The Sunshine Award (& Happy Halloween!)

Thanks to Miss Taylor @ Tattered to Taylored I've been nominated for the Sunshine Award- I'm really trying to get a good routine in my blogging lately so this is exciting and also a great way to get to know other bloggers! Check out some info on me as well as 11 bloggers I've newly nominated myself!

 

Here are the rules:

{The rules}

Post a pic of the award in your post
Post 11 random facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you
Nominate 11 bloggers
Write 11 questions for them to answer
Let them know they're nominated!

11 'random' facts about ME

1. I love scary movies and Stephen King
2. I'm obsessed with big, old homes that need TLC (we're looking at real estate!)
3. I can't live without sour gummy candy
4. I'm a Pisces
5. I went to an all Women's college and it was the best decision of my life (Go Hollins!)
6. I love country music
7. With that said, the first night I met my husband I sang Reba McEntire 'Fancy' to him (haha)
8. But Whitney Houston is my go-to for Karaoke
9. I'm a Certified Wedding Planner (but also work full time in Global Education)
10. I just recently went brunette ... still adjusting
11. I've been a newlywed for almost 2 months and borderline monogram OBSESSED

Now I answer 11 questions from Taylor who nominated me!

- Name a blog that inspires you: The blog I first started following was Dixie Delights -Amanda actually inspired me to start blogging in the first place! I loved the idea of showcasing the DIY stuff and crafts I was doing almost nightly in my old dining room (craft room)
- Who is your favorite Harry Potter Character? oh my gosh...Do I completely suck because I've never read them?
- White or Red wine? Definitely RED (but having white on hand is always good too)
- Brad Pitt or Alexander Skarsgard? Old school Brad- I'm thinking like 'Legends of the Fall' Ha!
- Team Aniston or Jolie? Aniston (my husband loves her....)
- Favorite Christmas movie- This is funny and probably not traditional but every year we watch 'Jack Frost' with Michael Keaton and I cry every time ha love it! (love 'A Christmas Story' on TBS marathon every year though!)
- If you could go anywhere right now where would you go? Back to Italy so my husband could see it!
- Desert island and you can bring three things, what are they? Water, Sour gummies and red wine. Wait- my husband? no...monistat and perfume! hahaha jussst kidding
- What are you afraid of? This is weird ya'll, but ever since I was little I freak out being somewhere (like a place of business or something) that is about to close!
- Backstreet boys, Nsync, or NKOTB? Backstreet's back...ALRIGHT!
- Why should we read your blog? Why should you read any blog? It connects you with other everyday people that have been, are going, or may be going through some of life's milestones at the same time as yourself! It is a wonderful place to showcase your talents and let others see your true inner creativity and sometimes silliness! And come on..we all kind of love to see what others are doing and how they are doing it. Blogging is FABULOUS and I hope you will continue to stop by! :)

My nominations: (there is WAY more than 11 but here we go)

Tammy Jo with "You Wouldn't Call it a Drinking Problem..."
Elise with "Cheers Yall"
Neri with "Sparking with Sneakers"
Tori with "Twenty Something"
Lindsey with "Lindsey Snaps"
Becky with "This is Happiness"
Taylor Rae with "Something Turquoise"
State of Mine
Lauren with "Peach State of Mind"
Morgan with "Believe in the Sparks"
Jill with "You, me & Capri"

My questions for the nominees:

1.) Top reason for blogging?
2.) Red or White Wine? 
3.) Football Fan? Team!
4.) Man Crush?
5.) Woman Crush?
6.) What would your dream vacation consist of?
7.) Do you have any fur babies?
8.) If someone was to describe you in one word it would be?
9.) What is your favorite holiday?
10.) What is your favorite book? (I'm looking to start a new one)
11.) Best advice for a young girl?

Thank you all for participating and I love your blogs! - Almost Friday! Oh...and Happy Halloween Ya'll!

