post #59 - Life Lately

The past few weekends have been so much fun! 

Two weekends ago, I headed to Charlotte for one of my besties' surprise birthday party. Her boyfriend pulled it off flawlessly, and she was actually surprised!

{beautiful birthday girl + host}

{christmas photo, perhaps?}

{favorite friends celebrating meg's 25th}

{theme of the evening}

{loves}

{little mexicans!}

The next week/weekend, we went to Seabrook Island for Thanksgiving. It was great getting to spend some time with Jordan's family! We were also able to get a little puppy/beach time in, and we took our Christmas card pictures (stay tuned!).

{isn't he the best uncle?}

{beach playtime}

{my pup is the cutest.}

{chilly beach day}

After that, we headed to watch the Clemson/South Carolina game with friends. There was only one happy camper when the day was over...our Auburn graduate! I still can't believe that game!

When we came home on Sunday, we went to get our Christmas tree. See the tree behind me in this picture? It's now in our living room - so. huge. Maybe next year, a 10 ft. tree won't be necessary. Oops! (Let's be serious...we love it!)

{not sure if this choice is a great idea...}

So, that's what I've been up to lately! See y'all on Friday!

post #54. USC v. UF

Happy Tuesday!

Ready for a photo dump from Saturday? I had a great time tailgate hopping and spending time with some friends that we don't see nearly often enough!

{ignore the gamecock colors!}

{handsome husband}

{boys before the shenanigans began}

{so glad that i got to see a few long lost law school girlfriends!}

 {things are getting weirder}

{no gamecock fans here! not so excited to see the game.}

{football!}

Then we danced like fools. And ate Waffle House. And slept into the afternoon.

A good time was had by all! 

P.S. Congrats to all of my Auburn fan readers, after pulling out one of the most exciting wins I've seen all season!

Up on the blog tomorrow - the creamiest, yummiest white chicken chili you'll ever try!

xos - Morgan

We had a great time, but want to see a football weekend I'd rather be at?? See this post!

post #53. Working Woman's Wardrobe - Long Sleeved Dresses

Happy Friday! I'm still sniffly and recovering, but thanks for all of your sweet messages about being sick last week!

 I hope you're as excited for the weekend as I am! This weekend, we have a few friends coming in town and *brace yourself* we are attending the South Carolina game! It's going to be difficult to wear garnet, but after a few cocktails I don't think I'll mind so much. 

I got a text from a friend recently that sparked this post. She asked if I'd seen any cute long sleeved dresses for work - her boss had several, but they were all designer. Or sweater dresses (quite possibly the most unflattering thing I could ever wear). For those of us just starting out in the real world, it can be tough to wear stylish and professional clothes to work every day without repeating too frequently. I find this especially true in the winter, considering the only thing I want to wear in the morning is leggings and wool sweaters. Not exactly workwear.

I scoured the internet to find this week's Friday Five - Five dresses, winter and work appropriate, under $150. 

1. Ann Taylor 3/4 Button Shift Dress - $149, currently 30% off {buy it here}

2. Ralph Lauren Suede Trim French Terry Dress - $129, on sale for $90 {buy it here}

3. Michael Kors Draped Wrap Effect Stretch Jersey Dress - $120 {buy it here}

4. Zara Dress with Front Seams - $60 {buy it here}

5. Nanette Lepore Rabat Two-Tone Ponte Dress - $249, on sale for $148 {buy it here}

Which dresses are your favorites?

Xo - Morgan

(P.S. In other exciting news, I think my blog design is finally almost ready! It took longer than I expected, but I'm so excited for the makeover! Get ready for a big reveal next week *crossing fingers*)

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 #46 - F5: Breast Cancer Awareness, Healthy Food, Sangria, Clemson, & No-Reply Bloggers

Happy Friday!!! What 5 things are making you smile this week?

