My New Hobby That I Hate

We have a new hobby. Running. (Continue reading once you've stopped laughing...)

Those of you who know me know that there was one time I ran for exercise between high school and this past weekend. It was my senior year of college, I was living with Leah in the cabin, I felt fat, so I decided to run from our cabin to the end of the road and back. That was a really really really bad idea. Gravel and running and a steep mountain road don't mix.

I was that kid in elementary school that would make myself throw up so I wouldn't have to run the mile.

Anyways, Justin and I decided to start getting in shape for the wedding and honeymoon (and I can't sit down in my wedding dress as of 2 weeks ago). There are so many great parks around Greensboro that are really close to our new house. On Saturday we went to Battleground National Military Park. The battle of Guilford Courthouse in some war was fought there. There are lots of statues and cool trails.

Sunday we went to Country Park, where most of Greensboro's 5k's and other races take place. The trail is a big loop around a lake, and twice around the loop equals 5k. My goal by the end of the summer is to be able to get around the lake once without stopping/walking. Maybe I'll be able to run a 5k by this fall!

I also started painting our entry hallway this weekend and it made me want to puke. The color is just not right - too warm, if that is even possible. I guess I'll buy more paint, and try again... no photos until it is just right :)

Save the Dates are almost done - we have to print them, address them, and send them on their merry little way to YOU! I hope you all like them... alot of hard work has gone into them already!

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION*

ATTENTION ALL LADIES.....

Run to Payless Shoes right now. Don't walk. Run.

I just spent $50 and got 3 of the cutest shoes I've gotten all summer. AND, its a BOGO sale.

Aren't they sassy in all their orange patin leather glory? (and work-friendly, too)

These come in green, black and yellow stripes. Comfortable, and more importantly adorable. Perfect with white pants or a skirt.

Again, so cute and so cheap! And they make your ankles look skinny! It doesn't get much better than that....

I can't wait to wear them all :)

It's Finished!!

My kick-butt fiance and almost brother-in-law finished the sidewalk! It looks awesome - they did such a good job. All we have to do now is fill in dirt on either side and plant some flowers. Here are some photos of the finished product, and a few more of what is blooming in our yard right now.

Follow the Concrete Paver Sidewalk...

Yesterday, construction started on our first official home improvement. Before yesterday, the path from our driveway to our front door was about 10 inches wide, and muddy. In an attempt to keep mud from being tracked in the house, and because it will look pretty, we decided to buy pavers for a new sidewalk. Justin called his brother for advice, and Ryan ended up offering to come down for 3 days and help Justin put the sidewalk in! Ryan is a firefighter in Raleigh, and has a crazy schedule, so we were lucky to get him for his off days!

We had figured out where we wanted the sidewalk to go last week, but once the guys started digging yesterday, tree roots got in the way. They finally decided to dig up 2 of our existing bushes, move the sidewalk farther away from the house, and avoid killing our ginormous birch tree. Here's what it looked like this morning before they started Day 2!!

More updates tomorrow!

Did Someone Say Party?

...That is the name of the little bridal store in downtown Boone, NC. It is a store that my friends and I made fun of for four years while we were in college. It is also the store that I bought my wedding dress and veil from, and the store I am forever in love with. The people that work there are nothing short of wonderful. So helpful and honest! Love them!
This weekend, Justin and I joined his parents in Boone at their cabin for a relaxing weekend. We got their late Friday night, and woke up early on Saturday to go to breakfast at our ALL-TIME FAVORITE RESTAURANT............. Melanie's Food Fantasy! SO GOOD!

After we finished the food fantasy, we walked up and down King St., and realized that Boone is really in a bad situation. So many places are going out of business, or already closed. Boone Saloon burned down. Angelica's closed. Moonshine Restaurant closed. Hallmark closed. THE $2 MOVIE THEATER IS CLOSED. I guess all the Floridians (that Boone people despise) aren't "summering" any longer in Boone. Apparently their multimillion dollar homes have foreclosed, and they can't afford to fill their gas-guzzling SUVs. Sadly, the wealthy tourists are what keeps the small town afloat during the summers, when students are gone. After exploring downtown, we drove through ASU's campus to see all the changes in buildings and the new football stadium! It is amazing how much things have changed! We can't wait to come up for all the football games in the fall.

For the rest of the day, there were thunderstorms, which gave all of us the excuse to sleep and be lazy. It was really fun! Sunday morning we went to Dan'l Boone Inn for breakfast, and then packed our bags to come home for Father's Day with my dad.

I officially must get back on the wedding planning train. My goal for the next 2 weeks - get save the dates out, and reserve all the hotel rooms for wedding weekend. Only 173 days left!

Flip Flops and a Clean Living Room...

