Graduation Weekend

A little over two years ago Khaner and I closed on our house and he immediately started the Executive MBA program at UNC's Kenan-Flagler business school. The past two years feel like they flown and also dragged on, if that even makes sense? We have come such a long way from the weekend we closed, getting married, going on our honeymoon, me changing jobs, traveling to Europe, doing home renovations and most recently, adopting a puppy. I am ready to live with my husband seven nights a week versus five, however.

I am so proud of how hard he has worked and how committed he has remained to our marriage, our home, family and friends throughout the entire process. Upon return from his most recent business trip to Singapore, he flew in Thursday evening and woke up Friday morning to make it to the last class before Graduation. There are no words to describe the work load full-time students maintain  while continuing with their full-time jobs. It is so difficult it's almost unbelievable.

With the end finally here, we kicked off the weekend with a few couples Friday night for burgers and beer at Raleigh Times and then welcomed family into town Saturday and Sunday.

Khaner, I can't thank you enough for taking this on while also being a wonderful husband to me and a wonderful Daddy to Carter. We are so lucky to have you and know that all your success is driven by the love for your family.

Graduation Gala at the Rizzo Center

Daddy, Mom and me with our graduation

With my in-laws and parents

A happy grad!

The interim diploma with Dean Shackleford of Kenan-Flagler

All done!

Class of 2014!

Weekend Recap and Beloved Bar Cart

We had a much needed getaway weekend to Atlanta for a friend's wedding, and I feel so recharged after taking a day off from work, dropping the dog off with my parents, and spending quality time with Khaner and our friends.

Kendall found a cute crepes restaurant off the beaten path

Outside Ritz in Buckhead headed to reception in Marietta

Great reunion with these girls!

College friends enjoying the beautiful bonfire and weather

With the beautiful bride in her gorgeous backyard

Katie was sweet and captured K and I dancing

My parents fell in love with Carter over the weekend and by the walks and play time he had, it showed.

My beloved bar cart - finally! Natalie had found this at the TJ Maxx here in Raleigh and I sent my mother out in Charlotte to locate it, and locate it she did! Absolutely love it and am so happy with the quality and price!

Fall Essentials

Every fall as I transition my wardrobe from summer to fall, I assess what I am missing, try to remember what I gave away the previous year, and try to incorporate new staples into this season's closet.

One of the essentials I try to have plenty of are fitted black and gray pants - snug enough for flats, boots and heels but structured enough to wear to the office. JCrew ran an unbelievable Extra 40% off sale today and I broke down on their Pixie pant in both black and charcoal. The reviews on these were unbelievable and they can be dressed up and down which I love.

I mean, can you blame me?

What are some of your go-to items as the seasons change?

Difficult Decisions

I think part of the blogging process is to use the outlet as a way to share not only the fun and joyous parts of your life, but the hard ones too. Often times I feel that our society likes to show the results of good things but never the challenging process to attain them.

After taking Finley home a few weeks ago, we decided that she was not going to be in the best home with us. We really wanted to have two puppies to play with each other, be engaged with one another and have companionship, along with enjoying a very active lifestyle with us. We felt that Finley needed to be in a home as the only dog and probably with someone who was home during the day.

In retrospect, we've learned a lot about ourselves, what kind of household we want to run, and how we will want to meet any future dogs before adoption.

In the mean time, we are loving our new family of three and enjoying every second with this little guy:

Meet Carter

Though I have been posting tons of pictures of Finley, I finally got some good pictures of Finley's soon to-be brother, Carter! He is the sweetest little 5 pound nugget - we are so in love!

With Carter and his sister Sunni

Already loves to play fetch

He is absolutely my dog in terms of his sleeping habits

Loves to cuddle

I am not able to say no to this face - it's terrible

And sleep some more

Daddy is already ready for Finley to get here to alleviate some of the play time

Aunt Nat and Carter

After bath time he loves to snuggle and fall asleep!

I literally laid him down to get ready for work and he slept the whole time - did I luck out or what?

Weekend in Westhampton

My oldest childhood friend, Lauren, sweetly invited me up to New York this past weekend. We hadn't seen each other since my wedding last May and had the best time catching up. Knowing her family most of my life, it was so great to see all of them!

At ACE Bar after our delicious meal at Supper

Lauren's sweet cousin Melissa

Unbelievable view from Lauren's back deck in Westhampton

Beautiful private beach

Beginning of a gorgeous Westhampton sunset

I can't even...