Puerto Rico

Nathan and I went to Puerto Rico at the end of july. This was my first trip to somewhere that has a tropical climate. I fell in love on the way there. 

When we flew over something this beautiful, I knew it would be amazing!

When we landed in PR [thinking we had arrived at our final destination], a surprise had been planned for us and we hopped on a puddle jumper and headed to the island of Vieques. The plane was tiny. I was certain we were going to plummet to the ground in no time, but we made it safely to the island. [ I almost puked, but managed to keep from doing that too. ]

Vieques is amazing. Horses run free all over the island, and mango trees grow wild. Favorite fruit + favorite animal = i didn't want to leave.

We stayed at the W. It was pretty fabulous.

[ I'd like one of these built in my backyard!]

[ I'd like one of these in my backyard too! ]

After an amazing night in Vieques... [which included a very late night kayak in the Bio Bay. We were taken to the location where we would kayak in a kidnapper pick-up, and we weren't so sure we weren't being kidnapped until we arrived at the bay. then one of our fellow kayakers drifted out to sea without peeping a word or asking anyone for help, whilst 5 other kayaks were attached to her kayak. On our way back from the kayaking adventure, the kidnapper van's trailer got a flat tire. So that was changed in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere. The kayaker who was from Long Island and wearing her Michael Kors heels wasn't laughing at this point in the evening. This first night in PR probably ranks as one of my most favorite experiences EVER! Such an amazing and hilarious night. ] ...we headed back to the mainland of PR.

The view wasn't bad from our hotel there, either.

The weather was PERFECT. It was cool and breezy at night, and hot and breezy during the day.

I decided i would have a go at kite boarding. I took a one and a half hour lesson [on land] and then the wind died JUST as I was heading out in the ocean. Awesome! If you've ever kite boarded, you know that it doesn't work so well without the wind. 

The trip was made extra awesome because we were there with some of our very favorite friends. Lots of memories were made, and I fell in love with PR!

Mikey, O and Dylie Bop:: three peas in a pod! 

Dylan Turned 4...

...a long time ago!

( Cupcakes are a must at Dylan's birthday parties--this year, though, we made cupcake pops. We used the same delicious Magnolia Bakery recipe. You should definitely try making cupcake pops--if you have a lot of patience and a day to devote to the process! )

 I ordered her a set of 8 new plates for her party--and she now requests them at every meal. They are cute as can be, and won't break!

 Her single birthday request: a bouncy house!

a few of our favorite [holiday] things

one.] An EASY and festive holiday rice.

Use a box [or two] of the Near East Long Grain & Wild Rice. DO NOT add the seasoning pouch--it is not good, loaded with sodium [probably] and just should go in the trash. Cook the rice in chicken stock with salt + pepper.

When the rice has finished cooking [the wild rice will still have a little bite to it...this is a good thing] add 1T butter and a good heaping handful of dried cranberries. It's yummy!! We promise.

                                                    

two.] Peppermint Bark. This is a new favorite holiday treat for me. Last year, I could take it or leave it. This year, not so much; I'll just take it please!

Williams Sonoma makes an awesome bark. However, if you're looking to save a little money on your bark [ie: you eat so much you can't afford $29/box] then try the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. It is awesome!

...I just found this recipe for homemade peppermint bark. I'll have to try that next week. 

three.] If your skin gets as dry as mine does, it will like this Kiss My Face lotion.

It smells really good, and it feels really good on my skin.

four.] This is about as non-holiday as it comes. BUT if you [heart] Pandora like I do + if you're my age [thirty], then you should search "Brass Monkey Beastie Boys." The channel that comes up is awesome-[ly hilarious]! Each song has BIG memories!! Check baby, check baby 1, 2, 3...

PEACE!

AGAIN...WAAAAR EAGLE!!

I had the great privilege of witnessing the fabulous SEC victory in person! this was the first game we were able to get to this season...but it was a good one!

I decided to shop for the game--because, well, it was just a good excuse to get a couple new things. Anything for the Tigers!

I chose this shirt from J. Crew. I had it overnighted without trying it on--they were out of my size, I trusted it would work. Thankfully, it did!

...not knowing what sort of shoes I would want to put with the shirt, i bought two pairs. Don't you just hate when that happens! 

These, from Banana [they're navy] :

...and these from Coach:

I loved them both, so it was a game time decision. I wore the flats, but kept the boots!

...and I paired the shirt and shoes with these Roxanne's I had recently bought. [they certainly don't look like that on me! :) but i do really like them...]

WAR CAM EAGLE!!! Cam Newton is amazing--even more so in person.

Now we have a big decision to make:: journey to Arizona, or throw a huge party here!

IT'S GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER!!

War Damn Eagle!!

House Beautiful

Serenbe, on of our favorite places, graces the cover of the December House Beautiful.

[It's worth picking up, in my estimation!]