Wedding Season 2014: And so it begins...

Ahh.... Wedding season is upon us and with one February Charleston wedding under our belt, we are dusting off our dancing shoes and preparing to hit the open road for the re-kick-off of Wedding Season 2014. We have been invited to 6 weddings thus far this year and 3 of which are in May. Out of the 6 we are surprisingly able to make all but one. My sweet friend Melissa married her longtime sweetheart, Matt, this past weekend and it broke my heart that we could not swing their wedding. Her pics are just gorgeous and Reid and I wish them all the happiness in the world.

This Thursday Reid and I will be leaving bright and early to make our way down the coast to Charleston and then to Charlotte for a double header wedding weekend. Our friends Will and Terri are getting hitched at the beautiful Magnolia Plantation on Thursday night in Charleston. We are so excited to see this fun loving couple tie the knot. It has been a long time coming for these two and we could not happier for their little family! Plus, any excuse to visit ChuckTown is OK by me... we sure could use a little fun in the sun!

On Friday, after we brunch it up and dip our feet in the ocean we have to pack up and ship out. We are due in Charlotte that evening for wedding festivities for our other dear friends Liz and Lee. I don't even know where to begin with these two. I think that Reid and I were the only people that even knew they were a coupe for a long time.  It will be a special day to watch these two say I do, a complete full circle moment for us. I am so very happy they found each other in this crazy world!

Saturday, Reid and I are so excited to have some free time in Charlotte before the big event. We are planning a brunch at Zeda Janes and a little antiquing at our fav spot, Sleepy Poet. Add in a little power nap and Liz and Lee's wedding and you have got yourself on fantastic Saturday!

Sunday, there will be no rest for the weary. Reid's parents are driving up from Columbia, Sc to celebrate Mother's day before we head back to Virginia. I am praying that Reid drives home because just typing this itinerary makes me exhausted.

Can I just also tell y'all how crazy we are? So we get back on Sunday and I turn around next week and head to Chicago Tuesday through Friday for a business trip. On the way back I am getting off in Charlotte and hitching a ride to Greenville, SC to see Ashley and Andrew. Reid will meet me down there on Friday night so we can attend the Pro-Am at Thornblade.

Stay tuned friends cause the next two weeks are going to be crazy for Reid and I. Lots of travel time on the road and the skies, two weddings, tons of fun friends, a quick business trip to Chicago and probably too many drinks all lead to either an amazing time or me having a mental breakdown (reality is prob both). Pray for us!

xoxo,

CAD

Weekend Recap!

Reid and I spent a glorious and much needed weekend in Richmond. The kind of weekend where I did not have to work, Reid got to relax on the couch, we actually went on a date and got to catch up with some fun friends and family! 

Friday night Reid and I had an impromptu date night. 

We decided at about 3pm that day that we would try to throw together dinner and a movie. A coworker of mine had highly recommended Max's on Broad, a new Belgium restaurant downtown and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. We were super lucky and somehow managed a 7:45 reservation. From the moment we walked in, I was in love. The decor, the feel, the location, the light fixtures...everything was calling out to me. We were immediately sat upstairs at a table for two. The view of a local church as the sun was setting was just perfect. Our waiter was so energetic and made great beer and wine recommendations. Oh and the bread... I could go on for days about the bread. Our meal was fabulous and so was our experience. If you live in Richmond or are planning a visit, put this on your list! 

Reid conceded and we finally went to see Divergent. I love my husband, but let me tell you what... the  actor that plays Four is a fine specimen of a human being. period. It slightly annoyed me that certain parts of the movie did not follow the book, but all and all, I thought it was pretty good. We got home around 12:30ish and I decided it was time for me to bite the bullet and finish the 3rd book. I finished the book at 2:41am and at  2:42am I posted this on Facebook.... "Allegiant = worst ending ever".  UGH I am so mad at the ending of this book. I think I will go see the next movie and then pretend that the 3rd book never happened. Anyone with me? 

Saturday was heaven.

Because I could not remember the last time I had a Saturday to myself, I deemed this past one as Caroline Day. I woke up bright and early, drove downtown to a morning ballet class, and then proceeded to do every girly activity I could think of. Eyebrow wax, baby present shopping, mani & pedi, ate lunch at my fav little sandwich shop and went in to a few boutiques that I can never get to during the week. Once I felt that I had been sufficiently painted, plucked and pampered I dashed home to make a doubled helping of homemade pimento cheese to take with us to the Derby party. (Try it, you'll like it)

If you followed along with me on Instagram you already know that we had a great time at the Derby party. The food was wonderful, the drinks were plentiful and the company was outstanding. My highlights were: hanging out my ol' pal Mary Hannah, playing flip cup, Reid and I winning best dressed, the weather and the hostess telling me I had great boobs! Hooray! 

