Weekend Notes

The hubby and I had such a lovely weekend I just had to jot down a few notes!

The celebratory tone began Friday afternoon.  Michael finished up an extremely important interview and headed over to my "work".  The dad of the little munchkin I look after was home and possibly as anxious as I was to see Michael.  Have I mentioned how much I love this family?  I may have the worlds best job...they rock.  After chatting about the interview we all had wine and gin and tonics in the yard while more and more neighbors stopped by to join in.  He did an awesome job helping Michael relax, seriously he is the best.

 

Saturday morning we started our day by grabbing the best breakfast Sammie's at Laurel Market to enjoy by the mint museum.  The morning was incredibly gorgeous and the setting was beautiful.  We then went to pick out our family stationary at Paper Twist (to cover the paper portion of the first anniversary gifts since we certainly got each other non paper gifts).  I am so excited about the beautiful stationary we chose!  I'll be sure to post further about it once it's picked up!!

We spent the day relaxing, hanging by the pool, shopping a bit and enjoying some wine.  That evening we headed out to The Fig Tree in uptown Charlotte (after the family I work for told us it was in their top three favorite resteraunts).  Oh my lord it was incredible!

                   (The carpaccio)

      (Such a delicious bottle of vino)

              (My dinner: trout piccata)

    (Michael's dinner: halibut and lobster)

      (Absolutely amazing creme brûlée)

The meal was the best meal I think I've had since my trip to Italy back in 2009.  The attention to detail and each individual flavor was just incredible!  Truly it made for a great evening and a great memorable anniversary meal.  I'm so pleased with how we spent our day down to going through our "wedding box" when we returned home.  I'm

Just so amazed year one flew by so quickly!  I am truly blessed!

Happy Weekend Folks!

Five on Friday!

Linking up again with Christina for five on Friday!

-one- My Dad!

My dad (and his dog) came to visit Wednesday night and it was wonderful as usual!  My dad is pretty awesome and I just love getting to spend time with him.

-two- The Best Chardonnay ever!

Trethethen Chardonnay from Napa Valley was a sweet gift from my boss and boy was it so oakey and buttery!  I couldn't get enough!  It was quite a treat to be give such delicious wine!

-three- Pipers training progress!

This cutie pie has been improving by leaps and bounds and I am so proud!  She walks beside us on the leash regardless of leash style and has stopped being so vocally expressive!  It's been really great to implement a few things and see her behave so well!!  I've learned so much with Piper, on what works and what doesn't work through tons of trial and error.  Ultimately I've realized that each dog is an individual and just like kids what works for one may not work for another.  I'm glad she's been patient with us and thankful for such a sweet pup!

-four- My Sweet Husband

I just have to give my awesome hubs a shout out.  I am super proud of him right now, he has been working his tail off studying, networking...you name it.  He has been so dedicated and driven to succeed in his career and it's amazing to watch.  Also I love him a lot and he is way nicer to me than I ever deserve!

-five- OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!

On April 26th 2013 I married the love of my life.  We had been together five years and had no clue how much more incredible marriage would make things!  This first year has been wonderful, there have been ups and downs and life has changed A LOT!  We've made new friends, have our sweet fur baby, changes jobs and grown a lot!  I can't wait to spend the day celebrating and dreaming of all that is still in store!  Happy Friday!

Happy Easter!

Our first Married Easter was a lovely day. Church in the morning and then lunch at our place for the Mazhari clan!

                   {Easter Spread!}

       {the Easter Puppy came to visit!!}

(My FIL, MIL, and BIL along with me and the hubs!)

                {poor Easter Puppy!}

I hope it was a lovely day for you and yours and that you enjoy this Easter season!

Five on Friday: Good Friday!

Good Friday to you folks!  May it be a day of reflection and anticipation of the joy that is Easter!

Joining up with Carolina Charm for five on Friday!

{one} Easter

I am very excited to celebrate Easter this weekend with my family.  Michael and I are hosting an Easter lunch at our home! I'm thrilled to start a tradition and to celebrate this wonderful day.  I am truly thankful that this year Michael has really become my spiritual leader!  This Easter truly is a special one for us.

{two} Le Crueset Cast Iron Skillet

The Easter bunny (my mama) let me know what was headed my way and I am so excited!  I've wanted one of these for ages and just cannot wait to use it!  Le Crueset is worth it's weight in gold to me.

{three} Charlotte Knights!!

Last night we met up with a few other couples to enjoy a game at the brand new Knights stadium!!  

     (Lauren and I + Evan and Michael!)

{four} Pipers first Easter!!  

I love including our sweet pup in holiday festivities!  Thanks to aunt Lauren she's got a cute bunny sweater to sport this Sunday and bunny ears from her Grandma!  Is it too ridiculous to make her a basket and send her on a Easter (toy) hunt around the house?!  As you can see, she is extremely excited!

{five} The Walking Dead

Super random but I just started watching this show on netflix and am kind of obsessed?  I think the characters are very interesting as is imaging our world post apocalypse.  Any other fans of this show?

Hope it's a wonderful weekend!!

Sunday Reflections and Memories

Today is a lovely day in the Mazhari household, not only is it Palm Sunday but it's also Masters Sunday!  Excited to watch Bubba and Spieth Tee off soon!

I didn't get to go this year, but this husband is well trained.  He picked up this gorgeous dogwood bracelet for me and brought back my favorite sandwich!! Too bad they were all sold out of pup collars!

However, I was reflecting after church on what this weekend was like six years ago when Michael and I met!  I wanted to share a bit about that, as well as some pre-wedding celebrations and I'll post about our wedding closer to our first anniversary (in less than two weeks!!)

