Hodges Farm and Pumpkin Patch

This past weekend, Ian and I went with friends and their sweet baby to a local pumpkin patch at Hodges Farm. This was such a lovely way to spend the morning, and with it being only about twenty minutes from our home, it is a must for anyone in or around Charlotte!

The farm had all sorts of sweet animals to meet along with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, pony rides, and other fun activities for kids. 

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They had two very long rows of pumpkins right off the vine. Big, fat, smooth, bumpy, and all hues of orange. I always choose an odd pumpkin -- it's just not my style to go with a "perfect" pumpkin. :)

The morning started off chilly, but my oh my, did we get warm! The day soared up to the 80's ... an easy reminder that we are in the lovely state of North Carolina.

This was actually my very first trip to a pumpkin patch. It only took me 31 years! In past years I've purchased our pumpkins from the grocery store or a farmers market. There is just something so cool about seeing them right there on the very dirt they grew in.

Where did you get your pumpkins as a kid? Church pumpkin lots were our go-to.

Fun Things Going On

Oh my goodness, so many fun updates going on today.

First of all, big congratulations go to Pam, the lucky winner of the ticket giveaway for the Lights! Camera! Fashion! fashion show this Sunday at South Park Mall. I hope I get a chance to meet you! I will email you and put you in contact with the sweet gals from the Junior League of Charlotte who are organizing this. 

Secondly, I was so excited for a great lunch yesterday with Melissa from Simply Sweet Melissa and can you say kindred souls? She and I just clicked on every account and had the best time. The lunch hour (HOURS) flew by, whoopsie daisies! We will be making this a repeat event for sure. I'd love to get together with our guys sometime as well.

And lastly, I am so excited for a Charlotte blogger meet-up next Thursday night! Details are all out on the Charlotte Social Facebook page, but let me know if you want me to forward you an email with details! We will be making jewelry and sippin' on some fun adult beverages :) I hope to see a lot of familiar faces and meet some more bloggers!

Makeup Review (OMG You Need This Eyeshadow)

On Friday I mentioned that I had a favorite new makeup product ... oh baby, it's a good one.

Between blogs and You Tube makeup tutorials, I'd heard great reviews about the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadow. I picked it up at Walmart for $4.97 and gave it a try this past Thursday.

The product comes in a small pot, and a little goes a long way. I have a flat eyeshadow brush that I use to apply it, and then I use a Q-tip to blend out the top line. Sometimes I also just use my finger to apply and smudge it. Both techniques have worked great for me.

After applying, I put on my liquid eyeliner (top lid) and then a few coats of mascara.

Here are some photos taken on Thursday that show how it lasted for me throughout the day. The photos are unfiltered and undoctored but you could probably tell that by the crazy lighting and those wrinkles! ;)

I was shocked to see how well it lasted through the day! Absolutely no settling in the creases of my eye -- which is rare for me. I haven't used an eyeshadow primer at all with this product and it still stays in place so well. It comes off easily when I wash my face -- I use the Andrea moisturizing eye makeup remover pads (here).

The color I purchased, Tough as Taupe, is a matte color, but I have also layered it with a shimmery taupe shadow on top and the Color Tattoo acts as a perfect anchor for the shadow.

I've also experimented with more of a smoky eye look for the weekends, but I didn't take the shadow up too far in the above photos since I was just going to work.

So, all in all, L-O-V-E. There are a lot of different colors to choose from (seen here) and the fact that you can layer them with other shadows really opens up the color possibilities. I think Bad To The Bronze is next on my wishlist, or potentially Audacious Asphalt.

Have you tried this product? I'd love to hear your review!

Weekend, Bulleted.

We had a weekend chock-full of fun. And now I'm hurting b-a-d (we'll get to that).

Here's the weekend, bulleted.

+ Friday post-work drinks with best friends at Mellow Mushroom

+ The old standby Friday night dinner on the couch: pizza with pepperoni, black olives, red onion

+ Watched Rush and gained a new perspective on narcotics officers (scary)

+ Saturday morning: first pumpkin spice latte of the season

+ Visited a pumpkin patch with friends and got a cute, bumpy pumpkin

+ Parents came into town for a visit and to see our Halloween decor

+ Mall trip with Mom (always fun)

+ Cookout at the house with friends

+ Stayed up WAY too late, past midnight (yawn)

+ Apple cake (this one) and coffee for breakfast ... a perfect pairing

+ Sunday afternoon Flywheel class - OUCH OUCH OUCH

+ Long Island Medium marathon (hooked. I'm a believer)

+ Hubby-made wings and coleslaw for dinner with Breaking Bad

+ Kindle reading and 10pm lights out

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Okay, so here's the Flywheel deal. Two of my girlfriends take this class and I've always been too intimidated to join (history: I have taken one spinning class in my life and I walked out of it halfway through which I have NEVER done!). 

en route to Flywheel. nervous.

