Good Music {with a side of chicken & waffles}

Have you ever been to a concert and wanted more, just didn’t want it to end?  Billy & I saw Gary Allan last week in Atlanta and couldn’t get enough.  We are big Gary Allan fans and were impressed with his stage presence.  He did not need the flashy lights, rotating stage and a truck hanging from the ceiling – his music was that good. He is just so talented! I hope he comes to Jacksonville so we can see him again soon.

We really enjoyed our date in the city and were sure to take the opportunity to try Gladys Knights Chicken & Waffles restaurant.  We saw it on the Food network a few months ago and thought it was worth a try. Yep, good ole’ southern fried chicken served with a waffle called “the midnight train”.  I won’t say it was my favorite meal (& certainly not the healthiest) but if you’re ever downtown ATL, try it.  It’s an experience.

Baby Garb & Western Wear

What a busy weekend. I really enjoy keeping busy when there is a big event or trip to look forward too. Billy and I have a lot of exciting things around the bend so I welcome this busy month. This past weekend was a lot of fun. Saturday morning I joined a lot of great girls at Lyndsay’s baby shower. It was so fun to see her (one the most adorable pregnant girls ever) and see all the goodies for baby A. I can’t wait to meet him and know he’ll be one cool baby if he’s even half as cool as his parents. :)

Another family friend invited us to their country club fall western wear party. When I first received the invitation I was really excited to attend but became overwhelmingly nervous about the attire. I definitely don’t have a closet full of plaid shirts and cowgirl garb. Luckily, last fall season I had a splurge spend on a pair of cute Justin cowgirl boots – vintage wash of course. So, I ran into Old Navy and purchased a white top and sported my jean jacket and accessorized appropriately. It was so much fun watching (yes, watching as I am definitely the least coordinated line dancer, ever) everyone two-step. My mom impressed me with her moves while Pops and I enjoyed watching and singing along to country’s greatest hits. Unfortunately for me, my most handsome husband had to work that night but it was great quality time with the parents and friends. We laughed, partook in good southern BBQ and had a blast! I hope this becomes an annual event because I’ll be looking for another invitation come next Fall (hint, hint Beasley’s).  :-) 

 Pops & I

 Aren't they so cute?

Billy & I on our way to Sunday lunch.

 

Hope you all are having a great week!

Gearing up

Hello, my name is Brooke and I have a jacket obsession. I'm of the mindset that you can never have too many jackets. Attending college in Virginia aided to this theory. Now, living in FL I regretfully do not get to wear them as often as I would hope. However, In preparation for the cooler weather AND my upcoming NYC trip I thought it would be appropriate to purchase a new jacket.

So, I went online for the hunt.  I spotted this jacket...the bold buttons and ribbed knit collar and cuffs had me at first glance! Since my jacket wardrobe needed a new updated member...I ordered it. The jacket arrived Friday afternoon. Hello, Double Breasted Wool Bomber! I think it's a great addition and can't wait to wear it with my new black boots. 

Happy Monday everyone!!!

A little getaway

I always welcome time away with Billy so when he suggested we go to Georgia for the day, you can bet I didn’t think twice. He took us to Jekyll Island to spend the afternoon. It gave us a little day retreat, something to hold us over and refresh us until our upcoming “Spring Break”. We enjoyed walking the island, exploring the beach and finding a place to get some ice-cream. They have the cutest little shops and fun little treasures! Of course, I found a few things I wanted.

 Aren't these funky? I hadn't seen shell rings before.

On the lawn of the Jekyll island club, we saw an older couple playing croquet. How adorable?! I sure hope Billy and I are as cute as they were playing croquet when we’re retired. I will eventually look forward to playing croquet, sipping fresh lemonade and wearing argyle all the while discussing the latest topics and how the grandchildren are coming to visit next week. I really shouldn't rush life but doesn't that sound wonderful? ha.

Afterwards, we had to make a pit-stop to Lowes. While Billy practically lives at Lowes, I don’t get to go as often as I like. I would imagine the typical date night was dinner, a movie and making a stop by the local hardware store. That’s what my parents did anyhow but mine don't quite go like that. I have to bribe to get him to go with me however; we desperately needed to get a plan together for our flower bed that died this winter. So we went in to research the garden center. We aren't professionals and we still need to edge and mulch this week but we are almost there! I should've taken a 'before' picture to show you all how bad our starting point was.

We are off to the big city this week; I hope to have some fun pictures and stories to share once we return.

Fall Bag

Recently, I was on a business trip in Chicago and spotted this beautiful pumpkin colored Kathy bag (oh how I adore Kathy) that I couldn’t get out of my head. After the conference was over, I went back to rescue it from the restraints of retail so it could sport around with me during all my fall adventures. It was a must have and I’m loving this color. There’s so many gorgeous fall bags out there, I’m also loving the big hobo style metallic’s.

I loved this fun print on the inside too!

Umm...I want an adventure, please?