Weekend Recap & Last Minute Spooky Treats!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Today is technically my Monday so at least the week will seem shorter. Last weekend was a busy one indeed- I had my high school homecoming on Friday night (yes a group of us loves to go each year, school spirit ya'll!) and Saturday I took a trip to my DIY bestie's house (Queen Tiff) for a spooky scary movie marathon sleepover! (How old am I?) Hubby was working out of town so he was gone all weekend and I hadn't seen her since the our wedding. Also, I found it very appropriate to showcase their home for Halloween since it is in fact their favorite time of the year- I think I mentioned last week that the Peck's were married on Halloween!

Anyway, I just wanted to share some of the pictures with you all as well as two (yummy) last minute treat ideas for entertaining. Enjoy!

Peck Halloween Home Tour

You should see it at night!

 

Thanks for having me Peck family!!

Mrs. Peck

Carving our puke pie pumpkin!

YUM- spicy guac dip!

Chewy candy mummy cupcakes!

Wow- it is Friday again ya'll! This week flew by for me for some reason and I am so excited for the weekend! This week I'm linking up with some of my favorites again like Carolina Charm, The Good Life blog and A. Liz Adventures

-ONE-

I was certified last year in Wedding Planning and Bridal Consultation and I had my first full-service wedding last June for a wonderful couple. (I still work full time so it is sort of on the side) With that said, I am so excited to announce that I just booked my second wedding for a couple this June!! Let the planning begin! (just when I think mine is long gone...diving back into wedding bliss yall)

-TWO-

Tonight is homecoming at my High School (yup- still live in the same town) and a bunch of us are getting together from my class to go! A lot I haven't seen in awhile so I'm really looking forward to it! My best friend from high school (and recent bridesmaid) is coming in town and staying with me tonight as well. Can't wait to see the former queen crown the new princess! (wish I had a pic from my princess days but that was before facebook ya know? haha) GO Falcons!

by the way- our 10 year reunion is in 2015....yikes!

throwback to high school of me and sierra (don't mind the nattys) bad kids..

 

 

Another high school gem with my mom in the background! ha!

-THREE-

Also taking place this weekend is Jess & Tiff's 'annual' Halloween craft weekend in Durham, NC - My friend Tiff (and also recent bridesmaid) loves Halloween so much- she even got married on Halloween! Crafts, food and scary movies are on the menu so I'll have some last minute Halloween goodies to feature next week!

-FOUR-

It's finally started to get FREEZING around here and that makes for some good snuggling and bourbon drinking (according to honey) This is the recipe he's been wild over this week:

Crisp Apple Cider Bourbon

Makers Mark 

Gingerale

Sparkling apple cider

Ice

Bitters (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

I love to cut a thin apple slice with the star shape in the middle as a garnish!

Fill a Collins or Old-Fashioned glass with ice. Add bourbon and top with apple cider. If desired, add a dash of bitters, cinnamon and/or an apple slice.

Per drink: 152 calories (2 percent from fat), trace total fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 3 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 1 milligram sodium, trace dietary fiber.

Warms ya right up

 -FIVE-

Lastly I want to give a shout-out to my fabulous neighbor Miss Tori! She is so stylish, adorable and always can be counted on for good gossip and wine nights! (& being able to walk across the yard is fabulous too!) She recently started a fashion-esq blog and I just had to share! Check it out:

http://2wenty-s0mething.blogspot.com/ 

Tori with Twenty Something!

 Enjoy your weekend!!

Pumpkin Carving!

 We finally got around to carving our pumpkins last night! Ok..so..mine fell apart and ruined my design but nonetheless the monogram still works (haha- a friend said to use toothpicks! Great idea) and Seth did our usual spooky design and it turned out fabulous! (back to spooky next year) I'll mostly showcase hubby's pumpkin then. Miss Emma has a little cold so we allowed her to snuggle- no pumpkins for her this year so maybe next year! Paw print carvings anyone?

