Friday Favorites: Anniversary Edition

Happy Friday Loves!

Um, can someone please fill me in on where June went?! This summer is flying by and I kind of wish it would last forever. 

I'm linking up with Amanda to share our anniversary gifts. I hesitate to tell people one of my love languages is gifts. I'm afraid it sounds too materialistic and greedy, but actually it's not about money at all. What's important is the thought behind the gift or the words written in the note. Gifts make me feel thought of and special.

Be forewarned, this whole post is pretty sappy and corny.

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One of our favorite things to do as a couple is to go on adventures. Small day trips or week long vacation doesn't matter; we love to travel. For our anniversary we took a weekend trip to Nashville. I had never been there before, but it's one of James' favorite cities so he had fun showing me all around. It was so much fun and I can't wait to share the details about our trip with y'all next week!

{T W O}

We didn't discuss it, but we each ending up sticking with the "paper" theme. I gave him a Datevitation coupon book. Seriously, if y'all haven't checked this website out do so now! It's too easy and fun to put together your own custom coupon book.
Along with the sweetest card the husband gave me a gift certificate to a spa. That boy knows the way to my heart! And of course we celebrated with some pink champagne. 

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One of James favorite hymns is "Come Thou Fount." It was also one of the songs we had sung at our wedding so it has extra special meaning to us. My gift to James was this beautiful print I found on Etsy here. I had it framed and now it has a special place on our mantle. 

{F O U R}

Let's be honest though. James blew my gift out of the water. I was super impressed that he knew anniversaries even had themes. I was even more impressed that he made me a gift. I know a lot of things about my husband, but what I didn't know is that he's a closet crafter :) The words inside the tree are the lyrics of our first dance song "Sea Breeze." So sweet! Love that man.

{F I VE}

Best gift of all?

Getting to spend everyday with this guy. 

Okay, I gave you fair warning that it would be sappy!  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Five on Friday; Vol. 22

Hi Friends! Hope you had a great week. This has been a long week and I'm very happy to see Friday. I'm very much looking forward to this relaxing, nothing planned, projecting starting weekend. 

So far, summer (yes, it not technically summer but whatever) and I have been getting along wonderfully. I don't know if it was moving, allergies, or crazy GA weather, but Spring and I didn't mesh well. I didn't want to do anything and nothing sounded good food-wise. #definitelynotpregnant 

So, in honor of feeling like myself again I'm linking up with Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha to share my summer loves. 

 

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The one thing I knew I would miss when moved was the great trail we had within walking distance of the apartment. I was very happy to discover we have a great park right down the street from us with a walking trail. I can even walk to the park if I'm feeling really adventurous. On Saturday in the summer it has Farmer's Market! Nothing beats Saturday morning Farmer's Market trips!

{T W O}

Speaking of the Farmer's Market, we picked up some tomatoes last Saturday. Y'all, they are glorious! So red and so yummy! I am seriously loving some veggies right now. I'm loving that I'm enjoying being in the kitchen again and I'm obsessed with fresh Farmer's Market foods. 

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What would a summer post be without a beach picture? Beach sunsets really are the best sunsets. We've already been to the beach a few times and I'm so looking forward to spending some more weekends there. Also, looking forward to a week at the beach in July with the husband's family. Beaches are great for the soul!

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Fresh herbs! Sis made us an herb garden for our housewarming gift. Having fresh basil, chives, peppermint, and rosemary is one of my favorite things ever. Is it weird that I search for recipes that use these fresh herbs? Who cares what the main ingredients are as long as the herbs can be used :) Now, let's see if I can keep them alive. 

{F I V E}

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but if it includes lavender you better believe I'm gonna try it and love it. Drinking this outside after a day laying by the pool sounds like the perfect summer night to me!

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

Five on Friday, Vol. 19

Happy Friday All!
There is something pretty great about waking up knowing it's Friday. It's even better when you don't have to work on Friday! Linking up with Darci, Natasha,Christina, and April to share a few great things from this past week. 

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Thank you for all your sweet words about our exciting news! Y'all are the best!

