sneaking home for lunch

I had a meeting downtown this morning that ended right around lunchtime and I had to drive right by my apartment to get back to the office, so it was a great day to sneak home for lunch!  I've been eating awfully this fall, and in the past month or so, have painfully fallen off the work-out train, but now that football season (and therefore tailgates) is over, it is time to get back on track.  

I made a delicious avocado, tomato, mozzarella, and cucumber salad with a balsamic vinaigrette--and it was delicious!  This may become my new go-to!  

I'm glad I made it to the grocery store this week and stocked up on veggies--I feel like I hadn't been in months, and it is so nice to open the fridge and see it full of fruits and vegetables!

I guess now it's time to get back to work...

getting back into the swing of things...

The week after a holiday is always so hard.  The week of Thanksgiving was filled with all sorts of fun things--two great tailgates with two awesome NC State wins, a few fabulous days at Hilton Head, a 5th birthday party for the boyfriends son--and I loved having the whole week off.  However, going back to work yesterday was tough.  I feel like I need a vacation to recover from vacation.  Luckily, this weekend is mostly free of plans--I have to work a bit, but other than that, the boyfriend and I are planning to do absolutely nothing and we can't wait!

hilton head

Sunday morning, the boyfriend and I headed down to Hilton Head to meet my family for a few days of vacation.  We got down here Sunday evening, and so far it has been a great, and very relaxing trip.  This morning, the boyfriend and I rented bikes, and rode around and explored.  We spent some time laying on the beach, found a few shops to check out, and had a wonderful lunch at Stu's Surfside Subs & Suds.  They make their bread daily, and our subs were delicious.  I could only finish half, but it definitely hit the spot after a morning of bikes and beaches.

After lunch we headed over to Harbourtown with the family to do a little more shopping.  We went up in the lighthouse--lots of steps, but a gorgeous view from the top!  We also were able to see dolphins swimming only 50 yards or so from the shore.  I took lots of pictures--I can't wait to get them on the computer, so I can see if I got any good shots that I can zoom in on.

We had dinner at the Salty Dog Cafe, and my Margarita Salmon was delicous!  We also stocked up on Salty Dog t-shirts, and got the football edition (in long sleeves).  The dog in the football helmet is just too cute to pass up!

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We've also gotten a chance to enjoy the hot tub, and the simple pleasure of having a large selection of tv channels to flip through--neither the boyfriend or I has cable, so it's a treat to be somewhere with lots of tv options!

Tomorrow we are going to head over to Savannah for the afternoon after hopefully getting in a little more beach time & bike time, and maybe even a game of tennis in in the morning... I love vacation!



shoes, shoes, shoes

I'm usually not someone who lusts after shoes... I have my staples that get worn a lot (Jack Rogers, black riding boots, brown cowboy boots, Sperry's) and I'll buy shoes to match a dress or fun outfit, but I usually just think about shoes when I need a new staple in the rotation or I have a new dress I need shoes for.  However, I have recently added several pairs of J. Crew shoes to my wish list, and I'd love to add them to my closet.  Unfortuntely, they are out of my price range with Christmas shopping to do!

Cece patent bow ballet flats in bronzed clay- $138

(I'd like these in every color, please!)

Valentina Pumps in Dark Navy - $228

Booker Boots in Masala Chai - $298

Viv Pumps in Wild Mushroom - $298

Maybe one day...

girls night potluck

Earlier this week, I attended a Girls Night Potluck with some girls for work.  We were all supposed to bring our favorite thing or our signature dish, but I have millions of recipes pinned on Pinterest that I want to try, so I jumped on the opportunity to bake something new.  The boyfriend also needed a dessert for a work lunch this week, so I figured I'd just make a double batch. 

These chocolate peanut butter sqaures were my recipe of choice.  The recipe is from Once Upon a Chef and they were delicious!

They took longer than I anticipated, because in my small apartment life, I lack things like a food processor and a stand mixer.  I also bake over at the boyfriends a lot, so end up leaving things like mixing bowls in kitchens other than my own.  I had to get a little creative for a couple of reasons. 

1. I couldn't find the chocolate Nabisco cookies, so I used chocolate graham crackers instead. 

2. I attempted to use my blender in place of a food processor.  It worked, but it was a very slow process.

3.  I lacked sufficiently sized mixing bowls, which was a challenge.

However, they turned out DELICIOUS!  The only issue I had with them was that the bottom crust really didn't seem to set--if I do it again, I'll probably use more butter, and hope to have a KitchenAid to help!

