2012: The Year of Goals

So its a new year and with a new year there are new goals. Here are a few I would love to mark off my bucket list:

1. Take Family Photos: You would never realize how hard that is being a military family.

2. Make exercise more important: This will be the year that I mark off my running goals and live a healthier life. I also would love to take up a couple new sports. I see Tennis, Golf, and Boxing in my future :)

3. Become an AFTB instructor: Teaching old and new spouses the military way of life. Guess that makes me a teacher :)

4. Eat Vegan 2x a week

5. This is the year that I graduate

6. Make Friends: Old and New, always nice to reconnect

7. Greet everyone with the joy I feel being in their presence: Its important that the people I love and appreciate know that this year. Also important that people I meet know I appreciate their time.

8. Find a Church: T is making a the choice to go and I am meeting him half way by attending the church that supports his religion. Thankfully we are from a similar belief system. I'm excited to find our church family and seek out God.

9. Be a family 

10. Make more of an effort to blog both here and at my new exercise blog



This May Be Silly

This may be silly but I have to admit every place my in laws choose to buy is fabulous. From a home on the Cape, to their home in Sarasota each place has been an adventure. Their newest adventure? Beaufort South Carolina. They have been scoping out some real estate but after seeing photos and having lived in Charleston as a child I can't help but be a little more excited over this place verses the one they are at now. 

I know it just sounds silly but shopping and vacationing in Beaufort sounds heavenly.  



My 15 Minutes of Fame

That's a Wrap!

Tara takes a picture of me after my photo shoot for Novembers MWR Life Magazine. The article was about shopping for Christmas locally. Here I am holding a Hodgepodge bag and wearing my red wool peacoat from Fleur De Lis!

I had so much fun! When it comes out I'll share my article about veterans day and the final photos for the shopping article!

Now off to be a soccer mom.....

I'm Running



My days have been so busy now that I have decided to chase my dreams.

I promise when I have more time (like tomorrow after I take two online quizzes - wish me luck) I'll explain what has been keeping me so busy!

Sending y'all lots of hugs!

xoxo

Just Can't Do Anything Without Challenging Myself. Go Figure.

As of yesterday I can officially add another title to my list. I am...

Volunteer

Mom to a 3rd Grader

Housekeeper

Chef

Doctor

Mrs. Fix-it

Plumber

Car Repairer

Landscaper

Military Wife

Student

Soccer Mom

Personal Shopper

Home Decorator

Therapist

Book Club Leader

and now...

Intern.

That's right I am a working woman.

A real working woman who gets to wear pencil skirts, button up shirts, and heels. It is a thrill like no other!

I always hear people talk about getting up and loving what they do. So far I.LOVE.WHAT.I.DO.

I have learned early that being all of these titles needs to somehow strike a balance. The first thing to fall is my food. I am keeping up with the exercising but I feel like I run to keep the three pounds at bay and only gaining one. I have become a slave to fast food and I hate it. The second my amount of exercise, but that is another blog all together.

I feel so icky and gross. I feel tired and bloated. I get headaches and feel grouchy. My clothes are tighter. For the first time in months I actually hurt during Aunt Flo and I HATE IT.

Talk about a testament to eating clean. I need to get back to it ASAP.

The easiest thing to think of is a crock pot meal. Nothing sounds more wonderful then coming home and smelling dinner already set to put on the table. And I didn't have to hire, pay, or marry it for me to have something to eat.



So I am going to challenge myself to the 100 Crock pot Challenge (creative I know).

I am going to make 100 Crock Pot recipes in hopes of keeping the weight off and possibly loosing the rest.

I will post them here to share with all of you, might even have a few guest bloggers.

So stay tuned. This could be one of my most interesting challenges yet!

Kentucky Derby 2012: Look #1

The 2012 Derby isn't until May 4th (138th Running of the Oaks) & 5th (138th Running of the Kentucky Derby) but I found this really great dress and before I knew it had a whole outfit together! I think as the days go by I might come up with several fun "ideas" we'll just have to see which one I pick!

I love black and white. I think the colors are classic and stand the test of time. The icing is that beautiful punch of yellow in the sash of the dress, the flower on the hat, and the jewelry.  

Anthropologie: Cirque A-Line

Del Mar Hat: Contender #8 "Thoroughbred Girl"

Jessica Simpson: Paragi in Black

Tiffany & Co: Tiffany Sparklers Citrine Earrings and Cocktail Ring in Sterling Silver



Kate Spade: Havana Lawnchair Mini Clutch

A Benning Trip For Two

A couple days ago I got to travel down south to visit my friend, Amie, and her family at Ft. Benning before their big move. It was a fun trip. We made sure there was a lot of adequate pool time, shopping, eating out, pampering, and I even got to attend a real infantry coffee group (my only regret is not getting a picture with the ladies who are all  FAB and missing the 4th of July fireworks display due to weather. You know how those summer showers can be!)

(Above): Here I am! Day one at the pool.

(Below): DOD schools serve "school lunch" during the summer. This was Ham and Cheese day.

(Above): Corn Dog school lunch. Brought back memories

(Below): No girls trip is worth taking unless there is a Mani/Pedi involved. After enduring a few hours of shopping (where I picked up a wonderful pair of wedges at Dillards) we treated ourselves.

