Brad & Sarah sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage...

Friday, September 21, 2012

As Summer turns to Fall, bring your wardrobe with you!



Check out Global Grind for the top 5 trends for transitioning your wardrobe from Summer to Fall!

Summer to Fall

Here is my interpretation of their rules:
DO get a trendy jacket (or blazer or cardigan) in an earthy nuetral tone that you can throw over a summer dress and go.
DO learn to love scarves.
If you want to wear sandals...wear full length pants.
DON'T wear sandals with shorts or a skirt.
DON'T wear flip flops when it's cold outside.
DO invest in a new pair of leather ankle booties.
DON'T expose all your limbs, choose either you arms or legs.

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Honeymoooooon!

I am looking forward to our honeymoon so much!  After searching the internet for hours upon hours we discovered and decided on Cocobay Resort in Antigua!





10 reasons why we chose Cocobay:
  1. It's all-inclusive (food, drinks, kayaking, snorkeling)
  2. The accommodations are private bungalows
  3. Private plunge pool & ocean view (upgrade)
  4. The US Dept. of State says it's safe for us to go :)
  5. The primary language in Antigua is English
  6. No children allowed (we like kids, just might enjoy honeymoon w/out them)
  7. Amazing reviews about the staff
  8. Free shuttle from airport to resort
  9. 10% if you're on your honeymoon + welcome basket
  10. They have recently renovated facilities

One of the only down sides I can see so far about this small resort is they only have one restaurant, but I'm okay with that!  I have also read about how bad the mosquitos are if you don't have bug spray.  I feel that's Antigua in general, not specific to this resort.  Here's a shot of the mosquito nets over the beds:


 
 
Here is the view from the back porch/plunge pool...TO DIE FOR!



Brad & I are pretty active, so laying on the beach all day everyday is out of the question.  So far we have decided on these excursions:

1. Creole Cruises Antigua  It's the priciest of our excursions at $130 per person, but it's rated #1 of Antiguan excursions.  They pick you up via boat from the resort, take you on a cruise for the day, grill you a lobster lunch on an island and take you snorkeling.  Book online to save 10%.

2. Antigua Rain Forest Tours  There is an all day (5 hour) Zip Line & Beach Combo Tour, but we have decided to go with the Full Course Tour.  It includes 11 zip lines and a challenge course, and lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours.  That costs $99 per person, but you can also get 10% off if you book online.  If it rains, they will change your reservation date free of charge.

3. Shirley Heights I've read tons of great reviews about this place.  This is a restaurant/bar that has had a BBQ/party from 4 pm-10 pm every Sunday for 31 years.  From what I can tell it looks out over "Nelson's Dockyard", which is a national park in Antigua.  There may be a small cover charge to get in, but our main expense will be food and drinks.

Yesterday Brady mentioned he would like to get a couple's massage while we're there, so I'll be setting that up next.  Initially Brady wanted to go on a fishing expedition, but with my fear of disappearing at sea and the cost (minimum $600) of chartering a boat, we have decided to try these other things.  I'd much rather spend the $600 on 3 or 4 excursions!

Only one more month and we'll be enjoying Cocobay!

Would you rather relax on the beach, pack your day with adventure or do both over the week?
Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Black Bean & Corn Sooie Salsa

Being the picky eater that I am, I don't care for any vegetables, including salsa!  BUT, being the future wife of a man who eats everything, I LOVE to try new recipes for him all the time. 

I first made this salsa for a graduation party back in 2009 and recently dug it out for our Razorback Tailgating (ya know, the one where we lost to Monroe?!!?).  This was a BIG hit at the tailgate.  We even had people from other tents coming to taste it.  I guess we can thank the salsa for our new friends Donald, Stacey & their baby Ryann!

Let me give some credit here: The original recipe was given to me by my aunt, Barbara Ballard, who received it from her friend Mary Klompus.

It's REALLY simple to make and won't go bad if it sits out a little while at a tailgate. The original recipe called for 1 can mexican flavored stewed tomatoes, 1 green pepper (chopped) and 1 small red onion (diced), but I tweaked it to 1 can mexican rotel to make it even simpler. Sometimes it's easier to have a recipe that doesn't require fresh ingredients, so it can be thrown together on short notice without having to go to the store. Also, without the fresh ingredients it keeps a little longer.
 
