a refreshing summer kick-off

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone (and with lightening speed).  It was a beautiful weekend along the South Carolina beaches so I hope everyone was able to get out there and soak up some sun.  We went spent the weekend with family and friends down at DeBordieu Colony in Georgetown, SC.  

As I mentioned last week, we kicked off the weekend with a pre-nuptial party for some dear family friends of ours.  The party could not have turned out any better.  It was hot, but there seemed to be just the right amount of heat to give you that funny feeling.  Oh, I just love it.  I know we, being humans, tend to complain about the heat, but I think its something we take for granted.  Its just not summer without breaking a little sweat.  There's something about standing around with friends in the summer heat with a cold drink in your hand that can't be beat.  Its a feeling I think only true Southerners understand and appreciate.

The party this weekend was true Southern casualness at its best.  Hosted by the coast, there was just enough breeze to cut the thick heat.  The gardens were full of all beautiful plants and huge hydrangea blooms all over.  Larger plants and oak trees provided a cool, shady retreat for everyone to gather under while beach music played in the background.  Everyone in their newly tanned skin and brightly colored outfits painted such a picture that I wish I could capture.  The bride and groom to-be were as pleasant as always and went above and beyond to express their gratitude to the hosts and to their friends for coming out.  The happiness and gratefulness beaming from them set the tone and made for a great evening.

Besides great company and beautiful surroundings, the menu really topped the night off.  Light hors d’oeuvres and desserts were served, but the biggest hit was the signature drink.  Beer and wine were served in addition to the Firefly Lemonade.  Since you all have been such supportive readers, I will bless you with the recipe of the yummy cocktail.  It is the perfect drink to add to any summer party and it was enjoyed by all.

Firefly Lemonade

Ingredients: Firefly Sweet Tea flavored Vodka, Lemonade, fresh lemons, lots of ice

Directions: Mix one part Firefly with 3 parts lemonade in a pitcher.  Add ice and freshly sliced lemons.  Allow the mixture to sit until the ice melts halfway.  The ice melting is the key step - it waters the concoction down just enough so that it doesn't taste so much like tea nor lemonade.  If you skip this step, it will taste like lipton ice tea with lemon, and who really wants to drink that all night?

We couldn't keep the Firefly Lemonade replenished fast enough.  I and several others there don't typically care for sweet tea vodka - with or without lemonade.  But, if done as directed above, it will be your favorite summer drink.  I hope you get to try it out soon and let me know what you thought!  I would also love to get the recipe for your favorite summer drink, so please leave a comment.

Thanks for reading and here's to Jebb & Jamie!  May ya'll have many years of happiness together!

budget friendly finds reviewed

I kind of feel like doing some cosmetic reviews.  I am slightly obsessed with finding reviews on anything and everything before I buy it.  And I don't mean just a "like" or "dislike" review, I want the details and I want the details from real people, not the professionals who get paid to say they "just love it". 

Recently I think I have had some really good finds (and I'm uber excited about that by the way).  Nothing upsets me more than buying something, whether $5 or $40, and then finding it to be a total flop and disappointment.  Know what I mean?  Below are reviews on a few budget friendly items.

1. Pond's Cold Cream: I can't believe I haven't listened to my mother sooner on this.  I just finished my first jar of it and I am obsessed and simply cannot live without it now.  It gets a lot of negative reviews for being too gloppy and greasy, and it is.  But that is what is good about it.  I use it as a make up remover and it will remove anything.  I also rinse it off with a wet washcloth which takes care of the gloppy greasiness - water alone doesn't really take this stuff off.  You don't have to be rough and scrub your skin to death to get off eyeliner and mascara - it just slips right off like silk and there is no make up left behind.  After using it a few nights in a row, my skin was really glowing and much more even.  Oh, and extremely soft and silky.  I have dry skin so I rub in a tiny dab on my chest before bed and leave it on until I shower in the morning.  It seems to make that skin area look healthier too.  It can be used as a cleanser alone, but I only do that if my skin is feeling dry or irritated.

2. Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation (SPF 15): I would say this is a happy medium between tinted moisturizer and full on major coverage foundation.  I have been very satisfied with this foundation and very satisfied with the sale price of under $5.  This is the first liquid foundation I have actually loved and will actually buy again.  I haven't needed a true foundation up until this past year, so trying to find one has been discouraging at times.  Over the counter or behind the counter, they've all been too thick, cakey, greasy, yellow, pink, etc.  The Rimmel Match Perfect provides great coverage without masking your natural skin tones.  It seems to cover the unevenness while allowing your natural pink cheeks shine through.  Other foundations have made me look like a yellow brown blob of a face.  I've even been using this without concealer.  It truly does provide lightweight coverage that doesn't cake up, sink into wrinkles, rub off, and it matches my skin tone nicely.  Its is not greasy but surprisingly leaves skin feeling very soft.  I fully recommend.

3. Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Moisturizer: I'd have to give this 2 stars at best.  I wouldn't exactly call it a moisturizer.  However, it does do work when it comes to the "mattifying" part.  This is a good product to use maybe once a week if you plan to be in a hot, humid environment and worry your make up may melt off.  It dries your face up real tight and keeps it oil free for most of the day.  But using it more than once a week really dries out the skin and makes wrinkles more obvious.  You can live without this one & spend your 7 dollars at Starbucks.

4. Boots No 7 Time-Resist Night Cream and Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum: Boots No 7 skin care products have to be THE BEST KEPT SECRET.  These items are inexpensive for the quality of the product.  The night cream and serum have both lived up to their promises and have done amazing job on my skin.  It must be used every night (like any item of choice), but the results will show within a week.  It does help diminish fine lines and gives you a brighter skin tone.  The cream amount is generous and will go a long way.

If you are constantly looking for quality inexpensive items, I hope this post will help.  If you aren't, thanks for reading anyways.  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend & God Bless our troops!

window shopping wednesday

Well hello strangers!  I know, I have been slack again.  But at least I warned you this time!!  Like I said, we were enjoying our 1 year anniversary as a married couple this weekend, so I left the computer behind to spend some quality time with "my man".  It was wonderful and full of surprises!

Today's post won't be much of a surprise.  It is Wednesday after all.  I'm slipping in just in time again to drop a post.  I promise to be on point next week.  This week has been short and packed to say the least.  I promise to set aside some lounge time with the Mac Book soon to share some stories and tid-bits.  Oh, and some of the new Bachelorette!  EEK!  Ya'll know how much I love The Bachelor seasons.

Ok...so this weekend we have another pre-nuptial party.  This one is a Bon Voyage party to send the couple on their merry way as they will be getting married in Cancun and we all can't make it.  We'll be outside share some toasts and well wishes for the happy couple.  Its going to be hot, so any summer dress will do.  But, I am obsessed with these pants and refuse to let the spring/early summer slip by without featuring them.  So, to spice things up and get away from the dress (which I am probably wearing anyways), here goes nothing...

Forever21 top, Tory Burch jeans (*love*), simple gold earrings, neutral wedge

Bon Voyage, mi amor!  (not sure if that is right or not, but I like the way it sounds.)

my purse hoarding confession

I seriously need to go on that hoarding show (you know, the intervention show for hoarders - I think it comes on AETV or TLC - one of those channels in the 40's).  Actually I should probably create my own show called Purse Hoarders and then patent it.  No, it wouldn't be about the massive amount of purses we women have stuffed away.  It would be about all the ridiculous stuff we have in our purses and WHY in the hell we have it.

Earlier this week John Eric and I decided to go out and have a nice quiet dinner.  As I grabbed my purse to run out the door I realized that it was super heavy.  For a second I thought I may have smuggled a small child home from the grocery store.  Don't worry, that wasn't the case.  If it was, I certainly wouldn't be telling you.  I would be freaking out and trying to find that child's parents!  I'm not ready to feed anything but myself and Brice.  Anyways, when we got back home I had to figure out what in the heck was in there causing it to be so heavy.  Curiosity killed the cat, so of course I dumped it out and this is what I found...

