Back on the Plains

What a fabulous weekend it was to be home once again...in Auburn! Never did I imagine that when I decided where I would spend my undergraduate days {as a Senior in High School} did I think it could be one of the biggest {and best} decisions I could have ever made. From the very first time I stepped foot on the Plains, I knew it was where I belonged. When asked why I picked Auburn, I simply replied... I felt at home. 

And 11 years later, I still do. It's more than my home away from home, it's my second family, it's where I met some of my best friends, my bridesmaids and my mentors. I found my love for football, tailgating, sorority life, and giving back. The Auburn family is like no other, it's more than football and spirited chants... It's more than alumni pins and mascots. It's a way of life. If you've never experienced it, I promise you won't be disappointed... stop in and say hello, and don't forget to have a momma's love while you're at it. 

CWE 2005 Reunion. Camp was one of the most fun summers of my college days. It's an experience that really only those who are a part of it can understand. I have so much respect for each of these amazing men and women - and their love for our University! 

My college roomie and her little one. 

{Yes, the 7 year old... not the baby - we stole him for a pic, thanks Oliver!}

My freshman roomie and baby girl Hatch! 

With some of the Mangos and fam... out in the fields! 

Half of the Mangos.  Love these girls! 

Plus one baby Mango - celebrating a BIG Auburn win! 

Toomer's the next morning - photo courtesy of Mals. The trees may be gone {for now} but the Auburn spirit is very much still alive. Toilet paper was everywhere. 

Such a fun weekend on the Plains!  WAR EAGLE!!! 

xo, trace

Five on Friday

Happy Friday! Didn't want to miss 5 on Friday today with the ladies, so I'm blogging from the treadmill this morning before our conference. Hope everyone has a very happy Friday!!

{one} The Fig Bar

I grabbed a box of these last week for our trip and have been presently surprised at how tasty they are. They are all natural and only 110 calories for the two mini bars in each pack. A great mid-morning snack {and pastry deterrent during these long meetings}! 

{two} Real Simple 

 

I love my Real Simple magazine... It comes every month and I admire the cover, flip the through to see the beautiful layouts, read half an article and get too busy to finish. I packed it for my plain ride and was able read almost the whole magazine... which made me realize how much I miss my real simple time!

{three} Christmas Sheets

 

Picked up these cuties at Target last week and I can't wait to put them in the bed for Christmas!! I've always wanted to decorate our room for the holidays, finally found some cute Christmas sheets to make it happen!

{four} Mustache Pacifiers  

 

For all you mommas out there... this just made me crack up. I love it!! 

{five} The Auburn Creed

We are off to the plains tonight... And I couldn't be more excited to get back to my Alma Mater. I picked the creed today because it truly is the backbone of every Auburn man and women. It somehow become more than just words, but a part of your everyday actions while a student. I'm so proud to call myself an Auburn Tiger!! War Eagle!

xo, trace 

Indy for FCA

Greetings from the fabulous city of Indianapolis!

I am here for work for 3 days - hints the silence on the blog - so just wanted to tap in and say hello! I am at the FCA Midyear meeting and Board Meeting.... then off to Auburn for the big AU/Georgia game this weekend. Can't wait to be back on the plains and enjoy some "reunioning" with my fellow CWE'ers from 2005.

Enjoying some great food and lots of communicating! If anyone wants to follow along via twitter #FCAMidyear. Hope to join in on Friday for the 5 on Friday link-up, hope to see you there!

During out lunch break today we stumbled upon a scavenger hunt proposal on the streets of downtown Indy. {didn't catch the actual proposal, but I am certain it was awaiting "Jessie" just around the next corner.... too bad we couldn't follow along.}

Happy Thursday!

xo, trace

Veteran's Day Sweets

Happy Veteran's Day!

To all our service men and women, thank you! Thank you for all you do each and every day. Thanks to you, we are able to live in the home of the free and the land of the brave. Especially to my PaPa who fought in WWII, to my Paw Paw who served many years in the Army, to my Pops who served in the National Guard and to my brother who served in the Navy. I am forever grateful for your service and am so very humbled to have you in my life!

Today, I wanted to say thank you to our troops and share some "sweet" ideas for celebration.

via. The Gummy Shack

via. thetomkatstudio

...and my favorite. These abordable shortbread cookies. 

via. SugarWinzy

I hope everyone had a wonderful day celebrating our troops! 

xo, trace

5 on Friday

Cheers to the ladies that started 5 on Friday! I love reading others favorites on Friday and gathering fun recipes, sales, styles and decoration ideas. Thanks for sharing ladies!