1. Breast Cancer Awareness

On Tuesday, I joined the main ladies in Jordan's life for a great event held here in Columbia - Women's Night Out. This event raises money and awareness for breast cancer. The night started with a silent auction and raffle. To make the raffle more exciting, everyone started with about 20 tickets (there were close to 30 different prizes, so you could distribute your tickets any way you wanted). Then, it was time for a delicious dinner. There was a fashion show with some beautiful cancer survivors and guest speakers - sisters who were separated at birth and later were brought together, and who both (along with their biological mother) suffered from breast cancer. I had such a fun night - although the figures are scary, it's so great to see so many strong women coming together for such a great cause. 

{i'm already looking forward to next year!}

2. Healthy Food

This dish has quickly become one of our very favorites - sauteed spinach, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice tossed with spaghetti squash. This week, we added a marinated portobello mushroom cap for some extra tastiness!

3. Fall Sangria

I'm thinking about making Sangria for the game this weekend. Is this a terrible idea for an 8:00 game? Someone talk me out of this. I am surely going to regret it and fall asleep before the game. (just kidding. that wouldn't happen). I found this recipe for Apple Cider Sangria (with hot sauce, I'm intrigued!)... I'm also considering this Pomegranate Sangria and Honeycrisp Apple Sangria. 

I definitely have my go-to recipes (is it a recipe if you combine by heart?) for the summer time, but do y'all have a fall sangria that is just to die for? I'd love to know, if so!

4. Date Night in Clemson

Tonight, we're hoping to head to Clemson a little early so that we can go out to eat and enjoy the Tigertown atmosphere. Weeknights are so tiring, so I'm really looking forward to a little down time! 

{florida state game, 2009. is it bad that neither one of these outfits has retired from our game day rotations?}

5. No Reply Comment Bloggers

This doesn't make me smile. This makes me frown, a lot!! Your comments make me so happy, and I try to respond to every single one! However, yesterday over half of my comments were from no-reply bloggers! I was so sad - I love email chatting with all of you! 

Are you a no-reply comment blogger? I found this tutorial - it's a quick fix, and you can finally start chatting with your bloggy friends!

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! Throw some prayers up for no rain, the perfect level of Sangria-induced-happiness to be great at cornhole, and a huge Tiger win!

Dying to stay up to date on my weekend shenanigans? Follow along on Instagram. Just want to see the recap next week? Stay posted on Bloglovin, GFC, or Facebook!

post #39 - F5: Jordan's Birthday, Shopping, Fall Wreath, Mint Blazer, & Thursday Night Football

Happy Friday for September 20!

Happy Friday Bloggy friends! Hope your weeks have been marvelous!

Headed to work early today (no doubt with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand - it's FRIDAY!), but I don't even mind because I'm so excited for this weekend! 

1. Jo's Birthday!

Although his birthday is actually on Monday, we both have busy weeks ahead and will be celebrating on Saturday. We're going to one of our favorite Cola restaurants (Saluda's - expect a full review next week!) and I can't wait to give him his gift! We normally do pretty small gifts for birthday and Christmas (read, under $100). I didn't go as all-out or creative as I normally do this year, but it's something I know he's been wanting and I hope he loves! Stay tuned to see what I got him (I'm too afraid to post it, in the off chance he looks at my blog today!) My mouth is already watering at the thought of one my favorite steaks in town!

{this hottie's about to be 26!}

2. Shopping!

I'm heading to Greenville today with a few girlfriends for a Saturday morning shopping trip! ;-) Can't wait to score some amazeballs finds and spend time with some of my favorite ladies!

3. Fall Wreath

I think everyone and their brother sister made a fall wreath last weekend. I wanted something that was more football-y and less fall-y, so I could keep it up until Clemson goes to the National Championship in January. I kid, I kid. Kind of. We actually might make it there, y'all! I keep telling my USC co-worker I'll send him a postcard from Pasadena. Anyways, here's my little wreath - I think it's cozy, simple and festive!

