From Wilmington to Chicago

While I did just move to the North Carolina coast, I have already discovered why some many people want to call it home. Combined with efforts from Kendra Thornton, travel expert and avid Chicagoan, we have brought you the best from the South and North.

Wilmington, NC

Fortunately, I got the opportunity to relocate and our family chose this beautiful area of the state to lay our roots. A town that has Atlantic beaches on one side and stately pines draped in Spanish moss on the other. It is the perfect combination of coast meets country. While there are many things to do here during a visit, all things Wilmington will make the average person want to live here.

Historic Downtown

Courtesy of: Images of Wilmington

Different from other places, Wilmington does not use the word historic as a disguise for old and dilapidated. This Port City embraces its rich history, which includes everything from pirate invasions to civil war battles. The pride that Wilmington has for its background is seen in its antique manors, boundless architecture, charming businesses, and beautiful boardwalk all nestled along the banks of the Cape Fear River. The vibrant downtown area is home to a host of quaint coffee shops, local brew houses, eclectic restaurants, and taverns whose music pours onto the streets at nightfall. As you enjoy the magic of downtown be sure to get a lesson in the past by taking a trip aboard the Battleship North Carolina. For those who are looking for something a little more dangerous, a haunted pub-crawl or ghost walk tour may be more your speed.

Coastal North Carolina... Instagram Style

We made it to North Carolina!!! I'll spare you the details but there were 4 humans and 2 pets in one car... and that was the easy part. The tough part was the 1 human and a pet in a 24 foot chocked full truck driving through mountains all the while still dealing with drama from our home sale. We have actually been here for three weeks now and so far it has been fabulous!!

It feels... surprisingly normal

Like this is where I was always meant to be.

It is beautiful

More of my favorite things

Some more inspiration from throughout the blog world...

Favorite DIY Project

{The Crafted Sparrow}

Cute, clean, and adorable numbers! Perfect for storage I have seen these jars at the dollar store for you guessed it... one DOLLAR!

Favorite Front Door

{Coastal Living}

Loving coral... especially complemented with the pretty yellow and blue.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

While I am still {yes... STILL} working away on the kitchen this week, I managed to find some time to check out my favorite blogs and online hot spots. Check out what inspires me.

Favorite Hardware

{Sophia's}

The whole piece is just fabulous, but these Hobby Lobby knobs just make it perfection.

Favorite Wet Bar

{House of Turquoise}

Actually, come to think of it, I never met a wet bar I didn't like. Seriously though, how much better would the drinks be coming from this perfectly chippy rolling cart?

Favorite Spring Craft

{City Farmhouse}

These little homemade robins eggs are precious and make just the right statement for spring.

Favorite Wall Display

{East Coast Creative}

Spring... eggs... birds... I am sensing a theme here. These bird on a wire plates are chic and adorable all at the same time.

Favorite Nursery

{Golden Sycamore}

This gender neutral nursery almost makes we want to have a baby again... I said ALMOST!

Favorite Easy Up Do

{Dressinterest}

I love this quick and easy hairstyle to give some finesse to a bad hair hair day.

Favorite  New Shopping Addiction

{Targets Threshold Collection}

I have always been a Target gal, but this new collection is just ah-mazing. Beautiful stuff that is reminiscent of Pottery Barn at half the price. I am SO digging that turquoise vase and that ombre lamp.

 

Favorite Spring Outfit

{The Happy Wardrobe}

You can never have too many blazers. This turquoise and peach color combo is just divine.

Favorite Quote

{Resolute Woman}

I needed to remember this quote this week

Superhero Birthday Party

Superhero theme parties are pretty unoriginal these days, but the kids love 'em so what are you going to do? After begging the twins to do everything from a western theme to a surfer party for days I realized changing their minds was not going to happen. I thought I could at least sucker Emmy, my girl twin, to come to my side where the decor and ideas would be much much cooler than Batman and Superman logos. They were dead set on superheroes, I resigned to the fact that it wasn't really MY party so what I wanted really did not matter. So Spidey, Man of Steel, and Batman it was. With a TON of help from my fabulously crafty sister, we made it pretty cool anyways.

