Chicken, Pickin' and Oysters

I wish I could say I made up this catchy title, but if we're being honest, I did not. It was on the invite for Lindsey & Seth's first engagement shower! The PERFECT shower, might I add. All the hosts went above and beyond and the set up looked like it was straight out of a Southern Living magazine.  So rustic and inviting. Whenever I have a wedding...one day....far, far, away..... I would love for the rehearsal or the reception to have this kind of feel. All the hosts did an awesome job.

First of all, meet the happy couple,  Lindsey and Seth. Lindsey and I have been friends since middle school/highschool and we've been roommates 3 times....living together a total of about 4 years if you put it all together. Together, we've been through the first night away from our families off at college in the smelly dorms, break -ups, break -in's, first days of teaching, etc. What am I going to do when she moves out??? I don't want to think about it yet! And I've known Seth for as long as he and Lindsey have been together- about 10 years. Wow. They make a pretty good looking couple don't they? 

How neat is this set up? When the guests walk in, this was where we set our gifts and there were "Lindsey's Favorite" and "Seth's Favorite" appetizers along with their favorite engagement picture. Lindsey's favorite: Tomato Mozzarella Skewers with Pesto Dipping Sauce. Seth's Favorite: Meatballs. I LOVED how they labeled everything with letter stamps. Notice the brown table place cards. The cocktail napkins were also stamped "L & S." Some napkins were stamped with chickens to go along with the theme. How crafty. (We'll get to the chicken part in a minute)

I guess now would be a good time to introduce the chickens. Check out that mac daddy of a chicken coop. It fit in quite well with the rest of the decor.  If I didn't rock the condo life, I would have chickens in a second.  Can't go wrong with burlap either. Such lovely table scapes!

Yeah...just a stage in the backyard....no big deal. Come on- how great is that?? We had our own personal concert by Stewart & Jim Marshall. Nothing like a little old school Stewart & Winfield tunes- played live!

My favorite station. Forget the booze...give me Smores!! I didn't get a picture of the fire- dang it.

Whitney is another old friend. I'm glad occassions like this bring us back together!

And thanks to this little station I was up until 2:00 am, wired. I'm normally not a coffee drinker but it smelled too delicious to pass up. And they had cute cups.

This was such a nice engagement shower. Amy, Clayborne, Kathy and all others involved get an A++. There were so many other details....wish I could've captured them all. And the food- amazing. All of it.

A fun night had by all!

-Caroline

Southern Women's Show II

Well, I've made it full circle on my blog. Last year at this time, the Southern Women's Show was my first post (well, my first REAL post besides the intro). Hard to believe its been a year since I started this blog. Writing it has brought me more "happiness" than I ever expected.

Here's a peak at all the girly finds I indulged in on Sunday at the Southern Women's show with my favorite Southern woman, Cathlin.

This catchy camera case. It caught my eye and I decided that I needed it. Maybe it will encourage me to start using my real camera instead of the one on my phone out of pure convenience. Selling point #2, its reversible. Depending on how I'm feeling, I can be navy and white ...or I can go with red and white stripes. Its nice to have options. Today I was feeling the navy.

Here is my leather/hammered metal cross bracelet. The rustic look reeled me in.

Headband and earrings. You know I have to wear everything I bought all at once. The bracelet was on earlier....took it off for it's artsy photo shoot draped over the corner of the picture frame.  I couldn't get a good angle anywhere else.

Very excited about my Lime Coriander Olive Oil and Fig Balsamic Vinegar. Salads and pastas await you!

This Re-Wined candle is my favorite purchase of all. The guys who make them are based out of Charleston. They take cheap, empty champagne bottles from restaurants and re- purpose them by cutting them in half and filling them with wine scented soy candles. This one is the Pino Noir....just listen to the description and you can almost smell it. ~ "Fresh notes of fig & cranberry are rooted by the rustic aromas of leather & violet, all blossoming within the bouquet of musky earth tones" ~ Mmmmmm.

