'merica - running the world since 1776 (and my week at home)

Last week I left behind Winston-Salem, NC (my current home, where I went to law school, and where I'm currently studying for the Bar) for home sweet home.  

For you non-Goose Creekers (I have no idea what we are actually called)...this is our interstate exit.  I always tell people that I'm from Charleston, but here it is blog world...I am from GOOSE CREEK.  A small (or not so small 32,000 people) town, right outside of Charleston, SC.  Home of beauty queens, pro-baseball players, and THE spokesperson for Young Free SC, y'all.  I can honestly say that seeing this sign on my way home gets me really excited.

So I came home.  While this blog may lead you to believe that this was one glamorous week full of playing, that's really not the truth. In fact, a majority of the week looked like this: BarBri lecture playing, highlighters flowing, and me attempting to be a part of family activities (here's my Dad cooking and me pretending to supervise).

First, there was...

RETIREMENT.

The reason why I went home was to surprise my fabulous Mom.  After 36 years of working for the Government, she has officially retired.  And of course she had to go out with a bang: 3 parties, an office yard sale, and a quick swim in the SPAWAR fountain.  I couldn't be prouder of how hard she has worked, and I'm so excited to start sending her projects that I want her to make (hahahaha).  I seriously need her to learn to sew with a pattern, and I know she has plans to help me out with wedding crafts. Love you Momsie!

I don't know why this picture came out so strange, 

but here's us at her surprise party.

 Me & my boo at the festivities.

Then, there was my FAVORITE holiday...

FABULOUS FOURTH IN THE CREEK.

We opted for a small get together at my parents house this year.  There was everything you could ever want...

1.  A fabulous backyard that my parents worked really hard on to get ready for the party.  I wish you could see the new deck, fire pit, and pond...but I thought this panoramic shot that Darryl took was really neat.

2.  Jorts and an American flag t-shirt.  

I mean, what is more American than that?

3.  A father rocking a ridiculous American flag hat. (also, he specifically asked me to not put this picture on the internet...so you know I had to)

 4.  A hot dog topping bar: our favorite Fourth of July tradition.  We love the random topping mixtures.  My favorite?  Bleu cheese, onions, and bacon.  But that corn relish was to die for (and yeah I totally just winged that recipe - I was pretty proud).

 5.  Pinterest food projects:  Here's my renditions of an edible American flag (watermelon, cheese, and blackberries - a refreshing appetizer) and homemade cookie sandwiches with patriotic sprinkles.

6.  A handsome fiance, who knows you love America so he celebrates with pride (even though he's totally from Canada and Canada Day was three days before this).

7. Good friends, hours of ladder golf, and some laughter.

All in all it was a perfect holiday.

Then, there was...

THE BIG MOVE.

Darryl and I picked out one awesome apartment complex in West Ashley.  Complete with salt water pool, huge gym, Mac business center, large walk-in closets, epically big bathrooms, lots of counter space (for my recent cooking addiction) and a jealousy inducing porch.

We hadn't really planned to already be moving in, but when an apartment opens up at this complex you have to take it ASAP or it's gone.  So that's what we did.  We moved Darryl in on Friday and Saturday.  My stuff won't be coming until after the Bar.  Then, we'll be busy decorating this place to it's full Pinterest potential.  So definitely expect a before and after post sometime in August. 

Here's the keys to our first place

Sawyer breaking in our new fabulous couch

Wall paint colors - living room, bedroom, bathroom 

(and yes that green turned out VERY bright...)

Finally, came my favorite day of the whole week...

MY LAST DAY.

I lucked out y'all.  My best friend, since the 1st grade, just happened to be coming to town.  So I managed to catch her on the morning I was leaving to head back up to Winston.  She currently lives in NYC, so I was quite the lucky girl to get to see her.  So we planned to eat breakfast at Early Bird Diner in West Ashley (our new home).  The Diner is known for it's chicken and waffles (see below), and Ashley quite simply loves them (and so does my fiancé).  We were also excited because Stephanie, our other fabulous best friend from 5th grade on, was able to join us with her hubby, Chad.  It was JUST what the doctor ordered.  Good food and good conversation.  

