High Country Weekend

Hey y'all! I hope your week is off to a great start! Last weekend, we celebrated my 36th birthday in the High Country! We have been to this area many times for weekend trips and even day trips since it's only about two hours from where we live. This area of the North Carolina mountains is so beautiful! The towns are charming, there's lots of great places to eat, and so many fun things to do.

When planning this trip, I really wanted to stay in downtown Blowing Rock. I wanted the place to be budget friendly and within walking distance to our favorite spots downtown. We stayed at the Boxwood Lodge and it checked off all of the things I was looking for. It's a simple place but it was very clean and located in such a great spot plus it was very affordable! Our room had two queen sized beds, which was perfect for our family of four. After we got settled into our room, we walked down the street for dinner at Mellow Mushroom. It was only a five minute walk!

On Saturday morning, we slept in and woke up to snowflakes! We started our day with brunch at Famous Toastery. This spot was within walking distance from the Boxwood Lodge. The food was great and I would highly recommend it but be prepared to wait for a table. It gets busy!

Our second stop on Saturday was to my very favorite winery, Grandfather Vineyard! We have made a visit to this vineyard every year since we discovered it. There's so many things that I love about it! The mountain view is incredible. You can also sit right along the water, which is my girls' favorite spot to play. I am a big fan of sparkling wines and I love that this vineyard has some but you can't go wrong with any of their delicious wines. Pro-tip: if you are going on the weekend, get there right when they open (12pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday) to claim the best seating. It gets very busy, very fast! During the warmer seasons, grab a seat by the river but when it's cold, run to the seating closest to the building that has propane heaters and fire pits. It was freezing the day we went and we were very grateful for the warmth of a propane heater!

After visiting the vineyard, we warmed up with hot drinks from Blue Deer Cookies. They have great hot chocolate and coffees but the real star of the show here is the cookies. You have to go here and get an ice cream sandwich (even if it's 30 degrees outside). I'm gluten free so I love going here because they have a great GF chocolate chip cookie that I got with pumpkin pie ice cream! So good! After we warmed up, we went back out to walk downtown and visit the park. It's such a great park! My kids ask to come to Blowing Rock just for the park because it's so much fun and there's so much to do. For dinner, we walked down to Blocking Rock Ale House Restaurant. It was a pretty short wait and the food is always delicious!

To get my birthday started off right on Sunday, we went to Dan'l Boone Inn for an incredible family style breakfast! All you can eat scrambled egg, bacon, country ham, sausage, pancakes, grits, fresh stewed apples, buttermilk biscuits, redeye gravy, cream gravy, glazed cinnamon biscuits, strawberry preserves, and drinks. Pro-tip: don't wear high waisted jeans like I did. Stretchy pants are the way to go for this food experience!

After breakfast, we headed to Banner Elk for our next adventure: Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster! It  was so much fun! Before you go, make reservations via their website. We arrived about 30 minutes early for our reservation to get our coaster tickets and get in line. I would definitely recommend purchasing the three rides bundle for the ultimate experience. I think it got even more fun by the third ride that Olivia and I did because we knew what to expect and enjoyed it more. The first ride was a little scary, lol! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves trying something new!

After our coaster adventure, we drove to Linville Falls Winery. This is also a gorgeous winery in the High Country! There's a Christmas tree farm on the property so it makes for some cute photo opportunities. I would also recommend it for a family friendly winery experience because there is so much outdoor space for the kids to run and explore. The wine is also great, too!

I can't come to the High Country without visiting Linville Falls. I absolutely love waterfalls! It's an easy and short hike to get to the beautiful falls so it's a great family experience. Afterwards, we headed back to Boone for one last meal before heading home. We ate at The Cardinal, which is another spot that we go to almost every time we are in the area. They have great food and drinks!

Bookmark this post for your High Country travel planning and definitely let me know if you have any questions about the area. Thanks so much for visiting! Happy travels!

The Joy Garden

Happy Monday! This particular blog post is long overdue but the reason I was dragging my feet on it was because I couldn't decide on a name for my garden and/or flower stand. I even polled my Instagram and Facebook friends for some inspiration. There were so many wonderful ideas but I just couldn't decide because once I give it a name, I don't want to change it. I wanted something that felt like it encapsulated the heart of what the garden is to me and what I hope to share from it. 

I just kept coming back to the word joy because I just can't describe this garden and the experience that has come along with it in any other way. It's been absolutely joyful. From building the flower bed as a family, planting the seeds, watching the seedlings sprout, patiently waiting for my first bloom, cutting flowers, making bouquets, watching my husband build my flower stand, pruning, sweating, hunting for jars, being blessed with jar donations, making arrangements for a birthday party, providing flowers for a baby shower, and giving away dozens of bouquets to other flower fans... I count it all as pure joy!

So, the name "The Joy Garden" just felt right.

