Woo-Hoo!!!

So ever since we left New York back in March, I've had a yearning to go back. 

Clearly, that's no secret. 

The city was everything I had dreamed of and then some.

However, the city can be quite costly and I assumed it would be years before I had the opportunity to go back, until yesterday. 

Yesterday I received an email showcasing low flight costs, but of course, like most anything I was certain there would be black out dates and stipulations. Turns out, there wasn't.

For two people, round trip, it was only $250! Which is a steal!

I immediately texted my sister, Angela, and asked her if she could afford a quick weekend trip to the city. We would eat cheap pizza and window shop but I would finally be back in the city and she would finally get to see it herself for the first time. She said yes and the planning began!

I sweet talked Tarl into giving me an early birthday present by buying the flight for me, done and no cost to me and the best birthday present that he could give me!

My sister and I agree'd that we would each pay for one night of our hotel stay. We're only staying two nights and we got a hotel in Times Square for $230 a night. A bit steep for our taste, but NYC isn't cheap and we wanted to be sure we stayed in the center of Manhattan so we can see as much as we can in the 2 1/2 days we're there. 

Thus far, I've only spent $230 bucks out of my pocket and I have a couple months to save for some spending money. Our lists have begun and to say I'm excited is a HUGE understatement.

See ya in a few New York...

More details to come...xo

Weekend Recap | DIY | New Toy

Damnit Monday why'd you have to come so quickly?!

Oh well, let's get this week started, shall we?

My mom gifted me this hutch about 10 years ago and I love it. 

It was given to her a long time ago and when they moved from their house to where they are now, she gave it to me as a gift and I love it. 

It's always stored picture frames and sentimental things and it's real wood with oil rubbed bronze hardware and heavy as all get out! I've been wanting to paint it for a while but I wanted to make sure that my mom was OK with me changing it up a bit. She had no qualms at all and I went to town searching around Pinterest for ideas for the back board.

I knew I wanted the hutch itself to be white, with some dingy looking parts to it to give it that old antique, patina feel, so I chose chalk paint.

Annie Sloan, although I've heard nothing but wonders about it, is just out of my price range so I went with Valspar Chalky Finish Paint, which I purchased at Lowe's. I also purchased the sealing wax. 

They also have an antiquing wax but it was too brown for my taste and the chalk paint already leaves some cracks to give it the antique look I was going for so I went with the standard sealing wax to give it a little bit of a shine, nothing major, but something to keep it from being too matte.

For the hutch itself I went with Kid Gloves and for the back board I used Trousseau Blue, which is a gorgeous blue/gray color.

I started with my first coat after taking all of the doors and backboard off. 

The great thing about chalk paint is the fact that you don't have any prep work. No sanding. No priming! Another perk is until you seal the paint with the wax, it comes off easily, so if you accidentally get some on your floor or glass, it comes right off! (the hutch was just too heavy to move outside to paint)

While painting I noticed Miss Priss oogling her crowns. 

I couldn't resist snapping a pic!

This was after the first coat.

The paint dries quickly, I'd say in about an hour, but they recommend letting your first coat sit overnight. So before I went to bed, after painting the first coat, I shined up the hardware.

A scrub brush and toothpaste gives old hardware a perfect shine!

I've always used this for things and it works like a charm.

I woke up on Saturday morning and put on the second coat of paint to both the hutch and backboard and then put on the wax. I put all the parts and pieces back on and it turned out so wonderful!

Even better than I imagined!

Here's a side by side...

Tarl was pleasantly surprised. He always gets so nervous when I have a paint brush in my hand, but he loved the way it turned out. He even got a wild hair up his ass and painted Cadence's bathroom cabinets with the leftover. Again, it turned out so well! We have plans to do our kitchen cabinets with it, in the near future.

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I sent these two snapchats this past week...

A girl can dream, right?!

I love a lowcountry sunset!

My little family of three always plays a game when we walk in the door. Where is Sawyer?

