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the list part II

Another post inspired by my friend Lauren

I constantly add to my life list so that is stretches over a lifetime

and I thought I would share a few more this time.

(The majority of these include Alan alongside me by the way)

11. Camel ride through the Sahara

12. Ride ontop of a double decker bus in London

13. Learn to sew

14. Walk the Great Wall of China...not the whole thing

15. Drop a dress size

16. Go to Hogwarts

17. Hop a train

18. Paint a series inspired by heaven

19. Visit a beach that belongs on a screen saver

20. Read 50 books in a year

What's on your list?

our garden

It's a Girl! And a Boy!

 The beautiful climbing jasmine we bought.

It's new home outside our kitchen door.

 Snapping dragon, petunias, and some wild purple flower

 More petunias and pink flowers



A view of our "garden" overlooking the parking spaces:)

go go gadget

As a lover of books- old and new

Their smell, the way they feel, even papercuts (joking)

I have to give the Kindle from Amazon my approval, not that it needed it.

It reads just like a book, but smaller.

Alan and I decided to invest in one since we are such active readers.

So for all you skeptics... it is amazing

I can't wait to take this on an airplane!

Six Months

Friday marked Alan and I being married for 6 months.

6 months of fresh flowers on my windowsill

6 months of dinner side by side

6 months of late night adventures throughout Birmingham

6 months of playful fights

6 months of laughing till we couldn't breath

6 months of sweet honest love.

I love you Mr. Slattery, and I am so glad I get to go through life with you.

the north shore

I love this... the north shore is one of my favorite spots up in Minnesota.

It is also called Brighton Beach.

Alan and I drove up there to get smoked fish from Kendall's but we couldn't resist stopping by the shore.

It reminds of La Push....if you know what I am referencing congrats you are a geek like me:)

Alan getting dangerously close to the frigid water

Cute little shack on the shore

Beautiful

I wish deer were this comfortable with people in Alabama...

unfortunately they are smarter than that.

a second look

Wedding dress-   Chinese seamstress off of DHGate.com

Cardigan-            Forever 21

Shoes-                Technically Rockport but I bought them at Lovelady

My new family in Minnesota decided to throw us a second reception up in

Minnesota for all the people who were not able to attend our wedding in Alabama.

It was so much fun and I finally feel like a Slattery.

#5 Spend the night in a terminal

Hoorah! I got to do one of my things off the life list this past week

#5 Spend the night in a terminal

Alan and I thought this would be such a smart idea since our flight left so early in the morning...

Wrong...

Top 5 things you need if you are going to attempt this

1. Earplugs

Between the Soul music blasting over head for the overnight crew

 and the news blaring on the tv, or in our case a jackhammer breaking up tile!

Earplugs would be smart if you are interested in getting any shut eye:)

2. A travel pillow

Pick one up from an outfitters store (visit the Mr. Slattery at Mountain High)

Its really nice to have one that is made for traveling that is compactable.

3. Some form of a blanket

Did not expect it to get cold overnight and had to make do with my dress bag....not a good idea

4. Card Game or Book

For boredom

5. A Travel Partner

You do not want to try curling up on your own while the nightcrew is shuffling around you...

not very comforting.

the list

I got the idea to display one's life list via blog from La La Lauren

I have had a list of things I have wanted to do for a while on scraps of paper, journal entries, etc.

I think this will be easier to manage, as well as keep me accountable to complete some of the tasks.

1. Learn to sail

2. Make a souffle 

3. Graduate college

4. Work at Disney

5. Sleep in an airport terminal

6. Trace back my ancestry

7. Ride in a limo

8. Play or sing in a Celtic band

9. Name a boat

10. Become fluent in Chinese

i love new york

These fun envelopes made of maps of New York City are available on Etsy

A favorite print that I got at a tourist stop in NYC

Best movie set in New York City- Breakfast at Tiffany's

Local Love: Duluth

I figured why not while I am up here.

Local love: Duluth

Today's wonderful feature is 

Clyde Iron Works

It used to be this old steel foundry and manufacturing company and they transformed it 

into a restaurant for casual dining but also big events like weddings and concerts.

It took three years to restore this beautiful old 23,000 square foot building.

We ate their tonight as we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. 

It was delicious. 

The traditional celtic band was wonderful. 

The atmosphere was unlike any other.

minnesota

And we are in Minnesota!

Top the Tater is the best and I'm loving hanging out with the in-laws:)

I can't wait to share all the fun we are having!

Unfortunately my camera cord is back in Atlanta with my car so until then...

a celebration

Recently my beloved friend Rachel married the love of her life Lucas.

We were invited to share in this day on March 4th at Woodrow Hall.

It was absolutely perfect and here are a few pictures of us, including La La Lauren

(I didn't dare take pictures of the actual building or the bridal party...my camera would not do it justice)

Congrats Rachel and Lucas once again, and thank you for inviting us!

whats next, a minivan?

