We just returned from one of my very favorite places on earth….Charleston, SC.  Something about this little town that makes me smile and makes me happy.  As soon as I step off the plane I couldn’t imagine any other place I rather be.  Even if it’s 100 degrees and the humidity is high as a kite… I’m still happy.  Even through the smell of the paper mill I’m still happy to be in this great city.  Something about the life in this city and the history it brings.  It’s surrounded by beauty from the water to the trees.  And it’s filled with all my dream houses.  As I ran through the Old Village of Mount Pleasant last Friday I spotted my dream house and I found myself day dreaming of living in this great city one day.  Maybe one day….

Until then let me share with you some of the images around this great town and luckily I had my camera close at hand to capture them.

Looking out on the water has this calming effect.  I sat by the water and watched pelicans fly by in a rhythm flight. 

And the trees!  There is nothing like looking up into old oak trees with Spanish moss flowing from the branches…..it’s calming and it makes me feel at home.

If you’ve never been to Charleston you have to go and experience for yourself.  I promise it will make you smile.

A few weeks ago I headed to NYC for the Toy Show.  The trip was filled with a lot of work walking down aisle after aisle of the latest toys and games which was a lot of fun.  But also while in the city I got a chance to do a little site seeing, window shopping and of course a few stops at some fabulous bakeries.  Here’s a look into the sites I stopped at and spotted while in NYC.

While walking the streets we walked by Henri Bendel and one look at their fabulous window I fell in love!  Even from across the street…I was in love!  And it just so happens this was the day before Valentine’s Day.  Isn’t the window fabulous??

As me and one of my fabulous co-workers walked the streets we made it to Columbus Circle.

Which lead us to Bouchon Bakery which was recommended to me by some of my foodie friends and it was worth the visit but I was sad that they didn’t have any macaronsleft.  But we did try their muffins, chocolate bouchon, hot chocolate, and drooled over everything else.  If your ever in Columbus Circle stop inside the Time Warner buildingso you can try some of Bouchon’s fabulous treats.  The good thing is they are opening a Rockefeller location soon.

Another bakery stop was Magnolia Bakery.  The place was so busy for a cold Tuesday afternoon.  My co-worker and I braved the cold and walked several blocks for this stop….

And walking inside and smelling the sweet aroma of all things sweet made it worth it.  My coworker tried the German Chocolate Cupcake and Red Velvet and she loved the German Chocolate.  She actually shared a bite of the Red Velvet and I have to say I wasn’t a big fan.  I’m all about a traditional cream cheese frosting on a red velvet cupcake and this cupcake had a vanilla frosting.  I tried the flourless chocolate cake due to my new diet changes.  The few bites I had were delicious.

 Everything was delicious even the adorable t-shirts and aprons!! 

Even down to these super yummy cheesecakes.  Which my co-worker took the pumpkin cheesecake with a ginger snap crust in a to-go baggie.  Which makes me realize I need to ask her tomorrow if she ever tried it?!  Looked fabulous!!

I highly recommend a stop at Magnolia Bakery!

So here is a glimpse inside my trip to NYC.  I love the city!  I love it’s action and feeling, but I have to say I enjoyed returning home to 80 degree weather.  It was a bit cold on our last day!  Hope enjoyed a glimpse into my visit.

I’m over the moon with excitement because I finally have Photoshop!  It’s been on my wish list for a long time now so when it finally arrived last week I was like a little kid opening a present on Christmas morning.  And ever since, I have been playing with images.  One of my favorite is the above of one of the girls about a month ago when we went to our local zoo.  I used one of Pioneer Woman’s Photoshop Actions, but which one I’m not even positive because I was trying all sorts of things.  Once I figure my way around and get better I’ll update you. 

And here is another I had fun with.  This I like to call my 70′s girls.  This was using Pioneer’s Woman’s Seventies Action.

Now back to see what else I can do…..

On our recent trip to Atlanta we finally got a chance to go to the Georgia Aquarium.  “S” and I have been dying to take the girls for so long now.  So early on a Saturday morning, the four of us along with my mom and “S” step-sister Sarah explored the Georgia Aquarium.  It was amazing!!  The girls had a blast and I think the adults felt like kids again.  I know my husband did for sure!! 

Here are some of the pictures I was able to capture from our trip…

We were all amazed by the big tank and spent the longest time just sitting there and watching the whale sharks, the fish, sharks, and sting rays swim by.  Some of my favorite pictures were captured here too.

The whale sharks overall were everyone’s favorite.  We were amazed how big they were!!  Beautiful creatures!  However, I wouldn’t want to get near one.

After our visit to the big tank we made our way to the jelly fish and smaller fish tanks and here’s what we saw there…

And the beautiful and colorful fish….

And here is one with the girls and the jelly fish.  I was trying to figure out my camera the whole time but I thought this shot turned out pretty neat.

If you ever in Atlanta make sure you try to make a trip to the aquarium.  It really is amazing!

We are officially on vacation!! The whole family landed in Atlanta today to visit my family and friends.  I can’t tell you how great it feels to be back home!!  Not only because I’m home, but because it’s one of my favorite times of the year in Atlanta.  Spring time!  Of course, I could do without the pollen.  Wow, is it bad right now.  Here is a picture I took of our rental car. I used my fingers to write a little message to all of you so you could see just how bad the pollen is!

Spring is in full blossom right now and I couldn’t resist to take out my camera and capture some of the beautiful flowers and trees that are in my parents neighborhood.  Now excuse me if I don’t know the name of some of these blossoms.  I don’t have the green thumb or the flower knowledge like my mom does.

The first picture is a cherry tree that is actually right in my parents back yard.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Here is another picture because I just couldn’t get enough of it!

Here are a couple pictures of a blueberry bush!!  Just the blossoms, no blueberries yet!  I was amazed when I asked my mom what it was.  I didn’t even know blueberry bushes had such beautiful flowers.  Again, I don’t have a green thumb….as you can tell.

And another….

Are you getting tired of seeing flower pictures?  Well hold on because I have a few more to share.  Like I said, I couldn’t resist the amazing flowers.  I can’t even remember the last time I was home for spring.  It made me realize just how much I miss home and I miss having seasons.  Here is a picture of a spring flower you see a lot of, a daffodil.

And one of my favorites, because purple is one of my favorite colors, a redbud tree.  This tree was hidden off to the side but when I saw it, I was stunned by it’s beauty.

Here are some Camillia flowers I found in my parents neighbors yard.  It was blooming like it was a wild flower.  So pretty!

And last but not least these beautiful yellow flowers that were actually in a pot on my mom’s back porch.  Yes, she is the one that has the green thumb.  I don’t know the name of it and I would ask her but she has already gone to bed.  Isn’t it just amazing?

I hope these pictures give you a glimpse into what spring time looks in the South and hopefully you understand why I love it so much.  Of course, rain is coming in tomorrow which will be nice to wash away the pollen, but not because it’s bring some cooler temperatures.  Only for a few days though.  We are heading to the zoo on Friday so I’m hoping the weather will be ok for that visit.

One more thing, if you don’t see too many posts in the days ahead it’s because I’m busy spending time with family and friends.  It’s so nice to be on vacation and to be back home!!

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