It's now AFTER my 30th birthday and I didn't get everything crossed off. BUT ... that doesn't mean that I can't still do them. I'll get 'em done. Well maybe not all of them. If I haven't done my big wedding albumn by now, then I will probably never do it. Not the end of the world.

I'm done talking about this list though. No more bucketlist blogs!

Accomplished items - 16
In Progress - 4
Still goals to meet eventually - 7
I may never do this - 3

30 Before 30 Bucket List:


1. Learn to make Grandma Burch's chocolate pie.
2. Visit my sister in NYC.
           - She came to see me instead!
3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi.
           - 11/26 - 12/4
4. Revamp my iPod library.
5. Go to church once per month (minimum).
           - In all time, I only went twice. Lord help me! I'm going to get better at it.
6. Go hiking in the mountains.
           - Blue Ridge Pkwy in July '10
7. Enjoy a concert date with husband.
           - 8/21 – Zac Brown Band
8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me).
          - 8/5 – Burger Co.
          - 8/17 – Ellas Seafood
          - 8/20 – PioPio
          - 8/22 – Park 51 Café
          - 10/3 – The Rusty Bucket
          - 10/5 – Creole’s
          - 10/26 - Tai Basil
          - 10/27 - Fresh Wrap
          - 10/30 - Cajun Queen
          - 11/12 - Buona Vita
          - Lots of places in Hawaii!
9. Jog on the beach. (Ocean Isle or Hawaii)
         - 8/14 Ocean Isle
         - 8/15 Ocean Isle
10. Spend a rainy day at home watching movies all day.
11. Babysit a baby.
         - planned for 12/18
12. Order my wedding album.
13. Change a tire.
14. Run two 5k races.
         - a heart walk (2k?) in September        
         - 10/23 - 4.Niner 5k
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house.
         - 10/17
16. Reconnect with old college friends.
        -  drinks with Joe 8/13
        -  Alicia’s wedding 10/1
17. Make and continue the habit of 2 fitness classes per week.
        -  Accomplished – weeks 7/18, 7/25, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 was 1 class & 2 jog outside ... I stopped
counting, but I have been working out regularly, just not always in a class setting.
18. Give blood again.
19. Go fishing with my dad. (when he visits NC)
20. Have a girls weekend away.
        - 7/23 – Courtney’s Cabin
21. Have a 'just because' party in the fall.
        - 11/6 Dinner Party
22. Stop biting my nails.
        - Big improvements, but still working on it
23. Visit an NC winery.
        - 11/13, Little River Wines
24. Watch a sunrise. (Hawaii)
25. Go on a picnic date with husband.
       - while were in Hawaii26. No fast food for an entire month. (Starting 9/16.)
       - 9/16-10/22
27. See a drive-in movie.
28. Play tennis ... LOL, attempt to play tennis.
       - 11/14
29. Eat vegetarian for a week. (when michael is out of town)
30. Take a Zumba class.
       - 10/1 with Mom

Fall dinner party pics

Here's my #21 on the bucket list - Have a 'just because' party in the fall. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to. I can say that it was a wonderful evening. I did a full menu with 8 people. We used the dining room and china that rarely get used. I even made little placecard settings for each person. The menu consisted of apple and gorgonzola stuffed porkchops, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes, butternut squash soup and pumpkin crunch cake ... and wine of course!



Here's a close up of the table scape. I love these huge pinecones that Michael's grandma sent us from her farm!

Directions for wine cork placecard holders:
1. Cut a flat edge on one side of the cork so it won't roll around.
2. Cut a shallow slit along the top.
3. Slide in the card.
SO EASY!

NC Winery Tour

I crossed #23 off my list this weekend. Oh it was so much fun! Check out these pictures. So what if they're a little crooked or fuzzy, the red wine played into my 'artistic vision' that day, haha!

Keep an eye out for Little River Wines in your area. And if you ever get the chance, go to the winery. It was a really cool place!

