Giddy for Urban Grace

Yall, I have to let you in on one of my obsessions, Urban Grace Interiors. I have never seen anything from the super talented Erika and team  that I didn't LOVE (and immediately tried to re-create). The gal is not only super cute but can do no wrong design wise. Don't believe me? She just finished designing the Coastal Living Ultimate Beach Home in Rosemary Beach Florida. Could you just die!

I can't possibly admit how many times a day/week I scroll through her design portfolio and drool. 

Go ahead. I'll wait. 

Amazing right???

Take a peak inside the Ultimate Beach Home...

Just the tip of the iceberg my friends. Media room, kitchen(s), bunk rooms with IPad ports, neutral calming spaces with natural materials, a to die for back yard etc. etc. etc. 

Total swoon. Happy Thursday!

Lovin' Much!

This Wednesday I'm feeling super thankful and am loving lots!

A link up with Jamie should do the trick!

                                         

I'm Loving...

My trip to Savannah to see my grandma and family.

Tomorrow, my dad and I are taking off to  the Peach State for a much needed few days in the deep South.  I'll know we've made it when we stop at the boiled peanut stand.

Source: google.com via Caitlin on Pinterest

That we just celebrated our 2 year anniversary!
We have done ALOT in the last 2 years and there is no one I would rather do it with. We
had a great dinner out in downtown last night with a fabulous mocktail for this gal.
We couldn't believe that next year we will need a babysitter!

  Non- baby nurseries
 I think there are a million adorable nurseries out there. Whether you go pink and girly
or blue and nautical, up to you. I personally want our babes room to feel like they could grow with a lot  of it.  Slight baby, not over the top. The walls will be some form of grey.

Source: projectnursery.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: sheridanfrench.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

A little busy but loving the gray walls, dark dresser and more formal rug

Source: pinterestlov.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

Homemade Butterfinger?
I saw how they made Butterfingers one morning on our cross country trip. Thanks Food Network.
 These days, when I see something I want, I gotta have it. I proceeded to get a Butterfinger at almost every rest stop/ gas station we stopped at from Oklahoma City to Memphis.
 I have since curbed my awful habit.
In comes this Pinterest recipe that looks too good to be true. As soon as I can get my hands on some candy corn this will happen.

Source: plainchicken.com via Emily on Pinterest

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!!!

Baking weather?

     Yesterday, while running to the grocery store, something bright orange caught my eye. What?! PUMPKINS! Tons and tons of pumpkins lining the outside of Kroger. For 2.3 seconds I forgot that it was 85 degrees outside and let myself drift into fall. Immediately, regardless of the weather, I had to bake. I'm not ready for pumpkin pie or sugar cookies but I had seen this recipe floating on blogs and Pinterest and knew I just had to. Not only was it super simple but it made the house smell amazing! 

Plus, it's a Southern Living recipe... how bad could it be??

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Source: sugarandspice-celeste.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1 cup roughly chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanillla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch loafpans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.


Make it. You'll love it.

Funny how that happens....

What was intended as a short blogging break, turned into a super long blogging hiatus. (And between you and me, I missed it!!!) So much has happened since February so a mini catch up is in order before I jump back in!

We moved back to Virginia! As much as we love love loved California and our life there, it was time to make the move back East. J loved his job but got the chance to interview with a firm back in Richmond and he took the opportunity. It's a mid sized firm where he can keep doing the same work but on a slightly less intense scale. Now, he will never have a 9-5 ( does anyone?) but the hours are much more family friendly and conducive to a life outside of the office. Double Yay!!

The biggest news, and contributing factor for the move, is....

Source: looklingerlove.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

We are over the moon excited to welcome a sweet baby into our little world in January!!! We feel very blessed that everything has been smooth and wonderful. All has checked out perfectly and we are half way there!  It was super important to be near the grandparents and family, which are all in Richmond.

J found out he was offered the job, accepted, we packed our house up in California and headed out driving back East within about 2 weeks. IT. WAS. NUTS. Regardless, we are getting settled in our new house and excited for the next chapter!  Let the blogging and nursery planning commence!!!