Wheeling and dealing outside of Tahlequah...

Tiffany, Russell, T and I traveled to Oklahoma 2 weekends ago for our friends Nick and Angie's wedding. They got married in Nick's mom's backyard. This might have been my first backyard wedding experience and the setting was absolutely stunning. We drove down a long dirt road that brought us to the middle of nowhere outside of Tahlequah in the Cherokee Nation. We parked our cars and began the walk to the most alluring house surrounded by trickling creeks that swerve around the entire property. We arrived at night on Friday, so I didn't get the full experience until the next morning; however, Nick had lit the trees with twinkle lights which cast a yellow glow under the canapé of trees as we approached the home for dinner. When I entered the house I was welcomed in by Blythe Danner's twin (Nick's mother) who was behind an expansive kitchen counter covered with pots of the most delicious spaghetti I've ever eaten. Everyone made a plate and made themselves comfortable - settling into the wedding weekend.

{Tison's dream come true- a library ladder with books up to the ceiling, a case full of old tobacco pipes, an oversized chair in front of a fireplace, and a full bar!}

{Nick, Tison, and Ken}

{the reunited groomsmen}

{giggle fest on the patio- as expected}

j'adore pretty things...

Here are a few links I have been clicking on and thought worthy of passing along...

1. Five Morning Habits for A Happier Day

2. This beautiful home featured on Design Sponge that does such an excellent job mixing new and old.

3. It seems that pretzel bread is all the rage in the fast food industry these days, but what about this homemade pretzel bread bowl recipe? I think my bread maker needs to get it's first use in our new place!

4. I always love A Cup of Jo lists :)

5. This blog gives you a 4 week meal plan, people. All the planning is done for you! Genius.

6. When I grow up, I want to be Jamie Beck. Her photographs are absolutely stunning, and her style is impeccable. She always appears pulled together in that effortless kind of way. Chic- timeless - elegant.

7. And lastly my favorite photo that was snapped in Oklahoma during Nick and Angie's wedding.
(more to come of that beautiful occasions this week.)

{past J'adore posts}

I've been nesting, what have you been up to?

We are in the new house! Thanks to many many helpful (and friendly) hands! To be honest, I was SHOCKED at all that happened the first weekend. Tison took off Friday and he and Cory started moving boxes during the day- the movers came on Saturday and by noon all our furniture was in place! Mom, Mrs. Chris, and Aunt Cyn started lining cabinets and organized my kitchen for me. Lauren, Mr. Tim, and Tison went back to Dudley to clean the place up before our final walk through. This pregnant gal with a sinus infection was no help. All I really used was my pointer finger and my brain all day. I was overwhelmed by everyone's kindness.

On Sunday night we had the family over and Dad treated us to Imperial Cathay... later we watched Dumb and Dumber while laying on the couch in our new den and I was in awe at what had taken place in the last 48 hours. I still kind of feel like we are house sitting in a home with our stuff in it, but with every passing day - it becomes more ours. The electrician, the roofer, and the cable guy have all come already. Our list of projects continues to get sliced off while also growing with more and more ideas. Home ownership - what an adventure.

{Lauren and David also brought us lunch from Jimmy Johns that fed us for days! Thanks, y'all.}

{check out that brand new fridge! The newest thing in the house!! We are very proud.}

{I plan to show up updates as we (if we ever have time to) get to each room.}

Two weekend ago was our annual trip to Canton Trade Days. (Perfect timing with a new home and baby on the way to look for treasures!) It was amazing as always. This is my third year to attend and I feel so lucky to be a part of this exclusive group :) It just does a heart, body, and soul good to spend time with these women. I found 2 rocking chairs, a book shelf, and an antique bassinet for baby girl. I can't wait to sand them down and repaint. I am really stumped at paint colors though, ya'll. There are REALLY a lot to choose from. How do you even start? I have been going to Pinterest for ideas, but I think it is making my decision even MORE difficult. I am considering having an interior designer come in as a one time consultant and just tell me what to do with everything, but I guess first-things-first I should get everything out of boxes!

