Charleston Wedding Weekend 2013: 1 of 2

Well, hello, Monday.  My you have come so soon.  I'm back to the grind after a fabulous wedding weekend in Charleston.  The weather cooperated, the wedding venue and decor was gorgeous, and the food delicious.  Getting to spend the weekend with some of our closest friends took the cake though.  I didn't want to be the crazy camera lady so only have a few pictures to share from the wedding.  I'll try to do a better job at next weekend's nuptials.  Location?  Charleston.  We're goin' back, baby!  Only five days (last week of school at that) stand between me and the coast.  Hope y'all settle nicely back into the work week!

Daniel Island Club

 

Hydrangeas are my favorite.

Loved this idea!  Personalized drink stirrers.

My other half

 

Signing the matting on the framed map - another fabulous, unique idea!

Charleston Bound

That's right folks.  After almost eleven months of Lowcountry withdrawl, the hubs and I are headed back to the place that will always have a place in our hearts.  It's where Tyler was born and raised, where he proposed at sunset on that warm July evening, and where we said our vows to begin our life together.  This weekend we're celebrating the nuptials of friends out on Daniel Island.  I can't wait to share the pictures with you on Monday. Happy Weekend, y'all!

Charleston has a landscape that encourages intimacy and partisanship.  I have heard it said that an inoculation to the sights and smells of the Carolina lowcountry is an almost irreversible antidote to the charms of other landscapes, other alien geographies.  You can be moved profoundly by other vistas, by other oceans, by soaring mountain ranges, but you can never be seduced.  You can even forsake the lowcountry, renounce it for other climates, but you can never completely escape the sensuous, semitropical pull of Charleston and her marshes.  Pat Conroy, The Lords of Discipline

This Bread is Bananas

B-A-N-A-N-A-S.  Picture me jamming to this modified version as I dance around in my kitchen.  It happened all right.  It all began with two majorly ripe bananas...and remembering it was Custodial Appreciation Week.

Instead of picking up a pre-made treat at Publix, I thought I'd put my very amateur baking skills to use. I found a simple peanut butter banana bread recipe via Pinterest and adapted it to ingredients that were already in Sylvan's kitchen.  It was my first go at this, and it turned out quite tasty if I may say so myself.  I definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick-n-easy breakfast bread.

Simple Peanut Butter Banana Bread (adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 3/4 C peanut butter 
• 1/3 C melted butter 
• 2/3 C white sugar 
• 2 very ripe bananas 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 3/4 C all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 C buttermilk
• Chocolate chips*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease a 4x8-in. loaf pan.  
2. Beat peanut butter and melted butter in a bowl.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  Beat one egg into peanut butter mixture until completely blended before beating in the second egg.  Beat in ripe bananas.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.  Stir flour mixture into banana mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing until batter is just blended.  
4. Stir in chocolate chips.* 
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately one hour.

*The recipe didn't call for chocolate chips, nor did I put any in my batter mixture.  However, I plan on adding them next time to bring the taste factor up a notch.  A little chocolate never hurt anyone.

Going For That Green Thumb

While my motivated hubby spent Saturday morning hustling through a sprint triathlon, I spent it parked on the couch, watching the Today show, and researching container gardening.  While I was perusing Marshall's last Thursday, I found two identical planter containers for $5.99 a pop that I just couldn't pass up.  They were orange, had a fabulous design, and were begging to call Sylvan's deck home.  Hence, began the research train.  Southern Living had an awesome slideshow which got my wheels turning.  I, unfortunately, haven't had much luck with plants in the past, so I knew I would need to get something hardy that wouldn't need too much TLC...    

...which led me to these sweet little "petunies", as my mama calls 'em.  I initially was on the hunt for solid white petunias but settled on these cheery, yellow ones.  I felt the yellow/orange combo screamed summer.  For now they're sittin' pretty on the deck table.  They definitely put a warm smile on my face when I glance out back.
Let's keep those fingers crossed they last!

I also had to share the knockout rose bush I planted in our backyard last summer.  Just when I thought she was dead, she came back to life full force.  Oh, what a little patience and MiracleGro will do!

