Weekend Shenanagins

Happy Monday, friends!  This was the second weekend in a row that we didn't have to go out of town, and I must say, a girl could get use to this.  It's nice not to have to hit the road out of town after an eight hour work day on Friday, just to dread the return on Sunday.

Friday night we met up with our friends, Dean and Jess, at a local barbeque shack for a yummy feast of pulled pork, hash, chicken, and all the fixings!  After we were induced into a food coma, we decided to catch a movie.  The four of us agreed on That's My Boy that actually premiered on Friday.  Adam Sandler was hysterically funny and I laughed the entire time....until the end that is.  If you  haven't seen this movie, I must warn you that the end takes a turn that no one expects and it's sickening.  For those of you who have seen you, you know what I'm talking about.  Not sure I will be seeing this one for a second time.

Saturday we met a few of my family members downtown for a nice stroll around the city before having dinner at Poogan's  Porch.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous for site seeing downtown and we enjoyed every minute of it!  Friends, if you have never  been to Poogan's Porch you are missing out!  It is a quaint Charlestonian home made restaurant that is tucked away on Queen Street.  Saturday was my first experience, and it is one of the best meals I have had in Charleston.  The atmosphere was perfect and the food was exceptional.  We will definitely be going back...and soon.

That evening we ventured back home to watch the South Carolina Gamecocks defeat the No. 1 team in the country to advance in the College World Series.  We dominated the Florida Gators 7-2.  GO GAMECOCKS!

Fear the Fish!

Sunday was a nice relaxing day spent watching How I Met Your Mother re-runs and a few movies.

How did you spend your weekend?

Wednesday Love

What fun and exciting updates do I have for you guys today!  

There is a lot of love going on in my world these days.

{1} Craft night was a success last night.  Lots of wine, lots of laughing, and lots of creativity flowing.  I didn't have time to upload the pictures of our amazing wedding shadowboxes, but I can't wait to show them off soon.  I have to say, our shadowboxes are pretty awesome!  Pinterest worthy :)

{2} Bradley and I are celebrities.  Yesterday, I submitted a photo to the Gamecock Club and they posted it on their blog and Facebook page as the Fan Photo of the Day!

"This past weekend I surprised my husband with tickets to the Carolina/Princeton baseball game.  We are big Gamecock fans, and he is a baseball fanatic.  Believe it or not, this was his very first South Carolina baseball game at the home field.  We had a blast!" 

Spurs Up Daily Round-Up

Facebook

{3}  Our one year wedding anniversary is quickly sneaking up on us!  Monday marks a whole year that we have been married.  It's hard to believe that this time last year, I was finishing up my last day at work as a single woman.  It's amazing how fast time flies when you are having fun.

{4} I found some goodies at Ross last night.  Before I headed over for craft night I had some time to spare, so I stopped into Ross.  Boy am I glad I did.  I found not one, but two apothecary jars and got them both for $25!  It was a deal I couldn't resist.  I can't wait to find a home for them in the house.

{5}  St. Patty's Day is Saturday.  Don't forget to wear your green or look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  I know, I know, I'm so elementary school.

Post Christmas Loves

Well hello there! Long time no see!  I have been busy this morning catching up at work and with all of your blogs to see what Santa brought you for Christmas.  Mine was fabulous.  I got to spend some much needed time with my family, go shopping, rest and relax.  It's always over so darn fast, but I did enjoy the time I had off from work.  I haven't loaded all of the pictures from my camera, but plan to do that tonight and have a full picture recap tomorrow.  Now, for what I'm loving this week:

{One} It's Wednesday!

Yes, I am excited about this because it is my first day back to work for the week.  That means another short week for me here in the office.  Although the work is piling on, it's worth it for a few days off!

{Two} Fantasy Football Champion

That's right.  At work, 14 of us competed in a fantasy football league.  I made the playoff games by the skin of my teeth, but came from behind and beat the #3, #2, and #1 seed to win the whole thing!  Some may call it luck, but I call it skill (my husband's that is) :).  A nice cash prize came along with the win too.

{Three} Christmas Decorations....

...are down.  Last night when we got home I took all the ornaments off the tree and packed it up along with the other decor in the house.  They are all in boxes just waiting to be put in the storage closet outside.  I hate to see them go, but glad it was an easy setup and break down!

{Four} Florida Bound

In just two short days, we will be packing up the car again and heading to Florida!  We will spend New Year's Eve in Tampa with my old roommate, and then traveling down to Orlando for the Capitol One Bowl game on Monday!  What a treat :).

Stay tuned tomorrow for a full Christmas recap!

Oh Monday...

...normally I don't mind Mondays, but today has gotten off to a rough start.  You see, I didn't get my normal Sunday afternoon naps in and my body is not responding well to the lack of sleep.  Have no fear though - Barre class this morning, an energetic snack, and multi-vitamins have helped to turn this frown upside down!

How was your weekend?  Mine was a blast!  Carolina won kicked some Wildcat a**, I was able to tailgate with my hubby and his family, and I got in some girl time with another Bachelorette party! 