If you look at this and think, "What's the big deal?", you should probably join me in therapy.  Maybe we could get a group discount.  Do I seriously have 3 lip glosses, an ink pen, a Clinique travel brush,  a gift box of earrings, my Bernardo's, a loose Bi-Lo card, trash, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, 3 coozies, Trident gum, D&B wallet, 3 different meds (why is everything in 3's?), a Ray-Ban aviator case, 1 hair clip, nude lip liner, carmex, other lip stuff, keys, and a some kind of pocket knife!??  I don't even know where the knife came from, but I am glad I wasn't hopping on a plane this week.  That is also the second time I have found an unexplainable knife in my bag...so weird.  There must be a little leprechaun following me around.  Oh, I forgot that my cell phone and camera (that obviously wasn't in the picture because I had to use it for the picture) were in there too.

Is this not complete ludicrous?  I think so.  No wonder I can never find my keys and I often find myself leaning to the left.  To think, all this time I self diagnosed myself with scoliosis it was just my overloaded purse.  There should be a weight limit law on those things.  Hmm...I should patent that too.  

I'm sure some of you are cracking up at the purse stories playing out in your head!  If you have a good one, please leave a comment to share!  I would love to hear it.  Or, if you feel like emptying your purse, please send me a good pic of that too!  If I get enough, I'll post them later!  Wouldn't that be fun?  We could call it Purse Stories!!  Ya'll come on and play along, it will be fun!

surprise part deux

Where were we?  I believe we ended with John Eric and the pillow (and I’ll just leave it at that).  Nothing more really happened at the house.  Anna and I continued in getting the food ready and eventually getting ourselves ready.  John Eric continued on with his antics.  Then Anna continued playing the buffer between us since I didn’t have my wine. 

We were finally able to get ready and get out of the house.  But a day of cooking isn’t successful without a couple of accidents thrown in.  I forgot to tell you that I nearly burnt my eyebrows off when I turned on the stove top.  We called John Hanna (it was his guest house we were staying in) to laugh about the story and to make sure we weren’t about to burn down the house.  No remorse from him.  His response?  “At least Jean won’t have to pluck her eyebrows for tonight.”  I have to admit, that made me laugh.  I still had to pluck them though.  We didn’t have enough grape jelly & ketchup for the meatballs and we didn’t have any sour cream for my dip.  We are pretty smart gals and we were able to make it work, but those secrets will be left unsaid.  The last appetizer we had to make were Totino’s Pizza Rolls (which are always a hit and the easiest thing you could possibly do).  We made the mistake of letting John Eric finish that task so we would be ready on time.  Lets just say we were blessed that only one pizza roll ended up charred on the bottom of the oven (oops…sorry John Hanna).

After a long ride of listening to Jimmy and John Eric “sing” Willy & Waylon we finally arrived at The Game Changer to get the party started.  John Eric did not have a clue and was completely surprised!  See the look of surprise on his face below?  Or are you wondering what is in the crock pot?

isn't his outfit cute?

The night was filled lots of smiles and laughs...

Kelly & Anna

Michaux, Whitney, and Me

Kris & Chaux acting frisky!

Chasity & Rivers

Jimmy (aka Waylon) & Kelly

Anderson Girls: Me, Ashleigh, Michaux, Whitney

Mama & Carol (Carol is a big fan of this picture.)

The night went on with some PG shagging...

Michaux & Mr. Bubba

then PG-13...

then John Eric took it to a whole new level...Here is a little preview...

Yes, he is taking his shirt off.  Let's just say he put on a very special routine & pulled out some signature moves for everyone.  The rest is history.  "What happens at The Game Changer, stays at The Game Changer."

