Reynolds Wrap-Up: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Back to Sewing: 1st Edition

I have had alot of inspiration to get back to my roots and start sewing again recently. Yes, I have been sewing since I was 5 (thank you Grandma Faye) and actually majored in Costume Design in college where I got a little burned out. Since then the most I have taken on is the occasional pillow, shower curtain, and duvet cover. I was lucky enough to gain a fabulous mother in law in my marriage to Mr. R who, among with other wonderful atributes, is a phenomenal seamstress. Momma D taught sewing for 30 years and I am hugely envious of her "sewing room" in Spartanburg. After our trip last weekend and checking out her latest creations for the Reynolds baby girls, including smocking (YES she smocks!), I am thinking of venturing back into the world of sewing. Lucky me, Vogue patterns had an amazing sale yesterday, patterns for $3.80 a pop and the sewing process begins!

Dress

moda city weekend interlock knit cafe dot market green

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Things Make Me Go AWWWWW

I am a huge animal lover. If I could I would have about 4 more cats and dogs but that would pretty much be asking for trouble with Mr. R. Charleston is very lucky to have such wonderful animal shelters as Charleston Animal Society and Pet Helpers. Rals was fortunate enough to come from CAS and I drag Mr. R over to Remount Road every so often to see their furry creatures available for adoption. If you have not had the opportunity to see their new facility, it is AMAZING! My sister interned for CAS last summer and words cannot express the amazingness of this organization. For those following the morning shows, Little Bear WAS adopted (click for info)! As Bob Barker would say, adopt a shelter animal and always spay and neuter! Alas, I cannot adopt anymore right now so must settle for loving on other's babies and internet swooning:).

via pinterest

via pinterest

Bet you don't know what these are...baby otters!!!!!!!!

Beautiful Boy

Just WAIT for Raleigh's Halloween Costume...babhahhaha

Mr. Tucker in the MORNING

You tell 'em

via pinterest

so sleepy

Ohhhh Raleigh...you have no idea.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Hump Day Inspiration

I recently had a job that took up a large amount of "me" time. Don't get me wrong, I loved the job as well as the people I worked with and will never look at that time as a negative in my life. However, my new job has allowed me to find that time for me, as well as me and Mr. R. Its amazing how the little things that I have found time to do now have made me so much more relaxed and happy. Whether its reading a book, watching a favorite tv show I have DVRed, changing the plants in my pots, making a different dinner recipe, spending more time with our extended family, or simply hanging with Mr. R and the boys, I am very blessed to have found TIME. My hopes for the future? Start sewing again, finish decorating our house, excercising, spending more time with old friends we haven't seen in awhile, putting a backsplash in the kitchen, painting, and eventually, having a baby. What moments do you cherish the most or wish to start up again?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Jalapeno Poppers

One word: YUM.
Mr. R and his big bro RAR are masters of the jalapeno popper. I am a little biased but I DO believe they are better on The Big Green Egg, but then again anything on the Egg is better. Have'nt heard of this fabulous invention? Hide it from your husbands because if he gets one, be prepared to be replaced! We pretty much have a big, charcoaled eating, green, egg/avocado shaped child.

PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES

READY IN: 1 HOUR

YIELDS: 30 POPPERS

INGREDIENTS

15 jalapenos

2 blocks cream cheese

1 package bacon (the REAL stuff)

desired seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven or grill (BGE) to 400 degrees. Wash jalapenos and slice in half. Scoop out insides and discard. BEWARE, the spice from the peppers will cause tearing, sneezing and/or tickles in your throat. Fill each halved jalapeno with cream cheese. Wrap each jalapeno with a slice of bacon. Season with desired flavor. Mr. R and I and the rest of the Reynolds clan use YEP SHAKE by BLUE MOON SAUCES that we buy at IRWIN ACE in Spartanburg. PS its also fabulous on steaks and a multitude of other recipes. Place jalapenos on either a baking sheet for the oven or plate setter for the BGE. Cook for 45 minutes or until bacon is cooked thoroughly, crisply and cheese is golden brown. Enjoy!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Monogrammed Mondays: Croakies

Croakies, i.e. a sunglasses strap for you non-southerners, are a must for the summer season, anytime wearing your sunglasses when they have the slightest chance to fall off OR just because you think they make you look cool. Now I do have a pair and honestly I need them since I am 150% klutz and would be postively sure I would lose the very nice pair of Costa del Mar sunglasses that Mr. R so kindly gave me. What makes mine so perfect? They are monogrammed...shocker, right?
I did have a revelation the other day that oh no, they are my old monogram! Since we are coming up on our year anniversary, I guess its time to update! These days the come in multitudes of colors and font styles. I will probably stick with my brown with green but if you want a pair you can go crazy with the combinations! Think groomsmens gifts, sorority gifts, for game day or just because;).

via The Pink Monogram

All via Marley Lilly

Friday, September 23, 2011

Hello Fall, I've Missed You Old Friend

You wouldn't know it today in Charleston, with the ridic humidity and the monsoon-like tropical weather, BUT today is the first day of FALL, i.e. MY FAVORITE SEASON. This means lots of yummy scents and some exciting times in the Reynolds household. Maybe we can finally get our oven fixed and I can bake some pies...mmmmmm.

BEST CANDLE EVER (and most economical!)
If you want the most inviting fall & holiday smell ever (for an el cheapo price) look no further. WALMART's Mulled Cider candle for $3 a pop. Even mini sized for a whopping 99 cents. I buy in bulk and my office loves it!

SAVING SOME AC COSTS!
The weather in Charleston is finally tolerable. Which means I can finally leave the back door to the screened in porch open and open the windows. Rals the cat ESPECIALLY loves this. He can meanader in and out of the screened in porch where he pretends the chase birds, stalks lizards and calls on the occasional lady cats that walk by in the neighborhood. Here the little sh*! is during the hot weather making a lot of ruckuss trying to get out.

"LET ME OUT!"

TV IS BACK...FINALLY
Mr. R and I can stop watching House Hunters re-runs and my DVR is about to get to full capacity with all the new goodies on TV! The season premiere of Criminal Minds was AMAZING and we can't wait for Sunday's Amazing Race episode. Mr. R loves Gloria on Modern Family and we are both loving the new show Up All Night.

VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November marks our first vacation in a year (and our FIRST ANNIVERSARY!) and we can hardly wait. 7 full days of fun in the sun on a Carribean Cruise with my family!

Going cave tubing and ziplining in Belize and can't wait for all that yummy food and drinks!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FALL?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Hump Day Inspiration

I love this...basically the whole reason for this blog! Do what you love and life will be so much happier:)

Monday, September 19, 2011

Emmy Awards Fashion: Best, Worst & You Decide

Today we interupt the usual Monogrammed Mondays segment to bring you the HIGHS and the LOWS of the Emmys last night. Did anyone else love the SNL medley? How horrible did Charlie Sheen look? What did you think of Jane Lynch as host (ess)?

BEST

Kate Winslet in ELIE SAAB