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Rand the Restaurateur

By on December 30, 2011 in Baby, Christmas, Family, Out and About

I love this pic of Rand in his highchair at Ema’s house – James took it on Christmas day with his iPhone. Apparently I need to get better with my iPhone camera, sorry for the blurry pics I took…anyhow…

Since Rand goes to sleep around 5:30/6pm every night, we rarely go out to eat unless we have a babysitter. While Wes and I both enjoy being at home in the evenings for a home-cooked meal (got some recipes to share with you soon!), over the holidays, we’ve had some opportunities to go out and so we took Rand with us. He hasn’t been to a restaurant for dinner in a while, so I was a little nervous at first but Rand was on his best behavior!

The other day, Jonathan and Shelley were in town for a visit, so we called the Butlers and took the 3 boys to Outback. Rand had a great time listening in on all the conversations and was excited to sit next to his godfather, Sean.

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Rand also made an inaugural visit to our Raleigh favorite, Dos Taquitos. He’s wearing his winter gear because we were sitting OUTSIDE. I wished I had a furry suit to wear too.
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That night, we discovered that Rand LOVES cucumbers (even though he’s making a silly face) and when they are cold, it makes a pretty good teether.
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Speaking of restaurants and eating out…restaurant.com is running a great deal right now if you enter the word SALE at checkout you get 80% off. While I agree that you need to watch the fine print before you buy any coupons, I just figured out we can get $75 in gift cert. ($25 each) to three local restaurants we like for $6. That is not a typo. $6. Just passing it along…

 

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Merry Christmas!

By on December 24, 2011 in Uncategorized

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Look, it’s a…

By on December 23, 2011 in Christmas, Family

Rand-deer!  (or Rand-dear to us)

I have to show you his adorable “Rand-dear” outfit too…sent with love from “the Rands” down in Florida. We love it!

p.s. Friday flashback coming soon (I’m on the search for a good one)…I can’t believe I haven’t posted since Dec. 10! Sorry about that!

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Friday Photo Flashback

By on December 10, 2011 in Design, Friday Photo Flashback, Out and About, Style

I am so excited for this weekend. Our dear friends who moved away this summer are back for a visit (and our bible study group’s “Thanksmus” party). I can’t wait to catch up. Here we are Christmas 2009…not the greatest photo, but I had to post it because I’m way to excited to think about anything else!!!

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Also, here’s some catching up on recent photos from the iPhone…

This past week Rand took advantage of the warm weather and went for a stroll with his Bebo (His great-granddad who also has blue eyes).  Highlights of the scenic tour included the St. Joseph’s fountain and several giant Christmas trees.  The trees had some decorative packages underneath and Rand reached for them and acted like he was going to open them.  Guess I should wrap a thing or two for him after all (I was in the mindset of … he won’t know the difference … WRONG!) Wes announced to me tonight that Rand will put milk and cookies out for Santa. Wes, what kind of cookies would you like?

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This next out-of-focus shot is from the powder room at a luncheon I went to last week. I have always LOVED this wallpaper but wanted to snap a photo because I only remember it every December when I go to the Christmas Nativity Luncheon benefitting the Moore County Coalition for Human Care. This year, the speaker was author of Under the Overpass, Mike Yankoski.  He was awesome.   More awesome than the wallpaper but I still do love it.

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Probably because the colors/pattern reminds me of the Scalamandre zebra wallpaper.  I think I saw this zebra wallpaper for the first time in The Royal Tenenbaums.  I’m thinking our hall bathroom would look really fun with either one.  I wonder which one is less expensive?

Here’s a bathroom by Miles Redd.  I think I read somewhere that Kate Spade has the green version in her bathroom.

(Miles Redd via Elle Decor via shelterpop)

Last night, mom and I went to the opening of a gallery for artists Jessie Mackay, Meredith Martens and Marilyn Arthur.  The art was fantastic and a portion of the proceeds go to the Empty Stocking Fund.  The gallery will be open all weekend long (if there is any art left – go soon if you want to buy!  There are lots of smaller, inexpensive paintings that are so beautiful if you are looking to start your collection!) in the Village of Pinehurst in the Razooks building.

