Best Weekend Ever, also known as My Dad's Surprise Visit!

So apparently Beau and my Pops have been in kahoots and planned a super, secret, surprise birthday visit. It was such a wonderful surprise!

I love being up here in WNC but it sure does make me miss my folks. Beau realized this and literally planned the best birthday surprise ever by planning with my dad a trip up here to visit. It was amazing! Here are some pictures from our visit!!!

Triple Falls for Triple 10

Yup...I turned 30 recently. It's been an amazing birthday month! Beau got my birthday off to a great start by making me breakfast in bed! We decided a great way to celebrate the big 3-0 would be to hike up at Triple Falls. It was absolutely gorgeous. It's definitely on our top five list of places we have to take folks to when they come up to visit.

Here is our list of top five places to visit in WNC-Beau and Jolie edition (no particular order)

1. Visit Lake Lure (and if there is time, eat lunch at La Strada)

2. Drive up to Jump Off Rock (pref. at sunset)

3. Triple Falls!!!

4. Walk around downtown Hendo (America's #1 small town...maybe I made that last stat up :-))

5. Biltmore of course!

Here are some pictures from the hike...

What I can only describe as a tree chair....

Weekend fun with friends!

Back in January we had some of our dearest friends come up to good ole' Hendo for a visit. It was so nice to share the town we love with good friends. We're keeping our fingers crossed that they decide to up and make a move up here like us :-)

We spent the weekend hiking, playing with our pups, and eating some really yummy food. Sydney even made us all homemade sausage biscuits on Sunday morning...how cool is that? I've never learned how to make "from scratch" biscuits, but after trying hers that is on my list of things to learn this year!

Who are the Joneses?

Ever wonder who the Joneses are or how you stack up? This site will really make you think. While you're there consider sponsoring a child. Just $38 a month can really make a difference!

Oooh, I can't wait to make this: Leather Leaf Necklace

I can't wait to pick up some supplies to make this awesome necklace. I mean let's be honest, what a cute, quick jewelry idea! Check out the full instructions at Missie Krissie...

Do you love hot cocoa as much as I do?

Things have gotten pretty chilly around here in the last couple of days. And while I am still a bit baffled by how early it go so cold (and snowy...none for us yet, but we can see it on the mountaintops), I'm willing to put that aside for a couple reasons:


3) I love fall/winter wear-by far my favorite season for outfits. I love scarves, jackets, layering, etc.


2)The holidays! The family, the food, the traditions and of course the religious aspects...what's not to love? In fact, our church started sharing the story of Mary and Joseph in a series several weeks ago and it's really got me looking forward to our first Christmas at our new church.

1)Hot Cocoa-To be fair, I've been drinking this since the temp dipped below 70 degrees. However, I have abstained from adding any sort of topping as of yet. My plan is to make my own marshmallows in fun shapes next weekend and to try out lots of different topping combos from the following items: sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, etc., etc., etc. Winter, I welcome you with open arms!

Source: We Heart It

Check out Random Order on Etsy

So Beau's aunt Vandona is an amazingly talented person. She can cook, design jewelry, she's an awesome decorator and she's so much fun to be around. She loves making jewelry and she's designed some pretty unbelievable pieces. Check out her Etsy shop: Random Order. To peak your interest, here are a couple of my favorite of her pieces:

Fun random side note: Beau and I like to make Valentine's gifts for one another every year. We've been doing it ever since our first V-day together. That first year Beau was really nervous about having to make something so he went over to his aunt's house and she helped him make me two beautiful pairs of earrings. They are still some of my favorites to this day :-)