We've done this for months now and we always look forward to walking in the house and seeing who can spot him first. Cadence gets a kick out of it and Tarl and I being so competitive, well it makes it fun to say the least! This Saturday he hid in a new spot - he can hide in the darndest places!

Cadence came running into my bedroom on Sunday while I was mopping and said, "mom, hurry, come take a picture". She was right, this was definitely picture worthy :)

Nala & Sawyer

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Tarl's 30th birthday is in just a few short weeks. We thought about going away for the weekend, but he works out in this heat all day, every day and said that he really didn't want to do that for his birthday, so we splurged and I caved and this is his big 30th birthday present.

Carolina Gamecock colored golf cart. We're also going to get a South Carolina Gamecock decal on the front of it after we get it registered and get insurance on it.

He loves it. I love it. Cadence loves it.

Heck, even my parents love it!

We had a golf cart three years ago and ended up selling it. We always regretted selling it, but we knew eventually we'd get another one and that when that time came, we'd get one we really wanted, with Carolina colors, a lift kit and some nice tires. I'm glad we waited and got this one!

We drove it around all weekend long on our property and once we get it registered and insured we can drive it all over our little community. Hope to get all that paperwork set in place this week!

How was your weekend?

xo

Friday Favorites

image via

I'm a sucker for up and coming artists. To me, I adore them so much more right before they make it big. I had been listening to music by Jake Owen and Florida Georgia Line long before anyone hardly knew there name. Michael Ray is the same and now he's blowing up big time.

I have had Kiss You in the Morning on repeat. Seriously, even if you don't like country music, do yourself a favor and listen to it! #obsessed

(Plus he's super easy on the eyes! - I guess I'm also a sucker for dark hair and tattoos)

//

Tarl and I have talked more and more about houses lately. We don't know yet if we want to build or buy when that time comes, but I do know one thing, if we build, I definitely want exposed beams in my house somewhere. I love the look they give and in my opinion, they make a home look so much more 'homier'.

image via

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While we're on the subject of decor, how cute would this wallpaper be in a master closet or powder room?

image via

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Last night I purchased everything I need to start a weekend project. I'm not divulging any details because I want to make sure that it turns out OK. Even if it doesn't, I'll be sure and share that way you don't make any of the mistakes that I possibly might make, but I'm hoping it turns out the way I picture it in my mind. #fingerscrossed

I'll give you a hint , chalk paint...shhh...

//

I changed my blog look around a bit and went back and noticed that a lot of my old posts no longer show the pictures in them. I honestly have no clue why that happens, but if you know please tell me. I'm going to try and start posting pictures to my blog a different way and maybe that will make the difference...here's hoping!

Anyways, speaking of pictures/images. Here's a few I want to share with you on this wonderful Friday!

This picture pretty much sums up perfection to me. No shoes, short shorts, fresh blueberries off the vine while sharing stories about old times with my family and my parents. Honestly, what else describes the Lowcountry better than some blueberry pickin'??

I read this, cried, realized how true it is and thought it was definitely worth a share!

And I'm sharing this with y'all, well because...it's 100% true and I can't freaking wait!

Happy Friday friends!

xo

Christmas in July | Olly | Elf on the Shelf

Oh Olly, our precious and well loved, Elf on the Shelf. 

He brings so much joy and fun to not only Cadence, but Tarl and I too, all throughout the month of December. Not gonna lie, it's hard finding new places to hide him or new things for him to do, but thanks to Pinterest it's gotten a lot easier, there are so many ideas!

In July I start all Christmas preparations. Nothing major, just some Christmas present shopping and start my Christmas lists, and the Elf on the Shelf ideas are one of the lists. Come December, it's a lot easier knowing where Olly is going to go, rather than wake up at 5am, realizing you forgot to hide the Elf and scrambling to find a spot for him while being super quiet not to wake your child, with no contacts in, can't see a darn thing, desperate to go back to sleep. (true story!)

A lot of shops and boutiques have also jumped on the Elf on the Shelf bandwagon, making and selling 'elf' things. The other day I came across this elf door and mat...

via

Isn't it just the cutest idea?

