Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Yes, it's a couple days after Christmas, but just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to y'all. We have had a wonderful time down in North Carolina and hope you have had a great holiday wherever you are.

Back with more posts and updates later this week!

Christmas Cheer

Before Christmas comes and goes, I better write a quick post! Things have been crazy busy around these parts. Why are shorter weeks always the longest? The Husband and Southern in the City are headed down to NC bright and early tomorrow morning to start the Christmas holiday. We'll be making our rounds to Raleigh and Davidson over the few days and are so excited to see family. It will be nice to get out of the city. Sorry New York, I will not miss you.

Most of our presents are wrapped and we will be packing up the car tonight. Miss Bailey cannot wait to run in a real backyard.

I'm sure that I will come back to a dead Christmas tree and brown magnolia on my mantel but before it goes, here are a few photos that I snapped with my iPhone. I need to dust off the nice camera on my trip, but the iPhone is just so easy and convenient.

Merry Merry!

Gift Ideas for the Holidays: Hen House Linens

I cannot believe that Christmas is only two weeks away. Though, I'm sure I say that every year. We are going to visit the 30 Rock tree this weekend and look at the windows along 5th Ave. I love pretending that I'm a a tourist during the holidays. The first time I ever visited NYC was during Christmas time.

Here's another gift idea for those of you still searching for something. I've mentioned this Southern company a couple times on the blog - Hen House Linens. They really have some cute things (towels, pillows, aprons, napkins) and I'm the owner of a couple cute aprons. Hey, if you don't cook, at least look the part, right? :)

You can buy online or find a store near you that carries the line. Here are a few things that caught my idea this year:





Happy shopping!

All images from HenHouseLinens.com

Run Run Rudolph

I must be going crazy or getting old, or both because this morning I did something that I have never ever done before, like ever. I went running. Before work. In the cold.

I don't run. I don't even really like to exercise unless it's Zumba or a fun dance class where the teacher is telling me what to do. Yes, my idea of exercise is walking the dog or watching TV after work. Did you know you burn 100 calories by sitting? True story.

Anyway, back to the why. The Husband is a runner. He loves to run and even ran a marathon last year. I'm more of the cheerleader type. They have better outfits anyway. But, like most people do after the New York marathon, I exclaimed, "I will run next year!"

No, I'm not running the marathon. Let's not kid ourselves here, but I have decided to do the New Year's Eve midnight four miler in Central Park (okay, baby steps). Gone are the days of champagne drinking till 4 a.m. I will be running, y'all. Or, at least attempting to. Here's the conversation that we had the other day:

The Husband: I have a great idea of what we can do for New Year's.

Southern in the City: Oh yeah? Go see the ball drop?

The Husband: No, guess again.

Southern in the City: Drink a lot of champagne and dance in the apartment?

The Husband: No guess again.

Southern in the City: No alcohol, no dancing? what then?

The Husband: Run in a race.

Southern in the City: [no response] maybe an eye roll for good measure

The Husband: Come on it will be fun!

Southern in the City: Can we run with champagne in solo cups at least?

The Husband: No, but we can dance.

Southern in the City: Well, okay then!

Apparently the New Year's Eve race (which starts at midnight) is more of a fun run. I mean, they have fireworks so why not? But, it's still a run and since I don't run I need to train.

So that puts me at this morning. I got up by myself thankyouverymuch and ran around the reservoir and watched the sun come up. It was pretty but my gosh it was cold (I think the coldest morning we've had this fall!) Okay, maybe I did more of a walk run while listening to Hall & Oates and Huey Lewis & The News, but it counts right? I even took pictures to prove that I went. The Husband was sleeping so I had to make sure I had evidence.

I'm actually putting up a photo of me in the morning with no make-up and a fake smile. Sorry, the endorphins hadn't kicked in yet.
The next few weeks are going to be filled with training (or so I say here). If you are in NYC for New Year's, check it out! Hey, it could be fun?!

