Happy Friday!

Friday before a long weekend!

...the office is dead...

already thinking about a little after work cocktail!

____________________________________

Happy things today:

Coleman is a happy boy -- his gamecocks pulled in a W last night.

{a sloppy W, but still a W}

We hosted our first, "come over to our house and watch the game/drink beer/ shove your face with delicious dips party" in honor of the Gamecocks opening up Football Season.

I think it was a success.

Hot Bean Dip.

Sausage Dip.

Guac.

Chips and French Onion.

BEERS.

Plus C grilled up some fabulous burgers at half-time.

Needless to say, I am feeling a little "full" this morning.

____________________________________________

Hope y'all have a fabulous long weekend.

Enjoy what is left of this beautiful summer with some time outside.

I know I will be!

xo,

Shans

Wedding Wednesday...a day late

So sorry to keep you all waiting.

But here is Wedding Wednesday.. on a Thursday.

(Did I do this last week too??? My sincere apologies if I did)

Wedding Updates

_____________________________

1.Got my wedding shoes!

They are navy blue and sparkly.

AND they have a bow on the toe.

and...they are Kate Spade knock-offs.

As much as I love our girl Kate, I just could not bring myself to spend a significant amount of money on shoes that I will quite literally NEVER be able to wear again.

I mean...they are blue and sparkly.

They don't really fit every occasion.

So I went with the J.Renee knock-off that we had previously discussed.

Drum roll please.... I like them!

They are just the right height.

The bows look way better in person that they did online.

AND I am happy with the outcome.

YAY for shoes

and for something blue!

2. Parents Gifts

Coleman and I have discussed and decided on gifts for our parents.

Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more information because both mothers are readers!

They are good though!!

3. Bachelorette Weekend

The dates are set in stone.

The deposit is paid.

I cannot wait to celebrate in Savannah with 14 of my favorite ladies!

I so wish December would hurry along.

____________________________________________

That's all I've got today!

xo,

Shans



small freakouts

Having a few small freakouts.

Last night I had a nightmare that my dad "forgot" to buy

the liquor for the wedding.

Worst wedding nightmare I have had to date.

Good thing is that I know this could never happen in real life.

because my dad likes vodka too much.

(hehehe)

ALSO,

I really need to go pay my wedding gown a visit.

I'm starting to have real anxiety about not liking it.

It HAS to be just because I have not seen it in person in MONTHS.

On a side note,

it is seriously monsooning in Charleston today.

Thanks, Isaac.

I cannot imagine what it must be like down by the Gulf.

Sending up prayers for everyone living down there -- hurricanes can be really scary things.

unless it is this type of hurricane.

these I am ok with :)



Happy Tuesday.

Try and stay dry out there, y'all.

xo,

Shans

I've been tagged!

My sweet bloggie friend, Charlotte at From Carolina Cotton to Illinois Corn,

tagged me in her Liebster Award post!

Here are my 11 Random Facts and the answers to Charlotte's Questions:

11 Facts About Me:1. I love the fall. The sudden temperature changes in Charleston over the weekend are making me wish those leaves would hurry up and change!

2. I am addicted to TLC -- especially any of their programming that involves a wedding.

3. I am also addicted to several HGTV programs including

 House Hunters, Love It or List It, and Property Brothers.

4. I am the baby of a 2-child family -- my sister and I are almost TEN years apart.

5. I LOVE the color navy blue.

like obsessed.

however, a large majority of my closet is black.

6. I dream about one day toting my children around in a Tahoe.

7. I was editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper.

8. I love to bake,not so much to cook -- unless it is something that I know I can do well.

9. I am serious snuggle bug.

10. I am getting married in a little over 7 months!
11. I cannot wait to have a new monogram!

11 Questions:
1. Have you ever moved far from home? Why?

Nope. I have lived in and around Charleston my whole life.

2. What have you learned from blogging?

Blogging has mostly opened my eyes to the world right in front of me.

It is inspiring reading about the every day lives of people you may have never known existed.

Some of which are just around the corner.

3. What is a staple item in your closet?

J.Crew tees.

4. What are your most comfortable pair of shoes?

Jack Rogers.

5. What's the coolest trip you've been on?

This is a hard one! Coolest.. I am not so sure.

Most interesting... my senior trip to NYC...getting robbed while trying to buy fake IDs.

6. What do you do for a living?

I am a legal project assistant for a law firm in Charleston, SC.

7. Is this your dream job?

hmmm.. no not my dream job, but...

I am not quite sure what my dream job is.

This may be a step in the right direction though.

8. What is your go-to snack?

String Cheese!

