Memorial Day

As we all know, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer when everyone wants to grill, relax and enjoy the outdoors, including myself. I've had an early start to this with some great weekends lately with family, friends and good food and this weekend is no exception.

For Memorial Day tomorrow, we're heading to my grandparents house for a cookout and some outdoor fun (we're taking our corn-hole boards again and hopefully I won't stink!). The hubby says he's planning to make the crab salad I mentioned a little while back and I plan to make one of these sweet treats.

Brownie n' Berries Dessert Pizza via Betty Crocker and Pinterest

Berry Cream Tart via Coastal Living and Pinterest

I hope you all have a great holiday and don't forget the reason we celebrate the day!

What's on your weekend to-do list?

Life has been busy again but good.  What do you have planned for this weekend?  The weather here is suppose to be nice so hopefully I'll venture to do something outside.  I'm also hoping to head to the mall at some point to return or exchange a pair of shorts that I ordered from JCrew.  I love the store, it's always go-to for me.  I receive their monthly catalogs and the newly released one for June is the best cover I've seen in a while (and I also love the dress on the model). The cover reminds me of their older catalogs that seemed to stand out against any other store catalog because the models aren't just wearing the clothes against a white backdrop or in the same location each issue.  The pictures for this particular issue were taken on location in Bali and here is the cover.  

JCrew

Also, to go along with the "shopping" theme that this post has turned into, Anthropologie is having a semi-annual sale that is ending this weekend I believe!  So here's to a productive weekend! 

Recipe Reviews

This week I've tried a few new recipes that I think turned out great and were super easy! For a while we were so busy and weren't cooking as much but now we're back into the routine.

First up, a zucchini and squash bake.  This will definitely be added to our go-to list. Recipe found via Pinterest.

Next up, a little less healthy of a recipe that is a re-creation of rice crispy treats, yes, with Trix!  I was a little hesitant with this one but everyone seemed to like it (we took it to a family gathering).  Recipe also found via Pinterest

I hope that you all have a fantastic Friday tomorrow!

Hairstyles

I love wearing my hair down when it wants to cooperate (I have thick, wavy/curly hair) and I feel like straightening it.  Some days, however, I don't feel like doing that and opt to put it up.  This is especially so on hot, humid and windy days.  I absolutely love these hairstyles and would try to pull them off more often if I didn't have to wake up before the crack of dawn and hit snooze a couple of times.  Usually on those days if the hair isn't cooperating, I do a ponytail or low messy bun.   Anyhow, I'm going to attempt them more often, and hit the snooze less often!

Hairstyles- Up and off the neck by thedulynoted featuring blow dryers & irons

I did attempt this style for a recent wedding.  It's not a great picture but I think it turned out pretty good considering this was the result of only one attempt.  My husband said it looked great and asked who did it!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Whats for dinner tonight

Balsamic glazed pork, with fresh asparagus and baked potatoes (regular for the husband and a sweet one for me).   Doesn't this look good?!

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It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in Raleigh.  I slept ridiculously late today (still catching up on sleep from the trip plus had a really busy week), and plan to just keep relaxing, spend some time with family and friends, and maybe get this house cleaned with the rest of my time.  What are your weekend plans?  Whatever they are, hope you have a great one! 

Easter and other happenings

Wow, as soon as I think things will slow down, they speed up even faster!  March was super busy with work and getting ready for our trip.  We were in Hawaii for 8 days for our friends wedding and arrived back home yesterday.  What a beautiful place!  It was so much fun but in a way I'm glad to be back home.  We're celebrating Easter tomorrow with a church service and lunch at mom's.  I was on Pinterest (which I had withdrawals from the past couple of weeks) and came across some really cute ideas that are simple and seem easy to make.

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Aren't these so cute?  Also, I looked back at my Easter egg post from last year for more inspiration (found here).  What are your plans this weekend?  Other than celebrating tomorrow, we're going to continue to rest and catch up with some friends tonight for dinner.

Have a wonderful weekend!

DIY

I'm always inspired by the things I see around me and of course through Pinterest.  Here are some DIY projects that are on the top of my list to try when I have some extra time.  I'm pretty sure that I can pull these off myself, with or without a little help.  Are there any diy you've done lately?

Bulletin board for office

Skirted table for office desk

Side table 

Fabric pots for those new spring flowers or herbs





All photos and directions can be found through my Pinterest (click here).  Have a wonderful weekend!