Happy Halloween!

This jack-o-lantern was inspired because I think we have a ghost or a spirit living in our house. It is 100+ years old, so seems fitting. 

Incidents in question:

1. About 3 or 4 nights a week when I get home the dining room chandelier is on at the dimmest possible level.
2. On Saturday night when we arrived home Julia went upstairs and opened the guest room door (shut so the leather addict wouldn't strike!) and her jewelry case and all it's contents were spread all over the floor -- they had previously been neatly set on the middle of the bedside table.  In addition, a picture frame on the table was turned face down.  Creepy!
3. Josh claims he hears noises coming from the guest room a lot of nights when we get into bed -- almost like someone is "walking around in there."

Spooky!

Hope you have a wonderful Halloween and hope we have lots of trick-or-treaters.

XO,

Whit

October reunion

We had a little college reunion this weekend.  All of the roomies came to Raleigh except Caroline. :(  Friday night Rachel & Todd hosted dinner at their house for Josh & I and La & Bean.  Julia and Reilly made it for a few after dinner drinks.

She served bacon wrapped tenderloin (cooked to perfection), baked potatoes and a delicious salad w/ blueberries, strawberries, walnuts and feta cheese.  And of course she had a darling pumpkin cake for dessert.

Saturday the rest of the crew headed to the UNC game and Josh and I went to Katie Yates' wedding (photos to come later this week).  We met them at Churchills afterwards.

Sad it's over.

XO,

Whit

Charlottesville Adventure

Friday we ate dinner at a fun restaurant in the "downtown mall."  Then we headed in so we could wake up bright and early for a hike.  Those Monroes took us on quite the hike!

It was a wonderful fall weekend...and we get to see the Monroes and some of my other favorite college friends this weekend!!

XO,

Whit

DIY in the works...

The fabric store where I bought my den drapes quoted me $760 for hardware (poles, finials, brackets and rings) for two double windows.  I had a little sticker shock and decided to do some comparison shopping.  After all, I still had trim to purchase and a tighter budget than that!

Home Depot actually had a really good selection, just not in a finish I desired.  For $125 dollars ($635 in savings) I decided to paint them to my liking.  I think the result will end up being very similar to the more expensive hardware (and it's 9' off the ground anyways!).

I highly recommend this paint -- I ended up using two colors to get the gold I desired.

Off to Charlottesville that afternoon to see some of my favorite friends and family!!

XO,

Whit

Eat your greens - chopped Greek salad

I'm not a huge salad person.  Don't get me wrong, I like them...I'm just not the girl who always orders a salad when I go to a restaurant.  I love french fries & chocolate too much to have that kind of self-control.  However, as I head into my late twenties I am trying to be as healthy as possible during the week -- so I have become addicted to this chopped Greek salad I found over at Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers (really cute & fun blog!).  Find the recipe here.  I skip the raw onions and sometimes I leave off the feta.  I can't decide if I like it or not.  The dressing is delicious -- I probably do 2-3 parts red wine vinegar to 1 part EVOO.  As Natalie says, the key is serving with some delicious pita chips.  Oh, and before you say you don't like olives, are you sure you have tried them?  I swore up and down I didn't like them until we ventured to Italy and now I'm in love.  Just try them.

Speaking of Olive...

Do you know of any other dog whose favorite food is Romaine lettuce? 

Honestly, it's the only food she tries to snatch out of my hand.  SO STRANGE.

XO,

Whit

More pumpkin ideas

Brought to you by my mother-in-law, Jean, who I made addicted to Pinterest. 

In other random news -- how cute is this glittery cocker spaniel stationary Bailey ordered off Etsy?

You can see the Etsy shop (Fiona Designs) here.

XO,

Whit

Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce - Easy & Delish!

Like a good bride I registered for a variety of cookbooks at Williams-Sonoma.  Like a good wife, I have diligently been trying new recipes to teach myself how to cook.  Over the last two-and-a-half years I found myself pulling this one off the shelf more than any other.

picture and available for purchase via Barnes & Noble

Don't you just love Giada?  She is adorable in her Anthro ensembles (her hubby, Todd, works there!) and her recipes will never fail you.

Tonight I made her chicken scallopine with saffron cream sauce (for the second time) and I recommend you make it soon.  Josh licked his plate.

Go here for the recipe.

Here are the ingredients you will need:

I had everything on hand, but I will warn you that saffron threads are expensive.  I think I paid about $20 for that small container (which has 4 little containers inside -- use 1 for this recipe).  It is worth it though, it gives it the most unique flavor.

The end result from a real person (a novice) and a food photographer -- both look pretty good to me.

 I was halving the recipe tonight and may have forgotten on the "heavy cream"...hence it was runnier, and maybe that's why Josh said it was better than the first time!

We love to serve it with rice and a salad.

Have a great Friday!

XO,

Whit

Dog Harassment - The Halloween Episode

I wanted O to be an elephant, but we couldn't find a costume, so she will be a princess this year.  She pretty much hates it, but Josh & I find it very amusing.

Her eyes looks so creepy in these pictures -- I can't seem to make it home from work before dark and I am too sleepy to spend any more time fixing them, yet too impatient to not post tonight.

She looks really spooky in this one!

Isn't she lovely?  Poor dog!!

Do you think it's mean to dress your dog up for Halloween for the sheer purpose of owner amusement?  Did I mention Halloween is this sweet dog's birthday?

XO,

Whit

Randi + Nick - Beaufort Wedding

I haven't been to a wedding where a bride was this creative & crafty in a long time.  Randi did such a wonderful job with all the details -- it was unique and intimate.  The scenery was gorgeous -- sprawling myrtles on a grassy point, lit by a full moon and more stars than I've seen in months!  Simply stunning.  OH-- and most importantly, the couple was absolutely radiating love all night.

Nick, the groom, and his dad created the altar they got married under.  How special will that be in their backyard for years to come?

The white lanterns and white lights wrapped in the trees were magical.

DIY Idea #1

DIY idea #2

DIY Idea #3 - mason jars are "in" and for good reason.  I plan to start using them for arrangements at my house soon, especially since my clumsy self can't seem to hold onto a vase without it shattering lately.

DIY Idea #4 - wishing tree - instead of a guest book each guest was invited to write a wish for the couple

 

And being the good advertising lady that she is, she had one of the McKinney art directors design this custom logo for them -- I love it!

Apologies on the poor quality -- these were cropped form other misc photos from the night.

 

She had a lot of traditional wedding food that I enjoyed - shrimp and grits, passed apps, carving station, etc.  But a few things that were different included a "kids station" (Randi is one of 9 siblings so there were lots of nieces and nephews to keep happy) -- their app was popcorn and their entrees were grilled cheese and chicken fingers.  What adult doesn't enjoy that?  Her party favor was W-S based Texas Pete.

First dance and sweet father-daughter dance.

 

 

So typical...only a few bites were enjoyed by the bride and groom before they were harassed by guests.  Josh still complains to this day that he is mad he didn't get to "enjoy enough of our delicious food."  Let's just say he has made up for that at all the 2011 weddings!!

 

Nick & Randi Bass

Not the best photo, but the only one I snapped of us.

Best wishes for a wonderful life together!

Have a great week everyone!!

XO,

Whit