Monday, June 30, 2014

Southern Living

Last week my family packed into my mom's SUV and heading down for our usual road trip to Charleston, South Carolina.  I have been going to Charleston in the summer for 20 years now, it's one of my favorite places on the planet (that I know of).

We stayed in downtown Charleston for the night at the Renaissance, which was lovely and I rushed to our balcony to get a picture of the view.


OK not great, but I was just happy to be out of the car.  

We dragged our weary behinds to our favorite stop in the city for a lunch/dinner.


AW Shucks is located right on the edge of the Market in downtown Charleston, and we go there every year we're there.  It's easy, relaxing and the food is fab.  We sat on the porch out front, ordered a few beers, and resisted the urge to rest our weary heads on the table.  Dramatic?


We sat in the heat, enjoyed the people watching, and then the lovely server brought us the food.



I ordered the shrimp tacos, but the lovely waitress brought me one Mauhi Mauhi taco and one shrimp, she understood me.  I scarfed these bad boys down and we went on our way back to the hotel to collapse.

I discovered on the way down I forgot my eye makeup and panicked.  Luckily I stumbled into the Pink Dot Beauty Bar and was greeted by my fairy godfather, who picked me right up.  Now picture Lafayette from True Blood doing your makeup, you'd fall in love too.  I got put back together, hugged my fairy godfather and headed back to the hotel for a nap.  

My sister and I slipped out later for a couple drinks and some exploring before we snuggled into our bed.

The next day we continued to our final destination at the Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms a stones throw outside of Charleston. We went to relax by the pool waiting to check in.  Once we did I ran out and the balcony had a little better of a view.



I sat on the balcony calculating how much money I needed to make to stay down here forever.  I love the people, the food, the views, and the lifestyle.  If anyone has any (legal) ideas for how I make this permanent I'm open to ideas.

More adventures later.

xoxo,
E

Friday, June 27, 2014

Crazy


The hair. The bod. The dimples. The accent. Love This Song!!
On repeat ALL. DAY. LONG.
Are you going to learn the dance? Cool, me too!
See y'all next week with real updates.

xoxo,
E

p.s. If you don't know who she is you have not been paying attention.





Friday, June 20, 2014

Packing & Drinking

Fun fact about me is that two of my favorite things in the world are packing and drinking.




The anticipation is the fun, the idea of where you're going and the adventures you will have, coupled with picking out outfits.  I love dreaming of myself in a different place wearing my favorite shorts and shoes, exploring.

I try to not over pack, but I end up packing for both my mom and my sister too in case they need something.  I will inevitably need to give my mom a sweatshirt or my sister will want to borrow a hat.


I, of course, have to decide which bags (yes plural) to bring for different occasions.  I don't like to pick favorites but this little guy is one.


Some of the ladies like to show off on display. (Did you start singing the Jersey housewives Melissa Gorga's song because I did)

It helps having extra rooms in the house, so  you can have a whole room dedicated to clothes and packing when needed.



I have a love affair with Rebecca Minkoff red bags.

Here's to adventures, to new experiences, day drinking and to checking out strangers that I will never see again behind my Ray-Bans.

xoxo,
E

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Family Dinner

Every month my family has started this awesome tradition of setting a date to bring everyone together for dinner.  And by everyone I mean all 5 of us, and one is retired so he barely counts.

We rotate houses, make a banging meal, have too many glasses of wine and make each other laugh.


This month was my mom's turn, so of course she made more food than anyone could possibly eat.



These were the appetizer: feta and artichoke dip. Couldn't even get a picture before it was devoured.


 My mother and her Manfriend have a ongoing competition for who makes the best cornbread, this one is his creation.



It's a pretty fantastic tradition.  My sister talks about her patients, my mom talks about school, her Manfriend talks about his kids, and my sister's lovely boyfriend throws in an inappropriate comment.  I sit back listen and make sarcastic comments, that's really what I'm good for.

We all live in separate places and have such busy schedules it's nice to set a monthly date to catch up.  My sister, mom and I are so used to it just being us that throwing the boys in is a fun addition.  

