5 on Friday {This & That}

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week---here's to an even better weekend!
Here's my 5 on Friday list to kick off the weekend with.
Check out the rest and link up here!

1. Lunch Break Blogging If you are anything like me (i.e. work full time, have a home to keep up, are married, etc. etc.) blogging is tough business during the week. I am thankful for lunch breaks that allow me to post this blog!

2.Weekend Plans I get to go to Louisville this weekend and see some of my favorite people. My bestie Jess and her husband, and my aunt Mary! I can't wait to be back in my Old KY Home (it's been way too long!) and to see what's new around my ol' stompin' grounds!

3. FREE Stuff...especially clothing Ryan's mom's friend has a daughter-in-law who was cleaning her closet out and donating clothes to goodwill. The nice lady that she is, she thought of me and decided to grab it all so I could try the clothes on. Turns out they all fit. Every single piece. I am now the proud new owner of 9 coats/jackets that are like new--including 2 wool coats (one from J. Crew), 2 new trench coats (black AND tan!), some work jackets, and some active wear style jackets. I felt like I was in a dream when I received them...lucky me!!

4. Fourth of July We have a friend that hosts an annual July 4th lake party that I've never been able to make it to---we are usually out of town or busy for the fourth, but not this year! I am beyond excited for a day full of water, sun, food, and the best company. Not to mention my lemon cool whip cookies {the red velvet version is over here}!

 

5. Summer Plans We have already taken a little road-trip this summer and have done a few other fun things around town. This time of year is so much fun for us! Between traveling to see family, traveling to see (or WITH) friends, and the fun things that are always happening around Nashville, we really have a blast! I thrive on having plans/something to look forward to, so I'm especially happy once the summer and sunshine come out for good.

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What are your plans for the weekend? What are you looking forward to in July?

Weekend Recap ~ Birthday Celebration!

Happy (late) Monday! What a weekend this past one was! Sometimes it's easier to start the work week when I've had a great weekend....that wasn't the case this week. Birthday celebrations, Cardinal football, friends, family and lots of sweets made this past weekend AMAZING and it was very hard to get back into work mode today.

The celebration started on Thursday night when I got home from work to find a yummy surprise...cute and delicious decorated sugar cookies! Andrea ordered them (and Ryan hand delivered!) from a cute shop here in Murfreesboto--The Painted Cookie. 

 I used up some vacation time on Friday and skipped work as a birthday present to myself. I had plenty of time to run errands, pack goodies (drinks, food, grilling supplies, and our cardinal gear), and get excited about seeing my favorite people! After Ryan got home we packed up, but not before he gave me my birthday present! He made a frame out of some salvaged red barn wood that a friend of his grabbed for him a few months back. We put a great print in it that we got from a festival a while back. I am in love and can't wait to hang it in our living room (which makes me want new furniture even more...but that's a whole different post!).

 After that we headed to Nashville to spend the night there so the drive up to Louisville on Saturday would be easier (since we were making the trek at 7 am!). We went to football game #1 of the weekend...Father Ryan vs MBA. It wasn't fun seeing FR lose, but it was great getting to see a few friends and enjoy the first really chilly evening of the season.

We made our way north bright and early Saturday morning. Tailgating started before 11 and didn't stop until we found our way to stadium for the 3:30 kickoff. The weather was PERFECT and the company was even better :) Having a chance to catch up with all of my favorite Louisville friends and some other long time friends was a great birthday present in and of itself. Getting to see the Cards lose play was the reason for the trip and even though they didn't get the W, it was a great birthday present none the less (Thanks so much Ryan!!).

 

My drink of choice....a new concoction....Strawberry Crush mixed with UV Cake flavored vodka. Tastes like a strawberry cupcake! Mmmmm!

Saturday evening was spent recooperating and was very low key. Sunday we got to enjoy Lynn's Paradise Cafe and their world famous food.

Via Lynn's website

It was great to have family and friends together for a meal...I miss doing it and wish we could more often! 

 Sunday evening was spent in Nashville celebrating with Ryan's family. A special and yummy dinner, chocolate cheesecake dessert and an awesome new Canon sized camera bag later we were back home and settling down.



Via Google Images



I can't believe how fortunate I am to have some many great people in my life. As much as I wish they weren't all spread out between two states, it helps to keep things interesting on weekends like this past one. I feel so loved after this weekend....especially after certain people put up with certain smash crazy moments :) Thanks for a great weekend and for the great memories!!



Via Pinterest

10 Day Challenge~6 Places

Happy Labor Day weekend! I am enjoying a beautiful Saturday that has already been filled with a yummy french toast breakfast inspired by Jenni over at Story Of My Life. Now onto a day filled with crafty fun, photo editing (round 1) and lots of sunshine! Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

1.) Home. I love being home with Ryan and our pup. My absolute favorite place :)

2.) Louisville-This city will always be my heart's "hometown". I grew up/into an adult the most while I was there and it always felt like the true starting point of my life. Not to mention all of my best friends and most of my favorite memories live there :)

3.) Nashville-My home away from home. I love getting to know this city and can really see myself planting my roots here. I'm excited about the future!

4.) Asheville, NC-This is my absolute favorite place that I've ever traveled to. I remember how cute the town was and I really enjoyed the scenery. The Grove Park Inn is AMAZING as well. I would love to go there again in the near future.

5.) Savannah, GA/Charlotte, NC-One of these two places is where I want to go on my next vacation. I love their southern charm and it would be so fun to visit the historic neighborhoods as well as try out some great restaurants!

6.) Chicago-The best city to visit any time of year! It's so pretty in the fall/winter and it's a blast in the spring/summer months. Not to mention all of the yummy food and shopping a person could ask for on top of all of the great museums!

Overdue!

Posting here is a long time overdue! It's been a busy few weeks with continuously getting into the swing of things with the job, commuting and enjoying the end of the summer. I can't believe it's almost September!

I finally picked out some chairs to go with our handmade table!
[Insert happy dance here].
I'll post all of that very soon. It's been great actually eating at a dining room table :)

This past weekend I got to see my best friends in Louisville! I was happy to get a chance to go out and dance with my favorite girl and just catch up. We went to a new club in Louisville--Drake's. It wasn't terrible...but we had to wait in line and it wasn't a very big place
(small venue + lots of dancing = cramped!), so I can't say it's my new favorite place.

It was such a beautiful day Saturday...we had a good time walking around the Highlands, visiting cute stores and having lunch. I got to eat both sushi and Sweet Cece's in less than 24 hours, so I was a happy girl!

When I got back to town Saturday night I was pretty tired so we didn't do much. Sunday was full of laziness and just hanging out together (the best kind of Sunday). I finally watched Something Borrowed and loved it. Ryan seemed to like it too ;) I also made an amazing Mexican lasagna. It was soo soooo good. I can't wait to eat it again!

I actually got the recipe from a magazine a while back but just tried it for the first time. I believe I got it from Real Simple, but I'm not sure?

Happy Monday!