30 Before 30: Halfway There

My half birthday was earlier this month, so I thought it was about time to make my halfway update for 30 before 30!  So far I've officially completed 9 of 30, so I still have a bit to go, but a bunch of them are ongoing throughout the year so I do feel more accomplished than that!

1. Invest in an original piece of art - The below canvas is from Modern South Studio

2. Get back to my ideal strength and weight - I gave up dessert for Lent, and that really put me on the right track.  I still have a bit to go, but I think at the halfway point, it's a good start.

3. Volunteer - I still want to do this more, but last month, my friends and I made dinner for the guests at the Ronald McDonald House.  It was so much fun!

4. Get 8 hours of sleep each night - Since the time change, I have been rocking at this.  I think it's because it gets light later in the morning, so I haven't been waking up before my alarm.  Yes, I know I'm strange to usually do that.

5. Purge and donate my closet - Spring cleaning got this done for me!  Everything is back to organized!

6. Start an herb garden - I started this last October.  Most things made it through the winter and are back to thriving.

7. Have a girls night once per month

8. Visit more baseball stadiums - After Dallas this month, we checked another one off the list.  Hopefully we can get to one or two more this summer.  I call this one halfway there, too.

9. Network more - I've really been trying to step out of my comfort zone.  I've started trying to attend more of the events I get invited to, and not just talk to the people I know.  I've made some great connections and even better friends!

10. Run another race

11. Take a cooking class - Mike got this awesome book, Salt Fat Acid Heat (here's the link), so while I haven't taken a class, we have learned a lot about what goes into cooking.

12. Try yoga

13. Start a family tree

14. Do something nice for a stranger everyday - Working on this one!  Who has other ideas besides holding doors, buying the car behind you's coffee?

15. Visit the rest of the breweries in Charleston - We only have 3 more!  Here is my latest installment of local breweries.

16. Try something just for the adrenaline rush

17. Learn about wine

18. Make a plan to get to Cuba - It's in the travel plans, we will see when!

19. Be a positive encouragement to those around me

20. Make an effort to break out of my introverted shell - This has definitely been helped with #9.  I'm trying to meet new people every way I can!

21. Go on a hike - We have an awesome hike planned over Memorial Day weekend!

22. Advance my career

23. Buy a new camera - I bought my Canon 80D around Christmas and could not love it more.  There is so much versatility.

24. Travel internationally - Still hoping for that London trip this fall!

25. Invest for the future - We are now meeting with a financial planner, and we're on our way!

26. Cut my hair to donate again - It's getting loooong.  My goal is 12 inches, and I think I'm almost there!

27. Grow this blog - In terms of page views, I had my biggest blog post ever with this Kitchen-Themed Easter Basket last month (90k!), and it all came from Pinterest.  I think I need to work more on my social media to help this keep happening!

28. Stay more connected with family - With all of our trips planned to New England this year, we will be seeing them a bunch!

29. Learn all the words to Rapper's Delight

30. Write to my congressmen about causes about which I'm passionate

30 Before 30

I can't even count the number of people who said, "oooh, next one is the big one!" this year when I told them I was turning 29.  Well, if this year's birthday (and birthday weekend) were any indication, I guess this year is going to be big... I thought it'd be fun to round up a few of the things I want to do before this "milestone" to feel like I'm getting the most out of my last year of my 20s.  I tried to pull ideas for every aspect of my life: some of these are work-related, others travel-related, a few are to make the world a better place, and the rest are to try and be my best self.

