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I'm about to head to work, but before I left I wanted to share my favorite picture from this last weekend at home!

Planning a Wedding

WooHoo!  Today one of my closest friends got engaged!  After a conversation we had a few months ago (she may not exactly remember it since it was after a few adult drinks) I knew this day was coming soon!  I couldn't be more excited for her and what is in store with the wedding planning.  I have a couple friends who are in the throws of planning a wedding and since I'm not very far removed from that process, I've had some people ask me a few questions recently.

When I was under 2 months away from walking down the aisle, I posted on my other blog some tips that I thought were helpful when it came to wedding preparation.  I mentioned to a friend the other day that I would post the link to Part 1 and Part 2 of my "Wedding Wednesday" suggestions!

Congrats Kourt and Kyle!  I'm so happy for you both!

Kourtney and I in Capri, Italy during Highschool.  We've been friends since Middle School but those pictures of us then should never see the light of day!

Beach Week '06 before I left for Longwood and she headed to Elon!

Sometime last winter when I visited her in D.C and we had a little "heart to heart" haha!

Now it's her turn to be the bride!  So happy for her!

The newly engaged couple!  Love this picture of them!

Congrats again!

Travel Monday - Richmond, VA

Matt and I were in Richmond last weekend, so I decided to sum up everything that went on in my travel Monday post.  Matt was off to a bachelor weekend at Lake Anna (a little over an hour west-ish of Richmond) and I was off to catch up with friends and family.

Friday night was spent talking about the upcoming storm and enjoying drinks/brick oven pizza with my girlfriends from high school at this great new downtown restaurant.  (Sette)

Next trip back to Richmond, I'm hoping for some beautiful weather to go back and enjoy some pizza on their back patio.

When asked about West Virginia, I mentioned this documentary and the girls just had to see it.  We set off to the home of our newly married friends, Lauren and Ben, and hunkered down with some Gelati and the Whites of West Virginia.  Then we made plans for shopping the next morning.

Saturday morning we headed to Stony Point in hurricane-force winds to visit Anthropologie (I'm in love with their home decorating accessories).

After shopping was done we decided lunch was in order before we all went home for the next 24 hours to weather the storm (see what I did there?).  haha

(The Prosciutto and Mozzarella Panini was so delicious!)

Throughout the hurricane our power stayed on (we were lucky because that wasn't the case for so many other people).  We filled our time watching the news about the storm, getting on the computer, playing super mario brother for game boy (old school) and playing a family game of Train.  This game was so fun and addicting.  

Sunday brought time to catch up with Matt's parents and our friends from college.  The Longwood crew went out to eat at O'Charleys (geez, I ate out a lot this weekend).  It was so fun seeing how much baby Davis has grown, and now his true personality is really coming out (like when he pooped so much it got everywhere and all he did was laugh).  We went to see our friends' new house out in Chesterfield!  Holy Cow, do I have house envy or what?  They built it, and I'm sure are so ready to get moved in.

Matt and I couldn't resist staying around for a family cook-out on Sunday evening.  My cousins/aunts/uncles/grandparents/sisters were all around (except for Ally...but we'll see her at PSU next weekend).  What a great way to end the weekend!

Where we belong

I've mentioned before that my favorite author is Emily Giffin.  Seriously, she is the one author that I know when her books are being released...I go out and buy them on that day and usually have them read within a week.

The other day I noticed on her facebook page that she had released the first chapter of her newest book Where We Belong.  Go read it!  It looks so good and I can't wait for it to come out!

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In other news...we're on our way to Richmond, VA for the weekend.  Can't wait to stay inside for 2 days during the hurricane!

A New Find...

I've mentioned before that I would consider myself a diy-er (do it yourself).  That is usually the case, especially when there is money to be saved.  However, I have come to realize that sometimes it is worth the dough to get something you really like and skip over the heart-ache of trying to make it and wasting time/money.

I saw this frame over at The House of Smiths and really wanted to make it.  A few days later while on an impromptu trip to Pier 1, I saw a frame that looked similar to the one on the blog (not AS cute, but definitely around what I was looking for).  The best part?  It was only $25.  I knew that there was no way I would be able to make this frame for that cheap.  I didn't buy it then because I wanted to take time and think about it, but after a few days of thinking about the frame, I finally went back and bought it.

It is just what the empty wall in the guest room needed!

We did it!