{hubby and I at our tailgate spot}

{this is how we tailgate...}

{new energy shot to help get the day started...like teenagers need it!}

{really, is this how they do it in Kentucky? lol}

{Kev- the groom to be- and Bradley}

And to keep the sacredness of the Bachelorette Party,  I will only give you a taste of the AWESOME night we had:

{cake}

{games}

{pinata}

{...and smelly feet!}

...I'll leave the rest to your imagination :).  Columbia and our group will never be the same again!

Look out tomorrow for a post on my latest outdoor fall decor.  I had too much fun when I got home yesterday, hence the lack of sleep I experienced!

{Football. Fall. Friends. Family}

Boy, what a thrill it was to hear those chants again- even if it was from the comfort of our own home and not the stadium.

September not only brings my birthday, but the celebration of Football. Fall. Friends. Family.  The best season of the year!

Bradley and I hosted a little party at our house on Saturday for the season opener of Gamecock Football (well all college football really).  We woke up Saturday morning, and I immediately sent him to the store with a list while I started cleaning and pulling out all of the items we would need.  Sadly, during my cleaning and search, I realized that I left all of my cute new Gamecock platters at my mom's house.  Our couple's Carolina Gamecock shower was last November, and I remember leaving them there so I wouldn't have to move them twice.  I must have forgotten to grab them along with the other items I brought to Charleston.  Have no fear.  I have plenty of trays and bowls that match my everyday china, and they turned out perfect!  Last minute, I even decided to create name tags for the different dishes using some of my old scrap book paper and straws.

Here are a few pictures of all our knick knacks, along with their recipes.

{pigs in a blanket- we used sausage, beef, and cheese filled}

{bean salsa (recipe courtesy of my cousin but the link is similar)}

{mississippi sin dip}

{buffalo chicken dip}

{cheeseburger sliders (for some reason I didn't get a picture of the mini patties, but I used my own recipe for this- 2 lbs. meat, ranch dressing mix packet, and 2 eggs)}

{most of the spread}

And if you look in the background, you will see I finally hung the curtains my aunt made for me.  I found a steal on curtain rods last week at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I got 3 different rods and their attachments for $9.99 a piece!  Who could give up that great deal?!

We had a blast celebrating with a small group of our friends.  It was a double plus when the Gamecocks stepped up their game and pulled out a "W".

{the outnumbered "Charlie Sheen" Gator fan}

{dean and jess}

{my crazy hubby celebrating the WIN}

Our friends Troy, Mo and Ryan also were at the party, but I didn't get a snapshot of them.

We figured the night a success, as we didn't do a darn thing on Sunday but sit on our butts and watch TV.  We can't wait to host more get-togethers at our home, and are definitely looking forward to attending several USC games in the near future :).

Football Kickoff Party Time!

Last night, Bradley and I decided to host a get together at our house this Saturday for the kick-off of college football {mainly to cheer on our GAMECOCKS}!  Immediately, I started planning the menu.  There will only be about 6 of us total, but I want to be sure we have plenty of food to snack on.  On the other hand, my husband was more concerned about bringing another TV downstairs and hooking it up so another game could be watched at the same time...priorities huh? {surprise, surprise}!

This is the first time as a married couple that we will have 6 people in our home for a get together at once.  I am excited and nervous all at once, planning all of the details and working extra hard this week to make sure the house is clean spotless!

So...back to my menu.  Here's what I've got planned so far:

• Buffalo Chicken Dip served with carrots and celery
• Pigs in a Blanket served with ketchup
• 3 bean salsa {I am working on getting this recipe from my cousin} served with Tostitos
• Mississippi Sin Dip or Beer Cheese Dip served with pretzels

What else would you add?  Should I make some sweets?  

I can't wait to use my Gamecock platters, bowls, plates, etc. that we received :).

Any other tips or tricks I should know before throwing my first house party?!

Rah Rah Ree, Kick 'Em in the Knee! Rah Rah Rass, Kick 'Em in the....

...other knee. He he!  Gotcha :)  Who's ready for some college football? THIS GIRL!  We are officially in the single digit countdown for college football kick off!  9 days people...only 9 more days until my little heart is content with the sounds of 2001, screaming fans, tailgating, and V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.  Can you smell it yet?!

In preparation for this season, my hubby has already purchased this and in the process of purchasing one of these so we will get the best out of our tailgating experience this year!  I can't wait to bring out all of my cute Gamecock platters and bowls I received at our couple's shower last year and put them to use!  Here are a few easy recipes I am itching to try this season:

• Roasted corn salsa {I love fresh salsas with all the veggies}
• Pigs in a blanket
• Crab dip
• Boiled peanuts {we got a new cooking tool to do this at our couple's shower as well!}
• Cheese and Guinness spread
• Buffalo wings {who can tailgate without wings...or at least fried chicken}
• Peanut butter rice krispies {minus the chocolate...all time fav}

And now...for the most important part: ATTIRE.  Well, maybe for the girls.  It's important to look cute, but be comfy and have mobility at the same time.  Here are some fall football fashions that I am craving to cheer on my Gamecocks:

{via Francesca's Collections}

{via Forever 21}

{via Sugar Boutique}

{via Sugar Boutique}

My Gamecocks are taking on the East Carolina Pirates in Charlotte at the Bank of America Stadium for the first game of the year.  Adrenaline will be rushing and spirits will be high as we kick-off a great season starting at #12 in the polls!

GO GAMECOCKS! Here's to a great football season!