Home is wherever I'm with you.

Traded the city life to spend

time in suburbia with 
my sweet Mama for the day...

I must say, it sure is peaceful in the sweet suburbs, a place without the constant sounds of sirens and beeping horns outside of my apartment walls.  It's like a breath of fresh air.  I honestly forgot how soothing the sound of the crickets really is.  Man, it sure is nice to have a break from the hustle and bustle.

Don't get me wrong---I do like the energy of the city.  Something is always going on, and I swear there is never a dull moment.  Being a busy bee is how I thrive, so the city and me, well, we are super duper tight.  Like BFF tight.  However, it's nice to have a change of scenery and just get away.

I sure am one lucky ducky because I get to have the best of both worlds.  (No, I will not begin to sing that Miley Cyrus song).  The drive home to my mom is only 30 short minutes or one Spongebob episode away (as I tell my sweet little girl neighbor).  With this short distance, I can change my surroundings real fast.   


So, what will it be...Urban or suburban?    

 I must say, it's been so good seeing my mom (it always is).  Right when I opened the front door, I could smell yummy-ness filling the air---a mixture of candles burning and a home-cooked meal ready to be gobbled up.  That's my sweet, southern Mama for ya.  Tonight, she made one of my all-time favorites---the nothing-short-of amazing Taco Soup.


Go ahead, I gave you the link.  Click it!  And cook it!  You won't regret it.

After a delicious dinner and an intense game of Scrabble, I must say, I am exhausted.  The bed is callin' my name, ...and I'm answerin'!


Cheers to a goodnight sleep without being woken up by some obnoxious truck driver who lays on his horn just for the hell of it. 

XOXO. 

PS:  Below I added some creative Etsy artists for my "Home" theme.  

Check 'em out, y'all.  These items are all for sale on Etsy!  The links are also below the pictures. 

Home Shabby Chic Cottage Sign

Floral Shabby Bird House Arrangement

Woodland Lifestyle Roses Wall Hanger

Mom in Photos

Sweet Home Wood Sign

Shabby Little Teapot Cast Iron Wall Hook

Dish Towel Purple Birdies

Chairs Fine Art Print

XOXO.

New week, new look

Now, my blog is officially swagged out.
Holla.

I figured, what's ten billion times better than stressing over this Chemistry test I've got tomorrow?  Well, giving my blog a makeover, of course.  After all, she was starting to look a tad outdated and we can't have that, can we?   

While I was googling ideas for my blog's new look, that little voice inside my head said, "Seriously?  What are you doing?  Hit the books, NOW."  But since I'm a rebel (an Ole Miss Rebel in fact), I ignored that annoying, little voice in my head.  I have taken in as much Chemistry as my brain can handle this past week and weekend.  Instead of being a bigger nerd than I have already been, I channeled my creative energy into blog designing.  And, I have to say, she is lookin' mighty fresh.

As much as I'd like to continue blabbin' to y'all, I should probably study some more (gag me), so I better scurry.  

Hope everyone had an eventful weekend,

one without your head buried in a text book.  

 

XOXO.

These are a few of my favorite things...

It's about time y'all get to know the real CLeigh.  

"When the dogs bite, when the bees sting, when I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad."

La la la.  

If you have absolutely no clue where the heck I pulled that line from, then you must be crazy.  Like, really crazy. 

Julie Andrews.  The Sound of Music.  Ring a bell?  

Oh lord, I do hope so.  It's one my most favorite movies, and if you've seen it, it's probably one of yours, too.   

In the final scene where the Von Trapp family is climbing the mountains of Switzerland, I always get that warm, happy feeling big time.  More than any other movie, ever.  

It's like everything feels right in the world.  Until the credits start rolling, and you realize that all happened more than fifty years ago.  (You suck, reality). 

In the words of Maria, "these are a few of my favorite things" :

I love people.  I love working with people.  I have worked at the YMCA teaching children and adults how to swim for 6 years now, people.  Seeing the progression my participants make and knowing that I'm making a difference in lives is one of my most favorite things.  

I love knowing that I helped someone for the better.

I love my family.

My mom, sister, and me

 Cats.  Ha ha.  What more can I say about cats?  I love 'em.  I have been around 'em my whole life, and I think they are just fabulous.  Way back when I was in kindergarten, I used to push my tabby kitten around in my baby doll stroller.  That cat didn't care the least bit. 

And my sweet cat I just adopted...  My sweet Ollie.  He is the cutest darn thing that I ever have seen.  Getting drool all over my shirt is totally worth it.  I love my Ollie.   

He's my favorite.  

Yes, if you didn't catch the memo; my cat drools.  

He might think he's a dog, but I gotta love him regardless.

 

 

If God isn't a Tar heel, then why is the sky Carolina Blue?  I have an obsession with ANYTHING Carolina (Go Heels!).  My mom was born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC.  Even today, her side of the family still lives in Chapel Hill, NC.  Also, my mom and Dad went to UNC at Chapel Hill.  It runs through my blood, people...which is why Carolina blue is my favorite color.  There is nothing better than a Carolina basketball game. Unless it's a Carolina basketball game with a beer in your hand. 

 

 

Coralla, NC is my favorite place on the earth.  Corolla (pronounced Co-rah-la, not how you say Corolla the car), meaning all of the petals of a flower, holds a very special place in my heart.  Way back when I was a wee lil' thing, I would call Corolla "Nana's home".  My Nana, another remarkable lady, lived on the once quiet, peaceful, horse grazing beach for eighteen years.  