Another cute idea that we haven't tried yet are donut seeds!

How inexpensive and brilliant is this?!

Bag some cheerios and label them as 'donut seeds'.

Have your elf bring them on one morning. Have your child plant them in some sugar on a plate, and then when they wake up the next morning there are donuts, on the same plate where they planted the seeds!

Here are some other great ideas that I found on Pinterest that I know Cadence (and any child for that matter) would adore. (all images via Pinterest)

For more Elf on the Shelf ideas and for all things Christmas, follow my Christmas board on Pinterest!
I post tons of great things and will start posting a lot more Christmas oriented pictures come August/September.

Follow Miranda | Life in the Lowcountry's board Christmas <3 data-blogger-escaped-a="" data-blogger-escaped-on="" data-blogger-escaped-pinterest.="">

To see some of the things Olly has done in the past, click here.

Merry Christmas(in July)!

July | Goals

1-Start Christmas Shopping

2-Start Getting Tarl's Birthday Gift(s)

3-Finish A Book (currently reading Grey)

4-Start School Supply Shopping & Uniform Shopping

5-Cook at Home More

6-Family Game Night Once Per Week

7-Family Movie Night Once Per Week

***

So I admit it. I've slacked doing monthly goal posts for myself, but there is no better time than the present to render the situation. Plus there are a lot of goals to achieve this month, let's break it down, shall we?

Christmas Shopping

So happy to say that I have already begun this goal. I've only bought one present thus far. Naturally it's for Miss Priss, but I couldn't pass up the sale price of $9.99 at Michael's for one of Cadence's favorite activities, Kinetic Sand. She adores the stuff and so do I. It's not super sticky like Play Doh and it is easy to clean too. They normally are priced at $15, but I snagged it while it was on sale. 

I know I still have a lot to do, but it's nice knowing I've started!

Tarl's Birthday

I've started this too! Tarl is a simple man and easy to please. (thank goodness!)

He's constantly trying to win a Hoo-Rag on Instagram. 

They are used for hunting and help conceal your face from birds, deer, turkeys, etc. 

Well bless his heart, I just went ahead and bought him one. I can't wait to see his face when he finally gets his Hoo-Rag and can finally stop tagging me on their Instagram page trying to win one by 'tagging a friend'.

He's also been talking non-stop about a Yeti koozie. A damn koozie that costs $30!!!

Crazy, right?? Like most things, you're paying for the name, but I know the struggle because I'm the same way on certain items (hello Lilly Pulitzer!) 

He doesn't know it, but he's getting the koozie too. :)

Finish a Book

I started reading Grey, by E. L. James, which is basically 50 Shades of Grey from Christian's point of view. I purchased the book for my Kindle a couple weeks back when it was released. I read the first four chapters back to back, but then I had the lump scare, dentist appointments, skin checkups, work flow, and the 4th of July, that I kinda just stopped reading it. Now that things have settled down I plan on finishing it this month.

School Supplies & Uniform Shopping

Yay! Another one that I have started on, and gotten most of the way there.

I've already purchased Cadence a new back pack and lunchbox for the school year, along with 90% of her school supply list. Last night we also found uniform shirts on sale at Walmart for under $5 so we snagged them off the rack and now all I have to do is take them to the embroidery shop to get her school logo applied, which I plan on doing Saturday.

The beginning of August South Carolina offers tax-free weekend for all school supplies, this includes uniforms as well. A lot of people question why Tarl and I don't wait to do the shopping until then and the answer is simple...it's worse than Black Friday!

Last year we did this and the lines were just as busy as they are on the Friday after Thanksgiving. 

Wanna know how much we saved? Around $9. That's it, only about 9 bucks. It's not worth it to us to save $9 and have to stand in line for an hour fighting crowds. No thanks!

I could see how tax free weekend would be beneficial if you're purchasing big ticket items. like computers or iPads, but we're not at that stage yet. 

