{Ireland Recap: Getting To Dublin}

Today marks the first of our Ireland adventure. Ya'll...it's going to take a while! We were there for 8 days, drove all over Ireland, and saw a flippin' ton! I'm also working on a video of our time, so just bear with us...and enjoy the ride :) 

Brad, Faye, Wendel and I flew from Cinci, to Atlanta to meet up with Andi and Braedon...then we headed on our cute little green shamrock plane to the land of green. 

So as you imagine us frolicking about Ireland...imagine this beauty..."White Lightening" as we called her...

Oh and this crazy man...our driver who had to drive a stick shift, on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, really fast, next to massive tour buses. 

Dramamine was taken on the regular...

Anyhoo...as we were making our way to our hotel...this was one of our first sights...yup...didn't think we would hear "man in a towel!" that early in the trip! 

We got to our hotel and all we wanted was to take a quick shower...but our rooms weren't ready. So what did we do? 

Head to a pub of course! 

A round of fish n' chips and Guinness {and one diet coke}

Then we went out and about the lovely Dublin town! 

Our first family picture in Ireland...with a caveman. Yup. 

Temple Bar Area

Amazing sand "castles"

I see what you did there Wendel...

Ya'll..the grass...I can't! {Wendel's least-favorite sentence on the blog...ever!}

This was in the gardens by Saint Patrick's Cathedral. The history is definitely not lacking in Ireland! Unbelievable that they were able to build these stunning cathedrals in the 1200's...mind blown! 

Can you tell we were all exhausted? And I didn't sleep on the plane because I was catching up on Downton Abbey....much much more important than sleep :) 

After a quick shower, and another stick-to-your-bones Irish meal, we were all very ready for bed! 

We turned in early and woke up the next day ready to hit the road for Kilkenny...one of my favorite places in Ireland!  

For More Ireland Recaps: 

Getting To Dublin

Waterford and Kilkenny

Blarney and Kinsale

Doin' The Dingle

Aran Islands

Northern Ireland

The End

{Pyromania}

{I know I promised you an Ireland post but I'm still working on it, and had this little ditty ready...so Friday will be Ireland update day! Get ready!}

Wendel and I love fire. Well let's be honest...who doesn't love fire? 

There's just something about it...we could stare at a fire for hours not saying a word to each other...sad but true. 

We've been through two of the cheapy {when did $100 become cheap?} metal fire pits, and Wendel was so over it. 

So in preparation for fall time, Wendel decided we needed to make a for real fire pit in the back yard. 

{Enter angels singing with fire blazing behind them...very rockstar-esque}

This is all Wendel's deal so I'm going to let him take it away...go for it Wendel!

Hello again, BlogWorld!

So when I was given the all clear from wifey to make a fire pit, I was beyond excited.  I had been getting my campfire fix from a two foot diameter $20 aluminum bowl until now.  Those things just do not get the job done.  So here is how the real fire pit (codename: The Colosseum) came to be:

When trying to place/plan any circular project, I always go with the old string tied to a stick method.  Learned this one long ago from "G" (my dad).  To do this, get a stick, string, duct tape, and spray paint.  Cut the string to the radius of your circle and tape it to the stick.  Then use the other side of the string as a guide for your spray paint circle.

Once you have your circle (roughly) laid out, get the shovel, a glass of your favorite bourbon, and a cigar and start digging.  I went down about two inches below the grass line to get all the roots and prevent future growth.

Now comes the fun part, you gotta get the supplies to the pit somehow right?  Might as well drive through your yard in the company truck!  Now there are a few things here you can do that I elected not to.  Typically, if you are going to build a decorative/retaining wall, you will put down some kind of weed barrier.  I elected not to do this because usually weeds have trouble growing when they are on fire.  So I just went with the bottom layer of pea gravel

Unfortunately I failed in my supportive blogger husband duties by not getting the pit with just the gravel and no blocks.  I am still struggling with the documentation process!  But alas,  here is our new fire pit!

Isn't he just the cutest ya'll? Most supportive husband award!

We christened the fire pit this weekend for our niece's 16th birthday party...16th! Nuts! 

We'll get lots more pictures this weekend when we spend a lot of time around it with our friend Theron who's coming into town this weekend! 

I seriously can't wait for fall so I can drink a pumpkin spiced latte next to a blazing fire...ahh bliss! 

{Willy Wonka}

"Violet...you're looking violet, Violet"

Pretty much exactly what I thought of when I put this outfit on...oh well! 

Pants: J.Crew Factory {old}  Blue Tank Top: J.Crew Factory  White Lace Tank Top: Target  Sandals: Target {super old}  Jacket: Madewell via J.Crew Factory  Purse: TJ Max  Earrings: Francesca's  Bracelets: Ebay, Groopdeals, DIY

Some of you may have seen this look on Instagram. My phenominal mom bought me this purse that I was loving and Instagramed about. A surprise early {super early} Birthday present! I'm obsessed!

And then after we took these pictures I realized it was on backwards...oops :) 

Hope ya'll had a great weekend! Happy Monday!! 

{Tassels}

Tassels are all the rage right now!! 

I've seen them on all of my favorite bloggers, but especially on sweet Emily from The Sweetest Thing. 

So when I saw this tutorial on DIYing this trend, I was so on it! $10 later from Michael's and I was able to make six {yes...six} gorgeous tassel bracelets! 

Ya'll...go pick up the materials now and tassel away...easy peasy and so gorgeous! 

On a side note, I'm beyond excited to officially be apart of the Southern Blog Society! I'm honored to be paired up with some wonderful women, and excited to work with them in the future! 

Happy Friday! 

{Ireland: Recap}

Ya'll...Ireland was a dream! We had the best time trucking {or vanning} all around Ireland visiting pubs, exploring castles, having tea, and scoping out lots of sheep and cow! 

I'll be doing recaps of Ireland every Wednesday for the next couples of weeks, but here's a quick recap of our fun! 

Oh and side note...made these for dinner last night...amazing! 

Happy Wednesday!