I woke up this past weekend knowing I wanted to do something different than our "usual". Billy asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I wasn't sure, I just wanted an adventure. We had already conquered the beach, shopping, house projects and I couldn't put my finger on just what it was I wanted to do. A few moments later Billy came to me and told me to put on my tennis shoes. Okay, wait - are we talking a pony tail day!? He said yes - so I continued to ask questions and figured out whatever adventure he was going to take me on required going all out. I'm not talking about dolling up and sporting my fav heels...going all out in my pony tail, Diesel sneakers, and packing a smaller cooler with ice and water.


Billy was taking me to the Okefenokee Park to do some trailing! I must say it was extremely fun and it was my first trip there. Before trailing the Okefenokee, my days of playing in the woods and seeing huge banana spiders had ended on Braddock road. Braddock road was my childhood street where to survive each kid owned a go-cart or four wheeler, a BB gun or machete and a canteen and no one returned home until the dinner bell rang. Our hike this past weekend through the woods definitely brought me back 20 years! We had so much fun I might just want to go again...soon!

June, already!?

Is it really June 1? Time sure does pass quickly when you're having fun! Billy and I had a great & busy weekend together. Since he usually works 2-3 weekends a month when his full weekend off comes around we play and play hard! Living only 14 miles to the beach helps us satisfy our weekly crave for the sun & sand. We found lots of shells and worked on our tan. I even found 12 (yes, 12) sharks teeth Saturday! Saturday evening we went on a "couples date" with our family (Billy's Niece and Nephew), Hamilton & Charlsie. We enjoyed dinner, great conversation, a little shopping and capped off the night at O'Kane's...a local favorite with a great live band. Here's a fun picture I snapped with my iPhone of our niece and nephew (ha!). We couldn't pass up this photo-opp. Next time, Billy and I will have to get in the picture.
We had so much fun this past weekend that I was wiped out & asleep by 10:00PM Sunday night - that's unlike my "night-owl" nature. I look forward to the summer weekends ahead with a lot more playing in our future.

Date Night!

Billy and I had a weekend long date. It was wonderful, we really enjoyed ourselves. We braved the Shrimp Festival in Fernandina on Saturday. We woke up at 7AM to beat the crowd and it was nice to shop & enjoy the gorgeous day. The shrimp was so yummy and we were able to visit with Pop as well, he met us there. By the time we left it was insane, I'm so glad we woke up extra early to beat the madness! We also went to the beach for a little bit and I met a man who caught a shark. He let me "pet" the shark before he tossed him back in the ocean. That was kind of cool. Mom, Mrs. Wendy & Kristen were there for the weekend enjoying a girls getaway so we were able to see them for a little bit too. By the evening we were ready for more so we decided to head towards St. Augustine. We had so much fun! I'm very blessed and so thankful to have a husband who is sweet, hilarious & my BEST friend! Here's a little peak at our night out in St. Augustine.

Gorgeous night! We checked out the fort too

Neither of us had ever been to Ripley's...Believe it or not!?

Billy with the largest man weighing in at over 1k lbs!

This is the tallest man - over 8ft - Billy is 6'2 and looks like a midget next to him. Too funny.

The 'back scratching bear' - I would've like to have seen that!

Ripley's was really neat, it's something fun to do if you haven't been and want to laugh, have fun and see something you may just not believe...

Randomness

I decided to post 25 random things about me, this trend was going around with other bloggers and on facebook so I decided to join in the fun!

1. I crave chocolate at least once a week.
2. Jesus is my best friend & I don’t know how people manage life without Him.
3. I love New York, love it!
4. Paris was amazing and I dream of going back but this time with my love.
5. I turned 29 years old 30 days after marrying Billy.
6. Billy is the best thing that has happened to me & I’m thankful God saved him just for me!
7. I talk to mom at least once a day, sometimes 3x a day.
8. Sophie Mae is the cutest pup ever; she can get anything from me with one sweet hug!
9. I miss my brother but glad he has the opportunity to live in Italy and travel. He’s my American hero and I’m so proud of him. I might be jealous he gets to live in Europe tho!
10. Traveling is one of my passions – Israel (makes the BIBLE come alive), Paris, London, Switzerland, Germany, Austria all were amazing and I recommend a Europe travel package to anyone!
11. I have OCD
12. I hate to vacuum and Billy loves it – so it works out for us.
13. I dream weird dreams all the time and my sweet husband gets to hear how weird I am each morning when I tell him about it.
14. I hate green peas, hate them.
15. I cannot sleep in socks.
16. Designing wedding invitations is another passion of mine – I love to design for a special occasion!
17. After leaving from my first “date” with Billy, I knew he was the man I would marry. And we did 5 months later.
18. I miss my cousin Chris Milanese, daily.
19. Mom and I planned my garden dream wedding in only 8 weeks – it doesn’t take a year, you just gotta know what you want!
20. Pink is my favorite color, I want a pink room with a chandelier one day.
21. I had a major crush on Jordan Knight when I was in fifth grade, NKOTB rocks!
22. I’m addicted to XM radio and don’t mind the expense, it’s worth it!
23. I can be cheap, I will scout out an item 5x over before committing to purchase hoping it will hit the clearance rack by the time I ‘have to have it’!
24. I despise Wal-mart but seem to torture myself a few times a month there and don’t know why I do.
25. I have a problem with people wanting a handout and refusing to get a JOB!