I always enjoy reading these posts so I hope you enjoy getting to know me! As a new blogger, there are still a lot of things you don't know about me, so hopefully this will answer some of your questions! I'm hoping to do more tags like this, so if you've seen any good ones, please share them! 

1. What is your middle name? 

Nichole

2. Share your favorite subject in high school.

Biology/Chemistry. I was pre-med in college. 

3. What is your favorite drink?

Non alcoholic: Diet Dr. Pepper

Alcoholic: Wine or vodka soda with 2 limes

4. What is your favorite song at the moment? 

Probably Watch Me by Silento. So darn catchy. 

5. What would you (or have you) name your children? 

Andrew and I have thought about this but it changes on the daily. However, there are a few names I adore but not ready to share! 

6. Have you participated in any sports?

I danced for 15 years, played church basketball, gymnastics and tennis

7. What is your favorite book? 

I'm not much of a reader but anything by Lauren Conrad or Dorothea Benton Frank

8. What is your favorite color? 

It depends. I truly like all colors for different reasons. Whites, grays, neutrals for paint and decorating, green or blue for a pop of color,  and of course, pink because duh!  

9. What is your favorite animal? 

Don't hate me, but if you read this, you'll know I'm not a huge pet lover. Don't get me wrong. They are precious, but I don't have the patience or the right vacuum cleaner! 

10. What is your favorite perfume?

Longtime favorite is probably Burberry Original, but currently loving Anthropologie Happ and Stahns in Jasmine Riviera

11. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. From everything from my Starbucks seasonal order to the hustle and bustle at the mall to the Christmas music. But more importantly, spending time with my closest family and friends to celebrate Him. 

12. On a scale from 1-10, rate your childhood. 

I had a different childhood than most and encountered tragedies that I would never wish upon anyone. However, there were some great years and memories that were made, so with that being said, I would say a 7. Maybe one day I will be able to open up and fill y'all in on the past. 

13. Have you been out of the country?

Yes! I studied abroad in Spain and Portugal,  traveled to the Bahamas, St. Lucia for our honeymoon and most recently, Costa Rica. I'm sure there are more but that's all that comes to mind at the moment. 

14. Do you speak any different languages? 

Why, yes I do. Or I guess I should say, I did. I spoke Spanish fluently for about 8 years but sadly can't speak but just a little these days. 

15. Do you have any siblings?

One seester that is fifteen months younger than me and is getting married this fall! 

16. What is your favorite store?

This is a tough one. I'll go with the old faithful, Nordstrom. 

17. What is your favorite restaurant?

I am such a foodie and could probably call "eating" a hobby of mine, so this isn't an easy question. Probably Halls Chophouse in Charleston. 

18. Did you like school?

I loved all social aspects of school, but wouldn't say I enjoyed studying or taking tests. Hence, the reason I never applied to medial school but yet spent all four of my college years studying for it. 

19. Who are some of your favorite YouTubers?

Amelia Liana, MakeupbyTiffanyD, Jaclyn Hill, GlamlifeGuru, Fleur DeForce, Essie Button, Rachel Talbott, Shades of Kassie and the list only continues…is that more than just a few?

20. What is your favorite movie?

Serendipity 

21. What are some of your favorite TV shows? 

Anything on Bravo or E! Especially Real House Wives of any city. Scandal. 

22. PC or Mac?

Mac. 

23. What phone do you have? 

A broken iPhone 5S but can't wait for my upgrade this fall! 

24. How tall are you?

5'7"

25. Do you have any pets? 

Nope. I did have Boykin Spaniels growing up though! 

Don't forget, Tuesday is the LAST day to enter the giveaway so be sure you have entered! The winner will be announced on Wednesday! 

Hosted by:

Medicine & Manicures
The lovely co-hosts:

The New Mrs. // Katie Elizabeth // Life on Myers // Girl Meets Bow

 Champagne & Suburbs // Meet at the Barre // Sequins & Seabreezes   Sell Eat Love // Home of Malones // Davis Duo // Playdates & Prescriptions a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Friday + Giveaway!

Happy Friday, friends! 

