thankful

{purple wrap dress- target; necklace -thrifted; nude fishies -marshalls; headband -forever 21; brown wedges -target; bracelet -jcrew}

{pumkin trees & arragement via trader joes}

I couldn't be more thankful this year, ya'll. I am one happy and very lucky lady. The Hubs and I hopped in the car and headed North for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Jed and sweet K Lou hosted the whole fam at Casa de McDonough and it was glorious. The Hubs made a turkey-stuffed-turkey; the boys played football; and there was a lot of wine consumed. I'm so grateful to have such an amazing family.

*I'm also extremely flattered and honored that E commented on my sweet old blog, wow!

{the Hubs and his Turkey; Moms squared & A. Janet}

{sweet brothers/cousins -americana at its finest}

{the patriarchs -gary not pictured}

{future leaders of America}

{K Lou and her stunning table -what else is new}

{eat your heart out/food-coma-to-be}

{the best friends a girl could ask for}

duck huntin'

{duck boots -bass; otk sox, watch -target; cord skirt -jcrew; denim shirt -forever 21; gold belt -old navy; motorcycle jacket -mango; scarf -lands end via my father-in-law; sunnies -ray ban}

Well shoot,

I am so happy about this outfit I could just scream. The socks, the boots, the scarf, I am in love. The socks, because they're so fun and yeah, trendy. The boots, because they're so practical and rugged. Lastly, the scarf because it's so soft and I love the colors. Also, I think it actually belongs to my father-in-law. (Sorry Gary!)

The Hubs and I took these pictures in the parking lot of our new favorite Jamaican restaurant. They actually do most of the grilling right there in the parking lot-what could be cooler than that?!

I'll try to be a better internet fashionista next week. If this outfit is any indicator, I'm going to kick some serious cyber style boo-tay. Until then, xo's

-mc

orange you glad?

{skirt -jcrew via closet mentor; tights -walmart; ballet flats & silver watch -target; peter pan collard shirt -target; sweater -norstroms rack; cat eye sunnies & bow ring -forever 21}

I wore this last night to work. As of next week I will have three j.o.b.'s. Remember that boring old 9-5? It is lookin' real good these days.

Last night I worked at the restaurant which has been the source of some serious manic-ness (is that a word?). My colleagues are either super nice or horribly rude. I know I'm the new kid, but geez cut me some slack. Luckily, there is a liquor store in the same shopping plaza. Hello drowning my sorrows! Hopefully my next shift will be a little sunnier.

Like these tights. I bought them for my Halloween costume and I decided to wear them early. I reasoned that I probably won't be wearing orange tights in January. Although, check back, I could be singing a different song.

On the brightest note, the Hubs and I have family coming into town tonight! I'm super excited, plus I'll have a chance to test my kid skills before I teach next week... Although, I'm a little jealous I won't be headed North, sounds like there's going to be some serious Voyack partying this weekend -just please, no beer bottles.

cheers,

mc

what I learned at preschool

(our ringbearer, also the youngest kiddo I know)
photo by Courtney Aliah

As previously mentioned, I am rocking orange and black hardcore, just lovin' that Halloween vibe. As also mentioned, I have a funny story for you, well I thought it was funny. It all began with an orange and black outfit.....

My sweet resume is still floating around town and I received a call from a Montessori preschool for an interview as a substitute teacher. My inner monologue went something like this, "hmmm, preschoolers. I could handle that."

So I got dressed and headed out the door. Yelling back to the Hubs that I'd like to take pictures upon my return. My outfit screamed sweet, fun-loving, adorable preschool teacher -without having any embroidered pumpkins. I was pretty jazzed.

I arrived to my interview and the very friendly girl told me it was more of a "working interview." They would like to see how I interact with the kids.
"Ok, I've got this. Let's do this thing." I thought to myself. Always one for a pep talk.

She directed me to the playground.

This is when things began to spiral downhill fast. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but I went from cool, calm, and collected to omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg.
See, there were maybe fifteen little kids running around said playground. Little little little kids! Obviously, it wasn't just me watching them, but still I was freaking out. Freaking out, panicking, sweating profusely.
They were climbing all over things and playing with sticks and rubber bands and all sorts of dangerous stuff. At least, I thought it was dangerous, I mean right?
No. Wrong. I was overreacting. Apparently this is how children learn. Trial and error. They fall, they poke themselves, they hit each other, and they learn. That's how it goes. I guess I haven't had as much experience with little kids as I thought -or maybe I've become a nervous Nelly in my old age. Whatever the case I sure was glad that no one choked or needed to be rushed to the emergency room.

The other weird thing I learned about little little kids is how different they are from adults -or maybe not.
1. There were some definite jerks, straight up. There were some little kids that are just going to suck their entire lives.
2. They're definitely not as innocent as I thought or hoped. Biting, hitting, kicking -what is this professional cage fighting?! Stop that!!
3. Their emotions are fleeting. Not unlike many of my friends, these kiddos are hot one minute and cold the next. About every fifteen minutes I was princess popularity on the playground -literally swarms of kids were fascinated by me! Who would have thought, right? But then just as fast as I was hot, I was cold and the crowd dispersed. Which is a real ego check, btw.

All in all, it was quite the experience. I never did take the outfit pictures because I was literally covered in dirt. The last time I was that filthy I was scrapping the popcorn off our ceilings. Furthermore, as I surveyed the situation -specifically the small but very runny noses- I knew immediately that a cold was emanate. Sure enough, guess who's nose is running today??

So, no outfit, but I've got a few fun links that should get your weekend going....

if wes anderson did a wakeboard video, it would go something like this

a seated bridal party, this couple seems super cool

feeling girly? go ahead, indulge.

the Hubs made walnut pate, it was delicious and easy, try it!

oh Olivia, I love you/I hate you.

