Questions...

Welcome to 2015, my friends!!!  I thought maybe I should dust this thing off for the New Year.  I did this last year and did one post, maybe I will do two this year!

To start the new year - I will answer one of the two questions I always get asked…  The questions are as follows:

#1 What is it like to live in Beulaville?
#2 When are you getting pregnant?

As for question 2, I have a niece and she is perfect.  At this point, I drink more coffee than water, I answer emails in the middle of the night, and my idea of cooking is grilled cheese sandwiches.  So, question 2 will go unanswered for a while longer…

As for question 1, here is what I can tell you about Beulaville:

We have 4 fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Hardees, Bojangles, and Subway).  We have 3 pizza places (Pizza Hut, Pizza Village, and a place that I can't remember the name of currently).  We have an Andy's.  We have a takeout Chinese place that is super cheap, but feeds an army.  Last but certainly not least, we have Duff's Cafe (which actually has the best seafood on Friday nights).  

There are literally FIVE auto parts stores.  Several dollar trees/dollar stores/dollar whatever.  And a hardware store.

There are two small grocery stores (no Harris Teeter, no Food Lion, no….).

A gift boutique and a nail salon.

Two gas stations.

A Walgreen's.  And some other pharmacy...

And two stop lights.

I am sure I am missing something, but these are the major highlights.

We are basically a small town sandwiched between Raleigh and Wilmington.  The first being about an hour and a half away and the second being about an hour away.  (We are about 45 minutes from Kinston, NC that has a restaurant named the Chef and the Farmer.  You should literally book your reservation and get in your car to go eat there.)

Most people here have some connection to the farm industry, but not all…  There are hog farms, turkey farms, chicken farms, and so forth.  You will see tobacco grown here, cotton, soy beans, corn, wheat, and etc.  I am sure I am forgetting something, but basically these are the big ones.

Zack's family used to grow tobacco and the best stories are told at Sunday lunch about what those days were like.  Sometimes I leave Sunday lunch at Mema's with a face that hurts from smiling so much (oh - and this is by far, the best food in town).  Zack's family now has hog farms and grows row crops.

I work about 30 minutes away in Jacksonville, North Carolina, which is the home of Camp Lejeune military base.  We have recently gotten a Panera in Jacksonville and a Lowe's Food.  Woot, Woot!  My gym is in Jacksonville.

We have a small regional airport about 10 minutes from our house if you're asking yourself how I manage to travel.  I can literally get my boarding pass and get through security in less than 5 minutes.

So, yes, this place is small.  There isn't much for food and shopping, but you'll never find warmer hearts and better fried chicken.  And apparently, I am becoming more like a local because I drive down the country roads like a bat out of hell and straight down the center.  I mean, its a requirement.

My door is always open, come visit!  I will take you on a tour of the farm, take you to Sunday lunch, and Zack can entertain you with his new jokes about the Bachelor.

Love from the country,

Rachel  

CrossFit...Why?

While I was in law school, I considered exercise to be walking down to the gym in my complex and jogging on the treadmill for 15 minutes or walking instead of calling a cab after leaving dinner (you know, walking 10 blocks in stilettos is hard work).  

After starting work, I really didn't exercise at all.  I started scuba diving last spring and that at least helped me get out of the house and explore another world.  Then, in late October/ early November, my friend Kylene asked me to try CrossFit with her.  We tried a workout on a Saturday and I couldn't move for what felt like days afterwards.  The rest is history...

I now go approximately 5 days a week.  When I went to the grocery store tonight after the gym to buy groceries (or beer actually), I had on a headband and a sweatshirt that both said CrossFit on them.  This struck up a conversation with an employee of the store that asked me about it.  "Why do it" was the gist of the conversation?

Because...

It forces you to push yourself to a place that you did not know you could go to.

It takes you out of your comfort zone.

It forces you to rid yourself of everything bad that happened in the day and think only about that next rep, that next step, and so forth.

It makes you accountable to others because if you don't go, someone will stalk you down on social media and see to it that you are back the next day.

And last, but not least...you'll find a family.  When you have done more box jumps than you ever want to think about again, there will always be that person yelling at you that you can do it and to get back on that box.    

Will I be the next person to make it to the games?  No.  Will I look and feel a hell of a lot better in a pair of skinny jeans or a suit?  Absolutely. 

