hurricane sandy in nc

While the violent Hurricane Sandy ravished the northeast, us North Carolinian's were feeling it's affects as well. Although the temperature in Charlotte has been bitter cold and the winds were much higher than normal, those of us living in the piedmont haven't been affected by the storm on any level. Our mountains and coastline, however, have seen more dramatic affects of this record breaking storm.

Roan Mountain, NC - Oct. 29

Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Nags Head, NC

Hurricane Sandy's path of destruction

I've been glued to the tv for 2 straight days. I don't think I've left my couch for hours, flipping back and forth between the Today Show and Fox News. This storm's magitude is still unimaginable to me, and although I worry about everyone in the northeast, I'm also concerned about the pets and stray animals that have been affected and killed in this storm. The overall devastation just breaks my heart and it'll definitely be the next addition to high school history books. Is the end of the word coming?

Hug your loved ones and stay safe friends!

Photographs via here, here, here and respectively.

one of my most favorite dresses i've ever worn

Do you remember when we went to the Riviera Maya back in January?

I wore the below dress and many of you e-mailed me asking where I bought it.
It was from a local boutique and bought summer 2011 with the intention of wearing it to the Country Music Awards in Nashville.
As you know, we had to sell our tickets and couldn't attend the awards show. Read why here.
I was so excited to transition this western dress into a beachy look for Mexico.
Anyhow, the boutique had sold out of it and you all were SOL.

Today is your lucky day!

I was recently browsing ModCloth and came across this nearly identical Stable Scape Dress.
Happy shopping!

remember

Remember when I said this was my first year ever living in a state that experiences a true fall?

I lied.

I'm originally from Pennsylvania.

Best believe PA has the most beautiful fall colors you've ever seen!

But I was a little girl then.

And now that I'm an adult I can report that living in a state that experiences a true fall is pretty cool.

And by true fall, I mean the leaves change but the daytime temps remain in the 70s-80s.

Sundresses in October?

Yes please!

nc music factory: vbgb & the fillmore

A couple of weekends ago we went out with friends to the NC Music Factory (ala where Emily and Arie had their 1st date, the Gloriana live concert). Every picture below portrays a girl having a blast, but don't be fooled... I was faking it! Yes, I love hanging out with friends and had a great time in Uptown. But no, I just don't like the nightlife anymore. Bryan has never liked the bar scene and I think this night proved that I've finally caught up with him! 

I loved getting to spend time with friends, but I'm pretty sure drinking overpriced Jack and Diets* and staying out in Uptown til 1:00am won't be in our future. I mean, we are in our 30's and can't hang like we could just a mere couple years ago :)

* I evened out my $9.00 Jack and Diets with $1.50 PBR's. Classy

we've been boo'd!

 I opened my front door to the sweetest surprise.

Much to my delight, we had been "boo'd" by someone in our neighborhood!

Isn't this the most cute Halloween game?

Does your neighborhood do this? If it doesn't, you should start it!

Go here for free printables.

a bright, clear day

Remember last Friday, when I posted about worry?

This morning I awoke to the most beautiful fog in my backyard.

It was reminiscent of what us Californian's refer to as 'marine layer.'

The sun was shining so bright and the fog on the ground was slowly rolling out.

My heart felt happy and I felt alive.

It made me think about where I was last Friday compared to this Friday.

It was like multiple small rocks were standing in my way.

And just beyond the rocks was this layer of fog that I had to cut through.

Once I pushed the rocks aside and cut directly through the fog, I came upon a bright and clear day.

And that's where I currently am... Enjoying this bright, clear day!

you + me = friendship

The day after my parents left, our good friends, Anna and Brandon, came into town.

They are in our same industry and travel around the country together.

This is their 3rd time working in Charlotte this year, which means we've gotten to see them a lot!
Although we're all so different, we just click naturally.
We're constantly trying to convince them to move to NC, but they're home is in Missouri.

To read more about Anna and past visits with her and Brandon click here, here and here. To view Anna's blog click here.

After we parted ways, Anna and I sent a couple of texts to each other.
She wrote me some of the nicest words anyones ever said to me:

So wonderful seeing a couple so in love... Brandon and I will be so blessed if our marriage mimics yours in any way!!

I'm not sure there's a better compliment to recieve and I cherish ours friendships with both of them to the moon and back!

***

Because I'm on the topic of friends, lets chat about this Lauren Conrad look-alike, Ashton.

A few weeks ago Ashton borrowed a clutch of mine for a wedding she attended with her fiance.
While out of town for the wedding, Bryan and I watched her little dog.
She came over the other night to return my clutch and brought me this little gem of a gift.
I was speechless. Still am!

Not to mention, back in April she made these coasters out of wine cork for me.

***

This past weekend Bryan's good friend, Chris, married his stunning bride. 

They are the perfect compliment to each other and we're so sad that we couldn't be there for their special day in Long Beach Harbor. 

***

I woke up this morning to an e-mail from my best friend.

It included cute pictures of her and her boyfriend... and the last photo was of us.

It's an oldie and she titled it "When we ruled the world!"

Two 20-somethings, holding hands and walking "home" through Times Square.

Much has changed since then and I miss those days... those days when I see my bestie regularly!

Bryan and I aren't the kind of people to have a slew friends, but the friends we do have are ridiculously special to us!

my parents came to visit! {picture overload}

My parents flew into town last week to escape the heat they're having in California and immerse themselves in our everyday life here in North Carolina. I planned a relaxing few days, with everything we did being something that Bryan and I do on the reg. I really wanted my parents to see what our life is like, living in Charlotte -- We had dinner at North Harbor Club, breakfast at Toast, got pedicures, made Target runs, got take-out from Red Rocks, went boating, took Cali for her final swim in the lake, drove up to wine country to do some wine tasting and even took my parents polka dancing! 

North Harbor Club (notice the lights, lake and boats in the background... this is 5 miles from my house *swoon*)

Lake Norman

Cali's final swim of the year

wine tasting in the NC wine country

 Largest cow we've ever seen!

Polka band

 There were a couple blips on the screen, but all-in-all, it was a good visit and I'm so looking forward to having my parents AND in-laws out for Christmas!