Off to San Francisco

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We leave bright and early to head to San Francisco for a long weekend.  My sweet hubby had an airline voucher that was about to expire so he planned a little romantic getaway for us.  We will be back Wednesday morning.

I have been really down on my hair...it has been looking so BLAH and heavy.  To prep for the trip, I copied Julia and got some side bangs at lunch.  I'm going to have to learn how to leave them alone or they are going to be a greasy mess.

via iPhone

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Veterans' Day!  So thankful for all of those who have served.

XO,

Whit

Stuffed Peppers - My go-to meal as the weather gets colder

We are all about trying to cook something Sunday that will last us a few nights during the week -- this recipe is perfect for that -- it makes a lot and Josh thinks they get better each night.  As a bonus, I added it up and the ingredients are about $17.

Ingredients

4 medium bell peppers (I avoid green because I think you end up feeling like you are burping them up all night...)

2 1/2 slides of bread

4 T chopped onion (I don't measure - I do 1/2 of a sweet vidalia onion)

4 T chopped celery (again, I don't measure it out - I do 4 or 5 stalks)

2 T butter

1 lb. ground beef (with everything added I don't think flavor is impaired too much if you do leaner meat)

1 beef bouillon cube

1 can cooked tomatoes (drained, but save liquid)

Grated cheddar cheese for top

Prepare peppers by cutting out core.

Toast bread and set aside.  Saute onion & celery in butter.

Add beef and saute until grey in color.  Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt, etc.

Notice my faithful helper!

Dissolve bouillon cube in 1/4 c. hot water and add with drained and chopped up tomatoes (remember to save liquid!).  Fold in bread crumbs.

Fill peppers with mixture.  Place in baking dish where you've poured in liquid from tomatoes in bottom (helps them to stay moist).  Cover and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or when peppers are tender and hot throughout.

Add grated cheddar cheese to the top for the last 5 - 10 minutes (uncovered).

Enjoy!

XO,

Whit

Worth crying on a plane

I might be one of the last people in America, but I finished this book today on a plane en route to Columbus for work.  I'd been meaning to read it for months, but figured the storyline was another Marley & Me or A Dog's Purpose, both of those are sweet stories, but for me neither hold a candle to this completely delightful and inspirational novel.

 I cried to the point my pillow was wet the last few nights.  Then today I braved it and decided to finish it on the plane -- the lady beside me told me I was crazy for reading that book while traveling.  She too had read and become completely entranced and emotionally attached to this wonderful book.  If you don't want to cry in public, stick to reading it at home...but no matter what...please read it.

XO,

Whit

Katie & Anthony's Wedding

Some of the most gorgeous flowers I've ever seen.  I loved the orchids that were strung on clear fishing line to look like they were floating.

I love Josh in a tux!

Mother of the bride (her dress was stunning!) w/ her friend, Ann Wooten (Rachel's mom!); Josh with the father of the bride (his mentor at work)

It was such a beautiful and fun wedding!!  I'll post last night's wedding - Kate & Kyle - later this week.

Happy Sunday!

XO,

Whit

Living Room Dreaming

I've been thinking about living rooms a lot lately...here are some I've collected on my laptop over the last few years.

1. via Ryland Woodard's blog -- this is my absolute favorite -- love the neutrals with the bright pops of color, the crystal chandelier, the cornices -- LOVE IT ALL.

2. Atlanta Homes Magazine

3. Atlanta Homes Magazine -- I'm a sucker for the French chairs and mirrored coffee table.

4.Betty Lou Phillips -- Isn't it cozy when a pair of couches flank a fireplace?

5. Bunny Williams' living room -- the pair of chairs with individual ottomans look cozy too!

6. Traditional Home -- love the french chairs and settee

7. Domino Magazine -- bolder color

8. Jan Showers -- the soft monochromatic palette seems soothing

9. Jan Showers -- still adoring zebra rugs

10. Jan Showers

11. Jan Showers

12. Jan Showers

13. Jeffery Bilhuber

14. Jennifer Lopez's living room in Veranda

15. Kelly Wearstler yellow living room

16. Kelly Wearstler - love the alabaster lamps, velvet couch and chairs

17. Suzanne Kasler - one of my all time fave designers

18. Suzanne Kasler -- I keep gravitating to feminine and airy living rooms

Which would you choose?  I'm sticking with #1.

XO,

Whit

Downtown treasures (100th post)

Bailey and I went to the new Furbish on Saturday and it is amazing.  The space is awesome.  I left with some earrings, a frame and lots of ideas!  If you are in Raleigh go check it out...if not, lucky for you Jamie (the owner) has a blog and online store.

Studio123, located in Seaboard Station, has become another one of my favorite places to find home furnishings and accessories.  Like Furbish, it's only a few minutes from our house.  My mother-in-law spotted this table over there this week.  It was really reasonable and I like adding a non-mahogany piece to my den.

Where are your favorite places to find reasonable goodies?

XO,

Whit

PS- Can't believe this is my 100th blog post.  Thanks for reading!

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