Today will be a busy day at work for me. This is my 9th physical inventory with my company, and it is actually something that I really look forward to! We'll stay after hours and work until pretty late, but it is fun to get all of my co-workers together and eat a lot of good food and have fun counting! 

So, here's to the weekend! I hope y'all have a lovely weekend, and I am already looking forward to the holiday next week! What are y'all doing for the 4th?

Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveway! It is still going on through next Tuesday! 

Hosted by:

Medicine & Manicures
The lovely co-hosts:

The New Mrs. // Katie Elizabeth // Life on Myers // Girl Meets Bow

 Champagne & Suburbs // Meet at the Barre // Sequins & Seabreezes   Sell Eat Love // Home of Malones // Davis Duo // Playdates & Prescriptions a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bachelorette Party Planning

I'm calling on all bridesmaids, maid of honors and matron of honors! As the matron of honor, I have the privileged duty of hosting my baby sister's bachelorette party! I am beyond excited for her and want the weekend to be absolutely perfect. With that being said, I need your help! I personally had 12 bridesmaids in my wedding and have had the honor in being in all of their weddings, so I have definitely had my fair share of lingerie showers and bachelorette weekends. However, this is my first wedding that I won't be just a bridesmaid.

The bachelorette party is planned for next month and will be in Charleston. We are staying in another bridesmaid's beach house (thanks, Anna!) so that is done. I'm now in the process of trying to plan the entire weekend, make reservations at favorite restaurants and search for the perfect penis straws and accessories.

Who out there has planned a bachelorette party and has any advice to give this ole' matron? I would love to hear your favorite Etsy shops or places to find fun gag gifts and decor! I feel like the "theme" begins with the invitation so once that is selected, I will be able to nail dow the rest of the decorations.

Loving these invitations, what is your vote?

Linking up with Annie and Natalie for Thoughts for Thursday!

Nordstrom Wishlist + Kate Spade Giveaway!

Happy hump day, friends! How's your week going? I am so ready for the weekend, but I have to work Saturday. Womp womp. 

I have been eyeing the Nordstrom website like crazy lately. Unfortunately, we only have a Nordstrom Rack here in South Carolina, but for my pocket, that is probably for the best. When I lived in Atlanta, shopping was so accessible and fantastic. I sure do miss that. But, shopping online is so much easier, and I'd almost rather do it from my own couch. 

Here are some of my favorites right now…and some of them may or may not be hanging out in my cart. All I need to do is press process….so anyone wanna convince me I need any of these?

What are you loving at Nordstrom right now?

As you all know, Kristina is one of my favorite bloggers, so when she asked me to participate in a giveaway to celebrate her 2 year blogiversary, I was so excited! 

Enter below to win this gorgeous Kate Spade 5'oclock Somewhere Leather Watch! The giveaway will go from today, June 24 - Tuesday, June 30. The winner will be announced next Wednesday, July 1. Good luck!! 

Congrats, Kristina!!

Hosted by:

Medicine & Manicures
The lovely co-hosts:

The New Mrs. // Katie Elizabeth // Life on Myers // Girl Meets Bow

 Champagne & Suburbs // Meet at the Barre // Sequins & Seabreezes   Sell Eat Love // Home of Malones // Davis Duo // Playdates & Prescriptions a Rafflecopter giveaway

Recent Target Finds

Deodorant | Wet n Wild Face Wipes | Biore Cleanser | Maybelline Eyeliner | Pixi Nail Polish | Meyer's Soap |

Steripod | Mirror | Hangers | Greek Yogurt | Bathing Suit |

It is no secret that Target is a fan favorite, and it is so hard to get out of there without spending less than $100.  Can I get an amen? Seriously. All I went in there for was to buy deodorant and toothpaste, and here I am with a buggy full of stuff I don't need. I'm a total sucker.

Here are a few things that I've either gone into the store looking for recently or items that just so happened to jump into my cart. 

1. Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant: This stuff is awesome. It sprays on smoothly and doesn't leave any residue on your shirt. It lasts pretty much all day! 

