Hawaii and My True Self

This week has gone by extremely fast. Which I'm not complaining about because it means that there is only one more day between us and Hawaii! That's right folks, we're headed to Hawaii. Maui to be exact. (I know that I just got back into blogging but once again I'm going to be off all next week.) We have a few things on the itinerary but unfortunately there are some thing that will have to wait until next time due to pregnancy stipulations. ie, zip-lining, biking down the mountain (this one I would do but the website explicitly says "no pregnant women," and riding ATVs. However, we are going to a luau, playing golf at a PGA course, etc. I cannot wait to be in temperatures higher than 58 degrees. From as long as I can remember, my dream has been to live on an island where all we do is walk/hike along the ocean, tend to our pineapple/avocado farm, drive our Volkswagen van/Wagoneer, listen to Bob Marley and Sublime, and sleep with all the windows open. Needless to say, if you know Ben then you know that we are quite different! But somehow different compliments each other. So I sign off, as I go to my happy place for a whole week straight!!  (There's new necklaces up on the website to check out while I'm gone)

A Tease

Did you all have a nice weekend? We had a busy but good one. Therefore, I still haven't had time to sort through all the Europe pics but did find a few gastrocentric pics that made me excited to go back! Who knew London had a restaurant explosion in the past 11 years (last time I had been?) 

Currant Scones from Daylesford Organic

Having a sip at The Orange

Afternoon tea at Covent Gardens Hotel 

 

 Fish and Chips (& peas) in Oxford at The White Horse

 Having another sip in the beer garden in Oxford at Turf Tavern - it dates back to the 13th century.

 Had to throw this in there

 Enjoying quite the drink in Oxford at The Trout

 This is what you call a sausage buttie. We found this gem at the Pimlico Rd farmers market right by our flat. I could eat these everyday for breakfast.

Maybe I'll be able to get through all the pics today :)

Weekend of Labor

So after sending out the emails and marketing campaigns regarding the 1st installment of SMDs Fall 2010 line, Hubs and I caught a plane to Roanoke, VA. (We did have a Friday night date in the airport before leaving) Our final destination was Kingsport, TN for one of our best family friend's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and so special! During the ceremony, I took a silent trip down memory lane thinking about all the fun memories we had with such a wonderful family and their son we were celebrating. Then came the fun reception where the little guy had a ball dancing to the band, even when he was the only one on the dance floor! After all of the wedding festivities, we ventured out for some good ole' fashioned food sampling! For such a small town, Kingsport has some great little hole in the wall places. (Not to mention how refreshing it is to see old men sitting in front of their stores in rockers, hearing everyone chit chat at the diners, and wander through Antique store after another.) Some of our favorites were Pals and Seavers Doughnuts. side note: Pals was featured on the Food Network for their burgers. Anyway, I wish I could let each of you taste the sauce burger and glazed doughnut but unfortunately I cannot follow through. So maybe you all should take a little trip and find out for yourselves. Here are some fun pics from the weekend...

Farm Finale

Are y'all tired of our trip to Indiana yet? Well, today is the last day because tomorrow I have some big news to announce!!!!

So to finish the trip up, I'll take you to my Uncle's incredible farm. Going to the farm and being with cousins used to be one of my absolute favorite things to look forward to all growing up. When I say "growing up" I actually mean still to this day. It brings back so many awesome memories riding/driving the 3 wheeler (no, I do not mean 4 wheeler) around the farm, picking any kind of berries and eating them straight from the bush, playing in the gift shop and obviously acting like I owned the place when customers would come in (even though I was only 8.) I can't explain how much fun it was and still is!

So of course yet again, Sister and I were excited to show the little guy the farm and again see his reaction to another one of our favorite memories. Needless to say, he loved it! But that was a given. So here are the last pictures of Indiana... Enjoy and come back tomorrow for the exciting news!

Papa and Kirby in their usual spot by the gift shop

Sis and little guy picking raspberries

Uncle Kyle picked a baby pumpkin for the little guy

The beautiful flowers I got from the gift shop

Check out all those melons

Just some of the candy in the shop

Spencer Farm fresh salsa, jam and butters - yummy!

So if you're in the area go check out Spencer U-Pick Farm

Tan or Not to Tan?

Well, we're back and we're back without tans. This trip was definitely great but totally not what we were expecting when we planned it. You see, the week started off with a beautiful sunny day but then for the rest of the trip it was gloomy and rained every day! When it wasn't raining we managed to sit by the pool, read and sip our fruity tropical drinks (under clouds.) Then when it would start to rain we would go to the open air lounge area and play copious amounts of UNO! I hadn't played UNO in years but I have to say that it was great and I'm ready to go and buy my own deck! We had some serious matches between us...some people even came over to ask how we were still playing that card game. haha (we only have UNO pictures) The second to last night, hubby came down with some sort of stomach thing and we ended up flying back early...in the rain. It was so great to get away with just the Hubs, even with the gloomy weather!Now I'm completely ready for Spring to arrive! I've been working on all new Spring necklaces and earrings since we've been back. Does it feel like Spring where you are???

