Wastin away in Indian Wells

We have been quite the jet-setters this summer, some for fun - but many for work.  Well, one of the work and play trips we got to take this summer was for FEA {The Fraternity Executives Association} and the location this year was a Indian Wells, California.  What a beautiful place - yes, it's HOT.  118 to be exact. But the landscape was something out of a movie - open desert, beautiful rocky mountains, sprawling golf courses and plush resorts speckle the desert oasis and make the heat worth it {well, almost}.  We were there for a week - leaving on a 6am flight put us in California just in time to snag some In & Out burger for lunch!

Now, I'm not usually the cheeseburger master - but this my friends, is one heck of a burger!

The first night we arrived we had the pleasure of staying in a casita at the LaQuinta Resort and Spa - and man, did we luck out!  Check out some pictures from this beautiful place...

Our room! {well, half of it anyway}

Our private balcony!

The lush gardens.

Our pool!

We even got towel animals.

This was one of the 36 tennis courts... and check out the mountains!

....and we had one relazing day at this pool before moving on to the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.

This place was awesome too!!

A very different feel at the Grand Champion... much newer, and lush - more open and just as wonderful!

And, I'm pretty sure I ate these tocos for lunch every day I could!

We worked alot, ate alot more. drank. swam. worked. played golf. went for some runs. networked. worked some more... and enjoyed a small little vaca very out of the norm for us.  Heck, our golf team even tied for second! {yes, we played in 118 degrees... it's dry heat - yea, like that matters! ha}

The trip was a blast... but on day 7, we were ready for Virginia weather... and all of us were happy to head home!

Cheese!

Well, Hello!  I just want to say I am SO sorry for ditching my blogging for the last two months... or month an a half anyway.  I have been from conference to conference and trip to trip... and little time to come up for air in between!  I finally finished my last big one of the summer - which I was working - so I am happy to be back to free time and blogging!
I wanted to take a moment tonight and talk about one of my most favorite topics {yes, this means food} and more specifically cheese!! I will admit - my love for cheese was not just something that came to me one day - it's really kinda scary how it's so much a part of me.  I realized this just last week when my folks were up for a visit. My parents don't just eat a lot of cheese - they could probably live off of it. They really should have bought stock in the stuff, they buy that much!  To this day, we actually have what has been dubbed the "cheese drawer" in the fridge and only cheese is aloud in {and yes - it's always full}.

So, during their visit to southwest Virginia last week we did the classic vineyard and brewery tour - but the highlight of the trip was a stop at the Amish Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft, VA.  This place is amazing!!

They have every flavor you could wish for - Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, brie, Colby, American.... and many non-traditional ones filled with jalapenos or rosemary or basil. The list goes on and on.... and the best part, they cut it and package it right in front of you! You can even ask for samples!

We had the best time on this trip... and came away with plenty to stock our "cheese drawer" at home.  And the best part - we only paid $11.  So, if you're ever driving through Southwest Virginia - take some time to stop at the Cheese Shop - it's worth your time and will give your taste buds a nice treat! 

Happy 1/2 Birthday to Me!

Yes. I said it - and yes, my real birthday is sixth months away - but, who would pass up an opportunity to celebrate a birthday?  Not I!

However, No - this is not my cake. I wish it was.... I'm sitting here now wishing I would have baked myself a funfetti cake, just for a sweet lil slice of heaven! :)  While searching for this fabulous half birthday cake I did come across this post - that I just had to share...

So, I don't feel as bad now for NOT celebrating... but I still kinda wish I had!  28 1/2... I can hardly believe I'm old enough to have a real job and be married... much less be packing for my 10 year high school reunion. Yep, it's right around the corner -3 days to be exact! I can almost still feel myself walking the halls of Baker High School... traveling to endless ball games... getting ready for prom... and walking across the stage one hot May afternoon 10 years' ago. Kinda crazy how time flies!

It made me start thinking about what life has been like since I left the halls of BHS.

I moved away to college... pledged AOII... my parents retired, sold our family home and moved to the beach... I feel in love with the loveliest village on the plains.... made some of the greatest friends in the world {never came home} and made the best memories. Moved six times in college...watched my first brother get married and have a kid... then another.... and another... earned my degree in Communications.... and SGA... and Panhellenic... and anything that involved meetings, volunteering and not studying. I packed my bags, took a job with AOII and moved to Virginia.... where I feel in Love {for real this time}... moved to Nashville for another job with AOII... traveled the country {on someone else's dime}... made some wonderful friends.... moved 2 more times in Nashville.... traveled lots more.... moved to Virginia... got a job that earned me a few more dimes....watched my middle brother get married... and have a kid... got engaged... planned a fabulous wedding...  welcomed two more nephews to the family... said "I do"... just celebrated 2 years' on the job and one year with the love of my life!  Wow... amazing how you can sum up 10 years' in just a paragraph, huh?