180 days until I get to change my last name :) (Just in case you were wondering...)

I really love being crafty, even though I don't get to be crafty very often. Last week, I spent many hours making these as gifts for my students at the dance studio (Every year I make a gift for my Mini Company)...

Aren't they just adorable? Funky little flip flops, for funky little girls. Next time I make funky flip flops for some little diva, I will use more stuff on them. However, when you have to assemble 11 pairs, your fingers feel like they are going to fall off, and you are sneezing from all of the little fabric threads that you have stuck up your nose.

Saturday, my sweet fiance did so much around the house. He worked in the yard, bought pavers for a new sidewalk, and CLEANED THE ENTIRE LIVING ROOM! This usually would not be a big deal to most people, but let me tell you, this living room was a wreck. There were piles of junk taller than our makeshift coffee table! There is still much to be done in this living room (i.e. art, end tables, coffee table, new rug, eventually new furniture...) BUT, I am showing you what we are living with for now...

Isn't it kind of sad? I don't like that color blue, but it was free, and it will have to do for now! The trunk has character, but doesn't really work in this space. And the rug is just so puny :) I can't believe that I am actually posting this on here, but I think only Leah reads this, so it is ok - she knows what it is like getting started in your own place! ANYWAYS, isn't it clean? No mess! No piles! I love my man :)

Update-O-Rama!

You guys! I'm updating twice in one week! This is a breakthrough, and reward-worthy I'm sure...
The baby shower for Jennifer and Jonathan was a success! So much fun! They are going to be surprised by the sex of the baby, so we had to have two cakes...

We decorated our own onesies to give them...

we played games... (trying to pick safety pins out of a bowl of rice is REALLY hard!)
...and so is trying to draw a picture of what the baby will look like ON YOUR HEAD!
Jennifer was pretty bummed to get a Boppy from us and Kate...

Everyone from AWAKEN chipped in to get them their pack-n-play :) It really was alot of fun! Thanks to Matt and Whitney for letting us party at their house!
Yesterday we got a slipcover for our navy blue couch. It's tan. It's a slipcover. Someone tell me WHY I am so dang excited over this!?! I also ordered a rug from Crate&Barrel. I love me some C&B. AND, I ordered this cutie patootie from the Nester...

i am obsessed with robin's egg blue, people!

This weekend: Dance Recitals, and maybe laying concrete pavers for a new sidewalk?

Busy Busy Busy

...is it weird that after typing that title three different ways, the word "busy" looks like it should be pronounced, "bussy'?

Anyways. Obviously, I am not good at remembering to post on this blog, but I have a really good excuse! I have been very busy, and I couldn't think of anything to write about :)

Over the past few weeks, I have:

1) Gone to Raleigh with the fiance to have engagement pictures made by Phreckles Photography. We spent several hours finding cool hidden places in downtown Raleigh to take pictures. Lots of fun colors and textures. Phoebe even came with us, too! Let me tell you, we are getting our moneys worth, people! Marie is AMAZING at what she does, and we will be clients for life :) Check her out - and look at some of our engagement photos featured on her blog!

2) We went to Ocean Isle Beach for Memorial Day weekend. My entire extended family was there, and we had a really fun and relaxing time. We spent lots of time playing Wii in the evenings and when it rained. Even my Nanny and Paw Paw tried bowling on the Wii. Too bad we don't have Dance Dance Revolution for the Wii yet...

3) I went to South Beach in Miami! This past Friday, myself and two other friends packed our bags and hopped on a plane to sunny South Beach. We met 8 other girls there to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of my bridesmaids, Emily. It was a "batchelorette weekend" of sorts. Lots of sun and fun, I tell you. Emily's wedding is June 28th, and I am so excited for their wedding, and honored to be a bridesmaid! Here is a picture of Emily on our last morning before we went to the airport (our flight left at 7 am, hence the not-to-fabulous outfit and silly facial expression):

4) Justin's mom came to Greensboro, and we picked a Rehearsal Dinner site for the wedding! It was such an easy decision - just like everything else has been for the wedding so far. We are going to Starmount Country Club - it is such a beautiful club, and they have stunning Christmas decorations up in December! I know the Rehearsal Dinner is going to be just perfect! (sorry the pic is kind of boring.. it's from their website.)

So that's what I've been up to. I haven't finished unpacking the house. Haven't finished painting the house. Haven't finished cleaning the house. I promise, as soon as it is presentable, I will show you pictures.
In the next few weeks, I will stay busy with a baby shower for our friends Jennifer and Jonathan, the GDT Dance Recital, going to Boone for Father's Day weekend with the Stagners, and going to Charleston for an install for work. Like I said, Busy, Busy, Busy.