Five on Friday

one // Charleston, as usual, was gorgeous yesterday. The weather was perfect at a beautiful 73 degrees. Just perfect for walking the battery, rainbow row, King Street & Meeting Street. We also ate lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant, Bocci's in downtown.

The decor had you set in Italy with painted walls to match and stunning French doors which provided the perfect view of the tourists going on their guided horse tours. I ordered the calzone with pepperoni, pepperoncini's and mushrooms and it did not disappoint.

two // I am so excited about Halloween tonight. I love this holiday. I love getting dressed up. I love dressing Cadence and I love seeing the holiday through her eyes. Pics to come on Monday of what we were but if you're curious follow on Instagram and I'll post a pic later :)

three // I saw this on Pinterest the other day and immediately pinned it to my Christmas folder. I knew immediately I had to recreate this for when that special time of year arose so I went on the search for these Apothecary jars and what I learned quick is that those babies aren't cheap, however I am so I went looking on resale sights and no luck. Well wouldn't you know that I received an email for 50% off one product at Michael's this morning and immediately went there during my lunch hour. I got a $25 apothecary jar for $12.50. Can't beat that.

The one that I got today is the one on the left. Two to go!

four // I ordered two more items for Cadence for Christmas today and thanks to my Disney Visa rewards points I had $46 stored! I purchased her the little mermaid dress/outfit as well as Elsa light up play shoes to go along with her Elsa dress we already got for her. The total was $70 with tax and I only paid $14...it's all about coupons, promo codes and redeeming points. It definitely helps closer to the Christmas season when money seems tighter then usual. Let's be honest.

five // It's Friday, it's Halloween and my family is in town. I'm ready for quitting time and dressing up! Happy Halloween friends!

Ahh, Charleston!

My aunt and uncle are in town from Boston and my aunt is in town from Florida so family has been abundant this week. They are staying the entire week and each night we have dinners planned while sitting around the fire enjoying each others company. It's so nice to catch up and talk about past, present and future. 

I'm excited they are in town visiting but I am more excited about Thursday. I took the day off work and we're all going to beautiful Charleston to explore the city and of course do a little shopping.

We have plans to walk the battery and see the beautiful homes that overlook it. We're also going to go to visit City Market which has lots of different booths where you can find all sorts of southern treasurers ranging from soaps to monogrammed decor. It's a southern woman's dream!

A must do is going to be King Street, my favorite! Adorned with shops as far as the eye can see.

We'll be eating lunch in Charleston and I'm a foodie so this is a hard choice but everyone is looking at me for options. I have my choice of restaurants in Charleston, The Crab House or California Dreaming, but on the other hand I'd love to try something new and I've heard wonderful things about Virginia's on King. They have true southern cooking and I think that my aunt and uncle from Boston would love to taste it. Shrimp & Grits, need I say more?

Any restaurant suggestions for Charleston that I need to know about? Do share!

I'm beyond ready to have the day off work and to spend the entire day with my family in one of the most beautiful cities!

Pics to come...

A Little Bit of Everything

// I need these boots in my life. Paired with skinny jeans and a flannel top...aahhh! 

// Kids get sick! Cadence was perfectly fine Friday morning with not a sneeze in sight. Picked her up from the sitter Friday afternoon and as soon as we walked in the door at our house, the vomiting began along with a low grade temp. That lasted 12 hours and she's good as new! Doctor called it perfectly when we took her saying that it wouldn't last long. Warning you now, when your children start school and are around other children...just be prepared. It happens. I'm just so glad that she is feeling better and that it didn't last long. Praise the Lord!

// Our family is in town all the way up from Boston and down in Florida. My moms house is swarming with love, laughter and lots of stories from "back in the day." I sat outside with them last night until 9:30 and unlike them have to work this week (so jealous!) so off to bed for me. They have plans to visit beautiful Beaufort, the New York of the South, Charleston and see the sites in our little hometown. They're also venturing out with us on Friday to see Cadence Trick or Treat - I can't wait! Is it Friday yet?

