Friday Favorites #4

So I know it has been quiet this week on the blog, that is because my nephews and sister were in town and the name of the game was SURVIVAL MODE!  So I will be back next week with a few more posts and a number of shots of those cuties in action!

1. Toms Natural Destination Shoes ($54):  So I am super crushing on these, but unfortunately they are sold out in a number of sizes, but I got my eyes on them when they get back in stock!  I feel like they would be perfect for trips :)
2. Portable Turntable ($83): It's time to bring back the good old days with this record player!  Who doesn't love the sound of vinyl (and hey, records sell for like 25 cents at the local Goodwill, so music will be a steal)
3. Love the Journey Printable (FREE):  I love free printables and this one is capital C--CUTE!  If you don't like that particular design, no worries, they have a number of other options!
4. Okay, okay so I cannot find the link for these green pants, but how cute are they?  My friend Erica (I think) pinned them on pinterest and I just like they are so versatile so I am loving them and am now on a quest for green pants!
5. Virginia is for Lovers Pillow ($26.50): So I got this a few weeks ago from Etsy and love it as much in person as online!  A few disclosures: first, it says ready to ship in 1-2 weeks, DO NOT believe that!  It took forever to get here and I even emailed but no response!  But finally I got an email that it had shipped and then the pillow was so cute!  But if you need it for a gift, allow AMPLE time!  And secondly, the red heart can be sewn on wherever you like, I, of course chose Richmond, but make sure to note where you want it placed!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Proper Pie Company

So, a few weeks ago, Kathryn and I went thrifting and then made fondue, well it was that night that we decided we would make a list of fun things we wanted to do, so in an effort to cross some things off the list, I used the app Decide Now and created a spin wheel of all the things we should do!  Sooo, this leads us to lunch at Proper Pie!  Lucky for us we went on August 3rd, the last day they were open before being closed for an entire month!  Proper Pie is this adorable tiny restaurant in Church Hill with a line out the door of people.  They serve meat pies and sweet pies, so we all got something different and tried each other's out!  

The map on the wall at Proper Pie

My lunch: a BBQ pork and peaches pie

 After grabbing out pies to go, we headed to a park near by and had a little picnic pie lunch overlooking the beautiful city of Richmond!  For all you Richmonders, this is definitely a place to check out when they open back up on September 4th!!!

CJ and Kathryn enjoying their picnic pies!

Friday Favorites #3

Back again for another rendition of Friday Favorites!  It seems that I was going with a pink theme this week, which fits since it is my favorite color!

1. Unbroken Book ($15.50, or free if you can snag it from your library!): Seriously, this is one of the best books I have ever read and lucky for us, the movie comes out later this year, so get your read on BEFORE you see the flix (you know the book is going to be better anyway!)  One thing to note: it starts a little slow, but hang tight it gets real good before it's all over.
2. The Big Bang Theory Clue Game ($39): This one is for all you BBT fans out there, I just see the conclusion now: Sheldon in the laboratory with the train set, or some other crazy shenanigan!
3. Fitbit Zip ($59.95): So this is a long time coming, I have had my fitbit zip for months now, so long in fact that I just had to change the battery the other day!  I am not going to say it has totally made me step obsessed, but I am definitely striving for more steps than before!  I get motivated to do things so I can get more steps in before bed, so it is working for me!
4. Initial Free Printable (FREE): Alright alright, so this is actually supposed to be framed art for a nursery, but I really think it could be for a cute gallery wall too!  And it's free, so you really aren't out anything if you never use it!
5. Banded Headbands ($10-$13):  Well last week, I touched on Amazima, an organization I love and support!  Well now they are teaming up with Banded!  For each headband purchased, Banded contributes 3 meals to people in the Amazima community!  Who knew head gear could go so far!  I am particularly crushing on the wide navy birds one!
6. United States Cookie Cutter ($4): And if my love for all things maps and travel is not already apparent, let's add a cookie cutter to the mix!  At only $4, its a cute way to introduce kids to geography!  Or even adults, if they need a refresher course that is :)

I am always interested to hear what products you all are loving, so let me know if you have any good ones!

A trip to one of my favorite places!