9. What does a normal weekend consist of in your life?

Spending quality time with Coleman and the dogs!

10. Any fun Labor Day plans?

No plans yet!

Hopefully some grilling out, time on the water, and a few good beers :)

11. What's the best "steal" you've ever found (i.e. something very expensive you got for cheaaaap!)

It is hard to think of one good example because I am all about a good deal.

I really hate to pay full retail price for anything.

I still wouldn't say I got it for "cheap", but my wedding gown is definitely the most expensive thing I have ever purchased and NOT paid full price for.

Hope you all enjoyed!!

Now go over an pay a visit to my fellow future bride, fellow South Carolina girl, and fellow ZTA sista, Charlotte!

xo,

Shans

wrappin' up the week

T.G.I.F.

so ready for the weekend!

and a weekend with no plans.

that sounds very nice right about now.

___________________________________________

Some things that have happened this week:

1. BIG shout out to my biffle Marla on being the smartest girl I know.

excuse me while I brag for a moment.

This little smarty pants just found out that she passed her 4th and final CPA exam.

For those of you who are unaware, there are 4 tests, all of which you must pass before becoming a CPA. Obviously, all of them are ridiculously hard, and many are forced to 1 or multiples of them several times before finally achieving a passing score.

Well, not Marla.

This little lady passed ALL four exams on the FIRST try.

Just to clarify:

less than 20% do this.

LESS THAN 20%.

I think it goes without saying that I am a lucky to girl to have such a brainiac for a friend.

2. I ordered the knock off Kate Spade, blue/sparkly/bow shoes.

Fingers crossed that I like them.

3. I ordered a hanger for my wedding gown.

It says:

"Mrs. Hodges"

I think that has a nice ring to it.

I cannot wait to have photos of my dress
(which I am only mildly completely obsessed with)
hanging from this hanger. 

__________________________________________

Slowly trying to make it through the rest of this Friday afternoon.

I am ready for a nap and a cocktail.

Have a great weekend, yall!

xo,

Shans

Happy Birthday, Botany!

Even though I keep saying it over and over again,

I cannot believe today is my sweet pup's first birthday!

Although, sweet Botany didn't come into our lives until later in October

it still does not feel like this little lady is old enough to be having a birthday.

Of course, I went out and bought her some birthday surprises last night:

a new collar, a new name plate to go with her collar, a squeky camoflauge duck (to appease her father), a special nylabone chew toy that you can fill with peanut butter, and special peanut butter and oatmeal doggie cookies that I will bake tonight when her pal Snoop (and snoops fab mom and dad) come over for dinner!

I hope she won't be greedy -- I had to make sure that we shared all of the happy birthday love with big sister Buoy this morning as well. We don't want any hurt feelings :)

I figure that is only appropriate to share with you pictures from Botany' first year.

the day we picked her up!

 snuggling with big sister boo

comfy in mom's clean white laundry

first trip to the vet

sittin' on sis

am i cute or what?

 coleman's 3 girls

 uh oh i'm getting bigger

there soon will not be enough room for both of us in here

startin' to look like dad's hunting dog

TODAY, MY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

xo,

Shans



Engagement Annoucement

You lucky ducks get two posts today.

Just realized Chalestonweddings.com, a division of Charleston Magazine,

 posted our engagement annoucement last week.

I filled out a Q&A on us for the website a couple months ago and they created the annoucement.

I must say, they did a fine job.

Love it.

Check it out here!

xo,

Shans

Monogram Monday a Day Late

Because I participate in the From Mrs. To Mama link up yesterday

I was unable to shower you all with my recent monogram love.

Haven't had a Monogram Monday in a few weeks, but hey,

let's switch things up a bite with a

Monogram Tuesday.

Things around the house edition.

All of these little gems were found on pinterest. duh.



Hope you enjoy these little pretties as much as I do.

xo,

Shans

Link Up!

From Mrs. to Mama linkup!

1.If you were searching for a home now, tell me what would be on your "MUST" list.

Fabulous master bedroom with a fabulous on-suite master bathroom.
Huge fenced yard.
Wrap-around porch.
3-4 bedrooms.
At least 2 1/2 bathrooms.
Harwood floors throughout.

2.Show me your favorite room in a home {either your home, or any home, i.e. kitchen}.

Love a fab kitchen.

Here are some snapshots (from pinterest of course).

LOVE a farmhouse sink!

3.If you could have any room redone, tell me which one would it be and what would you like done?

Since our semi-recent move, I have been on a constant mission to get our master bedroom looking right.

Granted, this is still just a rental, but I want the master to feel like an oasis.