But he better hope this shoe wasn't left at The Game Changer.

surprise party escapades

I have a confession to make and I hope you won’t be too upset with me.  Remember my last post featuring an outfit for John Eric to wear to an engagement party this past weekend?  You know, the one with the hunky boxer bod?  Yeah...I thought that would jar your memory.  I have to come clean and tell you that we weren’t really going to an engagement party.  We were actually going to JOHN ERIC’S 30^TH SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY!  And I must say it was a success!

I’m sure you’ve already figured out by now that I couldn’t tell ya’ll the truth last week because John Eric does his husbandly duty of supporting my blog and reading each and every post.  Actually, I usually read them out loud to him first to make sure he laughs.  Either way, I had to be sure to play up the engagement party and not give away the slightest hint! 

I must say that I’m not sure why people stress so when trying to give a surprise party.  This weekend I found that as long as you have great friends it's no trouble at all.  We are so blessed with amazing friends and family that pulling this off was a breeze!  They are so amazing that I didn't have to ask for their help, they immediately volunteered it.  The wonderful ladies helped tremendously by bringing a dish (dish is the Southern term for Hors d'œuvre) and arriving early enough to set up and choreograph the surprise.  Now the men on the other hand did not quite hold up their end of the bargain. 

You see, that same day the Rowdy River Club was having their 3rd annual Poker Run on The Little Pee Dee River.  Everyone was planning to participate, so all the men were responsible for was keeping John Eric occupied and making sure he didn't drink too much.  (Don't get the wrong idea.  He's not some crazy drunk, but I knew it would be a long day and it's hard to resist a cold beer out on the river on a beautiful day such as Saturday.)  I wasn't born yesterday.  I knew he would come back a little tipsy.  But what I arrived to find at the house later that day was a surprise for me.

Before I go any further, let me make sure I give these men some credit.  They are some the finest men who have been family friends for a very long time and have welcomed John Eric into the group with arms wide open.  They’re marvelous and a whole lotta’ fun, but I have to give them a hard time every now and then.

Back to my arrival (from mine and Anna’s grocery trip – she came to spend the day with me, help me get ready, and play a pawn in the surprise preparation)...as we returned from the grocery store, we pulled into the drive to find every door in the house (that was supposed to be unoccupied) wide open, a dining chair pulled out on the front stoop (still not sure why because John Eric doesn’t smoke), and John Eric’s shoes tossed in the front yard.  Not really a big deal that he was there, but it definitely caught me off guard.  We walked in, with hands full of groceries, to find the birthday boy lounging on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table, reading his new Archibald Rutledge book.  I’m sure Anna and I both thought, “oh good, he is relaxing”, but before we could convince ourselves of that he turns his head to look at us, stares for a second, rolls his eyes like a woman, then says, “don’t worry about me – nope, don’t worry about ole’ Buffy – I can’t believe ya’ll just left me”.  We couldn't help but laugh.  Either at the fact that he just referred to himself in the third person as "Buffy" or at the whole routine he had just put on.  But it was at that moment that I knew he had a little too much fun today.  (Later he told me that everyone was giving him drinks and telling him it was for his birthday.)

He continued on with similar antics for a little while, and then decided he wanted me to draw him a bath, get him a drink, and fix him a pizza.  His argument for all of this was that it was his birthday.  Could you imagine what it could have been like had he known this entire weekend really was all about him?  I played sweet wifey and did as he asked…only because I thought I would be able to enjoy a glass solo cup of wine while he soaked in the tub.  I was wrong.  As it would turn out, there wasn’t a wine opener!!!  Figures, right?  And before we could finish searching every drawer in the house, John Eric came prancing down the hall leaving little to the imagination, if you know what I mean.  By little I mean the size of a throw pillow to be exact.

Dying to know what happens next?  Stay tuned for the rest of the story to be posted later this week (hopefully tomorrow & hopefully with pictures).

window wednesday for mr. wonderful

For starters, if you haven't heard, my family likes to call John Eric Mr. Wonderful.  We also like to sing the song whenever anyone says "Mr. Wonderful".  Its just your typical on-going joke.  He is pretty wonderful though.  Don't worry, that is my one moment of sappiness.  You know me better than that.

