Out with the OLD, In with the NEW

While reflecting back on this past year, I realized it was mostly filled with traveling and house updates. 


We spent most of our time on the East Coast, except for Chris taking a trip to Southern California for work. We explored many places in Virginia, including Richmond, Norfolk, the Chesapeake Bay, Bristol, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Warm Springs, Williamsburg and places in between. We also made stops in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and DC. We had some awesome beach vacations to Hilton Head and Kiawah Island--sooo RELAXING! 

As Far As Home Improvements..

We managed to add some curb appeal to our home by painting our front door. It definitely makes us stand out on out street. In 2012 we plan giving the abode a good wash, hopefully staining the deck, and purchasing and/or building a shed.

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

Our kitchen had a transformation between the beautiful kitchen island (thanks to my dearest daddy) and some fresh coats of paint. We tossed the old vertical blinds and put up a pair of chocolate brown panels and added a fun floral rug under the island. In the new year we may continue to contemplate changing the counter tops and possibly install a bead board backsplash. 

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

*AFTER*

The living room (although still a work-in-progress) had a game changing make over. We were able to upgrade our couch, have built-ins made and installed (again by daddy dearest), got a new coffee table for Christmas, I threw some pillows together, and rearranged and redecorated frequently. This year we have plans to paint the walls a light gray hue, finish up some coordinating pillows and add some wall art. I have a plan to get a new rug, still trying to convince the hubs.

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

We have bought some other eclectic pieces scattered through out the house, but above were the big projects we are proud of from 2011. One of our biggest goals for the house this year will be to finish painting the other rooms. Also, I want to get rid of some of the random clutter and be better about being purposeful when I buy stuff. So far I think I am doing well, I sold our old couch and coffee table and.. I didn't go to one antique store when I was in Richmond this past weekend. Go me!

As for my personal resolutions goals for 2012:

• I want to run and/or exercise at least 3 times a week
• Sign up for 3 races
• Read 3 books
• Take better care of my skin (I have been really bad about washing my face before bed)
• Of course be a better and more understanding and loving wife, friend, daughter, sister and co-worker

I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me this year, specifically being a auntie :) x 2 !!

Before I forget I want to THANK YOU for reading the random craziness I write about! You are what keeps me writing!

Orange ya glad for fall..

I am in love with all things fall, except for stinkbugs.

I love unusual pumpkins

Fall Mantle

Chris bought these beautiful sunflowers for when I came home from a trip to my parents (and he cleaned the house-he is definitely a keeper). We had fun making the framed keys on the right side of the mantle, super easy. This is probably one of my favorite mantles we have done so far, minus the speakers..they have got to go. 

Not the best picture, but I had an old frame I spray painted white and took some twine, looped it through the keys and tacked them to the back of the frame, vola! 

I finally figured out what to put in my gallon sized mason, pinecones! and some pumpkins in the small mason.

Lastly, I framed a print from JonesDesignCompany and got some perfect wire baskets from Target (of course and they were on clearance!). Also, I found a great deal on a lamp at HomeGoods a few weeks back.

Did I mention I love fall?? How have you decorated? 

Fall has fallen...

Have you noticed?
Its seems like this fall has literally fallen..where did all of the leaves go? Is it me or do they usually last longer?
This season we have yet to take a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is the prime location for leaf watching and falling.

We have taken a few trips around VA this fall:

For my birthday the hubs planned a trip to Warm Springs, VA where we stayed at the Inn at Gristmill Square and took a dip in the Jefferson Pools (really neat if you haven't been). During this trip we stopped in Monterrey and Staunton, bought this awesome chair.

We also went apple pickin' in Charlottesville at Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard, I grew up picking at this spot and went there all through college.

Since we were in Charlottesville, we had to go to Greenwood Gourmet Grocery in Crozet, an awesome lunch spot, my favorite sandwich: the Landrance-fresh mozzarella and prosciutto-YUM!

Also this month:

 I went four-wheeling with my daddy-love being home.

Visited an adorable store in Powhatan called Gather - lets just say I want everything in that store!!

Got a new do, I love Aveda salons-such a treat. I am a brunette now. 

not the best picture, but here it is.

The hubs and I have been working our tails off, but we did manage to have last weekend off, so we went to Farmville looking for couch, we didn't find anything, but we were able to bring Foster with us, so that was fun. We also went Geocaching, have you ever heard of it? Basically it is an outdoor scavenger hunt, it is a cool way to explore different areas and get exercise and do something fun with the hubs.

Keep your eyes open for some new festive fall decor pictures of our home.

Travel Bug

The past few weeks have been busy with us traveling. We had a Wilson vacation in Hilton Head where we ate and hung out on the beach most of the week. I was able to finish a book I started on my family's beach trip called A Million Miles in a Hundred Years by Donald Miller. It was a pretty good book that reminded me of the importance to truly live the life we have on this earth and make it memorable. For me it is so easy to get stuck in routines and the mundane reality of life, but the memories we actually remember are the ones that were different and exciting and a change from our day to day. So I am going to try and work on this, keep me accountable.

On our way home we bought the audiobook of The Help which is really good. As much as my hubs and I love audiobooks this one is soo long, I could have read the book quicker than listening to it. I wanted to read it before we saw the movie, but by the time we are done it will be out on video.

Have you read any good books lately?

This past weekend I went to Williamsburg and Norfolk to see my best friends. Norfolk is an interesting place, I have driven through there a few times but had yet to really visit the place, my initial reaction was ehh. As the weekend went on and I discovered more of the city, it really wasn't so bad, don't get me wrong I wouldn't want to live there, but I would visit again considering my best friend and sister-in-law live there. 

Me and my little Laura

My BFF, Laura, is finishing up school in Norfolk and she recently got engaged so we spent Saturday wedding dress shopping. I never thought I would cry seeing her in a wedding dress, but boy did I lose it. I guess it has to do with us knowing each other since we were three months old and going through everything together and this just signifying how much older we are getting and at this point I am just trying to come up with a good excuse why I lost it.

On my way back from Norfolk I stopped by my dad's and Chris came down from the Burg and we had a yummy family dinner, Foster made the trip too. I absolutely love being out in the country at my dads, it is so peaceful and relaxing. We went four wheelin' and made some fresh pesto and just porch sat, what could be better than that.

Now back to reality...cleaning. This house is a wreck from being gone, do you have any good cleaning tips?

A relaxed state

What a cool summer day it is in Lynchburg, I am sitting outside my local Starbucks enjoying the breeze blowing through. I got back last night from a week spent vacationing with my family on Kiawah Island, SC. It is always hard coming back from a relaxing vacation and starting work the next day, but sometimes with my job I have the flexibility to be on call, which was my preference today. I am hoping for some productivity and a refreshed outlook today.

This was my first time on Kiawah which is located about 25 miles from Charleston. To me Kiawah seems to be an island filled with different neighborhoods and bike trails. We went on daily bike rides around the island and toggled back and forth from the beach to the pool. Each night we shared yummy family meals and fun stories. There isn't a ton to do on the island unless you love to golf, which none of us do, but I really enjoyed spending quality time with the fam and working on my suntan. I definitely recommend this vacation spot, but would suggest to venture to Charleston if you are going to eat out.

Braden and I relaxing by the pool

It is nice to be back in Lynchburg, especially since I hadn't seen my hubs nor Foster in week. Now we are counting down the days until we leave for vacation with the Wilson Clan.