Storm Chasing

My husband is a Left Coaster so East Coast weather patterns fascinate him. Having not seen one in person yet, tornadoes are his particular passion. This has led to him becoming something of a storm chaser. Today, a band of storms came up the coast, sending large water spouts inland that turned in to a few actual tornadoes in nearby towns. Instead of taking cover, my husband took to the road and headed 15 miles South-East to Topsail Beach in the hopes of seeing this for himself.

Even worse: I joined him! I blame a bad case of Christmas cabin fever. I needed to get out of the damn house.

Wind and rain were heavy upon our arrival but (much to his chagrin) the worst had already passed. The better half of our time spent on the island was under sunny skies.

Whether sunshine or storms, I love being at the beach. Not being a particularly religious or spiritual person, I still love the feeling of seeing something so grand and powerful, thus making my own problems feel so insignificant in comparison. That first sprint out to the waves breaking on the sand is a timeless ritual. I did it when I was a small child and continue to do it to this day.

Poncho: gifted by my mother
Puffer vest: Eddie Bauer Outlet
Beanie: Target
Sweater: Gap
Leggings: American Eagle
Boot socks: Target
Rain boots: Target



Eat your heart out, Jim Cantore!

The wind was holding me up in this position

Boots covered in sea foam. This is as close to a White Christmas and playing in snow as we get in Coastal Carolina.

Question: Why do I let him talk me in to such things?
Answer: Because he is so cute! *duh*

Sun starting to break through the clouds

Much calmer on the Intercoastal side of the island

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is upon us! I have spent most of the day in the kitchen, whipping up one appetizer after another for this evening's annual Hors d'oeuvres Buffet. Pinterest has fueled the fire this year so I have several delicious new additions to add to my usual repetoire.

I refuse to wear seasonal holiday sweaters (unless it is specifically for a Tacky Christmas sweater party... or photoshoot...) but today's outfit gives a nod to the holiday: reindeer T-shirt, red pants and a bow necklace.

Now that daylight is fading away, we are about to pile in to the car and drive around time in search of the best Griswold-esque tacky holiday lights display. Happy Holidays to everyone out there! Whatever your reason for celebrating this season, all of us have our friends and family at its core. With my husband leaving for a military school for 6 months right after New Years, I am going to hug him and everyone else just a little closer and take the time to let them all know how much they mean to me.

Sweater: Old Navy
T-shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Old Navy
Ballet Flats: New York & Company
Necklace: Modcloth
Earrings: New York & Company

Descent In To Plaid-ness

I continue to go plaid!

Today was the eve of Christmas Eve and 85% of it was me sitting in traffic and standing in line while I got the last of the grocery shopping done. It was painful. I decided to reward myself at dinner by cracking open a bottle of Blue Christmas Pinot Noir I found at World Market. Anything Elvis is legit in my book and this wine's cork made my day!

Plaid shirt: Modcloth
Tank: Old Navy
Pants: New York & Company
Boots: Lane Bryant
Necklace: Etsy shop I Adorn U
Bracelets: Claire's Boutique
Sunglasses: Old Navy
Beanie: Target

 

Mad For Plaid

I can't wait for longer days now that we have crossed over Winter Solstice. All my picures lately have been indoors. I leave for work before sunrise and return somewhere around sunset.

Also, I spy a wrapped gift under that tree that I suspect is the camera tripod I asked for. I love my husband-photographer but he always insists on taking shots of my rear end. Don't tell him but he is getting a pink slip from his photography job very soon.

Sweater: Forever 21
Collar necklace: Cato
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Forever 21
Boots: Candies via Kohl's

One guess who the photographer was for this one.

Too Much Of A Good Thing

It is a universal truth that fat kids like cake. I am kind of chunky henceforth I like desserts... usually. But last night I went to a Holiday Martini tasting at a local watering hole. I have been to the wine and beer versions of this tasting and they were fabulous. Unfortunately, said watering hole decided to pair super sweet martinis with desserts for all five courses. The Sugar Cookie martini got paired with... a fancy sugar cookie. The Gingerbread martini came with a chocolate gingerbread mousse. Five sickly sweet martinis accompanying five super sugary desserts. By round three, my entire party was making plans for a burrito run. Nothing like cheesy, salty, greasy goodness to cut through all that sweetness.

Dress: H.C.B (cute online store with great prices)
Blazer: Nicole Miller from JCPenney
Earrings and bracelet: Forever 21
Shoes: Payless

Remind me to never allow my husband-photographer to take a picture of me from the kneeling position. Bad angle.

Even the poor gingerbread man is drowning in sugar.

Trying to plow through the Sugar Cookie martinis. This is only Round 3.

 

Caught in the act showing down on a burrito post-party.

Christmas Decorating Southern Helle Style

So far Leather Peacock has been holding down all decor-related posts on this blog. My excuse: I have new home owner's burn out. When I first bought the house two years ago, I lived at Lowe's and Home Depot. I juggled at least five projects simultaneously. Upon collapsing in to bed exhausted each night, I would turn on HGTV only to see an awesome backsplash idea and add that to my to-do list. It was too much. But I am slowly coming back around to liking the idea of home improvement and decoration projects again. Christmas really brings it out in me.
I see beautifully coordinated trees in stores and truly love them but I believe your tree tells the story of you and your family so our ornaments are all over the map.

Leather Peacock isn't the only one with Star Wars ornaments!

Elvis lives!!! (on my tree, at least)

I have no idea what sushi has to do with Christmas. Except my husband and I love it. So that's good enough.

Another Bryson City find. There is something so beautiful about this ornament.

Our cheesy "We got married in Jamaica" ornament

This one never ceases to make me laugh. Something about Jesus whispering to little kids about his arch rival Santa Claus.

Needless to say, my stepdaughter HATES this ornament. Which makes us love it even more...

I was going for a shooting star theme for our tree topper. I have had at least five people tell me it looks like a Vegas showgirl's headdress. That works for me too!

The mantle. I love blue Christmas decor.

Incognito PJs

Every once in awhile you find that outfit that is so comfy, you feel as if you are wearing pajamas. But it is your little secret because you look relatively pulled together. This is that outfit for me. The centerpiece is this cardigan/vest thing-a-ma-jig I bought at Humanité during our girls' weekend in Bryson City. I am not sure how to describe it but I love it. I have layered it over dresses and belted it over jeans but my favorite easy combo is worn over a long sleeved shirt with leggings.

Cardigan/vest thingie: Humanité but I found the green version here on Modcloth
Long sleeved shirt: Kirna Zabete for Target on mad clearance
Leggings: American Eagle
Socks: Target
Boots: American Eagle