1. Invest in an original piece of art

2. Get back to my ideal strength and weight

3. Volunteer

4. Get 8 hours of sleep each night

5. Purge and donate my closet

6. Start an herb garden

7. Have a girls night once per month

8. Visit more baseball stadiums

9. Network more

10. Run another race

11. Take a cooking class

12. Try yoga

13. Start a family tree

14. Do something nice for a stranger everyday

15. Visit the rest of the breweries in Charleston

16. Try something just for the adrenaline rush

17. Learn about wine

18. Make a plan to get to Cuba

19. Be a positive encouragement to those around me

20. Make an effort to break out of my introverted shell

21. Go on a hike

22. Advance my career

23. Buy a new camera

24. Travel internationally

25. Invest for the future

26. Cut my hair to donate again

27. Grow this blog

28. Stay more connected with family

29. Learn all the words to Rapper's Delight

30. Write to my congressmen about causes about which I'm passionate

Friday Five: Summer of Baseball

Last weekend, Mike and I traveled to Chicago.  We had planned this trip a few months ago, but it worked out that we were escaping Hurricane Irma in the Southeast over the weekend.  We had the best time and checked two more ballparks off our bucket list.  We started our baseball trips over Memorial Day, taking advantage of as much of the summer (and baseball season) as we could.  Here are a recap of the five we visited in 2017:

1. Milwaukee Brewers: It was the rainiest of days, but it was awesome how many people were still tailgating before the game in the parking lots (tailgating before a regular season baseball game, right?! SO. COOL.).  Well, I'm not sure how many of those people really made it to the game, because we had our own section in the upper deck, but at least we were dry and warm with the closed convertible roof!

2. Atlanta Braves (again): This was our second time checking the Braves off our list, since their new stadium just opened this season.  It was also our second rainy game of the year, but, unfortunately, Atlanta doesn't have a close-able roof.  We didn't care, bought the cheapest $5 seats we could, and were still determined to see the stadium, even if there wasn't a game.  The good thing about being the only ones there was getting awesome inside food info about H&F Burger who usually has lines around the lower concourse during games!  The burger was so good!  On top of that, the game was only postponed a couple of hours so we to watch baseball, too.

3. Cleveland Indians: I love stadiums that are right downtown.  We walked 3 blocks from our hotel and were there.  They had the best assortment of food, and the stadium was PACKED.  We also got to see my Yankees, which was a sweet bonus!

4. Chicago White Sox: At the beginning of this year's baseball season, I went through a ton of teams' schedules to see when we could make home games.  To kill two birds, I thought I'd see if we could watch the White Sox and Cubs in the same weekend.  Well, there was one weekend in the entire season where they were both home, so we immediately booked tickets.  I grew up a Cubs fan, so checking off the White Sox started off was just a necessity, but Guaranteed Rate was a really cool field.  We had delicious Mexican food and even went on "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day," so we brought home ridiculous Irish hats and watched a fireworks display after the game.

5. Chicago Cubs: OMG the Holy Grail.  I think I squealed when I caught a glimpse of the stadium for the first time on the L.  It was everything I pictured and more.  We got there early to check out the Wrigleyville bars, headed into the stadium with time to spare to walk down to the dugouts and take photos, ate deep dish pizza, and walked every foot of every level.  This was the perfect way to end our 2017 baseball tour.

Next week, I cannot wait to share more posts all about our trip to Chicago.  We had the best time during our first trip to the Windy City, and we have some first-timers tips for all of you who are looking to visit the Midwest, too!  Have a great weekend!

Linking up for Oh hey, Friday, Five on Friday, High Five for Friday, and two doses of Friday Favorites

Summer Bucket List Recap

First of all, I hope all of my friends in Florida, getting hit by Hurricane Irma, are doing well.  Please know we're praying for you!  Also, I am remembering all of those who lost their lives 16 years ago today in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania.  

Even though there are still technically a couple weeks left of summer (no, I'm not wishing them away), we just came back from our last summer weekend trip of the year, so I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to finish off my Summer Bucket List with a recap.  Here was my last check-in, mid-summer.

- Attempt to grow Confederate Jasmine: We have planted a whole bunch of annuals for this year as well as bulbs for next year, but this one will wait until the winter when it grows best.  

- Build a blanket ladder: Check! ...well, bought one.

- Stay active 5 nights each week: Still playing golf, tennis, and kickball each week; I like our routine.

- Finish our back patio: We put up string lights, have lots of plants growing, and even laid a stone patio for our grill - post on that coming soon!  

- Watch the solar eclipse: Check! So much fun on Sullivan's!

- Try 5 new Charleston restaurants: Tattooed Moose, The Southern General, Verde, Brown Dog Deli, and our 5th will be added when we decide where to go for our anniversary next week!