Today is inspection day! In fact, there is a very good chance we are at the inspection as you read this. Hopefully everything looks good and we get to continue on this journey of becoming home owners!  

{T W O}

In other exciting news, I'm a puppy aunt! 

If you follow along on Instagram you already know this, but I'm a proud aunt so I just had to share again. Sis and the BIL brought this sweet 4-year old poodle home this week, and I can't wait to meet her. Her name is Felicity and I already love her!

In case you were curious, I'm a puppy aunt, but James is a puppy brother. It totally makes sense because I just wanna say puppy brother everyday.

  Video Source

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The house may not be ours yet, but I'm already in decorating mode. I've mentioned before that my mom is an interior designers and we'll definitely be enlisting her help. I want to be design educated, so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Plus, James and I are excited to tackle some DIY projects. These two books are perfect for both of these things! Great DIY design tips and ideas.
Young House Love: follow they're blog if you don't already do so. They're the jam!
The Perfectly Imperfect Home

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If we're making fish for dinner chances are it's gonna be salmon. If we're making salmon chances are it's made in this sauce.
Side note: buy salmon from Costco, you'll thank me later.
This sriracha sauce and lime salmon from Gwyneth Paltrow's book is perfect. Not too spicy, a little tangy, and great flavor. Try it, you'll thank me for that too.

Source

Ingredients:

Juice & Zest of 1/2 a lime

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha sauce 

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1 1/4 pounds salmon fillet (skin removed)

2 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)

I don't do cilantro, so that gets left off. If I was a good wife I would put some on the side for the husband, but I don't do cilantro... at all.

{F I V E}

Have y'all tried these yet?!?
I love my Crock-Pot. I hate cleaning my Crock-Pot. I've been looking for these for a while with no luck. This past week I finally found them. Game. Changing. I'll cook in my Crock-Pot every night if clean up is just remove the liner and wipe down. Life officially changed.

Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend!

There's No Place Like Home

  

Today I'm joining Brianna for her "10 Favorite Things" link-up. I was so excited for the theme this month: "the place you call home." Initially, I figured I would do Atlanta because it really has been the place I've called home for most of my life. However, after thinking about it I thought I may switch it up. I love Atlanta and love that it's home, but there are a few other places I consider to be home as well. Charleston and Athens are both definitely home even though I only lived in those places for a short time during college. As much as I wanted to pick one of those, I figured the best place to choose would be my home away from home: Hilton Head Island. 

Growing up we vacation on Hilton Head a few times every year, and a few years ago my parents bought a place there. Since then we've go down and visit regularly. It's one of my favorite places ever and here's why:

1. The Beach House: My parents bought a small older home and completely gutted it. I'm not one for seeing the overall "vision," and when they first purchased it I thought they were crazy. It was old and needed serious love. However, once they were done I got the vision. It's not a big home, but I think it's beautiful and it's so special to us. The house has changed a lot since these pictures, but here are the before and afters of a few of my favorite rooms right after the house was finished:

Before Living Room:

After Living Room:

Before Kitchen:

After Kitchen:

Before Bunk Room/ Sis and My Room:

 

After Bunk Room/ Sis and My Room:

2. This view: The view off the back deck is pretty awesome. The house is on a golf course and a little pond. The boys like finding abandoned golf balls in the pond while us girls like watch a pray that they don't fall in a get eaten by an alligator.

It's Riley's favorite view too :) 

But he's afraid of gators, so he doesn't go off the deck. Smart boy.

3. Secret Spots: Hilton Head was the first place James and I vacationed together as a couple. I took him to this pretty secluded dock on our first bike ride around the island. It's become our special spot.

4. Weather: For those of you who don't know Georgia is weather challenged. It can be snowing one day and 70 degrees the next. Hilton Head always seems, for the most part, have the weather thing figured out. One of my favorite times to go there is at Christmas. There is never anyone around and it's the prefect temperature.

