This summer has definitely been the most interesting summer of my life. With enjoying our second year of marriage, preparing for a new member of our family & trying to travel and have as much fun as we can in the process. Looking back over the past few months was a lot of fun and I'm excited to share little bits and pieces of my favorite parts thanks to The Circle Link-up for this month!

Starting off the summer with one of my favorite holidays

and one that hit home in a new way for me, Mother's Day!

Next up was our wonderful Babymoon in Charleston!!

It was such a fun weekend and I can't wait to take our baby boy

to one of our favorite cities in the future.

Another awesome part of summer is all the cookouts and weddings, 

it was fun to see friends and celebrate during busy weekends like this one. 

Taking road trips with for shopping and quality time with my Mom

is always a summer must and our weekend trip for baby shopping was so much fun!

Speaking of that baby boy, it was so sweet to celebrate his life with my family and friends at his two showers. The first with my family and the second with my friends!! 




& of course you have to celebrate summer with a 4th of July cookout!
I'm so glad we have made this a fun tradition with our family and friends!! 



The Summer vacation to Niagara Falls was the perfect way to end the busy season
before taking time to settle in at home and prepare for the big arrival!
It was so much fun to get away and out of town in a new place with family.

What are YOUR summer highlights? Are there things you learned, trips you took, photos you took that you haven't shared yet? Or are there some things you still hope to cross off your summer bucket list? Write your post, grab a button (or use the hashtag #thecirclelinkup), and see what everyone else was/is up to this summer below!

roadtrips.

Over the weekend, my mom and I took a little road trip for some shopping! Road trips with my mom are one of my favorite things to do. It made me think about all the many things that you need for a succesful road trip and I thought I'd share them with you for this month's Circle Link-up!

snacks // these three are a must for me, something sweet, salty and sour!

water // staying hydrated while driving is a big deal, even if that means several bathroom breaks.

music // a must for a roadtrip right now is definitely Taylor!! (as long as Peter's not in the car!)

sunglasses // no need to squint from that bright sunshine with some cute shades on your face.

itinerary // this is one thing that I hate to leave home without when I'm taking a trip. I always have a set plan no matter how long or short the trip so we don't have to guess on what to do.

Some of the highlights from our little trip to Charlotte, NC are below! It was a great trip full of yummy food, laughing till we were both crying and all the wonderful things that a mom/daughter trip is made of! We started the morning off with The Flying Biscuit Cafe which is one of our favorite breakfast spots! 

After the shopping trips to Southpark Mall and IKEA we finished on a high note at this really neat pizza shop. My mom requested pizza but we both wanted to make sure it was a spot we've never been to before and we were so happy to find Fuel Pizza! It was so yummy and the perfect thing to fill our tummy's before drive home with our full car from IKEA!!

What is a MUST for you in the summertime? Something sweet to sip on at a picnic? A favorite book to read while sitting by the pool? Or maybe some flip-flops to throw into your beach bag? Create a moodboard or collage and tell us what your musts are for this upcoming sunny season!

spring love.

Spring is one of the most magical months and I love so many things about it!

Mood boards are also pretty wonderful so I thought I would take part with 

The Circle this month and share 15 things I love about the awesome months of Spring....

even if I can't take part in all of them (cough #2 cough). 

peonies // margaritas // thank you cards (for the pending baby showers!) //

a new springy print // cute little bird houses //

sunglasses // adorable veggie rattles (for baby boy, of course) // string lights

soy candle // Esther bible study // light airy blanket

bright tote // grapes (my biggest obsession right now!) // nail polish

What are your favorite springy things!?! 

share them and link up with The Circle

I've Never.

.....done any extreme sports.

I've always wanted to sky dive but I know I would chicken out. I've tried snowboarding and the only thing that I did was cry extremely well. I thought about skiing but I figured that would result in the same outcome. And I've never done any kind of water sports either, like the one pictured above. That is definitely not me. Just some dude at Harvard.

.....traveled to Europe.

I really, really want to go one day with Peter so he can show me all of the beautiful places he's already seen. All of our trips since being married have been to new places for both of us, but one day, we will travel to Germany, Italy & many other places together.

.....made anything from scratch by myself.

It is one of my goals! A pie, pasta sauce, pizza dough, anything. It will happen soon!! Cupcakes are on my list for a fun Valentines Cupcake Exchange with some girlfriends in a few weeks.

.....gone a week without Mexican food.