Update to the list that everyone is so sick and tired of hearing about  ... especially my husband. This weekend I'm working on #s 4, 5, 8, 23 and maybe 28 if I can find a partner.
30 Before 30 Bucket List:
1. Learn to make Grandma Burch's chocolate pie.
2. Visit my sister in NYC.
           - She's visiting me instead!
3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi.
           - Trip is booked, leaving in 2 weeks!4. Revamp my iPod library.
          - In process. 5. Go to church once per month (minimum).
         - September – went 2 times
6. Go hiking in the mountains.
         - Blue Ridge Pkwy in July '10
7. Enjoy a concert date with husband.
          - 8/21 – Zac Brown Band
8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me).
          - 8/5 – Burger Co.
          - 8/17 – Ellas Seafood
          - 8/20 – PioPio
          - 8/22 – Park 51 Café
          - 10/3 – The Rusty Bucket
          - 10/5 – Creole’s
          - 10/26 - Tai Basil
          - 10/27 - Fresh Wrap
          - 10/30 - Cajun Queen
          - 11/12 - Buona Vita
9. Jog on the beach. (Ocean Isle or Hawaii)
          - 8/14 Ocean Isle
          - 8/15 Ocean Isle
10. Spend a rainy day at home watching movies all day.
11. Babysit a baby.
12. Order my wedding album.
13. Change a tire.
14. Run two 5k races.
          - 10/23 - 4.Niner 5k
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house.
          - 10/17
16. Reconnect with old college friends. (Alicia’s wedding, call Beth, Megan, Laura, see Meera in NYC)
         - drinks with Joe 8/13
         - Alicia’s wedding 10/1
17. Make and continue the habit of 2 fitness classes per week.
         - Accomplished – weeks 7/18, 7/25, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 was 1 class & 2 jog outside ... I stopped
counting, but I have been working out regularly, just not always in a class setting.
18. Give blood again.
19. Go fishing with my dad. (when he visits NC)
20. Have a girls weekend away.
         - 7/23 – Courtney’s Cabin
21. Have a 'just because' party in the fall.
         - 11/6 Dinner Party
22. Stop biting my nails.
23. Visit an NC winery.
        - 11/13, Little River Wines24. Watch a sunrise. (Hawaii)
25. Go on a picnic date with husband. (Hawaii)
26. No fast food for an entire month. (Starting 9/16.)
         - 9/16-10/22
27. See a drive-in movie.
28. Play tennis ... LOL, attempt to play tennis.
29. Eat vegetarian for a week. (when michael is out of town)
30. Take a Zumba class.
        - 10/1 with Mom

BucketList update

Gotta stay on target! I have 51 days left. And 23 items left on my list. I'm running one my 5k's tomorrow (although I'll probably walk a lot). And I want to definitely go to church this weekend too.

30 Before 30 Bucket List:


1. Learn to make Grandma Burch's chocolate pie.
2. Visit my sister in NYC.
3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi.
             Trip is booked!!!
4. Revamp my iPod library.
5. Go to church once per month (minimum).
             September – went 2 times
6. Go hiking in the mountains.
7. Enjoy a concert date with husband.
             8/21 – Zac Brown Band
8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me).
             8/5 – Burger Co.
             8/17 – Ellas Seafood
             8/20 – PioPio
             8/22 – Park 51 Café
            10/3 – The Rusty Bucket
            10/5 – Creole’s
            10/26 - Tai Basil
            10/27 - Fresh Wrap9. Jog on the beach. (Ocean Isle or Hawaii)
            8/14 Ocean Isle
            8/15 Ocean Isle
10. Spend a rainy day at home watching movies all day.
11. Babysit a baby.
12. Order my wedding album.
13. Change a tire.
14. Run two 5k races.
            10/23 - 4.Niner 5k
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house.
            10/17
16. Reconnect with old college friends. (Alicia’s wedding, call Beth, Megan, Laura, see Meera in NYC)
            - drinks with Joe 8/13
            - Alicia’s wedding 10/1
17. Make and continue the habit of 2 fitness classes per week.
           Accomplished – weeks 7/18, 7/25, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 was 1 class & 2 jog outside ... I stopped
          counting, but I have been working out regularly, just not always in a class setting.
18. Give blood again.
19. Go fishing with my dad. (when he visits NC)
20. Have a girls weekend away.
           7/23 – Courtney’s Cabin
21. Have a 'just because' party in the fall.
22. Stop biting my nails.
23. Visit an NC winery.
24. Watch a sunrise. (Hawaii)
25. Go on a picnic date with husband.
26. No fast food for an entire month. (Starting 9/16.)
          9/16-10/22
27. See a drive-in movie.
28. Play tennis ... LOL, attempt to play tennis.
29. Eat vegetarian for a week. (when michael is out of town)
30. Take a Zumba class.