My sister Donna, from Created By DonnaK made a lot of the party goodies {actually about 95.8% was done by her from several states away} including these fabulous invitations that everyone raved about.  It was tough trying to come up with invites that were not too gender specific but these were PERFECT!

She also made everything from food and drink labels, cupcake toppers, banners, and goodie bag tags, and labels for their photos I had displayed throughout the party.

Through Pinterest I found some other cool things. Like an idea for a Superhero training camp sign, an adorable Welcome Heroes banner, and labels for the candy jars.

Everyone wore their costumes and a great time was had by all... even the adults. We had to girl Emerson's costume up a bit so we made a fun Tu- Tu to compliment her costume.

 Instead of gifts we asked our party goers to bring donations for our local no kill animal shelter, which is always in desperate need of help. The kids felt great making a donation and seeing how their donations helped animals.

Linked to:

At the Picket Fence

Days of Chalk & Chocolate

My Repurposed Life

My Romantic Home

My Simple Home Life

Tatertots & Jello

The Shabby Nest

Back to School

You know back in July, when I said I was "baaaack" and all that... I guess I lied.  Shortly after I made my re-entry back into the blogworld I made my re-exit.

Things have been really busy between the twins turning 6, the end of summer, and back to school. We had a great Superhero party for Max and Emmy, which I will post more about later, but that kept us very busy. Back to school has been a great feeling so far this semester, much better than I planned actually. The kids are all having a blast and learning a lot, and we are signed up for lots of after school activities and sports. We are having fun and enjoying the readjustment back to real life after a crazy summer, but like most of you I am sure, it has been hard work trying to find time and getting used to new schedules. I haven't had much time to create projects, let along blog about them but I am ready to get back into the swing of things. In the meantime, please fill me in on ways you guys keep your head together with multiple children and different schedules. Since this is the twins first year in school I could use all the advice you got!

 

He originally wanted to be a dolphin trainer like his sister but thought sharks were way cooler- typical boy!

I may not know what I am doing 60% of the time, but you cant tell by looking at those sweet faces can ya?!?! That is all that matters I guess.

Oh- and thank God for Pinterest {I think I have said that before}, that is where I got the idea for these cute back to school signs, it was super easy.

Frame from Goodwill- $3.00

Left over red spray paint from another project- Free

Left over chalkboard spray paint- Free

Piece of chalk found in the couch cushions- Free

Back to school memories and the image of a super mom that has it together on the morn of back to school- PRICELESS!!!

Impromptu Mini Vacation- heading home

In the midst of the ridiculous summer heat {which I complain about, but secretly love}, a crazy work schedule, and the twins' room renovation, our family was in desperate need of a last minute break. Unfortunately, it set me back a bit in my blogging... but it was sooo worth it. Thursday the hubs and I took the day off and took the kiddos to a nearby beach. We had an absolutely amazing day with them. We played for literally 8.5 hours on the beach and when it was finally time to head home at 7 we did not want to leave. We had our own area stocked with toys, books, and food so we were set for the day.

Friday, after work we headed back home to St. Joseph, Michigan and got to hang out in one of the best lake towns around.

I am so proud to be able to say that this is my home town. A town that had a huge impact on my love of the water. While we were there we hung out downtown, devoured a pizza, got ice cream, and rode the carousal.

And mama even got to sneak off to a few antique shops.

Im so kicking myself right now for not getting that fan. Isn't it fantastic? 

In other news, I hate to do this right now since I gained so many awesome and new followers recently, but I need to take a brief blogging break. With the kids being out of school and me working so much, I have been wrestling with a few guilt issues. I am trying to work on those and create a more balanced schedule. Also, I have a commitment that must be finished up within the next few weeks. Once I have my commitment handled, and a better balanced schedule I will be back. I will not be gone totally since I am still in the process of finishing up the twins room so hopefully I will have some projects posted here and there. I will definitely be checking out your blogs while drinking my morning coffee. So please stick with me, I will be back with some good things in a few weeks. I promise and pinky swear. Thanks for being awesome followers and a great support system!!!