This Window Shopping Wednesday will be dedicated to him and all his glory.  Why?  Because he has a birthday coming up...and it is quite the milestone.  The Big 3-0.  For some reason, when he shops he refuses to purchase any weekend wear.  He loves to shop for work wear, but the weekend gear?  Not so much.  And after last night's shopping spree, I know why.  I also know why they freak out when we go shopping and come home with an entire outfit.  Their clothes are freaking expensive!!! Only the ugly stuff in ugly colors go on sale and their trends don't change.  Well, they change for the guys into skinny jeans, but I'm sure you have figured out that I am not married to a man wearing skinny jeans.  A shirt, shorts, boxers, and shoes cost more than $200!  Say what!?  Why yes, I would like to apply for that credit card, Mr. Cashier.  Sersioulsy fellas, we can buy a full outfit for under $100.  Easy.  And we usually have really good sales.  See if I let my clothes ride around in the trunk for a week before sneaking them in again.

Well, I wanted to buy him some cute outfits to wear this summer.  I love summer clothes for men.  I love the brightly colored, seer sucker, gingham, and plaids.  They just look so cute in them.  Agree?  So, I went to get him a new outfit to wear to another engagement party this weekend.  I wanted him to feel special since we couldn't do anything special for his birthday this weekend.

Here is the special outfit for the birthday boy...

Above pictured are Ralph Lauren shirt, shorts, and boxers and Sperry Top-Siders.  His shirt is the same blue but with a red Polo Man.  He has lost 3 pairs of Sperry's.  This is his last chance of redemption.  I'm sure he'll choose to wear his loafers though.  He never leaves home without his tassels.  No, the hunky bod in the boxers does not belong to John Eric, but I did leave him so you ladies could have a little eye candy.   (Really I just couldn't bring myself to crop all that hotness for fear of karma.)

So...do you all agree that he will be the cutest thing there?  I do.  Or did I go over board with the matching boxers?  Probably over board, but he loves it!  I asked him to put it on and let me get a picture for the blog.  He showed up in no shirt and an apron.  Hence, no photo of John Eric.

this week

Hello friends and family.  I wanted to drop in real quick and explain why you haven't seen much action from this week.  I am super super busy this week.  Work (aka my "day job") has been really demanding I'm trying to be a dedicated "housewife" once I get home.  So, I either have a lack of time or lack of insight to share.  Ya'll know the drill.  If I could do this full time, I would write you love letters everyday!!!  But I must work...until we sell at least one house.  Who am I kidding?  I'll have to work regardless.  I wouldn't have anything to write about if I didn't interact with people all day.  Ya'll are my inspiration!!

I do, however, want to take a minute to thank everyone for the awesome support and sweet notes I have received since I started this.  Ya'll have been wonderful, and I can't tell you how much I truly appreciate it.  I love getting your feed back; keep it coming!

Anyways, I'm going to fold some laundry and vacuum and hopefully find a little inspiration in between!

Want to know something specific?  email me!  socalledhousewife [at] gmail [dot] com.  I have to put it in this way to avoid spammers.

where do you get it from?

Do you ever wonder where in the world you came from?  Lately people have been asking where my creativity and writing ability came from.  For those of you who don't know me, I have never portrayed the slightest bit of creativity.  I mean I used to make a Snoopy out of the number 25 & draw bunnies for my Grandmama when I was little, but that was about as far as it got.  Truth be told I really don't know.  Well, I guess I sort of know.

Here's the scoop.  I literally made straight 100's in my math classes - not A's - 100's.  Russell Smith would call me "curve buster" and oh how I hated that!  I didn't mean to do it, it just happened.  Don't close the window yet, I am not bragging, just explaining.  English and Creative Writing were another story.  I literally never made anything but a C in those classes.  Every semester - no matter what.  ERGH!  Naturally, I loathed the subject.  I always wonder how in the hell I came out of my mother's womb, who finished college with an English degree and was once pursuing a career as a journalist (that is before she had 4 screaming children on a mission to kill each other with hair brushes), yet I couldn't even swing a B in my English classes.  I've now found that we have much more in common than I would have ever imagined.  However, she is much more censored than I.  Much more.