The Rockettes!

On Tuesday night, the boyfriend and I headed to Durham to meet the family and go see the Rockettes perform the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at DPAC!

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My family went to the show at Radio City Music Hall in NYC when I was a junior in college, and we all loved, loved, loved it, so when I found out they were coming to the Triangle, I knew I needed to go!

While seeing the show at DPAC isn't quite the same experience as being at Radio City, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am so glad that we went.  We had great seats, in the first level, and seeing a show at DPAC is always a good experience.  I have yet to be disappointed by anything I've seen there.  

The Rockettes were, of course, nothing short of amazing!  There were a few scenes I remember well from the NYC trip.  The Nutcracker scene is one...

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the double decker bus is another...

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and of course, the multiplying Santa's.  

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The Santa scene is the one I remember best from Radio City, and I remember really not being able to tell which were the actual Rockettes, and which were mirror images.  DPAC used a movie screen instead of mirrors, so it was a little easier to tell who was the real deal, but still a great scene. I thought the whole show was great, and even though it was 80 degrees outside (crazy North Carolina weather) the Nativity Scenes and Christmas carols definitely started to get me in the holiday spirit!  

I'm so glad I had the chance to see the Rockettes again--I think they are worth seeing over and over  and over again!  If you ever get the chance to see them, jump on it!

boston!

This past weekend, I headed up to Boston to visit my best friend who moved up there in May.  It came at the perfect time--with the stress of work and everything else, a weekend with my best friend was just what I needed.  I flew in on Friday night, and stayed until Monday morning and it was a fabulous, fabulous weekend!  The weather was amazing--Sunday was in the 60s, which was wonderful! 

We ate lots of delicious food, walked around quite a bit, did some shopping, and just generally had a blast.  I'm a huge fan of Newbury Street, and could spend days wandering through all of the shops.  We hit up a few other shopping spots too, and spent the majority of Saturday shopping.  I snagged a sweater I've had my eye on at J.Crew (sale!)

 as well as a cute red headband (can't find a picture), and this great dress from Anthropologie. 

I saw some other great things as well, but I had limited room in my carry-on. 

On Sunday night, we took a Haunted Boston ghost tour, which was AWESOME!  I think ghost tours are such a fun way to learn a little bit of history about the place you are visiting.  I've done them in Prague, Savannah, Charleston, and Beaufort, and I've enjoyed every one!  They don't tend to be that scary, but always have fascinating stories. 

Boston was great, and I can't wait to go back!  However, next time, I'm going to try not to book a 6am flight... that 4am wake up call was not my favorite!

daisies

The last week was a crazy, crazy one, and I am so glad it's over!  Work was nothing short of insane, finishing up our gigantic project, and the stress levels were high all around.  On Wednesday night, when my part of the project was completed, the boyfriend brought me these beautiful pink daisies (my favorite).  It was so thoughtful and I'm thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life :)

Now that the work craziness has momentarily subsided (I have a big event I'm in charge of the beginning of December, so that craziness is about to start) I'm taking a quick break, and am enjoying visiting my best friend in Boston for the weekend!  I flew in on Friday night, and am leaving early early Monday morning, but we've had a great weekend so far, and it has been just the break I needed!

Book Review - The Sweet By & By

Southern Fiction tends to be at the top of my list when it comes to favorite books, and when it happens to be set in North Carolina, I like it even more!

The Sweet By and By (Todd Johnson)

was a fabulous piece of Southern Fiction and I highly recommend it!  I laughed, I cried, it made me think, and it was one of those books that I pulled out of my purse to read every time I had even 3 seconds. 

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A lot of the story takes place in a retirement home, and a the theme that really stood out throughout the book was friendship.  It was a very unique book, that dealt with the process of aging in a sweet and sensitive way.  It really gave me a different perspective on the life of the elderly, and so thankful for those who have a heart and passion to work with them.  This book was one of the best and sweetest I've read in quite awhile!

playing hooky

Between still recovering from being sick last week, and an INSANE work week this week (working til 9 every night), I'm exhausted and it's only lunchtime on Wednesday!  I had some meetings this morning away from the office, and forgot something essential (my laptop) in my rush to get out the door this morning, so I came home for lunch (and to get the laptop!).

I'm sitting on the couch, with Friends on, for a fabulous few minutes that are totally legit (you have to eat lunch, right?) but feel totally like playing hooky to me!  I have a long, long to do list waiting for me at the office, but for right now, I am so content to be on the couch watching Friends and eating in my own little apartment.

