Plan B

I just finished this book:

and it was amazing.

I ordered it last Tuesday, got it Friday and was finished with it last night. I couldn't put it down.

I can tell you in person about this book, but it's hard for me to write about it. My description will not give it justice, so all I'm going to say is I highly recommend you picking this up. I thought by 28 I would own a home with a backyard, have at least one child, a dog (we are working on that), but you get my point. I thought I had it all figured and planned out, but it hasn't turned out that way. So, Plan B comes into action. This book doesn't exactly tell you how to deal with Plan B situations but to trust God and be patient. He (God) will finish what he has started. Pete Wilson writes in a way that is easy to understand and he is also very easy to relate too.

Here is a good review that you should check out.

Everyday

I have been looking at buying some new everyday dinnerware and have fallen in love with a couple patters - I loved this Lenox pattern

and also really liked this from World Market


Since I really didn't NEED it, I was planning on asking it for my birthday or Christmas but then...

I went to TJ Maxx!

I love love love this store! I scored a huge find this weekend and I am super excited about my purchase.

Take a Look... It's actually my favorite out of the three and I got dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and coffee cups for 1/2 the price of the two above!

Orange Dream

I have found my new favorite summer drink! On July 4th weekend AK’s mom and her friends made Orange Dreamsicles and I couldn’t get enough of them! They are super easy and already come pre-made with vodka already in it! Friday’s makes them and you can find them at your local liquor store. All you need is a blender and some ice and you have a refreshing summer drink!!

The Help

I sooo recommend reading this book!! Best book I have read in a long time. I couldn’t put it down and was kinda sad when the book came to a end. It tells the story of African American women working as maids for white families in Jackson, MS, but also tells so much more! If you want a quick summer read, this is your book!

Must Haves

Wedding season has officially begun for AK and I! This week in the mail we received a save the date, wedding invitation and shower invitation for three different weddings. Such a exciting time for all of the brides and grooms! I began to look up their registries and wanted to share some of items that I think every bride and groom should consider registering for.

Here are a few of my favorites:

A nice set of bakeware

China/Everyday - I just registered for China and I love it!

Dutch Oven - This is one of those that my mother was like you have to register for
and I am so glad I did!! I love it!

A great set of knives

Everyday Silverware - Use it everyday and we love it!

Nice set of towels, I had my towels still from college and it's amazing what a good towel feels like!

Serveware, I love to entertain so these platters comes in handy!!

Finally, AK's favorite gift...the pilsner!

Frame the Date

I can't believe that AK and I have been married almost a year!! Needless to say, I am starting to look for a gift for AK. The first year anniversary is paper. I found this really cute idea, it's called Frame the Date.

You can choose really rustic or traditional numbers and frames.

I'm thinking of doing this, but want to get something else too...

I'll let you know what I come up with!

Menchie's

Many of you know how much I LOVE Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt! Well this weekend I found my new favorite place for frozen yogurt, Menchie's.

What is so great about this place is you pay by weight and not by how many toppings you have. So you can put 5 different types of toppings or mix two different frozen yogurts and not have to pay additional! It's really reasonably priced too, 44 cents a ounce. So for AK and I to get two cups of frozen yogurt with any toppings we wanted it was $6.50!!

They have several different flavors, usually about 8 everyday. I went with the New York Cheesecake and mixed it with chocolate and topped it with reeses pieces, chocolate chips, cookie dough AND chocolate syrup. Needless to say, this may have not been a good find for me, I may have a slight addiction on my hands!

Between you and me, I went back the next day and got another frozen yogurt before I went to the grocery!! I felt like I just couldn't resist, it's right next to the grocery!! So here's my warning to you, if you are a frozen yogurt person, BEWARE!!

To find a location near you, visit

Fun Beverage Dispenser

I love these! Aren't they the cutest things?? They would be great for entertaining. They hold more than your average pitcher and I love how they look!

Dream Kitchen

If Nate Berkus showed up at my house and said "You have won the Oprah Dream Kitchen Makeover!" First of all I would be so excited because I would finally have tickets to see Oprah! (a lot of y'all know I have been trying for years!) and of course, a free kitchen makeover!!

However, before I left I would secretly leave these three pictures as inspiration for my dream kitchen!

Love Love the Lighting & Island!

Love the cook top!
(All pictures from cottage living)

Recipe Box

While making my grocery list today, I thought to myself what in the world am I going to make this week for dinner?!

Then I remembered, my recipe box! Andy's sister gave us a very thoughtful wedding gift, a recipe box filled with her and the Kelly family favorite recipes. Laine is an excellent cook and I strive to be half as good is as she is! I have began adding my own and my mother's recipes to the collection. I want to have this collection for my children when they are ready to get in the kitchen! Or maybe one day even make a family cookbook!

There is nothing like remembering a favorite recipe that your grandmother made or you mom and you don't have it written down and they can't remember exactly what they did. Andy loved my dad's chili and I never got the chance to ask what his famous recipe is and of course it's not written down anywhere!

All you need to start your collection are index cards, a box (the size of a shoebox) and a couple recipes and your collection is started! This will be something that your family will treasure for years!

Charity Chains

I am so excited for my friend Kristi! She has just launched a company, Charity Chains. Do you like trendy necklaces? Wouldn't you like them even more if you knew when purchasing one a portion of proceeds goes to charity? I know I do!

As a grand opening special, Kristi is offering free shipping until January 31st!

Here is a preview of her necklace collection. I can't decide which one I want, I love them all!



For more information check her website out here!

Dutch Ovens

I love my dutch oven! I registered for one when we got married and I had no idea I would use it as much as I do. I use it at least once a week! If you don't have a dutch oven I would highly recommend investing in one. They are great for soups, chili, baking chicken (makes it so tender) and I have even seen a recipe for cobbler!

Martha Stewart has a great line of dutch ovens at Macy's and Williams Sonoma has a higher end brand, Le Creuset.