Birthday Weekend

I hope ya'll had a great weekend! Mine was jam packed full of birthday festivities, a yard sale, a wedding, and an early Halloween party. 

My birthday started out with breakfast in bed from my sweet husband. We lounged around the house with the dogs and took our time with the morning. We packed up the dogs and took them to the loop at Wrightsville Beach and then ventured out onto the beach. Polly and Cooper LOVE running and swimming on the beach so we took them down to the far end so they could do so. 

I'm feeling extra large these days with just 5 weeks to go. I don't think I'm eating any more than usual, but I watch in amazement as my body and belly continue to grow bigger and bigger! Grayson suggested that we go to lunch at the Oceanic so we could enjoy the gorgeous weather and sit on the pier. We had the best time at our late lunch and sat outside for a few hours just enjoying the scenery. 

Standing outside of the Oceanic

Grayson enjoying the view

Grayson had a beer with lunch and at the bottom of his glass was a tiny anchor. I love it!

 When we got back to the house, Grayson gave me these beauties as a birthday gift. I told him not to buy me a thing, especially after I accidentally purchased a major piece of art work last week, but he couldn't resist. I saw these a few weeks ago on Rachel Roy and stroked out over them. I think they will be so cute with skinny jeans (once I can get back in those skinny jeans) and even dresses come spring. 

PS: They are unbelievably comfortable

That night, Grayson had another surprise in store, dinner at my favorite French restaurant, Caprice. We always go there for special occasions and sit at the same table every time. We had an 8:30pm dinner reservation which made it the latest I had been in non-pajamas in a long time!

The next day was a whirlwind. We woke up at 6:30am and had a yard sale. Those yard sale people mean business and the serious ones where there at 7am. It was a successful sale and we were able to get rid of a lot of old furniture, lighting, and accessories that we haven't used in a long time. We packed up what didn't sell and were off to an afternoon wedding in downtown Wilmington. After staying for a little while at the reception, we slipped away and went to a annual Halloween party at the Reed's House. 

This year's theme was "Night on the High Sea." Grayson wanted to be an Old Salt, I think more to smoke his pipe than anything. I didn't have a lot of choices because I can't fit into anything these days, so I was a puffer fish. We took a t-shirt, duct taped the back of it and then poked golf tees through the tape and the shirt so I would have spikes like a puffer fish. What do you think? It was a hit at the party!

On Sunday, we recovered for most of the day after such a busy Saturday and then that evening, Grayson invited our neighbors over for Smores around our new fire pit. It was a fabulous, full weekend. I hope yours was as well!

Happy Birthday to Me

This will be my first birthday in quite sometime without champagne and a party, so I hope that some of you will partake in my honor today! You have my permission...

Birthday Countdown

It's just two days until I turn 29, so I thought I would let you in on my secret birthday wish list...

A lazy morning in bed with my husband, Cooper, Polly,  delightful pastries and (decaf) coffee. 

A house full of pink peonies

A walk on the beach with my two favorite dogs

A fierce manicure

Lunch at our local Brasserie

And a movie date with the husband where I can "dress up" in leggings in fur

(just because I can)

Birthday Wishlist #1: Shoes

My last year in my twenties is coming up officially next Friday. That's right, I'll be 29. I was home this weekend in Hickory and saw my step-sisters who are 22 and 25 and that seems like only yesterday. I can't believe that in the next six weeks I will be 29 and I will be a mother. Whoa!

In all reality, I have asked for practical things like new running shoes and a breast pump for my birthday. Totally boring and depressing, but albeit things that I need. I would rather just not celebrate my birthday at all this year. I think that 30 will be easier for me than 29 because at least there won't be so many unknows in the future as there are this year. 

 In a selfish plot to shield my insecurities of age and motherhood, I think it's best that I ignore what's really going on for a little bit and do a little retail therapy instead. Who's with me? Of course, the husband and I have to tighten our budget belt a few notches in order to prepare for this sweet babe, but a girl can dream right?


Being 33 weeks pregnant, I feel huge, puffy, emotional, and so not sexy. I'm not saying that these would go on my feet right now, but it would be nice to have something to work for? These shoes from Zara could be the key.

Another perfect shoe from Rachel Roy

And just because in all reality, ballet flats may be as chic as I get in the next few months, these from Bloch aren't only adorable, but also super comfy.