My turn is in 2 months, I need to start planning a menu.

xoxo,
E

P.S. Are y'all watching Bravo's Ladies of London yet?  I thought it was hideous to begin with, but I've quickly been sucked in.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Facing My Fear


Do you ever want to conquer a fear?  Well this weekend I did, and that fear was baking.  Yep you can read, BAKING.

I picked the easiest recipe I could (yep it was Rosie's) to make for family dinner and dove right in.  

I'm pretty confident in my cooking skills, but baking is an animal onto itself.

Get it animal, baking.....OK not great.

I threw together the lemon tart knowing my mom's Manfriend wasn't a chocolate man (seriously where does she find these people) and carried it to family dinner Friday night.  I didn't dare eat it, but I passed it off and apparently it went well, and from the licks I had of the filling from the pot I knew I had a winner on my hands.


Top left is the finished product, pretty little lady ain't she? 
Top right: My sister and I were hungry but first, let's take a selfie.
Bottom left: my favorite morning mug and my homemade chocolate raspberry tart.
Bottom right: My favorite spicy lemonade for an afternoon sun bathe on my moms deck.

I went onto making that lovely chocolate raspberry tart on Saturday because let's be honest, I was on a roll.  It turned out fine, the crust was a little thinner than I should've let it get, but still I was happy.  

So this weekend baking, next weekend swimming with sharks.  Well theoretically since I will be swimming in the ocean and that's where sharks live.

xoxo,
E

Friday, June 13, 2014

Seeing Red

Ok, if you know me at all you know my love for red purses, which dates back to my 16th birthday.  I haven't bought another color purse since.

I've been a responsible adult lately and haven't bought a new bag since my Rebecca Minkoff MAB bag last year for my birthday.

Well my fingers are itching for a new baby for the family, so lets explore the possiblities.


The GiGi New York Teddi Bag.

Ok this gorgeous number is all python and you can even get it monogrammed, this is what I have my eyes set on for a frontruner.  It's a little more orangey than I usually go for but just looks gorgeous.

Kate Spade Cedar Street Maise

I love the boldness and structure of a Kate Spade bag, and this style is classic.

Coach Madison Christine Carryall

I've been a loyal Coach customer for years now.  Their bags are staples and their customer service is outstanding.  

Alexander McQueen Padlock duffle

I'm just saying, in case my fairy godmother reads this and the bag magically showed up at my door I wouldn't report it for a lost item

xoxo,
E






Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Greece lightening

Aren't there just some places you feel calling your name?  Greece has always been one of those places for me.  I dream of sea blue roofs, cobblestone roads and clear water.


Most of all I dream of the food.

Even when I was young I would beg for a gyro instead of a hamburger.  If I could put feta on everything I would, and seafood is my favorite.



 Why I'm not Greek you would have to address with my ancestors, but if I had to bet, somewhere in my deep past there may have been a lovely Greek woman with green eyes.

Lucky for me, Rosie is a fan of Greek food as well!  I was gagging for a gyro over the weekend so I popped over to The Londoner and rushed to the store to make her Homemade Gyros.




This is her "secret sauce", watch out it's a spicy litter bugger, but what's life without a little heat.





This is exactly what I wanted and it was more than easy to throw together, which could turn out to be dangerous whenever I am dreaming of blue roofs and dark haired men with dazzling dark eyes and an accent.

xoxo,
E


Monday, June 9, 2014

Pain in My Ass

This weekend officially kicked off half marathon training weekend.  OK I know it's a little late seeing as my next half is in September, but better late than never OK.  So K and I made a plan Friday to go for 7 miles on Saturday morning.

Now this plan was in place before we decided to stop by our town's First Friday celebration and had one too many beer truck visits.  Come Saturday we powered through, hit up the trail near our house and got the job done.




I can honestly say I didn't expect to make it, but we did, and Sunday I had that great feeling in my ass after I really work out.  I love that feeling, means I did something. 

 Running clears my head like nothing else does.  It's so strange to love and hate something at the same time.  

It's that moment right after mile 2 when you suddenly feel your muscles open up, your breathing evens out and you just keep throwing one foot in front of the other, and that's all that matters.