A few cleaning products never hurt. You would've been sold too if you watched the sales guy's demo. I got to be the guinea pig and effortlessly wipe crayon away from the tile floor with this magic mop! I HAD to buy it after that. I'll be sure to let you know how it works in real life. Was it real crayola that I wiped up? We shall see!

A shopping trip wouldn't be complete if I didn't buy a soap. I can't get enough of bar soaps. So, here we have: LoveMilkHoney.

Cath & I stopped off at the bar before we left the show. The...oxygen bar that is. Bah- ha! Here I am breathing in fresh clean (pina colada scented) oxygen! And sniffing eucalyptus essential oils out of my palms. We also got a back and head massage as we breathed. Cathlin refused a photo opp, but she was there too, with oxygen stuck up her nose as well.

Who's in for next year??

Caroline

Gratefulness

Here it is already the 16th of February and I've yet to post anything this month. For shame! February is one of those weird in between months. The newness of the new year has worn off, the yoga classes are thinning out again as all the new years resolutions die off, we're getting cabin fever and ready for the warm sun and green grass. I talk like Savannah has such a harsh winter...ha! Short sleeves and flip flops have been the norm since January of this year. We don't know what to do if it drops below 50 around here.

In other news, there is a book I want to read called One Thousand Gifts. If you've read it, let me know your thoughts. Its about living fully, right where you are. From the book comes an idea called: Joy Dare,  probably closely related to The Love Dare for those of you who are familiar with the book. Or the movie based on the book, Fire Proof. (Cheesy? Yes....but an uplifting movie. If you can get past Kirk Cameron's acting.) Anyway, I decided it might be fun to use the Joy Dare as a bit of a theme if you will. Each day of the month comes with a different "dare." Not a dare like: eat a spoonful of mayo without gagging, but a dare like: What are 3 things about yourself that you are grateful for?

And.....Go!

1) As the ladies at Crystal Nail say, "You have strong nail"  Singular. So, I have good nails. You'd like them to if you wanted a back scratch. They're pretty much impossible to break and they have a nice shape if I take care of them. I didn't realize that was such a good thing until I got older and everyone else I knew was paying 30 bucks for the fake ones.

2) Singledom. I'm not saying I want it to be this way forever, but at this point in my life, its a gift. For example: I don't have to consider a man's meat & potatoes palate when I am on my strange vegan crazes. I don't have to listen to football on TV. The list goes on....

3) No allergies. I'm serious. I feel really sorry for the people who get stuffy and headachey and sneezy with the pollen. Or people who get red and puffy with hives from seafood. My life would be less enjoyable if my cat made me wheeze. What if I had sensitive skin and couldn't wash with smelly-good soaps?

These are just a few things for which I am grateful. Care to share yours??

More Joy Dares to come!

Caroline

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though  everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein

Clean

If you've been in my immediate circle for the past 21 days, you're probably sick of hearing me talk about "THE CLEANSE." Since I'm on day 19 of 21, I decided it was blog-worthy at this point.

It's an eating program designed by a cardiologist to last for 21 days and "restore the body's natural ability to heal itself" by eliminating the diet of common allergy forming foods (dairy, wheat, gluten, soy) In addition to having nagging health problems disappear, it gives you more energy and you might even lose a little bit of weight in the process! This video will explain it.

Anyone can do it with a little preparation. Smoothie in the morning, whole foods at lunch, soup for dinner. Lots of water! Exercise & sweat.

On to my experience. [Disclaimer: I can't tell you WHY these things happen, just take my word for it...]

1) Really deep sleep. Crazy dreams. More energy throughout the day. Looking back, I used to yawn all day long at work. Don't get me wrong- I'm still exhausted come 2:00, but I'm not tired. My "needing quiet wind-down time" meter starts pinging on high around late afternoon, but I don't feel like I am about to fall asleep. There's a difference.