A PaperConcierge Giveaway ... Just Because

#21 - Have a 'just because' party in the fall

Help! I need some ideas and I'm looking for inspiration from YOU! Please enter into my "Just Because" giveaway for a chance to win this lovely set of personalized Whitney English note cards! And also help me decide on a theme/reason for my 'just because' party :)

How to Win:

Giveaway will be open for 1 week, ending Thursday 10/28. You have the opportunity to get up to 5 points!!!

Leave a comment for this post with your idea for my 'just because' party. The party should be compatible with around 10 people.

Bonus Points (include in your comment what your bonus points are):
- do you follow my blog?
- are you a fan of my Facebook page?
- cross post my giveaway in your own blog.
- cross post my giveaway on your Facebook.

Bucket List update

TGIF everyone! It is a gorgeous day in the Carolinas!! I wish it would only stay this way forever. I'm keeping busy this weekend planning for my first PaperConcierge Open House - I'm calling it "Mimosas & Monograms" ... two of my favorite things :) I'm surrounding myself in holiday goodies already because we have so many awesome holiday photo cards out, it's getting me in the spirit!

30 Before 30 Bucket List:
a few items I'd like to update. I have a lot to finish before 12/12/10! I have 5 things completely done. And 7 things are in progress. I need to get busy!
3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi. (in progress)
          Trip is booked for 11/26-12/5!!!
8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me). (in progress)
          Still doing good on this one. Went to The Rusty Bucket (dayton, ohio) and Creoles (ballantyne, nc) in the last week.
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house. (in progress)
          Rescheduled date is 10/17. Open to blog readers, so email me if you want details!
16. Reconnect with old college friends. (in progress)
          Saw lots of friends at Alicia's wedding last week! Pictured above.
26. No fast food for a month (in progress)
          I'm at the end of my 3rd week, and going strong!
30. Take a Zumba class (DONE)
          10/1 - with my mom

5 for Friday & Update to Bucket List

It's been awhile since I've done FFF and my 30 before 30. So here goes ....


Five For Friday
1. The all new Rue Magazine! I will definitely be reading a long with this online (ie FREE) magazine spilling over with trendy decor ideas and more.  Grey Loves Weddings talks about it in her blog. And so does Layla Grayce.
2. I"ve always wanted a cute apron. Maybe I'll make one some day! Get free apron patterns from Tip Junkie.
3. Great pumpkin ideas from Craftify It
4. Nico & LaLa's fall newsletter - personalized tailgate gear & lucite homegoods
5. Young House Love's sunroom makeover!!!

30 Before 30 Bucket List

1. Learn to make Grandma Burch's chocolate pie. (i'll be there this weekend, so i might have the chance)

2. Visit my sister in NYC.

3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi. (planned for Decemer, but not booked yet)

4. Revamp my iPod library.

5. Go to church once per month (minimum).

               - 9/12/10

6. Go hiking in the mountains.

               - 7/25 went with Magee girls

7. Enjoy a concert date with husband.

               - 8/21 Zach Brown Band

8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me).
               - 8/5 Burger Co
               - 8/17 Ellas Seafood
               - 8/20 – PioPio