Seriously, it's a problem. I love it. Can't stop, won't stop. Margaritas are always my choice beverage also. Yuuuuum.

.....been on a cruise.

The idea of being on a huge ship for more than a few hours just makes me feel sick. And makes me think of Titanic... so, no thanks.

.....gotten a speeding ticket.

I have however gotten into three accidents (only one being my fault) but I've never been pulled over for speeding. Which is super surprising.

.....enjoyed a bubble bath.

yuck. It's hot, boring and I always feel dirty after. And how do you not get your pages on your books wet? It's just not possible. Showers all the way, without books of course. 

k, your turn!! What have you NEVER done?

Link up with The Circle!

Last Minute Wishlist.

on behalf of the happy day tomorrow!

1// Heart & Arrow Design - I would love to do a full rebrand and design here on the blog with this lovely lady!

2// Target - these fuzzy moccasin slippers are calling my name!!!

3// Alex & Ani - I'd love to have this bangle with the September birthstone for my wedding anniversary!

4// anthropologie - this little bag is so cute!!! I'd love to have the little C one!

Just a few of my favorite things right now. And luckily my Birthday is in February so if I don't get any of these gifts for Christmas, now you have some Birthday ideas, as well! ;)

Merry Christmas Eve!
Hope you all have a wonderful night with those you love.
God Bless!!

Linking up with Kiki & The Circle!

Weekend Essentials.

During my weekends I have several things that I love to happen! 

I like to think that they are my Weekend Essentials & make my weekend complete...

1// dinner with Peter.

It doesn't happen every week but most Fridays are his deal. He works half days on Friday so he has time to go to the store, pick up some food and prepare dinner. It is one of my favorite things since being married. Coming home after a long week and soaking in some quality time with Peter around our kitchen table. I do all the cleaning afterward to say thank you, of course! (ps, five dollar chickens at Earthfare on Fridays!) 

2// saturday morning coffee and breakfast.

I'm not a morning person so the fact that Peter wakes up early is a huge benefit for me! He let's me sleep in till around 9:30 and when the coffee is hot and ready I make my way downstairs. It really is the only way I can make myself get out of bed. It also doesn't hurt that Peter likes to cook some yummy breakfast for us!

3// laundry.

Ugh... it has to happen, right? I try my best to keep the laundry done during the week but most of the time I end up doing it on the weekends.

4// church.

My favorite part of the weekend! We love our church so much and I look forward to Sunday mornings. We also teach a class of three year olds every other Sunday, which is a ton of fun! We are learning about Abraham right now and completing a study through Genesis.

5// preparation.

At the end of every weekend I love to look through my planner for the week and make sure I have everything in the front of my mind for Monday. Appointments, meetings, dinner plans... this always helps me welcome Monday with a happier heart.

6// paint my nails.

It sounds silly but one of my favorite parts about the weekend is sitting down and painting my nails. I usually make a hot cup of tea, figure out which color will be best for the week ahead and enjoy a little "me" time.

Link up your very own Essential List with The Circle!

I loved reading all the fun lists so far... 

I'm also co-hosting with Oak & Oats today, so check that out!

Every Monday I host a link up called Week's End! It is a place for you to link up your favorite post from the week and meet new bloggers. I love community and think that we can all learn something from each other! This week Living on Cloud Nine is my co-host!

If you are wanting to join the co-host line up, you can sign up here and use code: WEEKSEND for 25% off any Oak + Oats packages.

Living on Cloud Nine is a blog where Cassie loves to share all the many things that make her life full of love and happiness. She loves to smile and laugh but most of all she desires to share all that happiness with the world, because it is a gift from the Lord. Living life with passion for His Kingdom and for the people He has placed in her life & finding that little bit of happiness in every single day.

RULES!!!!!
1. Link up ANY POST from last week!
2. Make sure it is a POST and not your BLOG URL. We love your blog but we want you to share a post.
3. Click on one, two, three, or more posts and LEAVE ENCOURAGING COMMENTS. The whole point of this is to find new blogs, make new friends, and all that good stuff! You MUST read the post right before yours and comment.
4. Follow Oak + Oats and Living on Cloud Nine

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Favorites.

It's time for this month's link up with Kiki's post, The Circle!

I'm so happy that I stumbled upon this fun series and this month's theme is such a good one. 

All things fall make me happy so I am pretty excited to share some of my favorite parts!!!

........here we go :)

Boooooots!!! I love boots. High heel boots, rain boots, flat boots, all boots. 