2) My clothes fit so much better. I may even be able to go down a size. I'm not scared to try on pants anymore! I even needed a belt with my jeans the other day. I surely did.

3) Strength. I felt like a machine in yoga last week. Probably could've done an extra 3 sets of ab work and been totally fine with it. Normally abs are my arch nemesis! I think I even did a few yogi push ups too. Me and push ups didn't get along in the pre-cleanse days. I'm such a girl when it comes to upper body strength, but lately I've felt much stronger.

4) As far as my nagging health problems disappearing- I won't say that they've vanished, but I can tell a difference for the better. My TMJ (pain in my jaw joints) has improved big time. I know this because I ate an apple, whole, the other day! Big deal you say? Well, my jaws used to hurt to the point that I had to cut my apple into tiny wedges and also cut off the skin in order to eat it. And, opening my mouth wide enough to take a bite out of the apple was impossible. Chewing tough foods was miserable. So, biting into a whole apple, skin and all was an accomplishment! I'm not sure if the positive effects are because of the 2 liquid meals a day or what, but I'll take it.

5) My level of anxiety is pretty low these days. A welcomed change. I'm not attributing it all to this diet, but I'm sure it has helped.

6) New friends made in the process. Every Wednesday night at Savannah Power Yoga, we have a Clean (Support Group) Meeting. Its so nice to hear how everyone else is doing. Mostly everyone is ready to be done so they can re-introduce wine and coffee back into their daily routines. Me? I just want chocolate. That's all. I actually bought a very fancy chocolate bar from Fresh Market this weekend as a reward for day 21! Its in the fridge waiting patiently. A few restaurants got into the game and made "clean" meals for all of us. Props to Rocks on the River, Brighter Day, and Thrive Cafe. My new Cleanie-friend Angie and I went to Rocks for lunch one Saturday and followed it up with a thrift shopping marathon downtown.

Foods I could not have lived without during the cleanse include but are not limited to: Almond Butter, Date Coconut Rolls, Almond Milk, Stevia, Frozen Blueberries, & Mary's Gone Crackers, Decaf Peppermint Herbal Tea.

This recipe for Cheesy Pumpkin Dip is a keeper. I have made it 4 times since I started. Another recipe that I have to share is the Black Forest Smoothie. Omigosh. It may as well be dessert. And, my favorite night time liquid meal is Butternut Squash Soup. MMmmmm. ( I can't find the recipe I used...but you can google one. I'm tellin' ya...the Butternut won't let you down.)

 Have you yet decided that I'm a total weirdo with all this health freak business? Its okay if you have. You won't be the first to think so.

PS: I wouldn't recommend using half a bag of frozen pineapple in your smoothie like I did tonight for dinner. My throat and lips are still burning from all the acid in the pineapple. Try it if you don't believe me.

Caroline

Confession,  I did cheat & have a cupcake at this little guy's 1st b-day party. How could I not? 

Learning About Me

I learned a little something about myself this weekend.  I've come to the the realization that I crave novelty. Not adventure, just novelty.  The new and unexplored. Don't make me go skydiving, bungee jumping, or <insert thrill.>  Just give me something fresh to sink my energy into. Last week I ranted about not being able to find balance in my life. I jump from one exciting thing to another. One month its blogging, the next its yoga, maybe throw in thrift shopping, oh, don't forget DIY house projects, then maybe I'll go train for another 1/2 marathon. Point being, boredom sets in quickly & am constantly needing to change things up.

Of all the things I love to switch around,  I have never felt the urge to move to different city or state. That might fall into the "too adventurous for me" category. Savannah is home and I am a homebody in every sense of the word. Even in my cravings for novelty, I'm pretty predicable at the same time. I love my Friday nights when I come from work, change into my long sleeve shirt and sweatpants, maybe babysit for a couple hours ($$$)....then in the case of this Friday night...curl up on the couch with a blanket, watch Father of Bride II and eat Salt & Pepper cashews (No, they're not on my Cleanse diet. You caught me.) 

