Finalizing February

Sadly my birthday month has come to an end, but thank goodness we were blessed with an extra 24 hours with Leap Day! :-) Just a little recap of my birthday celebrations and what we've been up to for the remainder of this month.

We celebrated with a family birthday dinner at American Grocery and drinks with friends afterwards! I am truly blessed with such an amazing family and great friends! It has been a really fun month....

A month of concerts....

Bruce Hornsby with friends at the Greenville Peace Center

It was pretty good. I will admit that I'm not a HUGE Bruce fan, but he is quite the pianist and I do LOVE me some "Mandolin Rain".

Kelly Clarkson with my sister at Timmons Arena at Furman University.

AHHHMAZING! seriously...I was a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan a few years ago and apparently I still am. First of all, she is just so real and seems like an awesome person. Second of all, she BELTS it out and I love that. You gotta love an artist that you can belt out to in the car or the shower (or belt out with at their concert like my sister and I did!) And although I haven't listened to some of her songs in years, the words came right back to me ;-)

Some of my favorites from the concert:

"Stronger"

Cover of Florence and the Machine's "Heavy in Your Arms"

"Mr. Know It All"

"Walk Away"

"Since U Been Gone"

"Because of You"

"Already Gone" (I simply love this song because it was the song played in SYTYCD for those sent home)

"Don't You Wanna Stay" with Jason Aldean

I know...that's a lot. But like I said it was a good concert!

Somehow, I didn't take a single pictures at either of these concerts. Well except for this one at Kelly Clarkson...

Yes that is an XL image of Jason Aldean with a life-sized Kelly Clarkson. :)

Obsessions of the month

Chan Luu bracelet

Rebecca Minkoff Studded Affair Bag

Beginning DIY Projects

Our living room coffee table

The plan was to simply paint it one coat and distress it, but I had too many different suggestions...

So here is the primer.....I'm either going to leave it this color or paint over it with off-white and then distress? thoughts?

I ended up loving this color and this look and now I can't decide what to do. Figures.

New Hair Style

So, I've grown my hair out for a WHILE now and it is long and I love it long. But it's getting a little "old" to me and I think I need something new and different! Of course the styles/cuts I fall in love with are on BEAUTIFUL people that have completely different hair than mine, but whatever. Thoughts, anyone? Keep it long or go for the "long bob"??

Clearly, it would just be easier if I could HAVE Gwyneth's hair or just look like her.

I also like these 2 shorter bobs, but can't decided if I'm ready to go that short again....but maybe?

And then there are the bangs. So, been there done that. But I am loving this haircut on Anna Faris, makes me want to think about doing bangs again. But I also just love the length.

Which style is your favorite???

Lastly, cannot wait for Revenge to return in APRIL!!!! :-) Thank goodness we don't have too long to wait!!

Heading to FL with friends for the weekend! Super excited! :-) This skin NEEDS some sun!

XOXO-

Shanana

Supa Bowl....belated

We laid low on Super Bowl Sunday this year, just watched it at home. I will be honest....I could care less about the actual game, but who doesn't love an excuse to eat some yummy dips for dinner, and possibly see a good commercial...and an entertaining half-time show performance?!?

I had been keeping my eye out for some good dips to make and wanted to do something different. I have a couple of great spinach dips recipes, but ran across this one on Sweet Tea and Stiletto's blog...and I must say it may be my new FAVE spinach dip. It was DELICIOUS!!!

Spinach Dip

10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained (press with paper towel)

8 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded (I used Mozzarella)

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. purple onion, finely chopped

1/4 Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 can Rotel tomatoes

cumin, to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Bake in 12x12 dish at 350* for 30 min. or until bubbly in center. Serve with Scoops, pita chips, or Wheat Thins.

I also did buffalo chicken dip.....it's basically like eating fat, but oh so good! ;-)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 large cans of Tyson chicken

2 (8 oz.) bars of cream cheese

1 c. Ranch

1 c. Texas Pete hot sauce

Mix thoroughly. Put in pan and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Bake on 350* for 30 mins.

And then of course we needed a dessert. So I attempted No Bake Oreo Truffles for the first time. And I AM ADDICTED!!! Oreo anything is by far my favorite and these did NOT disappoint. 3 ingredients. No bake. So easy. Just be willing to get your hands a little dirty.

This is NOT what mine looked like. I got a little lazy with the chocolate. So, just FYI, the Oreo balls are good with just a drop of melted chocolate dropped on them or completely dipped. They are the best!

1 package Double Stuffed Oreos

4-8 oz. cream cheese (depending on what kind of consistency you want)

Dipping chocolate (I just used white chocolate morsels)

Chop Oreos up finely in a food processor. Save some of the finely crushed Oreos for garnish later and set it aside.

With hands or a spoon (I think hands are faster), mash softened cream cheese and crushed Oreos until well combined.