2. Wet n Wild Face Wipes: I'm not going to lie. These aren't amazing. For $2.99, I can't really complain as most wipes typically cost anywhere from $5-7. They are a little drying for my liking, but they work great in addition to using number 3. 

3. Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser: I have only used this for about a week, but so far, I'm loving it. It really does deep clean my face and gets all of my makeup off. Plus, charcoal is really good for your skin, and it smells good!

4. Maybelline Master Drama Eye Pencil in Midnight Master: I am out of my beloved Marc Jacobs gel eye crayon, so I thought I'd pick something up that is a little more affordable and accessible. This is great for the waterline and doesn't smudge. It actually lasts all day long, too!

5. Pixi Nail Polish in Summer Pink: I've seen this on so many bloggers and was always wondering what color it was. I finally found the name of it and had to pick it up! It is the most beautiful neon pink and probably my favorite summer color I've found…and y'all know I love my nail polish so that is saying a lot!

6. Meyers Hand Soap: This is another cult favorite. I use the laundry detergent, dish soap, everyday cleaner, and hand soap. I am obsessed with this line of cleaning products, and it makes me smile every time I have to clean. My favorite scents are lavender and peony. 

7. Steripod: Andrew and I love these because it keeps our toothbrushes clean and is great for traveling! 

8. Threshold Starburst Mirror: Again, another cult favorite. But, I just couldn't resist. With the inexpensive price point, it just had to get into my buggy…and I'm contemplating on a second. It looks great in my entryway! 

9. Huggable Hangers: Ever since we moved into our house last October, I've started purchasing the same style and color clothes hanger. I love how it makes my closet look more organized and put together. They aren't cheap, so I will pick up a pack every time I go to Target, and I'm slowly transitioning all of my clothes onto these hangers. I love how they are velvet so my shirts and dresses don't slide off the hanger!

10. Chobani Flip Greek Yogurt: Yes, you can find these at the grocery store but they are usually on sale at Target and have different flavors. I'm not a huge breakfast person, but I eat one of these in the morning or sometimes as a dessert! So yummy and healthy!

11. Tropical Bathing Suit: I love this bandeau top. It came with straps (which I most definitely have to wear), and is very flattering. I actually didn't buy the matching bottoms, but pair the top with these, and it's the perfect match.

What are y'all loving from Target right now? Not that I need to go and buy anything, but I'd love to hear! 

xoxo 

Can't Live Without It: All of the Men

Y'all, we are so close to the weekend! This has been a really long and hard week for me. I've been really anxious and tired from traveling this week from visiting my grandfather in the hospital, so I am just ready to relax! We will probably do more traveling this weekend, but I will be happy to see my family. 

This weekend is Father's Day, and I am so lucky to have three fathers and two grandfathers. My dad, stepdad, father-in-law and my two grandfathers are all so special and near and dear to my heart. They are each so different but yet bring a different perspective to my life. All of these men are my Can't Live Without It. 

I am truly blessed and don't know what I would do without them. 

I can't wait to add my husband to this group one day, as I know that he will be the best father to our children. 

Thank you for all of your prayers! They have truly been answered. Pa had triple bypass this morning and is currently recovering. It will be a long road, but he made it through and we are so thankful for that. 

Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers out there. I hope you feel special and loved. You deserve it. 

xoxo

Linking up with Stephanie, Caitlyn and Laura 

Grandma's Homemade Peach Cobbler

Does it feel like Friday to y'all? This week has been a long one, and I'm certainly ready for the weekend! 

I was in my hometown this week visiting my grandfather in the hospital, and I stayed with my mom and stepdad the night before his surgery. Mom had gotten me a few peaches at the Farmer's Market last weekend so we decided to make my "Ma's" homemade peach cobbler. It's one of my favorite childhood recipes, and I had never actually made it before, so making it with my mom was a special memory that I'll never forget. This was a great distraction to take our minds off of my grandfather and his upcoming stay at the hospital. I didn't have my camera on me, so iPhone pics it is!

This peach cobbler is so easy and quick to make and would be perfect to take to any summer party or dinner!