I can't wait to see what the next 10 are fillled with!

Sweet, Sweet Summertime!

What can I say - my husband has the best taste - this was my weekend "happy".... and he couldn't have said it any better! Summer is here... and I'm loving every minute of it!

Cheers to BBQ's, beach days, long runs, yard-work, golf, pool time and cook-out's with great friends!

Scalloped Happiness

I have come to a realization lately, that I am in love with anything scalloped. No - not the potatoes - scalloped Edges! On clothes, paper, decor, plates, notebooks, frames... you name it. I can scallop it. {or at least find it}. I do believe that you could take the most random item, add some scallops and BAM! 10 times cuter - it's simply amazing.  

When planning our wedding, my husband found out really quick that anything with a scalloped edge was bound to find it's way on our registry or in our wedding!! Little did he know that even my wedding gown was scalloped... from head to toe! :) 

I decided today, I would share with you my 5 most favorite scalloped items:

#5 Scalloped Place mats 

How fun are these?  Check out Ruby Lane for your very own set! 

{and lots of other scalloped items too}

#4 Scalloped Stationary

This adorable collection by Sugar Paper of Los Angels are classic.  {and on my wish list}

#3 My late-night party "going-away" dress 

{a great Target find}

#2 Our China! 

Golden Edge & Princess Victoria by Herend.
{monogrammed of course - but we'll save that for a later blog}

#1 My wedding gown by Casablanca & my veil, that was handmade of Chantilly lace. 

Until next time, happy scalloping shopping! 

xo, Tracy

365 Days of Happiness!

I've been MIA for a few weeks now... we had a work trip to ATL, Anniversary cruise to Jamaica, Memorial Day with the Fam... and then a quick beach getaway. So much to catch up on... I thought I would leave you guys with a few highlights from our fabulous ONE YEAR Anniversary! 

The Best things about a cruise... 

...are beautiful sunsets & cold beer.

 ...exotic animals in the wild.

 ...towel animals. {every night}

 ...beautiful flowers in Jamaica!

...safety drills. 

 ...chocolate melting cake. Yum. {every night}

 ...comedy shows.

...lido deck parties.

...private balconies. 

...and a great time with the hubs! 

Happy One Year to the most wonderful husband I could ever ask for! We have been overwhelmed with so many blessings this year, I can't imagine life being any better than it is today. 

I love you so much and can't wait to see what God has in store for year #2! 

A Staunton Afternoon

Sorry for the sporadic posts last week and this... we have been quite busy with the end of the school year, going away parties and dinners.... a visit from my fam(YAY!), Mother's Day and prepping for a two week vaca next week - I have been MIA. 

Although I did not get to spend Mother's Day with my wonderful Momma, Grandmother or Mother-in-law, we did get to spend the afternoon with some of our bestest buds. We can always rely on them to come up with something new and fun and adventures... and Sunday did not disappoint!  We decided to spend the afternoon in the quaint little town of Staunton, Virginia.  It's a small town... with decadent food and fabulous antique shopping. Little did I know, it has so much more to offer!!

Our first stop was Sunspots Studios for some American-made Art Gifts... and glassblowing!

They even let you blow your own ornament for $40. Be sure to call ahead and make an appointment!

After exploring the shop and watching some beautiful pieces of artwork being made we ventured across the street for some wine-tasting at Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room.

The Ox-Eye Tasting Room is located in downtown Staunton’s historic Wharf district.  It was designed by the noted architect T.J. Collins, and was built in 1904.  Originally, it was used as an office for a coal and lumber business.  It also served as a scale house for horse drawn coal wagons.  The loaded wagons would pull up under the covered archway behind the building to be weighed by the Fairbanks scale. I thought this was the best part - the name, Ox-Eye came from a weed that grows in their fields... the Ox-Eye Daisy, a white flower with a yellow center.  We enjoyed a bottle of vino on their back patio before heading over to the Historic Depot Grill for some amazing dinner! 

The Depot is a Staunton staple... an while it's nothin' fancy - they have some awesome food. 

I have to share one of the best pasta's I have had in awhile. It's called the Chessie Pasta (named after the Chessie Line) and has the perfect blend of spices, sauce and yummy veggies!   I wish I had taken a picture, but here is the description from the menu:

Veggie Chessie's Pasta: Sweet Corn, fresh diced tomatoes, mushrooms, capers, basil, garlic and olive oil tossed with penne pasta shrimp and lump crab meat. Talk about delectable - I polished off the entire dish!!  

It was a nice little Sunday, caped off with a drink (and water for the drivers) at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel left us longing for more adventures and sweet memories made with dear, dear friends! 

Until next time....

xo, Tracy