I grew up believing my father had spit me out.  I have his same attitude, temper, wit, brains, math ability, and I think I look just like him.  I never thought he had a creative bone in his body - fragile bones, but no creative ones.  I knew that he was funny and could crack a good joke under pressure.  And well, I have heard he used to be creative on the dance floor back in his day...something like "The Gator" king.  [I must have married my father because lately John Eric seems to think donkey kicks on the dance floor are the hottest moves out there.]  Then my Aunt Pam pointed out that there is a lot more creativeness on The Anderson (dad) side of the family than I thought.  So maybe I am still his spitting image in the female form and 27 years younger.  [Gah, 27 years doesn't really seem so far apart when you say it out loud.  But I'm glad its 27 and not 16.]  Aunt Pam's daughter, Alex, is amazingly talented.  She makes these hilarious videos and at least one has even been featured on national television.   Yeah, talk about wowzers.  Here is her link and I think you all should go see it. The Katy Perry contest entry one is a must see!

So it seems that I have been blessed from both of my families, and I'm not the only one.  Michaux has a knack for advertising and catch phrases and a really good eye for vintage pieces; she is also great at drawing which she obviously got from my Grandmama, Margaret White.  (She and Alex should get together and make commercials.  Then they should give me 10% for suggesting it.)  Whitney is amazing with interior design and decorating.  And Rivers...well he's really into his career.  Don't get me wrong, we have our down falls.  Boy do we have our downfalls.  Have you ever seen us dance or crossed us the wrong way?  If not, count your blessings. : )   But that's ok, I work on mine everyday.  And to think...all this time I thought I only got the bad genes: dry skin, frizzy hair, sharp tongue, need for waxing, and the "occasional" rotten attitude.  I sure was wrong and I'm so thankful to my parents for making me who I am today...by lesson, genetics, discipline, and unconditional love and support.  So Happy Mother's Day and soon to be Father's Day!

mother's day gifts!!


If you are like 90% of America, you probably haven't gotten a Mother's Day gift for that special mom of yours.  If you are you reading this and thinking you have a week to worry about that, I have bad news for you...Mother's Day is SUNDAY!  If you are freaking out now, catch your breath and finish this post before burning that rubber.  To help you over your last minute hurdles, I have found some easy last minute gifts suitable for all most moms. 

Here is your Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Guide:

The Beach Mom

Clockwise: Sea Life Topped Bottles from Pottery Barn, Sailor Tote from Banyan Hippo on Etsy, Sunhat from Shopbop, Sail Away Cuff from Lilly Pulitzer, Fish Bowl from Pier 1

The Eclectic Mom 

Clockwise: MacKenzie-Childs flower market frame, A Perfectly Kept House is The Sign of a Misspent Life book from Anthropologie, flower measuring cups from Pier 1, Eclectic jewelry box from Pottery Barn, Castaway Ring from Max&Chloe



The Classic Mom 

Clockwise: Traveler's Jewelry Box at Pottery Barn, Bobble Stripe Scarf from GAP, kate spade clutch, Silver-plated locket frame at Pottery Barn

 The Working Mom (aka "The Vicki Gunvalson Mom")

Clockwise: Porcelain desktop clock at MoMA Store, Dooney & Bourke computer sleeve, Chip Paperclip holder at MoMA Store, Pavina porcelain travel mugs at Target, kate spade smartphone hard cover



I hope this is helpful to those tearing through the stores tomorrow!  Another good idea is filling a cute basket with lotions and bath goodies.  My mom personally loves that idea because she always claims "I don't buy that kind of stuff for myself.  I get the generic stuff."  Oh mom, you can still get good generic and inexpensive items, you just don't know what you are looking for (or you left your reading glasses at home again).  But I will keep that secret to myself and continue to let her think I use "all these spa products", as she would say.  I will also keep my fingers crossed that she missed this post. 