1 can black beans, drained (& rinsed if you don't want your salsa to look dark)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
I can mexican rotel
6-8 shakes red wine vinegar
1 small bottle red or blush wine vinegarette dressing
 
 
Tip:  Add a little at a time of the dressing until salsa reaches consistency you prefer, the whole bottle may make it too runny.  I just use half a bottle!
 

 
 
 
 
The blush wine vinegarette was tricky for
me to find because it has a strawberry
on it.  Here's a picture of the kind I use. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make sure to get the "Mexican Lime & Cilantro" Rotel.  Go ahead and get two, since you'll have enough dressing for two recipes.  Do the same for black beans and corn.  I drain a little juice off this, but I don't know that it makes a difference!
 
 
 
 
 
Do you have a favorite recipe I can test on Brad?

Mystery Weekend!

This weekend is my last big hoorah with my girls in Dallas...AKA my Bachelorette Party!
I have no idea what's on the schedule, but I'm so excited to catch up with everyone! I was told to pack a swimsuit, outfit for night and outfit for brunch. I'll post later to show you what I picked!
Since I'm planning the wedding on a semi-tight budget I am doing a lot of things myself! I am taking some stuff along to Dallas for the girls to help me make pennant banners!
So far I have tan/brown burlap, cream muslin & twine. I still need to get paint to write the letters on some banners and lace to trim out some burlap pennants.
Here are a few example pics of what I'm thinking:



The pink burlap is to DIE for! Anyone know where to find that? It would be precious on the dessert table!

I will post pics & tutorial of all the different banners we do!

Have you made a banner like this before? Do you have any tips for me?

$ Sarah's Steals & Deals $

While on the hunt for a new wool coat, I found another great bargain from 6pm.com. This is the Ivanka Trump Urban Herringbone Coat. It was originally $187 and is on sale for $57 with free shipping.

What a deal!!

I prefer the camel color. Here's the link:


What new pieces will you be adding to your fall wardrobe?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Bridal Shower

A group of my mom's sweet friends hosted a lovely shower for me on August 26th.  The shower was at Monica Shults' home, which was decorated beautifully as usual!  Nan Clem created the most precious invitations displaying cowboy boots underneath a wedding dress. 

 Hostesses L-R:  Melinda French, Penny Smothers, Monica Shults, Nan Clem, Karen Henley, Joyce Whitfield, Sherry Fisher, Jann Hubbard (not pictured)


Wonderful snacks and refreshing lemonade were offered to guests!  The hostesses gift to the bride and groom were a selection kitchen knifes.  Brad was especially excited about this as choosing them was his main contribution when registering for gifts!

  L-R: Barbara Ballard (my aunt), Sarah, Janice Carhart (my mom)
 
In fitting with the rustic theme, I donned a pair of cropped cowboy boots myself!  It's so much fun to get new outfits for special occasions like this,  I'm not sure if I'll wear this shiny dress again, but it was perfect for this shower! 
  • Boots:  Ross Dress for Less several years ago
  • Dress:  Ross Dress for Less $7.99
  • Earrings: TJ Maxx $10
This was such a beautiful shower!  Thanks to Kristin Shults for writing a list for me for thank you notes!  I wish I had more pictures of this shower, but my camera was being difficult!
     

$ Sarah's Steals & Deals $

It sure felt like fall when I took the dogs out this morning and was pretty chilly! I think it's time for a new coat.  This gorgeous wool herringbone coat by Ivanka Trump is on sale today for only $54.99, which is almost half price.  With free shipping this is a steal!  This is definitely a contender!

This would be great dressed up with your LBD, tights and boots, paired with red cords for the next Razorback game or even daily to the office.

Here is the link for the deal:   Ivanka Trump Herringbone Coat

Monday, September 10, 2012

Razorback Couple's Party

Brad's sister Ali and Ross welcomed us into their home and put together a great party with Holly, Mark and Anna.  The food was amazing, drinks were plentiful and company was perfect! 
 
L-R: Ross, Ali, Sarah, Brad, Holly, Mark, Anna
 
Check out this spread!  I grabbed the pics courtesy of Ali's Blog Project Game Day.  (Be sure to check out PGD for the latest on Razorback tailgating!)
 

 
These were truly the BEST cupcakes I have ever had.  Holly made them and everyone raved about them.  She and Ali are teaming up to make them for the wedding and I am beyond thrilled!
 
 
L-R: Kellye, Anna, Sarah, Amy, Susi



I'm really looking forward to marrying this guy!  We received so much fun Razorback stuff at the party and had fun catching up with friends.  Wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone there!