friday five + fancies

Happy Friday!! WE MADE IT!
This week was one of those that just drug on... Lately I've had commitments with either after-work events or Junior League but this week was mainly just exercising after work (I need it).

{one}

Tonight Ty and I are hopping on a plane to Houston, TX to visit my brother and sister-in-law. We are so excited to experience Texas for the first time! At the end of September, they are moving back to Rhode Island where my SIL is from, so this will be a great last hoorah for them! We haven't seen them since our wedding in March and are looking forward to a fun weekend.

{two}

We'll be pulling for Clemson Saturday night when they take on the Georgia Dawgs, since Cameron and Tyler are Clemson alums! Hopefully we can round up a few other Clemson fans in the bar! Last night we watched THE Carolina game (and I mean South Carolina Gamecocks) with our new friends and neighbors. We are thrilled to have a new couple 5 houses down from us in our neighborhood! A good time was had by all.... Except for that whole lightening thing... Come on, mother nature... don't you know its football season?

{three}

Here's my outfit for Labor Day weekend! My last bit of white, Clemson orange, and cowboy boots in honor of Houston. Sadly, my boots were left at my parents house, but I can at least pretend! Linking up with my favorite, {av} for Friday's Fancies!

tank // shorts // boots // sunglasses 

{four}

I've really gotten into this "giving to others" thing! Yesterday I paid for the lady behind me's lunch at Chickfila. I had never done it before and had butterflies because I was a little nervous (no idea why) and excited. It made my Thursday much better! Her meal was cheaper than mine (OK only by a few cents!!). 

{five}

White after Labor Day..... What are your thoughts? I've always been an Easter --> Labor Day white kind of girl and I don't think that will be changing, even though I live on the coast. What are your thoughts? No judgement, though, to those of you who wear it year-round or throughout September! I just retire mine and call it fall!

What are you up to this Labor Day weekend?

perfect porch

We all know I love our little house. One thing I REALLY love are the porches. We have THREE!!

There the traditional front porch, a screened in back porch, and a screened in porch off the master bedroom. I've had fun collecting things to try to make our porches look nice and homey. 

Now, they all have some ways to go and below you will find some items that help make a perfect porch!

Hampstead Buffet Table

If I could afford this from Pottery Barn, this table would be sitting right on our screened in porch as we speak!

Rope Swing

We are looking for something like this for our upstairs porch.

Greek Key Lounger

Seriously, this is so cute. I'd love to sit in this cute chair while Ty grills burgers!!

Cabana Chair

This would be so fun on a patio!!!

Ikat Placements

Precious placemats to accompany an outdoor table.

Rocking Chairs

No southern porch is complete without rocking chairs!!!! Lowes has them for $99!

Live Topiaries

 No porch is complete without some green!

Table

You always need some extra side tables.

Pawley's Island Hammock

I LOVE a hammock. Pawley's Island hammocks are the BEST. My parents have one at their house and it is a mildew-free one! We forget and leave it in the rain (has been out there 3+ years and it hasn't fallen apart)!

Ferns

Need I say more? We know I love my ferns!

What accessories are necessary for your porch? I'm open to more suggestions!

pineapples mean welcome

My sweet best friend and coworker in Illinois inspired me with pineapples. One day I am going to write an entire blog post about her, but for now I'll stick to pineapples.

Pineapples are a sign of welcome and hospitality. 

I just think they are so cute and can be used in so many ways (other than food!).

I will take any of them below for a belated wedding gift. Please and thank you.

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I am kind of drooling over this lamp and need it in my life right now.

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I actually bought this for myself off One Kings Lane a few months ago!

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Which is your favorite?

hydrangeas

Tulips and hydrangeas are neck and neck as my favorite flower. I can't wait to show you my bridesmaid's bouquets because they were comprised of these two beautiful flowers!

I love scouring the internet for different way to arrange hydrangeas in our home. Last week I was in Columbia so I stopped by the new Trader Joe's and picked up some white hydrangeas ($5.99!!). I love them and I have them in a gorgeous blue pitcher my girlfriends gave me as a shower gift.

I apologize for the quality! I have misplaced my SD card for my camera.