I want to feel calm hapiness when I enter.

It still isn't quite there, and I don't think it will truly be complete until we move into our first "real home".

(more space would be ideal)

Here are some ideas from pinterest that are helping me dream up my dream.

I like gray, and off white, with pops of blue.

Not all of these designs fit the scheme, but they may have pieces that I just adore.

Try to combine them for what would be my ideal situation.

Canopy bed.

colors.

dresser.

peaceful candles.

duh. the monogram.

family photos.

A combination of these things would help me create my perfect mater bedroom oasis.

4.Tell me where your favorite stores are to shop for home decor.

POTTERY BARN.
World Market.
Homegoods.
Target.

5.Show me your dream home {it can be your home, if you already have your dream home}

Something like this...

but with back accents..shutters etc.

wrap around porch and a big yard are must haves.

Friday Favorite Recipes

It is Friday morning and there is barely a soul in my office yet.

I can already tell it is going to be one of those lets go home early type of Fridays.

_________________________________________________

Coleman and I had some of his bros over for supper last night.

He whipped up some yummy burgers and I fixed up some sides.

Both courtesy of pinterest.

I thought I would share -- since they both were a hit.

Even with the boys!

Creamy Mac n' Cheese



original found here!

16 oz macaroni pasta (any shape shape you like)
1/2 C butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 C flour
3 1/2 C milk, warmed
1/4 C white wine (or sub w/chicken broth)
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 lb cheddar, cubed
1/2 C panko bread crumbs
1 Tbl parsley
2 Tbl butter, melted

Heat 350' oven. Grease 9x13 glass dish ( 8x8 or round casserole, if making half the recipe).
Cook pasta for about 2-3 minutes less than called for, drain, set aside.
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 C butter, salt pepper, once melted add flour, stir until smooth. Let cook for 1 minute. Add milk, wine, bring to a boil, whisking. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Pour over cooked pasta and add to greased dish. Combine the panko, parsley and melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle macaroni with panko topping, bake uncovered 30 minutes.

This made a big heaping dish.

Enough to feed me and 4 boys with leftovers!

Zucchini Crisps

original found here!

Zucchini, 1 cup, sliced
Parmesan Cheese, grated, 1 tbsp
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Original Buttery Spray, 10 sprays
Non-stick cooking spray


Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, then coat with some non-stick cooking spray. Place the zucchini slices out on the pan, then spritz with them with the butter spray. Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese and then pop it in the oven. Broil for a few minutes - until the cheese starts to brown.


I actually change this one up a little.
I use olive oil instead of spray butter.
I cut them into chips instead of slices. 
I use a non-stick cookie pan or pizza pan.
I sprinkle with lots of garlic salt and Parm.
Yum.


I used 5 large zucchinis to feed the 5 of us and as much garlic salt and Parm as I deemed necessary.
Sorry for the lack of specifcs.


Hope y'all can make these and enjoy!
Have a fabulous weekend!


xo,
Shans

humpday humpday

What an exciting day in our household.

humpday.

payday.

wedding wednesday.

opening day of deer season.

humpday.

half way thru the week day(s)!

_______________________________________________________

That's right, it is back. 

 Coleman yelled that he was heading to the hunt club right after work

as he was closing the front door this morning.

Deer season is back . The rifle is sighted in,

 and Coleman is the happiest boy there ever was.

Hopefully we will have some vennison in the freezer soon!

It just needs to get a little cool so I can have that boy whipping up some of his

yummy chilli.

_______________________________________________________



Having trouble thinking of some wedding updates for y'all this morning.

I know that is hard to believe.

My return address stamp finally arrived

and the save the dates are SO close to being ready for mail.

Still don't think I will send the little  guys off until the end of September though.

I want everyone to have a good 6 months to mark their calendars.

Usually I would say 4 months, but since we have decided to get married on the same day as

The Cooper River Bridge Run,

I figure people could use as much fore warning as possible.

Invitations are basically chosen! This wont be ordered until after hurricane season.

woof. the thought of them being destroyed in a storm makes my heart heavy.

________________________________________________________

That's all I've got for y'all today.

Enjoy your humpday.

The weekend is just around the corner!

xo,

Shans

Weekend Recap

It's Monday again.

Blurg.

Here's what we were up to this weekend:

-Friday-

C and I both got off work a little early, just in time to beat some 5o'clock traffic on the way out of Charleston. We teamed up with daddy for another quick trip to Florida.

Grandaddy is out of the hospital and into a rehabilitation facility where he will undergo lots and lots of therapy. Hopefully they will have that left leg working again in no time. :)

So great to see him OUT of the hospital, looking better, and chatting it up with his 90+ year-old buddies.