 I love my Saturday mornings when I can Pinterest until noon in my PJ's with this little guy beside me. Then there is weekend yoga. No rushing to get home and make dinner, no rushing to go home and get ready for work. Just...yoga.

Notice tennis ball in background. He's worn out. 

Then there is Sunday. My re-grouping for the week day. Church, grocery store, laundry, prepare meals for the week, etc. Could I be any more regimented? Here I started talking about how much I love new things, then I end with realizing how set in my ways I am. Well, the title was right-  I'm "Learning About Myself!"

Caroline

PS: My friend Angie posted this video today. Made me laugh! If you've ever practiced yoga- you'll be able to relate :)

Balance

Yesterday during yoga, my teacher quoted Gandhi & it stuck with me.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony"
 -Mahatma Gandhi

I agree. I cannot think of a more peaceful state than for mind, voice, and body to be in harmony. I'm not sure that its achievable in this life but it can be something to shoot for, right?

Along those same lines, I find that one thing I've always struggled with is being able to balance life. Anybody else with me?? I will be so gung-ho about one good thing, that other good things always seem take a back seat. I can't seem to ever be firing on all cylinders with everything I love to do. Something always slides into 2nd or 3rd place...or sometimes to non-existence!  Since I'm now on my yoga and healthy eating kick, I've been really into finding all kinds of new recipes. I never realized how much I was missing out on until I started trying new foods. See? Even Whelan enjoys wheat grass.





I'm doing a 21 day "cleanse" right now based on this eating plan . I could write another whole blog on the cleanse, but we'll save that for later. In a nutshell:

None of THIS

More of THIS

Its a sneak peek of what I made for dinner last night. Zucchini & Basil soup.Very light and fresh!



In other news, this Tupperware organizer may be the best $10 I've ever spent. I can't wait to roll it around on its little carousel and choose my to-go container of the day, then wash it and put it back in its home, all neat and tidy. You should've seen this drawer beforehand. It flustered me every time I opened it. Never a matching lid, the Tupperware would roll around and fall into the other side of the cabinet, different size containers all scattered about. A royal mess.

Tomorrow is a holiday which means no school. Hallelujah!

Caroline

Turning 28

The other day I read on someones profile: "Do not regret growing older; it is a privilege denied to many." I couldn't agree more. Today is the day I turn 28 and I've gotta say... the older I get, the more comfortable I become in my own skin. I've had an entire birthday weekend. I guess having a Monday birthday isn't so bad when you think of it that way! Friday night, my family took me to Ele for dinner and we had the best time.  Mom and Dad came to pick me up, we had a little bit of bubbly at the house while I opened my presents, then we met my sister and her boyfriend there. We had a giggly waiter, some nice wine, fancy food, and good conversation. One conversation in particular involving alligators and other river creatures, thus confirming why I do not like to swim in said rivers.

I made everyone take a picture of their entree before digging in. They may have given me funny looks but  I bet they appreciate it now! I couldn't tell you the name of what anyone got, except for mine: Green Curry with Chicken. My mouth just started watering when I typed that. True story.

Dad's 

Mom's

Cathlin's (sorry its sideways)

My Green Curry with Chicken

Ryan's Sushi

Chocolate Bomb

My Key Lime Cake

Chocolate & more chocolate

Thanks Mom & Dad!

Today at school for my REAL birthday was extra special too! Ms. Donovan surprised me with a lunch of Taco Salad and Spoon Brownies for all the first grade teachers to celebrate my big day. Ashley gave me a some new soap from the Paris Market, and the day wouldn't have been complete without 1st grade happy birthday drawings. Some kids took the whole birthday thing more seriously than others & made an over abundance of cards. I had them guess how old I was with the closest one earning a ring pop. I ranged from the age of 12 to 107 with the majority of guesses in the mid 30's. The winner guessed that I was 29.

Wish I could have more than 1 birthday a year! Its been a good one. Thanks friends!

Caroline