The Highlands

Hello friends! I know, I know....long time, no blog. I took a much needed break while teaching theatre classes and trying to soak up these last few weeks of summer with my kiddos. What I want to share with you today has nothing to do with theatre or kiddos, however, but with a fun girls-only weekend getaway to celebrate my seester & her upcoming nuptials.

Last Thursday and Friday, seester and 10 of her closest friends traveled to the gorgeous resort town of Highlands, NC for a bachelorette party/weekend. If you're in the market for a vacation spot where you can relax amidst beautiful mountain scenery, do some shopping, eat at gourmet restaurants, and even hike if you so desire, then check out the Highlands for your next trip.

We were fortunate to be able to stay in a gorgeous house owned by the aunt of one of seester's friends.

Our weekend began with a Mexican dinner at one of the local eateries-

A couple of fellas at the bar sent over that massive drink with 11 straws.

NO, we did NOT drink it, but gave it to a few guys who were only too happy to take it off our hands after taking several pics with it of course...

After a scrumptious brunch Saturday morning (thank you Haley, Alison, & anyone else that contributed!), the back deck provided a perfect spot for the opening and displaying of gifts, and for playing a few games.

After the morning's festivities, we headed to town for some shopping and another bite to eat. Lots of eating going on during this trip folks. I think I brought 5 extra pounds back with me...

We even came upon a wedding party taking pics outside this quaint little church. It was even a First Presbyterian, which is where seester will tie the knot in t-town.

After heading back to the house, we all gussied ourselves up, complete with hair teasing...

and headed to a swanky eatery called On the Verandah. It's uppity, so it has a silent 'h', but the delicious eats warranted the uppity-ness. Of course I took a pic of my shrimp & scallops over spinach risotto because it was gone in about 5 minutes y'all.

So glad we took a group photo here of the whole gang-

If you started counting white jeans in that last pic, there were four...

Forgot to mention there was a bit more Chad-trivia for Mal before we headed out to dinner, complete with a festive pinata. Seester had to answer questions about Chad's homeland of Kentucky, and she actually did quite well. She got a swing at the pinata with each correct answer and there were Kentucky themed goodies inside.

Mal is incredibly blessed to have these girlfriends in her life. It was a wonderful weekend and I can't wait to see these gals again at future wedding festivities. A huge thanks goes to Alison and Haley for planning everything, and to Jami and Lynsey for driving & riding w/ me so I wouldn't get lost 8 times and miss the whole she-bang.

Here's one of my fave shots from the weekend of Jami and a one-armed Lynsey

See ya again soon, Ladies!

***

Quick reminder- my Stella & Dot trunk show with Kathryn Mouchette is Friday (Aug 3) from 4-6. Look for a post with more details tomorrow, and remember- even if you can't make it in person, you can still place an order. Yay for online shopping and pretty baubles! Just use this link to place your order-

 http://www.stelladot.com/ts/ld9i5

She's going to the chapel and she's totally gonna get married

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Christmas crafts programming for an important announcement.

See this?

It's a blingy ring.

And it's on her finger.

A boy put it there.

She's totally a fiance.

Yup.

That finger belongs to my seester.

She works at the University with Big AL.

The boy also works at the University.

This is the setting of their story.

Aren't they cute?

They wear lots of crimson and white.

And they smile a lot.

Because they are in luv.

I wrote about my seester and her boy when they went to the Derby.
You may recall that I made her fabulous hat.

Wedding planning will soon be in full swing.

Color me giddy.

Giddy, do you hear me?

So excited for these two.

Congrats to Mal and Chad-

and to Chad:

Welcome to the crazy.

Kidding.

And since this post is already about to make me veklempt,

I'd now like to share some pics of the seester and I when we looked,

ummmm,

unfortunate.

Growing up in the 80's and 90's, we not only had horrible clothes to contend with, but also, horrible hair.

And glasses.

Good gravy the glasses.

You might want to put on some Depends.

Family Picture- circa 1990

The little boy in the pic is my seester.

Isn't she cute?

Thanks go to Mum for giving her that haircut so that I could show the internets this picture 20 years later.

And nice socks Mum.

Of course, I am fully ready for a flood as well.

And I have bangs.

And sheesh at the glasses.

Just sheesh.

Easter- circa 1989

That's Mal before the great hair chop of '90.

And those are two of our cousins.

Thanks go to Amy for posting these pics on fb so that I could steal them.

Taylor's (cousin) Birthday- circa 1988

Seester is on the left.

In the sweatshirt with the deer painted on.

(or is that a bunny?)

Does it really matter?

It's painted on.

And sheesh at the glasses.

Family pic- circa 1993

Why am I sharing these?

They're actually more embarrassing for me.

Too many unfortunate things to list about this one.

Mal, you win the prize for being the least unfortunate-looking one of the bunch.

No, my Dad is not wearing socks.

And where are my boobs?

Someone please tell me.

And Mum?

Good heavens...

Family pic- circa 2000

Whew.

Getting better.

Now seester is in the glasses.

But they're cute ones and don't take up half her face.

Isn't this fun Mal?

Family pic- circa 2008

There we go.

Much better.

Don't mind the hubs,

he's been screwing up family pics since 2006.

 That's all I have time for today-

and you're welcome Mals.

I'll try and dig up some more memories so we can continue to reminisce.

Nice, isn't it?

I loves ya. 

And Chad,

I'm so glad you two found each other when we all had better hair.

And clothes.

And boobs.

Happy Thursday!