Don't Ask Me Why

Hellooooo there!  I'm sorry again for my unintentional blog absence!  This work week and two golf tournaments in 8 days has kicked my butt.  I cannot wait to finally relax on Sunday.  So, almost two weeks ago, I asked y'all if you had any questions for me (thanks for all of you who responded.  Today I thought I'd answer some of those questions for you.  And yes, I've had this song stuck in my head the whole time while writing this post...

Since you're living in the South now, do you prefer living in the South or the Northeast more?  Mike and I always joke that if we could move all of our families and friends down here, we would never leave Charleston.  It's seriously a wonderful place to live: the people are friendly, the weather is perfect (I don't mind the heat), and the scenery and history are unbeatable!

What are some suggestions for a New Englander who wants to visit Charleston?  Honestly, if you are not used to the heat, I would definitely not visit in the summer.  I'm used to the humidity, but it can get very overwhelming.  The best time to visit is between April & May and September & October.  The crowds aren't too big and the weather is great.  Also, I'd suggest using airbnb and staying in a fun, unique location on the peninsula downtown.

Have you found yourself "speaking Southern" yet?  Oh, yes.  I don't even think twice about saying "y'all," and "bless your heart" has been added to my vocabulary.  I also might be entering Stage 1 of the "Modern Southern Accent" ...the "i" in South Carolina seems to glide a bit more than it used to.

Tell the truth, do you really just go golfing all the time and play with kids?  Why thank you for that one, sister (yeah, she gave herself away with "wicked fah away" and "put up more photos of your beautiful bridesmaids" comments - haha). For those of you who don't know, I'm the Program Director for a youth development non-profit, and yes, I get to play golf and hang out with kids, but you can read more about it here.  

How long have you been playing golf?  I was five years old when I started playing, or in Southern terms, since I was "knee-high to a grasshopper!"

What's the best part about being married?  Oh boy, difficult one here.  I'd say the best part is having someone in my life who truly loves me for me and with whom I look forward to spending each and every night.  

And from the same person - What's the hardest part about being married?  Changing my last name?  Honestly, we are loving married life, and I wouldn't change a thing.  

What is your favorite part about blogging?  The people.  I met my best friend in a blogger swap 3 years ago and moving to Charleston, I've found an amazing group of lady bloggers in the Charleston Blog Society.  

Thanks again to everyone who asked questions and gave suggestions for posts.  I'm so glad to see that so many of you enjoy my "Outfit of the Month" posts and everything about Charleston.  I also plan on doing a "day in the life" post and things I do and don't miss about the Northeast post very soon - thanks for the ideas, Anonymous #8!  Have a great weekend, y'all!

CT Blogger Meet Up & Etsy Sponsor Love

This weekend was amazing: visits with family, a wedding shower, and right in the middle - a fantastic Connecticut blogger meet up!  Kallie and I planned this event for the past couple of months and were so happy to spend Saturday afternoon with 5 other beautiful ladies!

Left to right:
Natasha [One Woman's Style]
Annie [New England Romance]
Znara [Hot Mama Hikers]
Kallie [But First, Coffee]

Amanda [RIP MandaLoves]

Jamie [Welcome to New Haven]

Me!

At Black-Eyed Sally's in Hartford, we ate delicious barbecue, tried some great cocktails, and discussed everything blogging: why we blog, time and money budgeting, Blogger vs. Wordpress, how to create the best posts, what readers are looking for, social media effectiveness, and how to create effective blog growth.  

Also, thank you to the following event sponsors for making this meet up even more fun:

• Good Sailor Design: handmade greeting cards and high-quality prints
• Our Secret Treehouse: fun, hand-drawn artwork made into buttons, magnets, and prints
• Anne O'Brien Design: handcrafted bags and accessories
• Sweet Daisy Products: all natural balms, bath salts, and salves
• Believe Change is Good: handmade jewelry
• ChelDesigns: custom, hand-painted photo frames and canvases

I highly suggest you check out some of these fantastic Etsy shops!  On the left is what each lady received in her goodie bag thanks to the top three sponsors, and on the right are all of our door prizes from the bottom five sponsors [yes, some overlap - thank you all for your generosity]:

Thank you to each of the ladies who attended as well as Northeast Bloggers Network and Connecticut Bloggers for your support!  If you're a CT blogger or even a New England blogger who is interested in traveling to CT for a meet up, we want to hear from you!  We are always looking for new meet up locations, ideas, and sponsors!

Come Hang Out With Us: CT BLOGGER MEET UP!!

Are you from Connecticut or the New England area?  Want to meet fellow bloggers?  Well, I have a treat for you!!  In case you did not know, I'm one of the CT Reps for Northeast Bloggers.  Kallie and I are planning a fun evening for bloggers to get to know each other; won't you join us?!