Why that title?

Well I have thousands of cards people have given me for:

 our wedding, birthdays, sympathy, holidays, thinkin about you, etc.

Some people toss these treasures in the garbage but I refuse.

People took time and money to show me they care...through a card,

 and I will it keep thank you very much!

I hate to call it scrapbooking but that is essentially what this is.

Scrapbooking...Minivan...then pajama jeans???

(Just kidding I will never attempt the second two.)

I took a "scrapbook" (Martha Stewart- TJmaxx-$3.50)

Then I used sticky glue dots to attach all of the wedding cards we recieved

 onto fun cardstock, and old sheet music.

I drew in a few things here and there and wrote some Song of Solomon throughout it too.

I'm finished with the wedding and now onto all the rest of the cards I've gotten throughout my life.

Now I have easy access to all the well wishes and we love yous.

a simpler time

I know this decade depicted women in the home baking pies...

but what is so wrong with that?

This wonderful car advertisement came from a 1961 magazine.

Yes I used my scanner:)

Let this image inspire you to return to a simple time.

I balance being a wife-full time student- and full time employee,

so of all people I can enjoy pictures like this.

Then I thought of images like the one below.

And I thought to myself...

I want to look like this.

Back when it was pretty commen for all men to go to war,

women would send pictures of themselves like this for their loved one

 to look upon while serving overseas.

Even though my honey isn't far from my side I do think he would still enjoy it.

I did some research and I found a unique local buisness.

Birmingham Bombshell

 

Enjoy.

It is March

Blue irises courtesy of my wonderful husband.

It finally feels like March.

Minnesota in less than a week and I cannot wait.

Just thinking about the cold made me want to make Heather and Tiff's

Taco Soup

It is the easiest thing to make and it is delicious!

Enjoy the link thanks to Lauren from La La Land

cullen vs black

with Breaking Dawn coming to a theatre near you...

I thought I would see if I found some fun Twilight themed geekery on Etsy.

I got my wish.

Aro's wedding gift to Bella

Jacob Black themed necklace

Red and  white chess pieces ala the book covers

This hysterical bookmark

And finally this "apple-hands pattern"


Twilight fans- I hope this appeases you till the summer

Local Love

This week's local love is...Kellen Jacob Photography

I can sincerely say that he and his wife are the best duo photographers in Birmingham.

I had the pleasure of observing them at work at my dear friend Rachel's wedding last Friday.

They worked so naturally together and covered all angles of this wedding.

I recommend them to all and below is one of my favorites.

Forever September: A Preview

Forever September is Alan and I's new tiny buisness we are starting up soon.

The name-  September is our favorite month for many reasons.

We met in September 2007.

We started dating in September 2008.

He proposed September 2009.

We were married in September 2010.

It's pretty special to us, and we would love to share our love for it with anyone who wants.

The products- Alan loves to work with leather

He will handmake leather bags and pouches and such.

I love any paper goods and accessories.

I will be making stationary, journals, and maybe some fun accessories.

I can't wait!

a new orleans affair

This year was supposed to be my first time going to a Mardi Gras celebration.

I didn't want the nasty just the good.

I am supposed to go tomorrow to Mobile where the "safe" parades occur,

 but I don't know how much of a reality that will be.

There is so much to do.

In case I don't get to go...I still get a taste of the cajun flair tonight at my dear friend Rachel's wedding!

With spicy food and romantic thoughts fresh on my mind,

I give you a new orleans affair....

First a shrimp and grits recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay

4 cups water

Salt and pepper
1 cup stone-ground grits
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 slices bacon, chopped
4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 large clove garlic, minced

1. Bring water to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Add grits and cook until water is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.

2. Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned; drain well. In grease, add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turn pink. Add lemon juice, chopped bacon, parsley, scallions and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.


3. Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Add shrimp mixture and mix well. Serve immediately

And I love this Lady Jane dress from Modcloth

I would have worn this tonight had I known about it:)

Then for the newlyweds home,

 this fluer de lys address stamp found on Etsy.

and to be dramatic...

Unfortunately this fun mask was bought in Venice so there's no online store I can send you to.

Enjoy!

I love being married.

baby thoughts

Alan and I are four and a half years away from children,

but despite my best efforts I did think today, if I was...

(I'm not by the way)

But if I was what it would be like...

Maternity clothes, painting the nursery, baby names, the works.

So this post is dedicated to the will-be-soon-mothers out there

Pregnant celebrities...even huge they look perfect.

Say what you will about Angelina, but she does know how to rock maternity clothes.

This vivid green dress was created by Max Azria.

This is the one thing I definitely want when we are expecting.

Beautiful Green Baby Sling- $46 by Baby Ette on Etsy

More of this nursery can be found at Offbeat Mama

This is a diaper bag...I know crazy!

Dark olive green bag with adjustable straps- $39 by TippyThai on Etsy

That is all for now but I have plenty of time right?