Side note:  For those of you who do not know, I have four best girl friends: Ashley, Stephanie, Kristin, and Jackie.  They're my life.  Seriously.  Obsessed doesn't even begin to describe it.  We've been living separately for seven years now (Charleston, Seattle, Provo, Dallas, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, Savannah, Winston-Salem, Columbia, DC, and Harrisonburg).  So when we actually get to see each other it is a rare treat, and boy does it make life so much happier.  Thank goodness for baby showers, wedding showers, holidays, football season, baseball off season, weddings, and bachelorette parties - they've been getting us through.  I feel certain that there's a post coming sometime soon about how amazing these girls are, considering they're my bridesmaids.  So stay tuned for that sappy post.

Here's the epic chicken and waffles.  

It's topped with a syrup/honey mustard blend. 

Also in this picture is my creamer with a side of coffee

 and their shrimp and grits (my meal/delicious).

And Darryl's hand digging in to the Mac & Cheese.

Me and my boo.

Our breakfast dates.

On the way back to Winston-Salem, I stopped in Columbia to see my sister and all her babies.  Much needed, as they just keep growing!

Madison is really starting to have a seriously funny personality.  She just laughed and laughed at me, not having any idea what I was saying but hoping that it was funny.  This is her and my sister, Heather.

Me and my favorite girl of all time.  Love this little love bug.

Aunt Kelly with her favorites.  

Austin is 13, Korben is 6, and Madison is 1.

So, then I had to return to Winston.  I missed my friends up here, but Bar studying is getting REALLY intense.  There's a bit of a panic spreading around here.

That being said - you're not going to see a post from me until August.  I won't be doing anything fun/blog worthy.  So don't worry - you'll be missing out on absolutely nothing.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and try to stay cool in these ridiculous blazing hot days!  Say a little prayer for me as a I battle the SC Bar Beast.

Combining households

Alright folks-here's what we are hoping the new place will look like. Stay tuned to see if this actually is how it goes down.

My guess? No.

UPDATE:  I took all this time sketching this out...and then we decided to go with a different, yet more spacious floor plan.  That figures, right?

Things I'm NOT obsessed with?

THE BAR.

Here's where I sit 7 days a week folks.
One month until judgment day.

Things I'm Obsessed With...

So here's what I'm really digging right now.  When I say that I'm digging it, I mean I seriously can't get enough.

ps. Darryl isn't digging any of these things.  Except maybe my cooking, and he's a huge fan of #7.

1.  Shades of Grey
Yeah, I said it.  I'm just like every other woman in America who is loving this book. Well, maybe your Grandmother isn't loving it.  But, let's face it...most women are.  If you haven't started reading this trilogy, then you are seriously missing out.

2.  Dinner Parties
Look, I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I have been killing it in the kitchen.  Okay, so I meant to toot my horn.  But seriously - I was the girl who almost burned down the house making eggs in college.  My three years at law school, with a kitchen to myself, has truly allowed me to come into my own in the kitchen.

More than my current love for cooking, is my love for a good dinner party.  Here's some pictures of some of my most recent concoctions and my most recent fabulous party.  Yeah, there's probably some Pinterest influence in here....okay so A LOT of PINTEREST INFLUENCE.  Geez.

3.  Girls
I don't mean those of the female persuasion.  I mean HBO's show Girls.  It's an in your face, realistic portrayal of what post-grad girls go through.  The girls in this show are fantastic, and they draw you in from the first scene.  Which by the way, is a scene where a recent grad is completely cut off from her parents' money.  She's just trying to make it in a big city and a tough job market.  I mean, I'm pretty sure we can all relate to this a little?  The show has been the subject of a lot of controversy, but I am seriously loving the realness and awkwardness of every plot line.  The season is over now, but you can definitely catch up for the next season because they are short episodes.

