It has begun!

It has begun... Christmas season AND renovations!! 

Welp we are in and renovations are under way! So far I have repainted the cabinets and the living room and kitchen walls and I LOVE IT! 

This is the before and after, it looks like a completely new kitchen. Did I mention that I LOVE it? (the drawer pulls still need to be added- 

they're on order...)

I chose Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams, which changes color (honestly it does) with the lighting- from blue to gray to a blue green... it is the absolute perfect color for us. 

The PERFECT color!

The kitchen cabinets were outdated so I wanted to paint them an off white and update the knobs and cabinet pulls. My mom helped me every step of the way. 

Clearly the cutest (and moderately decorated) house on the block, duh. I believe next year the house will be "decked out" in all its Christmas glory!

And as hilarious and ridiculous as it is, I have not unpacked my clothes but every room in the house is decorated for Christmas! I LOVE Christmas decorations, it's always so happy and joyful and just puts me in a good mood. So I decided that just because we had bought a house and were in the process of major renovations and unpacking, we simply were not going to skip decorating our new house for Christmas.

The kitchen, living room, hall and bathrooms are just a few rooms in the house that have a little bit of the Christmas spirit! I also have baby pictures framed of my brother and I on Santa's lap (actually me screaming in Santa's face) and Scott and his siblings in front of a Christmas tree as kids too! I love the pictures, they make me smile every time I see them.

The girliest tree, ever. Sorry Scott! haha. Next year we may have to invest in some gender neutral ornaments! Part of the tree displays our "house divided" ornaments with Clemson and Cocky- note there are many USC and Cocky ornaments and only two Clemson ones (that are hidden as much as possible...). 

thankful.

With Thanksgiving being this week, I found that the image below helps to put everything in prospective for me. It really shows how we all are truly blessed beyond measure. 

An Exciting Mess...

There are so many great and exciting things coming up that I can barely contain myself! To start, I apologize in advance for what will be a million posts about wedding planning, but I am so stinkin' excited! 

All exciting future plans ahead:

The first exciting event is that we will be in our new house by the end of the month! I am going to be broke decorating the house and moving again, but I am so incredibly excited about it (not the being broke part)! I have all color swatches chosen for each room in the house and where the furniture will be placed. I have chosen what type of window treatments I will make, I just need to find the right patterned fabric. I am making a King sized headboard out of shutters, which I am really excited about and hope will turn out in the coastal chic way I am wanting. I am nothing if not organized (but only) when it comes to decorating. So right now our apartment is a complete mess- part in boxes and part in piles, ugh. I really cannot express how excited I am that there is a light at the end of the very long tunnel of this whole moving process! Whoohoo!

Our new home that we will be closing on the day before Thanksgiving! AHH! Im so excited!

The second exciting and upcoming event is my birthday, which falls on Thanksgiving. I will actually celebrate my birthday the weekend after Thanksgiving with friends, because I will be home for Thanksgiving and black Friday.  Shopping on Black Friday is a tradition done with all the females in my family, and we have so much fun!

The third exciting event is Christmas! I love Christmas as much as Halloween, if not more. The Christmas lights, music, DECORATING and the movies are so fun and pretty so I am looking forward to that! I will go ahead and admit I have seen several Christmas movies already on LMN. I already have half of my holiday shopping done too! I am hoping I will have enough time between unpacking to pull together a Christmas party for all our friends and new neighbors. Truth be told I have already started listening to Christmas music! 

The Fourth exciting event is the cruise! I am looking forward to both my family and Scott's family meeting for the first time, not to mention relaxing on white sand with clear water. This trip cannot come fast enough!  

And finally the next exciting event is on October 05, 2013- Scott and I will be saying our vows. We have secured a date and a venue. I cannot even describe how excited I am to plan our nuptials. I clearly think I have missed my calling in event planning, because I LOVE planning parties and events. I am not doing any further wedding planning until after New Years, but I have everything pretty much planned in my head (of course). 

Dirty Myrtle.

A few weekends ago, Scott and I took a mini vaca to Myrtle Beach. In all honesty, I hate Myrtle Beach, but I don't mind going to visit all the touristy shops and restaurants during the fall; when all the "rebel flag" tourist are gone and all the old folks Yankees and Canadians come to stay. We went for just the night and spent Sunday being tourist. We hung out at the pool and in the Jacuzzi most of the morning. The weather was great to be outside all day. 