Hopefully I can get myself back out of the door shortly--I'm more than ready for this week to be over, and have lots to look forward to as the powers-that-be decided to give us Friday off since we have been working in majorly excessive amounts to pull off our big project that wraps up tomorrow.  And not only do I get a free day off Friday, I was already taking Monday as a vacation day, because I'm going to BOSTON this weekend to visit my best friend, and my flight doesn't get in til Monday morning!  4 day weekend is just in sight--I just need to make it through the next day and a half!

A Shopping Spree

The JLR Shopping Spree was this weekend, and though I missed working my shift on Friday morning because I was still deemed contagious by the doctor, I luckily didn't have to miss shopping!  On Sunday afternoon, I headed to Spree, and as usual, I did not walk away disappointed!

I got two scarves that will be great for gamedays, and at only $8 each, I probably should have picked up a few more!  I also got a pair of brown leggings that are fleece lined--I'm hoping that means they are going to be both extra-comfortable and extra-warm.  I saw this long-sleeved Collared Greens t-shirt, and though I'd never heard of the brand before, I'm always on the lookout for good long-sleeved shirts, and this one caught my eye.  The fabric covered photo board from Laffodil Lane is great--I actually got one in the same pattern last year in a smaller size, and couldn't resist getting the bigger one to match!  I also picked up a Christmas present for the boyfriend, but since he reads this blog (hi baby!), I can't tell you what it is yet!

I am so glad I was able to make it to Spree this year--I look forward to it every year, and it is always a great event!!!

State vs UNC + Whalegate Tour

Saturday was the much anticipated State vs. UNC game.  It was a 12:30 game so we pulled into our parking spot around 7:45, armed with plenty of Bojangle's biscuits & a solid supply of mimosas.  As soon as we got the tailgate all set up, we went in search of the Vineyard Vines Whalegate Tour.

I was excited to finally see the patchwork suburban in real life! 

There was quite a line for the VV tent even at 8:30am!

We scored coozies, chapstick, sunglasses & stickers--definitely worth the hike over to the Student Lot!  It was a great start to the morning, and though the day started out a little too cold for me, it turned out to be a gorgeous day, a great tailgate, and a sweet Wolfpack Victory!  

belk's charity pre-sale

On Friday, I managed to get myself feeling well enough to hit the mall for a couple hours--Belk's was doing a pre-sale for the Saturday Charity Sale, meaning that everything was 20% off, plus my mom had a coupon for 20% off (no exclusions on both) totally up to 40% off everything!  Now that is a deal too good to pass up!  Though I wasn't in top shopping form, I still managed to get a couple of great things:

these pretty ballet flats

this great vineyard vines cardigan

Plus my mom picked up a couple of Christmas presents (she long ago discovered it is better to let me pick them out to be sure that I like them when it comes to clothes--I am quite picky!).  We got a long-sleeved vineyard vines shirt (I can't find a picture online) that is quickly becoming my go-to plain long-sleeved shirt style.  It's the V-neck simple tee, but it's gathered a little around the neck to make it a little nicer than completely plain!  I bought a pink one at the VV store in Charlotte a few weeks ago, so when I saw the white one in my size at Belk's, I grabbed it!  My mom also decided I needed a piece of carry-on luggage, so we picked up a piece of Samsonite that was an amazing deal--it started at $500, but we got it for around $160!  

We also went by the men's store to pick up some Christmas presents for the boyfriend and my dad... hope they like what we picked out! :)

sick!

After a crazy weekend and beginning of the week at work, my body finally decided to say STOP!!!  Tuesday night, my throat started to feel a little like it was on fire... but I had a big event at work on Wednesday night, so not going to work didn't seem like an option (though I was able to run home and take a nap for a bit).  Anyways, by the end of the night, I was pretty miserable, so I stayed home from work today.  I went to the doctor, and after getting my throat swabbed twice, and and it taking 4 tries to draw blood, both the strep and mono test came back negative... so I'm not quite sure what is going on, but they gave me some medicine, which has definitely helped a bit.  There are a couple of things I really need to get done at work, so this isn't the ideal time to get sick, but at the same time, having a day to sit on the couch and do nothing has been much needed.  The boyfriend was super sweet last night and took great care of me--after my work event he made me chicken noodle soup, and was just so wonderful.  Don't know what I'd do without him.