I don't know about you, but I just think old people are the cutest.

Especially my Grandaddy. 

-Saturday-

After visiting with the  old man we loaded up and headed home for Charleston.

Daddy raced as fast as he could to get us home in time for a 40th Anniversary concert at the Windjammer.

An awesome 90's band Jupiter Coyote was playing there, and luckily we made it home in just the nick of time. I am so glad we did, it was a really fun concert; although, I was definitely the youngest person there.

-Sunday-

Coleman's daddy's birthday!

We cleaned up the house (and the yard with help from my pops) just in time to have Coleman's parents over for supper! We were lucky enough to have his mom prepare literally everything except for the meat C threw on the grill. It was a delicious meal, and I was so happy to be able to host them in our home that they have almost completely furnished for us :)

On a side note, our engagement announcement made its way into Sunday's Post and Courier!

You can find it here!

Back to the daily grind. Hope y'all had a great weekend!

xo,

Shans

invitations are pretty

Wedding Wednesday a day late.

and invitations are pretty.

I won't be placing my invitation order for a few months yet, but I am trying to get my ideas finalized. A few less things to make decisions on is always nice.

Here are some pretties that I am really loving from Reave's Engraving



You would never imagine how many options there are until you are engaged and forced to stare at 53 million different fonts, papers, ink colors etc etc.

I have chosen, but I won't share.

Some things should be a secret.

For now at least.

xo,

Shans

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

MARLA!

Wishing the happiest birthday ever to this sweet lady, my friend Marla!

Hope you are enjoying your adventures in the wild wild west! Hurry to Charleston soon so we can celebrate! Love you and miss you!!

xo,

Shans



Weekend Recap

This weekend flew by.

Friday Coleman and I hosted a mini dinner party complete with a yummy pot roast.

_____________________________________________

Saturday morning my dad, my sister and I piled in the car together (what a joy :/)

around 8am for a quick trip down to Florida.

 As I told you last week, my grandfather is in the hospital

fighting to get back to normal after breaking his hip.

Broke our hearts to see Ganddaddy like that.
I haven't seen him in the hospital

for any extended period of time since
I was little girl and he was diagnosed with Diabetes.

Please contine to pray for smooth recovery so that he may be discharged to begin rehab.

_______________________________________________

Sunday...I laid.

I laid around and did a little laundry.

Then the sun set and I laid around, watched the Kardashians, addressed save the dates and drank wine.

Truly was a glorious evening.

____________________________________________

Monday.
 Not really the weekend anymore, but it sure felt like it!

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the first practice round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.  This new job definitely comes with some perks!

Not the best quality, but none the less, some pictures from the firm's suite overlooking the 18th hole.

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

xo,

Shans

prayin and prayin

Just writing a quick post to ask for all of you for your prayers.

As I mentioned in a post earlier this week, I have a sweet sweet grandfather, Granddaddy, who will be 92 this December. He is kindest, silliest old man in all the world, and I love him dearly.

He is the only grandparent I have left and

I get so giddy when I think about him seeing me in my wedding gown. 

He fell late last night and broke his hip.

He is in the hospital now in Florida where he lives with my Aunt and Uncle.

They are saying surgery will probably take place in the morning.

Please keep him, his health, and my family in your prayers.

Grandparents are such a special thing, but so are dads and I cannot imagine the thoughts running through my crazy Daddy's head right now as his father lies in a hospital bed two states away.

I know I can count on yall to be praying.

Thank you.

xo,

Shans

what's going on

Fingers crossed...we should be getting our dining room table on Friday morning!

Clearly, I am more than just a little excited.

 Although we do not have a seat of matching chairs, I have already invited some friends over for dinner Friday night -- Coleman and I used to have couples over for "supper club" pretty regularly back in our townhouse days, but we have not be able to at the new house due to the lack of table!

We may not be resting our rumps on matching chairs, but I sure will be glad to share a meal with friends in our new home. Now, I have a menu to plan! Any Suggestions??

______________________________________________

I still have not started addressing the Save the Dates nor have I made up my mind about the actual invitations! Someone kick me into high gear over here please!

I know we have 8 months, but that really doesn't seem long at all.. it is fun being engaged, but I cannot lie, I will more than thrilled when this whole process is over and I can finally call Cole my husband, and start using my new monogram.

 (You have to love the symmetry of an H in the middle!!)

____________________________________________

Busy busy at work this week,

 gotta get back to it, but had to take a moment to give all my loyal followers (HA!)

a little glimpse into what's going on!

xo,

Shans