Meet the Mcdonald's

Todd and Jon grew up together attending the same church, had the same friends and also contain a true love for frisbee. They were destine to be buds since they were born on the exact same day and in the exact same hospital. This past weekend we loaded up the car and headed to Siler City to see Jon get hitched. The weekend was so fun and like no other wedding I've ever been a part of. First of all, the festivities were on a goat farm! How cool is that? The farm has an historic house that serves as a Bed & Breakfast which is where all the family and wedding party stayed.

The rehearsal and dinner was so quaint and of course our appetizer was tomatoes and goat cheese. Delicious. Later that night we had a bonfire out in the field complete with smores. Since hurricane Irene was in the works we enjoyed a nice breeze. Saturday was such a chill day as the guys went on hikes and the ladies went into the town of Pittsboro to an old soda shop for lunch. I'm so thankful for both families in treating me so kind and including me in all the girl stuff since my husband was occupied. 

All the cakes were different types of chocolate and this one was the main cake. Look at those bride and groom goat toppers. So charming! And the Mason jars were etched with Bride and Groom. Melissa loves cake so as soon as the ceremony was over they cut the cake instead of eating dinner first. I love a bride who knows what she wants and sticks to it!

Todd's parents came which I now can say my mother and father-in-law and we finally got a picture together. For some reason we always forget so this is a rare thing folks. Soak it in.

All weekend we got to hang out with these cool kids. Allison is Jon's sister and Brittain is her boyfriend. They go to ASU with us and we love spending time with them. Allison was a bridesmaid and isn't she just stunning? 

Jon and Melissa met after college (UNC) through some mutual friends. They are quite the pair and we are very excited for them. Looking forward to watching them grow and grow and make lots of gorgeous children together. Congrats Jon & Melissa!

Ta-Ta!

-Sara

Thrill of the Grill

Some of the best wedding gifts are the ones you get three months later! On our recent beach trip, Matt and Melissa gave us their gift to us. A grill. Big ol' grill. So big we had to take it all out of the box and put all the parts in the trunk and backseat just so we could transport it across the state back to our home. Todd was very eager to put it all together.

He worked so hard and the afternoon turned into evening...

Finally finished! It's a charcoal grill but with a propane lighter and lots of space for utensils and extra coal storage. Bonus! 

But then we had to figure out where to put it and how to secure it so nobody takes our precious new toy. Finally we decided to buy a chain and lock, grill cover and some plywood to place the grill on right off of our deck stairs. This is a really bad angle so I'll post another soon but this gives you an idea of where we put it and here is our second (the first was hamburgers) grilling adventure...stuffed peppers!

I wanted to pretend I would be the grill master but instead it is quickly becoming Todd. He came up with the idea of stuffing the fresh-from-the-garden peppers (thanks to his boss Merrill) and they were delicious! 

So THANKS to our fellow Davis clan for the grill. We are loving it! Official thank you card to come. In the meantime we seriously are inviting everyone over anytime to grill with us. The weather is just too nice right now not to be hanging outdoors! Come on over friends!

Cheers!
-Sara

Back 2 School

Around here we are gearing up for our LAST year of school. I really mean it this time. No doctorate for me and unless Todd just wants to be a professional student the rest of his life, no more for him either. We certainly have bittersweet feelings about starting back (who wouldn't!?). As annoying as tests and papers can be...let's all face it...college is a beautiful thing. Even though we are married and share lots of responsibilities including many many grown up bills, there is just something about the freedom of a college lifestyle.

I always have a really hard time with change. The whole shifting from summer to schoolwork is a hard adjustment for me. I've always been like this since childhood but once I get motivated I'm good as new (too bad that takes a few weeks). Basically imagine me giving a few huffs and puffs at all the syllabi (?) until finally I realize that the negativity will get me no where. It's a weird crazy process of mine and I can feel the huffs-a-comin'.

In other news we had our first guests stay with us last night! Ashley and Scott came to visit Boone for the day and we were so excited that we were able to provide a place for them to stay. Since I used to live with Ashley it felt like we were roommates again except this time the boys didn't have to leave for bed time. Oh the joys of marriage.

We also started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University tonight. It is a 91 day program about doing finances God's way. We left the first class super excited and motivated to give, save and spend our money wisely.