Sunday, fun day.

Reid got up super early and left me and the pups to sleep off my mint juleps and beer from the previous night. Love him. When the 3 of us finally ventured downstairs, it did not take make convincing from me to get Reid to make breakfast. 30 minutes later, Reid had prepared a pot of Chemex coffee, cheddar biscuits and bacon. Delish!

Once I pulled myself together, drank a lot of water, showered and found my make up. I made my way over to the cutest baby shower for my sweet friend Corbin and her anticipated baby boy. It was so nice to see my Junior League girl friends and celebrate Corbin's baby bump! 

The weather was divine when I got home so I retreated to the porch for some fun in the sun until we were due at Family dinner at my brother's house. There is nothing better than spending time with family and I got some one on one time with my sweet niece Libbie Jane! 

I hope your weekend was just as fabulous. Cheers to a great week y'all! 

xoxo,

CAD 

talk Derby to me!

So, first of all - Happy Friday Y'all!

 

And Second, the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby is tomorrow and I am really excited. This event is a southern girl's dream. Big hats, frosty mint julep cups, Lilly and seersucker as far as the eye can see and so much southern charm I cannot even stand it!

 

 I thought I could combine my love for horse races with my love for linking up with these lovelys, April, Christina, Darci and Natasha, and chat Derby talk with y'all!

 

Here are five reasons why I love the Kentucky Derby and horse races in general!

 

{one: the outfit}

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Oh lawd, this may be my favorite part! Horse races bring out the best ensembles. period. Gentlemen in their seersucker pants, pressed button downs, pastels galore and Vineyard Vines bow ties are just too handsome for words. And oh my goodness the ladies never disappoint. Neither does Lilly, are the collections thus far not amazing? I want one of everything. 

 

 

{two: the drink}

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Ah, the classic mint julep, can you get anymore Southern than this? I think not! In fact, my extensive research suggests that the mint julep originally hailed from Virginia. It seems that the first known publication (in 1803) of a julep with mint describes it as "a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning".  Clearly, we Virginians knew what it was to be Southern for a very long time!Below is my classic recipe for a mint julep!

What you will need per drink:

5-6 fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons of your favorite drinking bourbon

1 tablespoon of simple syrup

 crushed ice

chilled julep cup

cocktail stirrer or decorative straw

spoon

what you will do:

Put simple syrup and mint leaves in your chilled julep cup. Use the back of your spoon to gently press the mint leaves against the cup to release all the minty flavors. Pack as much crushed ice in your cup as possible (think snow cone!) and pour bourbon over ice. Place your decorations on top and drink up! You will want to serve immediately, don't give that ice to melt!

tips to make you look like a pro:

chill julep glasses, this prevents the ice from melting too quickly

you must use crushed ice!

 (wrap ice cubes in a kitchen towel and crush with a wooden spoon)

reserve a couple sprigs of mint to top your mint juleps, it makes for a pretty presentation

 

 

{three: the horses}

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Nosupeforyou, Riding Miss Daisy, Slumpbuster, Brandelina and Uncle Sigh are just a couple of my all time favorite Kentucky Derby horse names. Have you ever taken the time to read the list of contenders?  Some of the names are just so clever and witty! These majestic animals are really something and I just love to see them fly around the track.

 

 

{four: the hat}

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“If you don’t wear a hat to the Kentucky Derby,” says Sheila Nobles of C.K. Nobles, the official millinery designer for the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, “you’ll feel like the woman who wears jeans to a little black dress party.” via

 

 Derby Hat Know-How

Style: Whether you’re short or tall, have a round or a long face, there’s no predetermined hat style you should wear. Instead, it’s all about what makes you feel comfortable—and fabulous!

Fit: Once you put on your hat, you shouldn’t have to touch it the rest of the day. For reinforcement, secure it with hat pins or add sizers (small padded bands placed on the inside of the rim).

Placement: Hats should sit 1 to 2 inches above your ears. Be careful not to place your hat too far back on your head. If you do, only the people behind you will see the splendor of your Derby hat thus negating that coveted grand entrance.

Etiquette: Unlike men, who are expected to remove their hats indoors and during the National Anthem, women are permitted to wear their extravagant headpieces throughout the Derby festivities. But if you’re in a crowded space with a wide brim hat, remember your Southern manners and do be mindful of your neighbors.

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{five: the tradition}

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Tomorrow, the legacy continues with the 140th running of "The Run for the Roses". An event that is the pinnacle of Southern tradition and one of the most popular horse races in the US. There is so much more to this race than just infield drinking and pretty outfits. The majesty of the sport, the time, training, and commitment that each team exhibits and the overall feel of Churchill Downs is something I cannot wait experience one day. My love for this event comes from a deeply rooted pride for our country and it's southern traditions.
 