Gift Ideas for the Holidays: Haymarket Designs

I cannot believe that tomorrow is December 1! Where has this year gone? We are getting our tree this weekend and will deck the halls soon after.

I've also started the search for Christmas presents for the family and came across a great idea that I had to share with y'all. I featured the Southern company, HaymarketDesigns, on the blog before and had to do it again in time for Christmas orders. You may have also seen them featured in the December issue of Southern Living. So cute!
This year, Haymarket has adorable monogram phone covers. You know I love a monogram. Some of my family members may be getting one this year too!

Check out their site here to see all the colors and styles available. She also has beautiful and hand-painted trays, frames, tissue boxes and waste baskets that would make great gifts. Make sure you order in time to get your for Christmas:

For delivery (trays, frames, etc.) before Christmas order by December 4th!
For delivery (Phone only) before Christmas order by December 16th!

Images from HaymarketDesign.com

Macy's Pre-Parade Balloons

Happy Monday, y'all! Hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. We had a quiet, but fun time here in the city. For the third year in a row, we walked down to 79th street on Wednesday to see Macy's pre-parade balloons. It's by far one of my favorite things to do in NYC. Crowded, yes. But, so worth it. Everyone is always excited to see the ten-story high balloons and it's a great (and free!) way to start the holiday season. Can you spot Bloomberg?




Thursday morning, Bailey dog got me up extra early and while we were on our walk, we were greeted by all the band members who were lining up for the Thanksgiving parade. We also saw Santa's sleigh at the end of our block. But, the big man was not to be found
Thursday was spent cooking for most of the day. Though sadly this year the rolls did not work out. I tried twice to no avail. I'm determine to make them again before Christmas. We also Facetimed with both families down in NC. It was like we were there, sitting at the table. Lots to be thankful for this year!

Christmas trees have also popped up around the city. Though, I vow I will never buy one before December 1, especially when it's 70 degrees outside. I'm not particularly fond of cold weather, except at Christmas time. What about any of y'all - have you started decorating for Christmas yet?

Thanksgiving Place Settings

We're staying up in NYC again this year for Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite times of the year. Probably because the city feels less crowded, the weather is great and we live close to the parade so we get to watch the Macy's balloons get shape before their walk down Central Park West. Though we miss our families in the south, we've started our own little tradition up here and we love it!

This year, I plan to cook the favorites and attempt Sooze's rolls. I've also been searching on Pinterest for some fun table decorating inspiration. Here are a few things that caught my eye.

I love the color of the pumpkin here

I like the "Give Thanks" sign here

What are y'alls Thanksgiving Day plans?

Carolina on my Wall

Our latest collection obsession is maps. I'm not quite sure why as I've always hated reading maps and would rather someone just tell me where to go. But, they do make for great art!

Our hallway includes an Outer Banks sailing map (love OBX), a Bermuda map (The Husband's Brother lived here) and a US map from an old history book that's almost 75 years old (or so they told me). We're still trying to find an antique NYC map and then I'll snap photos of our map wall.

I was on Facebook the other day and saw that someone just bought this piece from an artist on Etsy.
By the way, I LOVE Etsy. They have some really unique things on there and I love the fact that everything is handmade.

If you look closely, every county name is included in the map. I also bought the Virginia one for The Husband and hung them both over the sofa in the living room along with some family photos.
You can find them - and many other maps - on CAPow Etsy site. Love having some Carolina on my New York city wall. (don't mind the iPhone photos).

Brotherly Love

Let me just say that I cannot believe that it's already the second week in November. I feel like I was just talking about the beach and now we are gearing up for Thanksgiving.

Anyway, last weekend was filled with family visits. My mum-in-law and The Husband's grandmother came up from VA. Though I forgot to snap photos, it was so nice to show them our new place and catch up with aunts and cousins too. The girls went a fantastic play that I highly recommend - Love, Loss and What I Wore. It's been playing for awhile now but I think it might be ending soon so you must go see it! It's a perfect Saturday afternoon thing to do with your friends, moms and sisters.