Roll into 1" balls and place on a wax covered cookie sheet. Put in freezer for 15 mins.

While balls are in freezer, melt chocolate according to directions.

Pull Oreo truffles out of freezer, and dip into chocolate. Garnish with reserved Oreo crumbs before the chocolate sets.

Let chocolate set, refrigerate, and enjoy!!

Hope you all had fun eating, drinking, and watching the Super Bowl on Sunday! I know I did....well, at least until the 3rd quarter.

TGIF! :-) and a birthday weekend ahead!

XOXO-

Shanana

one birthday month ends and another begins! :)

My AHHHMAZING mother turned the big 6-0 this weekend, which is so very hard to believe! My sisters and I wanted to do something special for her for this big milestone, so we threw her a surprise birthday party Saturday night and the surprise was a success! Family and many of her long time friends came to help us celebrate and we had an amazing time! Some highlights of the party...

1. It was at the Art Bar. A super cool, laid back bar on Main St. downtown Greenville. We had the upstairs bar reserved (MINUS a few party crashers, who even ate some of our food! haha)

2. We got my mom's FAVE, coconut cake. And then some cupcakes as well for those who despise the texture of coconut (like myself). These treats came from one of my new obsessions..... The Bakery off Augusta. If you live in Greenville, you MUST try it! They also have the most delicious petit fours I have ever tasted in my life.

Coconut Cake from The Bakery Off Augusta

The "Glenn" girls :)

Some of my mom's LONG time friends

the hat. the face. enough said.

The Archibald Fam

The party was a huge success! We could not have asked for a better mother and best friend! We love you more than anything! Here's to MANY MANY more birthdays (just don't be expecting a party like this every year ;-)

So, now that January is coming to an end, MY birthday month is beginning. Yes, I said "birthday month"! Be honest...who doesn't love to celebrate their birthday all month long?! haha not that this ever really happens but I at least like to acknowledge it until the day comes! And if the celebration continues...then the celebration continues. However, it's hard when that cute little holiday, Valentine's Day comes along just 2 short days later. I will say, I don't mind combining the 2 for a nice dinner or something like that. I think a card and some candy is quite nice, but nothing too over the top.

So, I bought myself an early birthday/valentine's gift. It's the perfect dress for transitioning into Spring!

SOOO many ways to wear it. :)

I honestly don't expect anything for my birthday. I know, it sounds crazy. I feel like it's just that time in my life, and hopefully I'll always feel this way...but it's the thought, the phone call, the card, the company, and simply the feeling of being loved and appreciated that really matters more than anything. Besides, I'm pretty bad about when I want something, that is affordable, bad enough, then I just go get it. But with that being said....who doesn't love gifts???

So, this is just another fun wish list. Because who doesn't keep a constant wish list in mind??

1. TOMS ballet flats! They became available today! :) So cute and bound to be comfortable!

The particular pair REALLY catches my eye :)

2. Guilty by Gucci. Every girl needs her scent.

3. J. Crew Striped Blouse

4. J. Crew Chambray shirt

5. The Hunger Games. I love a good addiction to a series.

6. Heating blanket. Yes, random. But, my mom has one and it is the most wonderful thing EVER!

hmmm that's all I can think of for now. This list is constant though....always fulfilling and adding on ;-)

Also, Nelson and I have officially signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run 2012. It might be the 1st year I'll be doing this run and NOT living in Charleston :-( which is kinda sad. But, we went ahead and jumped the gun, committing to it tonight since tonight ends the "early registration". Charleston, here we come! Well, I'm sure we will be back sooner, but March 31st is official.

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!

XOXO-

Shanana

current OBSESSIONS

This yoga video. Yes, of course, there was some controversy around it. BUT, you have to admit that this is beautiful. And of course it's a great source of inspiration.

The following article is an awesome follow-up to this video.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathryn-budig/yoga-briohny-kate-smyth_b_1202653.html

And then I'm sure most of you have seen the many many videos like this on YouTube. These phrases still crack me up....I even follow this person on twitter and everytime I see their tweets, I find myself laughing out loud. And then of course I share them with my husband, and he never laughs with me. haha. oh well. I find them very funny.

The last obsession that has been on my mind is .... CHANEL. Chanel make-up that is :) I have been searching for some new face/eye cream, make-up, etc...but have dreaded actually having to pay for it. But thankfully, the Chanel counter offers samples!

I did get this wonderful Eye Cream...Starting my wrinkle prevention early! It's also super moisturizing and treats puffiness and dark circles!

And the following are on my "want" list.

Foundation

And Hydrating Face Lotion

Lastly, it has been an absurdly dreary, rainy, cloudy weekend here in Greenville. We were social for 1 night, but I have watched quite a few movies this weekend. So here's a little review!