Yay!  Matt and I spent some time on the boat, and it's been awhile since we've gone out with just the two of us. His parents bought us water skis (thanks!) and it was killing Matt that he hadn't tested them out yet!  I practiced my driving skills and actually got really comfortable maneuvering the boat (when I asked Matt what I could do to improve, he even said that I was doing it perfect)!  Matt managed to get up on the skis pretty easily and after only 2 tries he was able to get up on the wakeboard too!

A Day Late...

Travel Monday, a day late...

Matt and I just booked a trip!  We're going to Orlando, Florida!  He has a work convention there the first week of October and was planning on going down that Sunday morning so he could golf with some guys he works with all day before the sales meeting starts on Monday.  When looking at flights we realized the ones out of Charleston were not good for that Sunday morning so we started talking about other options.  Since his flight is paid for and we can use points that he has saved up for car rentals/hotels the only cost we had was my flights and our tickets.  We're flying down on Friday, Sept. 30th and got a 2 day park hopper pass for the Universal parks on Friday night and Saturday.  I'll fly home bright and early Sunday morning so I don't cramp Matt's style and he's able to golf all day like he wanted to!  I'm so excited!!!!

...Oh My!

Bike, Golf Clubs, and a Kegerator...Oh My!!!

Matt doesn't brag about himself, so when the opportunity presents itself I like to take the time to talk about the great things he has going on!  His company has a point system where you get points for good things that you do. From what I understand Matt has recently won some sales contests and banked about 1,300 points.  He asked me what I wanted to get with the points (there is an online store where you can get anything that you can imagine) and I told him to get whatever he wanted because they were his hard-earned points.  He didn't skip a beat and within a few days his list was growing.  Today he cashed in his points and was so excited about getting a new bike, set of golf clubs and a kegerator.  If the boat brought visitors this summer, maybe the lure of beer from the tap will bring some this winter!  Congrats Matt, I know you can hardly wait to get your new toys!

Phew!

It has been one crazy weekend!

This morning all of the kids were asking to go back out on the boat.  We had so much fun watching them tube, especially since they've gotten more confident in their riding abilities and Uncle Matt was able to test them a bit.  Only 1 fell off, and he surfaced swimming his heart out back to the tube to get on for another chance to ride!  The kids were awesome on the boat and I hope they can make a trip out next summer to do the same thing!

After tubing we headed down to the Power Alley Grill (a restaurant attached to the baseball field) and enjoyed an afternoon game.  The kids got to go on the field twice and I'm hoping it was an experience that they will always remember!

Everyone was exhausted from 2+ full days of non-stop fun so this evening we stayed in the apartment.  The kids rented Mars Needs Moms and the adults enjoyed a relaxing evening listening to the storms roll in (rain has to be my #1 favorite sound on a summer night) while sipping on some delicious wine.  This is one of my new favorites...try it if you love a sweet Riesling...it's delicious!

Fun-Filled Saturday

Another successful Friday night filled with a little tubing, swimming, and listening to a concert.

We had such a great time, and these pictures show that the kids did too!

Today promised an equal amount of satisfaction and exhaustion.  We started off the morning downtown at Sportsfest where we got to see some jet ski races and awesome tricks!

We were so hot and tired after sitting out in the sun all morning that a trip to Yogurt Mountain was definitely in order.

A few hours at the pool helped cool everyone off before we headed back downtown for the Sportsfest Carnival!  The kids (and adults) had so much fun riding rides and playing games!

Getting Real

Ok...so I guess I put on a good show... (see the post from yesterday about the Greek Chicken)

Yes, I love to cook...no I don't like the effort or cleaning associated with this new hobby.

Last night...it was frozen pizza and football.  This is way more my pace.  And you know what?

I burned the pizza...it was kind of gross and embarrassing.

What made it all better?
*The fact that Matt would still eat it
*That I only ate 1 piece instead of 3
*That it was gross so not worth keeping the left overs so they went straight in to the trash
*And there were no dishes to clean!

Anyways...today we're preparing ourselves for a weekend filled with these 5 crazy kids!

Matt's sister and sister-in-law (a.k.a now my two sister-in-laws) are bringing his 2 nieces and 3 nephews to WV for the weekend!  We are so excited to have everyone visit!  We're planning a night on the boat tonight, maybe a little pool and going downtown tomorrow then we'll hopefully finish off the weekend at a baseball game Sunday afternoon!  Whatever we do, this weekend promises to be anything but boring!

