Easter Decorating At Our House

It's Easter at our house!  I've never really gone all-out with Easter decorating, but I decided to give our breakfast table a Springtime look.

So here's what I'm starting with ... a blank canvas for the most part.  This pub-height table typically looks like this (maybe with a little stack of mail taking over a corner, ha!). 

  

I started out by getting some plastic eggs.  I picked up this pastel-colored pack from the Dollar Tree ($1) and I also had a pack of white eggs from Hobby Lobby ($0.50).
 

Add to the mix -- four somewhat creepy-looking bunnies ($4 total) from Dollar Tree.
  

I wanted to incorporate these precious egg cups from Homegoods ($5) into the mix.
 

And I knew one of my favorite vases (a wedding gift from sweet Misty) would make a pretty centerpiece.
 

Only issue at this point?  As cute as the pastels are, I just didn't think that those colors would jive with the rest of our home decor.

Enter a new friend:  Krylon's 18kt. Gold Plate metallic spray paint. I picked this up from Hobby Lobby using my 40% off coupon on their iPhone app.
 

One warm-ish evening after my walk with Drake, I got to spray paintin'.  Thank goodness for Ian's access to these big medical cloths ... they are perfect for projects like this.

I put the gold bunnies on top of green napkins, and the golden eggs went into the egg cups and into the large vase in the center of the table.  I added glasses and plates that I already had.  Lastly, dried sprigs from Old Time Pottery ($1.99) went into the center vase.
   

It was also time to add a little greenery to our corner, so I got a new houseplant for us.  It just needs to be raised a little bit so it takes up a little more visual room.

Here's a little before and after to show the changes to the table.

I love how this little table turned out, and I'll be sad when Easter is over!

Do you decorate for Easter?

Weekend Highlights

On Friday I mentioned that we had a weekend ahead of us with some adventures -- we escaped out of our comfort zone (pizza / yoga pants / Netflix on Friday night needed a rest!) and I do have to say that it was quite fun.

Friday evening, we were invited to our neighbors' home for dinner.  They are Indian, and they fixed us authentic fare.  I loved it.  Rather than opting for the traditional bottle of wine as a host gift, I went a little out of the box and brought a pineapple -- the Southern symbol of hospitality.  Ian thinks I'm positively kooky, as others likely do who drove by me Friday evening, walking down the sidewalk with red lipstick and a pineapple in hand.  Oh well.

Saturday afternoon I went up to Birkdale Village for the grand opening of Apricot Lane.  What a fun store this is, and it's surrounded by lots of other great stores.  Convenient ... and dangerous.  Just how I like my shopping.
 

Here are my favorite five things at the store:

That was the first time that I'd ever seen the headband version of the hair ties I love!

I did leave with a pretty fabulous new pair of earrings... aren't they fun?
 

On the way home, I went old-school and started jamming out to my old MTV Unplugged 10,000 Maniacs CD.  Ian and I had big plans that night to go uptown and see her perform with the Charlotte Symphony!
 

I wore a Lost April black sheer cape from Petal along with black leggings, black stilettos, and my new Bellvue Newport monogram necklace.

We caught a cab uptown and had an awesome dinner at King's Kitchen.  This non-profit restaurant features Southern cuisine with local ingredients, and profits go back to feeding Charlotte's hungry.  We loved every bit of what we ordered, but the fried oyster appetizer with the bacon aioli ... good gracious.  Just downright sinfully good.
 

The show was great, and Natalie Merchant has a voice that gives you shivers!  Man oh man, I really do wish that I could sing. 

More Easter updates coming on the blog this week!  I'll take a break from the Organized Traveler series this Thursday, but it will be back the following Thursday.  Ciao, ladies!

Easter Basket Wishlist

Remember how exciting it was to sprint to your Easter basket right after waking up to see what the Easter bunny brought you? 

And then to swiftly devour Peeps and Cadbury Eggs and chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, all before 8am?

Oh, the long-lost days of the high metabolism.

I'm not giving up all Easter sweets, but here's my wishlist for this year's basket!

{1} Jelly Beans
I'm a total jelly bean lover, and of course Jelly Bellys are so delish.  I would have to say that pink grapefruit and canteloupe are my very favorite flavors.  Oooh, and toasted marshmallow!

