post #49 - Mountain Weekend + New Car!

Hi sweet friends!!!

Did you think I disappeared? I practically have! It has been a crazy few weeks!

Remember on my last post (a week and a half ago) when I said I'd been super stressed? Well - it's because last Friday, we found out the Bar results! And guess what? I PASSED!! Friday was quite possibly the longest and most stressful day of my life. I was in panic mode all day, and was going on no sleep.

When I found out that I passed, we decided to head to the mountains with Jo's group of best guy friends. We had such a blast! I did a terrible job at taking pictures, but here is an idea of our trip...

{friends in hats}

{house discoveries}

{take 2}

{our house had the best props!}

{bro'ing out}

{food.}

{entire table of food. and daytime lounging}

{beautiful}

{mountains}

{hunny}

{clemson football}

{handsome hubby}

{besties}

Also - I can't believe we forgot to take a group girl pic! I guess it will have to wait until next year!

In even more news...

Last Monday, we got a new car!!

We found a great deal on the one we wanted and decided to go take a look. We found a 2012 with only 4000 miles on it (who drives a car for 2 years and only puts 4000 miles on it??) and got a real steal! We unexpectedly pulled the trigger and purchased it!

After that, I promptly went to DC for work, letting Jo drive our new car by himself all week. 

Want to hear about DC? Stay tuned later this week!

Until next time!

Xo -

Morgan

post #31 - F5: Orange Football Foods for Foodies

Friday Five - Football Foods for Foodies! Bonus - they're orange!

Is anyone else so excited for two things today? 1) It's FRIDAY! and 2) Next week is the start of COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Even though the South Carolina Gamecocks have their home opener next Thursday in the city where I live, I don't know about y'all, but I am counting the seconds until I'm cheering on my Clemson Tigers next weekend! I can already taste the cold beer and feel the love of thousands of my best friends in a sea of orange. It's gonna be a rowdy, rowdy day. Bulldogs, woof.

One of the best (and worst) things about football season is loads and loads of food! I've been scouring Pinterest for tailgate recipes. This year, I'll have access to a kitchen before and during tailgates, which will make tailgating food so much easier!

Instead of writing about my favorite things this week, I thought it would be better to chat about what some of my favorite upcoming things are sure to be...these yummy football foods! I can't wait to try some of these fun orange appetizers...do you have any favorites that no tailgate is complete without?

1. Palmetto Cheese Pinwheels

[find the picture & recipe here]

I've had these before. And they were awesome. I ate about 6 or 20. I can't wait to try my hand at making them myself!

2. Pumpkin Poppers

[find the picture & recipe here]

Picturing these for a breakfast tailgate before a noon game. Paired with a mimosa or 3 perhaps?

3. Buffalo Chicken Bites

[find the picture & recipe here]

Buffalo Chicken Dip? In a pre-made bite? Sold.

4. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

[find the picture & recipe here]

The perfect little party popper.

5. Pumpkin Pie Dip

[find the picture & recipe here]

Ever since I saw Christina post this on Carolina Charm, I've been dying to make it. It screams fall, and is so festive! 

Want to stay updated? Don't forget to follow MM on Facebook, BlogLovin, and Instagram!

P.S. You didn't think I'd leave out the BEST orange tailgate essential, did you?

[photo credit here]

post #17: F5: Mom, Coat, 12 Bones, Contadino, & Starbucks Deals!

Goodbye June! Favorites to Wrap up the Month!

It's the weekend! Well, almost. Hope you all have fantastic weekend plans! Jo will be at a bachelor party this weekend, so I plan on getting LOTS of studying done.
On to my favorites this week...

1. My Mom

I almost had a mini meltdown this week. The screen on my MacBook Pro has been wobbly for about a year now, but after the weekend, it became extremely loose. As in, the screen is either at 90 degrees, or tilted all the way back. After talking to the tech people at school, my options are basically to 1) Send it to Apple (after some research, it is likely between a $700-$1200 fix), 2) Purchase a new computer, or 3) Continue using it, hoping the screen doesn't fall back & completely conk out in the middle of something important.

We've been casually looking at some computers and iPads, but since I'll be starting a new job soon, we haven't had any sense of urgency. Except for one minor detail - I'll be typing the bar exam on my computer in a month. URGENT. URGENT. URGENT. When I asked the tech guy about taking the bar on my computer as it is now, he made a face and said he definitely wouldn't risk it.  URGENT. URGENT. URGENT. URGENT. URGENT. 

Thankfully, my wonderful, kind, amazing mother has offered to let me use her MacBook Pro for the month, so that I can take the bar exam on the same kind of computer I use now. Crisis averted. Once again, Mom saves the day. So, without a doubt, she is my favorite thing this week. Moms are really the best, don't you agree?

Once again, Mom to the rescue!

2. New Coat

I love summer, but I'm so ready for winter to wear this bad boy. Last weekend's sale = success.

3. 12 Bones in Asheville, NC

I convinced my friend to have lunch here over the weekend - it is truly the most delicious BBQ ever. Their Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, and Jalapeno Cheese Grits? Pretty much to die for. Oh, and their Cornbread and Blueberry Chipotle Sauce? Still drooling. (See the menu here). Do yourself a favor if you're around Asheville and go here. You can thank me later.