We had our first CT Blogger Meet Up last November and we hope even more people will be able to attend this go around!  We promise you're in for fun, great food, and many laughs!

High Five for Snow Days

1. Our engagement photos are in from our fantastic photographer and our "Save the Date"s are ordered!!! I don't want to give away too much, but how wonderful does this fall scenery ground look?
2. Sneak peek: Kristin and I are opening sign ups for our Valentine's Day Sweetheart Swap this Monday!!!
3. Our New Year's Eve was pretty low-key.  We went out to dinner at Olive Garden and came home to drink champagne and play games, including Mike teaching me Racko!
4. It's a new year and we're eating healthy!  Right now I'm on a Special K and smoothie kick!
5. Today we have a snow day here in CT, so I'm working from home, on the couch, with my little buddy Shadow distracting me.  
Linking up with H54F, Friday Five, and Insta Friday!

Northeast Bloggers Holiday Swap Reveal

I don't usually post twice in one day, but I just to link up today with Northeast Bloggers!
Like I said last weekend, I participated in two Christmas swaps this year.  I love giving gifts and I love the holidays, so signing up for two definitely sounded like fun.  I'm thinking three next year!

For this swap with Northeast Bloggers, I had the opportunity to meet two great ladies: Rachel @ You Just Can't Google Everything and Alex who unfortunately isn't blogging right now so she can focus on writing her book, but I do really like following her on Instagram! 

Alex sent me the most thoughtful package!  She surely must have been reading my blog because just about everything in the package was on my wish list!  

- Bath & Body Works Car Freshener Visor clip with 3 different scents

- "All You Need Is Love" decorative block

- Sparkling Cinnamon Yankee Candle

- White Chocolate pretzels and a super cute gift bag

Check out everything in use!

Thank you, Alex!!

Here's a sneak peek of what I sent Rachel; head over to her blog to see everything! 

It's looking AND FEELING like Christmas!

Happy December, everyone!! I hope you all had the nice long weekend, we did here in Connecticut!
You can see how my long weekend started here.
Friday: Mike and I drove down to Westerly for our annual Black Friday "Christmas Tree Day" with my parents.  We always put up all of their decorations that day.  My mom also surprised me with an early bridal shower gift.  There is a tradition where moms buy their daughters one ornament each Christmas and give it to them for their own Christmas trees at their shower.  She knows we desperately need ornaments, so she was nice enough to give them to me early.  I am so excited to use them!

Saturday: Mike and I went to the UConn football game.  They won their first home game and second game of the year [we were there last weekend!].  Plus, we got to tailgate with some great friends, including Kallie of But First, Coffee and her fantastic boyfriend, Michael!

mimosas /// tailgate toss with our "Michaels"

Sunday: We recovered relaxed around the house, ordered Domino's, and started taking out our Christmas decorations.  This is at least a week-long ordeal for us, and I can promise this year will be even better than last year.

Linking up for This Weekend I..., Weekend Shenanigans, and Monday Funday!

Weekend Recap: All Things Connecticut

This weekend was all about Connecticut - local bloggers and the UConn huskies!
Friday night, Kallie and I hosted our first Northeast Bloggers - Connecticut area meet up.  The six of us met at Esca Wine Bar in Middletown to share blog ideas, get to know each other, and enjoy some wine - duh!

Adriana @ Dog Hair is an Accessory

Kallie @ But First, Coffee

Me

Wendy [and Greg] @ Connecticut Bloggers

Amanda @ MandaLoves

Amanda and I feasted!

Kallie's awesome CT trivia

Our sponsor of the night was CocoaShak, a local chocolate shop.  Even if you're not in the CT area, you can shop their selection online and I highly recommend you do!

Sorry for blinding you, Adriana, but I needed a photo of the best truffles ever!!!

Saturday, Mike and I got in the car early and headed down through NYC.  A few weeks ago, we got tickets to the UConn vs. Temple football game in Philadelphia, and on the way, we decided to swing down to Delaware to see Mike's family.

GW Bridge

Delaware Memorial Bridge

Mike's cousin, his grandma, and Mike

Lincoln Financial Stadium where the Eagles [and Temple Owls] play!

Eating a Philly cheese steak and drinking beer in 35 degree weather in our AWESOME seats!

We took an adventure to the upper deck...needless to say, the whole field was a bit empty.

 

UConn WON!!! It was their first win of the year and after the game, they all came by and thanked all of the fans who came to see them.

Sunday, Mike and I did some much needed work inside and outside our house, but in the afternoon, we went to our first UConn Women's Basketball game of the year.  The #1 ranked Huskies destroyed St. Bonaventure!

Now it's your turn:

-What did you do this weekend?

-Do you have a favorite college team? [Even if it might not actually be where you went to school, like me?]

Linking up for This Weekend I..., Weekend Shenanigans, and Monday Funday!