I'm trying my best to get that green thumb, folks.  I absolutely love flowers and hope I can manage maintaining these...gotta get my confidence up so I can carry on!

So, what are your tips for successful gardening?

Memorable Mother's Day

Look at those two gorgeous ladies sandwiching me...ow ow.  And they're just as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.  Tyler and I are truly blessed to have the most spunky, caring mothers, always putting others before themselves, and molding our brothers and us to be the people we are today.  I can only hope to one day be half as amazing as super-moms Diane and Nancy.  Boy have they set that bar high!

This year Tyler and I divided and conquered so we could each spend Mother's Day Weekend with the two most important women in our lives.  Tyler headed to Clemson for some triatholoning (so proud of him!), grilling, and brunching with his parents.  Below are his sweet mama and him enjoying their meal at Blue Heron.

My parents and I headed up to Barnsley Gardens on Saturday night.  We had a delicious meal with the added bonus of watching Bobby Cox's daughter get married on the beautiful grounds.  The night also couldn't be complete without a brief photo shoot.  What can I say?  I get camera happy.  I'm sure T was uber happy to get out of this one.

Sunday morning I treated mom to one of her favorites, crepes, that I've been making since middle school.  Below is the simple recipe that will fix that morning sweet tooth.

Crepes Recipe 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 C milk
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk 
• 1 T butter, melted 
• 1/4 t salt 
• 2 T sugar 
• 1 C flour 
• 1 T Vegetable Oil 
• Confectioners Sugar 
• Toppings (Nutella, whipped cream, chocolate chips, strawberries, blueberries, etc.)

Directions

1. Place milk, egg, egg yolk, butter, salt, sugar, and flour in a blender.  Blend one minute until the batter is smooth.
2. Heat oil in small pan.
3. Pour in a spoonful of batter.  Cook one minute (or longer if needed) until crepe is lightly browned.  
4. Turn and brown the other side.  
5. Discard the first crepe as it will be oily.  
6. Fill and top off the crepes with confectioners sugar and your favorite toppings.  Eat up!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day Weekend as much as we did.  It's important to not only honor your mother on this day but remind them of what they mean to you each and every day.  We love you, Mom & Nancy!

Mother's Day's A-Comin'

It's about that time to honor and celebrate the most wonderful woman in your life.  Looking for a gift besides the go-to flower bouquet or spa treatment?  Below are a few of my favorites that won't break the bank, and your sweet mama is sure to love.  

1: Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase via Anthropologie

2: Meyer Lemon Hand Soap & Lotion via Williams-Sonoma

3: Capri Blue Volcano Candle via Amazon or Anthropologie

4: Coral Bangle Set via Banana Republic   

5: Spa Essential Monogrammed Classic Waffle Weave Knee Length Kimono Robe via The Monogram Room 

6: 'Spring Lotus' Infinity Scarf via Nordstrom

7: NARS Orgasm(Blush)/Laguna(Bronzer) Duo via Sephora

8: Silver-Plated Engravable Frames via Pottery Barn

Happy (early) Mother's Day to all you special ladies out there!  

Welly Wants

April showers bring May flowers--er more showers.  What's up with that?  The relentless rain has got me wanting some cute wellies.  If I can get my hands on a pair of these, bring on the rain!

1: Huntress Gloss Wider Calf Rain Boots
2: Joules Evedon Women's Premium Rain Boots in Navy
3: Chooka 'Top Solid' Rain Boot
4: Burberry Check Panel Rainboots
5: Hunter Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots in Pillar Box Red
6: Valentino Lace Print Rain Boot

Fabulous Finds

Rain, rain, and more rain.  That about sums up the last forty-eight hours in Atlanta.  And what does rain call for?  Shopping.  Mom and I hit a few lots of spots on Saturday.  I had to restrain myself from buying all of these fabulous finds which have now been added to my need, er wish list.

See that baby on the left?  My guest bedroom is calling for two of them, now.  The detailing is amazing, and the coral would look fabulous against the two-toned stripes.  Oh, Anthro.  You always know how to drive a girl crazy.

Crochet Spliced Curtain in Coral via Anthropologie

Neatest decor I've seen in a long time.