In makeup news, I met with a friend that sells Mary Kay and I love their policy of letting you try before you buy so I'm giving it a shot. I'll keep ya posted...

The next five weekends are slammed but in a good way. Can't wait to share and post pics! I'm just trying to figure out if the fun weekends will be an incentive for my schoolwork and make the time go by faster or if they will just make everything slower...but with the way things are going we are pretty much booked busy all the way to Christmas break. Ah...I love that word.

Cheers,
-S

What a Bummer

Well remember just a few post ago where I raved about Bare Minerals? Well much to my disbelief the makeup doesn't like my skin. Apparently from what I can determine is that I'm allergic to an ingredient found in lots of makeup called bismuth oxychloride. Those two words have become my worst nightmare.

After researching my symptoms and everything I have eaten, drank and applied to my face in the past ten days it was clear that many women experience the same itching and red bumps just as I did. The reaction still isn't completely gone which is still very ugly frustrating. I've looked at all my skin products and had only one other item that contained that ingredient which explains why I had a mini-breakout back in July (before Bare Minerals) and since it was cheap I stopped using it immediately then.

Today Todd and I are traveling to Charlotte for a spontaneous trip to return the makeup before my 30 day money back guarantee is up and I still hate to see it go because I love the look and feel of it. I'm currently doing tons of research for a new makeup line that doesn't contain those nasty two words. I'm leaning towards Mary Kay or Mineral Hygienics. Any suggestions?

I snapped several photos over the past few days to document all this and thought I'd share it with you all because that is what this blog is all about. Being real and being transparent. Life isn't always peachy and let's face (no pun intended) it...we all have problems. The yellow tint of our bathroom isn't showing the redness very well but you get the idea of all the weird bumps and this was taken after being off the makeup for two days.

Oh and case you are curious why I didn't react the first time I wore Bare Minerals was because the sun is what can aggravate it. I haven't been in the sun using the product until this past week when we were at the beach.
-Sara

Beach Trip

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite places on Earth....

My Pawpaw built this house on Oak Island a long long time ago with the help of my Mimi. I can't remember one summer that doesn't include me vacationing here. A few updates have been made over the years but for the most part it holds all of it's original history which makes it extra cozy.

When we arrived we stocked up on some groceries that we call "beach food" aka junk. For the record since we have been back I have restocked our house with healthier options and whenever we have kids I will certainly not endorse all that junk on vacation so we might as well enjoy while we are young and our hips are free from holding toddlers.

During the day we enjoyed riding bikes and soaking up the sun of course. I could read out by the ocean all day long if somebody let me. BTW, I'm currently nose first in Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks which just so happens to be about the same beach we stay at. I was certainly in reading heaven for sure.

We also couldn't pass the week up without eating at our favorite restaurant, Provision Company. My sister and her bf, Chris as well as my cousin Jenny and her husband Landon were also at the beach with us but somehow I forgot to take a picture of all us. Oops. Hanging out with family is always fun and we all laughed the majority of the time about old memories. 

It's hard to believe how fast the trip went by and that school is right around the corner. Glad we could squeeze in a last minute vacation. However, Monday morning I awoke with a terrible rash/redness/bumps all over my face. I'm stumped as to what caused it because I have never ever had trouble with acne or anything my entire life. I'm convinced it must be an allergic reaction to something but can't pinpoint anything. I went to the dermatologist today and she was a little stumped too but I got some medicine so everyone say some prayers for me that this clears up asap. I'm a little scared and it is really uncomfortable. Not such a fun way to end vacation but at least we had fun!

-Sara

So after still mourning this week the loss of my ottoman (check the last post if you missed that story) I decided it was time to let you all rejoice with me with the good that came from that shopping trip. Some of you even guessed correctly....LAMPS!

I found those beauties at the thrift store for five bucks each! They each still had the cord wrapped and socket cover as if they were never used. However, I wasn't digging the gold for our tropical escape so for a few bucks I bought some spray paint that matched our mirror and ceiling fan and went to town on those babies.

Looking fresh, eh!? I'm lovin' them. I also scored two new shades from Lowes on sale for $9.98 a piece which just puts the icing on the cake. 

