End of Summer Celebrations!

What an awesome, fun weekend it was!

Friday night when the clock struck 5 PM, I was off of work to start my normal routine; gym. I did cardio followed by yoga, then went home. Marquis arrived shortly after me and told me to get changed because he was taking me downtown for dinner, drinks, and live music - my favorite! We live in a suburb of south Charlotte called Waxhaw, and it is so beautiful. It's rapidly growing, safe, very classy, and upscale, and I just love it. The "downtown" area reminds me of an old western town. It's very small, but packed with local restaurants and pubs, shopping, ice-cream, hardware stores, and more. Downtown was even having horse and carriage rides.

We stared at this little hole in the wall, listened to bluegrass, and drank Fireballs. 

After being there for a while we went into Charlotte at a pool hall that Marquis worked security for a long time ago. More live music, drinks, karaoke, and good food there. And um, Marquis got pretty drunk! It was very entertaining!

We went to bed around 2 on Saturday morning and ended up waking up at 9:30. That's late for us, we are usually up around 8:30. Not to my surprise, Marquis felt horrible. From enduring 14 hours of training in the gym in 4 days, then a night of drinking, he was exhausted. We spent most of the day just hanging out around the house and relaxing.

So did Marty.

Finally later in the afternoon he was feeling better. We got creative in the kitchen and baked from scratch his mother's fruited oatmeal cookies for the "End of Summer" luau. They were amazing!

We then showered and made ourselves presentable and it was off the luau. The cookies were a total hit. I will admit, Marquis did most of the baking. I handed him ingredients and cleaned, but he did all of the good stuff. At the luau we had the most delicious BBQ and drinks. As always, it was such a fun night.

Sunday we woke up and had breakfast outside on the porch and enjoyed the beautiful morning. We then took the dogs to the dog park. I had to snap this picture of Dottie trying to get a lizard from a tree and Charlie watching. Typical.

We took the dogs back then had to get some errands done. One of our stops was Old Navy. I was able to get 2 PJ sets, a pair of work out pants, an adorable pair of flip flops, and Marq a pair of flip flops all for $52. I love a good deal.

Since Marquis felt so good about the cookies and how well they turned out, he wanted to bake AGAIN. So it was back for round two! This time he made (I helped some!) a cherry pie, all from scratch. Another one of his mother's recipes (She passed in 2008). And I believe this one will be another hit. We are giving it to friends since we can't really have any right now. Want a slice?

The rest of the evening was spent making a delicious squash dinner and watching "Bar Rescue". And now another Monday is upon us, let's make it count!

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Labor Day Weekend, Baby!

Labor Day weekend was a blast with my baby. I want to go back! I wish we could make time stop. Friday night after work, I started my weekend the best way I knew how...

Then I went home to pack, do laundry, and pack some more. That night, I was packing and Marq was in the office. He calls me in there and surprises me with a new clutch for the beach!

I love it and it was so sweet and unexpected but lets get it straight: he gets tired of holding my keys, phone, etc. for me so that is why he surprised me with it. Ha. Kidding. 

Kind of.

Saturday morning our 3.5 hour drive to coast began! Around 2 PM, we made it. Our first stop was touring a business then we were off to our hotel. 

I was so impressed, it was absolutely beautiful.

It was a beautiful day.

We enjoyed the afternoon walking on the beach and having a cocktail at the ocean bar. We then showered and got ready to go to dinner. We were going to a popular seafood buffet.

Saturday night's look

There was an hour wait and I don't know about y'all but a pitcher of Margarita's is the only way to handle an hour wait.

It only took us about 30 minutes to finish that pitcher. We were full by this point and decided to leave. We went to the boardwalk and around 11 had a late dinner at this cute ocean front Catina. I stuffed myself with chips and salsa and barely touched dinner. 

Sunday, the day was spent like this:

After being pool and beach bums all damn day, we were ready for an evening out. It started with our favorite dinner at our favorite Myrtle restaurant; "Ultimate California Pizza". We never order pizza there though, Marq likes this huge turkey wrap and I always get the mushroom and  spinach Ciabatta sandwich. 

Sunday night's look

The rest of the night looked like this:

Monday mirrored Sunday. Pool and ocean all day. But we were really tired and hung over. I didn't even put on make up. We eventually ventured out to the boardwalk and dinner.

Cheers

Excuse the no makeup, we were both burned and exhausted.

Marq and I bought a funnel cake from the boardwalk. Marq's FIRST ONE EVER and the first one I have had in over 10 years. It was my favorite growing up.

This morning I woke up this:

And then it was time to go. Back to reality tomorrow. Insert toddler tantrum now...

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It was like someone dumped Hawaii in NC!

What an awesome weekend!

Friday:

I completely jinxed myself talking about what a fabulous week I had! Work was in-FREAKING-sane and by the time the clock struck 5 PM, I was a zombie walking out of the door. I pushed through cardio at the gym then received a call that a company was coming over to wash and detail my car!

Now that is how it is done.

After, my car was beautiful again, Marq & relaxed with Champs and chocolate raisins, and we watched one of the best movies I have seen in a long time; "42".

Saturday:

Marq and I rose early to bake the red velvet brownies from Pintrest that I posted about on Friday. We were baking them for a luau birthday party. We had all of the shit ton ingredients that it required and got to work. We were pouring the batter in the pans for it to cook, and we decided to taste it to see how we did. 

Well something was so wrong. It did not taste good. We checked through everything and figured out that our canola oil expired in 2010. Like wow. 2010. Really?

Since we had used up some of the ingredients and I was ready to throw up in the flag, we just decided to go back to the grocery get boxed brownies, and call it a day.

However, we did make them our own. We added caramel and peanut butter throughout the batter and topped it with chocolate chips. They were a hit and everyone loved them.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at the gym, cleaning, and prepping food for the week. Then it was time to get ready. Since we were going to a luau, I decided for big blonde curls and a fun purple smokey eye. I felt like a tropical blonde!

Below is our friend Will's house. He has turned his back yard into a Hawiian oasis. The pictures do not do it justice. It is absolutely incredible! It is like someone dropped Hawaii in North Carolina.

We had the best time drinking Spirte and peach vodkas and dancing to beach music.I was so buzzed. I met an awesome girl named Selena and these older chicks there were eating Marquis up. Since he's getting really buffed up for his upcoming bodybuilding shows, he looks more cut and veiny than usual. These ladies were drooling over it. Personally I thought it was hot. I'm the one going home with him so those girls can touch and drool all they want. 

We left around 12:30, sang "Girl's Just Want To Have Fun" completely out of tune, and picked up Steak & Shake. Then I passed out before I could even enjoy it. We haven't let loose like that in a while so it was deserved. They are having another luau in two weeks. Ill be there with bells on!

Sunday:

Today has been wonderful. It has been a bright and sunny day and the most perfect temperature. Marquis and I slept in until about 9:30. We had breakfast outside, went for a walk, then took the dogs to the dog park. 

Now I'm gearing up for Catfish and the VMA's. I can't wait to see my girl, Ms. Gaga perform. I even made a new snack to have during the show. They are whole wheat dough balls rolled in fat free butter spray and extra light olive oil and topped with garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese. Yum!

I hope everyone had a great weekend - join up and share your weekend Shannies and join all of the link up's!

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