 {The North LA crew aka The Hudson ladies picked up their own UHaul for the first time this year. It is funny that we thought we wouldn't even fill up the smallest one! Boy were we wrong!}

{I love getting ideas of how to paint furniture or decorate holiday displays.}

{beautiful crib ideas for baby girl}

{of course my favorite time is "Quilt Time" where we catch up over Prosecco and yummy snacks}

{Oh, Vals. You never disappoint. Just keep bringing those rolls out.}

{turkey leg lunch - and more evening quilt time!}

{because everyone was insistant I not lift anything- I wasn't much help loading our UHaul with treasures. I couldn't have been more proud of Lauren making it work! Plus-nothing was damaged on the travel back home. Way to go, girlfriend.}

{look at this ADORABLE Halloween outfit Mom got for baby girl- yes, this is for next year, but it might not have been there the next time around!}

See previous Canton adventures here!

Hooray, hooray! It's CLOSING day!

It is official! Mr. T and I are moving to a new neighborhood. We are becoming home owners...we are REAL grown ups now!AHHH! I am looking forward to all the little projects we will have together making this new space ours. I have been at my current rent home for 5 years - FIVE YEARS! and it is going to be sad to say goodbye to her, but I know in my heart that I will get just as much attachment to this home as the years go by and we build our memories around it. I mean- this will be the home that we bring our first baby home to- wow! Talk about making a mark on your memories.

I'd like to say a special thank you to our realtor, David Roberts, who has calmed my nerves many a time and made this first time home buyer feel at ease with the process. He made it fun and I never doubted that he had our best interest at heart. David, you don't know what it means to us to have gone through this whole experience with you. You are just the best! Thank you for everything.

The movers are coming at 8:00 AM Saturday morning; there's no looking back now!

Andrew turns 1...

Happy birthday, sweet Andrew! We had a wonderful time at your birthday party. Way to GrOw, buddy.

Andrew received lots of new toys and books, but I have to say- I think his favorite is that alligator push-toy. He lights up everytime he is behind it. This curly cue will be walking in no time!

burgers, brews, and blues...Twisted Root Opening!

 Ann and Grant invited us (along with most of Shreveport) to the private opening of their new restaurant, Twisted Root, this weekend.

As the doors opened, I was struck by the industrial, yet homey feel--exposed ceilings, corrugated aluminum siding and unfinished plywood--these unexpected materials were visually interesting and I instantly felt at ease. The line was long with many recognizable faces from around the area ready to partake in their first hamburger or buffalo Twisted Root Burger. Each month they will feature a different type of meat to choose from such as: Venison, Elk, Lamb, Ostrich, Kangaroo, Emu, Boar, or Alligator. How exciting!

We first made our way to the bar that was decorated with old records and guitars. There were many choices of beers on tap, but considering my current condition, I chose the pecan root beer and made my way to the covered brick patio. Both the root beer and the patio were AMAZING! This patio might be my new favorite place to "tailgate" during football season.

 Lauren and David got in line and ordered for us. I chose The Western that was served with fried onion rings, bacon, pepperjack, and jalapanos! Tison had The Ranch Hand and said it was "the best burger I've ever had that I didn't make myself." This is definitely high praise. I couldn't have been happier with my choice either! You could seriously mix and match to get a different burger every time you go. Their choice of side sauces that are conveniently already at your table were also very tasty. I added the BBQ sauce to my western buffalo burger and it was right on the money. Lauren went with the fries instead of the sweet potato chips that it comes with. Order the fries every time people. They are delicious! I am so excited to see such a fun, new restaurant open in a different location that Youree Drive.

 It opens to the public today and if you don't have dinner plans yet, I highly suggest you go TONIGHT! I wish you the best of luck Ann and Grant- but I don't think you're gonna need it ;) xoxo

sugar and spice and everything nice!

We are having a baby girl!!

Finding out what the gender is surrounded by family was so wonderful. No restricted excitement in a doctors office- tears, screams, and "what are we going to do with a giiiirl" comments were all expressed freely amongst our packing boxes and messy house. I was thrilled with how Paper Shack set up the balloons in the box with the most adorable balloon weight ducky. They were so sweet to do that for us! They even switched my polka dots to the outside of a bigger box to fit more pink balloons. Julie Anne's Bakery made a special king cake for this Mardi Gras girl with pink and blue sugar on top.

{Dad recorded everything for us to share with Leslie - and all of you, of course!}

Cheers to you baby girl. We are so lucky to have you!