(Below): Girls Night Out! It was so much fun hanging out with the locals! Amie and I went to The Tap for a couple of beers and some good dancing.

(Above): What are all southern states good at? Southern food! I had the best lemonade out of a giant mason jar and a Texas BBQ sandwich. The giant mason gave me a great idea for next years 4th of July BBQ!

I ended up traveling home on the 4th, just in time to see the fireworks in good 'ol Tennessee. Its funny how you miss home only after a few days. Hope y'all had a great holiday weekend too!

Two Nights in Louisville Kentucky

T and I happened to travel to Louisville Kentucky for the first time December of 2009. He had been home only a few weeks from another deployment to Afghanistan and it was our big getaway - just the two of us.

We decided to take the recommendation of some friends of ours and stay at the Inn at Woodhaven. We were not disappointed.

Since that trip in 2009, T and I have talked about going back, so in 2012 we have another vacation planned - when its warmer weather (maybe I could squeeze in a bike ride on my Lilly). I'm hoping that spring will be beautiful!

Inn at Woodhaven (Main House) Louisville, Kentucky

When T and I first became guests of this beautiful inn we rented a room in the Carriage House located behind the main house. We ended up staying at the Hearth Room (Below) because it was super cold outside (I am a southern summer lover) and there happened to be this charming fireplace. 

I had massages lined up in our room, a picnic basket of yummy goodies that T inhailed, and a few other treats up my sleeve that hubby knew nothing about.

This time I think I would really like to stay in the Derby Room (Below). I have always loved the brick in this room. The theme of "derby horse" is a favorite. This room is also located in the Carriage house. Another bonus!



Don't you just love the fabric and colors of this room? I adore it y'all - just darlin'!

I am hoping to talk Amie and her hubby into joining us!

Last time we visited the home of the Kentucky Derby T and I had no game plan. We flew by the seat of our pants and it showed. By the last day we were visiting the local mall. Sad I know :). This time I refuse to go blindly. I already know I would love to dine at Jacks again and Toast is a must as well (since we didn't get to go last time). There are a few museums I wanted see but my main goal is to antique shop.

Antiques in Louisville Kentucky are so British. Horses, leather, english saddle, buckels, reds, golds, and all you can think of when it comes to high derby life, extreme prep, and everything I love! Plus no trip is complete without a stop at the European Antique Market - I plan on being inspired and filling up the back of my SUV with lots of treasures.

For anyone who is inspired to travel to the land of horses Southern Living did a web article called 48 Hours in Louisville. I plan on checking out some of the places they suggested!

What a fun adventure this should be!

Southern Adventures: Girls Getaway 2012

2012 Girls Getaway was simple for my best pal Amie and I - we both knew we wanted to go back to Tybee Island, GA. So this morning (after informing Amie of my New England family vacation in 2012) we took to searching one of my favorite beach house rental websites.

And came up with this pink little jewel 99 1/2 steps from a private beach.

One of the two pink beach cottages

Private beach entry from house

Small spaces - Living room, Dining room, bedroom off to the far left, and Kitchen

The bedroom in the main house

A small reading area

A living room to rest in, although I don't think we will be laying around much :)

Amie's bucket list contains consuming a meal at Paula Deans restaurant: The Lady and Sons

What a yummy looking Southern Buffet

I (of course) want to see Palm Avenue. Another Lilly Pulitzer store I have never been to. (and I really want to shop downtown Savannah - the stores on River street are heaven, I plan on bringing spending money)

And its a no brainer we plan to repeat some favorites spots from past trips. No Tybee Island vacation is complete unless you eat at The Crab Shack. Even the locals will tell you that and you'd be a smart tourist to listen.

Look at all the food (below)!

This also happens to be a place where riding a bicycle is the best transportation, so I plan on making my Lilly bike work overtime. Between New England and Tybee Island Summer of 2012 this beauty will be racking up the miles around some of the most beautiful vacation spots!

2012: A New England Summer

I don't know if laying in bed at 12:32 am discussing summer vacation locations was completely smart, as I didn't have much of a defense being that I am tired, but we have come to an agreement. Rather then Tybee, GA this year we will be heading north and spending some time in New England.

This wouldn't be my first trip to Yankee country, just so happens that my husband, T, is from Massachusetts. And I can't say that I really lost out on a great area/vacation because I adore Northern antiques and history too. All I asked for is a beach, a rental home, the chance to ride my new bike all around town, a little preppy-ness, good seafood, and a Lilly store I have never met.

Its a short list of demands ;)

Here's the house we (hope) to be renting:

Front Entry

Living room

Kitchen and Dining rooms

(I hope to do my share of eating out too!)

Master (and really only) Bedroom

Bathroom

The backdoor -

(I can overlook the lack of yard for location and cobblestone streets)

Thank the good Lord above that we are only a family of three and that I happen to be the only girl. Not too much sharing of the bathroom in the morning ;)

This hands down is my favorite part...

1. A new Lilly Bicycle complete with front wicker basket

&

2. The chance to visit a large Lilly Pulitzer Mecca called In The Pink!

I'm ready to pack up now! This is heaven <3