Ready for Fall!

Fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons...I just love the crisp weather, yummy food, cute clothes, and college football! Here is what I'm looking forward to this fall....

Pumpkins and Mums on my porch:

Apple season:

Pumpkin-spiced candles:

Georgia Tech Football!
Apple cider:

I'm so ready for the cool weather to arrive already! What are your favorite things about fall?

I love magazines...

I realized the other day that lately I really love magazines. I've always loved to read, but it's funny how my interest in magazines has shifted over the years. I pretty much only read home decorating/cooking/organizing magazines now, whereas I used to read Glamour, InStyle, etc. I don't even really like those anymore! It's so funny how your tastes change. Here are my current favorite magazines:

Southern Living (my absolute favorite!)

Real Simple

Martha Stewart Living

My old favorite, but now discontinued, Domino (I was so sad!)

And of course I still like my celebrity trash mags (don't judge).

What are your favorites?

I Have a Good Husband

Monday night was my first big event for my new job. I have spent the last few weeks planning this event and I'm glad to say that all my hard work paid off! Michael came to the event, which was a banquet dinner, but left early while I stayed until everything was clean. I came home to this sweet surprise!

Flowers and wine...my favorites!

He knows me so well. Love you honey!

Michelle's Baby Shower!

Mrs. Southern Belle, another friend, and I hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Michelle, on Saturday! It was so fun to plan and we had tons of people show up. Michelle is due in mid-September, so she's getting pretty close! I can't wait to be an aunt! Here are some details from the shower...

Adorable banner that our friend made:

The 3 hostesses:

Mom and I:

Pretty flowers and champagne flutes:

Dessert table:
Favors!

Michelle got a ton of gifts for Baby Gates!
The diaper cake I made:

Unfortunately, I did not get one single picture with Michelle. We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to meet Baby Gates!

Living Room Pictures

I have FINALLY uploaded pictures from our living room! Keep in mind that our house is a rental, so there is only so much we can do. But I love it now! We've added drapes, a rug, accessories, and art work for the walls. Here are a few pictures:

Well, what do you think?

New Fall Lilly Items!

I LOVEEE all of the Lilly Pulitzer stationery and accessories line. When I saw these two items, I knew I had to have them!

Lilly Pulitzer Thermal Travel Mug

Lilly Pulitzer Pocket Agenda
I already carried my coffee to work in my mug this morning. At such a great price point, it's hard not to buy everything!

Family Fun

My parents and little brother came to visit us yesterday - it was so fun having them in town! We went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Taco Mamacita. Delicious margaritas! After dinner we had drinks on this really cool old steamboat hotel that's docked here.

This morning, I made these delicious pastries for breakfast - the amazing recipe can be found from the awesome blog, Bake at 350! They were so easy and tasted basically the same as a cheese danish.

Cream Cheese Triangles
We took the dogs for a walk after breakfast, then my Mom and I looked in a few stores. We all ate lunch at the Boathouse, a delicious restaurant right on the river. I had the most amazing salmon salad. Here are a few pics:

I LOVE weekends!

TGIF!

Yay! It's finally the weekend! I have a fun weekend planned - my parents and little brother are coming to visit today and spend the night at our house. I love having guests, so I'm really excited! Here are my weekend activities:

• Drinks and appetizers on our front porch this evening
• Dinner at Taco Mamacita (one my FAVORITE Mexican restaurants)
• Delicious breakfast prepared by moi for tomorrow morning
• Walk with the dogs tomorrow morning
• Lunch downtown with the family Saturday
• Church on Sunday
• Grocery shopping

I'll post pictures after this weekend. Have a great one!

Alison's Pasta Salad

Alison, my good friend and bridesmaid, sent me a delicious recipe of her favorite pasta salad! I cooked it for Michael tonight, along with Nordstrom Cafe's tomato soup (they sell it by the jar in the cafe). It turned out great, so I thought I'd share the recipe for this tasty pasta salad!

Alison's Pasta Salad and Nordstrom Tomato Soup

Alison's Pasta Salad:

• 1 box Orzo, cooked (immediately run cold water over pasta after cooked)
• 1/4 red onion finely chopped
• 1 zucchini, cut and sauteed
• 1 container grape tomatoes, cut into quarters
• 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced and cooked
• 1 container feta cheese
• Parsley (to taste or color)
• lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
• olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Mix everything together and refrigerate. Bonus: I have a yummy lunch to take to work with me tomorrow!

Weekend Recap!

I had a wonderful weekend! Friday night, we went out to dinner at one of my favorite steakhouses, Hennen's, with 2 other couples (including my friend Grace and her who husband, who just moved to Chattanooga - yay!)

Saturday, Michael and I went to Nashville for the day/night. It was part of my birthday gift to him. We had so much fun! It was so nice to just spend the weekend alone. We had sushi at a yummy restaurant downtown for lunch and then we got cupcakes for dessert at Gigi's Cupcakes...SO delicious! The cupcakes were SO cute too. I had the cutest Wedding Cake cupcake. I want another one! We went to dinner last night at Sambuca, which was amazing. We had a great table and watched live jazz music all through dinner.

Today was spent grocery shopping for the week, working out, playing tennis, and relaxing. It was such a great weekend! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so no picture recap. Have a great week!