Home Cookin'

I have been slacking big time when it comes to making weekly menus, grocery shopping, and sticking to the menu plans and cooking at home. I blame it on pure laziness but it has to end, and soon! Eating out is not only costly, but incredibly unhealthy for you as well. This month I plan on cooking home a lot more!

Game and Movie Night, Family Style!

This should be an easy one, or so you'd think, but I'm keeping it real here...sometimes the last thing I want to do when I get home from work, after showering, cleaning and getting prepared for the following day, is sit down and play a game with my family. There are days I'd rather just lay in bed and binge watch Orange is the New Black, but time goes by, and quick, and this has to change!

Don't get me wrong. I spend plenty of time with both Cadence and Tarl, and I love it, but I want to make it more of a point and put in more effort to have weekly game nights and movie nights, served with popcorn, naturally!

Happy Hump Day!

P.S. I have a few "Christmas in July" posts scheduled for this month so stay tuned!

(What can I say, y'all know I love me some Christmas time!)

Cadence

Today is all about this girl!

This girl who stole my heart 6 1/2 years ago and continues to amaze me and her daddy daily.

She just got her hair cut shoulder length last Thursday. It's only the second time in her life that she's ever gotten her hair cut short. The last time she cut it was two years ago, the same length.

The only difference now is, this time she looks so much older with short hair and it blows my mind!

Picture taken July 2013

Cadence is truly the sweetest child I know. She cares about others. She is always taking care of her pets as if they were her own children. She treats her baby dolls and stuffed animals with the utmost care, but her most favorite is Pinkin White. Pinkin White who cost us $0.50 out of a claw machine four years ago. Pinkin White who she has cuddled with every night before bed and has traveled with us on every trip we've been on. He's missing fur, been sewn twice, but he's her #1 stuffed animal and it's the sweetest thing.

Cadence loves to eat, which is wonderful. We've never really had to fight for her to eat, ever. She loves fruits and vegetables. Particularly mandarin oranges, celery and baby carrots. Her most favorite food of all time though is cheese pizza. Regular ole Tostino's, out of the box, cheese pizza. 

She loves doing anything active, whether it be playing baseball, soccer, jumping on the trampoline, or games with the family. She can also turn around and be a little beauty queen. One who loves minimal makeup, having her hair curled and pretty dresses.

winning her school pageant

winning her county pageant

winning the coastal carolina pageant

I'm not boasting that she has won all these pageants, I'm just so incredibly proud that she has won them. She practices her pageant walk by setting out stuffed animal audiences and she adores trying on pageant dresses. I love that I have a tom boy and a prissy girl all rolled into one.

I love that she wants to dress up on any random day.

Like a kitty cat in the middle of summer :)

I love that out of all the toys and dolls and dresses to choose from in Disney, she chose a cheap umbrella, just because it was pink!

I love that she understands manners and knows when to use them. She is polite to others and says yes ma'am and no sir when necessary. Don't get me wrong. She is slowly testing our patience with an attitude some times, but all I have to do is give her a sideways look and she straightens right up. 

She has her daddy and both of her granddaddies wrapped around her little finger.

I love that she prays. I love that she knows Jesus. I love that she understands what Heaven is and knows of His unfailing love for us.

I am so blessed to call this sweet little girl, mine.

God has blessed Tarl and I beyond measure to give us such a wonderful daughter.

Happy Birthday America, Mom and Dad!

July 4th weekend was great. 

We rented a HUGE water slide that was 37' tall and slid on it the entire weekend.

My mom and dad's birthday is also this weekend so we celebrated their special days as well by hoaving a big BBQ and some birthday cake. (and yes, that is my 69 year old dad climbing to the top of the water slide)

and coming down...

Our entire family was impressed to say the least! He's just a big kid at heart :)

When the slide first arrived Cadence was scared, but after going it down it once, that was all she wrote, she was hooked and we couldn't keep her off of it. We all had a blast!

I would apologize for only having took those five pictures, but I won't because I was having way too much fun with my family.

Now here's hoping this work week doesn't drag. 

xo