I don't have to go to Italy, France, across the country or around the world to find one of my all time favorite places to be!  I just have to drive east for about 2 hours and I am there!  And that place is Bavon Beach!  A small community in Matthews county (where the population is just under 9,000); I grew up on this beach and it will forever hold a special place in my heart!  Since my parents sold their house years ago, I now get to go down to visit my Aunt and Uncle's place, so the Bons and I normally pick a weekend each summer to make the trek!  The weekend is always relaxing yet somehow also packed full of fun!  We go yard-saling, lay on the beach, take walks and sometimes take in the thunderstorm by the water.  

Bavon Beach is located right next to the New Point Comfort Lighthouse (hence the welcome sign below), so it is always a nice view to take it to see the towering lighthouse on the drive in.  

On Saturday morning we got up early and went to some yard sales (where I scored a lamp for my bedside table for 50 cents and a Fossil leather purse for just $2), then we checked out a few thrift spots in the area and came across this little fellow here, who really really wanted to come home with us!

I love the little community in Matthews and the beautiful little touches everywhere, for example, this stain glass below of the water-men at work!

Here is the group right in the main drag of Matthews:

Uncle Jerry, Aunt Gloria and Bons

After some shopping in the morning, we went back home for an early lunch and a few hours on the beach because the sky started turning dark grey.  We headed back to the house, showered (in the outdoor shower, no less) then sat on the porch and took in an afternoon thunderstorm, afterwhich we saw this beautiful rainbow....

or two!  (can you see the faint second rainbow below?):

Since the rain decided to stick around, we got up Sunday morning and got on the road about 9:30, but not before getting a picture for the road:

Thanks for the memories again, Bavon (well and of course Uncle Jerry & Aunt Gloria!!)

Got her again....

It is so fun to pull one over on the Bons Bons!  Well she has been asking me what cruise we were going to take for awhile, as you might recall her reaction from her Mother's Day surprise was pretty epic.  But I knew picking the right cruise would be fun to surprise her with as well.  Well she figured we would take another Carnival cruise and even though I have nothing against Carnival, Royal Caribbean is just a notch above and I know she loves traveling with them!  Well what better cruise to take than on one of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships....check it out!

Lunchtime meet-ups!

Goodness, it has been almost two weeks now, but I got to meet up with Kristi and Bethany for lunch on nice hot and sunny day and we had a grand old time!  See below for proof!

Bethany and "Auntie" Lala

Kristi & Bethany

Look at that Hokie Pride, starting early! :)  Can't wait for our next meet up ladies!!!

Friday Favorites #2

Back again with another edition of Friday Favorites!  Let's check out what I am crushing on these days:

1. Cooking Measurement Conversion Chart (free printable): I have not yet used this in my kitchen but think it would be a great addition to the inside of a cupboard!

2. Virginia cutting board ($20): or $15 with the use of a $5 off coupon from Bed, Bath and Beyond!  I got one and I love the Virginia pride and it is a good solid wood cutting board (make sure to treat it and never use it for raw meat)

3. Threshold Corkboard Wall Decor ($10): I love this as a great addition to any kitchen or entry way as a little keep all for small things!  Well made and very rustic looking!

4. Marquette Bed ($200): Though $200 is not cheap by any means, it is a reasonable price for a solid bed frame and the reviews on this are outstanding!  Who knows, maybe one day soon this will be in my house!

5.Hide and Hug Olaf ($15): I thought I would jump on the Frozen bandwagon with this cutie!  It  might be a little early for Christmas shopping but if not, this would be a perfect add on to the Frozen lover in your house!

6. "Laughter" Multi-colored bracelet ($17): This is by far my favorite thing yet!  I own one and although I rarely ever wear jewelry, it makes the rounds at least once a month!  These bracelets (and necklaces) are made by women from Uganda.  Amazima is an organization started by Katie Davis in Uganda to help empower women to overcome life's hardships and work to support their family.  The women in this program are paid fair wages and given financial training and are encouraged (and even checked up on) to make sure they are saving money.  All pieces are handcrafted and solid pieces of art and at a price tag of less than 4 Starbucks coffees!  What else can you buy for under $20 that does so much?  If you aren't interested in jewelry, check out the website for more information about the organization!

What items are you loving these days?  What are some organizations you love to support?  Let me know!