{2} Seche Vite
Instead of asking for nail polish this year, I'll just ask for another bottle of Seche Vite!  This product has revolutionized my nails.  I used to think that I had to go with Essie or OPI nail polish to get staying power -- but this little bottle ($8) can turn bargain brands into a salon-worthy manicure!  I love the little $0.99 nail polishes by the cash register at Sally Beauty Supply, and with Seche Vite on top, they look just as good as the expensive brands.

{3} Cheery Potholders
This set from Vera Bradley ($22.50) would look so darling in our kitchen, and added bonus: the busy print camouflages any food stains that you may get from taking that piping hot cheesy casserole out of the oven.  Don't act like it doesn't happen to you.

{4} Nest Votives
This Wasabi Pear Votive ($14) may cost more than your traditional votive, but we are huge Nest fans in our little family due to how strong they are!  The votives last a long time and fill up the entire room with their scent.
 
{5} Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings
One small pair of earrings that really makes a statement.  And better yet, you can buy them ($60) through Zappos (here), which gives you free shipping and return shipping -- not that I think anyone would need return shipping on these beauties!
 

What's on your wishlist for the Easter Bunny this year?

Friday. Happy. Friday.

I'm so excited for the weekend -- we are branching out this weekend with a new adventure for tonight and a new adventure for Saturday night.  Weather in Charlotte won't be the best -- rainy and chilly -- which makes me extra glad that we knocked out all of our yardwork last weekend.  We've also recently hopped on the Homeland train, so I imagine our weekend will consist of a good, healthy dose of couch time with Claire Danes.

Up for a little Friday randomness?

{1} So yes, my girlfriends have amazing style.  And some of you were curious about where they got some of their items.  I don't blame you one bit!

Ashley's awesome cheese board is from Pottery Barn and it's available here.  I also love the matching marble cheese knives that you can get.

I have a marble cheese cutter that's a lot more simple, but we love it.  It's really similar to this one here (a steal at $13.99!). 

Also, Lindsay's chandelier truly is awesome.  Here's a similar one I found.  Definitely an investment, but it's a true statement piece.

{2} Talk to me about juicing.  Should we start?  Ian and I are on the cusp of purchasing a juicer (maybe a Breville?) but right now I'm also perfectly happy with my morning smoothies.  Plus, I like that the "roughage" in the smoothies is still there for the fiber -- how does that change with a juicer?

Tell me all of your juicing secrets.

Source: toahealthyfamily.blogspot.com via April on Pinterest

{3} Lastly, local gals, a cute boutique under new ownership is celebrating a grand opening in Huntersville this weekend.  Apricot Lane is located in Birkdale Village, between Dressler’s Restaurant and Sunglass Hut on the corner of Lindholm Drive and Birkdale Commons Parkway.

As part of the weekend deals, everyone who comes in store Thursday, March 21 through Sunday, March 24 will receive:

· 20 percent off storewide
· A complimentary 3Strands Bracelet (a $18 value)
· The chance to enter to win a $500 shopping spree and other great prizes
· Gift bags with local coupons and goodies, as supplies last

Additionally, Apricot Lane is hosting a fabulous grand opening celebration Saturday, March 23 that includes:

· Complimentary nail polish changes from a local spa company and a photo both for shoppers to capture fun photos from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday
· Participation in the Birkdale Village fashion show beginning at 6 p.m.
· Complimentary ApricoTinis at the store after the fashion show, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

I'm hoping to stop by Saturday and see what it's all about.  Hope to see you there ... happy weekending to you and yours!

Source: flowermag.com via April on Pinterest

The Organized Traveler, Part II

Time for Part II of my Organized Traveler series!

To read Part I, click here.

Today's post features things to pack that you may ordinarily not think about.  Things that keep me sane in a sterile, plain-jane hotel room!

