Wordless Wednesday

{courtesy of JWC]

Fall Travels

Where did the summer go? Better yet, where has this entire year gone? To think that Christmas is 3 months away is just frightening. I've been working hard the past couple weeks to finalize some of our travel plans and get them nailed down on the calendar. My husband likes to poke fun at me because he thinks I don't know how to fly by the seat of my pants.
I do (most of the time)...
 But when we have a travel schedule that looks a little something like this below and a baby toddler that accompanies us most of the time, it requires a little thing I like to call "planning".

Take a look...

Atlanta :: bridal shower + engagement party

Charlotte :: stella & dot trunk show

Todd :: mountain getaway

Ameila Island :: best friends wedding

Westfield :: stella & dot trunk show + visit family/friends

Tampa :: visit family/friends + thanksgiving

Ponte Vedra :: visit family + thanksgiving

Westfield :: christmas

I'm a little exhausted already. 

House projects. They just never seem to cease. You finish one, and there is always something else looming over. Last fall was basically a wash for me with having just had a baby, and basically having zilch in the energy department. That is not the case for this fall people. I spent the better part of my Sunday making  our "fall house to-do list". Have I ever mentioned how much I love a to-do list? It's a problem- I have them everywhere, even the car. Overall it's pretty ridiculous how many I make a day. But it feels oh so good crossing off each and every thing once it's finished.

Alright-Getting back to house projects...

We just wrapped up our mini kitchen makeover here and here...

Now it's time to finish tackling the living room. You can see here when we received our new furniture (which we are loving by the way), but there are still a few things to be done in order for it to be complete. 

What's on tap? 

decorative pillows + monogrammed pillows + canvases + all baby toys removed

Then from the living room, we move on back to the dining room. Right now we're deciding what color we want to paint it. It's either going to be an extension off of the kitchen green, or something more neutral. 

What's on tap? 

paint + window treatments + plate display + built in decor/wallpaper

Hallway

What's on tap? 

gallery wall + runner 

No, we're not finished just yet. Let's also add this list to the mix...

cleaning out closets
cleaning out/reorganizing our hutch
packing away everything "baby" of LGC's
reorganizing basement


Since today is officially the first day of FALL, I think it's only fitting that the hubs and I park it at home this weekend and get moving. 

Kitchen Makeover :: Part Two

Sorry for the long delay.  It was a great weekend in Atlanta...per usual!

In other exciting news, the pantry is finished, well sort of. I was so excited about it being installed, that I forgot it still needs to be painted and have handles put on. Just minor deets. 

Here it is...what do you think? 

I kinda love...

I think we're good with the kitchen for a while. As MUCH as I want to do a full re-do, it's just not going to happen. The one thing hubs and I have agreed on, is that the cabinets do indeed need a facelift. Hopefully we'll get taken care of after the first of the year. 

Until then, moving on to the next project...

Jaunting off

Kitchen Makeover :: Part Deux will have to wait upon my return.

I know that's terrible of me, right? 

Let's face it, I'm obviously way more excited about this mini kitchen rehab than you are...but...

I am off again. 

This time, Atlanta.

Just me, myself and I. 

Of course I'm going to miss the hubs and baby girl, a lot. 

But not going to lie that I'm looking forward to a little "quite" time, and a weekend filled with  pre-wedding festivities for my bestie. 

For all my Raleigh readers out there, enjoy these glorious changes in temps. I'm a little jealous that I'm leaving for slightly warmer weather.

Have a great fall weekend ya'll! 

Kitchen Makeover :: Part One

Project kitchen rehab going on over here, and it's about darn time! I love our little kitchen. But it's just that, very LITTLE. We have very high cabinets (see below) where I have to climb on a stool every time to get something out. We are also pantry-less. That being the worst part. No one likes to walk in a kitchen and see food sitting on counters, food sitting on fridges, and yep, that's all you see when you walk in ours. SO, with all that being said, it's time to fix this unattractive problem. Thanks to Kelly for passing along her friend/builder-genius on over to our household.

A few iPhone photos of our kitchen...

I can't even believe I am posting this one below. It's atrocious. I get embarrassed every time I open it.

Food on fridge (my own peeve in my house)

If you look closely at the picture below, there is a door on the other side of the dishwasher. You see the depth of the wall. Not very deep, right?! So you can imagine what a waste of a "cabinet" that has been. And we have two of them, one on the other side. But that's a whole other project::post in itself. 

Before::

Here is where the project begins. The cabinet is out of here..

Check back with me tomorrow for the finished product. Folks, it's all about to happen that quick.

Missoni

Today is the day that Missoni for Target hit stores! 

I showed up at 815am and there had already been a mad dash that had taken over the store. I wish I had snagged a few pictures of some of the carts I saw FILLED to the top with zig zags, but I think I was too stunned and somewhat laughing at these people to remember to take my phone out. Guess I can't laugh too much though considering I was right there with them. I probably made the mistake of hitting up my normal Target just knowing the area it's in, but I was able to find a few things there, more for baby girl though. We quickly checked out and decided that I would go to our "hidden" Target. Yes, I have a hidden Target. Everyone should have one. This is the store that I go to when I know I can find what I need there. And I must say, it never disappoints. I struck gold today because obviously the employees didn't feel like coming in early to get the racks ready since when I walked in the door they were still unloading the boxes. Awesome. 

