Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Den Design Plans

I have all these home posts I want to do, but as I'm sure you can relate, none of the rooms are completely "done" yet.  I've just decided to go ahead and share some of the rooms, with commentary on what I have done and want to do...Be sure to stick around til the end of the post where I share the before photos.
--
Besides the yard, the den space of our home is what sold me.  I loved the french doors and how they open up to the patio, with a view of the palm trees in the yard.  I loved the built-in shelves.  I loved the island and pictured our kids doing their homework there, or eating there as a special weekend treat while watching a movie.

So far, here is what we've done:
First up we painted everything.  This includes the shelves which was a pain in the booty.  Literally, sitting on the floor for hours, painting upside down. Woof.  
We installed pendant lights with a dimmer switch above the island.

What we want to do:
We will change out the globes later when we find something we love, these were a quick Lowe's find. We also plan to replace the countertops with granite in the near future (and long term, perhaps do hardwood throughout).  
Oops, crooked pic!
I am looking to put matching decorative mirrors on either side of the built-in.
Any other ideas?  Perhaps another end table and lamp on the left?
I am back on the estate sale circuit looking for more staffordshire dog statues to add to this bookshelf.  I also would like to find some small coordinating picture frames to fill the bottom shelf with some family photos.
I need some serious shelf-styling help here  The plan is to find a piece of furniture, a hutch or buffet, to put where Alfie and the wine fridge are in this photo.   We will take out the two bottom shelves and make it a dry bar.  As far as the TV section, eventually this area will be really "kid centric"... i.e. more board games, toys, school artwork displayed.  I think it would be really fun to find a few mismatched globes to display on the top shelf...
 --
And last but not least, Before Photos:

It's such a work in progress...but it's definitely a job I enjoy.
Hope you're having a good week!
xLaura


Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Our Weekend

This was definitely one of those "good to the last drop" sort of weekends.  
On Friday night we did take out, per usual.  East Bay Deli this week, my fave!
I watched this creepy documentary.  I totally recommend if you're into True Crime.
 On Saturday I went on a run with my girl, and then we met up with Aunt T for some Frothy Beard action.
 K slow smoked baby back ribs for dinner.  AWESOME.  Seriously best I've ever tasted.  This is before he smothered them in more bbq sauce.  YUM.  I served with grilled corn and "kicked up black beans" (beans simmered with onion and bell pepper).  
--
Sunday was church followed by a quick brunch at Rue de Jean.
Home for a bit and then a late afternoon pool trip.

<3 

 We had leftovers for dinner, fought over the last rib!
I hope your weekend was great.
xLaura

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

My First Mother's Day

What a special weekend this was... I celebrated my first Mother's Day.
--
We spent Saturday evening celebrating with my mom, and Publix fried chicken!
I am trying to get more family photos with the three of us, my Aunt snapped this one which I love:
 --
On Sunday, K cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast and tended to the babe while I lazed in bed until 8:30!
Midday, I took EB on a run with me-every single passerby wished me a Happy Mother's Day...  it was really sweet.  I saw so many dads with their kids on the greenway.  Moms #1 Wish= alone time!
Later I requested queso dip and a late afternoon beach stroll, so that's what we did.
Ok, Mom, enough pictures:
No really, ENOUGH PICS:
 I am going with "the ocean brought her to a zen place" here, but really I'm thinking Miss Thang is OVER.IT.
 
 After getting the baby bathed and in bed we had burgers on the grill.
We had half a pack of Hawaiian sweet rolls left from our family get together Saturday, so we did sliders and they were fantastic!  We also had grilled corn marinated in Italian salad dressing.
Then, K surprised me with a maid service!
I felt spoiled and loved and tremendously blessed to be given the gift of motherhood.
Thank you to my family and friends who made me feel special.
Love you all, and I hope you felt the same!
xLaura

Friday, May 12, 2017

Friday Highfive

So happy to have made it to the weekend, and my first Mother's Day!
Highfive, y'all.

{1}
My gf sent me the sweetest Mothers Day surcee this week.  It was so thoughtful!! Love you, Ab!