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Happy Birthday Husband + Ode to the Beau

" Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free."

Tim Robbins


Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet husband Grayson! He is a rock star husband,  the most patient man I have ever met, a great friend, a hard worker, a great dog daddy, and a total style setter. He loves me to pieces despite all the craziness I put him through. 
This morning I woke up and made him breakfast and gave him one of his presents, a new bow tie. He gets pretty excited when a bow tie comes in. He has quite a collection as you can see. Have I told you he has a few billboards? Kind of ridiculous, I know. You can see it in the bottom right corner.

Not every man can successfully pull off a bow tie, but I'm proud to say that Grayson Cheek can do just that. He is a criminal defense attorney, and his clients especially love it. I can't remember the last time I saw him in a regular tie. It's just not the same. He has a "Southern Swagger" that I could just eat right up. Do you want to wish the sweet husband well wishes on his birthday? You can do so right here or here. . He is going to love it!

Birthday!

Mrs. Minnie & Chocolate Drop welcomed us this morning at the stables

Today is my birthday and I feel INCREDIBLY blessed. This year has been almost magical. I have the love and support of so many wonderful friends and an amazing family. I embarked on an exciting new chapter of my life with a wonderful team of people that I feel so lucky to be with. It's far better than anything I could ever imagined. How many people can truly say that that really love what they do everyday? I know that I am so blessed.

 I have a loving husband that is thoughtful and kind. I have come to realize what true friendship is more than ever this year and I can't thank my friends enough for that; you are all so special to me. More than anything, I am so proud of where I am today and am  looking forward to what this 28th year brings. 

I woke up this morning with a coffee and a surprise sunrise horse back ride on the beach with my husband. I was just surprised with 36 gorgeous antique roses from sweet Jennifer at Salt Harbor. And just now, Bryan from Flour and Flower brought a macaroon birthday cake over. I'm just beyond words on how very special this birthday has really been! This evening, we are having dinner at my favorite French restaurant, Caprice Bistro with cocktails and champagne toasts.
Thanks you all again for such sweet birthday wishes!

Love these roses so much

Sweaty and stinky from a horse ride but so excited about these roses!

 Pistachio and Strawberry Dark Chocolate Macaroons... Bliss

Off to get this horse smell off and some high heels on for dinner and cocktails!

xoxo

Lindsey

Birthday Wish

Just a snakeskin Chloe bag. That's all. 

Birthday Month!

As I have said in the past, birthdays are a big deal around here. My birthday last year was a little less than stellar and I've been having a pity party about it ever since. This year, I have vowed to not think about it. I have been giving gifts to myself for the past several months in decorating my house and will be off to Paris in less than a month! 

What could be better than that? 

Keeping in the spirit of all things birthday, after all, this is only a once in a lifetime get out of jail free card for the husband, I'm making a "wish list" of birthday things but don't expect a thing. I really mean it!

First things first... CAKE!

Is this not the most absolute adorable cake you have ever seen? I love it with my whole heart and don't think I could ever cut it. 

Gorgeous flowers and a few treasures hidden into drool worthy bags

Lots, lots more to come. In the meantime, I'm off to torture myself with a little Bikram Yoga

Birthday Celebrations

Around here, we celebrate birthdays for more than a few days. Why not? My birthday is in October, and at times, I have celebrated it from Labor Day until Halloween. My sweet husband shares a birthday with his older brother (just one day apart, but still, with extended birthdays it counts), so their birthday celebrations last weeks and weeks.

Tonight, I will not be able to attend a grand birthday dinner because, sigh, I have a wedding. To make up for this major party foul, I am planning a most fantastic birthday party tomorrow for those two boys... Keg Kickball. Yes, yes, redneck it may be to have kegs and sporting events, but you wouldn't believe the response in rsvps. Here's the plan

• Locate a park with big willow trees to hang gorgeous (but manly) flag banners and streamers
• Bake Buy delish cupcakes in spring flavors including key lime, pink lemonade, and coconut
• Purchase keg and other delighful refreshments
• Make yummy comfort food including gourmet pigs in a blanket, popcorn, woopie pies, dips, etc
• Invite a ton of fun people, their dogs, and their neighbors

Hopefully, everything will go as planned. I have ordered a few rentals (I just can't help myself) and even have cute goody bags for the attendees. Wish me luck in hosting this party for two of my favorite boys!