Now for my 5 on Friday.

{one} Advent Calendars

unknown. 

I'm on the lookout for a great advent calendar that we can have for every holiday season. I love this one above I found on Pinterest, but I couldn't find where it came from. Thinking about asking the sister in law to make me one. {hint, hint}

{two} Gold Rimmed Glassware

via.

I am in love with these glasses - they would be so perfect paired with our beautiful china. 

{that is still in storage} Hey, a girl can wish right?

{three} S'mores

via. 

I've been dying for s'mores lately... and I'm hopping this weekend they finally happen. 

How cute are these mini-s'mores above?  Precious! I can't wait to make them for my N&N's!

{four} Antique Candle Holders

unknown.

How beautiful are these candle sticks? I have been on the lookout for antique holders like the ones above - maybe it's the old soul in me, but it's one of the very few things I wished we had gotten for our wedding and didn't. Why does my mom have like 15 pair?? 

{five} My Awesome friends

"Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” 
― A.A. Milne

I thought I would keep the thankfulness going from last week's 5 on Friday and throw in a lil thankfulness today. I am truely blessed with such a wonderful assortment of friends. I am been reminded at every turn this week that I am surrounded by the best group of friends and family a girl could ask for... they are there to lift me up, make me smile, bring me to tears {of joy}, and tickle me silly over nothing at all. Thank you lord for giving me so many blessings of friendship - near and far. I am truly thankful.

Happy Friday!

xo, trace

CMA Top 5

Yay for Thursday!

You guys would be so proud, we had Salmon for dinner last night {my first time} and I loved it! It was actually pretty tasty - which could have been the Bourbon glaze - but still, I ate it. All.  That's big steps for this gulf coast gal... pink fish is just weird to me. But since J loves it, I'm happy I can cook it for him at home now - and eat it too!

After enjoying our delicious Bourbon Glazed Salmon, we turned on the CMA's. Let me just say that I love country music! Love the glitter, the sass, the cheesy love songs and the sad ballads.  They all just take me to a happy place. So I thought I would share my top 5 from last night:

1. Blurred Lines and the Duck Song - priceless. {sorry for the terrible Youtube, but It gives you an idea of how awesome it was. haha} I'm not sure Carries loved ole Willy gyrating up on her, but sure was great entertainment.

2. Loving Little Big Town's new hit, Sober. Wow. What a great song! They hit a home run with that one.

3. T-swift rocked Red... probs the best performance I have seen from her. What a cool award too... so good to see artists getting recognized for "keeping it classy" and not getting trashy. Sorry, don't mean to hate - just sayin.

4. Everybody's Got Somebody But Me, by Hunter Hayes is precious! His songs just make me want to get up and dance a jig {or two}.

5. Luke Bryan. Man. Drink a Beer just brings me back to my college days at home with my folks... sitting on the dock drinking a beer. The tribute to his brother and sister. Tears. I can't imagine... but some how I know that's exactly where I would want to be. His opening act with FL/GA line was pretty legit too.

BONUS...  how precious is George Straight? What a cutie... Even after all these years. Still going strong! Did anyone else watch Pure Country weekly because their mom was so in love with good ole George?? That would be me. Loved that movie!

I think I could have just re-posted the 3 hours of CMA's... but I thought I would save you the time and give you my own re-cap.  It's almost Friday... I'll be back to link of with the gals for 5 on Friday! Join us!

xo, trace

I went shopping.

I did a little lot of shopping this past month. But, they were all fabulous buys... so I wanted to share. 

Picked up this super soft sweater at Target last week. On sale for $17.99

via.

Found this lil party dress at Kohl's of all places - on sale and an
additional 20% using my shopular coupons.

Then I stumbled across an Athropologie sale... and I got excited.
I bought this lil red number below {along with the necklace}
for all those lovely holiday parties coming up.

via.

Also picked up this cut bangle for $7.99.

via.

This may have been my favorite Anthro purchase... perfect for holiday parties {dressed up or down}.  

via.

My last purchase was a big one - but the most exciting! I finally splurged on a Barbour jacket for myself and I am in LOVE!! This jacket is fabulous... it's light weight, casual & dressy, and keeps me super warm... even in these 40 degree temps. Love it. 

via.

So November will be a non-shopping month for me... But I'm already working on Christmas happies. :) 

Hope you all had a great hump day! 

xo, trace