I am crashing a Derby party with my ol'pal MH tomorrow so make sure to follow along on Instagram! cwayscue or click here

 

Much love and happy Derby day!

 

xoxo,

 

CAD

I am also linking up with Lauren Elizabeth and Meet at the Barre - Thanks Ladies!

Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers with Tangy Peach BBQ Sauce

Hey y’all, Ashley here!

Happy first day of May! I hope y’all are having a wonderful week so far. Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend! I am pretty excited about the weekend because I will be traveling to my hometown to spend time with family and friends while my husband goes to the Nascar race in Talladega.

Today, I thought I would share one of my new favorite recipes from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen. As you will see, this recipe is a bit ambitious, but the result was well worth it and the best part is…everything in this recipe is pretty healthy...well, for the most part!

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So, before I get started I need to apologize for the quality of my iphone pictures and the lack of my fancy china and platters. We are in the middle of a move so my entire kitchen and camera is (literally) packed away. Okay, now that I got that out of the way…

 I included Monique's recipe below for your convenience and included any tweeks I made to make it my own. Let’s get started.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers with Tangy Peach BBQ Sauce

 What you will need for turkey burgers:

  1 pound lean ground turkey

  1 egg

  1/3 cup onion, diced (I used a sweet vidalia) 

  2 garlic cloves, minced

  1 teaspoon ketchup

  1 teaspoon dijon mustard

  1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, plus more

  2 oz goat cheese, divided into 4 equal squares

  4 whole wheat (or low calorie) buns

What you will need for peach bbq sauce:

  olive oil

  1/4 of a red onion, diced

 1 clove garlic, minced

 1 tablespoon ketchup

 1/2 teaspoon cumin

  1 tablespoon tomato paste

 1 8 0z can tomato sauce

 1 cup peach preserves

 1/4 cup water

 1 tablespoon molasses

   2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey

 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

   1/2-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (I used about 1)

 1 teaspoon salt

 a few dashes of hot sauce

 freshly ground pepper

{Directions}

To make peach bbq sauce:

In a medium sauce pan, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, which takes about 5 minutes

      Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Reduce heat to low and add tomato paste and cumin while combining with the onion and garlic.

Add the tomato sauce and the remaining ingredients. Stir until combined and heated through. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings to your liking. The original recipes says to then transfer sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. However, I somehow missed this step and ignored it (my sauce was a little chunkier but was just fine!). Add more water, a tablespoon or two at a time, if you prefer a thinner sauce. Set aside until burgers are ready.

To make turkey burgers:

Combine turkey, egg, onion, minced garlic, ketchup, mustard, worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper in large bowl.

      

Divide turkey into equal sized rounds. Make 2 equal sized patties out of each round so you have 8 patties total.

      

Sprinkle 4 of the patties with fresh ground black pepper and top with goat cheese. Next, top with remaining patties, working the turkey around the edges to seal burgers closed. Season with salt and a few dashes of pepper.

  

Grill or broil until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. (Clearly, my husband was the master griller here, thanks hun!!)

     

Once the burgers are cooked, place in bun and add peach bbq sauce on top. Yumm!

{Side Notes}

This recipe makes 4 burgers, but you could make smaller burgers. Just divide meat into 10 patties, and top with goat cheese.

If you choose to bake the burgers, preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake for 18-20 minutes or until no longer pink.

You don’t have to add bbq sauce, but who are we joking now? You can top with condiments of your choice. Another option is to use store bought bbq sauce and top with grilled peaches.

I know this seems overwhelming and a lot to do, but it is totally worth it!! If I can do it…so can you!!

Hope you enjoy!

xoxo,
Ashley

Honeymoon Recap: Our Itinerary

Happy Wanderlust Wednesday y'all! Today I am so excited to share my first installment of my honeymoon recap series. It is hard to believe that this time last year we were sitting at a little Italian cafe sipping cappuccinos....ummm Reid, can we go back?

 I thought the best to start would be with our itinerary so you can get an overall idea of the beautiful places we traveled. With help from our amazing travel agent, Vincent, we embarked on a 13 day ( including travel time) land and sea adventure. We traveled around the boot of Italy hitting major highlights along the way. Reid and I took over 2000 pictures on our trip so I will have to plan a detailed post on each location in the upcoming weeks! 

Enjoy!

{day one: Rome}

{day two: Rome}

{day three: Rome and Civitavecchia Port}

{day four: Pompeii and Amalfi Cost}

{day five: Sicily}

{day six: at sea}

{day seven: Dubrovnik, Croatia}

{day eight: Split, Croatia}

{day nine: Koper, Slovenia}

{day ten: Venice}

{day eleven: Murano and Venice} 

{day twelve: Venice and home}

Have a happy and wanderlust filled Wednesday! 

xoxo,

CAD