And for those of you who can't ready my mother's handwriting (even I still have a hard time..sorry mom!) Here are the ingredients and instructions:

What you will need:
2 cups of fresh peaches, cut into small pieces
1 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of milk
3/4 cup of sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the peaches and 3/4 cup of sugar and set aside for about 20 minutes.
Melt stick of butter in a 9x9 oven safe dish in the pre heated oven.
Sift flour, 1 cup of sugar and baking powder into a bowl.
Add milk and thoroughly mix. Lumps will remain.
Pour into mixing dish with melted butter. Add peaches and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.
Top it with vanilla bean ice cream and serve!

Oh, and thank you so much to all of you who called, texted, and commented about my grandfather's surgery. To give a quick update, he does indeed need a triple bypass and will have that surgery in the morning. Thanks for the love and support!

Linking up with Annie and Natalie for Thoughts for Thursday!

Prayers for Sweet Pa

Hey y'all! I am taking a little break today to spend time with my family in my hometown because my grandfather is having heart surgery. We are hoping he will just have to have stints put in, but we are being told that it will probably result in open heart surgery. Please pray for my sweet Pa today! 

How cute is he?

I'll be back tomorrow with a summer dessert! It sure is delicious and easy to make, so be sure to check back in! 

xoxo

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in Foil

I tried a new recipe tonight and it will most definitely be on repeat! I can always depend on Damn Delicious for a quick yet delicious meal! I've tried so many of her recipes and I keep going back for more! 

This 30 minute meal is mess free and easy to put together if you are in a hurry. You can find the full recipe here.

Ingredients:
4 pieces of thinly cut chicken breasts
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
Zest of 1 lemon
1 lemon, thinly sliced
2 lbs baby red potatoes
Fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, thyme, rosemary, mustards, lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Cut 4 pieces of foil, enough to fully cover the entire chicken. Divide potatoes into four and layer them in a single layer on the foil. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Lay a piece of chicken on each foil and rub mustard mixture on front and back of chicken.
Top with lemon slices.
Completely cover the packets to secure them.
Cook for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
In the last few minutes, open up the packets and broil for about 3 minutes, until golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve!

Overall, I was really impressed with the way it turned out. The chicken was so tender and juicy.

The only change I will make next time is the potatoes. I'm not sure if I cut them too large, but I ended up having to put them back in the oven to cook longer because they weren't cooked through all the way. Another option would be to increase the oven temp to 400 degrees. Other than that, the husband and I were both full and happy!

Have a great day, y'all! 

xoxo

Wedding Weekend Roundup

Hey y'all! I hope you had a fun weekend! We sure did, and I'm going to go ahead and apologize for the picture overload. We had a nice relaxing night in on Friday night, then woke up early on Saturday morning to head to Asheville, NC to celebrate two of our friends getting married! Asheville is only about an hour away, so it makes for a perfect getaway. 

We had planned on leaving early to head down to downtown Asheville to meet a group of friends to walk around, get lunch and drinks and just socialize until the evening wedding. We hadn't planned on this, but we made an impromptu stop to one of our favorite wineries in Hendersonville, NC on the way. 14 wine tastings for $10 and you get to keep the wine glass? Yes, please. We will definitely be taking a day trip back soon because they have food trucks and a live band, but we didn't have time to stick around. 

Some of the group in downtown Asheville

The wedding venue was absolutely perfect for the chill bride and groom, and it had the most gorgeous view overlooking the mountains.

This picture does not even do the venue any justice, but how gorgeous is this head table?

I am so upset I didn't get an actual picture with the bride in her wedding dress, but how cute is she in her party dress? 

Oh my. I don't even know how to begin talking about Sunday brunch. The bride actually recommended Biscuit Head to Andrew months ago because her cousin is the head chef. He went the last time he was in town and wasn't able to stop talking about it, so we knew we had to go. And let me tell you…it did not disappoint. This is hands down in the top 5 brunches I've ever had…and we are pros at brunching so that is definitely saying a lot. 

Homemade butter and jams. Enough said.

 Again, the pictures just don't do justice. I had the pulled pork with jalapeño pimento cheese, bacon, a poached egg and maple syrup. On a biscuit. Holy cow was this amazing. I am so excited that we are actually getting a Biscuit Head in my town next year because I would actually drive to Asheville just to eat here. It's that good. 