(cornbread, collard greens, chopped beef brisket, mac & cheese, + side of chipotle blueberry sauce)

4. Contadino Pinot Grigio Vivace

Bubbly. Pinot grigio. Do I have your attention? Labeled a pinot grigio, this wine tasted more like prosecco to me. But, I'm no connoisseur.  Coming in at only about $6/bottle from Trader Joe's, it's a great addition to your "every night" wine collection. ;-) Oh, and comes in a pretty bottle! Let's be serious, probably the reason I picked it up to begin with.

(photo credit here)

5. Fabulous Starbucks Deals

I love Starbucks. No beating around the bush on this one. I have already expressed my love for canned Starbucks Refreshers in a previous post (found here). Today and tomorrow (and yesterday, sorry for the delay in posting this!) from 3:00-5:00, Starbucks is offering half priced Refreshers! I've been needing a refresher most afternoons...to the tune of a can a day. Oops. I enjoyed/guzzled a trenta Very Berry Hibiscus yesterday, and suspect that today and tomorrow will be no different. Hope y'all enjoy this little pick me up as much as I did!

(my biggg drink set me back a whopping $2.23 yesterday. so. worth. it.)

I love reading your comments! Don't forget to follow Makeshift Margaritas on Facebook or Google Blogger (to the right!). You can also follow me on Instagram!

MBC

As always, thanks to these lovely ladies for hosting this link up!

A. Liz Adventures

Carolina Charm

Hello! Happiness

The Good Life Blog

Are you a fashionista? I'd love to get your thoughts on these fun bags! Check out my last post here.

post #15 - F5: Upstate SC, Mac, Blood Orange Mimosas, Lilly, 50 Rules for Dads, & MM Readers!

Fabulous Friday Favorites!

Happy weekend, ladies (and boys, if you're out there in blog world)! I hope your week has been not-too-hectic and you're looking forward to a fun weekend! My week has been slightly crazy, with an intense practice test (from 9-4 on a Friday, gross!) happening as you're probably reading this. But, I'm looking forward to an awesome weekend, filled with some of my favorite things and people! 

1. Upstate South Carolina!

This weekend, Jo and I are heading to the Upstate...and I couldn't be more excited! We are heading to two of my favorite places on earth...Greenville and Clemson. We'll be staying Friday night with one of my college BFFs and her hubby. On Saturday (before the crack of dawn) we're heading to a sale in NC while the boys are playing golf. Afterwards, Jo and I are going down the road to Clemson to spend the evening with his dad and stepmom in their new home-away-from-home condo! They've been making lots of improvements and we can't wait to see this awesome addition to our tailgating fun this year. Oh, and I'm squeezing 13 hours worth of video lectures in there somewhere, but who's counting? (Ain't no rest for the wicked, y'all) Not going to pretend I wouldn't rather study in Clemson than Columbia. ;-)

(Favorite Place #1 - Greenville, SC) [photo credit]

(Favorite Place #2 - Clemson, SC) [photo credit]

2. Baby Mac!

Sometime over the course of the weekend, we'll be stopping to visit our new step-nephew! Last weekend, Jo's stepsister and stepbrother in law welcomed a beautiful new baby boy, Stewart McLaurin. They'll be calling him Mac - he is just precious! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet and snuggle Mac this weekend! Being an aunt is the best!

(I mean...come on. He's pretty much the cutest.)

3. Blood Orange Mimosas

Making these on Saturday morning as we wait in line for our sale, with the Blood Orange Bitters I picked up a few weeks ago. If I'm waking up before the sunrise on a Saturday, I'd better have a Starbucks or cocktail (or both) in hand. Channing, these are coming for you!

[photo credit]

4. Lilly Notepad

Need a good and cheap gift for a friend? I've been writing out things that I'm having trouble learning on this notepad, and it makes hearsay seem slightly more exciting, if that's possible. (Trust me...that stuff is NOT as exciting as it seems on TV). These are so cute, and only $7! I got mine at Pink Sorbet, or you can find them here!

5. This List - 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

A classmate posted a link to the 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters (click here to read the post). I thought this was too sweet not to share. We don't have a child yet, and aren't planning on one any time soon, but this list made my heart melt. Share this with your men!

6. My Readers!!!

I had to add an extra this week. This one is for y'all! This week, I reached over 2,000 page views. I know that many bloggers get that on a single post and that this isn't a big deal for most. But, since I've only been blogging a little over a month, I'm getting excited about the little things. Thanks to my followers and those who keep coming back! And I promise that when I'm not studying for the bar, my posts will be much happier and more interesting ;-). Here's to looking forward to DIYing, house decorating, and the return of a real social life...

(although, I kind of hope this guy's not reading!)

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook & Google Blogger. You can follow on the right using your Gmail account - it's easy! I've also added a link to follow me on Instagram...if you do, you might even sneak a peek at some of our "secret sale" finds over the weekend! ;-)

Also, I LOVE reading your comments, so keep them coming!

Cheers!

MBC

As always, thanks for the fun link up, girls!

A. Liz Adventures

Carolina Charm

hello! happiness

The Good Life Blog

Did you miss my post about skinny lettuce wraps? If so, check it out here!