Oscars 2014 Fashion

I don't typically do fashion posts but I thought that everyone looked so amazing at the Oscars on Sunday night, so I wanted to do my own Oscars 2014 Best Dressed List.  It was really difficult but I narrowed it down to my four favorites below.

I loved the white on both Naomi Watts and Kate Hudson.  Naomi kept it really simple and classic with a beautiful necklace and Kate added a little edge with the plunging neckline and draped fabric in the back. Both kept hair and makeup simple and I thought they both looked absolutely stunning!  Olivia Wilde's best accessory was a toss up between her handsome man, Jason Sudeikis, and her baby bump but I thought she absolutely nailed it with her dress.  There were some other rather pregnant women on the red carpet who could have used Olivia's advice!  Black is always classic and beautiful and she was still able to show a little skin with an exposed back.  All three of these ladies looked stunning!

But, my best dressed has to go to Lupita Nyong'o.  I know that she has impressed on every red carpet but I am obsessed with this dress!  The color looks absolutely gorgeous on her and she accented the dress perfectly with the minimal makeup and accessories.  The plunging neckline works beautifully on her and the flowy, princess look was a flawless choice for the Oscars!

Photo Credit: people.com

Cheers to Naomi, Olivia, Kate and Lupita for shining on this year's red carpet! Can't wait to see what everyone brings next year!

Cheers!

Carly

2014 Travels: LA

The west coast swing is finally over after our trip to LA.  This one was up in the air for a while but after we found out that Hudson got into the event on Sunday night, I booked a flight for Monday afternoon and packed up! I couldn't have picked a better time to head out west and meet Ryan because Charlotte had it's worst snowstorm in years that week.  So, while everyone on the east coast was snowed in, Ryan and I were in LA enjoying the 75 degree weather.

One of the things I really wanted to do while we were in LA was go to Sur for dinner one night.  I have a slight (ly embarrassing) obsession with the show Vanderpump Rules so I really wanted to check out the restaurant where the cast of the show works.  You can imagine my excitement when our waitress was one of the show's stars!! I was honestly surprised to see anyone from the show working there on a random Tuesday night, but also very delighted!  I decided not to embarrass myself or Ryan by asking for a picture with her but definitely took some pictures at the restaurant!

We also decided we couldn't be in LA without seeing the Santa Monica Bridge so, on a day when Ryan got done early at the course, we went to check it out.  It's a very cool spot with games, rides, restaurants and of course the beach.  We walked up and down the bridge and I made Ryan ride the roller coaster with me.  He'll never admit it but I'm pretty sure he had a lot of fun!

As with all of our trips, we were there for golf so that took up most of our time.  This was one of the prettiest courses we have seen yet and the homes on the course are absolutely beautiful!  It was also the most gorgeous clubhouse I have ever seen.  I had heard from so many people that Riviera was stunning and they were absolutely right.  Unfortunately, they missed the cut so we were only able to see it two days but it was well worth the trip!

We also went to a UCLA game while in town - leave it to Ryan and I to find the one sporting event in town and figure out a way to go - thanks to my boss!  

All in all, it was a really fun trip and LA was absolutely gorgeous.  My only complaint would be the traffic but I think that is expected.  I'm back on the east coast for a while trying to get wedding planning done and get some stuff done around the house while Ryan continues to travel the world!

We're (really) getting married!

So, if you read my last post you know that we finally set a wedding date!! Trying to plan around golf and football sure was stressful (well mostly a waiting game which requires patience which is something I don't have much of) but we ended up getting the date that was our first choice.

September 27, 2014 - Ryan and I will officially tie the knot!

There was never a question about the location.  Chapel Hill is the most beautiful place on earth any day of the year but absolutely nothing beats Chapel Hill in the fall (see below)!

We have booked the reception venue (Chapel Hill Country Club), the rehearsal dinner/welcome party location (Top of the Hill), a band and photographer!  We are looking around for florists, cake bakers, invitations, hair & make-up people and transportation...any suggestions are more than welcome!  I'm meeting my maid of honor on Friday to look for bridesmaids dresses and will be going dress shopping in the next two weekends! 

Those are about all of the updates I have right now but I will keep them coming here on the blog!  We are really looking forward to getting married and sharing in this special day with all of our family and friends!

XOXO,

Carly

2014 Travels: San Diego

Sorry I'm a little late on this post.  Ryan and I got back from the west coast last week and were super busy.  We had tons of stuff to do around the house, lots of wedding planning and a party to prepare for so I didn't get time to write.  So, expect a couple of posts in the next few days!

San Diego was gorgeous!  Everyone that I had talked to who had been there before said it was one place I couldn't miss and they were right! San Diego is this really cool, coastal city that has so much to do!  We explored different parts of the city, went to quite a few restaurants that were recommended to us and, of course, spent lots of time at Torrey Pines.  

Luckily, Monday was a holiday so I didn't have to work our first day there.  Some of the other girls and I decided to go to the zoo that day because we had heard that it was the best zoo in the country.  Luckily, we were able to get tickets through the PGA tour so off we went and we had a great time! The zoo is located near a bunch of other great attractions for children - you could easily spend a couple of days there and have tons to do! They had pretty much every animal you could think of and we tried to see as many as possible.  Below were some of my favorites.  

One of the restaurants that was highly recommended to us was a place called Brockton Villa. We were told to go there and try the famous Coast Toast (pictured below) and it did not disappoint!  It was without a doubt the best french toast I have ever had! We actually ended up going twice because it was so good.  If you are ever in San Diego, you can't miss a chance to have breakfast here!

