Team USA

So I'm not a soccer fan. My husband loves, I usually couldn't care less. However, I've really enjoyed watching the World Cup this year. You could call me a bandwagon fan, but does it really matter if I watch soccer on a regular basis as long as I'm cheering on my country? Isn't that what every country does during the Olympics? I can guarantee people don't watch curling, synchronized swimming, and trampolining on a regular basis.

 

Anyway, I'm sporting my red, white, and blue today and will definitely watch as much of the game as possible during lunch.

 

I loved the Land of the Free scarfs everyone in Brazil had and I actually think the World Cup ball is really cool looking.

 

Even if you haven't watched a single game of the World Cup I encourage you to support the US team and cheer on the RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

Five on Friday

I'm linking up with my the lovely April at A. Liz Adventures and Christina at Carolina Charm for.....

 

ONE

It's been a rough week so Andy and I are treating ourselves to a quick day trip to Charleston. We have lunch plans at Magnolias downtown and a lot of strolling around downtown and reliving our first couple months of dating. 

TWO

I made Iowa Girl Eats' Caprese Lasagna with Sausage this week and I honestly can't say enough good things about it. It has been one of our favorite spring/summer recipes for a couple years now. The flavors are so bold and fresh. Definitely a must try.

 

THREE

I finished my first 4th of July decorations project yesterday. I'll show you how I did it next week. 

 

FOUR

I spent an embarrassingly long amount of time on Pinterest pinning yard ideas yesterday. I want some planters for the front steps so badly. I love this, but we get way too much sun for them to thrive. 

 

FIVE 

This describes my childhood to a T.

 

Getting Ready for the 4th of July

This is really the first year in a long time that we have fun plans for the 4th. I love the patriotic feel that comes with the holiday and I want to go all out. Because of this I may have been a little crazy with the Pinterest ideas. Not sure how many will get done, but here are some of the projects on my list.

 

Flag Topiary

 

Flag Initial

 

Super easy decor

 

Patriotic snack tray

 

Cute salad

Patriotic Trifle

 

Pioneer Woman's Lemonade

These are always fun and easy

Do you have 4th of July plans?

Weekend in Review

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

We went to Soda City in downtown Columbia, SC on Saturday morning and picked up two Cronuts. Go and find these immediately! They are a cross between a croissant and a doughnut. And we just so happened to have candied bacon sprinkled on top. Winning!

Andy and I decided to go to bunch on Sunday at Za's Pizza and then be super nosy and check out the open houses around town. We aren't looking to move, we just like seeing what's on the market and if we can get any cool ideas. Does anyone else do that? We saw a newly renovated kitchen and I'm kind of obsessed with these glass front cabinets.

After seeing some pretty houses we went home and decided to tackle a project: window shutter painting. Since the family that lived in the house before us were terrible DIYers the taking down and putting back up of the shutters was a little more eventful that we bargained for, but well worth the effort. Spray paint made this project fast and easy and I recommend this if the front of your house needs a quick sprucing.

Five on Friday

I'm linking up with my the lovely April at A. Liz Adventures and Christina at Carolina Charm for.....

 

ONE

I weirdly like to read books about travel and food, and if I can get both in one book I'm super excited. This past weekend I spent most of the time out on the screened porch listening to the rain, petting the pup, and reading Hundred Foot Journey. 

TWO

Andy and I went to Soda City last week and found our new favorite food truck, Korki's Kafe. They serve amazingly inventive tacos. I got the Moroccan Beef taco and Andy got the Tipsy Chicken taco and we both swore that each of our meals were better. They are based out of Charleston so follow them on Facebook and try them if you get the chance. So good!

THREE

We finalized plans for July 4th and I'm so excited. We are going to go to the beach house and hanging out with all our college friends, who are more like family now. Isn't it great when that happens? I can't wait to just sit, relax, and catch up with everyone. Now where does one find 4th of July bunting?

FOUR

Unfortunately I don't think I have time to tone up the ole' body before this beach trip so I might just breakdown and buy a tankini or one-piece swimsuit. Have you seen any cute ones out there that won't make me look like an old lady? Hopefully Target can help me out. 

FIVE

I don't know about you, but this week has been rough. Both Andy and I have had sinus colds, I had tons of meetings, and it's just seemed super long. I'm thinking I need to try making some energy bites. Have you made them? Do they really give you energy? 

 

Chicken Salad Chick

Columbia finally got a Chicken Salad Chick!!!!!!

If you haven't heard about it, Chicken Salad Chick is a restaurant that sells 15 different flavors of chicken salad. AKA HEAVEN!

Andy and I went by to try it and we both decided to go all out and get three scoops each of different kinds. (We've been eating our way through them for the last two days.) Andy got the Jalapeno Holly, Barbie-Q, and Buffalo Barclay. I got the Mimi's Mix (apples and cashews), Sassy Scotty (ranch, bacon, and cheddar cheese), and Cranberry Kelli (cranberries and almonds). They were all so incredibly good. I can't even pick a favorite and can't wait to go back and try a whole different combo.(We skipped the side dishes but they are high on my list for next time too.)

Everyone was so nice and we got our food super fast. I can't say enough good things about this place. Just go and try it for yourself.

Five on Friday

I'm linking up with my favs April at A. Liz Adventures and Christina at Carolina Charm for.....

 

 

ONE

While in Virginia we stayed at the lovely George Washington hotel. They had the best toiletries in the bathroom by Bath and Body Works. The lotion they provided was called Grin and Bare It and I'm obsessed. I think I'll be picking up a bottle of it since I've flown through the travel sized bottle from the hotel.

TWO

Also while in Virginia I had my hair done for the wedding I was in. The girl used Moroccanoil Hairspray and I was shocked at how well it held. Curls in my hair ALWAYS fall. I have fine, thin hair that won't hold anything if there is an ounce of humidity. But this hairspray was amazing. Has anyone every tried it?

THREE

I started the book The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty yesterday. It's interesting by I guess I'm still  not sure why everyone is so excited about it. 

 

 

FOUR

Someone walked around the office yesterday with a box of hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Yes, I ate one. No, I didn't regret it. They are a little slice of heaven. However I did tell my coworker not to come near me again with that box. I clearly have no self control. 

 

FIVE

You know when you see a piece of clothing on someone and you just have to have it for yourself? Well, that's what happened to me with this blue and white dress from The Limited. A friend posted a picture of it on Instagram and I went and bought it the next day. I just had to have it, I'm obsessed. It was on sale and impossible to find online. But check your local store if you are interested. 

Pretzel Turtles

Last Thursday night I was invited to a get together the next evening. Great, no problem.

Oh yea, bring an appetizer or a sweet, okay thanks. Ummm......

Of course I had nothing in the house and basically no time to bake something impressive. After scanning my Pinterest boards I found what looked like an easy, bite size treat, Pretzel Turtles. These were a hit!

Pretzel Turtles

Via Glorious Treats

Pretzels

Rolos

Pecan Halves

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to make clean up easy.

Line up your pretzels on the cookie sheet and top each one with a Rolo. 

(I highly recommend you cheat and get the bag of already unwrapped candies.)

Bake the pretzels for 4-5 minutes. The chocolate will be shiny but not melting yet. 

Quickly press a pecan half into each Rolo as soon as you take them out of the oven. 

Let them cool. If you can, stick them in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

And that's it! Easy and delicious!