Photo Credit:  Maggie Selzer

                

Valentine's Day Weekend

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you likely heard all my whining about a New York trip that didn't happen.  To make the story short, winter storm, Pax, and I are not friends - not even remotely.  When I figured out all of our flights were cancelled, I spent the next few hours trying to get us anywhere in America, basically.  The list includes:  Dallas, Chicago, Miami, etc.  Plane travel wasn't happening.  By Friday morning at 6am, Zack made the executive decision that we were driving further South to good ole' faithful Charleston.

Because it was the weekend of love, hotel availability was minimal, but I was somehow able to snag a room at the Charleston Place with a balcony overlooking King Street.

   
The Charleston Place basically sits above the Shops of Charleston, which include a Louis Vuitton and a Gucci (enough said, right?).  We had not made any dinner reservations because of our planned trip to visit those yankees up North, but we were in luck that the concierge makes reservations under fake names.  Who knew?  Friday night we went to a new place called the Grocery - think the Chef and the Farmer for those who live locally.  On Saturday night, we went to Hall's Chophouse.  I don't think the food could have been better.  When we walked into Hall's, we were greeted by the owner.  At the end of the night, he was giving us shots.  They get two thumbs up in my book.

During the day on Saturday, we walked through the Market, down to the Battery, and back to King Street to exercise my shopping skills.  I convinced Zack I needed Lululemon pants.  When I came out of the fitting room, I noticed that a blonde salesclerk had convinced him that he too needed his own Lululemon.  I didn't tell him when he stepped away that she was complimenting how well dressed he was -- he already spends enough time on his wardrobe selections.

At the end of the day, my over-planned, swank NYC trip was a bust, but Charleston was perfection.  It doesn't hurt that I also ate like $48 worth of Godiva chocolate covered strawberries.

            

Workout Clothing

Anytime you stick with a gym or a workout program, workout clothes become a necessity and if you are me, the cuter they are, the better.  Functionality is also somewhat important, as I am learning every time I have to do a burpee and I don't want my pants to fall down.  I have spent 30 seconds of a workout trying to pull my pants back into place and if you are as slow as I am, you don't have 30 seconds to spare.

My favorite finds are below:

I don't think I have ever owned anything by Reebox, but this jacket is lightweight and fun at the same time.  It fits true to size and isn't baggy.  You can buy it anywhere that Reebox is sold and it can typically be found on sale.      

Target has some of the best workout clothes at affordable prices in my opinion.  I have this pullover in a variety of colors.  These pants are also from Target and I think they are a great alternative to some of the more expensive workout pants.  They are about $20 and come in a variety of colors.  To me, they are similar to the Nike Dri-Fit pants, which are my favorite, but tend to be much pricer.  

I get a lot of questions about these pants and they are Nike.  The print is ridiculous, which makes them even better.  I try to just wear a black top when I wear them, so my husband isn't embarrassed.  

     

What are your favorites?  

I also must ask if the lululemon pricing is worth it.  My American Express feels a little uneasy about $100+ yoga pants.    

Newlywed Life

I have been neglecting this blog for a very long time now (opps).  Zack and I are living at full speed ahead.  Since the wedding, we have done a lot of working and a little bit of playing.

So, here's a little trip down memory lane since we have gotten married -

We both learned to scuba dive (after I almost drowned in the deep end of the pool).  We have been to a depth of 130ft at this point, and we have seen some of the most historic shipwrecks off the coast.  Zack had a little encounter with a jellyfish and one of our closest friends suffered a broken leg, but we have managed the seas otherwise unscathed.  Can it be summer again, please?    

We practically criss-cross the roads going between Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Carolina coast.  Say what you may, but I love this state.  We have been to Topsail beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Emerald Isle this year.  We also went back to our alma mater for a basketball game just a week ago and I got my "city" fix by staying in North Hills.  If you are visiting Raleigh or just want a fun place to stay, the Renaissance North Hills has my vote.          

I started Crossfit.  Yes, it is addictive.  Yes, everyone who starts it likes to talk about it.  After years of no exercise, it was time do something, and I don't like to do anything on a small scale.  So, I started Crossfit, and while I am a long way from where I want to be, I am a hell of a long way from where I started.

We have spent countless Sundays screaming at the television for the Carolina Panthers.  I tried to convince Zack that I needed to go to the Super Bowl.  Basically, I told him it was a bucket list item and that I had to go (and go this year).  Then, I looked up the prices.  Needless to say, if my Panthers make it, I will be watching it on the television.

What is on tap for 2014 you may ask?

Well, definitely more of the above.  I would like to hop down to Charleston soon.  Maybe, go somewhere tropical for our 1st anniversary.  Save money for a house of our own.  AND - just love my husband!  

I get the baby question on the daily.  No, I am not pregnant.  Yes, we want to have children.  No, I am not ready just yet.

I'll be back soon.

Love,  Rachel  

While you are at it in 2014, do a little dance..

Photo Credit:  Kristin Vining
 

Just Shy of 2 Weeks

Yes, we are two weeks (and a day) from the day we have been planning for years.  Don't get me wrong - things are busy, very busy - but I don't feel like I am running around with my hair falling out or being too stressed to function.  I think I am more stressed about work than anything else.  I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety over work decisions, but I haven't had any wedding nightmares, dreams, or anything of the like yet.  

Zack and I have been together since 18.  At this point, we have been operating as 1 since I finished undergrad.  This wedding seems almost like a celebration of the past as much as a starting point for the future ahead.  I am not getting cold feet.  If anyone should have cold feet, it should be Zack.  I am a pain and a half to deal with.  If you have ever spent a weekend with me, you'll know that I am trying to put your shoes away before you take them off.  

Babe - If I forget to tell you in the years to come, thanks for putting up with me.  (I also apologize for continuously breaking the wedding budget).   

So, for the next two weeks, I am going to TRY to release control and let the people we have entrusted to make this day one big party do their job.  Plus, I am going to look forward to a honeymoon in paradise. 

 

 Oh, if anyone has a suggestion for a rehearsal dinner dress, send it my way.

xoxo,

Rachel

  

2 Months and Counting...

I have been more than absent from my blog as of late.  Actually, I have been absent from just about everything except work.  Big girl livin' is rough.  Daily, Zack wants to throw my phone (specifically my email application on my phone) out the window.  To his dismay, it is here to stay.  Momma has to pay the bills.

Now to the wedding... 

In case you have missed my constant Facebook updates regarding the social event of the year, otherwise known as our wedding, we are now under the 2 month mark.  Basically, all the planning is done.  I worked really hard at planning this wedding.  In other words, I called a wedding planner and let her handle it.  All vendors have been picked, now we just have to dot the i's and cross the t's.

The only thing in regards to wedding planning that isn't coming along well is the "pre-wedding diet."  I do have the diet soda police at work though.  Every time I go to the fridge, the police stops me.  It is a start at least!

So, for all my married gals, tell me what pre-wedding diet/cleanse/etc that worked for you.

I'll leave you with a picture of the best four-legged guy around.  He was big pimpin for Valentine's Day.  Doggie Daycare even gave him a treat bag and he participated in the gift exchange (all participating dogs brought one gift and exchanged with a dog friend).  My gift was a last minute purchase on my lunch break that I kind of just threw at them the morning of, unlike the stay-at-home dog moms who had the perfect gift bag, tissue paper, and the works.  My future kids are doomed.       

        

xoxo,

Rachel

Stuck in 2012

There are so many exciting things about the start of a New Year.  Starting over, starting anew, starting fresh (insert desired synonym).  However, I still haven't really let go of 2012 yet.  This past year was a very significant one in my life.  I finally finished school, passed the bar exam, began my legal career, and moved out of my Charlotte loft.  While making the transition from a student to a graduate brought with it some very happy moments, I also felt like I hit too much change all at once and I couldn't get my organize loving, OCD self to process it. 

Being with Zack full-time was, of course, a "good" change (really a great change), but leaving Charlotte was hard, too hard.  I am still working on getting back to myself.  I no longer have Wednesday night dinners at my parents, or lunches with close friends, and I definitely can't walk to any restaurants or make it to Target without a 35 minute drive.  Instead of reaching out, starting over, and making this home, I drew kind of inward.  I stopped blogging.  I stopped doing much of anything.  I went to work, got home, ate dinner, watched tv, went to bed, and repeat.

So, for 2013...there aren't really any big, concrete New Year's Resolutions.  I really just want to get back to me.  Hopefully, that means I will spend a little more time on here.

Oh, did I mention?  I get married this year.  Yep, after being together since 18, we will finally be going to the chapel (well, not really a chapel) and getting married.  Would anyone really be surprised if we were already married?  Hmmm....

    

Wedding Updates and Honeymoon Locale

The big girl world is keeping me busy, but I wanted to list out all of the progress on our upcoming wedding.

Current Vendors:

Venue:  Foundation for the Carolinas
Photog:  Kristin Vining Photography
Hair, Makeup, Styling: Lindsey Regan Thorne
Flowers:  The Bloom Room
Cake:  Cake Lady Jill (tasting next Saturday)
DJ:  Split Second Sound
Save the Dates, Invites, and all things paper:  Olive Paper
Planner:  Katrina Hutchins of Come+Together Events

What's left?  Catering.  That beast will be conquered next weekend (hopefully).

Below is our baller design board created for our wedding by Come+Together.  Gorgeous, right?  I can't wait to bring this to life (well, really watch everyone else bring it to life).

Now for the Honeymoon...  Zack's favorite topic, ha.

I have been sweating this one big time, but the decision has been made.  I wanted to go to Greece SO BAD.  But, alas, I was told by two travel agents that it would be cold, wet, and miserable in early April.  Greece was then taken off the books.  From there, I was completely uncertain.  I thought I was dead set against Mexico, but I got several recommendations for the Rosewood in Mayakoba, Mexico.  The Rosewood is a beautiful set of boutique hotels.  I did NOT want an all-inclusive or a chain like Sandals, but I wanted a resort that had a lot to offer.  I think the Rosewood has it all -- beautiful accommodations, our own pool, and fabulous food.

Other recommendations:

Esperanza Resort 
Viceroy Anguilla 
Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman

Have a great rest of the weekend!

-xoxo

Iowa

Last weekend Zack and I took a weekender trip to the great state of Iowa to visit our friends Colt and Kelli.  Colt was a law school classmate of mine and Kelli is his girlfriend.  We arrived in Iowa about 10:30 Friday night and got back to big ole Beulaville at about 10:30 Sunday night.

While in Iowa, we decided to catch an Iowa Hawkeyes game.  Unfortunately, they didn't play too well, but we managed to have fun anyways.  Colt and Kelli live in Des Moines Iowa, but the game was in Iowa City so we got to see a bit of the scenery.  Zack felt right at home with corn, big fields, and so forth.

Colt and Kelli:  Thanks for the hospitality!  We had a wonderful time.

On the way to the game...

The four of us at the game!

On the way home...

Have a great week my friends!  

xoxo 

 

Working 9 to 5...

Remember this song?

Dolly Parton lies.  There's no such thing as working 9 to 5.  Or so I am learning now that I have entered "big girl" world.  Really, I am just trying to find an excuse for my lack of blogging.  

I've got a few things to post, but for tonight I will leave you a list of what our house has been up to:

1 - Work, work, and more work 

2 - A surprise trip to the Queen City for Lauren's birthday

3 - We've booked a trip to Iowa to visit my law school friends in mid-October

4 - I've plotted our elopement (kidding Mom)

5 - We've met new friends here in the country - yay!

6 - We taught Whiskey to sit and retrive 

7 - We registered for wedding presents 

8 - And we have done a little more working...

Have a great week my loves!  xoxo

-Rachel  

Need a good smile?

Picture taken of Whiskey and his best friend, Bama, at Animal House Doggie Day Care

M.I.A. for a REASON

Yes, I know I have been missing in action - at least from the blog!

But, I've been starting my new life.  A life that doesn't include daily classes, exams, homework.  FINALLY...YES...FINALLY...I am official.  On Monday, August 27th, I ran out to mailbox (maybe at olympic record speed) found my letter from the bar, ripped it open, read Congrats, and my dreams came true.  I passed the BAR EXAM.  After years of school, a summer of hell, and a pile of money...I got the news that I would be a real lawyer.

The next day...I started work at my firm.  

NOW...I am trying to settle in to how different school is from reality.  So far, so good.  I don't think the stress is going to be any less nor do I think the hours will be less, but I do know that I am so thankful to the big guy upstairs for getting me this far.

My Dad, however, reminded that this isn't "the end."  I haven't crossed the finish line.  I haven't completed my life's work.  Instead, it has just begun...

I'll be back with more posts this coming week.

For now, I am being the project manager of Zack's "honey do" list.  

xoxo

-Rachel

Honeymoon Ideas - Recommendations Needed

Zack and I are just starting to discuss our honeymoon.  We've really got no definitives or must haves--although we've got some preferences.  Briefly, I thought we had settled on Santorini, Greece, but the country has been suffering continuous turmoil as of late and I am not sure it is the smartest decision (it's still on the maybe list though).  We may be leaning towards a European destination.

Thus, I turn to all of you for recommendations.

We'd prefer:

European beaches or South America or maybe the Caribbean Islands
BUT NO Mexico, Jamaica, Aruba, Hawaii, or stateside locale  
Somewhere not all-inclusive (no Sandals or Couples Resort)
Somewhere warm in April (so I can pack floppy hats, bikinis, and dresses

Ok, let me know your top picks! (I am also open to advice on places to steer clear of...)

Happy Wednesday!

-Rachel

What We've Been Up To...

Well, I am still house managing.  Blah, blah, blah.  Hopefully, I'll have my results in a week or so.

We broke up the monotony of my house management this past weekend and made a trip to the Queen City.  We stayed with my parents and our pup, Whiskey, even tagged along for the ride.  Whiskey thought Grandma's house was the best.  Unlike my minimalistic style, Grandma Linda has tons of things to get into in her house (Whiskey thought the house plants were super yummy so I had to spend the weekend digging them out of his mouth).  He also came home with a pair of Grandma's old bedroom shoes because he decided they made a great chew toy.  

While in my favorite city, I managed to meet with Katrina & Meredith of Come+Together Events.  More on that meeting later--it is deserving of its own blog post.  We also registered for gifts.  Zack, begrudgingly, went with me to Southpark on Saturday morning to start our registries at Belks and Crate & Barrel.  He pouted about it until we got the magical scanner and started to zip around the store.  After about 2 hours of registering, I was over it and we hit up City Tavern for beer and mimosas.  Needless to say the registries need major work, plus I haven't even made it to Target yet.  Oh well, it will get done.

Ok, back to house management...see you guys tomorrow with some wedding planning news.

xoxo,

The best House Manager ever     

Big Girl Wardrobe

Sunday was supposed to be a beach day, but with gray skies and rain showers, we ended up doing a little shopping at Mayfaire in Wilmington.  I ended up adding a few pieces to my "big girl" wardrobe and coveting a few others.  Zack was my fashion consultant.  Believe it or not, he's a farmer with a little bit of fashion sense.  I can get him to wear designer jeans, blazers, and beautiful button-downs, but I am still working on the bow-tie.  The day will come...      

Things I am loving at JCrew currently for all those working women out there:

 

Super figure flattering.

Shown in boulevard green, purchased in black.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Although I didn't purchase any new jewelry this time, they've got an amazing selection of unique pieces right now (albeit pretty darn expensive).  A girl can dream, right?

Flower Lattice Necklace

xoxo,

R

Wedding Updates (or lack thereof)

It is perfectly acceptable to drink champagne on Thursdays with nothing to celebrate, right?  I sure hope so because that's exactly what I am doing now.

Today, as House Manager,  I have been trying to wedding plan.  As I said earlier on facebook, the only thing I can really commit to is Zack.  That's a good start, right?  That may be a little dramatic, as I have the venue, the dress, the photographer, and a stylist.  However, all those decisions were made at least 6 months ago.  Since then, the wedding planning has gone stale.  Yep, stale.

My mission today was to change that.  So, I started my day with a chit chat with the DJ company Split Second Sound.  Word on the street is that they are one of the best DJ companies in town.  "We clicked" on the phone and the breadwinner around here agreed to pricing so I just need to get the contract in the mail.