This is the first photo we took together.  We met on April 12th 2008 after my sorority formal where we both went with friends!  We chatted all evening and both knew something was there.  He made an excuse to see me the next day and every day for two weeks before finally asking me out and ever since we have been inseparable.  

                       {so young!!}

Michael has constantly impressed me from day one with his intense drive and desire to succeed as well as his kind heart and dedication.  He was like no boy I had ever encountered and watching him

Become the man I would marry was incredible!  I am so very lucky, so very blessed that God brought us together.  I could brag about Michael all day, he is so smart and talented in so many ways (musician, athlete, businessman)!

  

So when this happened, I was thrilled!  He proposed at Queens our alma mater, yards away from where we first met.

We began to plan our wedding which luckily included some fun parties!

{Engagement Party!} 

 

Thrown by my dear friend, and the Matron of Honor Lauren:

{Bridal Shower}

Thrown by my sweet Maid of Honor Hannah:

{bachelorette}

And many other sweet wedding moments but these were some of the best!

I'm just feeling incredible blessed and thankful this sweet Sunday.

XO

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday!  I feel like my week has absolutely FLOWN by and I can't believe the weekend is here already!  I'm ready for a relaxing weekend ahead.  Tomorrow Michael is going to The Masters with his brother so I've got a free day to get stuff done!  I'm bummed I'm not going, but have been lucky enough to go the last three years.  It's such a beautiful place, I love everything about this tournament.  I avidly follow it all weekend!

Since Michael will be gone I plan to prep for our anniversary!  Two weeks from tomorrow--wow!!  Might throw in a pedicure and some other fun things!

Anywho:

{one} British Slip Lead

Piper's new trainer sold us this and taught us how to use it this past weekend... and WOW.  We've been using it all week and and each day has been better and better.  Yesterday I used it and pushed the babe I nanny in the stroller and Piper was perfect.  I was such a proud mama!  I cannot wait to go back to this place and probably will pretty often!  Just to teach really cool tricks and help Piper reach her full potential!  I love this pup, can you tell?!

{two} Tiger Prawns from Clean Catch

Tonight we are getting some incredible shrimp due to Michael winning a game of best ball this week with his buddy Chris!  Chris likes to gamble to keep his head in the game and he knew I'd been wanting to try these (super pricey) shrimp!  I can't wait!

{three} Sesame Ginger Noodles 

Lately I am totally obsessed with these noodles from Laurel Market.  I must get them twice a week at least!  Spicey, cold, flavorful!  My fave!!

{four} White Homes!!

I don't know what it is lately but Michael and I are really into white houses!  It's so fresh and clean.  We want to repaint our interior all white!

{five} Palm Sunday

Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite church services all year.  The beginning of the wonderful week before Easter.

link-up

XO,

Brooke

Weekend Notes

On this dreary Monday I wanted to take a moment to remember our fun weekend!  I am so thankful for peaceful, relaxing days and time with friends and our sweet pup!

We spent Friday night having a date night before meeting friends out at Mellow Mushroom to celebrate our friend Carl's birthday.  

Saturday was even better!  That night we met up with Lauren, Evan, and Bella at crafty beer guys (such a great spot) and had a lovely night!

Before that Piper and I went to The Dog Knowledge for training!  

Piper met ivy, another Aussie and I had to grab a photo!  I was there for about 2.5 hours and was amazed by how much info they shared!  They taught me about free shaping (this encourages calm behavior) as well as how to prevent excessive parking and how to walk in a perfect heal!  It was incredible.  Nine months old and she was walking like a show dog!  I can't wait to go back!

Yesterday was a lazy day, grilled kabobs for lunch and a day finished with the best clam chowder from pasta and provisions!  Clam chowder will always remind me of the wonderful honeymoon Michael and I spent in Cape Cod!  

I actually realized that our anniversary is three weeks from this past Saturday!  Since I didn't blog during my wedding I plan to post a few recaps of special wedding moments as we approach this milestone.

Hope you had a great weekend and a great start to your week!

XO

Loving Lately!

I'm so thrilled it's Saturday!  The weather has been absolutely amazing this week!  It feels a like we skipped spring and went straight to summer!!

Just a few things I'm loving from this past week: 

{one} paw print necklace 

Strolling through my favorite artsy store city art works I found this sweet little necklace I couldn't leave without.  The quote is so true.  Animals have meant the world to me.  Our sweet puppy has my heart.

{two} the how I met your mother (HIMYM)  finale.

This past Monday after nine seasons a great show ended, and let me just say WOW.  I'm not sure the end of a show had ever made me this emotional.  Michael (the hubs) kept asking if I was alright!  We've been watching this show for a few years and love the humor and sweetness at the end of our Mondays.  I think it's one of the best comedies out there.  The humor is great but more importantly Ted's story of love and sadly loss is a beautiful one.  The ending was VERY emotional but, as I reflected upon it I realized how right it was.  The show reminds us how much friends matter, how love is something to always believe in, and to always have hope.  I don't think they could of ended it any other way, the last scene (above) with Ted and Robyn was perfect.  The whole story truly made sense.  

{three} Masters Week!!

Next week is masters week!  I may not be a golfer but after (almost) six years with Michael I truly appreciate it.  He's taken me to Augusta National the past three years and I love it!  The club is beautiful, the golf is wonderful, the pimento cheese, BBQ, and cold fries chicken sandwiches are amazing and the day is so peaceful.  So I can't wait to watch the coverage all next week!

{four} new collar and leash for summer!

Piper must be well accessorized and luckily C. Wonder had the perfect leash and collar for this lovely warm weather!!  Piper narrowly avoided their "puppy polo" in fact, I don't think she's safe from it yet!

Have a great weekend!