After we spent time relaxing, then had lunch at Abuelos, which was a delicious mexcian restaurant. I wish we had an Abuelo here too, I would eat there often! After lunch we went to Broadway at the Beach and walked in all the touristy shops. They have these insane fish that you can feed- they have trained themselves to basically beg for fish food and fight the ducks over who gets the most pellets. 

The insane fish and ducks swarming each other for fish pellets. 

 We spent hours walking and being silly then had a few beers and Scott had wings at Liberty's. Scott being a cheap ass loves their $4 happy hour special- $4 for all apps, Scott loves the 12 wings. He had wings and then we went to King Kong Sushi and I had a sushi roll and we both partook in peach saki. 

Scott being silly outside of Ben and Jerry's.

 A cute vinyl of cows driving a VW bus at Ben and Jerry's Ice cream. 

After walking and shopping (but not buying a single thing) and stuffing our bellies with beer, saki, wings for Scott and sushi for me, and Mexican for lunch we went back to the hotel in a hazy coma of happiness. While watching tv, I passed out at 9:30 pm, I haven't been to bed that early since I was a child. The weekend of concerts, and mini vacation was bliss and hopefully their will be many more! 

Sweet Bay

I have not posted about my angel pup Bayla recently, and I know you have just been waiting for me to do so! haha. On instagram I post a picture almost daily- it's safe to say I am a bit obsessed with her. However, look at that sweet face, how can you not be?! Anyone who spends a minute with her loves her instantly, she's so friendly, cheerful and will clap for you! haha. Did I mention she thinks she's a person? If you ask her a question she will "answer" you. If you ask her if she wants (fill in the blank- example: go outside) she will clap- and if she doesn't want to go outside she wont clap. In short, she's hysterical. 

Bayla after getting groomed. She was so scared going to the groomer, I was almost in tears because she was freaking out and shaking. When I went to pick her up she was sooo happy to see me. I love that pup!

Bayla thinking she's a person and laying her head on a pillow. So sweet.

(Sorry for the grainy picture- it was taken on my phone)

Diamond Dash 2.0

...AND THE BEST HALLOWEEN TREAT EVER.

(prepare yourself for the longest post ever- apologies in advance)

Last Wednesday was Halloween, and it was by far my most memorable one yet. When I got home from work, this message was left on the door. (very picture heavy from here on...).

For those of you who do not know what a Diamond Dash is, I encourage you to look it up in your area and attend the next one! Scott and I did a Diamond Dash in Greenville over a year ago; it is a scavenger hunt with hundreds of people where you get clues and text the answers back with your phone and the winner gets a diamond ring. It was soo much fun! So Scott created a Diamond Dash just for me. 

So I followed the clue and went to charge my phone and this was beside my charger: Dress nice? Why yes I believe I will. 

I was running around like such a maniac, I took the picture upside down!

Then I do what I always do in most situations that make me nervous, anxious or angry: I immediately broke out in hives from nerves and excitement because I KNEW what the "prize" was at the end of the Diamond Dash... AHHH! 

So I go into my closet to find something nice to wear and this is what the next clue was: "Night Hawk will show you the way"

Which totally confused me because Scott has been refered to as "Night Hawk" in a previous work email so I was thinking "hmm... I guess he is coming to pick me up?!" So I then did what I often do when I need to waste time and I am so unbelievable anxious- I cleaned the house top to bottom. He sent me a text an hour later asking what I was doing which I told him waiting on him- and he then told me to go back and look at the clue.... and it immediately dawned on me the movie Step Brothers! I did not have cable in Greenville for a year and I made Scott watch Step Brothers with me every night, I love that movie. So I found the dvd Step Brothers packed in a box and there was the next clue... "Me Chinese, Me play joke..." which stumped me again! ahh. 

After 25 minutes of looking into all of "chinese" stuff: mochi, chopsticks, woks, etc I found no clue. I cheated and begged Scott for a hint. He told me to think of who I know that is Chinese and after guessing several people and coming up with dead ends- I realized (after feeling very stupid) his SISTER Savannah! Scott's mother adopted a sweet little girl from China two years ago, and though I did not forget about her, I simply think of her as "sister" and not "Chinese" haha. Well I quickly found the next clue taped behind her picture telling me to visit the "windy city".

So I look behind the DMB Chicago poster I bought Scott last Christmas, which led to the next clue: I L_VE You So Much...  

I knew the O was behind the letter pictures spelling out "love" that I had bought from the market on a visit years ago.

Behind the O was a clue telling me "Sandy put me under water" 

So I ran to the NYC poster that I had bought from an art student on the streets of NY. This is where I found the next clue telling me to follow "RebeccaAndScott" on twitter. 

