Wednesday, May 8, 2013

I'm Definitely a Friendbeast.

I know it is a bit crude, but it was too good not to share. Who doesn't need a little mid-week pick-me-up? From theoatmeal.com.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Top Ten Pinterest Finds

This week's favorite pins: 
 
1. A greek yogurt, healthy raspberry cheesecake recipe:



2. Transforming a half bath into a spa-like retreat.  I would probably do a slightly lighter color combination, but I love the depth of the multi-shade tiles and the sconces. 


3. Monogrammed seersucker koozies.  These would be amazing poolside this summer.
Source: etsy.com via Pinterest

4. A laid back BaBy Q.  If/when we have a baby, I want to do this for a gender reveal.  I already see this theme now: 
Bowties or 
Bows, that is the 
Question
(if any of my friends do this first, I might have a tiny hissy fit):
Source: etsy.com via Pinterest

5. This practical guide of making dishes to take to others.  I have thought about doing this for others several times, but I can never decide on a decent dish.  Problem solved: 
 

6. I love the idea of removing the linen closet and putting this in: 

7. Carrie Underwood's hair cut and color combo here: 
Source: google.com via Pinterest

8. Helpful guide for selecting necklaces with specific necklines: 

9. This dress and belt combo are timeless. Any ideas on where to find the belt? 
Source: glamour.com via Pinterest

10. Amen!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Call to the Post


This Bluegrass girl has not always been in Lexington.  No-sir-ee. I lived in Louisville during junior high and high school.  For other Louisvillians, I will go ahead and answer your obviously burning question, I went to Sacred Heart

During this time, I learned to truly appreciate all things Derby.  Thunder, the mini-marathon (as a spectator, let's not kid ourselves, I do not run), and the people watching at the ChowWagons, Oaks and Derby, really symbolize my childhood to me. In fact, we even had Steve, the official Derby bugler, do the Call to the Post and My Old Kentucky Home at our wedding.

Needless to say, Derby-along with its hats--hold a special place in my heart (and my closet because let's be real, those big hats take up a ton of space, and you have to have a new one every year. Obviously).  

C and I will be at a fabulous wedding shower for Katherine and Ben, but we still be sipping mint juleps and celebrating the ponies nonetheless from Lexington. I, like most of you, will be on the look out for the best hats.  Some of my favorites from past years: 

Kentucky Derby hats 
very chic derby hat - oooooooh Deb Baum - here you go! 
You can never start 'em too young
Who doesn't love Erin Andrews?
Tamara Sorreoo, from Austin, Tx., shows off her Derby hat before the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Britt's Preppy Pink Gator

C and I are so blessed to have the best friends.  Two of these friends are going to become parents VERY soon to a beautiful baby girl (as in, any day now).  The baby does not know it yet, but she has the best parents in the world!  We could not be happier for them, and we cannot wait to meet her.

We celebrated with a  preppy pink gator shower at my house.  Since mom and dad-to-be met at UF and are likely some of the only gator fans in the bluegrass region, it was fitting.  Here are some of the pictures: 
The sample invitation (ours, of course, was in pink and not blue accents)
Centerpieces in the dining room

Love the four letter monogram! Joy did an amazing job with the diaper cake


A wishing tree, with the wishes compiled to make a guest book
Favor: monogrammed cookies


The beautiful parents-to-be

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I'm Back

Hi, my name is Lauren, and I'm a recovering ex-blogger.

At first, I got busy with work (hello, I spend all day writing, so who wants to write in her free time?!), and then I got self conscious about putting my life out there on the internet. I started the blog to keep up with family. I never thought about my colleagues or internet strangers reading our personal life. When more and more people mentioned reading it or seeing it, I slightly freaked out. 

But, I found I missed it. I need a creative outlet, a way to express myself. Honestly, I never did that before with the blog. I narrated what I did, what was going on. Now, I want to change that. Don't worry. This will not turn into a sappy, mushy, let's-sit-in-a-circle-hold-hands-and-talk-about-feelings blog. Or if it does, smack me. That is NOT the plan. I just want to feel comfortable being myself.

In short, I'M BACK

So what have we been doing? 

C traveled for work for over 3 very long, missed every holiday between Halloween and my birthday and wasn't able to come home once months. Since being home, he has lived at the golf course.

I did not just sit around and mope, for too long at least. I caught up on all of my shows, went days without making the bed, read tons of books, lived off popcorn and went crazy decorating for Christmas because he was not here to keep me in check. I helped my best friend's boyfriend pick out her amazingly beautiful ring and then gleefully lied to her for the next month about whether I thought he would propose. After two months of being apart, I checked another item off the bucket list: I flew up and spent Christmas with C in New York City. In between all this, I worked my little fanny off.


These two were so excited to see each other.
After C came home, I finally made the bed, put away all the popcorn I hadn't yet eaten and pulled out the kitchen pots. Yep, that's right. I have actually started cooking. Real food. Every night. It is a small miracle. We went to Florida, relaxed and shopped. I went on a bachelorette party in Charleston to celebrate one of my good friend's upcoming wedding. C and I then headed down to Tennessee to welcome another nephew into the family. I have hosted two showers and have several more coming up this year. I love all my friends, and being able to celebrate the happiest moments of their life with them = amazing. C and I are also planning on a lot of home renovations. We are getting new kitchen appliances, building a wet bar, and getting new living room furniture. 
To say we've been busy feels like an understatement. I promise to share pictures and more details soon.