Yesterday our Flywheel studio hosted a special first-timers only class. It was completely free and only open to those who had never taken the class ... everyone on the same page. They had us to come early and get a studio tour, hooked us up with our clip-in shoes, and gave us help getting on the bikes and adjusted for our comfort. 

This class is NO JOKE. I was sweating and huffing and puffing and going way under the suggested RPMs, and today my buns are so incredibly sore (not as much from the exercise as from the hard seat!). My knees are crazy sore as well. Oh, and all of my other muscles too. I'm hurting bad but it truly was a lot of fun -- a great instructor, a jammin' playlist, and a heck of a workout. Plus they had a leaderboard up at the front of the class so you can see your stats and compete against your fellow spinners.  Very cool.  I'll be back ... after my body heals from yesterday's class!

Five On Friday ::: Featuring a New Makeup Fave.

It's the third best day of the week (Saturday and Sunday are in prime position, and in that order). Now, let's celebrate with some Five on Friday link-up fun!

O N E

The weather here in North Carolina is just on point. I mentioned the other day that I've enjoyed reading outside when I get home from work. Yesterday was no exception. I'm currently reading Dakota Blues by Lynne M. Spreen (here) and it's pretty entertaining so far. I downloaded this book for free the other day thanks to a blog I follow, Fantabulously Frugal, who posts free and cheap Kindle books almost daily (along with other deals). I just love those posts -- it's a nice way to balance out the "Oh I NEED this $12 Kindle book NOW" purchases that I also happen to make from time to time. :)

T W O

I follow Mrs. Lilien on Instagram (@mrslilien) and I just love her updates. She's the cutest. I spotted the below papaya enzyme peel recipe on Pinterest from her blog and I'm intrigued! Have you ever tried any homemade peels or facials?

T H R E E

I am so, so, SO x 1000 excited to rave about this product. I purchased Maybelline's Color Tattoo eyeshadow in Tough as Taupe the other day. It is on special at Walmart for less than $5 (here). Walmart is not very tolerable in general but you can't deny that the prices are sometimes worth it. Expect a full review of this amazing eyeshadow next week along with pictures of me on the way to work, on the way home from work, and right before bedtime. It's remarkable.

F O U R

Halloween has officially arrived at our home. We have decorated the indoors and outdoors. I'll be sharing photos as we wrap up just a few more details, but I can't forget to mention this adorable needlepoint pillow I found at Michaels! It was $14.99 and 40% off (no coupon needed this past week). How adorable!

F I V E

I was in Old Navy the other day when I saw this sweatshirt (currently on sale for $8.00, down from $20). Loved it. I will positively live in this during the chilly months. And what a steal! My store didn't have my size, so I hopped online. I ordered an XS and a S -- not sure which one I'll like, but I can return the other one in store which is so easy.

I think a lot of you know how this works but if you are new to the party, please join this link-up along with me and my beautiful co-hostesses -- Darci, Natasha, and Christina. Playing along is simple!  Just write a post about five things on your mind today, anything goes really, post the logo below on your blog, and then enter your post address below in the link-up section. It's a great way of meeting new friends and getting more eyes on your cute blog!

Thankful On Thursday

My recent Thankful On Thursday post was a nice little one to write and reflect upon, so I'll keep the ball going here this week.

This Thursday, I am thankful for...

+ Fun weekends ahead. This weekend we are having my parents join us and I just can't wait. They are big partiers, I just love it. :)

+ Good reads. I just finished reading The Magician's Assistant by Anne Patchett and it made me catch the reading bug all over again. Yesterday was so lovely after I got home from work, so I sat out on the patio with my iPad and dove into a new book. It was so peaceful, truly the perfect way to unwind after a busy workday.

+ Honeycrisp apples. I bought three this past Sunday and am down to one. I'm savoring it. I think I scared Ian when I started talking about how amazing they were and that they had a "cult following" ... but don't you agree?