Also, with all the pumpkin flavors going around, I decided to join in on the recipe fun. I found a super easy recipe for pumpkin brownies. They are the fudge-like kind and actually turned out really really good. The only thing I would change for next time is the amount of pumpkin puree. The recipe called for a full can but the flavor is so strong that a half can would do! Anyway, I added some Halloween sprinkles and white chocolate chips and they are almost gobbled up! (by hubster of course and I also pawned some off on my neighbors!)

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix (get the fudgy kind!)
• 1 can of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• ¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the brownie mix, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, egg, and pumpkin pie spice until thoroughly combined. Pour into a greased 13×9 baking dish.
3. Top with white chocolate chips and bake for 18 minutes until baked, but still fudgy.

Notes

These would be great topped with pecans or walnuts as well!

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1/20th recipe Calories: 123 Fat: 2.5g Saturated fat: 1g Carbohydrates: 25g Sugar: 17.6g Sodium: 99mg Fiber: 0.9g Protein: 1.6g Cholesterol: 9.3mg

 

 

Careful choosing

The O fell out... haha

Our pumpkins last year!

emmmaaa girl

Weekend Recap

We finally made it up to Carter's Mountain Orchard this weekend and it was fabulous! It was rainy on the way up which made us a little nervous but cleared once we go there. Let me start by saying.. this place has grown! Go on a weekday if at all possible! We had to take a shuttle bus from where we parked in the vineyard to get to the main part of the farm. (I don't remember having to do that in the past) other than the crowd it was perfect! So how many apples did we bring home to make delicious pies, etc.? NONE (haha) We did however get apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin sour gummies and reallllly distracted by wine tastings. We even stopped at another local winery on the way home! (3 bottles of white and 3 bottles of red- oh yea) and grabbed some burgers at Tavern on the James which gets their beef from Dave Matthew's farm in C-ville! (yum- should have taken pictures) How was everyone's weekend? -Enjoy your week!

new hair debut...still in shock!

just sampling some cider 

oh hey hubs!

Wisdom Oak Winery!

The view was gorgeous!

We walked back with our wine through the vineyard rather than jumping the shuttle!

Had to share!

They let us toast prosecco to being newlyweds!

Five on Friday

 Happy Friday Ya'll! This week I'm linking up with some of my favorite gals at Carolina Charm, A. Liz Adventures and The Good Life Blog!

-ONE-
Ok ya'll it is spruced and made pretty! Welcome to the debut of my new blog layout 'Jessi's Design' in my last post you can check out the work Rebekah does but I am loving it! Welcome and take a look around- so thrilled! Here was my old faithful original:

-TWO-
I have to share my new lunch obsession- I've been big into avocado lately and found this fabulous SIMPLE recipe on Pinterest the other week and it may sound boring, but I have had this EVERY day for lunch for TWO weeks! haha I can't get enough! One avocado, scoop out into bowl, add a little lemon juice, a little olive oil, salt/pep and I love red pepper flakes for heat! Spread over toasted sourdough bread (I cheat with a tad of butter) and oh em gee YUM!

 

 -THREE-
This weekend we are hopefully doing the pumpkin-patch/carve pumpkins re-do from last week's planning. We got completely rained out and I think it is supposed to be clear this weekend for the most part! Last weekend there was a lot of this going on... (she is not normally allowed on bed but I know I was about to wash sheets.. hehe)

sorry hubs :) Oh Emma

-FOUR-
I love driving around when the leaves finally turn! I feel like they have been turning pretty slowly this year. Here's a good pic from a visit to my Parent's house yesterday

-FIVE-
I haven't done as much halloween decor this year yet and I'm feeling pretty guilty about it! I'll never forget when the hubs (then just my boyfriend!!) graciously donated his mantel for me to go wild on a few years back. You can see the original post here! http://www.jessisdesign.blogspot.com/2011/10/here-it-is-halloween-mantel.html

he was brave..

Have a fabulous weekend!