               - 8/22 – Park 51 Cafe
9. Jog on the beach. (Ocean Isle or Hawaii)
               - 8/14 Ocean Isle
               - 8/15 Ocean Isle
10. Spend a rainy day at home watching movies all day.
11. Babysit a baby.
12. Order my wedding album.
13. Change a tire.
14. Run two 5k races.
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house. (planned for 10/10)
16. Reconnect with old college friends.
               - drinks with Joe 8/13
               - Alicia's wedding
17. Make and continue the habit of 2 fitness classes per week.
              - accomplished weeks 7/18, 7/25, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 was 1 class & 2 jog outside, 9/5, 9/11
18. Give blood again.
19. Go fishing with my dad. (when we're visiting in Oct)
20. Have a girls weekend away.
               - 7/23 Courtney’s Cabin
21. Have a 'just because' party in the fall.
22. Stop biting my nails.
23. Visit an NC winery.
24. Watch a sunrise. (in Hawaii)
25. Go on a picnic date with husband.
26. No fast food for an entire month. (starting 9/16)
27. See a drive-in movie.
28. Play tennis ... LOL, attempt to play tennis.
29. Eat vegetarian for a week. (when michael is out of town)
30. Take a Zumba class (probably with my mom).

Just sayin' Hi

Hi everyone! Just popping in for a minute to say hi. I just got back from 4 days at Ocean Isle Beach. This place is a little slice of heaven and I'm missing it already. 5 years ago, on this very same beach, my sweetie woke me up early in the morning and took me down to watch the sunrise. Then he asked me to marry him! In a few weeks we'll be celebrating our 4 year anniversary.

I tried to stick to my bucketlist while I was there. I ate at one brand new restaurant - Ellas Seafood in Calabash, NC. Ate me some broiled shrimp, deviled crab and lots of hush puppies! And I also got up TWICE and jogged on the beach! Here's an update for 30 Before I Turn 30.

1. Learn to make Grandma Burch's chocolate pie. (not planned)
2. Visit my sister in NYC. (not planned)
3. Go to Hawaii and see my friend Heidi. (October or December)
4. Revamp my iPod library. (not started)
5. Go to church once per month (minimum). (i haven't done this at all yet)
6. Go hiking in the mountains.
7. Enjoy a concert date with husband. (not planned)
8. Eat out at 3 new restaurants a month (new to me).
        - 8/5 Burger Co
        - 8/17 Ellas Seafood
9. Jog on the beach. (Ocean Isle or Hawaii)
10. Spend a rainy day at home watching movies all day.
11. Babysit a baby.
12. Order my wedding album.
13. Change a tire.
14. Run two 5k races.
15. Host a PaperConcierge party at my house. (planned for 8/29)
16. Reconnect with old college friends.
        - drinks with Joe 8/13
17. Make and continue the habit of 2 fitness classes per week.
        - accomplished weeks 7/18, 7/25, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 was 1 class & 2 jog outside
18. Give blood again.
19. Go fishing with my dad. (when we're visiting in Oct)
20. Have a girls weekend away.
        - mountain weekend with Magee girls
21. Have a 'just because' party in the fall.
22. Stop biting my nails.
23. Visit an NC winery.
24. Watch a sunrise. (in Hawaii)
25. Go on a picnic date with husband.
26. No fast food for an entire month.
27. See a drive-in movie.
28. Play tennis ... LOL, attempt to play tennis.
29. Eat vegetarian for a week. (when michael is out of town)
30. Take a Zumba class (probably with my mom).

Five for Friday & Bucket List update

Happy Friday, finally! I must confess, I've been a little blogaholic this week. I'm adding a lot of new reading material to my google reader and its keeping me very inspired and entertained. I can't believe it's August already! I'm so ready for a vacation. We'll be heading to Ocean Isle Beach in a few weeks :)

The only things I've done (so far) this week for my 30 before 30 list are:
- 3 classes at the gym this week (1 Group Power and 2 Spinning)
- I'm going to see a travel agent tomorrow to talk about Hawaii plans!!!!
- i set a date (August 20th for local friends) for my PaperConcierge Open House
- ate at 1 new restaurant this week, The Burger Co. (1500 W. Morehead St.)

