Hi Everyone!

Holy cow, it can't be June already?!  I decided to take some time from blogging to figure out what I wanted to do with the blog either deleting it and starting a new one, focusing on one specific topic, etc.  I didn't mean to take so long from it but it gave me the chance to focus on some other things going on that I felt needed my attention.  However, I'm back and ready to start sharing.  We only have 9 more days left until our summer vacation starts so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite summer essentials. The tote bag below I saw at Target yesterday and it's much more vibrant than this picture even shows.   I love elastic hair ties and the ones from Sephora are fantastic and much cheaper than other similar ones.  I also love anything that you can fold up and easily clean and the roll out beach blanket from Target with an attached pillow is just genius and comes it in more colors.  You can't go wrong with a classic pair of Tory Burch sunnies or a white cover up tunic either.  I haven't owned a pair of Tkees before but I like that you can pair them with a casual or more dressy look and they seem to be made well.  Lastly, we all know my love for Burt's Bees and the need for bug repellent here in NC.  What are your favorite things for summer?

Summer by thedulynoted

Hooded tunic / Tkees flip flops / Mossimo / Tory Burch optical / Burt's Bees burts bee, $18 / Beach Mat With Pillow Coral / SEPHORA COLLECTION Ribbon Hair Ties

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a safe and happy night ringing in the new year!  We went to a ball game and to dinner with friends, then stayed in the comfort of our home the rest of the night (and did stay awake until after midnight!).

I don't have a resolution for this year.  I do however, have a list of "goals".  These are my 13 for 2013.  I've seen on several other blogs where people have created their 101 in 1001 lists, but I don't think I'm ready for that list yet.  All of these goals reflect different areas in my life that I want to focus on.

1. Try a new restaurant once a month

We love food and trying new things.  We tried quite a few new restaurants during 2012 here in the Raleigh area and during traveling but sometimes we get stuck in the routine with going to the same few.  Any suggestions on places to try?

2. Finish guest bedroom/bathroom and now downstairs living area

I'm actually working on this right now.  

3. Start and keep an organized recipe book

 I've been eyeing this binder from Sugar Paper for a while and decided to get it so I can start my goal!

4. Go on a long walk at least once a week (at least 1x a month must be at a different place)

As long as it's not snowing (which rarely happens here) or some other type of natural disaster happens, I will do everything in my power to keep this goal!  I love to go on walks but it can get boring sometimes when walking the same route.

5. Visit a new city and/or state

I love to travel and have a long list of places I would like to visit, but I'm going to keep this goal fairly small at one for now.

6. Keep all credit cards paid off

Well this one is just necessary

7. Visit new churches

8. Find a class to attend (at least once)

I'm thinking of golf, fitness, painting or perhaps guitar lessons...

9. Attend a concert/show I've never seen before

10. Grow at least one vegetable

I definitely do not have a green thumb but I still try because I love plants and see the benefits in growing your own herbs/veggies.  I'll probably choose a tomato plant or pepper plant since we use those frequently with our cooking.  I'm also open to tips to help with this! :)

11. Volunteer

Looking into places for this, any suggestions?

12. Keep better correspondence with people in all areas of life

13. Create a bucket list and 30 during 30 list

I've already started creating it and I'm sure it'll be an ongoing list but I'd like to finish the first draft.

Do you have new resolutions or goals for the year?

Happy 2013!

Goodbye 2012, it's been fun!

I say at the end of every year how the year flew by.  This year beats them all though.  Where in the world did 2012 go?!  It ended a little rough but overall it was a great year that I'll look back on with fond memories and I hope you all do as well.

I usually don't post many personal pictures here but I thought it'd be fun to look back on the year with some of my favorites...

2012 events and memories

Lots of time spent with family and friends 

Hawaiian vacation with a friends wedding

Celebrated an anniversary

Trip to Asheville

Started a new school year at work

Josh started grad school at NCState

Beach trips

Discovered several new places and products

First off, I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season.  It's been a crazy few weeks around here between some unexpected things going on and with the holidays, which is why I haven't been posting.  I'm just going to leave it at that.   I've been worried about a lot, all of which is out of my control.  These words help serve as a reminder about life in general.