 I want this to be my last half marathon, but I've said that two times before. 

xoxo,
E

Friday, June 6, 2014

Low Hanging Fruit

My little town isn't known for it's stand out restaurants.  Most of the locals are happy to wait hours for a both in one of the chains then venture to something different.  With the beautiful weather I was itching for an outdoor dining experience that was something different, so I texted Mom and we decided on the Open Door Cafe.  

Located in the corner of a strip mall, I often forget this little gem is even there.  We got there for an early dinner and were greeted and seated immediately on their little outdoor patio. 

I opted to order fresh fruit.


And by fresh fruit I mean their house sangria, obviously.


The lovely little patio outside was constructed with the help of my Mom's neighbor of 20 years.  It's small and lovely something found in a strip mall.  The inside offers a coffee bar and a cafe-like seating area.

I ordered the salmon and Mommy opted for the short ribs that were on special that night.  She abhors having her photo taken, and since she was lovely enough to pay for dinner I obliged.



The charming waiter suggested I substitute the spinach for the grilled asparagus, and it turned out to be brilliant.  The salmon had a blood orange sear on it which was tasty and added a great crunch.  It was rested on top of a bed of jasmine rice and a side of cucumbers in some kind of Greek sauce like what you would find on a gyro.

Mom shared a piece of her spare ribs and they were fine.  I prefer my ribs on the almost bleeding side and these were more well done, but she enjoyed them.


The atmosphere is very laid back and the restaurant had very minimal traffic until around 7pm when we began to filter out and the non-senior citizens began strolling in.



Our very hairy, but lovely friend next to us had vacated and I could see that fresh fruit I ordered at the bottom of my glass, so it was time to call it a night.


I read the reviews on the restaurant before we went and found myself puzzled.  I do agree that the service seems a little more slow paced than I am used to, but dinning with someone you love you barely notice it.  The waiters are more than welcoming to 4 legged friends and offer genuine suggestions on the menu.  

My Mom's Manfriend has been known to play music there some nights and I heard the deserts are to die for so I will  be back.

xoxo,
E

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Chances


Have you ever let people out of your life only to look back and question the decision?  I've done it a few times.  I don't have much of a temper (mind you I say that in comparison to my sister and mother) but when I get mad something has got to give.  I can remember the two times I got pushed and cut two important people out of my life, if you make me angry enough to reach that point I don't need to test it again.

Then, there are the people that seem to do unforgivable acts but I forgive easily, I go back and get over it even when it seems impossible.  Am I a pushover?  Do I just forgive those I choose too easily?  I often question my decisions to let certain people back into my life continuously.  I feel like I make good decisions, especially when it comes to the people I surround myself with, but there's always that question of if the person adds to my life in a positive way.  

I guess we live and learn.  The only regrets I have are the chances I didn't take.  I think there are people worth forgiving.

xoxo,
E

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Hello Summer

So summer seems to have finally arrived in my east coast home, and of course all I can think about are the summer clothes and summer music.

So I have perused Pinterest (as one does) and found the perfect combination of both.


Summer days

Somethin' Bad-Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood
This screams hot summer day, possibly a concert.  Hair is fresh out of the sea water, you throw this on over your bathing suit and mozy over to a bar where you can stick your feet in the sand and order an orange crush at the same time.


Luke Bryan-Play it Again
This is everyday, this is shopping at the outdoor market, a working lunch, or an afternoon date with someone.  Your skin is tan making the washed out colors pop, and your hair has sun kissed streaks all through it.

Summer Nights
Lorde- Tennis Court
This is a wedding or a date at the country club.  The bright blue makes the tan stand out, the nude shoes make you look supermodel tall and the clutch is just enough to hold the flats for when it's time to dance.

Cheryl Cole-Crazy Stupid Love
This is a night out with the girls when you are hoping to run into that guy you always liked but rarely see.  This is dancing after too many cocktails in a circle of girls and not caring who is watching.  The shoes kill but with the white pants you need them helping you out.

Just dreaming.

xoxo,
E


Monday, June 2, 2014

Just a Boy & a Girl


35 years ago today the boy who helped the girl paint her new apartment got married. 
 These two taught me about what real love looks like.  
They taught me what partnership is.  
They taught me what family is.  
I'm so lucky they are my parents.

xoxo,
E