazing, right?! They probably suckered me in by naming them after alchoholic beverages. And the jars aren't big and obnoxious so you can stick the candles everywhere. Go and sniff the candles out and give them a try.

Hallelujah!

SO excited that I can buy ALL of these at Publix now!!

That is all. Bye bye now.