I can't wait to wear them all!!

{spice dragon red chai tea, splash of vanilla almond milk & a tinsy bit of winter honey}

I honestly drink this almost every night so it isn't really a "fall drink" but I can't wait to enjoy it during the Fall nights....

go apple picking and make a homemade apple pie!

chicken tortilla soup! I think I might try and switch up my recipe a little this year and share a new recipe with all of you once we have some chilly nights for soup.

This candle from Bath & Body Works is perfection during the Fall months!

{Gorgeous photo by Red Apple Tree}

Of course Thanksgiving is always my favorite and I love it dearly, but now my most favorite fall holiday will always be our anniversary! Just four more days and we will be celebrating one full year as husband and wife! That is so exciting!!!  I'm also pretty excited to be leaving TOMORROW MORNING for our anniversary trip in Boston!

{& another photo by Red Apple Tree}

The weather is perfect here in Greenville, SC. It can stay hot for a while, but once that first true fall day hits and the leaves start falling... man, it is magical. Especially in downtown Greenville, so gorgeous!


So, what are your favorite parts of fall?!?
Share them with us and link up with Kiki and her fun circle!

closet confidential.

I'm pretty excited to dive into my closet and share some things with you for The Circle link up this month! This is only my second Circle post but I'm looking forward to linking up with Kiki every month. It is such a fun way to find new blogs and all of the themes are so interesting! Last month was What's in my Bag so it only makes sense to get a little bit more nosy and peek in my closet, right? 

this little shirt from my elementary school! 
I love it and it hardly fits me now but I can't get rid of it. 
Maybe my kids will want a vintage shirt from their Momma on day? HA!

this sweater from some outlet shopping in Charleston while we were on vacation. 
I really love Kenneth Cole and I was super excited to find this on the sale rack for $14!

besides my wedding dress....? Definitely my Hunter Boots. 
I hardly EVER buy anything full price because I love a good sale 
but these were a Christmas gift a few years ago and I absolutely love them!!

I think I found this shirt on sale for $6 but I love it!!
I can wear it to work with a suit and then also wear it on the weekends
with jeans or shorts or even a skirt. It is so wearable and super comfortable!

this gorgeous dress that I bought for one of my bridal showers 

at the BCBG Outlet in Charleston a few years ago. 

I knew it would be perfect for one of the wedding events 

and I only paid $25 for it when it was originally $280!

one// super comfy chambray, 
two//  black washed skinnies, 
three// black and white striped dress!

check out the link up and join in the fun!

What's In My Bag.

I've always wanted to share one of these posts and when I came across The Circle I finally had a reason to do it (other than the reason of always wanting to do it, of course). I love the idea behind this link up with Kiki!

One of my favorite parts of blogging is the community within it. I love nothing more than finding a new blog that I absolutely love and feeling as if I could be friends with the woman writing it. We have our own little world in this "blogosphere" and I really love that.

So, here we go.... what is in my bag?!?

1// my planner.

First and formost, my Erin Condren Life Planner, and that is exactly what it is. This little book contains my ENTIRE life and I'd lose my head if I didn't have it. Personal, Work, Blog, everything is listed within this book and I love it! It honestly doesn't fit in THIS purse but I always have it with me so I thought it only made sense to share it!

2// lips.

I always keep a stash of lip products in the inside pocket of my bag. Usually one in each shade so I always have something to pop on for a little color. Today this were in my bag...

3// glasses.

These are usually on my face so my case is normally empty in my bag. I love these glasses so much, one of the best buys I've ever made.

4// diva cup.

Okay, since most of you are ladies, (I assume men don't really read this blog, but if you do... Hi, thank you for doing so, and please skip on to number 6 now, k?) I'm going to share a little secret with you. This thing is awesome. Look it up, do your research, buy it, love it & never buy a tampon again! Yes, I know... it's crazy, and you are welcome!

5// prayer journal.

You never know when you might have something come up or a friend gives you a prayer request. I have started to track my prayers in this journal this month and I've loved the process so far.

6// wallet.

I'm a big fan of the hobo line and this wallet is a lifesaver and can also be used as a clutch if you don't need to carry your purse with you. It has a spot for everything you need and even has a special pocket for your phone which I love!

7// iPhone.

Seriously, what would I do without this thing?

And that's it... except for all the receipts/trash that I tossed out before taking the photos above. ;)

What is in your bag?!? Link up over HERE and share with The Circle!!