I hope you have a lovely Monday, and who is ready for the weekend? This girl is. 

xoxo

Summer Cocktails

Happy Thursday! I mentioned yesterday that we are attending a wedding this weekend so I thought it would be appropriate to tell y'all my favorite summer cocktails since I'll be enjoying a few at the reception!

Speaking of wedding fun, here's a throwback you might appreciate from a few years ago.

| Steph | | me | | Caroline |

Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco 

Skinny Coconut Margarita 

Strawberry Sangria

Peach Schnapps Spritzer

I kind of just made this name up as I started typing, but it is so yummy and I have my friend Melanie to thank for this one! I have been loving this with a light meal or even a day drink.
Basically just add chilled champagne, chilled white wine and a splash of peach schnapps! 

Dirty Shirley

An oldie, but a goodie and perfect for a wedding reception!

Haha I know, these go way back but they are a classic.

Linking up with Annie and Natalie  for Thoughts for Thursday!

Summer Wedding Attire

As a guest attending a summer wedding, do you ever have a hard time trying to figure out what to wear? We are headed to Asheville, NC this weekend to celebrate some sweet friends, and as I was trying to put an outfit together, I realized it was harder than I thought! I started to think about three important factors that play into picking out the perfect outfit.

myself & caroline 

| 1 |

Time of the year/time of ceremony

Personally, I believe it is easier to dress for a wedding in the summertime. For most cases, it is going to be hot, especially if you are in the south like me! You can typically get away with wearing a short dress in the summer depending on the two factors below.  To quote my girl Emily Post, black tie begins after 6pm. If the wedding is black tie or black tie optional, I would go with a longer dress or more formal material such as lace. If it is an afternoon wedding and before 6pm, it is considered less formal and you can get by with a nice cocktail or summer dress. For indoor weddings, bring a wrap to drape around your shoulders. If the ceremony is in a church, it always makes me more comfortable, plus summer nights can get chilly! 

| 2 |

Location
This is a hard one. You won't always know what type of location the ceremony or reception will be held at because it might be a place you've never been to. Is it at a rustic barn or artsy museum or traditional cathedral? Depending on this, you can usually narrow down your options as far as how fancy to get dressed up. 

| 3 |

Invitation/Website

Did the invitation or wedding website give any information or details regarding the dress code? There is typically more information on the invitation or website than you might recognize. Black tie, black tie optional, beach formal, semi-formal or casual might be key words that will help you make your decision.

| Accessories |
These, of course are optional, and aren't one of the key factors, but they are certainly fun!
Whether it is adding a fun clutch, heels or a pop of color to your lips, accessories can dress up your look without having to spend a lot of money.

Here are a few dresses that I have my eye on and think would be appropriate for a summer wedding attire! You might actually find me in one of these this coming weekend! Can you guess which one?

Now, throw on a pair of wedges or heels and get yourself out on the dance floor! 

xoxo

Sick Day

We had a fantastic weekend filled with friends and food (what's new?) but Sunday hit us like a rock. I woke up at 6am with the stomach bug, and it was awful. Now that I think about it, I don't think I have ever had the flu or stomach bug or virus so I really didn't know what to expect. Sunday was my sweet mother's birthday and we had planned to surprise her at church then take her out to dinner. Sadly, that didn't happen because the only time I got out of bed all day was to…well, I'm sure you can guess. Andrew was such a sweetheart and was such a great nurse. Unfortunately, the bug hit him in the middle of Sunday night. He said it best "What's worse than having the stomach bug? Having the stomach bug at the same time as your spouse." So, now it is my turn to play nurse. So, I might be taking a few days off to fill up on ginger ale, gatorade, saltines and chicken noodle soup.

Remember the days when you were "sick" and enjoyed staying home from school? Well, why is it that I was so stressed about missing work because I had deadlines and things that had to get done today so I went in? I slept in a little, but didn't truly take a sick day when I should have. Getting old isn't fun. 

How true is this? I am down a few pounds, but I'm sure they'll be back by next weekend.