Run Around the Block

On Saturday, I did the Run Around the Block Safe Boating 5K in Atlantic Beach.  We got to run through the Coast Guard station and down Fort Macon Road.  It was so nice to run on almost flat land after training in Raleigh!  I had no problem jogging the whole time, and I finished in 35:05.  This picture is a pretty accurate representation of the day: sweaty, windblown, and exploring the fort.

breakdown beach

After graduation, I headed to the beach to meet up with Laura.

Then my car broke down.  I hung out with a friendly Beulaville police man while I waited for AAA.  I rode 95 miles in this tow truck with a new friend who advised me to "just stay away from jealous people and preppy people, and you'll be alright."  He was fantastic and also 19 years old.

Lauren picked me up after she had an interview, and we headed to Wrightsville beach!  Her family's place there is very nice and in a perfect location.  Laura, Jessica, Kate, and Angela showed up too.

We relaxed on the deck.

We ate hot dogs that Lauren grilled.

We watched the sun set over the marsh.

We shopped for mother's day gifts.

We ate frozen yogurt.

We went to a Psalm 100 concert at Lauren's church.

We ate baked ziti that Lauren previously blogged about here.

It was a great trip.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

homemade bow tie

A couple of years ago, I got really into Martha Stewart's website.  As I looked at lists of handmade gift ideas for Christmas, I found her how-to on bow ties.  Now, most people either love or hate bow ties.  I like them on certain people; if you're into it, I say go for it.  It so happens that B likes them and also likes the idea of me/my mom making clothes for him, especially (!!!) when they're monogrammed.  Well, the project took a few years between my laziness and mom's getting a new embroidery machine.  We finally finished the tie in time for him to wear the lovely tartan to his church's Christmas eve service.    

a few from B's collection

L to R: handmade by me, Land's End, Vineyard Vines, Southern Proper, Southern Proper, Voila! Press

It is made for B's size, rather than being adjustable, and monogrammed.  Yes, his collar hides the monogram, but can you imagine trying to tie it so a monogram on the bow would sit right side up and out?!  That was my thinking at least.

Steps were something like this:

1. Lay out one of B's bow ties (adjusted to his size) on tracing paper and trace.

2. Add 1/4" around the tracing and cut out pattern.

3. Pin pattern to fabric - on the bias - and cut out.

4. Iron on interfacing.

5. Monogram.

6. Sew together, leaving openings on the narrow part near each end. (Mom did this part.)

7. Turn right side out. This is the most difficult step.

8. Hand stitch the openings closed. (Mom did this part.)

9. Try on and be impressed that you made a bow tie AND know how to tie it on yourself.

Queen's Cup

This weekend I went to a steeplechase called Queen's Cup in Charlotte.  Thank you, Amanda and Eliza, for inviting me, planning, and letting me stay with you.

Yes, I did see some horses.  

This jockey (below) fell off his horse right after a jump.  The horse ran more than a full lap without the jockey, finished the race, and then came back to get the jockey.

Here's a little instagram mash up.  

Top left: Eliza and Amanda sampling the gin bucket.

Amanda, me, Aubree

dress - Anthropologie

sunglasses - Ray Ban

earrings - gift from Lindsay