I thought this was cool years ago

our friend shot a hole-in-one this week, isn't that amazing? no link, just sharing..

cute shoes, bg

What is wrong with this girl? Cheer up would you?

all for now,

mc

jane-o-lantern

{shorts -old navy: gingham top -KLou's; orange cardigan -banana republic; belt -forever 21; flats -target; sunnies -forever 21; bag -banana}

I think the only acceptable month to wear a combination of orange/black is October. Agree or not, I plan on doing it this as much as possible until the 31st. I have some funny stories to tell soon, but right now I'm off to my very glamorous job.

I should have put glamorous in quotations...

xo

mc

the uniform

I do believe in my heart-of-hearts that this is the perfect outfit. Fashion meets function and has the most beautiful baby ever. Maybe I'm being a little too general, but I could wear this and versions of this most days of my life.

{oxford shirt -ralph lauren; linen shorts -banana republic; fishing belt -leatherman via Reddix; topsiders -Sperry; tan hat -www.imagemonster.com; watch -target; aviators -Ray Ban}Yesterday I took my bike up to campus to visit the Hubs and return/renew a few library books. As a wifey I have my very own UGA i.d. card which gives me access to the library, gym, and I imagine a few other perks -so far I've only explored the library.

Venturing to campus inspired me to pull together a functional look that was also undeniably "collage" -and no, I wasn't about to wear my p.j.'s, I never could understand folks doing that. I stuck to the basics. I was comfortable enough to ride my bike (five miles! uphill!) but still classy enough not to sport my sleepwear. All in all, I was pleased.

Oh, oh, oh. I almost forgot to tell you about that squirrel! See that guy? He just scampered right over while we were taking pictures and wouldn't leave!! The Hubs honestly thought he was the cutest thing alive, I was scared. I automatically assumed it was rabid -why else would he march right over? The whole thing must have been pretty funny to watch because I was admittedly freaking out and the Hubs just kept saying things along the line of, "aww, he's so small" "babe, he's cute." It's moments like that I swear I'm being filmed for candid camera.
Did I overreact? What would you have done? What will PETA say?

nervously yours,

mc

biker babe

{vintage Schwinn bike- gifted; army shorts -JCrew, via Plato's Closet; black cardigan -Hallelu; Victorian blouse -Marshalls; sunnies & braided black belt -Forever 21; cheetah flats -Old Navy}

one of the few times function trumps fashion -wear a helmet ya'll!!

Yesterday was so nice I took my bike up to the video store to return some DVD's I had checked out -and to pick up a few more. I love taking my bike out and every time I do, I wonder why I don't do it more. It was a birthday gift from the Hubs a few years ago and I absolutely love it. Bikes seem to be the hottest thing going now, even my dad is getting on board, although his version is hardley a Schwinn. Mine is a real live vintage Schwinn -it weighs about a thousand pounds- but I think it's so cute and it looks just like my Momma's old Schwinn. Isn't she just the hottest biker babe? I guess short-shorts are in my D.N.A.I made cornmeal crusted fried flounder last night with corn and mashed sweet potatoes. It turned out really tasty. If you're interested my version of the recipe is below: Step One: Get everything ready.

Ingredient Wise you'll need: 1/2 c. flour, 1/2 c. cornmeal, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. salt, about a cup of veg. oil for frying, chopped parsley. If you want to make a tarter sauce you'll also need: 1/3 c. mayo, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 chopped mini-pickles with about a tbsp of pickle juice, and 1 tsp chopped capers.

Dish Wise you'll need: a whisk and a bowl for your tarter sauce, a plate with a paper towel for draining fried fish, a shallow dish for your flour/cornmeal mix, your biggest fry pan, your biggest spatula, a fire extinguisher -in case of emergencies.

1. mix your salt and cayenne -sprinkle it onto the fish

2. put your oil in the pan, mix your cornmeal and flour together, mix your tarter sauce

3. turn on your pan -it's really hot, don't burn yourself.

4. press your salty/spicy fish into the flour/cornmeal -both sides

5. put your tarter sauce into the fridge

6. if (and only if) your oil is glimmering put your fish in. If your oil is smoking -turn it down. My crappy election stove top took about a 7.

7. fry both sides until golden/delicious

8. put on plate with paper towel, take your tarter sauce out of the fridge

9. crack a PBR and enjoy.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

much love and cheers,

mc

a regal fall

{tweed shorts -old navy; oxford -ralph lauren; v neck sweater & bracelet-jcrew; sunnies & earrings -forever 21; flower broach -vintage; purple tights -marshalls; sparkle flats -nine west}

I'm really excited about rich tones this fall. After a summer filled with LWD's (little white dresses) and pastels, I'm ready for some seriously regal colors. They make me feel like someone fancy. Yesterday was the first day of the season cool enough for tights, although they'd been thrown to the wayside by 2pm, I enjoyed them while they lasted.

Speaking of royalty, let me tell you about my favorite former British colony -that's right Trinidad!

Blogger tells me you've been checking me out (thank you!!)

In honor of my favorite island nation (and in-laws!) I (tried to) make doubles last night. The Hubs said they were pretty darn authentic. I was pretty proud, I even made the bara.

I used a recipe from Trini Gourmet, which sounded pretty authentic. Unfortunately, by the time the food hit the plate we were too hungry for pictures, so below is a photo that was floating around the Internet. I thought about taking a picture of the leftovers in the Tupperware -but that seemed unappetizing. I also made Thomas Keller's pineapple upside-down cake using Trini rum. How about that for representin'?