Foster the People

Okay, I promise this is my last music post for the day! But, seriously, how can you not love the catchy chorus?!

Lights

I just heard this song and had to share. I love it!

Skinny Love

I discovered Bon Iver in 2008 when they opened for one of my favorite bands, Wilco. They have certainly become a favorite over the years and I believe I listen to this song a little more than the others. Let me know what you think!

Wedge It Out

Wedges are by far my favorite shoes. They give you height without being too terribly uncomfortable. With various trends on the rise, wedges come in all types of shoes; even some designer sneakers have a hidden wedge beneath the leather. While searching for dresses for my upcoming Vegas trip, I've come across a few wedges that I just might have to make mine!

Chinese Laundry Wedge

Bamboo Ceasar Wedge

Matiko Cavala Wedges

All of the wedges pictured below can be found at Lulu's, which has easily become one of my favorite online sites to shop. Check them out and fall in love.

Half Christmas

Has anyone else noticed how 2011 has just flown by? Sheesh! I feel like I should start shopping for Christmas gifts!  Christmas was my favorite holiday for a long time until this day recently took over its spot. Nonetheless, I love to celebrate the fabulous holiday season in various ways, and in honor of the soon approaching holiday season I have listed a few traditional favorites, along with a few new things I would like to try this year.

{the perfect red lip- image from Glamour}

{annual cookie painting on Christmas Eve}

{recreate this ornament wreath- image from Martha Stewart}

{find the perfect sparkly dress- image from LuLu's}

Not pictured, but definitely not forgotten, would be the annual Christmas party with my fabulous friends! Maybe this year I will actually take some pictures of our wonderful time! Seriously, I have the best friends on the planet.

Sugar Shock

This weekend was wonderful because I didn’t have anything planned! I usually love to have weekend plans, but I’ve been going non-stop for the past couple months and the next couple months look like the same kind of thing, so it was nice to just chill. Although I didn’t have anything planned, I still made time for running in the rain, which is probably one of my all time favorite things, birthday parties, lunch with my sis and parents, a nap or two, and the creation of a dessert masterpiece. Yes, when I share this recipe for this little masterpiece you all should go running to your little kitchens to try it out, because it is one of the easiest things ever! And mighty delicious too! Here are a few photos from my 10 minutes in the kitchen.

Recipe:

1 large roll of cookie dough, preferably chocolate chip

1 package of double stuffed oreos

1 package fudgy brownies

Line a 13x9 pan with wax paper (this makes it easier to remove the brownie bars when cool)

Press the cookie dough on the bottom of the pan. Arrange Oreo's on top of the cookie dough. Follow directions on the brownie box and pour brownie batter over the cookie concoction. Place in a 350 degree oven for 45-55 minutes. Enjoy*! :)

*It's probably a good idea to make these when you have someone to share them with; otherwise you might find yourself eating the entire pan... they're that good! 

Vacay!

I have never been so glad to see a Friday! Sunday morning we are leaving for vacation and I have so much to do before now and then. So, I'm off to pack and clean and dance around to some music like this:

Have a great weekend! 

Fourth of July

After this fun weekend I have decided that the 4th of July is my new favorite holiday. Not only because it marks the day of America's freedom, but also because of the American ways we celebrate, like: grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, and steaks and veggies, low country boil, bikinis, boating, beer, friends and fireworks. I started the weekend out on Surfside Beach with my family. It was a very low-key stay that began every morning with a barefoot run on the beach. I decided I could totally get used to waking up with the beach sunrise. The waves were calm and the water was perfect; I only wish I could have stayed longer.

Maybe I've just never noticed this before, but I thought it was so cool. The little birdie tracks in the sand! Kind of reminded me a of a treasure chest map!

On Sunday my mom and I checked out a local Italian market. From beaded jewelry to vase trees, the market had just about everything, including cannolis! An Italian market would not be complete without them!

I returned from the beach on Sunday in time for a day on the lake with friends on Monday. We all piled on the boat with our coolers filed with cold beverages and headed to the sandbar. The sandbar is basically a big party in one of the coves on the lake where each boat ties up to another. As we were floating and having a great time, a huge storm snuck up and completely drenched us! We tried to escape, but had to dock up to random docks on the way back! Everything on the boat was soaked, but Emily and I were smart and rode in the bathroom nook on the way back, snacking on semi-soggy crackers; it was definitely a fourth to remember!

Sorry for the bad quality; that would be from my iPhone.

Finally, my brother is in town! Yay! We grilled burgers last night and enjoyed a beer or two!

One more iPhone photo...

I hope you had a happy fourth!