So for a total of about $35 I was able to create the look I have been searching for. Chances are if I would have found brand new lamps that came with lampshades, I would be spending at least $35 on each lamp. I'd say I'm one happy camper and pleased with my low budget lamp search for sure. Doesn't it just make the room look so much better?

I'm amazed at how well it improved our room which is now officially finished. Hooray! Now I can move on to other rooms that need that final touch. The moral folks of today's lesson: don't give up on finding that thrifty deal. Even if it takes months to find and a lost ottoman in the process!

Have a great weekend!
-Sara

The one that got away...

Well friends I had my first encounter at a thrift store where apparently something you pick up was something someone else wanted and suddenly they get mad they didn't pick it up first....

Let me recap.

I went to a local thrift store that is known for low price furniture. I went in looking only for bedside lamps since you all know the frustration I'm having with finding some. As I'm scoping out the place I see the cutest ottoman which would work well at the foot of our guest bed with a blanket tossed on it. Well I decide to test drive the ottoman just as I do all products from thrift stores. I sit on it. I sit on a nearby couch and put my legs on it for fun. I turn it over and discover it is by La-Z-boy. Did I mention it was only $2! I declared it mine and I picked it up to take to the register but then I hear two women shout really loud across the store causing a scene to their other friend....

"SHE GOT IT....YOU LOST IT....YOU SHOULD HAVE PICKED THAT THING UP AS SOON AS YOU SAW IT. (Insert curse word here). "

I was in shock. They were mad at me. But why, because THEY didn't pick it up first. Finders keepers, right? I totally thought that would be the end of it. Um, wrong.

"GOOD LORD WHY DOES SHE NEED IT. I CAN REALLY USE THAT. KEEP AN EYE ON HER, IS SHE SITS IT DOWN GO GRAB IT."

Whoa. Now I'm being followed like I'm a criminal. Not to mention all the nasty things they were saying about a "well dressed girl needs to shop somewhere else" comments along with a new name for me that starts with a B. At this point the entire store is watching this "feud." I just couldn't believe what was happening and now it appeared as if I had taken the ottoman right out of someone's hands. I really was a criminal in their eyes yet when I grabbed it the woman who wanted it was on the OTHER side of the store but her friend was the one who got so upset. Now what I'm about to type will put my mama to shame. I surrendered the ottoman.

In my sweet southern voice I spoke: "Did you realllllllly want this, ma'mm?

"YES I SURE DID AND MEANT TO GRAB IT."

My head was wanting to explode and yell finders keepers but at that point that would have been real rude. So I said, "here...it's not worth fighting for."

So there you have it. The one that got away story. Technically I didn't go in the store looking for an ottoman so I'm resting in the fact that I didn't need it. Have you ever had something like this happen to you? Would you have given it up? Have you ever caved under pressure? Or would you be more like the two women demanding your goods?

For the record they did judge me and it was hurtful. I will not say how they appeared to me on this blog but from their attitudes you can only imagine. Glad I could vent about all that and good news, this story actually has a happy ending that has nothing to do with the ottoman but I'll save that for my next post!

Happy Weekend!!!!
-Sara

Our Tropical Escape

I've had several friends and family who live too far away to visit our casa that asked to see a photo tour. I realize I should probably start by showing you the outside and working my way in but truthfully I already have pics of other areas in our house loaded on my computer so I'll start with those.

Since seeing all the rooms could be overwhelming to see and read, I'll do everything in installments. First up, our master bedroom. The room gets great sunlight in the afternoon which is great for natural lighting but the heat right now is unbearable.

 Yes that is the same duvet and pillows that YHL had. I love their style and it works great in our bedroom. The fun colors make us think of our second favorite place on Earth, the beach, which is also where we fell in love and got engaged.

Now do you notice my lamp problem? Pretty embarrassing but I can't find lamps anywhere! I'm thinking of just buying some at a thrift store and spray painting them and getting new lampshades. Only problem is I can't seem to find any that are the right height (even at Homegoods). So for now we are rockin' a red lampshade. I'm over it.

Originally we were suppose to have my gigantic black wardrobe closet going here. Unfortunately it wouldn't fit up the stairs so this old wicker that Todd found on the side of the road from a long time ago ended up in our room. It works for this season in life and somewhat goes with our beachy flow. I paired it with a mirror I already owned. I have a glass full of seashells that we both picked the day before we got engaged, rocks we took from the Cayman Islands on our honeymoon, a Polaroid of us at an Avett concert and a few decor items from TJ Maxx such as the green vase and bowl for my jewelry.