5. The Beach: Duh. My mom has always called Sis and I "beach babies." I'll pick the beach over the lake any day.

6. Sunsets: Ever since my parents bought the beach house we always make a point to do sunset dinners on the beach. We pack up wine and cheese for dinner and head out the beach to watch the sun go down. It's my favorite.

7. Harbor Town: I have so many memories to going to Harbor Town in the summer and watching Greg Russell sing silly kid songs. I'll admit we still go see Greg Russell sing to all the kids when we can, but my favorite part of Harbor Town is the lighthouse.

8. Riding Bikes: One of my favorite things to do on the island is go on bike rides. Sometimes riding a bike is just more fun than walking.

9. Gators: What's a trip to Hilton Head if we don't look for the gators? There a bunch that live in the pond behind the house, so we're always bound to see at least a few.

10. Family Time: It's my favorite place to hang out with my favorite people!

There you go! A few of my favorite things about my home away from home!

10 Favorite Thing: That Special Someone

Today I'm joining Brianna for her "10 Favorite Things" link-up. In honor of Valentine's Day this months theme's is that special someone. I talk about the husband a good bit on here, but I'm excited to share a list of my favorite things about him. He's a pretty special guy.

1. His faith: Hands down, no questions asked my favorite thing about James is his faith. He places God before me and I love him for that. It's easier for a control freak like me to let my husband lead our family when I know he relies on God to lead his life. 

2. He's funny and goofy: I never realized how important it was to have a guy with a sense of humor until I met James. He's hilarious and he's goofy. He keeps me laughing.

3. He's driven: We all known people who just settle in life. That isn't James. He challenges himself in his career and in life. I love that he has the drive to succeed and better himself. 

4. He's really smart and good with computers: What else can I say? The husband is smart, he knows a lot. He also knows a lot about computers which is really helpful because I don't. 

5. He grew up a UGA fan loves football: He did grow up a UGA fan, but he doesn't talk about that. We may not share a love for the same college team, but we share a love for the sport. 

6. He's supportive: I don't always believe in myself, but I know James does. He's one of my biggest fans, and he knows I can do something long before I do.

7. He loves to travel and eat: I love that we share a desire to travel and a love for eating good food.

8. He's an extrovert: I'm an introvert. Even though I don't always like it, he pulls me out of my shell. I love  how he thrives in big groups, and I can always count on him fill in those awkward pauses in conversations that I dread! 

9. He's pretty cute: Looks aren't everything, but they are important. What else can I say? I think he's pretty cute :)

10. He stands up to me: Y'all, I'm a handful. My mom always told me I needed to find a guy who wouldn't let me run all over him. Well, I found that in James. He isn't a doormat. He has plenty of a backbone to stand up to me and I love him for it. 

Five on Friday, Vol. 15

Y'all, this week was rough. 

It probably didn't help that I was sick, but it was the week I thought would never end. I won't bore you with all the details. We'll just leave it at crying just feels good, and I'm so glad it's the weekend!

I'm linking up with Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha to share the things that made me smile this week!

 

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I got NAKED!

This was my mom's gift for me for driving her to the airport yesterday morning. So so excited!

Mom sent me this seemingly super inappropriate text. Took me a few seconds to figure what she was saying. She makes me laugh.

{T W O}

Old School Herbal Essences

Do y'all remember this stuff?! I was in 1st grade when I smelled this for the first time. I was immediately obsessed. I died a little inside when they changed their scents. I may or may not have screamed and happy danced in the store when I found out they were bringing the old school stuff back. The smell is everything I remember and more. So much happiness and good smells in every bottle. 

Source

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This candle.
Not only does it smell good but it sizzles and crackles while it burns. I keep it burning in my office all day. It keeps my heart smiling.

Woodwick Sand & Driftwood

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This show.

The days I'm home at 11am I get to spend some quality time with Loreli and Rory. Mom, Sis, and I use to have Gilmore Girls marathons. They have a special place in my heart.

{F I V E}

This guy.

Mom is off to Minnesota and Dad is out West skiing. That means James and I get to hang with this sweet boy all weekend! I miss living with Riley and love when we get to puppy sit.

I hope y'all have a happy weekend!