- Shoot under par: June 24th! I did it. I shot a 68 at my home course, and even had an eagle!

- Read at least 2 books by the pool: 1/2 here - still a few more pool days this year - any suggestions?

- Go berry picking: Picked raspberries in Cooperstown!

What was your favorite summer accomplishment?

Summer Bucket List Check-In

How are we already close to the end of July?  I feel like this summer is flying by, so on this beautiful 100 degree Friday, I thought I'd share my Summer Bucket List mid-season update.  So far, it's been going okay, but I still give myself a couple of months to finish just about everything:

- Attempt to grow Confederate Jasmine: It looks like I might have just missed Confederate Jasmine growing season.  I went to a few nurseries at the middle of June and none had it in stock.  I'm still on the hunt, and if any Charleston peeps have ideas, let me know!

- Build a blanket ladder: Check! I cheated on this one.  I bought a ladder, but at least I have this one now!  I call this one complete.

- Stay active 5 nights each week: So far so good on this one.  Between kickball, tennis, golf, and using our elliptical at home, I've been staying as active as possible.

- Finish our back patio: Still ongoing with this inspiration!  We bought and hung these fun blue accented string lights (only smashed one strand in the process - haha!).  We decided against a rug since it rains sideways under our screen porch in the summer, and I'm still in search for some potted flowers to keep in our beverage cooler when we're not using it.

- Watch the solar eclipse: We bought some eclipse glasses this week and are looking forward to it!

- Try 5 new Charleston restaurants: Somehow I think I'm 0/5 on this one.  We've been hitting up our old reliables recently (Home Team BBQ, Ryder Cup Bar, Burwell's, and the Biergarten), but I need to find some new spots!  My friend Sydney reviewed PawPaw this week, and I need to definitely make a stop here - that cocktail and the mac & cheese: yum!

- Shoot under par: June 24th! I did it. I shot a 68 at my home course, and even had an eagle!

- Read at least 2 books by the pool: I finished Amy Schumer's book and am thinking of getting Talking as Fast as I Can or The Princess Diarist.  Any other comedy suggestions?

- Go berry picking: We will be raspberry picking when we're up in New York later this month!

Summer Bucket List

Each summer, I love putting together a list of new adventures.  I feel like the seasons just fly by, and checking in on this list every other week or so helps me stay more intentional, not just letting these beautiful summer weeks slip by.  Here's my list for this year:

- Attempt to grow Confederate Jasmine: One of my friends had this growing up the columns on her last house and is doing the same on her new house.  She told me that it's pretty easy to do, so I'd love to add some to the columns on our front double porch.

- Build a blanket ladder: Sooooo, I killed my giant Ikea palm in our living room.  My thumbs are definitely not green.  Now we have a big empty area to the right of our television, and I've love to add ladder right there.
- Stay active 5 nights each week: Right now, we're playing football, kickball, tennis, and golf.  I can't see much of that changing, so that's at least 4 nights per week, plus I'd love to get back into running more.
- Finish our back patio: This project is still going.  I really want some pretty string lights and more comfortable seating!

- Watch the solar eclipse: August 21st, a total solar eclipse is going to happen right over Charleston.  This is pretty much a reminder so I don't forget to go out on the Ravenel Bridge and watch it!

- Try 5 new Charleston restaurants: This one has been on our bucket list the last two summers (2015 and 2016), and we've accomplished it each year.  There are always new spots popping up, plus tons of amazing places we still have yet to try.  This amazing paella below was from a work event, made by FIG chef, Mike Lata... hoping that spot might be on the list this summer!

- Shoot under par: Last year, I shot even par, but this summer, I want to get under par.  We'll see!
- Read at least 2 books by the pool: Anyone have a favorite comedy book?  These have been my favorites lately, and so far, Lauren Graham's book is the only one on my list!
- Go berry picking: I love all the family farms in the Lowcountry, and we've done strawberries and blueberries in the past.  I'd definitely go back to one of those or even find a new farm for raspberries (my favorite!).