This journey of growing a zinnia garden has reminded me that God cares about the little things, the small details that bring us joy. Years ago, we first discovered the “God’s flowers” flower stand on the side of a back road. It’s an honor system so you pay $3, leave your payment in a container, and choose the bouquet you want. Sometimes we took that road just to see if the flower stand was out and filled with flowers. I always told Josh that I wanted to grow zinnias, make bouquets, and give them away to bring joy to others (the way the flower stand has always brought me so much joy). Well, after years of dreaming, I have that zinnia garden (which I will share more about another day) and I was able to give away my own bouquets this year. I started the summer out by cutting the flowers, arranging them in thrifted glass jars, and sitting them out to be picked up by friends who had already claimed them. I was so proud and excited to put those first vases on my front porch! 

I started giving away my flowers at the beginning of July and by mid August, I had a real flower stand! The goal of building a road side flower stand was a dream that I was hoping would come to reality in the next couple of years. But, my husband knew how much I wanted it so he made it happen for me with some leftover wood from our deck project, some Pinterest inspiration, some ingenuity, and a lot of hard work! He dedicated an entire day to making this beautiful flower stand for me. Once I had the flower stand, I started regularly filling it with flowers that anyone could stop by to pick up. Flowers were picked up as a personal pick me up, a gift for a friend or family member, a surprise for a spouse, and a much needed spark of joy for someone going through a really hard time. At the beginning, I didn't have the flower fund jar but after several people ringing my door to thank me for the flowers, we decided to put the jar out there. Within about eight weeks, there was enough donations for us to build a second flower bed for next season! I'm so incredibly grateful to be able to spread even more joy next summer with the addition of a second bed. More flowers = more joy!

This is your reminder today that God cares about you and loves to see you delight in the little things, like zinnias, that bring you joy. I encourage you to find what brings you joy and spread joy to others, even in small, simple ways. I am so grateful for this garden and all that it has taught me!

Currently Loving .244

Hey y'all! I hope you've had a great week! We are gearing up for a fun filled weekend and probably our busiest weekend that we've had in a long time. We have an event at church tonight, an adventure tomorrow, and we are headed to the Carolina Panthers game on Sunday. I'm really not a big football fan but I do love the experience of sporting events.

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving, including some picks that I already own and love! It's definitely feeling like fall here in North Carolina and we have seen some really chilly temperatures this week. Summer will always be my favorite season but I am loving dressing in layers, leggings, and sweater again!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. B O O T S | How cute are these budget friendly ankle boots?! I love the color and the heel height looks perfect for everyday wear.

2. R I N G | I have been on the hunt for some fun stacking rings that would hold up to constant hand washing and I found them! This one is definitely my favorite style. It's so cute!

3. S K I R T | I've shared this skirt before in a roundup but I wanted to share it again now that I own it. It's the prettiest mauve color and I love how it feels on! The fit is true to size. I can't wait to style it many different ways this fall and winter!

4. J E A N S | I typically stick to Madewell denim but this pair from Everlane is speaking to me! I am loving the ultra high rise fit and the straight leg. Everlane is a great spot for super high quality denim at great prices. 

5. T O P | How cozy does this waffle knit top look?! I think it would be perfect to throw on with a pair of leggings and sneakers for a casual fall look. I love it!

6. P U R S E | I've also shared this purse but I had to share it again because it's been my go-to bag for a the past couple of weeks. The leather is so soft and it's such a great size!

7. B E A N I E | It's beanie season, y'all! Another great thing about cooler temperatures is you can skip washing or dry shampooing and just throw on a beanie instead. Cute and functional!

8. S N E A K E R S | I shared a pair of court sneakers last week and I'm back to share another pair this week. The leopard print details on these are so fun!

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you have a great weekend!

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Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! My girls are so excited for some Halloween fun this weekend. For their costumes this year, I literally only spent $12! Everything for Julianna's costume we already had (she's dressing up as a witch). We already had a witch hat from an old costume so she's pairing it with leggings, a little black dress that we thrifted, and her new boots from Target! I had to get a little crafty for Olivia's costume because she wanted to be a pupicorn (puppy unicorn). I got her a brown top, a faux fur vest (that I cut up to use for the fur accents on her costume), and the unicorn headband from my local Goodwill. I also found a cute puppy mask on eBay to complete the look! It turned out really cute and it was so affordable. I'm not really a crafter but you can do a lot with a pair of fabric scissors, fabric adhesive, and hot glue!

Today, I'm sharing a roundup of my what I'm Currently Loving! I'm currently loving layers, leather, and denim. They have been my go-tos lately!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. T E E | I am loving this sassy upgrade to a basic striped tee. It needs a spot in my closet this season!

2. S N E A K E R S | These court sneakers are my favorite! I wear mine as often as possible and they are so cute with everything, including skirts and dresses. Loving the pink accents on this new pair!

3. S H I R T | Polka dots catch my attention every single time! This adorable shirt is absolutely on my wish list. I love it!

4. H E A D B A N D | You can never have enough headbands... especially when you share your collection with your 11 year old. This animal print one is so fun!