--
{2}
I mentioned last week that I was feeling bored in the kitchen, so I tried two new meals this week!
Thai sweet chili chick with peppers/onions over rice quinoa blend:
Grilled pork chop with farmers mkt pasta and crispy roasted okra:
--
{3}
Quick story:  When we had our initial home inspection we realized that the dishwasher did not work.  The seller agreed to replace, and did, but with a new model that did not match our other stainless steel appliances.  Somehow this slipped by my husband at the follow up and wasn't noticed until after the closing, when nothing could be done.  I was annoyed at the situation and really wanted everything to match!  I did some research and found an awesome solution: the stainless steel magnetic dishwasher cover.  I wanted to share here because I am so pleased with the product!   
--
{4}
EB received her first book from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library this week.
I love when my girl gets mail...except medical bills.  Ugh.
--
{5}
This wine is a great deal at HT.  $6.50 a bottle.  It has been our "house white" recently.  Ready for a cold glass on the porch tonight!
--
I hope y'all have a great weekend!
xLaura

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Our Weekend

First off, today marks ONE YEAR since we closed on our house!  We are so happy in our new home.  
So let's see.  Last Friday night we took it easy with Barberitos take out.  
On Saturday I took my girl on a run...
And then we had my parents over for steaks.
I put out caprese salad as an app.  I think I went a little heavy on the olive oil but it was still very good. 
I made scalloped potatoes in the cast iron skillet.  ( I sprinkled parm on top for the last 5 minutes of baking, it gets crunchy and delicious!) We also served grilled corn and a salad.  
On Sunday we went to Five Loaves.  EB had her first taste of grits:     
And then we went by my in-laws for a visit.  Isn't this little outfit just the most darling thing??
--
It was a great weekend, the weather was perfect!  In typical Charleston fashion, later this week they expect record highs.  I hope y'all have a good one.
xLaura

Friday, May 5, 2017

Friday Highfive

Here's a highfive for making it to Friiiiday!
--
{1}
We got a jogging stroller!
I have been keeping my eye on Craigslist and Mom Swap pages hoping that a reasonable jogging stroller would pop up, but ultimately decided to just spring for a new one.  Lots of research into the best budget model, we went with the Babytrend Stealth jogger.  It arrived on Tuesday and was very easy for me to assemble myself (while my little sidekick proceeded to try and chew on every page of the instruction booklet).  I have taken it out twice and I'm very happy with the way it handles so far...granted I am running the paved greenway, so we're not talking rough terrain.  And I love it's sleek look...two thumbs up!
--
{2}
Just a couple of my favorite photos of my girl this week:

--
Recent beauty recs...
{3}
I love this shampoo!
I actually purchased it while I was pregnant, put it in our guest bathroom, and forgot about it until recently.  I bought it with postpartum hair loss in mind, and while I haven't experienced much of that, I am still loving the strength and shine I'm seeing from using this.
--
{4}
I have been using these two products for 3 weeks and I really like them. I use the mask on Mondays and wear it overnight, and then the serum twice daily.  I have noticed my skin looking more plumped and smooth.  You can purchase Nip+Fab products at Ulta. 
-- 
{5}
What's for dinner, y'all?
I feel like I am in a menu rut right now...cooking the same 10 or so meals over and over...I need new ideas.  Tonight I am grabbing Barberito's, which I just realized is perfect for Cinco de Mayo. 
--
I hope y'all have a great weekend!
xLaura

Monday, May 1, 2017

Our Weekend

What's up, May!
I'm trying to get a jump on things this Monday morning.  I hope y'all had a great weekend!  Ours was awesome.
 Friday night we had home made pizza, which I baked in the cast iron skillet.  Game changer!  It was delicious and I probably won't go back to a sheet pan.  We topped with fresh mozz, pep, vine ripened tomato, olives for K, and then baked it at 475 for around 20 minutes.  I topped with fresh basil.
Saturday evening we went out with friends for a birthday celebration.
--
Sunday we went to church downtown and then lunch at Juanita's.
EB went to the nursery and it was her first time in any sort of daycare environment...she did great! 
We ended the weekend with a family stroll around the 'hood.
--
That's a wrap!
xLaura