28 Birthday Things

Happy Monday, y'all!  Today is a pretty good Monday for me because it's my birthday!  In the spirit of this (national) holiday, I thought I'd share 28 random facts about myself:

1 || I have the same birthday as Gwen Stefani, Ashlee Simpson, Tommy Lee, Seann William Scott, Kevin Richardson, and Dave Winfield (Baseball Hall of Famer).

2 || Snapchat and Instagram are my favorite social media channels... although I don't post to either nearly enough.

3 || I'm currently reading Amy Schumer's book.

4 || She taught me that it's okay to be an introvert, and I love her for it.

5 || I've only ever owned cats, and until Ruxin and Shadow, they were all named after baseball players.

6 || Halloween has always been my favorite holiday.

7 || Water, beer, and lattes are the only things I drink.

8 || I don't have a favorite color.

9 || Ask me if I've seen a certain movie?  There's about an 80% chance I haven't.

10 || However, ask me about 13 Going On 30 - I can quote any line #seenit100times #embarrassing

11 || I met my husband at my 21st birthday party in college.  If you asked me then which one he would be, I would have been very confused.... and probably wrong!

12 || I am an outlet shopper all the way.

13 || I've never missed a Baseball Hall of Fame Induction in my life.

14 || I always hated spicy food growing up, but now, the spicier the better.  Carolina Reaper, I'm coming for you!

15 || My teams: Yankees, Cubs, Panthers, and Eagles.

16 || My life bucket list: own a Wrangler, a pickup truck, visit every MLB stadium, and move South.

17 || Half of my life bucket list is now complete since I inherited a pickup from my uncle.

18 || I grew up in Rhode Island.

19 || I've only ever successfully completed two New Year's Resolutions: sending birthday cards to all friends and family last year and wearing makeup everyday this year.

20 || I've played golf since I was 5, and I'm a 3 handicap.

21 || This time last year, I had never seen a Star Wars movie, but now I'm seen the first six three times through, and we saw Episode VII three times in the theater.

22 || I have a killer sweet tooth.

23 || Manicures and pedicures are my favorite splurge.

24 || I hate when my nails are naked.

25 || I am always hungry.  If I say, "I'm full," I really just mean I'm tired of eating what I'm currently eating.

26 || I'm still driving the same car I had when I was 15 - Jeepy the Jeep Liberty (original, right?).

27 || Mike does 100% of the dishes in our house, and I do 100% of the laundry.  We split cooking about 50/50.

28 || I share my birthday with Mean Girls Day!

Summer Bucket List Check-In

Well, somehow we are halfway through the summer!  In my mind, summer goes through September (since it's so hot in Charleston), so I'm giving myself more time than just until Labor Day for my summer bucket list.  Looking forward to a few days filled with fun, I thought it'd be cool to see what I've been up to and what I might be able to check off this weekend...

- Start running again: I need to have one more small eye surgery at the beginning of August, but I SWEAR, I'll start after that!  Mike and I did sign up for the Light Side 10k at Disneyland, too. 
- Finish visiting every brewery in Charleston: Freehouse, Tradesman, Oak Road, Frothy Beard, Cooper River Brewing Company, and Ghost Monkey: well, none of those, but I did go to Edmund's Oast, who brews all their own beer, a couple weeks ago!

- Bike ride: bikes are still at our apartment on the porch - whoops!

- Meet our neighbors: met a few so far!

- Throw a housewarming party: it'll happen once we're all unpacked - see bullet below.
- Unpack all boxes by September 1st: well, it's not September 1st yet, so I have time!
- Play 3 new golf courses: one down - Crowfield

- Try 5 more new restaurants in Charleston: check - Wasabi, LoLA, Edmund's Oast, Community Pizza House, and 82 Queen (Their jambalaya below...yum! Their she crab is also killer!)

- Expand my wardrobe: rompers (check), off-the-shoulder looks (check), distressed denim, stripes (check), and more white pieces

- Avoid tan lines at all cost through July 30th: I AM SO CLOSE!!
- Plan 3 weekends to new cities to take with our companion pass: Anyone have a suggestion for this??
- Attend a free movie night or event in Charleston: Or a suggestion here?

Did you have a summer bucket list this year?  If so, how's it going?