After following on twitter, I then left the house to go to 1133 Mathis Ferry. 

When I arrived at the Library I was told to find a wedding etiquette book that contained a note... there were probably fifty books in that category but oddly enough the very first one I chose had his business card tucked in the sleeve. 

I was then told to go to the address on the business card: Scott's work, and take a picture with his boss to get the next clue. 

 

This is what that clue said:

So I head towards the apartment... and he was not there!  It quickly registered that he's at our NEW house! So I drive there. The neighborhood was like out of a Disney show because there were hundreds  literally hundreds of children in their costumes. IT WAS PRECIOUS! Scott is fully aware of my love for Halloween. After driving a crawling pace through the neighborhood I finally get to our new house and see Scott's parked car. I go inside the house and he's waiting on me (and has been for an hour and a half due to my cleaning spurt from misunderstanding the "Night Hawk" clue and did I mention the electricity isn't on at the house yet? haha). I go inside the house and he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him, while I am a blubbering mess, I choke out something that sounds like a yes! 

WE ARE ENGAGED!!! WHOOHOO!!

We follow each other to dinner where he had made reservations at one of my favorite local restaurants.  

After calling everyone I know, we go inside and dine and drink free champagne, yay! Seriously, is there anything better than DIAMONDS and FREE CHAMPAGNE in the same night?! My answer is no... so clearly it is the best night in history.

So we snapped our first picture as an engaged couple. 

I have saved every clue and I am going to scrap book them once things calm down a bit. It's an exciting time for us, because we are also moving in 10 days! AHH! 

So this is the "prize" at the end of the Diamond Dash, and it simply could not be more perfect! It is the exact ring I wanted: an oval cushion cut with an antiqued styled round channel setting. He did an amazing job at the proposal (very fun, thoughtful and creative) and an amazingly perfect job at choosing the ring. It has been all I could have asked for and I hope we have a marriage more beautiful than the wedding that I know will be planned to a "T" and simply stunning. 

We have been excited and overwhelmed with all the love and support from our families and friends. Within 24 hours we had 125 likes on our Facebook "status update" and 46 comments. I have had endless phone calls, emails and text messages from well wishers. It is adorable how Scott has been excited and is already talking about planning and registering for the wedding. My mom has called everyone she knows and my dad was already asking about what type of food we were having and the type of music, clearly they are all excited too! We are truly blessed and I could not be happier during this exciting time! 

Southern Ground Festival & The Awful Waffle.

A few weeks back Scott and I went to the second annual Southern Ground Festival. We went last year and had fun so we have been looking forward to it this fall. We only went on Saturday night since we were going out of town for a mini vaca on Sunday. The line up this year was even better than last: Darius Rucker (surprise guest), Greg Allman, John Mayer- all played with Zack Brown. Then there was The Avett Borthers (the reason we really wanted to go), and Grace Potter just to name a few. Last year it was three days and this year they made it two- there were SO many people it was insane! 

Top Left to Right: Zack Brown and Darius Rucker. Bottom Left to Right: Greg Allman and John Mayer.

The lighting was awesome. We were not this far away but my camera makes it look like we were a football field away. We were right behind the VIP, complimentary tickets from my job- whoohoo!

 Scott being a creeper in my pictures. These are the epitome of 

photo bomber. haha. 

 My friend Kelly and her bf went with us, I was so suprised we found each other in the ridiculous hoards of people! We all had so much fun. The music was great, the weather was perfect and afterward Scott and I did our ritual after concert dinner: at Waffle House. Yes, they had amazing food vendors there- ZBB's own vendor who is world renown makes southern style delicious food and several local vendors, but we have a standing tradition that after every concert we go to the night always comes to a close at Waffle House. I think after a concert is now the only time I go to  Waffle House, where before it was always after drunken college nights- oh the memories at The Waffle House... funny how it has a whole different meaning when you get old(er). 

Waffle House an after concert must.

Friday Favorites {halloween tv edition}

I cannot believe Halloween is next week! It is one of my very favorite holidays. Things have been so hectic around here between work events, packing the apartment to move and busy travel weekends that I have not even carved a pumpkin this year!! Besides not carving a pumpkin, I have not been to a haunted house, or a Halloween party- not a single item off my Halloween "bucket list" accomplished. It's a tragedy I know. Next year when we are in our house I am going ALL OUT with the Halloween decorations! I'm sure pinterest will help with all the ideas haha. 

Some of the Halloween things I have been loving this season:

1. Halloween Wars on The Food Network

This is the coolest show! Every team has a cake designer, confectionery artist and a pumpkin carver. Everyone is given a theme and each team has a few hours to come up with an amazing creation. 

