{march in pictures}

{weekend wishes}

THIS WEEKEND was a great start to Spring, parties, friends, and planting flowers. John and I loved the chance to see friends and celebrate special occasions with them.

Friday night, we celebrated one of JK's best friends from childhood's engagement with a shower at Cherokee. It also just happened to be Tennessee's Sweet Sixteen appearance against Michigan. Although the game didn't end the way we would have hoped {we only lost by 3 points!!} , the party was a success! 

{Mac, Karen, JK and I celebrating at their engagement party}

Saturday afternoon, we sang Happy Birthday to sweet Marshall who turned the BIG ONE! She was so adorable and loved riding in her new hot rod! I love being part of my good friends children's lives. Whitni {Marshall's mom} and I have been friends since middle school. It still amazes me that two small town girls from Brighton would end up in the same city years later. I absolutely love it!

{I missed the cake, but photo credit for this adorable picture to Whitni}

We rounded out our weekend of parties with an engagement party to celebrate Meg and Peanut {Daniel} at Dead End Barbecue. They are the sweetest couple and we can't wait for their Memphis wedding in June! 

{all the girls at Meg and Daniel's engagement party}

Each Spring, it has become our tradition for JK and I set aside one pretty day to do some yard work. Sunday proved to be the perfect day and we mulched, planted flowers, and added a little color to our yard. I absolutely loved the results! 

I also started reading a new book, "Gone Girl," and literally cannot put it down. Book review coming soon!

Here's to another weekend full of wishes, sweet friends, and pretty weather!

{sophie: the dog that hates to run}

Most dogs dream of going for a nice run with their owner on a gorgeous, spring day. They love to get up to a great pace, and even try to outrun the person holding their leash. 

 Not "Princess" Sophia. 

I was completely embarrassed yesterday on our "run" at Lakeshore when I literally had to carry Sophie on part of our two mile run/walk. She was more interested in checking out the smells in the grass, sitting at a park bench, wagging her tails at other walkers, hoping they would stop to pet her. This is not normal for a dog to not want to partake in a light jog. 

There must be other dog owners out there {I am so sorry if this is you} who have this same difficulty. Here are the most helpful tips I could find on how to motivate a very stubborn dog to get a little exercise on a gorgeous day.

Start Small
Before you begin training for a 5k, take your dog on a few walks to assess their energy level. If they are able to walk for a few miles at a time, they are most likely ok to take a short jog.

FYI Sophie is more than able to walk and is in great shape. 

Start with short runs, 15-20 minutes at a time for 3-4 days per week. Let your dog get warmed up to the idea of running with you.

Praise

As your dog begins to run by your side, reinforce good behavior with positive feedback or a small treat. This will help your dog realize that running is a reward for both of you!

Hydrate

Provide plenty of water along the run. A good rule of thumb is stopping for water and a short break every 15 minutes or 1-2 miles.


The next time we run, there will be treats!

{spring style}

I confess, I have a winter uniform... a solid top, scarf, and boots. I wear some version of this at least four times per week from November to February. But when Spring comes around, bring out the COLOR! 

A new Lilly boutique just opened in Knoxville, and I am SO excited about the possibilities. Here are some of my must haves for Spring 2014:

{Great office dress from JCrew}

          

 {perfect Easter dress}

{I love this silk top with a long cardigan... see below}

                                                  

{vineyard vines striped waterfall cardigan}

{love this ensemble from Elle Boutique}

I'm loving the bold jewel tones for Spring, as well as the classic stripes and polka dots. Happy Shopping!

                                              

{live a delicious life: fajitas}

{ingredients}

• 2 pounds of chicken breast, sliced
• 1 packet of fajita seasoning
• 2 cups of green, yellow and red peppers, sliced
• 1/2 cup of sliced onion
• vegetable oil
• Tortilla shells

{directions}

1. Bake the chicken breast at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

2. In a frying pan, place the peppers and onions. Saute until tender.

3. Add the fully cooked, sliced chicken breast to the vegetable mixture and heat.

4. Mix in fajita seasoning mix. 

5. Serve in tortilla shells and enjoy your fiesta!!!

Side dishes: black beans and mexican rice

{five on friday}

I am so excited to say these words...Happy Spring! After a dreadful winter, spring is finally here! This week has been packed full and its so hard to believe it's already the weekend. Here's my Five on Friday, friends!

ONE. Spring. The flowers around our yard are blooming, the days are longer, and my spring wardrobe is officially out. This is quite possibly my favorite time of the year. 

TWO. Go Big Orange! Tennessee made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Martin joined as head coach. The win against Iowa was a nail-biter, but we pulled through in overtime! Woohoo! Go Vols! JK is super excited, maybe we will be the Cinderella team this year? You never know...

{Tennessee vs. Iowa}

THREE. Last weekend at Lauren and Wilson's wedding I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends from past phases of my life. Teach For America, Grad School, Dinner Club and Charlotte all represent different people who had a huge influence on who I am today. It is true that relationships and friends truly define who we are. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends that seem to pick up right where we left off, no matter the distance. 

{dinner club}

FOUR. In the next few weeks, we are planning to do a few updates to our house. Stay tuned, it's going to be fabulous!

FIVE. The most wonderful gift came in the mail this week... a new Lilly planner. For someone who loves making lists, organizing events, and planning out each day, this planner represents hours of fun! :) I'm excited to fill it up with our upcoming trips, parties, events and everything that will make 2014 the best year yet. 

{Lilly Planner}

Weekend wishes to you! 

{st. patrick's day dinner: corned beef and cabbage}

{corned beef and cabbage}

{ingredients}

• 2 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet
• 6 small red potatoes
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 large cabbage head, cut into small wedges

{directions}

1. Place corned beef in large pot and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes or until tender.

2. Add whole potatoes and carrots. Cook until vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 minutes. Remove meat and let rest for 15 minutes.

3. Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Serve with black-eyed peas for a St. Patrick's Day feast! 

{the real McCrory's}

Introducing, Mr. and Mrs. McCrory!

This weekend, I flew down to Tampa to celebrate one of my very best friends weddings, and it was absolutely perfect. The weather was 75 degrees and sunny, and you couldn't have asked for a happier couple. 

Lauren and I met in Charlotte as we were both Kindergarten teachers and quickly bonded over our love {obsession} with great dresses. We have been through a lot together over the past six years, from Teach for America to Vanderbilt to helping each other stay sane through our wedding planning process. Lauren is the most loyal friend I know, and I am so thankful she found such a wonderful husband in Wilson. 

Everything about the wedding from the flowers to the venue to the Florida Gators guarder was true Tampa style. It was impeccable.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

{weekend plans}

{bridesmaid luncheon at The Columbia}

{rehearsal dinner at The Yacht Club}

{go gators!}

{twins... no, we did not plan this}

{the beautiful bride before the reception at Palma Cea Country Club}

{trolley ride to the wedding}

{my sweet friend, Erika... you're next!}

I have heard that true friends are able to pick up right where they left off, even after not seeing each other for years, or if many miles separate them. This was so true of this weekend. I am so thankful to have such amazing friends, that really do feel more like family.