Also, it's hard to not see past the negativity in the world lately but these articles (here and here) serve as reminders that there really are good/positive things going on that we can't forget or overlook.

I'll be back in a day or two with regular posts.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Recipe Reviews

We've tried some more new recipes lately that I think are awesome (found on Pinterest!)  Both are really easy to make which is is also awesome!

The first are these tacos/carnitas.  I'm not really sure what the correct term to use is although the person who created this calls them carnitas.  We made them exactly as described except we used pork instead of beef (which worked great in the crock pot) and we left off the cilantro.  These are so easy to make, especially on a busy week night.  We put the pork in the crock pot before leaving for work, then come home, shred the beef and season then get the toppings ready.  Tonight was our second night making these in the past week, that's how much we like them!

Originally from here.

The next recipe is this sundried tomato, artichoke and romano pasta.  This was seriously the best pasta I have made in a long time (asides from my homemade spaghetti).  I used spicy italian sausage for the meat and used some half and half in the sauce.  The only downside is that it's not very healthy so it'll be a once in a while meal even though it tastes so good!

Originally from here.

Let me know if you try either of these and what you think about them!

Sunday Shares

Ok, I keep writing a new post (3 that I had, ready to finish editing) but by the time I get back to them, it's old news!  So, I'll do a post with all in one.  I'll first give updates from Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful time with friends and family, sharing meals and even playing cornhole!  We got to see some family that we haven't seen in a long time which was special.   I didn't go out at 1am or any other crazy time (which I have done before).  I instead went out to Michaels after dinner Thanksgiving night and then did some shopping online on Black Friday.  I also went to Cameron Village on Saturday and supported local businesses as well as my closet :)  We actually have a good portion of our Christmas shopping done.  Woo hoo! Did you find any good deals during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday?

We've also decided to take out house off the market for now, for two reasons, and we are refinancing instead since the interests rates are so low right now.  It's a tough decision but one that we're ok with.  Since we made the decision, we thought we'd finish getting some things for the house we've been wanting/needing.  Things that we can take with us when we do actually move and that we will have in our family for a long time.  Here's a sneak peak below at what's to come...

I also purchased some new pillows that I've had my eye on at Furbish.  They had a sale so I figured it was good to time to get them.  I love these palm pillows but this won't be there permanent home. The fabric is thick and durable which make them that much better.

I also got these pink ikat pillows that are the same color as my spotted dot pillow.  These won't stayed piled up like this!

Now time for some randoms.  We've had amazing weather here recently.  Now this is my kind of December!

I've been obsessed with this nail color, it's OPI Red my Fortune Cookie.  I got it on my toenails and finger nails.  I think it's perfect for the holiday season!  

Lastly, we got one of our small trees up.  We call this our "beach" tree because all of the ornaments are beach themed.  My mom actually got this for us a couple of years ago and hand painted some of the ornaments.  It adds a bright, cheery touch to the space.

I hope you all have a great week ahead!

Orange Love

I've talked about my love for navy before but lately, for some reason, I've really been admiring orange.  I don't really have anything in my home that is orange and I only own 2 or 3 clothing items in the color.  I never disliked it but it's never really stood out to me either, that is until recently.  I'm not even sure why but anything that I see that is orange I am loving.  Are you a fan of the color?

Orange skirt paired with an oxford skirt

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Orange scalloped shorts with a matching clutch

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Love this orange and navy patterned shirt

Orange paired great with a white tee, tan tote and sandals

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Orange upholstery with white and gold

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Weekend

I hope you all had a great weekend!  We had a three day weekend with the observance of Veterans Day yesterday.  It all consisted of clothes and furniture shopping, a pedicure, seeing Skyfall, two dinners with friends and a dinner with family, and also roasting marshmallows and making s'mores (I only set one on fire! ha).

I also made this chocolate chip pumpkin bread Saturday morning using this recipe.  I tried another recipe last week but it was a soggy mess.  This recipe however was a lot easier and it turned out pretty well.

How was your weekend?  Have any plans exciting plans for the week?