#1 - Wedding stationery & photo inspiration by Dabney Lee -
http://www.dabneyleeathome.com/blog/?p=393

#2 - Martha Stewart Weddings favor label templates -
http://thebridesguide.marthastewartweddings.com/2010/08/template-of-the-week-favor-labels.html

#3 - English Paper Company's thank you note etiquette -
http://englishpapercompany.blogspot.com/2010/08/thank-you-note-etiquette.html

#4 - Wiley Valentine's DIY Signature Cocktails - http://www.wileyvalentine.com/blog/2010/08/03/diy-signature-cocktails/

#5 - Charlotte wedding photo session with Kristin Vining. I've actually hung out with this couple before through a mutual friend. Mutual friend purchased their wedding gift through PaperConcierge, so I feel connected to this great blog post in some small way :)  - http://www.kristinviningphotoblog.com/?p=1755

Five for Friday

TGIF! I hope everyone had productive weeks. As soon as 5:00 gets here, productivity is OVER for me. Where's my Corona? It's 5:00 somewhere right?!?! 

A small update on my 30 before 30 Bucket List ... I haven't made any major advances this week. But I did stick to my 2 workout classes per week schedule. This week I went to Monday night Group Power and Thursday night Spin. I need to stick with it and be sure to do something, however small, on days in between. My #1 excuse is how hot it is outside. But I can still wait till 8:30 or so to take Ruby out for a walk. I went to the doctor yesterday and realized I had gained 10 lbs since my visit this time last year!!!! Now its not necessarily a horrible thing because last year I wasn't all that healthy and had a lot lower appetite. Now that my healthy appetite is back I need to start watching what I put in my mouth more.

I'm finally working on my 2nd newsletter blast for PaperConcierge. If you'd like to be apart of it, email me at kburch@paperconcierge.com  I'm doing a freebie giveaway for my newsletter peeps this time! and I'll be doing a blog giveaway soon too, so stay tuned :)

Here's my 5 for Friday. I think I stole this idea from Design*Sponge. I'm linking 5 blogs that I found particularly interesting this week. enjoy!

#1 - College Prep giveaway! This company, Niko and Lala,  is news to me and I'm loving them so far. Hope I win something ... or I hope you do by entering College Prep's giveaway.

#2 - Confessions of a Paper Freak's post series You're the Boss. It's really motivational to an aspiring entrepreneur like myself.

#3 - Rock Paper Scissors fashion inspiration boards are the best. Check out this sailor inspired board called Hook Line & Sinker.

#4 - Chelsea's Wedding Watch posts from Martha Stewart Bride. I kinda feel bad for the poor girl. Will she even be able to hear her own vows with all the helicopter noise? Wait a minute, why would feel bad for a girl who is having a 3 - 5 MILLION $$$ wedding?

#5 - I hesitate in even saying this, but lets pretend for a minute. Someday in the not so near, not so far, future I will have a baby (hopefully). And I've always joked around saying that I want my baby delivered by the stork in a basket on my doorstep, bypassing all the woes of pregnancy & childbirth. So this shower idea is really cute and funny to me. Check out Tiny Print's Stork Themed Baby Shower.

2 down 28 to go!

30 Before 30 Bucket List

#6 - Go hiking in the mountains

#20 - Have a girls weekend

What an amazing weekend, too bad it has to come to an end. I went up to the NC mountains with a group of girlfriends this weekend. The plan was limited to good food, lots of wine, cards & board games, movies and hiking. PERFECT! It has been hot as all get out lately, but felt good in the mountains. Here's a mini-recap of the weekend.

Kathy's delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu

Scattegories

Wine, wine spritzers, chocolate wine, champagne, mimosas, gin & tonics ... anything but beer

Brunch with Lemon Poppy Ricotta Pancakes, chicken sausage and eggs

Hiking at the Blue Ridge Parkway (while drinking wine)

Courtney's wonderful lasagna dinner

Playing a few hands of gin

Homemade ice cream and pound cake

The movie PS I love You

Breakfast of Greek omelets and cheese grits

Enjoying the fabulous views!