+ Old dogs learning new tricks. Our husky Drake, who will be 14 this Christmas, surprised me last night when we made up a new little game. You must have a funny name with any game so I deemed this one "Moving The Island." It basically entails me moving around his bed and he pounces on it and turns in circles and barks. He is such a puppy at heart.

+ The upcoming holidays! This year Ian and I will be hosting Thanksgiving at our house (gulp!) and while I did beg my mother in law to handle turkey duty (oh, and gravy too), I promised to handle everything else. And of course I am most excited about the tablescape.

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Hope to see you join us tomorrow 

for the Five On Friday link-up!

Think Pink (Shop + Support)

Last night Ian and I were lying in bed, each on our own iPads (standard) when he said that he was sort of "over the whole pink thing." I thought -- surely he's not talking about Breast Cancer Awareness pink, being that it touched our family so strongly last year? Well, he was, but he was very specific about what he is "over" -- and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

He said he felt like so many companies just throw pink items out there during this time of year, pulling our heartstrings to lure us to purchase. I did assure him that many companies do make it their policy to donate a portion of each sale of the item to breast cancer research, and this made him feel a lot better. This morning I hopped online to see exactly what some of these items were.

Below are the favorite items that I found, and you can click on the prices to purchase if desired. The statement following the price was taken directly from their website regarding donations.

Clockwise, starting at lip balm:

// number 1.
eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere 2-Pack, Fresh Watermelon & Strawberry ($5.99): A portion of proceeds from each pack will benefit breast cancer research.

I have the green Honeysuckle Honeydew and it's a favorite!

// number 2.
Tweezerman Breast Cancer Awareness Slant Tweezer ($22): A portion of the proceeds are donated to breast cancer awareness organizations to fight breast cancer.

I own these ... simply the best, and who doesn't love girly pink tweezers?

// number 3.
La Mer The Hand Treatment ($40): La Mer will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I've got my eye on this guy.

// number 4.
Nest Passion Candle ($28): A portion of all proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

Nothing beats a Nest candle ... they burn so clean, smell so good, and last a long time!

// number 5.
Bobbi Brown French Pink Blush and Brush Set ($45): Between October and March, for every sale of the French Pink set Bobbi Brown will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Still some of the best, most pigmented blush I've ever owned! I also love that they are up-front about what the donated amount is per item.

+++++

Also, let it be known that I did find a considerable amount of pink items that did not make any mention of a monetary donation from the sale proceeds. Some just mentioned that the item supports "breast cancer awareness", I guess just by being pink-hued. Don't get me wrong -- any support of breast cancer awareness is GOOD, but I know for me, I'll prioritize spending my money with those companies that directly share a portion of the sales with research foundations.

Think pink!

Folly Beach is ... Heaven on Earth

This past weekend was our first true beach weekend of the year. Some of our best friends have a family house there and we just love our summer getaways. These are the type of friends that we feel totally comfortable with laying around the beach house den, sipping coffee and watching silly movies. This was the first summer that we have had a fifth member ... their adorable baby boy. We also had both of our dogs at the house -- a house full of love and lots of activity!

Drake is such a beach dog. I call him a Southern Husky. He loves getting wrist-deep in the waves and sniffing the salty air. We all took a beach walk together on Saturday morning and he was so happy. He found an old crab shell and picked it up with his mouth, looking so proud and excited. It was adorable.

After our walk Saturday morning I got the most delicious breakfast crepe from the Tokyo Crepes food truck -- peanut butter, Nutella, banana slices, and whipped cream. You can see below how huge it was. It's in a cone shape and I ate every bit of it (minus a bite for the dogs).

That afternoon the boys went into town to catch the ECU game at Rita's and Lindsay and I sat on the porch sunning our legs, reading magazines, and watching a napping cutie pie on the baby monitor. We later joined the boys at Surf Bar for a beer and then headed to Taco Boy for an early dinner.

That Sunday we didn't have any yardwork or chores to do back in Charlotte (a rarity!) so we were able to stick around the beach for longer than normal. We all relaxed around the house and then had a great brunch at Ritas. Their burgers are some of the best I've ever had.

Before hitting the road, Ian and I took on a family tradition of mine -- we walked down to the water to "say goodbye to the ocean." It will be next year before we have our toes in the ocean water again ... not a moment too soon!