Rachel Ray's Lazy Greek Chicken

Yum!  If you read this recipe and think that you just may like it - then give it a try!  It is so delicious!!!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• One 10-ounce box organic chopped spinach, thawed
• Salt and pepper
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (about 1/3 palmful)
• 4 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 1/2 cup crumbled Greek feta cheese

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 2/3 of the garlic and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool, then add the spinach and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Melt the butter in the same pan, turn off the heat and add the panko, oregano and remaining garlic; toss.

Drizzle a baking dish with the remaining 1 tablespoon EVOO. Split each chicken breast across (but not all the way through) and open like a book. Stuff with the spinach and feta, letting the stuffing overflow at the edges. Place the chicken pieces in the baking dish and top with the breadcrumbs. Bake until the juices run clear; about 20 minutes.

My Pictures from the other night...

Trash the Dress

I think I mentioned here before that I opted for "trash the dress" as opposed to a traditional bridal portrait.

I didn't see the need or really even have the time before the wedding to get formal portraits done, so about 2 weeks after the wedding, Matt and I got all dressed up and went to downtown Richmond where we got some great wedding pictures taken.

We just got the CD in the mail with the pictures, so I thought I would share some of my favorites!

Just a little glimpse in to our lives...

I walk in from work and open the fridge to see no milk...

Me - "Matt, did you not get a chance to go to the grocery store today?"

Matt - "Holy S***...I'm an idiot.  I went earlier today and left all of the groceries in the car"

Me - "Eww...like milk?"

Matt - "Just milk and frozen stuff...well, I guess I know how people leave their children in the car."


hahahaha

Travel Monday - Japan?

Me - "Matt, where should I make my travel Monday post about?"

Matt - "Japan"  (said in a very serious tone)

Me - "I have no interest what-so-ever in Japan"

Matt - Rolls his eyes, sighs really loud as if he was saying "You never like my ideas"


So Travel Monday - Japan edition it is...

Ok...maybe after looking at some pictures, I will say that it is pretty!

Sunday Funday

This morning we decided to try out Sunday Brunch at the French Quarter (the restaurant in the Casino).  Me may have possibly been the only people that went straight from church to the casino...haha

A rainy Sunday was perfect to lay on the couch and nap watch golf all afternoon.

Later in the evening we got a little stir crazy and went out to see...

I thought it was a pretty cute movie!  Maybe not "go out and see it now" but definitely worth a red-box rental when it comes out!

Enjoying Charleston, WV

Friday night definitely delivered.  We all went out on the boat and really enjoyed the beautiful weather.  After driving down the river a bit, Matt's Dad decided to test his skills and see if he was able to waterski (after 10+ years of not skiing).  After only a few tries, he was up and did an awesome job!

After Matt then tried to water ski, we decided to stop for a yummy dinner at (you guessed it...) The Barge!

We finished off the great evening at Live on the Levee listening to some random band.

Today Matt and his Dad went off to golf while his Mom and I ran some errands around town.  We all met back up at the apartment and spent the afternoon laughing (and crying) watching the video from our wedding.

Later in the evening we went to the Power Alley Grill before heading to the West Virginia Power Baseball Game.  What a great night we had!

It's Friday!

This video is dedicated to Matt who has been singing this song ALL morning!  He got it stuck in my head, so I'd figure I'll get it stuck in yours!

It's Friday which usually means 1 of 2 things for Matt and I.  Either we are packing to head somewhere for the weekend, or someone else is packing to come spend the weekend with us.  This weekend we have visitors heading to West Virginia.  Matt's parents will be here around dinner time, and the beautiful weather forecast promises that we'll get some great boat time and sunshine this weekend!  We're so excited!

Getting me through work

What is getting me through work today?

Matt and I have mostly stopped going out to eat and we end up cooking at home almost every night.

Tonight for dinner we're going out with some friends...

we're going here for dinner!

Pizza and Beer!  Yum!

Getting Creative

Since Matt has been sick I've been sleeping on the couch or in the guest bedroom.  While laying in bed the other night and watching an episode of Design Star, I looked over and remembered that I've been meaning to re-furbish the night stand.  I guess since it's out of sight, out of mind...I had completely forgotten about this little project.

After my interview yesterday (round two from the interview a week and a half ago - it went well so fingers are crossed) I stopped at Hobby Lobby to pick up some fun new knobs that I would use as my inspiration!  I love the shabby-chic/country distressed look.  I would say the project turned out to be a success!  I love our new dresser and can't wait for it to completely dry so we can move it out of the garage and back in to the guest bedroom!

BEFORE

AFTER