Lilac & Ivy

OK, how can it be June?! I absolutely cannot believe how incredibly fast 2009 is flying by! This month we don’t have a whole lot planned but that’s just because we have a lot planned later in the year! This month activities in Charlotte pick up and I am looking forward to a few of them:
-Attending Pops in the Park.
-Making a quick weekend trip up to Virginia to see one of my sister-in-laws and her family.
-Possibly attending Taste of Charlotte.
-Eating the first tomatoes and basil from our garden and from our CSA.

I hope you have a great June. Cheers to a wonderful month!
Image via Poplar Ridge Farm

I absolutely cannot believe it’s May. 2009 is flying by! This month has a lot going on. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
- Attending a wedding in Waynesboro and seeing Stephen’s family.
- Having our wallpaper hung.
- Going to Savannah, Georgia over Memorial Day weekend.
- Staying in a Bed & Breakfast for my first time.
- Finally decorating our bookcase.
- Planting our tomatoes and basil.
- Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine!

I hope you have a wonderful May!
Image via flickr

OK, I cannot believe how fast March went. It literally flew by. For me, it mostly seemed like the month was dreary and rainy with a few pretty days thrown in. I’m hoping April has more sunshine, warmer weather and lots of fun activities. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
- Having our built-in bookcases built.
- Finally being able to unpack thanks to the built-in bookcases.
- Visiting my Dad and Stepmom in Madison, Wisconsin. I’ve never been {and I haven’t seen them in over a year} so I hope it’s warm and as charming as I think it will be!
- Attending Spring Fever in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Seeing Dave Matthews Band in concert with good friends.

I hope you have a wonderful April!
Image via flickr

It’s March, quite possibly my favorite month! {Except for maybe December, of course.} It’s starting to warm up and there’s lot’s of fun things going on. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
- Seeing Elton John and Billy Joel together in concert.
- Celebrating my birthday. I love a day for me. {Just wish I didn’t have to work!}
- Celebrating our second wedding anniversary. We’re trying to follow traditional anniversary gifts and this year it’s cotton. I can’t wait to show you what I found for Stephen.
- The beginning of Day Light Saving Time.
- Enjoying happy hour drinks out on a patio.
- Visiting Charlie, Ashley and baby Henry up in Washington D.C.
- Walking around our neighborhood without having to get bundled up.
- Celebrating the first day of Spring.

I hope you have a wonderful March!
Image via Alicia Bock

It’s February which means Spring is that much closer. I’m excited! January has been rainy, snowy, foggy and down right gray. I’m ready for a new month! This month I’m especially looking forward to:
- Fresh flowers sprouting up
- Being able to walk outside without being fully bundled
- Finally getting my contact/glasses situation cleared away, being able to see clearly and not have eye strain
- Valentine’s Day {Even though I think it’s a total Hallmark holiday, I still enjoy a day devoted to showing Stephen how much I adore him.}
- Attending the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Mint Museum
- Continuing to decorate the condo
- Trying more new recipes

Cheers to a great month!
Image via flickr

In January I’m always kind of melancholy. My favorite time of year is over and although it’s the month for resolutions and starting anew, here in Charlotte it can be very dreary and cold. Nonetheless, I’m excited to try and make 2009 a great year. This month I’m looking forward to:
- Spending some of my J.Crew Christmas gift cards on wardrobe staples
- The TV show Damages starting back up {lame I know!}
- Painting the dining room chairs, figuring out fabric to reupholster them with and starting on the built-in book case in the living room
- Trying some new recipes

Cheers to 2009 everyone!

Image via flickr

December already? How can it possibly be?! I’m finally in the holiday spirit and am all set to savor the month. In fact, I can’t believe it’s possible, but I actually finished my shopping by my December 1 goal and everything is packed and ready to go to the post office. We even have a little pile waiting to be placed under the tree later in the week! Now I can truly enjoy everything that is Christmas. This month I’m looking forward to:
- Visiting my mom, step dad and brother in Arizona
- Gianna’s December 27 wedding in Napa
- Decorating the tree and smelling it all month
- Hot chocolate
- Seeing the lights around our lovely city
- Visiting my grandparents in California
- Shipping the last of the gifts
- Attending The Singing Christmas Tree
- Listening to Christmas music nonstop
- Attending Tiffany and Sean’s Christmas party
- Having Chris visit
- Receiving gifts {I can’t lie, I love to receive as much as give}
{image via flickr}

Ah November. The days seem shorter and the fun feelings of summer have officially disappeared. My loves for this month:
- Finding the perfect gifts for my loved ones {and being done by December 1}
- Continuing to decorate our condo
- Spending Thanksgiving at a location to be determined
- Enjoying my thank you dinner at GW Fins
- Possibly seeing Mannheim Steamroller

Happy November everyone! {image via Vera Bing}

Whew, September flew by! But it’s okay because I love October. For me, it’s the start of Fall and the beginning of all my favorite holidays. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this month:
- Moving into our condo!
- Finding my way through the corn maize with only a flashlight
- Attending Tiffany and Sean’s Halloween party
- Ordering my first ever custom piece of furniture
- Watching jousting at the Renaissance Festival
- Seeing little goblins and ghosts and helping to rot their teeth
- Attending my first ever Nascar race {when in Rome…}

Happy October everyone! {image via arkworld}

Good-bye Summer, hello Fall. My loves for September:
- A much needed vacation to the Outer Banks
- Celebrating Stephen’s birthday
- Crisp mornings
- The changing of greenery to red, yellow and orange
- The Fall season start-up of Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters
- Sweaters, boots and jeans

Happy September everyone!!

My loves for August:
-Hopefully seeing the Perseid meteor shower
-Visiting my in-laws, sister-and-brother-in-law and their three daughters in Virginia
-Attending Christina and Daniel’s wedding
-A trip up to the mountains for some R&R with Tiffany and Sean
-Continuing to learn more about my soon-to-be new job and getting out of my B-O-R-I-N-G one ASAP
-Getting into gear with decorating my home
-Starting to read Loving Frank

Happy August everyone!
{image via Matt McGee}

I’m so excited to introduce this new feature to the blog! Starting today and every first of the month, I’ll be sharing my 10 favorite month appropriate loves. I hope to inspire you. Encourage you to discover your city and see if they too offer you similar loves. I also hope you’ll share those thoughts with me. So without further ado, my tops for July.

-Fresh fruit and vegetables
-Cocktails on the porch
-Sandals
-Sun dresses
-Lightning bugs
-Fireworks
-Cookouts with friends
-Outdoor concerts
-Sunshine
-Hydrangeas, peonies, poppies and magnolias

Happy July everyone!! {image via Andrei}