I hope everyone's had a great day! It's freezing here once again today and I've been eyeing some new accessories to bundle up in.  It can be hard to look cute and coordinated when having to wear so many layers but I think these items will help with that.

Cold Weather by thedulynoted featuring fleece lined pants

Boden / Fleece lined pants / Hunter socks / Hunter socks, $45 / Isotoner stretch glove / Burberry scarve / Cashmere Scarf / Cashmere Scarf

Today wasn't the best day for Josh or myself, to say the least but probably not in comparison to many who are suffering right now due to the storm.  These words of wisdom help bring peace to mind...

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!  Any plans for Halloween tomorrow?  We're planning on having dinner with some friends at our usual spot and I might happen to pick up a bag or two or three of candy :)

Chills and Thrills

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  It was overcast and dreary here thanks to hurricane Sandy so I spent most of the weekend inside.  The past two weekends were gorgeous so I guess it was time for a dreary one.  It has also turned bitterly cold here today (which to me is 40's or below)!  We had what seemed like an unusually warm October and I was just in shorts a week ago so this definitely feels like a shock.  I thought this would be a good chance to share some of my "warm-up" essentials.

I love having coffee and hot tea to warm up.  We got a Keurig machine when we got married and it's one of my favorite appliances mainly because it's so easy to use (plus less expensive than going by Starbucks or Caribou all the time).   I can only drink decaf beverages and for a while the options were limited but lately there are lots more to choose from!  Here are some of my favorites along with some that I want to try...

I also like to snuggle up under my faux fur blanket.  I had planned to get one from Pottery Barn but came across a much cheaper one at Home Goods.  I've had it for about 3 years now and it's held up well and traps in the heat well.  A must for cold days!  

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The hubby and I were also just saying how today's weather is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (my favorite!).  How amazing does this grilled cheese look with avocado and tomato slices?!  I've made grilled cheese before with jalepenos which is also great.  If you like pimento cheese, that is a must-try as well.

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What are your cold weather comforts?

Pumpkins

I hope everyone is doing well! I know I've been MIA for a little while and I don't really have a good excuse.  We've been working of course, spending time with friends and family, and taking some time to rest.  We have some projects that we've been working on too that I'm excited about and I will share soon.

I've also been on pinning pumpkin overload lately.  Here are some of my favorites that I'm planning to try...

Don't they all look so good?!  The links can all be found on my Pinterest page here.  Do you have any pumpkin or fall treats that you like to make?

Sunday Shares

Another week, another weekend.  My house has the smell of homemade spaghetti sauce right now and the weather is perfect.  I did a little bit of shopping this weekend as well.  It's been a while and I desperately needed some jeans and fall/winter shoes.   I also picked up a few things from the JCrew sale.

We're also anxiously awaiting our new ottoman and I have been searching for the perfect tray to have for it, you know for drinks and what not.  I'm leaning towards a lucite tray but some can cost upwards of $150-$200.  I've found a few less expensive options below...

Gold?

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Solid Lucite?

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Faux croc?

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I love the styling of this large tray...

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Products

I hope y'all had a great weekend!  Back during the summer I posted a few times about how a goal of mine was to live a healthier life and have a healthier environment, meaning my home environment and the outside environment.  I wanted to share some of the products that I have found that I like that are free of sulfates and other harmful chemicals.  It took me a while to get around to sharing this information because I wanted to take the time to use them for a while and get a true opinion.  These may not be the very best to use but they are much better substitutes to what I had been using.

                               

Natural Body Products by thedulynoted featuring bare escentuals

Bare Escentuals / Burt s Bees face toner / Burts Bees body moisturizer, $11

I really love all of these skin care products.  The only complaint I have is with the foundation primer because it has a stubborn pump.

Natural Household by thedulynoted featuring body cleansers

Body cleanser / Natural Laundry Detergent / Arrow / Seventh Generation Dish Soap / Rinse Aid

 I also use Bounce free and clear fabric softener sheets.  I haven't been able to find any by Seventh Generation.  Vinegar and baking soda are also wonderful to use on countertops, fridge and sink.  Do you have any products that you can recommend as well?