Brass Bubble Sconce via Anthropologie

I've been on the lookout for a simple cloche for quite a while.  When I walked in to Anthropologie, this distinctive gem caught my eye.  While it's purposed as a cupcake stand, I think it could serve just as good as a cloche in Sylvan's dining room.

Fondant Marble Cupcake Stand via Anthropologie

Remember when I mentioned wanting a new lamp here?  Well, Pottery Barn has once again come to the rescue.  I'm lusting for this task lamp.  Birthday present?  Yes please.

Chloe Hobnail Mercury Glass Task Table Lamp via Pottery Barn

I love the simplicity of this serving bowl, which also comes as a platter.  I walked past this beauty several times, hem-hawing over whether or not to purchase it.  I'm thinking I may need to go back.

Caroline Oval Serve Bowl & Stand via Pottery Barn

I'm wanting this monogrammed platter to sit atop treasure number one.

Silver-Plated Breakfast Tray via Pottery Barn

My main mission was home decor, but I couldn't pass by the beloved J.Crew.  Hands down, favorite dress in the store.  This print also comes in capris.  Gimme gimme.

Gilded Dot Brocade Dress via J.Crew

These adorable floral jeans scream Spring.  Love them.

Stretch Skinny Watteau Floral Jean via C Wonder

I hope y'all enjoyed your weekend and are ready to roll into a new week.  Here's to hoping we don't have a bad case of the Mondays! 

Work Nook Inspiration

Last fall, I started getting an itch to turn our unused sitting space into a work nook.  Yes, we have two desks upstairs in the office, but I wanted one downstairs so I could still feel "a part of the action" while I was working.  I was completely over using our dining room table to do work.  I was constantly moving our place-settings to make room then having to clean up and reorganize once I was done for the night.  And, going back to our "sitting space", the sole purpose of the gingham chair was to sit there looking pretty...a.k.a. collect dust.  Honestly, I don't know that anyone sat there...ever.  Here she is (pardon the blurriness):

Ugh, yeah....Without T knowing, I began doing research on reasonably-priced desks that could fit this space.  One night I was looking through the Home Decorators magazine, courtesy of Mrs. Katy Costner, and came across this beauty.  

I knew this piece from the Martha Stewart Living Collection would fit in perfectly at Sylvan.  I decided to use Christmas money and the help of Katy to make this purchase.  It has been a big relief to be able to dedicate our dining room table to eating/entertaining and the desk to grading papers/paying bills (fun, fun...not).  It's still a work in progress, but I love how the "work nook" is coming together.  

I already had the three frames, silver bowl, lamp (woof), and chair.  Clearly, I'm on the hunt for a new lamp, as well as a trinket or two to warm it up.  Gotta give the desk a lil' lovin'.     

A dear friend of mine gave me the middle frame, which contains one of our favorite wedding pictures.  I bought the outer two frames at Target a while back.  They were originally white frames which I spray-painted gold.  The picture on the left is of Tyler's parents from their wedding day, and the picture on the right is of my parents from theirs.

I'm not completely unhappy with the chair but want to update it to make it pop!  Spray paint and a new cushion?  Thoughts?

While I'm in search of items that can call this nook home, here are a few work spaces which provide much inspiration.

This work space is so cheery.  I love the pops of yellow against the whites and grays.

Obsessed with this chair.  The lavender flowers pop against all of the neutrals.

I want that bouquet of flowers.  Pronto.

Everything about this work space is perfect.  I have fallen for those antlers and this entire color scheme.  

I'm not a huge fan of the chair, at least for my work nook, but I appreciate the bright, boldness of the turquoise lamps  as well as the yellow and white chevron rug. 

So what are your must-needs in a work space?  

May Day Irony

It's May Day and Cubs tickets were left on our doorstep.  Ironic?  Indeed...exactly one month from today, Tyler and I will be watching the ball game under the lights at historic Wrigley Field.  We both value travelling and cherish the memories that come with it, so for our anniversary we'll be heading to the city my parents first met in twenty-nine years ago.  We're so looking forward to this trip, and it'll be here before we know it.

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca