5 Years

Five years have flown by in the blink of an eye. It seems like a major milestone to hit five years, am I right? I look at this photo and I think, oh my gosh....we were so young! I can only imagine once we hit ten, fifteen, twenty...fifty...sixty!! Marriage really is a wonderful thing. I knew I picked the right one five years ago, but it is even more evident today. 

I love our story, our family, our home we share, our future, our love.

 Happy Anniversary Stephen.

love, Katie

Our Charleston Trip

A few weeks ago we planned a rather last minute trip to Charleston for a celebration ahead of our fourth Anniversary. With a full schedule ahead this Spring and Summer with weddings and parties we knew this might be our last weekend to getaway. Since it was so last minute, we didn't have a ton of time to plan ahead with dinner reservations, but that was okay. We really just wanted some good food and to be low key and go about our day with no real plan. 

Stephen and I have a knack for planning trips for rainy vacations. Specifically, it was cloudy on our honeymoon in Ocho Rios several days, rained the entire time in the Bahamas two years ago, and when we arrived in Charleston...what did we see? Rainy, gray skies. No surprise. 

Before those skies opened up I convinced Stephen to hit up King Street for some shopping {just in case there was incapable shopping conditions for the rest of our trip}. We lucked out and I got the warning that we were approaching 5:00 {at 4:15} and it was time for happy hour. I obliged. And we headed for Charleston Place as it started to rain! 

Everyone was a happy camper after happy hour in the Thoroughbred Club. 

Like I said, we were a little late on making dinner reservations but we managed to get into a few places I was really excited about. Our first night, we dined at Fish, which proved to be excellent. I feel like a seafood snob when dining out of town because we really are just so spoiled here with great, fresh seafood. Fish did not disappoint though, it was delish. They start you with some amazing sweet rolls with a spicy sauce- the combination is divine! 

 

I ordered the triggerfish with kale and goat cheese dumplings- real good y'all.

The next day we enjoyed being a Mom and Dad on vacation and had room service and a late morning. And when I say room service, I mean the hubs hitting up the breakfast buffet and bringing it back to the room. Same thing, right?







After relaxing all morning, we headed to the Palmetto Cafe after hearing rave reviews on the burger and fries. This was my favorite though, the Shrimp Poke. Pretty much avocado, shrimp, a salsa and wontons. So, so good. The french fries were not to miss as well!

As the day went on, the fog wore off and the sun eventually came out. We made our way from King Street to Waterfront Park up and down East Bay Street.

That night we took a bike taxi as our means of transportation. It was so much fun to ride down King Street on one of those. I loved it. 

We first stopped at Bin 152 for wine and cheese.
I love a place that keeps it simple with two of my favorite things :)

That night, we opted for Italian at a place called Indaco which we had heard was getting great reviews. We ended up loving it, even if we did keep it fairly simple with splitting a wood fired pizza- one of our faves. 

And the gelato sampler for dessert- amazing. It was devoured.

 

Sunday morning we woke up early for breakfast {not in bed this time} and then walked down to the Battery and circled around to City Market, then back to our hotel to relax before lunch. I loved having my Fitbit to see how much we were really walking! 

Okay, so this was hilarious. We saw a huge family of kids sitting on this tree and I of course wanted to copy and get a picture. I asked a nice couple walking by and they patiently waited while we tried to get on this tree branch that was actually wayyy higher than what we anticipated. Stephen had to hoist me up and then we were so scared with him jumping up that he would either knock me off or over shoot it and fall off backwards. Those kids were like monkeys on that tree...us...not so much. 

I was so excited for our lunch at Husk. It proved to be nothing short of amazing- it was even Stephen's favorite of the trip. Pictured below are the "Johnnie Cakes" which are pretty much cornmeal pancakes with pimiento cheese with bacon shreds on top.

 

Our last night we enjoyed a beverage at the hotel bar and headed to dinner at Blossom.

Shopping in Charleston:

We had great luck on King Street. Some of my favorites?
Anthropologie, which of course has the best displays. Sugar Snap Pea is a sweet children's boutique as well as Kids on King. Stephen loved Grady Ervin and I had a ball in C. Wonder. Stephen also treated me to a necklace by Vanessa Mooney in Luna. I also loved the jewelry and accessories in The Finicky Filly.

It was such a great trip but I could not stand another minute with out my baby! He decided while we were away that he loves Cheetos and I am totally okay with that.
Go ahead and judge away!

Whew- what a recap! Sorry for the insanely long post. We have been busier than ever and I might have some exciting news to share soon! Hope y'all are well! 

Anniversary/A Day in the Life Recap

Instead of just showing you a few pictures from our anniversary, I thought it would be fun to document what really goes into getting ready for a date night these days. Well, this was our first real date night since baby so call me a novice! For me, it's pretty much impossible to get ready in less than two hours while feeding a hungry baby and keeping him occupied as well. So, I started the process in the morning. Now keep in mind, I did not include every time he ate and napped, but just so you know we are working on about a 2 (or 3, if we are lucky) hour schedule. Also, I should add...I can't feed him or change him with out major cuddles and naps on my chest so wherever you see a gap in time, that is what I was busy doing!

7 AM
We are up for the day. Breakfast consumed quickly and efficiently- lately its been Frosted Mini Wheats in bed. Stephen rushes to get ready and help as I get Weeks fed, changed and happy. I also try to squeeze in the first load of laundry for the day.

9 AM 

A five minute shower minus washing my hair. Ain't nobody got time for that today.

via

9:15 AM

Time for a Tan Towel. I have been using these babies for years. My choice of a self tanner if you are looking for an all over glow. If I just want to add some color to my arms or legs, I go with this. I also usually use the Tan Towel the night before, but I didn't have the energy/motivation to do it the previous night, so day of it was.  Quick decision for lululemon shorts and tennis shoes to wear today.

11 AM

I asked Stephen's Mom to come watch Weeks while I run a few errands. On the list of things to get: an anniversary card, changing pad liners for Weeks, lunch for us, random beauty buys/cheap thrills from the drug store.

12 PM
Since Weeks was born, Stephen has brought us lunch almost every day. I wanted to treat Stephen on our anniversary to a lunch at home so while I was out I grabbed what I needed for Turkey Reubens on the panini press, and potato salad. Weeks takes a nap on the couch when Stephen gets home and gets some Daddy time while I fix lunch.

My turkey reubens: oven roasted turkey, baby swiss cheese on white bread, served with lite thousand island dressing to dip in. Simple and delish. I'm not a fan of rye bread!

1:00 PM

Folding laundry, snuggling with Weeks and taking a few minutes to plop down on the couch.

 2:30-3:30 PM

Time to multitask. First, I took Weeks on a walk for a little exercise and sunshine. Once we got back I brought our neglected dogs outside to enjoy the beautiful weather as well. At the same time, I got to sit in my beach chair, soak up some sun and paint my nails. I painted one hand at a time to ensure the ability to pop a paci in if needed. Essie's Poppy Art Pink was today's choice.

 

What was my baby doing? Sleeping oh-so-sweetly.

3:30-4:30

Snuggling my baby and picking up things around the house. We go through an unprecedented amount of burp cloths a day here! I also find the wet towel from his bath the night before still sitting in the sink. I swear I used to have a clean house!

4:45 PM

At the last minute, I decide I have to take another shower after being outside plus having used a tan towel. Hopefully, my tan won't wash away but I have to feel clean. Stephen is off work early so he can help watch Weeks while I attempt to get ready in record time.

4:55 PM

Makeup

5:10 PM

Curl my hair

5:30 PM

We are supposed to be leaving and I am just beginning to look for something to wear. Yes Katie, something other than yoga pants tonight.

via

5:45 PM

Stephen's parents have arrived, Weeks is happily napping and I make sure to grab the last minute makeup fixes for the car ride {again, multitasking!} We are on our way y'all!

6:00 PM

We get the chance to sit down and relax with a glass for his and hers at a local wine bar.

We had never been there before and it was so nice to just sit back and relax for a few minutes with some good music and a laid back atmosphere.

6:45 PM 

We ended up calling and moving our reservation back 15 minutes to give us a little more time. We should know that being at least 15 minutes late is the way we roll these days! Stephen has roses waiting on the table when we get there. I love that man.

 

We have gone to the same restaurant each year to celebrate our anniversaries- there is an unbeatable waterfront view- perfect for watching boats go by and watching the sunset. The food is pretty incredible too! 

To end the night, cuddles with this one. Perfection! 

As you can see- a long day, but so worth it!