Birthday Recap

I need to catch you up on the last two weekends, or what I would like to the think of as my birthday week.  The Saturday before last was my 31st Birthday! I would like to say at this point that it really hasn't been so bad being on this side of 30.  ;) 

 

We spent my actual birthday weekend celebrating with friends and family.  The Friday night was spent at a surprise birthday party for a great friend.  We have quite a few mutual friends, so it really was kind of like my birthday party too.  I'm sure he didn't mind sharing with me!  This is what I wore to the party:

 

The next morning, we went to brunch for bottomless mimosas with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two of our closest friends.   After brunch, we continued the day with my SIL and BIL.  It was a rainy day, so we did some shopping and continued to drink mimosas.  I also received the following free dessert to share with the table.  Mmmmm!  Let's just say the day continued from there with more drinks and more food and more drinks....

 

 

I have to also mention how absolutely spoiled I am too!  I didn't even have a birthday wish list this year, but I received some of the best gifts EVER!  Seriously, you guys all outdid yourselves!  Here's a snap of a few of my presents!

 

 

 

{TB boots, Kendra Scott Necklace, Wine Canteen, Lululemon Pants}

 

 

But the birthday fun didn't stop there.  Fast-forwarding to this past weekend, I went down to stay at my sister's for a night before we met up with our cousins and a fun group of girls for my cousin's bachelorette party.  Before leaving for the party, my adorable nieces had made a sign for me, sang me happy birthday, gave me the sweetest cards and made me birthday jello.  Jello for breakfast, why not?!  I didn't snap a picture of their spread for me (darn it), but it was the sweetest.

 

The rest of the day was spent lounging by this pool, taking in the view and partying it up Saturday night with my cousins. 

 

I've missed seeing these beautiful faces!

 

(from left to right: my sister, Ashley; my cousin, Jessica; Me; my cousin, Morgan; & my cousin, the bride-to-be, Angela)

 

I know so many of you are saying how ready you are for Fall and for the cooler weather to be here, but this gal is not so sure.  I mean I love that time of year, but I'm still enjoying the sunny weather and soaking up the sun!

 

XO,

Tara

It's Starting to Look Like Christmas + My Wish List

We are still knee deep in boxes at our new home, but we couldn't resist starting to put up Christmas decorations to make it feel more festive and homey.  The rest of the boxes will just have to wait a bit longer to get unpacked.  Our tree went up while we listened to Christmas music, and we ate a big and comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings for dinner.  This has been our tradition for the last five years since we had our first Christmas together.  It's starting to feel and look like Christmas!  I just adore this time of year!

I also came up with some ideas of items I wouldn't mind receiving this year.

MY WISH LIST...............................................................................

Starting from the top going clockwise:

1. Kendra Scott Elle Earrings in Chalcedony

2.  Michael Kors Gold Link Bracelet

3.  Zara Leather Bag

4.  Keurig Coffemaker

5.  J Crew Rail and Wharf Duffel Bag

What's on your wish list??

XO,

Tara

Simple Gift Idea

Here is a really quick and simple gift idea to maybe help those of you that need a last minute gift.  I did these for some of my co-workers, and I think they loved them.  To start with, I bought some instant hot chocolate mix, peppermint crunch chocolate covered pretzel sticks, clear treat bags, and ribbon.

I put the hot chocolate mix and chocolate covered pretzels in a mug.  I used these initial mugs from Anthropologie.  I then put them in the clear treat bags, gathered the top together and tied a ribbon around to secure.

I  gave them to the ladies I work with so they could use them at work for coffee, tea or the hot chocolate.  This will give them something cute to drink out of while at work (but hopefully will help reduce the amount of paper cups we use too!).

We're on the final countdown to Christmas!!  Good luck to any last minute shoppers!!

Tara