The Debt

I had never even heard of it or anyone cast in it, but this was a great movie! Actually kept my attention, and had a little suspense to it!

I Don't Know How She Does It

This was pretty cute and entertaining. Not a must see or anything. But I do love me some Sarah Jessica Parker.

Moneyball

I was actually surprised that I liked this movie. Seriously, how can Brad Pitt still be soo good looking?! It's like he doesn't age! (Although...I don't really like him ever since the Angelina scandal, but you must admit he is quite the looker!)

This movie is based on a true story and I highly recommend it!

And tonight...we plan on watching Contagion. It's been on my list to watch for a couple of weeks now and I've heard it's pretty good, so I'm excited!

This nasty weather just makes me want to sit on the couch and watch movies all day (with a mini break for church this AM......some hot yoga....a maybe a nap.)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

XO-

Shanana

I'm BAAAACKKK

Well, now that I have taken over a month hiatus from blogging, I have kicked myself in the butt and am jumping back in!!

I apologize for the absence, but it's been a little busy with the holidays, moving from Charleston to Greenville over the holidays (literally...drove a UHAUL up on NYE), and I started my 3rd (and 2nd to last!) PT rotation at Greenville Memorial. Although I have continued to follow other blogs over my "break", I just haven't felt too inspired to write lately.....I must confess..I definitely have been sad about leaving Charleston. It just doesn't feel real yet, more just like an extended holiday in the upstate. So we have said goodbye to Nelson and I's first home together. And on to a new chapter in our lives!

We are beginning to settle in a little bit. First of all, it is WONDERFUL to live in the same city as so many of our family. I am sure that "lonely" is one thing we will not be ;-) We are very blessed to have such wonderful families!

Also, I have started teaching yoga classes at Southern Om! So that's been keeping me pretty busy as well! Come join me any Monday evening at 7pm for a 90 min of hot power vinyasa! ;-)

I'll leave you with just a little recap of our holiday with some of my favorite pics!

And no, I didn't watch the Golden Globes last night. I won't even pretend like I did. I just enjoy looking at the magazines and other blogs for best/worst dressed instead :)

Poe Family Tacky Christmas Eve

Ruby's 1st Christmas! So, needless to say, there were a few photo ops, but I will spare you the 500 photos! ;-)

Ruby, opening her 1st Christmas present!

We brought in the New Year with the Avett Brothers at the Bi-Lo Center! (Thanks to my wonderful sister and brother- in- law!)

And we even snuck out a bottle of champagne! Happy NEW YEAR!

2012 is gonna be a good one!! (I'll be honest...I have been anxiously awaiting this year since starting PT school in 2009!!!!)

Spending a beautiful Saturday in Cleveland Park!

Just a lil' shopping trip with Rubes! She is quite the natural shopper....surely a shopaholic in the making! ;-)

So, a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! See you soon!!

XOXO-

Shanana

Hustle Bustle

So, again, things are crazy around here and I have neglected the blog for a couple of weeks. But I do have a pretty good excuse.....we are MOVING! So bittersweet...as I freaking LOOOVE Charleston. However, we will be moving to the upstate, to Greenville, where we will be close to family! And it's not like we are moving to some po-dunk town, Greenville is a great place to live, we definitely can't complain and we are really excited!! However, everytime I have been out and about in Charleston this week, I have gotten pretty sad and realized all the big and small things that I love about this city. Here is a list of just some of the things that I will dearly miss, besides the obvious wonderful friends and people in Charleston...

1. Charleston Power Yoga & their amazing instructors

2. Marion Square Farmer's Market on Saturdays (especially the donuts!)

3. City Church at the Music Farm

4. Shopping at II Brunettes

5. Square Onion's Goose sandwich

6. Dog "Off-leash" hours at Sullivan's

7. Home Team's BBQ nachos

8. Al Di La's Fettuccine Bolognese

9. Our 1st home! (which is available to rent if you know anyone in Charleston looking ;-)

10. Boating, Sunbathing, etc...

I seriously could go on and on and on.....and maybe I will in another post coming up! ;-) The restaurants & shopping here are just out of this world. obvi.

No worries though, we will be back.....to live on Poe Ave, Sullivan's Island one day! :)

We also had a birthday to celebrate this week...my wonderful husband, Nelson, turned 28 on Tuesday! We celebrated by having dinner at Fulton Five, which was PHENOMENAL- if you live in Charleston or visit, you must add it to your list! And afterwards we grabbed a drink with friends at Oak Barrel Tavern in Avondale where I had a TASTY Raspberry Wheat beer! And I didn't' even take a single picture!!! Can you believe it!? So unlike me...I need to get back on it!

This weekend is going to be hectic packing and checking off my "things to do and places to go before I leave Charleston" list.

But I promise to check back in before Christmas ;-) which is ONLY 1 week away. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Happy Holidays!!

xoxo-

Shanana