Wanna to see what I got? 

{Dress :: I promise it's cuter in person}

{Poncho (scored right out of box) :: can't wait to belt with jeans & boots}

{Tote (scored right out of box) :: Fuchsia-Black-Green zig zag}

{Flats}

{Baby girl flats to match}

I'm spent...literally!

1st Birthday Festivities

I am one tired mama today. It's tough work making sure your little bug is spoiled rotten and has the best 1st birthday ever! We survived the day without any tears (well, me that is, surprisingly) Lills on the other hand had her fair share. We're just going to say that she was over-tired from all the fun she had, especially at her first day of school. She got to meet her teachers and a few of the other kids, which she greeted oh so kindly like the little lady she is :) Then she proceeded to fixate on these two particular toys in the room. I thought we were maybe going to have to take them home with us, she was having so much fun with them. We survived the first day....but why don't you ask me next Thursday afternoon if this is the same scenario on her 2nd day, without me. :) We're having some "stranger" issues. 

Little Miss Lillian's birthday celebrations have just begun! All of the hubs and I's family is coming into town later today to help us celebrate, and we can't wait. We've got a big family dinner planned, then it's time for her Shell-a-bration on Saturday!! Can you guess what our theme is here...hint hint. Not to worry, I'm sure you can only imagine the amount of pictures I will have after this weekend is over. So stay tuned until next week! 

 *Blueberry BIRTHDAY Pancakes*

Cheers to a great weekend ahead!!

ONE

Dear Lillian,

It was a year ago today that we welcomed you into this world. It was the day we knew that this place we live in would be more alive because your here. It was the day that I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. It was the day I realized that you are a little piece of me and that's something that I will forever cherish. It was the day that I would learn to grow to acknowledge how incredibly thankful I am that I get to spend each and every day with you. It was the day we knew we would never be prepared for, but knew that you would help us learn along the way. 

You light up my life in more ways than one. I can't wait to see you grow over this next year, because I have quickly realized that these years will fly by. I need to soak up every sweet moment of it that I possibly can with you, my precious baby girl. 

I love you my little Miss Lillian Gray!

Love, Me

The day before...

On this very day last year, is the day I went into labor with the little bug. When I look back and recall that entire day, and all the stuff I did, it's even harder to believe that a baby was born the next morning. 

My sister was in town visiting (hoping that Lills would actually make her debut on her due date, yeah right I was thinking). 

Our day went a little something like this :: funny how I remember it oh so vividly...

Got up early and went to go walk-walk-walk around North Hills, grabbed a decaf PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte, for those of you aren't aware of this heavenly drink), got all showered up, headed out to Southpoint in Durham to go shopping at the mall and hit up Nordstrom Rack, came home and went to the grocery store, then back to cook a full blown meal. Let me back up a minute, it was about the time that we were at Southpoint that I kept complaining about something not feeling right. I kept getting these weird "twinges" which every time it hit, I had to stop in my tracks for a second. I remember Val saying to me, are you this uncomfortable everyday? But clearly not thinking that this baby was going to join us then, it didn't even dawn on me that maybe those were labor pains. DUH! I took my nightly Tylonol PM, and well, never went to sleep that night. Actually, I never really went to sleep for many months after that. Yep, at 11pm that night contractions were in full effect. Hubby was passed out and was certain that I was having false labor pains. After arguing in the middle of the night as to whether I  really was in labor, we grabbed our bags and beelined it for the hospital at 3am. And after 9 long months of waiting, we were going to see this sweet face....

become a reality....

 And not only will it be your birthday, it's also your first day of "school". Baby girl, tomorrow you will no longer be my baby :( 

Not sure where this "smile" came from, but I am loving it!!

Little Rue

"Little Rue" made it's debut last night, and all I can say about this site is t.r.o.u.b.l.e.

Here were just a few of the items for sale last night that if money grew on trees (or under arms which I believe was said this past weekend), i would have scooped up in a New York minute! 

little girls Gucci shoes, yes please.

little girls Brooks Brothers...

 Yep, I'm pretty sure this site will now be added to my daily "web check". 

Birthday "Week"

I love birthdays! There is no hiding it! And in my opinion, birthdays are to be celebrated as much as possible.

So....

Today kick starts our week of "Lillian". Yep, that's right. Our little girl is turning ONE on Thursday! This has been the most life changing year of my life, one that I will forever cherish.

Excuse me while my posts this week may revolve around my baby girl. Her precious bite size life sure is something to celebrate in my books. 

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Labor Day

Wait for it....

We are actually staying home for the holiday weekend. I'm thrilled about this! We've got one of the hubs friends (the midwest wedding) coming in from NYC *Bets, we'll miss you*, which should make for an eventful few days! 

A little of this is gonna happen... (I wish Lakemont were this chic!)

A little of this may get stirred up...

 And it can't be a holiday weekend without a cookout...

Happy Labor Day Weekend ya'll!!

Fall love affair

I think it's only fitting now that September is here, we give summer an official ADIOS!!

And say....

hello september. hello fall. 

hello cool breeze. hello falling leaves.

hello pumpkin spice lattes. hello pumpkin bread.

hello scarves. hello sweaters. hello boots.

hello football season. hello tailgating

hello picking pumpkins. hello mums.

hello chili. hello chimnea nights.

What is your favorite thing about fall?