// This kitchen is my dream! I love the open white cabinets but the biggest attention is drawn to those floors! It has such an earthy feel to it. Amazing!

// Speaking of decor...this carpet will for sure be in my closet when we go to build a house. I don't care what the husband says, this will be in my closet! I get that cheetah print isn't for everyone and that's OK, but it is for me!

// We didn't do too much this weekend, especially on Friday night with Cadence not feeling well. We took her to the doctor and then ate in the car while waiting on her nausea prescription to be filled. Since she was feeling back to her normal self on Saturday we went to the local fall festival, did some browsing at the outlets and even bought her a few more school pants. Yesterday we relaxed and welcomed family into town. I'm ready to spend the afternoons with them this week and catch up.

Happy Monday!

FOF: Beauty, New York, Lists & Ebola!

one //

Right before we left for Disney all of my nails were natural and long. I'd paint them with whatever suited me at the time and voila it looked like I had on press ons. Loved it! Well I broke a few nails while in Disney and with all the health issues I've had there all gone. I'm striving to get back to long beautiful nails before winter and this picture is my nail inspiration!

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We've all seen ombre, but I don't think I've ever seen it using dark and neutral colors. I am smitten with this and can't wait until my actual nails are long again, without the help of acrylic.

two //

Yesterday while drug store shopping I picked up my first Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows. I've watched numerous tutorials with several beauty vloggers using them and just couldn't resist getting one. For one eyeshadow their priced around $3.50, they were at my local drugstore anyways. It's a little pricey when you think about it, but there is a lot in that littler container and when I tested it out the color payoff and pigmentation is so worth the buy!

I was looking for a good transition color and believe I found the perfect shade in "Bella Sand".

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Bella Sand is the top center and it's stunning on! I can't wait to go back and get more.

three //

I've watched this video atleast a dozen times. I can't get enough of it. It truly takes my breath away seeing NY from an aerial view, and I love when they cruise by Times Square. I didn't realize how massive NYC really is...can't wait to go one day! I know y'all probably get sick and tired of me talking about NYC - but IDC, my blog my rules :)

four //

Y'all know I'm a fan of lists and with Christmas Eve only two months away it's high time our Christmas lists get started!

I've searched Pinterest and these lists are perfect, they even include a budget row for you to keep track of how much you've spent on that person. Genius!

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Click the link to take you to the site so you can download.

five //

The talk of Ebola has obviously been a popular one for months now, with people being diagnosed with it in New York, Texas and even Atlanta. Is it scary? Yes it is! I'm not going to lie about it or sugar coat it. I think both the CDC, government and the actual people who are infected with it should have taken a smarter approach to keeping it contained. If you've been around people sick with Ebola, you should obviously not go bowling, ride trains or definitely not get on a plane with close quarters to John Doe next to you. It's a sad situation and we should keep this situation in our prayers!

Happy Friday!

Let's Chat

Oh ya know, just another random post from yours truly, let's get started...

*I had a second opinion appointment this morning with a different urologist and I love her. She was very optimistic about what I am going through and we're scheduling a cystoscopy to see what's going on. The fact that she deals with this on a daily basis and seems positive about it makes me feel better. 

There is power in prayer and I ask that you continue to pray for me in hopes that it's nothing serious!

*Stalker & Scorpion on CBS. If you haven't watched these, run, don't walk to your nearest TV and put them on record - obsessed with them! Seriously two of the best shows in a long time. 

*The talks of baby #2 is more frequent in our household. If all is well with my health we might just start trying - who knows! :)

*Tarl went on a hunting/camping trip with one of my exes. I use the term ex lightly as we were kids, but none-the-less had feelings for one another. Long story short our kids are friends and with our past history they became friends since we knew one another. They both have mutual hobby's and hunting has brought them close. It's a bromance for sure.

