post #19 - F5: Seabrook Island, Black Orchid Candle, Toothpick Jeans, Drinks, & Coffee!

Friday Favorites for July 5!

Happy July 5th everyone! I hope that you are all recovering from fun Independence Day celebrations and that this morning isn't too rough! I'll have to admit - this was my lamest 4th of July yet. After all, it's 7am and I'm up and at em. (WHAT.) But you can bet that I'll be celebrating double time next year! Favorites this week...

1. Seabrook Island, SC
Seabrook has a special place in my heart, as it's where Jo and I got engaged, over a year and a half ago. (wow!!) This weekend trip will be a little more low key than our engagement weekend, but I am super excited to go back and relive the memories. We'll be leaving when he gets off work today and I'll be taking some of Saturday off from studying (please keep your gasps to a minimum). This time, we get to celebrate his sister's birthday! To say I'm ready for sun, sand, and a drink in hand is an understatement!

(Milly's last trip to Seabrook!)

(Engagement! Can we do it again this year? When I can wear real, non-gym clothes?)

(Celebrations!)

2. Scentsational Black Orchid Natural Soy Candle
I picked one of these up at TJ Maxx last year, and it is my favorite candle EVER. I looked frequently and couldn't find another one anywhere. Not long ago, I was in Marshalls and the heavens opened - one was sitting on the shelf. This candle seriously smells divine and lasts forever! If you ever see this...buy it. I've been burning it nonstop this week and it's veryyyy yummy.

3. JCrew Toothpick Jeans
It's been a rainy summer. Lots of pants. Not so many shorts. Believe me when I say, over the years, I've tried a lot of jeans. Most of the designers you can think of. These jeans are probably my favorite pair that I have ever owned. They fit like a glove, and are soft and actually comfortable. These have been making appearances a little too often. Including once at least twice this week.

(dark wash. love. next i'll be hopefully getting a lighter wash, so I can actually wear them actuallyallthetime)

4. This drink of April's!

I saw this post on A. Liz Adventures and had to give it a try. My love for St. Germain has blossomed over the summer, and this drink hit the spot! I made a few small changes so I could work with what I had on hand, but this cocktail tasted like candy and put me right to sleep and was delicious!

1 part St. Germain

1.5 parts 99 Whipped Schnapps

2.5 parts club soda

Pinch of mint leaves

Lavender sprig

 5. COFFEE
I've been drinking a lot of coffee lately. Like, a lot. Jo is a big coffee drinker, too. I've never been so glad that we decided to make a coffee bar at our new rental house! We have a small kitchen, so this was the perfect solution to keep all of our coffee supplies. I got a lot of Pinterest inspiration, and am so happy with how ours turned out. I still plan to decorate this and fine tune it more, but it's working for now. I can't wait until we purchase a house and can actually paint the wall behind it, but love the utility of this set up!

(we keep this in the office...right where it belongs.)

I got inspiration from some of these...

(thevintagewren.blogspot.com)

(thevintagewren.blogspot.com)

(savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com)

I also have some super super super exciting news this week. For the next few weeks, I'll be spending too much time studying. I've decided to take a break from blogging because 1) I don't have time, and 2) I'm not doing anything interesting enough for you to want to read anyway. But, I have asked a few of my most stylish, creative, and awesome friends to fill in for me. I'll be having two guest posts a week, running from mid July until the beginning of August. I can't wait to see what these ladies have to say and get some advice on decorating, products, and more! Is there anything you'd like to see blogged about? Leave a comment!

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, Bloglovin, Blogger, and Facebook!

Have a wonderful weekend!

MBC

Love Thai Food? Check out my post about Basil in Columbia, SC here!

Thanks for the link up A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness, and The Good Life Blog!

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 #8 - F5: Grilled Watermelon, Pilot Pens, Garden, C25K App, & Zonin Prosecco!

Linking Up - 5 on Friday!

I'm excited this week to be participating in a Link Up! Two blogs that I read and love (A. Liz. Adventures and Carolina Charm) are hosting this fun concept, where various bloggers post about the same thing and link to each other. This allows you to discover new blogs and read other blog posts about the same topics. Since I've been meaning to do a post about some things that I've been loving lately, this  Link Up is the perfect opportunity!

This week, I've been loving on:

Grilled Watermelon with Goat Cheese -

Brace yourself. Grilled watermelon sprinkled with goat cheese. I know this sounds...different, but oh. my. goodness. Heavenly.

(drizzle a few slices of watermelon with extra virgin olive oil, then throw them on the grill. when you take them off, sprinkle them with goat cheese.)

Pilot Gel Pens

I've essentially gone through this pack of pens in one week. But, I've been writing with them all day, every day. Although the subject matter I've been studying is pretty boring, this combo pack's colors make me feel a little happier. (It's the little things, people!)

(found here, or at your local Target :-))

Our Garden

This year, for the first time, Jo and I have attempted a garden! I am very excited to report that we are growing lots of baby vegetables! So far, we have jalapenos, squash, and tomatoes. Our peppers, cucumber, onions, and zucchini are all doing well and we're expecting to see them appearing at any time! We have had so much fun nurturing this garden and watching everything grow.

(the day we planted - mid-april)

(now! lots of budding plants!)

(ready to pick?)

The C25K Running App

Jo and I have started a running plan this week - so far, so good! It's a lot harder for me than it is for him, but I think it's just a guy thing to be able to run with ease. I used the Couch to 5k program a few years ago, which helps you go from not running at all to running a 5k in just 2 months! We have been using an app called C25K(Free) that you can download for your iPhone. I use it along with my Nike+ app (which counts distance and calories burned), but I like C25K because it tells you when to start walking and start jogging - no need to try to time things in your head when you're just trying to make it up a hill! You can learn more about the app here, and can download it from the iTunes store. Happy running! 

Zonin Prosecco

A few weeks ago, I picked a bottle of this prosecco up at Trader Joe's for ABOUT SIX DOLLARS. It did not disappoint, especially with this price tag! This may be my new go-to prosecco for a more "everyday" beverage. 

(i'll have the one on the left, please.)

*cheers to the weekend!*

Have y'all been receiving your May Books? Mine came in yesterday... and I'm in love...as usual. It's an addiction. I hope all of you that ordered are as happy with yours as I am with mine! 

I'd love to read your comments! Thanks for stopping by!

MBC