Birthday Trip to Boone, NC

I love seeing new towns, so for my birthday this year I knew we had to get away and enjoy some time in a mountain town. I've heard people talk about Boone plenty before, but neither of us had been, so we decided to try it out! We left on Friday and stopped at Ikea on the way, which was so awesome. After we got to Boone, we ate dinner at this awesome diner. We don't have any diners like this in SC, so I was really excited! 

We spent the next two days shopping around the small downtown area and doing some sightseeing. We went to Grandfather Mountain, which was super cool and pretty... but extremely pricey. I'm glad we got to go, but I don't think I'll ever be going back! We also went to Linville Gorge and walked about a mile to see Linville Falls. I love being outdoors and wish we could have done more hiking, but being pregnant has really taken its toll on me! I get out of breath so easily.

It really was a great, relaxing weekend. Sometimes you just need to take a break from being at home and work all the time, and we were way overdue! Also, I had to include our classy birthday celebration drinks. ;)

Arts and Draughts.

Last Friday, Corey and I celebrated my birthday by going to this thing called Arts and Draughts. They had a beer tasting, cash bar, live music, and the opportunity to roam around and see the art! Upon walking inside, we got our picture taken by the state newspaper.

And from then on, it's crappy cell phone pictures...! We felt a little out of place, so we went to the beer tasting first, of course. We each got a drink then walked upstairs so we could look down on everyone. Corey happened to be standing in front of these two sculptures and I thought it looked cool, so I had to get one, too!

Then we walked around the gallery upstairs, where I stared at furniture and pottery for a long time. Some of it dated back to early BC, and the chest drawers were from the early 1700's. So neat!

Creepy...

Then we headed outside to try Bone-In, rated one of the top 20 food trucks in the US. I've seen it around in different places, but never had the chance to stop. It did not disappoint! I wish I had taken a picture of the food, but after waiting over 30 minutes in the cold, we sat on the floor inside and ate it pretty quickly.
    

There was a bluegrass-y band called The Plowboys playing in a side room, and we sat in there for about 30 minutes. They were really entertaining, and sang a song about Dale Ernhardt which I never figured out if they were for real or not...

I also got a flyer for a monthly book club, which I'm thinking about attending a few times. We drank another beer, hung around for a bit and then called it a night. Overall it was a good experience and I'm glad we went!
 
On my actual birthday, we went out for dinner and then stopped by this new place called Keg Cowboy on the way home. I've been really curious about it because they do classes on brewing your own beer, and even sell the ingredients in the store. I got a glass of homemade mead and drank it hastily while observing that the decor looked like the job of a drunk college kid. (I won't burden you with the pictures.) I would really like the place if it got cleaned up.

Anyway, I'll end this with a slightly drunken, dirty mirror bathroom picture. Fun!

 

24 before 24.

Wooo, it's my birthday! I'm 23! I thought getting older was gonna suck, but it turns out I'm the happiest, most inspired, and excited I've ever been. I've grown up a lot in the past year, and I'm excited to see how much more awesome I'm going to become. (Joking?)

So I jumped on the bandwagon and created a 24 before 24 goal list. This thing was so fun to create, I even decorated some paper with Washi tape and markers so I am forced to keep up with it.

 

1. Learn three new art forms

2. Plant a successful garden

3. Learn five songs on guitar

4. Create a craft room

• I feel like this is one of my biggest goals. The picture above is from my last trip to the craft store, and I've gone back for more since then! I'm kind of a hoarder of craft supplies, but I'm very organized, so not having a designated space to work drives me absolutely crazy. And it's not that inspiring all boxed away!

5. Use manual on my DSLR regularly

6. Organize the attic

• For the past few years, I've been buying random things for a house I haven't had. I mean, I actually lived in my own apartment when I started but I kept saying it was for my "real house" one day. There are boxes upon boxes in my attic that I need to sort through.

7. Build a doghouse and sew a bed.  Just because my awesome pup deserves it!

8. Read 10 books

9. Begin learning Spanish

10. Sew a dress

11. Save $2,000! This is also a huge goal. 

12. Learn to change my oil

13. Participate in a craft show

• The idea of doing this gives me butterflies! I'll beat myself up if I don't accomplish this.

14. Start a photo album of Corey and me

15. Take 12 jumping pictures with strangers

• This is random, but kind of a big deal for me. I'm very shy and awkward, but I love jumping pictures. So it's something I enjoy and something daring to try!

16. Quit using tobacco. Yep, I'm guilty.

17. Create a map board and pin at least 10 new places

18. Compose a recipe book

19. Take three new gym classes

20. Improve my credit score

21. Run a 10k

22. Can some kind of food. 

• Salsa, garden veggies, jam, etc.

23.  Sell 100 handmade items.

• I'm actually 23 down on this list already. Woop! I wasn't gonna count these until after I was officially 23, but it just made sense. Turning 23, sold 23 items, doesn't that make sense?

24. Watch all movies on the IMDB Top 100 list.

• It's actually top 250, but there is no way I'd commit to that! I'd rather make sure I read more than ten books!

So there you have it. I'll be updating every couple months on my progress and as I accomplish them! Have you ever made one of these lists? If you haven't, I suggest you do! Doesn't it feel freakin' awesome? If it doesn't, maybe you're doin' it wrong.

Birthday Wishlist.

My birthday is on Thursday, and in lieu of my new shopping problem I decided I'd go virtual window shopping instead! Last week during ModCloth's cabin fever sale, I placed my first order for three items. I got a gorgeous blue coat, which my fiance said I look like a smurf in, and two pretty dresses. Then, I went dress shopping with my mom and two sisters this weekend and ended up spending a little too much money on a badbutt leather vest. (You'll see tomorrow...)

In my money-filled and guilt-free world, these would be on their way to me:

Instant Awesome // Typography Print

ModCloth // Jonquil You Be Mine?

ModCloth // Collected Quotations

Nicola Rowlands // Wild & Free

American Apparel // Chiffon Blouse

 

Cute Streak Designs // Breaking Bad Poster

Herbivore Botanicals // Floral Facial Mask

I am such a big fan of Nicola Rowlands and Herbivore Botanicals, so those were the two things I KNEW would be on my wishlist. I'm also starting a collection of prints and posters to fill up a wall once Corey and I get a place of our own. And of course, clothes. Duh. Although I'm not actually getting anything on this list, it was quite exciting to make. Yay!