5. B O O T S | I have last year's version of these boots and they are so comfy! I got Julianna this year's version in the cognac color and she's a big fan, too. They run true to size and are so affordable!

6. C A R D I G A N | I bought this cardigan last fall and I couldn't wait to pull it out again! I wore it so much last fall and winter. It's definitely an investment piece but the quality is incredible! I sized up one size for a little extra room.

7. B R A C E L E T S | I love adding in new gold bracelets to my daily stack and this set is going to be my next addition. I love that they are stretchy and easy to put on!

8. J E A N S | I'm like a broken record sharing about perfect vintage jeans but they are amazing! The best alternative to a skinny jean and they are oh so flattering. I love them!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a fun weekend!

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Happy Friday! I hope y'all are doing well! This little blog has been on the backburner as I've transitioned back into my work schedule. I think I'm back into a good routine so I hope to be able to share a bit more over here now! I am so excited that it's Friday for a couple of reasons. The girls and I have a Target date planned for tomorrow (can you believe that I haven't been there in months?!) and my husband comes home on Saturday night. He's been in the Domincan Republic on a mission trip with our church this week. He had a great experience but I'm looking forward to him being safely back at home very soon.

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! It really hasn't felt like fall around here yet. Just the occasional cool morning but I really love creating transitional outfits so I'm okay with the warmer weather sticking around. 

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. B O O T S | I already own a similar pair of boots but I am loving this budget friendly option! Now that my oldest daughter can wear women's shoes, it's been so much more fun shopping for shoes for her. I think she needs this super cute pair of boots for fall and winter!

2. S K I R T | This gorgeous skirt is high on my wish list! I am loving the color so much and it would be such a fun piece to dress up or down. I can see it styled with sneakers, sandals, or boots. A great piece that would work throughout the seasons!

3. T O P | I have a similar top in my closet and I love the neckline. It's just so flattering! A long sleeve black top is a closet staple and it's so great for layering during the cooler months.

4. J E A N S | I haven't had a pair of jeans on my body in over five months but when I do pull the jeans back out, they will definitely be perfect vintage! They are my all time favorite style!

5. B A G | How fun is this puff tote bag?! I have been seeing this puffy style a lot lately and it's definitely on my wish list to find a puffy bag. I love this one!

6. H E A D B A N D | I have owned two of these headbands and I think my kiddo has lost both of them. Thankfully, it's on sale right now so I can grab a new one. The most comfortable headband of all time!

7. R I N G | I love signet rings to wear on my ring hand. I love the black detail on this one!

8. D R E S S | This dress is probably my favorite item in this week's roundup. A flannel dress in the prettiest colors?! Yes, please! Also, it has pockets. I need it!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great weekend!

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Happy Friday and Happy First Day of October! I hope you've had a great weekend! The month of September seemed to fly by. Did it feel that way for anyone else?! Actually, this year has seemed to go by too quickly. I'm already missing summertime because I'm a summer girl at heart but I do enjoy a good flannel and a trip to the mountain during the fall. Also, I was born in the fall so that's fun, too.

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I put together this week's picks pretty quickly because I have been loving so many new fall arrivals. Madewell shared a photo of a satin skirt with a sweatshirt and I cannot wait to recreate a similar look! I love the juxtaposition of a fancier piece with a casual item. It's kind of my own personal philosophy for getting dressed! I am all about the comfy, cozy yet chic life!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. T O P | I am loving this top! How pretty would it be paired with a pair of high waisted jeans?! You just can't go wrong with a beautiful black top like this one. I love the details!

2. S N E A K E R S | I already own these sneakers in a different colorway and they are my current favorites. I wear mine all of the time, especially with dresses! Again, juxtaposition. I am loving the touches of black on this new color option!

3. J A C K E T | My most worn item in my closet is definitely my denim jacket. I bring it with me everywhere, just in case I get cold. It's such a fun layer! My go-to jacket is distressed but I have my eye on this one for a more classic option. I love the quality of all of my Able pieces!

4. B R A C E L E T | I wear a stack of gold bracelets every single day and this one needs a spot in my stack. I love it!

5. C L O G S | I wore the pair of clogs with coveralls (that I thrifted new with tags) to church last week and I got lots of questions about them. I bought mine from Target last fall but the pair featured in this week's roundup is a great, similar option! So cute for fall!

6. S H I R T | This shirt was one of the items I got during the Madewell sale last week and I've already worn it three times. It's 100% cotton and so soft! I sized up one size for an even extra oversized fit that works perfectly with leggings. It also comes in two other colors as well!

7. B A G | This bag is on my wish list! I don't have a black crossbody bag but I think I am going to have to change that with this gorgeous bag. I love the puffy leather!

8. S K I R T | Like I mentioned above, I am on a mission to pair a satin skirt with a sweatshirt and this skirt is a great option! It comes in several great colors that are perfect for dressing up or down.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great weekend!