{not the greatest angle, but you get the picture}

4. I Can't Stop Wearing This Blazer

How much is too much? It's mint, so I feel like I can't get away with wearing it as frequently as I would a basic black, navy, or gray. But I've accidentally been wearing it ABOUT once a week to work. And it's wool, so I feel like this trend isn't stopping any time soon. Whoopsie.

{shockingly, I don't wear it paired with the rest of this outfit. do people actually pair this stuff together in real life? it's not happening in columbia, sc!}

5. Thursday Night College Football

Last night, Clemson had our first of two Thursday night games this season. The game was away, but I can't quite decide if I love having Thursday night games or hate it? I do know that I have trouble staying awake until the end! Homegirl's gotta work in the morning! Last night was not our best game, but a win is a win - we'll take it!

Don't forget to follow along on Bloglovin, GFC, and Facebook! As always, I just love reading your comments, and try to always write you back! Thanks for reading!

Xo - Morgan

post #32 - F5: Beer, Dips, Sundresses, Cornhole, & Friends!

Five on Friday, First Week of Football Edition!

Y'all. This has been such a busy week! I have blogged exactly 0 times since last Friday. I've been slammed at work (yup, week 2, but glad to be busy) and have been getting prepared for the fun weekend ahead! The Clemson Tigers have their first home game this weekend against the Georgia Bulldogs. ESPN GameDay will be in TigerTown and I'll be up bright and early, celebrating hard!

So. stinkin. excited. for:

1. Beer

I've been on a fall beer kick already. Last weekend, I tried Pumpking for the first time at the recommendation of one of my bffs. While it was expensive ($7 for a double bottle, holy yikes), it was extra delicious. I also picked up a few Fat Tire Pumpkicks at the recommendation of the beer guy at Publix. It's lighter than some seasonal beers, and has hints of cranberry and spices. Yumyumyum. Give it a try, I bet you'll love it. We'll start with a few "nice" beers, but quickly move to Bud Light. You win some, you lose some.

[photo credit here]

2. Buffalo Chicken Dip & Funfetti Dip

Yep, after all of the fun appetizers that I posted last week, I settled on two things I've made before. I decided this game was not a time for experiments (some serious, serious tailgating is expected to occur), so I went back to old faithful.

[photo credit & recipe here]

[photo credit & recipe here]

3. Sundresses

There is no better purchase than a wonderful orange gameday dress. Fact.

{lilly pulitzer callista dress} [buy it here]

I die. But really, I die. This dress. Gimme.

{milly gustavia cotton & silk halter dress} [buy it here]

{french connection maxi pleat dress} [buy it here]

4. Cornhole

Self explaining. Nothing like a little game before the game. Can anyone explain why this game is so addicting? This was Jordan's big Christmas gift last year and I know these boards will get lots of use this weekend.

5. Friends
Ready to SQUEEZE these people! We usually spend Saturdays tailgate hopping to see everyone. I'm also thankful for a night game so it will be a little easier to make our rounds.

...and of course, can't wait to play with the cutest Tiger tailgater...my niece!

We'll come home Sunday and take it easy on Monday. I think we'll need some Labor Day recovery. Hope you're as excited about your weekend plans as I am!

In other news, two sweet bloggers, Carolina Belle & From Mississippi With Love have nominated me for a Liebster Award! This is a fun blog post where you answer some random questions about yourself. It's a way for new bloggers who are just getting started to let others find out a little more about you and discover other new blogs! I'll be doing this post next week, so get ready for my silly answers! Hints - when I was little I wanted to be a singer (and actress and doctor and probably a princess). And is my favorite current song still allowed to be Blurred Lines after what Miley pulled? It's just so catchy...

This week I passed 100 followers on my Facebook page! Yay! Are you following Makeshift Margaritas yet? Follow on Bloglovin or Instagram, too!

Happy weekend!!
xo - morgan