From there, I turned to finding a bakery for our wedding cake.  Here's the problem:  I've got champagne taste on beer budget.  I am not talking like your champagne you buy off the shelf at Harris Teeter that costs like $10--I am talking like the champagne that Christian Grey romances Anastasia Steele with in Fifty Shades of Grey (for Fifty fans, that's like 200 bucks).  Couple this fact, with the fact that my Mom and I analyze everyone's wedding cake, AND we've got big problems.  Yep - we are regular cake analysts.  When we go to a wedding we ask:  How clean are the lines?  How good does it taste?  Is it unique?  Etc...  It is just something we've always done.  Probably, due to the fact, that we've had some massive cake flops over the years [Mom, remember my high school graduation cake?].  With all that said, the cake is a huge dilemma.  Thanks for all the suggestions made via facebook.  I'll be researching them all.

I should also admit that this wedding has no theme, no colors, and no direction.

Other big ticket items remaining:  catering & invites.

Like all other brides that have come before me, all these decisions will eventually get made.  I asked Zack today what would make him happy at the wedding and he just wants good booze (that was a given).  On the scale of helpful, that ranks pretty low.

Alright, back to drinking my champagne.  I'll be back soon with some more updates (or lack thereof).

Xoxo,

R

      

House Manager

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I have always had some sort of title--undergraduate student, law student, clerk, intern, assistant, etc.  Now, I have been relegated to staying at home until I find out whether I have passed the bar.  So, today I coined myself "House Manager."  I think it is a good fit...I am Type A, controlling, forever seeking perfection, etc.  Too bad we don't have a vast estate for me to manage--I can take care of 1200 square feet in a jiffy.  

So what does a House Manager do you ask?  I make sure the house is spic and span, the bills are paid, the pup is groomed, and etc.  There's one task that all house managers must also tackle...cooking.  If you have any sort of personal relationship with me, you know I consider cooking to consist of going to the local restaurant and picking up a to-go bag and bringing it home.  Being that the only option around here for takeout is pizza and chinese, I have decided I might actually have to start conforming to the traditional definition of cooking.  So, tonight, I am cooking in our actual kitchen.  It is a big night around here.  The breadwinner around here wants to eat around 7:30.  I'll report back on whether it is edible. 

If the above two paragraphs sound like I am slowly loosing my mind as a stay-at-home dog mom, I am.  I've now completed all 3 of the Fifty Shades of Grey books.  Is it bad for me to say that I wish there was a fourth?

So, for now, I am going to continue being the House Manager for the handsome breadwinner.  I need more things to manage--just not real babies.          

  

Xoxo,

The House Manager

Country Livin' at 24

I AM BACK to facebook, the blogging world, and life generally.

I'll blog about the bar exam later (let's just say it was traumatic).  Note:  I'll have no results for 5 weeks or so.

I've had a whole lot of life changes in the last few days.  On Friday, I packed up my 2-story loft and traded it in for small-town country living.  This came with a whole lot of mixed emotions.  I am happy to be with Zack, but less happy to give up coffee shops, boutiques, family and friends.  Luckily, my soon-to-be in-laws are fab and my sister and niece live here.  

Also, on Friday, I got one hell of a gift--a PUPPY.  Yes, a german short-haired.  He's six weeks old and pretty darn tiny.

 

After much deliberation, we named him Whiskey.  Whiskey likes to sleep all day and party all night.  Zack contemplated naming him NEMO.  (Don't tell him I am dishing his secrets).

Today is my 24th birthday.  There will be no popping champagne, but instead a trip to the vet for Whiskey's first round of shots.     

So, for now, I'll be a stay-at-home Mom to Whiskey and I'll be tapping my foot while I wait on bar results.  Kudos to those who stay at home.  I am on Day 2 and I may be a certified nut by Friday.

Love to you all,

R.

P.S.  Maybe I should start planning a wedding?         

Tomorrow...

Three years + three months of sacrifice come down to this....

I have 3 words:

"BRING IT ON"

Unless you're living at the north pole, you know that I am taking the bar exam Tuesday & Wednesday of this week.  Then, on Friday, I pick up my city roots (and high heels) and trade it all in for a life on the farm.  I won't know whether I have passed until the end of August, but that's okay because for the next month it is going to be about living carefree (if I know how to do that).  

So, when you go to sleep tonight and when you get up in the AM...please...oh...pretty...please...say a prayer, send some good karma, or some good vibes my way.  I'll give you a smooch.

Xoxo,

Rachel