This balcony is one of our favorite spots in our house. We bought the chairs a few weeks ago and have enjoyed cool summer nights on the deck. In case you are curious, that corner of the other building is where we saw the peeping Tom...eeek!

This is another piece of furniture that I never ever thought would make it into our house. (Never say never, right?) Todd had it all throughout his college dorm days and apparently it has been in the family for a long time. In the end we couldn't resist putting it in our bedroom because it just fits perfectly and holds our mini iHome, spare change, an engagement photo, books and baskets.

Sidenote: The TV in the bedroom is mainly for me watching the news in the morning while I'm getting ready. Rarely if ever do we watch TV together or turn it on when we are both in the room so before anyone starts to tell me about statistics about TV's in bedrooms I wanted to clear the air. We're good.

To the left is our bathroom and to the right is our upstairs hallway/stairs. We also have two full size closets but closets are boring so I didn't think it was worthy of looking at. More on the rest of the house later! Thanks for virtually stopping by!!


-Sara

I'm glowing!

Did anyone notice my beautiful glow from this picture yesterday?

Okay maybe you didn't but now is your chance. Roll with me here.

This past few months all I have heard about is Bare Minerals makeup. In fact my great friends Ashley and Keara wear Bare Minerals so after seeing how natural and wonderful it looks on them, I decided to give it a shot. 

On Friday morning I went to the Bare Escentuals store located in Southpark Mall and let the employees do my makeup for the wedding. They were sooooo friendly, showed me how to apply all the makeup and helped me pick out the best colors to highlight my features which by the way I learned that navy eyeliner works best for me. Never would I ever had thought so before! So, I was sold! I bought the starter kit which comes with your basic brushes and a few other supplies.

I'm on day 3 of doing it myself and I lurrrrrrrve it. I feel as if I have nothing on and the best part is I glow all day long. I'm a new bare minerals fan for sure. In fact I'm a little giddy over all the products in the catalog and have already made a wish list. Plus the products are great for you skin. Win-win!  

I'd say it isn't "cheap" makeup for sure but I do find the prices reasonable. Something my mimi has always told me is to take good care of my skin by using good products because in the long haul it will be worth it. I may coupon many things and skimp out on lots but your skin is serious business and now I'm a believer.

Does anybody else use Bare Escentuals products? If so, do tell your favorites!! 

xo,

Sara (duh...sure hope this wouldn't be Todd)

Wonderful Weekend

I apologize if my last post was a little too disturbing but we thought it was just too crazy not to share. In other news, this weekend was spent celebrating the marriage of Ashley and Scott whom are now on a cruise which I'm very jealous about. I want to go backkkkkkkkkk. Yes, I'm 24 and whining but to go honeymoon again would be wonderful.

At their Rehearsal Dinner

What a gorgeous bride and I loved her colors!

I completely forgot to take pictures of the reception mainly because we were all having too much fun dancing. The venue was The Big Chill in Charlotte and I was extremely impressed with their event coordinators. They began feeding the wedding party appetizers as soon as we arrived while we were waiting to be introduced. Score!

Since there wedding was on Friday night, Saturday we spent the entire day with Todd's family. We got breakfast early Saturday, went swimming in the afternoon, had some Rita's (yum oh yum) and hit up Olive Garden for dinner. Getting the family all together can be a rare occasion so we soaked it in and had lots of fun catching up. Matt and Melissa had a wedding to film so they couldn't make it (we missed you two!!)  but Penelope, their daughter, and their dog, Bella, was with us the entire weekend. Penelope kept us laughing and entertained.

Now it's Monday and we are back to the daily routine. This is my last week balancing two jobs but I will certainly miss spending time with sweet little Aubrey. She's my little buddy and she helps me with all my errands around town! Isn't she adorable?! I really hope one day I have an easy going child like her.

I'm desperately trying to get back into couponing but I'm struggling. I've decided a good start is to focus on non-food goods and shop at places like CVS or Walgreens for paper products, kitchen supplies, toiletries, etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Be back soon,
Sara