Charleston in Bloom

I recently came across the very talented Charleston artist, Lulie Wallace. Y'all. These paintings are precious. Check out her work: here. If you don't see a piece here that you fancy, you can commission Lulie to create a custom piece for you using a photo. I love the idea of having my bridal bouquet painted and in my house!

Rebuilding after a Hurricane

Labor day 2011 brought Hurricane Irene. We love extreme weather and as long as it didn't come crashing in on us we figured we would enjoy it. We spent our weekend between Folly Beach and Edisto Beach chasing big waves and collecting shells. The storm breezed by, and the Lowcountry got off easy. On our way home Mitch and I talked about how lucky we were. We tried to decide what we would change about our lives if given the opportunity, knowing it would effect all things related to it. If you could change the school you went to, you would have to take back knowing all the people you met along the way. We both came up pretty dry and we were both very happy with our lives. We loved each other, where we live, our friends and our jobs. Mitch mentioned how our families had pretty much been spared from major heath issues. I compared it to a hurricane. After a while you know you are due, and in the meantime you are happy and grateful to have the life that has been given to you.

Three weeks later we found out he had cancer. My young, sweet, amazing husband was diagnosed with the rare and highly aggressive Burkitt's Lymphoma. We went to the doctor and he was immediately admitted in the hospital where he stayed for four months. All the while, I tried to maintain this blog and some sort normalcy. As Mitch's condition worsened my positive thinking and blog content ran dry.

Now that the storm has passed it still takes a while to shake the feeling that something bad may be around the corner. The past year has been one of healing for both of us and life is finally starting to feel more normal. Sadly, the blog post you are reading was started in November 2011. It's certainly been a long time coming! In any case, things are good (and cancer free!) and I have finally come up for air. It just takes a while to rebuild after a hurricane.

Goodbye 2011

I love this sweet video! We knew they were actors, but who knew they were musicians? This New Years Eve I am planning on staying in. Hoping for a very quiet night sipping Champagne. Do you have big plans tonight?

My New Years resolution is to blog more! I like to make goals that are attainable and fun. I can't think of a better thing to strive for in 2012. Do you have a New Years resolution?

A few of my favorite things...

I found so many cute Christmas cards this weekend! Below are some of my favorites. 

There are so many great ones! Do you have a Holiday card tradition?

Season's Greetings

Holiday Jukebox Letterpress

Pure Joy Christmas

Chevron Reindeer Letterpress 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Choose Your Holiday Card

 Eggnog Card

 Nutcracker Nostalgia Cards

Lump O'Coal Card

Southern Cheese Please

I saw these on etsy a few weeks and meant to show them to you. How cute, right? They are made for every state and you can have the heart moved where you want... I would have the heart pushed down all the way to the bottom (i.e. Bluffton)

Southern cheeses, pecans, figs and peach preserves belong on this board. I recently tried Sweet Grass Dairy's Green Hill cheese out of Thomasville, Georgia and it is delicious. I love Burden Creek Dairy's Blueberry Goat Cheese. It is out of John's Island, South Carolina and you can find it at the Charleston Farmers Market. 

What is your favorite southern cheese? Do you know of cheese knives that would go well with this board?

AHeirloom's South Carolina State Cutting Board

A Lot of Yummy

I got these from Sugar Bakeshop for a sweet group of people who have been helping us out a lot lately. 

1. Vanilla with Honey-Buttercream 2. Chocolate with Chocolate Icing

3. Classic Caramel with Pecans 4 Coconut 5. Lime with Lime Curd Center

6. Vanilla with Sugared Blueberries 7. Pumpkin with Candid Ginger 8. Vanilla with Cranberry

Which one would you pick? I'd pick the Carmel or Honey Butter. I hope you had something sweet tonight! 

Friday Flowers

I saw these little pretties on King Street yesterday. Bright pansies remind me of springtime and so did this week's weather. It was 77 degrees yesterday! Thanksgiving is next week, right? I walked into Starbucks wearing a scarf and tights and other customers were wearing shorts and seersucker. Ah Charleston, your November weather has been so lovely.