But, jump back to Friday night when I got the most pleasant surprise - my brother, Graham. For the past month, G had been talking with The Husband to coordinate the visit. After our regular Friday night dinner at Deans (that reminds me, I need to blog about Dean's), we came home to relax and have a quiet night. Before getting into the elevator to go up, The Husband said, "Meredith, do you know this guy?" I actually just ignored him thinking it was a dumb joke (he tends to do this) but then stepped around to see my younger brother. YAY! I couldn't quite understand what was going on and just said, "I don't get it!" ha.
My brother and I are very close and he is one of the best people I know. To have him visit was such a treat. He also surprised a friend who ran the marathon on Sunday. That brother, he's a good guy.

By the way, if you haven't ever watched the NYC Marathon, you must put it on your list of things to do. It's one of my favorite days in the city. Everyone is so positive, cheering the runners on and well, very un-New Yorker like:)

Great weekend for sure!

Curtains and more curtains

So, if there are any males out there that read my blog (which, I doubt there are besides my dad) you might not find this post that interesting, unless you like curtains.

I haven't posted recent pictures of the apartment but plan on doing so soon. We are slowly but surely making the place into our home and it has quickly become our favorite apartment that we've lived in (and we have lived in a lot of them!).

We have very high ceilings (10 feet) so I knew that it wasn't going to be cheap or easy to install curtains in the living room. Luckily my birthday is coming up so Sooze took me searching for fabrics and had some panels made while I was visiting a couple weeks ago - thanks, mom! I tend to lean towards blues, greens and browns and did so again here with the curtains in the living room. I love them! They bring the whole room together. The Husband even likes them (score!). They were not so easy to install though. We went through one rod installation package to no avail, but finally found something that was long enough and looked nice.
I haven't "staged" the room yet so please excuse the clutter. Also, the camera and the flash weren't getting along this morning so things are a little darker than they appear.




Bailey likes them too...
For the kitchen, I needed something that would add color and pattern to our small space but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I found this great fabric (green again!) on sale. Since I cannot sew (New Year's resolution?) I decided to go with iron-on hem tape, like I've done with other projects. It was a simple sew-less project that came out great. I just hung with an extension rod and that was that.


More apartment pictures to come soon.

Throwing Pumpkins and Homecoming

Last weekend we pretended that we were in college again. Though it's only been five years since we graduated, we quickly realized that we can't party like we used to. Our good friends Allie and Bradley (mentioned here) hosted the out-of-towners and on Friday we got things started in Raleigh. Whenever we get together, it's like no time has passed. These friends know me inside and out. I don't think I stopped smiling once and anytime I spend time with them, I come back to NYC feeling so filled inside. They're awesome.

While out in Raleigh at a local bar, we danced, talked, cheered, drank, ate and laughed. After 1 or 2 (or maybe a lot more) drinks, the boys decided to throw a pumpkin on display. You know, a casual game of toss the pumpkin? Our boys are so smart. Soon after the tossing began it quickly ended, when one boy (who shall remain nameless) hit a light with the pumpkin and shattered it. Our crew of 10 was quickly escorted out of the bar. But, don't worry, we didn't let it damper the evening. On to the next bar we went...

The next morning, we awoke (a little fuzzy) and drove to Elon, our alma mater, for homecoming and our 5 year reunion.
Because of Friday's festivities, it took us awhile to "get in the spirit" of homecoming but we rallied. Allie and Bradley hosted the tailgate complete with good food, good weather, good drinks (including "icing" the boys) and of course corn-hole.

After the tailgate, we headed to the local bar (where the beer is cheap, my gosh! See picture above). Despite it smelling like we remembered, it didn't quite look the same. Funny how that happens. The day quickly turned into the evening (complete with dancing of course) and before we knew it, homecoming was over.

I love Elon for many reasons, but especially for brining these special people into my life.

Oh, and by the way, we still have our Phoenix Cards (our student IDs). You never know when you'll need it one day!