Tree outside our room

Only 6 left!

He thought he was about to win...

Until...multiple "draw 4" and "skips" and look where he is now! This literally went on for an hour

We have no beach pics so I will leave you with a Spring necklace

Electric Pop

Tropic Tan!!

Our vacation couldn't have come at a better time! We have been so busy this month that we're ready to relax! Hubby has been flying to interviews, running a Bschool conference and taking finals. I have been (thankfully) busy with filling orders, making jewelry and traveling for jewelry. It's been a great month for both of us BUT that doesn't mean that we haven't been counting down the days since the 1st of February! We are leaving for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this coming Tuesday! We're calling it our "honeymoon" even though we did take a honeymoon when we got married but everything was such a whirlwind that this will probably feel more like a honeymoon. (For those of you who don't know the story, we got engaged, married and moved to a new city all within 3 months) It was busy! So now we're going to celebrate, and celebrate we will! Eat, drink, sleep, tan and did I mention eat?!?

I'm so excited about the resort we're going to next week! It's all-inclusive and adult only, so it will be quiet and relaxing. I won't have to worry about how much that drink costs as I'm becoming dehydrated on the beach. And yes, I will be wearing SPF 50. So I might not get a tan but I think I made up for that growing up in Florida at the beach - without wearing any SPF. Yes, my mom did tell me to put it on but I was young and stupid. Here are some of my new items I will be taking to the tropics...

Face shade hat and new bathing suit

"Winning Star" SMD necklace...remember that little starfish pin from yesterday's pic? This one sold today but I'll be making one more!

Thankful-

1. for each of you who read this blog!

2. that a little cold is JUST a little cold.

Big Apple

Big Apple, here we come!!! My awesome hubby surprised me today by telling me that we were taking a trip to NYC mid December!! This is absolutely my favorite time of year to visit. I love window shopping, the Rockefeller tree, bundling up, all the magical lights, the lovely Rockettes, well I guess basically everything! My family used to always go up over Thanksgiving when the Christmas season was in full swing but we haven't been now (except for when it's hot) for a few years. This was such an amazing surprise by such an amazing guy. Send some suggestions our way for places to eat, etc. so we don't just hit up the same places we always do...

Bergdorf Goodman's holiday window display

We're Back

Well, we're back after a great weekend in Nashville with the Davis family! The girls started the weekend off with amazing facials at the Beauty Institute, thanks to my awesome Mother-in-law! It's actually a bit embarrassing how many exfoliating steps were taken on my face... However, I felt like a new smooth-faced woman afterwards! If anyone is ever in a city where there is a Beauty Institute then it is well worth taking some time to go. It was only $20 for a hour and 45 minute facial! Even my beauty budget can afford that!! After we went to the best shoe store invented, Marty & Liz. They carry tons of high end name brand labels but for ridiculously cheap prices! For instance, I bought my sister a pair of Kate Spade shoes for only $35 last go round. This time I bought some black boots (see pic below) for only $30! Good job Nashville for providing a fabulous girl's day!

Saturday, we took a trip to my hubby's first house outside of Nashville. Then watched some Auburn vs Tennessee football which was fun for me but not for my husband. He just keeps saying, "Next year, honey. Next year." So we'll see.

Thank you for such a fun weekend! I'm so blessed to have such a loving second family!

Here are some pics of the weekend...

The Davis Family & "Faith" necklace

Awesome shoes!

My $30 boots

Hubby's 1st house

Aren't they cute!

Coming Back

Well, we're back from such a wonderful Labor Day weekend with some great friends. Thanks to Whitney, we had an amazing house to stay at and relax. We made almost every meal at the house and ate until our little hearts were content (or until we really couldn't eat anymore.) We got home late Monday night since our 3.5 hour drive turned into a 5.5 hours with the crazy traffic, but it was still worth it. We now only have 2 days back home until we leave again for Amelia Island!! It didn't give much time for me to work so I decided to dedicate my time on my store on Etsy. I only have a few things on there but still have to keep it up...

Here are a few pics of the friends we made while on the beach (and then us)

Beach without a cigar, khaki pants and tucked in shirt? No way!

The cute matching couple

(notice the SMD necklaces!)Until next year, wonderful white jeans. Until next year...