inspiration in charleston

because i didn't want to overload the first charleston post with a billion pictures, i thought i would dedicate a post just to the inspiration i found in charleston.

we spent an entire afternoon walking along the battery. it's an area of downtown charleston along the water that is filled with historic and beautiful houses. i kept stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and darting across the street because i saw something that i loved and wanted to snap a picture to remember.

although i will never live in one of these gorgeous houses, there were bits and pieces that i can maybe sneak into our house someday.

which one is your favorite?

fall loves & wants

just wanted to share a few things that have both been inspiring me for fall as well as some things that have made it on to my wishlist...

{pin}

{pin}

{jcrew}

{lord&taylor}

{pin}

{shopbop}

{pin}

{trench}

{chic}

{red}

{sparkle}

love. it. all. 

one year: celebrating in charleston

on september 24th, A and I celebrated one year of marriage. we made plans to take a week long vacation to charleston. it's a city that we have wanted to spend time in but haven't (we live only 3 hours away...i'm not sure what took us so long to get down there).

i am not exaggerating when i say it was the most perfect week. we were blessed to have the prettiest weather. we spent the days doing what we felt like doing. some days it was exploring. other days it was laying by the pool and walking along the beach.

some highlights from our trip include:
-the best mochas ever at Toast
-exploring downtown charleston
-boone hall plantation (letting our inner history nerds out)
-paddleboarding (obsessed)
-finding the best thrift store
-walking along the beach
-some really good food

and now for some pictures...

i had the most wonderful week celebrating with my husband. i can't believe it has already been a year.

here's to our next anniversary trip!

saturday brunch: cinnamon & sugar french toast bites

i found this recipe on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect to try this weekend. they turned out to be delicious...just had to make a few tweaks after making the first batch. A loved them as well which means i will definitely be making these again.

Cinnamon & Sugar French Toast Bites
{recipe below from Multiply Delicious}

3 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs 
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 loaf of french bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions:

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, milk, vanilla, and salt until blended.  Place the bread cubes in the egg mixture and using a large spoon, toss gently until the cubes are evenly coated and all the egg mixture has been absorbed.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter.  Add half the coated bread cubes and cook, turning often, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.  Transfer the cubes to the bowl holding the cinnamon sugar and toss to coat.  Repeat with the remaining bread cubes and 1 tablespoon butter.

Divide the french toast bites into individual servings and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.  Serve with maple syrup.

Suggestion:
*I had major issues with the bread sticking to the pan (I didn't use a nonstick). So I would definitely suggest using a nonstick pan for this recipe. I remedied it by turning the heat down and cooking them longer. But the first batch almost didn't work out because they were sticking so bad.

This recipe is real good y'all. Put it on your list to make as soon as you can. I am thinking it will become quite a regular breakfast around here. 

instagram: {august and september}

august and september were both wonderful. we traveled up to lexington a few different times for different wedding festivities. two of my very best friends {holly} and {jenna} got married a month apart from each other. being in both weddings, i got to be around each bride on her big day which made me so very happy. both girls are very dear to me and each wedding was uniquely wonderful and perfect.

my instagram feed can sum up how much fun was had during our visits...

{a good way to start and end a trip to kentucky}

{the drive up to kentucky is absolutely gorgeous}

{learning the wobble which became the official bridesmaids dance of the night}

{gorgeous holly}

{my sweet hubs}

{all dolled up for jenna's wedding}

{lovely gilfedder}

{my sweet little E helping aunt shan get ready}

{loves}

{besties since high school}

follow along on instagram {imswheat}.

creativity

i have been thinking a lot lately about creativity. i was asked a few weeks ago how i like to express my creative side and i answered with things like: writing and cooking/baking. that is about all i could come up with. while those are both wonderful things, i want to do more of them as well as find other ways to allow myself to be creative.

 i want to do, make, style, think, and create. i want to challenge myself. 

i have a pinterest account where i pin beautiful and inspiring images over and over. yet, i have only made a few recipes from my food board. i have thousands of images that are pinned, that inspire me to be creative and make things...and yet i don't.

i don't really know where this all came from. maybe that little question that was asked so passingly "what do you do to be creative" sparked me to really think about it.

so here i am...making this commitment to myself.

i want to write more. i want to think and create more. i want to make things.

so i am going to start.