I've always grown up adoring pink hydrangeas but our pH at my parents' house only ever allowed for blue ones to grow.

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Give me an entire garden of these and I'll be so happy.

Turkey Time

My hunting fanatic husband killed two turkeys the day after our honeymoon.

Y'all of course know Tyler LOVES to hunt. Like its an obsession. But, if I can shop, he can hunt!!

He wasn't really even planning to "hunt" Saturday afternoon.... he threw on a camo shirt to go move his blind in the woods. Sat for 10 minutes with the computer in hand (he was looking at pics from his game camera) and heard them walk out to the decoy. 

In ONE shot, he killed TWO. No, I'm not making this up. He was so pumped. You use a rifle to shoot turkeys and the little pellets inside the bullet explode (so you have to hit them in the neck- sorry TMI). Luckily they lined up perfectly for one shot!

They are kind of massive.

They made me take a pic.

Mom went along for the ride too.

Sarge wasn't really sure what to do...

Proud hubby.

One had 3 beards and the other has 4. I think that determines how old they are? I'm honestly not sure.

My mom is now worried that we won't come visit them anymore, but he has 3 more tags to fill!

I'd say between the wedding, honeymoon, killing turkeys, and me officially moving in this has been the greatest couple of weeks ever for Tyler!!

I'll be eating wild turkey for the rest of my life.

Southern Wedding Traditions

Hey y'all! I'm Sarah Elizabeth! I blog over at "Belle in the City" about my life as a Southern Belle who moved from a small country town to a 'big city'. I've followed Charlotte's blog for a while now, and she is just the cutest thing and I couldn't be more happy for her on her big day!! 

I figured since this is Charlotte's wedding week, I'd talk about some good ole' Southern Wedding Traditions! In the South everything and I mean everything is about tradition...so here are my top 5.

1. Invitations: 

Obviously invitations are going to be sent out by anyone getting married, but invitations in the South are a big deal. After all, a wedding is a formal event..so shouldn't the invite to this event be formal as well? Traditionally, what is sent out is an oversized engraved invitation, on heavy paper with a tissue layover and an inner envelope. Included inside is a formal invite from the Bride's parents, requesting your presence at the wedding, as well as a reception card and options to formally RSVP. 

2. Showers/Parties: 

If your wedding is one big party why not have a bunch of smaller parties leading up to the main event? Engagement parties, bridal showers, luncheons, oyster roasts, pig pickin's...Southerner's love a reason to get together and celebrate!

3. Monograms: 

Now y'all know that Southern ladies love their monograms, and to quote Ms Whitherspoon "If its not moving, monogram it". So of course monogramming is near the top of the list of traditions. From napkins, to bouquets, isle runners or cake toppers. There are plenty of things worth of a monogram!

4. Bridal Portraits: 

If you walk into any Southern family's home who has a married daughter, you can almost bet that their daughter's bridal portrait is gonna be hanging on display for everyone to see. Traditionally, a long time ago bridal portraits were some of the only pictures from the big day..but now they become more popular and a way to showcase the Bride's beautiful gown not only after the wedding but at the reception venue as well.

5. Groom's Cake: 

The tradition of a groom's cake goes way back, and is a way for the Bride to honor and to incorporate the Groom's personality and/or hobbies. From fishing cakes to sports team's logos, or favorite beverages...the options for a Groom's cake are endless and the perfect way to add a little fun.

All of these are so so so true for my wedding! Thank you Sarah Elizabeth! Y'all, she is just the cutest. Can't wait to show you all of my southern wedding aspects!!

His & Hers Lowcountry Boil

My wonderful and sweet friends threw us a FUN shower/party Saturday night. It was an absolute blast! I have the best girlfriends in the world! Everything was perfect- the food, the drinks, the people, the decorations! It was awesome and a great time was had by all!

Love my mini-me!

Precious cupcakes

Sweet friends!

No party is compete without kegs...

I love these girls!

Lowcountry Boil

Bride & Groom!

Wofford Bridesmaids

BFF

Love our cupcakes

Love him

Delicious grits bar

It was such an incredibly fun night. I am so thankful to Megan for having the party at her beautiful house and Beverly, Hannah, Virginia, Leah, and Anna for being awesome hostesses! I love y'all!