Travel Tip 1

Spending hours in a small hotel room can be boring.  Sure, you probably have some emails to catch up on or some work to do, but you may as well treat yourself!  I like to pack small sizes of self-tanner or mud masks in my bag.  Travel can be a fun time for a little pampering, and (ahem, hotel owners, avert your eyes) if you are going to stain bedsheets with self-tanners, may as well not be your own!  #sorryi'mnotsorry

Travel Tip 2

No need to fill up your toiletries bag with all of your vitamin and pill bottles.  Even though they are fairly small, they can take up precious space!  Treat yourself to a really cute pill case like this one from Henri Bendel ($48) and just put the pills you need in it (plus maybe enough for one or two nights, in case of a trip extension or layover).  Every night, I take a multi-vitamin, a biotin pill, and a fish oil pill ... it's just plain wasteful to have 3 bottles claiming cargo space.  Toss in an Advil or two, also, because you never know when a headache can strike.  Lately, I've been getting them almost every time I fly due to the altitude changes.

Travel Tip 3

A memento from home can make trips a little more bearable!  As crazy as it seems, I love stealing one of Ian's t-shirts right out of the dirty clothes hamper.  Yep, it's true.  As soon as I get to the hotel room at night, I change into that and some comfy pants, and I'm a happy girl.  Does that make me an odd bird?  Or just a hopeless romantic?

Next Thursday will be the final part of this series, part III!

Turning it back over to you all again (I love your input!) ... have you tried any of these ideas?

Adventures With Warby Parker (Round 1)

Third grade is never easy.  But when you can't see the chalkboard, it can be tortorous.

I remember that my teacher, Mrs. Taylor, tried to help me out as much as she could -- making eye contact with squinty little me before a lesson, giving me a head nod signaling that it would be okay to move up to an empty seat at the front of the classroom so I could see.  Later that year came the eye exam and then my first prescription for glasses. 

Trying my new red plastic-framed glasses on in Lenscrafters in Columbia Mall that day was like hearing an angel choir singing.  I remember going back to school and thinking, so THIS is what the chalkboard looks like from the back of the room for everyone else ... holy moly!

From those plastic frames, I graduated to wire-rimmed frames, and about 6 or 7 years ago I splurged on some wire-rimmed Dolce and Gabbana frames with plastic side arms, complete with D&G in crystal rhinestones.  They were the best.  And now they are ready to go to blingy eyewear heaven, so I turned to Warby Parker for some new eyeglasses.

They have a home try-on system where you can get five pair of your choosing mailed to you at no cost.  You try them on in the comfort of your own home and then mail them back.  You have five days to try them out, and shipping both ways is free.  I was thrilled to get mine at the end of last week!

 
Back to the thicker frames I go.  Warby Parker has lots of great tortoise acetate frames -- just what I had in mind for my newest pair. 

Style 1: Colton in Whiskey Tortoise (here)
For me, these were a little too dark and a little too thick.
 

Style 2: Fitz in Walnut Tortoise (here)
These I liked -- the shape was one I was more comfortable in, and I liked the tortoise coloring.

Style 3: Linwood in Violet Magnolia (here)
This pair is a tortoise frame with just a hint of a royal purple fleck here and there -- only visible upon close inspection.  I really liked the frame shape and size of these.

Style 4: Ainsworth in Walnut Tortoise (here)
Cute shape, but I thought they were a little larger than what I was going for.

Style 5: Ballard in Gimlet Tortoise (here)
A thinner frame but larger lens -- good coloring.
 

Oh yeah ... did I mention that their eyeglasses are only $95?

I've ordered a round 2 for the home try-on, and one of these pairs above will be in that second box.

So I know you're just loving the duck faces, but besides that, what gets your vote?

(Can I brag on them a little more?  For every pair that is purchased, a pair is donated.  Details here.)

Banana Pudding {Amazingness}

I have to brag a little more on the banana pudding from Saturday night.  This recipe is so simple, and that's the way classics should be.  Simple and yummy.  Last summer I blogged about this recipe (here), but it deserves another mention!

The recipe I use comes from my honeymoon friend Allie and her blog Key Ingredients.  She shares some really great healthy recipes on her blog (and is expecting a sweet baby girl very soon!).
  

Click here for the recipe.  The only change I made was putting it in a trifle dish.  I like seeing all of the layers!

Next time, I'm going to try The Wowie's version where she uses Girl Scout Cookies to make banana pudding (here).  Oh my goodness, maybe I'll even use the peanut butter sandwich cookies ... whoahhhhhh good idea.  Okay, now I'm really getting ahead of myself.

Lastly, a big CONGRATS go to my sweet blogging friend BLC ... check out her exciting news and leave her some love!