I vividly remember waking up bright and early to the smell of a warm, southern-cooked breakfast 'a cookin' in the kitchen, made with nothing but Nana's love...and lots of butter.  Yes, Paula Deen.  My Nana was all about some "butta".  As I waited patiently for Nana's home-cooked meal to finish cookin', I would sit at the kitchen table.  There, beside the table, was a huge window that I would look out every morning as a young child.  Outside of that large window was perhaps the most beautiful view of the Corolla lighthouse.  Sometimes you could even see the people, which looked like silly ants. 

I can recall fond memories of Nana and I walking barefoot along the shore gathering conch shells.  It was like our very own treasure hunt.  And boy---if we stumbled across a conch shell, we would get so excited because they were rare. 

Even though Corolla has become much more commercialized and the traffic is so bad a headache that you might need 8 Ibuprofens to cure it, it still has its special charm.  

Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can spot wild horses running freely, 

just like they would 20 years ago.  

Just like the conch shells, it's rare.  So when it happens, I don't take it for granted.  I just smile and reminisce on the good ole days.

  

 What is your favorite thing?

XOXO. 

Crafting Crazies

Crafting it up, baby.

That's exactly what I've been doing with my days.  I swear, I can't get enough of it!  And...apparently, neither can my cats who have been nosy little things who are constantly trying to snatch up whatever it is that I'm workin' on. No worries, they're my love bunnies, and I find it pretty darn amusing how they carry my craft materials around in their mouths. 

It's too funny.

Craft #1:

Fabric Coasters

What you will need:  Fat quarters (18"x 22"), glue gun, felt, scissors, and a brave soul (I won't share exactly how many times my poor fingers got burnt in order to create these precious coasters.  I guess you just have to make sacrifices for crafting, ha ha).  

Step 1:  Cut your fabric longways.  Should measure 18"x 1.0".  The width of these things should be skinny.  

Step 2:  Cut out felt circles (Circles should be the size you want your coasters to be).  

Step 3:  Fold and glue down one end of your fabric in the center of your felt circle.  

Step 4:  Twist your fabric into a tight twist.  Keep gluing and spiraling your fabric until your piece of felt is totally covered.

Step 5:  Cut off edges of uneven fabric or felt and Voila!  You have yourself a precious coaster!  Now, go grab a cold one and use that baby. 

  

(If you need a visual as to how to do this, I found this to be quite helpful).   

Craft #2:

Decorated Paper in Frame 

What you will need:  Frame that holds 2 or more pictures, Scrapbook paper of your choice, and Scissors

Step 1:  Cut scrapbook paper to fit in frame.

Step 2:  Place scrapbook paper in frame and Voila!  You have a beautiful, new accent piece for your room.  

I'll continue my crafting and will surely add more fun and easy crafts very soon. 

Trust me, I already started working on a brand-spankin'-new project! 

Enjoy.

XOXO. 

Why hello there, Fall.

It's officially Fall time.

This morning, I figured I would check out this weather that has caused much commotion on my FB newsfeed. I tuned into the news, and the weatherman said, "It's now fall.  Go outside and breathe in that wonderful fall air."  So, I did.  

In flip flops.  

Once I walked out of my apartment complex, it took me approximately 2.5 seconds for me to turn right back around and put on some closed-toe shoes.  

BRRRRRRRRRRR.

This weather makes me wanna wear some of these darlin' scarves.
Found on Etsy, of course. 


I know, I know.  I'm addicted. 

 

Orange and Brown Hand Knit Scarf  

Blue Skies and Denim Hand Knit Scarf

 

Soft Fuzzy Knitted Scarf in Fall Colors 

 

Hand Knit Scard Pumpkin Skinny Scarf 

 

Hand Knit Scarf Drop Stitch Navy Blue Scarf 

 

My Favorite Thing Alpaca Striped Hand Knit Scarf 

 

Hand Knit Scarf  

Hand Knit Scarf in Dusty Rose The Original Stay Put Scarf

XOXO.  

A day in Carytown.

Quaint.  Artsy.  Diva-licious.

 These three words just about sum up my day.

...if you can count diva-licious as a "real" word.

Lemme just say, it's "real" in my dictionary.

Webster, you gotta step up your game because diva-licious is a 500 dollar word.   

It was a well-spent day in Carytown, an artsy and quaint little old town area right outside of the city.  There are some cute boutiques, restaurants, and more in this town.  I spent the beautiful afternoon with my friend Kim and her daughter Gracen.  

First stop:  Nacho Mama's

Wow, their margs are to die for!  I started with the strawberry margarita, and then, I had the highly recommended pink lemonade one.  Yummy!  Lets just say, I will be going back.  Their food was delish, too.  I had the cheese enchiladas with rice.  Good stuff!

Aside from the shopping and dining, I did notice one thing that really tickled me about sweet lil' Gracen..  

Gracen is a model-in-the-making.  Let me tell ya.

Watch out, Tyra.  She's the next America's Next Top Model.  Girl's got it going on.

And, I'm not just saying that...she really has got it going on.

Gracen and I wanderin' the streets of Carytown.  

Kim and Gracen

Diva-licioussssss

Gracen showin' off her bag from Clover, a children's thrift shop we went into.

See, now don't y'all see what I mean?

She's a natural.

XOXO.