Here’s a phone shot of me and artist Jessie Mackay.  My favorite painting is behind her…love the colors (turquoise and orange) and the wildflowers.  Makes me think of this past spring!

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Happy wall coverings and happy weekend!

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Art and Lately

By on December 6, 2011 in Giveaway, life, Out and About, Shopping, Style

So here’s what we’re up to lately…

After Thanksgiving, Rand had some quality time with his cousin buddy Parker. They are only 9 days apart and it will be fun to see them grow up together and be friends.

Also, last week I did this. I’m still not sure what it will end up as but, for now, it is a pretty Christmas window display for Quality Upholstery in Aberdeen, NC.  Don’t you love that Trina Turk “Santorini” pillow in the middle?


I think it is funny you can see me, my car and my favorite Mexican restaurant all in this window reflection. Crazy pic.

Last night, I chose the winner of the giveaway!  Congrats Holly – I hope it is a blessing to you and your two little girls!

AND, I’m really looking forward to Thursday night – mom and I are having a girl’s night out and are going to stop by the Gallery Opening in Pinehurst in the Razooks Building for Jessie Mackay, Meredith Martens and Marilyn Arthur. Should be a fun evening – I can’t wait to see their new pieces.  If you’re around, you should come!

All are fabulous local artists and their work, while it would not be considered inexpensive, is affordable if you are looking to add to, or start, your art or jewelry collection. I have always loved Jessie Mackay’s art and I love Jessie too!  She is a dear friend who not only is a talented artist but a dedicated philanthropist and writer. Her blog, Karimu, documents her mission and travels in Tanzania, so go check it out while you’re at it.

When I graduated from college, my parents gave me this Jessie Mackay of a Tuscan countryside.

(note to self: lower the art…looks like it is hanging a little high from this point of view)

I also have one of Jessie’s rooster paintings hanging in my kitchen and a black cat (for Haywood – our 20 lb panther-cat) that was a gift, hanging in our master bedroom. I will keep you posted if I find anything new Thursday…

In fact, it seems like I was destined to go to this event because, coincidentally, we decorated Rand’s room around a Meredith Martens horse.  It is an electric blue chalk drawing and it hangs over Rand’s changing table.  It is a gift for Rand from his Grandmommie Smith – something he will be able to use in a “big boy room” and then in his own home later!

Apologies for the not-so-great pictures of the art. Rand is napping and so I’ve dug through photos to use what I already had. “Don’t wake the baby” is the new game I play. Yesterday morning, I saw Wes launch into an all-out sprint to stop someone from banging on the front door. With that, I’m off to price-check sound machines.

Hope to see you Thursday night at the opening reception (or if you can’t go then – the gallery is open daily all this weekend).  A portion of the sales will benefit the Moore County Empty Stocking Fund.

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Deck the halls

By on December 1, 2011 in Christmas, Shopping

We are hosting a small Christmas party for my bible study group AND Christmas Eve supper this year, so I’ve decided to decorate a little more than usual…I ordered this preserved bay leaf garland from pottery barn (it is on sale and says it will last 4 years – which ends up being less than buying fresh garland that you have to keep misting)

I’m LOVING this wreath idea from Pink to Green…might have to do one of these for the kitchen.

Our wreath for our front door is an Aldena Frye classic – a sweet holiday gift from my mother-in-law each year – I can’t wait for it to arrive.  It should be here this week.  I’m going with a preppy plaid and stripes Christmas theme throughout this year.  I promise to add a photo when it gets here.

Today I picked up my fun table cloth from the upholstery shop.  Got the inspiration from Urban Grace and the fabric from IKEA.  It is perfect!

In other news, Rand is eating broccoli.  What?  Apparently he likes it steamed straight-up.  Too bad I just spent an afternoon making purees…

Uncle Sam has been here to visit again and Rand loves it.  You can see for yourself why this is. Although Rand has logged some serious drive-time, he still does not have his “after nine” license yet. He can barely make it past 5:30pm.

Don’t forget to enter the holiday giveaway!!!

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