Charleston, SC | Our Vacay Part 2

Oh Charleston... What can I say about you. I think I'm in love.

This city is absolutely beautiful, I wish we had planned to spend more time there. But, we did make it to the Charleston City Market and of course the beautiful houses... who wouldn't want one of those.

I really can't explain how much I loved this city...  But I can definitely give you an idea of why it was so amazing. (unedited of course)

Charleston, SC - Tourist Center & City Market on Market Street

Charleston, SC - Tourist Center

Charleston, SC - Ride the Trolley

Charleston, SC - City Market

Charleston, SC - Market Street

Charleston, SC - Inside City Market

Charleston, SC - City Market - The Fishin' Duck 

Charleston, SC - City Market Shops

Charleston, SC - Market Street City Market

Charleston, SC - City Market Shops

Charleston, SC - The Peanut Shop, It'Sugar Candy Store, 

MoonPie General Store & Savannah's Candy Kitchen 

Charleston, SC - The Peanut Shop

Charleston, SC - Market Street Peanut Shop

Charleston, SC - It'Sugar

Charleston, SC - It'Sugar (This gummy bear is the size of Little P!!)

Charleston, SC - It'Sugar (NERDS!!)

Charleston, SC - It'Sugar Store on Market St

Charleston, SC - MoonPie General Store

Charleston, SC - Savannah's Candy Kitchen

Charleston, SC - Free Pralines at Savannah's Candy Kitchen

Charleston, SC - Savannah's Candy Kitchen on Market Street

Charleston, SC - Harbor & Homes

Charleston, SC - Harbor

Charleston, SC - Homes

Charleston, SC - Historic Home

Charleston, SC - Houses

Charleston, SC - Historic Houses

Isn't Charleston just beautiful? All of the little stores felt old fashioned... I could have spent all day in them! And of course the houses, if only I could have toured those as well!

(In case you missed it, here's Part 1 from our vacay)

So... Here's What's Been Happening...

I promised I'd tell you about the changes we have been thinking about making since last summer (here and again here). Well... we've been making a few.

1. The hubs changed jobs. He decided to go back to the golf course he was working at before. The offer was there and where he was just wasn't fitting at the moment. He's still not sure if he's settling down as he and his workplace have left the deal open for him to give them a year. If he decides to leave again they are 100% behind him. YES you heard that right... they actually want to support his career. They have so much respect for his talent that they are willing to take their chances to have him for just a year. I envy the relationship and career he has - one he loves!

Which brings me to my next point.

2. I mentioned that I'm not sure where I'll be going when maternity leave is over. Well, confession time. I'm thinking of taking my mortgage broker license but I'm a little scared. A. It's commission only. B. I need to take some courses and get my butt in gear for this spring so I can test it out before maternity leave is up. C. I'm still researching it and finding out how much I can make on the side while on maternity leave. And. D. Did I mention it's commission based only??? YUP. That scares us just a little. Although, the average income in Ontario is really good... I'm still not convinced. They say I'm a prime candidate with my marketing background... but I'm still scared. So... this week I'm doing all the research I can and next week... I'll either take the plunge or I won't.

What do you think? Do you use a mortgage broker?

I mean this is a great career choice because I can do it part time while working my current full-time job. But, if it were to work out down the road... like after a few years of knowing how I'm going to do... I could make it full-time and work from home. (LOVE!)

Alright... changes are happening. We're cracking down on this thing we call life. Tell me... made any scary changes lately or looking to push past your level of comfort? How did you make that decision to just do it?

Oh and just because I can... here's an adorable pic of the Little P Man.

Now I've got some research to do!

Portobello Bruschetta Pizzas | Recipe

Umm yumm! Kudos to the husband on this one.

We are on a health kick in this household - eating as clean as possible and hitting the treadmill and bowflex. And well, the hubs kind of threw together this amazing recipe. All I can say is - who needs takeout when you have this?

Even ask the hubs... He's all for replacing that awful take out for this new recipe he whipped up. And did I mention you can have them put together and cooked in about 15 minutes - not even!

Portobello Bruschetta Pizzas (1 Serving)

1 large portobello mushroom

2 heaping tbsp president's choice tomato basil bruschetta

2 tbsp Mozzarella Cheese (more is always better - it's cheese)

1 clove Garlic sliced (optional)

Remove the stems and membranes (is that what you call the messy brown stuff) from the mushrooms. Spoon desired amount of bruschetta mix onto mushroom, roughly 2 tbsp should do. Then slice up some garlic and place on. YUMM! Finally sprinkle the desired amount of cheese on top.

Put the oven on broil-high and watch them closely. Once the cheese starts bubbling and turning brown they're done! Remove them from the oven and try to only eat one! 

The mushroom keeps a firmness to it that makes it seem like a crust. So good. I think adding some more vegetables or even some meat would work well too. 

I can hardly wait for pizza night just talking about them!

You're welcome ;)

A Dresser for a Vanity | I Need Your Help

Alright, so we ended up buying a dresser to use as a vanity in the bathroom renovations. The problem is I'm stuck - remove the top and build a thicker one, what colour should I paint, should I keep the handles?

Here's what it looks like:

Here's the sink we're going to be using:

And here's where I'm sitting with decisions.

Knobs
I think I'll keep the knobs - who can compete with those big wooden things - perfection! I will either paint them the same colour as the dresser or white and I'll sand them a bit to show wood through.

Dresser/Vanity Top
As for the top, I'd like to say I'll keep it, but should I sand it and stain it again? Different colour?

Dresser/Vanity
Oh and the vanity itself. I'm looking for a punch of fun... here are a couple of colours I was thinking... what do you think? (You can see the floors in the second picture and we'll be keeping the same grey walls and adding white wainscotting)

the colour on the walls in this picture. via.

the second colour. via.

misted fern or aegean teal. via.

And pretty much most of these. via.

Or, maybe one of the other many colours I have pinned over on my paint. board? Go dark or go light? How much colour is too much? And did I mention, I think I'm going to add a punch of colour in the laundry closet too?

What do you think I should do... I'm stuck!

Myrtle Beach, SC | Our Vacay Part 1

What's with this weather? Thankfully, we were able to sneak away from it a few weeks ago to catch a little sun in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And let me tell you, Parker loved it! And, so did mommy and daddy being able to put him in a stroller and walk everywhere.

We had a busy week, touring, shopping and dining. We managed to hit up The Market Common, Broadway at the Beach, The Tanger Outlets (of course), some Piers and Beaches, Barefoot Landing, Murrell's Inlet... and more! If Parker were older I'm sure we would have needed a whole month just to do everything there.

Anyways, here are a few of the photos that I managed to get while we were being tourists. (unedited of course, or else I don't think you'd ever get to see them)

Joe's Crab Shack - Barefoot Landing

Boardwalk - Broadway at the Beach

Carousel - Barefoot Landing

Carousel - Myrtle Beach

The Man Cave Store - Broadway at the Beach

Mirror Maze - Broadway at the Beach

The Homes - Murrell's Inlet

Ocean View - Myrtle Beach

Boardwalk - Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach - Beaches

Pier 4 - Myrtle Beach

Sky Wheel - Myrtle Beach

WonderWorks - Broadway at the Beach

So much fun. I'm glad we went and saw it. Everyone was so friendly and I just loved that southern accent. I can't wait to share the pictures I snapped in Charleston.