window shopping wednesday

So last week I pranced myself into work sporting a cute white Jackie-O jacket that I snagged from my mom's closet.  (We like to play dress up and swap clothes.  She gives me her stuff that is too narrow through the shoulders, I give her my stuff that is, well, too narrow.)   I made my usual path over to Meagan's desk to say good morning and check on baby bump.  While I was talking to her over the cubicle wall she kept giving me this funny look.  Finally she wheeled her chair around and bluntly asked, "what are you wearing?"  Oh, those pregnant women and their hormones.  I laughed and responded, "what? My mom gave it to me."  You would have thought she just solved a calculus formula by her oh-so-enlightening "Ooooh".  To which she followed up with, "yeah, you look like a mom."  Of course I told her that I liked that look but her only response was "I know you do." 

Apparently luck was on my side because before I had the chance to undo my wardrobe, newly wed Kate was photographed wearing the same jacket, but in black.  Of course I have plastered the picture all over Meagan's wall.  Just as I shall plaster it here.

photo courtesy of styleclone.com

Who's winning now, Meggers?  (She hates it when we call her that.)

Since this weekend is Mother's Day, I think it is fitting to pay tribute to those wonderful women in our lives.  I just so happened to come across to cutest little mom look in Target last Friday.  (I snuck in there after my hair appointment.  Yes, I did buy the cardigan and it is still riding around in my car waiting to be snuck in.)  This outfit with 2 blouse options and 2 shoe options would be perfect for your casual Sunday afternoon Mother's Day get together.

Clockwise: Anthropologie blouse, Target cardigan, Target top, J. CREW cropped pant, Forever21 gold leaf necklace, must have Bernardo sandal, Antonio Melani "Monte" wedge sandal at Dillards

For those who don't like mom looks, but still love an uber preppy look, here is another great option for an afternoon family get together.

Clockwise: vintage Tiffany & Co. earrings from ross-simons.com, eyelet top from Anthropologie, LaRoque shorts see shoplaroque.com, Lilly Pulitzer set in stone sandals, Lilly Pulitzer murfee scarf, Michael Kors "Daven" watch

I am barely getting this out by Wednesday, so there is no time for proofing.  Hope there aren't any drastic mistakes.  And, Happy Mother's Day!!

project weekend fantabulous

This weekend was nothing short of fantabulous.  It was so fantabulous that I must use a silly word like fantabulous to describe it.  We had a low key night Friday night with friends at The Bistro in Lexington, SC and then spent the rest of our weekend doing hobby work - just the two of us.  Well, John Eric had to work Saturday morning, but by the time I was awake he was home anyways, so I just pretend the work thing never happened.  Oh, I also managed to sneak in The Royal Wedding footage - you know I wasn't missing that.

I like to think that I am somewhat creative, not necessarily good at it, but creative none the less.  I enjoy having a project in my life at all times, which surprises me because I am no stranger to being lazy.  I also got lucky in the husband jack pot because John Eric enjoys a good project too.  It keeps us quiet and the bickering to a minimum, so that's probably the real reason he partakes in these silly tasks.

The projects at hand this weekend were thrift store revamps and getting John Eric familiar with a can of spray paint.  Lucky for me, he jumped on the paint bandwagon before I even had to start nagging.  I'm sure I nagged anyways.  Its one of the few things I'm good at.  Actually, John Eric seems to think I'm the gold medalist of nagging.  Anyways...I was so happy to wake up Saturday morning and find him painting the shutters and front door (like I asked for 2 months ago).  See...there went  a nag...in case you missed it.  So, I woke up as I was disrupted from my beauty sleep due to JE trying to accomplish this task, but that's not the point here.  The point is he got my shutters and front door painted in a beautiful, sleek black.  EEK!  It turned out awesome!  John Eric was overly ecstatic with the results as well.  I know this because he told me, and because I found 104 new pictures on my camera...all of the front door, front porch, and front of the home.  I guess he couldn't get his lighting right.