Can you believe that this was made with sugar, a pumpkin and cake?!?! INSANE right?!

Both of the above pictures are from last season, but this seasons is just as awesome. I dont even think I could think of some of these creations let alone have the skills to produce them! They have amazing talent.

2.  Face Off on Syfy
This is such an awesome show. It's kind of like making Project Runway but with costume design- and by costumes I mean full on masks, make up and clothing. It is truly bizarre what these people can do in a matter of hours. Creative geniuses I tell ya! 

Isnt it amazing that this was done in a matter of hours and that their is a person wearing ALL of that! haha. 

This was one of my favorite costumes from last year. The detail is super awesome and creepy! 

3. Hocus Pocus
This is a Halloween classic. I have watched this movie every year since I have been a child and did this year too. I LOVE this movie and find it hysterical that Sarah Jessica Parker is the ditzy witch. 

Sadly I have not seen any scary Halloween movies that I have liked yet this year. I always like super scary movies, but they have all been cheesy this year... oh well there's always next year to join my awesome Halloween decorations! 

twenty.thirteen

Is it sad to say that I am already looking forward to 2013?! 

I think it's wonderful to anticipate and have something to look forward to. There's so many exciting things coming up: moving into our FIRST house, my birthday, Christmas, New Years, and then a few short months following that is our big vacation that is being planned already!!

In previous posts I have said that Scott has caught the "cruising bug." He loves cruises after he went on his first this past summer. We have now decided to have our families and friends meet and what better place then on a vacation?! 

So in April we are setting sail out of Miami (again-yuck on Miami) and going to Jamaica, Grand Turks, and the Bahamas. We are going on a brand new ship that was built this year by Carnival cruise. My parents, and a few of my friends are going, and Scott's family and a few of his friends are going too- in total 13 as a definite and probably more to join! I am already SOOO excited!

This is the Breeze! 

So besides penny pinching for the house, moving, Christmas, and now vacation I need to get my tail in the gym now! 

PUCKER UP...

...And give me a SMACK! 

I hardly ever wear lipstick, Im more of the Burts Bee's Wax chapstick type of girl. I cannot go thirty minutes without slathering on some type of chap stick. Occasionally I will wear a gloss, but in Charleston near the beach it is often windy and I hate my hair sticking to my lips- such a pet peeve! Well at Mac they have a deal where if you give back six of any type of their cases you get a free lipstick! 

When I finally saved up all of my years (yes years, their products last so long) worth of cases, I went into Mac to get my free lipstick. The girl at the counter was super helpful but had so many people waiting and needing help. So I patiently waited for about thirty minutes, which was easy because I LOVE looking at all their products. Once she came over to help I had to figure out which lipstick would look best on my skin, even though I had already been staring at them for thirty minutes or so! There were soooo many choices... I knew I wanted something natural but also something fun. Since I had waited so long she told me to pick out TWO for free, yay! I loved the look of "Snob" I had seen it in magazines and all over Pinterest, but once I tried it on it simply looked awful on me- it had too much of a blue hue in it. It's amazing how the wrong shade of lipstick can make you look like a clown or utterly sick- like you have the flu. 

This is "Snob" and it is a playful and really beautiful color, if you have the correct skin tone- mine not being one of them. So I tried to find a color close to it that is a better match with my skin tone. 

 

The make up artist helped me find "Angel" which is very close to "Snob" but it has less of a blue hue and more pink. I am definitly stepping out of my normal "comfort zone" with this lipstick because I am so use to my simple chapsticked lips that has no color! "Angel" is my playful 

lipstick of choice. 

My nest most obvious choice would be to go with a natural every day lipstick color. I must have had 30 lipstick swatches up my arm trying to get a good natural one and then a playful one to go with my skin tone. I finally settled on "Modesty" as my natural lipstick. It is a gorgeous color that goes with everything. 

Mac lipsticks go on creamy and has a good smell! They last for quite a while before having to have a touch up and best of all they are not sticky like other lipsticks or glosses. I feel I have added a quick touch of glam, like putting on a sexy pair of heels- except with lipstick it's much easier to walk the cobble streets of Charleston! 

The best advice I can give while searching for your perfect color is to definitely ask the sales girl to help- make up is her job, and most make up artist have a passion for it. The lady who helped me was super helpful and made my transition from chap stick to lipstick easy. 

*note- the pictures are clearly not my lips- they are google images obviously... I promise to take more pictures in the future and maybe a photography class or two haha!