The restaurant is located in La Jolla, on the cove. There were tons of other great restaurants and shops in the area. We went to that area at least four times while we were there.  Right outside of the restaurant is the most beautiful walkway that goes around the coast and has great views of the ocean and the city.  The waves were huge when we were there and it was definitely the best view of San Diego that we got to see!

Unfortunately, the golf didn't turn out as we had hoped but we had already had two great weeks of golf and after being on the road for more than three weeks, it was nice to be able to come back home!  We got a lot done last week while Ryan and I were both in Charlotte (more posts to come on that)!  Ryan is back on the west coast at Pebble Beach and I'm staying in Charlotte this week.  

Oh and the most exciting thing we did in San Diego - set a wedding date!!! September 27, 2014 is going to be the most amazing day ever - I can't wait!!!!!

Carly

2014 Travels: Palm Springs, CA

I have to admit, the only reason I went to Palm Springs was because the tournament was sandwiched in between Hawaii and San Diego (both places I really wanted to go).  I didn't see a point in flying back and forth from east coast to west coast three times in one month so I decided just to stay on the west coast and go to Palm Springs as well.  I was pleasantly surprised.

The desert is much more beautiful than I would have imagined and the weather this time of year could not have been more perfect.  We had 80 degree days and 60 degree nights, all while surrounded by beautiful mountains.  All in all, it was a really great week and I'm really glad that I decided to go.

One thing I had heard before going to Palm Springs was that there are some great outlets about 30 minutes away that I needed to check out.  Ryan and I decided to go on Thursday night after they finished playing.  The outlets were great and I kept myself from doing too much damage but the most interesting part of our trip to the outlets were all the windmills.  The interstate is lined with hundreds upon hundreds of windmills, angled in all different directions and all different sizes.  It was a very interesting sight when you're driving down the interstate in the desert (see below).

Shopping isn't all that we did in Palm Springs.  We also celebrated another caddie, and one of Ryan's good friends, D Redd's 40th birthday at a great restaurant called Stuft with a lot of great friends!

           

And of course…I got to watch a lot of golf! Ryan and Hudson had another great week and a Top 25 finish!  Needless to say, it has been such an amazing start to 2014 and I am hoping it continues this week in San Diego!

2014 Travels: Hawaii

2014 has started out with a bang!  The first PGA event of the year was in Hawaii which meant I took an early vacation and tagged along.  It was well worth it!

We had such an amazing trip that I'm not sure any other trip this year could top it, but I'm so thankful to be able to travel with Ryan as often as I can and take advantage of visiting all of the fun places he gets to go to for work.

View flying into Hawaii - how gorgeous is that??

After a night in LA, we finally made it to Hawaii on Sunday afternoon.  We checked into our hotel and headed straight for the beach (after a quick stop for some late lunch).  Much of my early time in Hawaii was spent soaking up the sun by the pool or at the beach while Ryan was at the golf course working.  I certainly can't complain - it was exactly the relaxing vacation that I was looking for! Then, much of the weekend was spent at the golf course. We took full advantage of being on the coast by eating fish and sushi as often as possible - and it was all delicious!  We were staying right in the middle of Honolulu and we were able to walk pretty much everywhere (except the golf course) which was really nice.  Also, because we were adjusting to east coast time, we saw the sunrise and the sunset almost everyday. Talk about a beautiful way to start and end your day!

One night, we decided to attend a traditional Hawaiian luau with Hudson & Katherine and another golfer, Wes, and his girlfriend Sarah. The whole show was great but the best part was definitely the fire dancing at the end.  It is so impressive how they are able to do all that they do.  It was a fun night and we were all happy that  we were able to do at least one traditional Hawaiian thing while we were there (luau pictures below)!

The most important reason we were in Hawaii: The Sony Open.  Not only was the golf course and the view phenomenal but Hudson & Ryan had their best finish yet.  They carded their first top 10 on the PGA Tour with a T8 finish.  Hudson played amazing golf (with an amazing caddie if I do say so myself) and it was such a blast to watch! 

 View from the 17th hole at the golf course

Ryan and I after the great finish!

Whew! What an amazing week in Hawaii!  I can't say I was happy to leave but I am excited about what the rest of 2014 and all of our traveling will bring us.  I'm hoping this is just the beginning of an amazing year!

Aloha!

Carly

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful time ringing in the new year last night.  Ryan and I were lucky enough to watch two of our friends, Hudson & Katherine, get married last night and celebrate the new year at their wedding.  It was a gorgeous event and we had a wonderful time!

2013 had some bumps in the road, but it was overall one of the best years yet for Ryan and I!  I am so looking forward to what 2014 has in store for us - I am especially excited to marry the man of my dreams!  I have never been one to make new years resolutions so, instead, here are 10 things I would like to work on or do in 2014.  Like I said, these aren't resolutions so I won't beat myself up if I don't achieve each of them all of the time. They are just a few goals for me.

1. Talk less, listen more.
2. Practice patience.
3. Say "yes" more.
4. Travel often.
5. Laugh every single day.
6. Cook more, eat out less.
7. Give.
8. Take time to just relax.
9. Leave my judgements at the door and be kind to everyone.
10. Never pass up an opportunity to tell those that I love just how much I love them.

What are you working on in 2014?  I hope this year brings lots of love, laughter, health and joy to each and every one of you!  Ryan and I are off to Hawaii on Sunday (not a bad way to start off the new year if you ask me) and I will definitely post lots about our travels this year!

Lots of love to ya'll!

Carly