Anyways, they arrive at the campsite to set up prior to their hunt and wouldn't you know ex #2 is camped right beside them. Small world isn't it?!

*Today is day 6 with no cigarettes. That's right family who reads this blog - I have been cigarette free for 6 days. I feel so much better knowing that I no longer stink with the smell of cigarettes and knowing that my health will improve just by putting them down. #holla

*We've thrown a big birthday for Cadence ever since she turned one. The past five years we've gone all out with invitations, decorations, bounce houses and food and to be honest with her birthday being so close to Christmas it's tight. This year we've decided to do close family only. Simple cake, ice cream and chili and call it a day. It truly takes a load off my mind. We explained to Cadence and even she was alright about it, plus family spoils her with gifts regardless :)

I'm still doing a cake and am thinking something Frozen or Disney inspired...

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*Christmas shopping is officially underway and I couldn't be more excited about it. I also purchased my first Christmas wrapping paper and boxes of the season this past weekend. I'm so ready!

*I'm so happy that Halloween festivities are starting this weekend with an annual Fall festival we attend. We also have family coming in to town from Florida and Boston. Of course Halloween is next Friday night and then it'll be Thanksgiving and Christmas everything in our household!

xo

An Unexpected Date Night

Saturday morning we got up and headed to the Pumpkin Patch - an annual tradition for our family.

We had so much fun, but the best part is always the pig races & the hay ride to pick out our pumpkins.

See that little pig in the back center (all pink pig) Cadence and I had our bets on that little guy, Tarl had his bets on the all black pig. Wouldn't you know, those were the last two piggies...who cares. It's so fun watching them cute little guys run!

Of course, we have to get a snow cone.

After we left the pumpkin patch it was time for Tarl and I to start our date night to celebrate my birthday. We checked in at the beautiful Westin and got upgraded to a river view room at no charge - that was so nice! 

The Westin is a beautiful resort and they even had a gingerbread house out with a farm theme for fall. it smelled so good with the cinnamon flavors.

We went to the melting pot and my bladder issues started acting up (you can read last weeks post to catch you up). I thought if I chugged some water upon arrival it would go away like normal, but the pain got worse so we literally got up half way through our meal, quickly paid and Tarl rushed me to the ER. We were there until Sunday morning at 1:30 am. 

I got hooked up to an IV to prevent dehydration, they also did a urine test and blood work as well as a cat scan. Everything came back as it should - Praise the Lord! I have to go see a urologist tomorrow and most likely have a cystoscopy done so they can see what's going on inside my bladder.

Just imagine having that feeling like you've got to pee all the time, even after you pee! It sucks and if I don't keep water in me at all times it hurts. I wake up and drink water. I got to bed and drink water. I also keep a bottled water beside my night stand. 

As scared as I am to find out the results, I'm as equally if not more so ready to see the doctor to get rid of whatever is going on inside of me. I've got God on my side and have been praying non-stop which has calmed me down a lot. I'm a "nervous nellie" so the worrying on my part is probably making it worse than what it is, but still scary none-the-less. 

I woke up on Sunday feeling OK. They had given me morphine at the ER for pain and it made me so sick that I didn't hold anything down Saturday night (if you get my point). I woke up so hungry Sunday and the pain was gone so I was ready for brunch. The hotel comped us an amazing brunch at their restaurant which had every thing you could think of on the buffet, along with a pasta bar where the chef makes whatever you like. 

This alfredo shrimp penne was delicious!

Even feeling like you've got to pee doesn't stop reality - so we picked up Cadence and headed to get lunch for school for her at the grocery store. Tarl had to get a few things from Home Depot and there I saw the most glorious sight - Christmas decorations!

I honestly do not mind Christmas decorations being out this early. I love Christmas so I don't care how early they pull it out. I may or may not have bought a few Christmas items! :)

If you can please keep me in your prayers for a clean bill of health as I venture out to see these specialists. I would really appreciate it - thank you!

God Bless!