4.  Summer Up-Dos
Y'all, I love Pinterest.  Seriously.  It has inspired so many hairstyles it's unbelievable.  I've done sock buns, and braid buns, and beach waves, and no heat curls.  Seriously, I cannot get enough.  I am loving all the summer up-dos currently floating around the site.  Here's my attempt at a braided bun.  It looked way cooler in person, but here's a taste.

5. Maxi Dresses/Skirts
I can't even explain how much I love maxi dresses and skirts.  They are the absolute PERFECT study outfit.  Anything that is so comfortable that I can wear it ALL day and still look fabulous is a major winner in my book.  I may or may not have worn one 85% of the summer thus far.

6.  A good pair of sunglasses
What person doesn't need a fantastic pair of sunglasses for the summer (or 10 pairs)?  I'm so obsessed with sunglasses, that I'm starting to wonder what people did before they had sunglasses.  We're so spoiled.

These are my current favorites.  

My USC Homecoming cheapos.  

Durable, fashionable, and shows off my school spirit.  

7.  These girls
For those of you who haven't been following me on the twitters, the Facebook, or the instagram...I'm obsessed with these two girls.  During law school, there was a third (Anna), but now that she is gone it's just this trifecta of awesomeness left. (MISS YOU ANNA!  And can I just say that Anna Penland is one of the sweetest, kindest, most genuine people I have ever met.  I miss her dearly, and I am SO lucky to call her my friend.  She is seriously fantastic.)

Tara & Katie have been my absolute saviors while prepping for the Bar.  I so look forward to our weekends where we get one night out together.

So here's what I think...

Tara is one of those people that you just love to be around.  She "goes hard at life" as we like to say, in that she can make just about any situation fun.  She's HILARIOUS, and her excitement for life is seriously contagious.  She's one heck of a friend, has fantastic style, and you can seriously talk to her about ANYTHING without any judgment.  Oh and she totally has bangs like CeCe on New Girl.

Katie is a fantastic friend.  She's one of those people who would drop everything she's doing if you are having a bad day.  She's thoughtful, warm, loyal, and SO much fun.  She always has me laughing.  She is a Clemson Tiger, but we have made it work.  She's so well put together you would most likely be jealous, she has an awesome Westie named Stanley, and has an AMAZING singing voice.

I'm seriously so lucky to have them in Winston to help me through this not-so-fun summer, so I had to give them a shout out here.

Here's some pictures of our recent day trip to Charlotte for the American Idol tryouts.  The judges were idiots and didn't take either of my girls.  But it was SO fun.

Studying for the Bar in line

Ryan Seacrest and Scotty McCreery

More BarBri shots

Not Katie or Tara, but still wanted to give a shout out to my male undergrad bestie, Eric, who met us out for a bit

#friendship

Ode to Our Dads

I just wanted to put up a quick post about our fathers on this special holiday.

We are very lucky to both have really great relationships with our fathers, and I just had to brag on them a little bit.  They're both men who have pulled themselves up from their bootstraps, have had successful careers, and married amazing women.  They're the kind of fathers who will drop anything for you, and we have been so lucky to have them coaching us in every step of our lives.  So Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, but a special shout out to our Dads.  You da' best!  We love you both.

 Brent (D's twin brother), Coach, Darryl

at the Stratford High School Alumni hockey game with their favorite Coach

Kelly & Popsicle 

(aka Dad, who will kill me for telling people that 

I call him that behind closed doors)
at Stephanie's Miss USA send-off party
It was animal print themed!  (hence my father's stylish scarf)

PAINT WAR! (aka engagement video)

We're so, so happy with our engagement video from Dreampop Media & Design that I just had to share it with you all!

I've been starting my day with this video. You try to tell me you don't smile even a little!

Click here for paint war fun!

 Before

After