Birthday Celebrations!

This past weekend we had the opportunity to celebrate not 1, but 2 birthdays!! My sister and my good friend, Erin Norrell, share the same birthday on March 21st. 

Friday night we celebrated Erin's at Acre with a great group of friends. Acre has become a favorite restaurant for all of us living here in Auburn and I believe the majority of the table ordered the burger which is so delicious! After dinner a few of us went around the corner to Avondale Bar which has also become a favorite spot to grab a drink!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!

Saturday we had a surprise Birthday Party for my sister's  (AKA Tator Tot). She was very surprised!! (NOT)

She pretty much knew the entire time we were planning something for her. Fail on my end! It was still a blast and we had so much fun hanging out at the lake celebrating the BIG 3-0 with her. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE!

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate!

-Kaci

Atlanta Trip

We spent this past weekend celebrating Andrew's brother, Hunter Letts, birthday in Atlanta. Friday night we went to a newer restaurant called GUNSHOW! We had to get reservations almost two months in advance and we could not have been happier with the choice that Nicole Letts made for all of us! When trying to decide how to describe the place, I figured I would just share the "who we are" section from their website and let you decide what you think! I love how the chef decided on the name.Perfect.

*Chef Kevin Gillespie’s restaurant, Gunshow, offers a bold, new take on the traditional dining experience. Inspired by Brazilian churrascaria-style dining and Chinese dim sum, Gillespie combined the two for a decidedly fun and delicious result. Dishes are presented on rolling carts and trays to diners at their tables

where they can then choose what to order. Pricing is a la carte.

 *Along with an innovative dining experience, the restaurant’s design is also unique. With few walls and a highly visible kitchen, Gillespie and the talented team at ai3, Inc. have created a sense of transparency throughout Gunshow.

 *The restaurant’s name is a tribute to his family. Growing up, Gillespie’s father worked seven days a week to provide a better life for his family. On the rare Sunday afternoon he had off, father and son would go to a gun show.

*Gunshow is located in the Glenwood Park neighborhood of Atlanta, where Gillespie currently resides.

On Saturday, I met up with my friend Lindsay, and recent bride-to-be, at Treehouse to discuss an upcoming party for the couple as well as the bachelorette party this summer. It was so good to see her and hear all the details she is planning for her wedding in August. Its going to be beautifully romantic in Watercolor and I am in love already with her amazing engagement photos! I cannot wait to share with you all of her events!

Went to Nordstrom after lunch and found these marked down to $16. I was dumb enough not to buy them.

Thank you Nicole & Hunter Letts for letting me be your 3rd roommate this week! Nicole also convinced me to also try my first Pure Barre class while I was there. Thank you!

And this is what I am doing until tomorrow - conference in Columbia, SC. If you live here and if you are cool please for heavens sake call me. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET HOME AND SEE MY FLUFFY PUPPY …and maybe someone else. ;)

Stay tuned for next week! Have a good weekend.

kaci

Rodan + Fields - Leave Aging to Wine & Cheese!

About two years ago is when it started. That feeling that I needed more and more when putting my face on in the morning and my usual powder with some blush and mascara was just not doing the trick. To be completely honest with you, I would give ANYTHING not to wear makeup. 

Like many, I have started to notice more wrinkles, lines, puffy eyes, and breakouts have been at an all time high! Thanks to my sister, Leslie Gaston, and her new business opportunity with Rodan + Fields  I have started to see progress with my complextion and feel more confident about my skin. 

This past week we had a small party at my house for anyone interested in trying out some of the recently famous Rodan + Fields products. The theme was "Leave Aging to Wine & Cheese!" We had a nice turnout and had a few people who were both interested in improving their skin as well as becoming a partner and selling Rodan + Fields to earn extra income. 

With their products, you can find everything from products for brown spots, aging skin, irritation, acne and post acne marks, sun damage, etc..

If you or anyone you know is interested in trying some the products please contact Leslie Gaston- see contact information below. 

Message her now and find out how to receive free shipping and 10% off. The first 10 to message her saying they saw the info here on raymerplace.blogspot.com will receive a free mini facial!

Here are some pics of the party.

   Mini facials that you don't want to miss!!                         Redefine AMP MD for firmer looking skin.

Here is my sister..she is cooler than a pair of polar bear's toenails.

Contact her here:

Leslie Gaston 

Independent Consultant

256.749.7647

lesliegaston.myrandf.com

lesliegaston.myrandf.biz

www.rodanandfields.com

Thank you,

Kaci

Work Trip + A Little Fun

About two months ago I FINALLY got a confirmed work meeting in Charleston, SC and I have been eager for the trip especially since my friend Kristen was going the same week for work (this may or may not have been planned)! So this week was finally time to get out of the house ( I work from home mostly) drive to Charleston and get some things done along with having a little fun. 

Right when we both got to Charleston, I could have easily laid down and took about a 3 hour snooze from my 6 hour drive, but figured I should make the best out of my time in SC. We spent one night in Charleston and the next night in Beaufort (place is amazing…have you been there?)

 We immediately put on our tennis shoes and hit the streets in Charleston popping in beautiful antique shops, art galleries, admiring restaurants and trying to choose which one we would eat at that night…the weather was 78 degrees, no humidity, AMAZING hair day and those days do not come very often.

Here is US!!

The first thing that made the trip immediately interesting was dropping by art gallery Galerie on Broad. If you have not checked out Kate Mullin's (http://www.galerieonbroad.com/#!kate-mullin/crfb) work then check out the website!! Kristen and I ended up talking to Kate who is an Auburn grad and now owner of the gallery! She is a wonderful artist with beautiful paintings and she has acquired other artists in her gallery like Dru Warmath (colorful coastal landscapes), James Richards, and Dee Beard Dean. Next time you are in Charleston, this would be a gallery you do not want to miss! Christmas wish lists!!!

Galerie on Broad 

http://www.galerieonbroad.com

Our next stop was a gift shop down by the water that had the cutest Lulie Wallace duffel bags. I am sad we did not make it over to Lulie's studio, but these bags made up for it…some. 

I wanted all of them and the price really wasn't that bad! Don't you love that cute fabric. This would be such a cute gift for my friends.

The price tags were even cute! 

A view of our walk..

For dinner we ate at Magnolias on East Bay Street. Everything on the menu looked good, but drinks first, right! We decided on MacMurray Pinot Noir  along with some fried green tomatoes, ahi tuna, and their famous chicken dish. Our service and food were great and I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a date night with your one and only! Thank you, Kristen, for being mine!

We spent the next night in Beaufort. I could take up an entire new post writing about my new love for the place. If you have been there, then you know. If you haven't…

View from Plum's Restaurant in downtown Beaufort.

And this is what you can expect to see EVERYWHERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kaci

Valentine's Day Dinner Party!

I love Valentine's Day. I love flowers. Yes, I love the classic red roses. I love a party. And I love a party even more with party-loving friends. So, a Valentine's Day Dinner Party with flowers and friends sounds just snazzy to me!

Back in January I decided we would have a dinner party on Thursday, February 13th so that if couples wanted to celebrate together on Valentine's Day they could. First, I sent out a paperless post invite just to see if everyone would be interested and I immediately got back responses that ALL 16 could attend. ! My friends are quick….no horsing around.

Here's a preview of the invite:

(apologize for the blur)

We decided that I would make the main dish, a chicken and spinach pasta bake  (http://www.joyouslydomestic.com/2013/04/chicken-and-spinach-pasta-bake.html) and that a few people would make appetizers, a few would bring desserts and one would bring sangria! Everything was so delicious! When I get the recipes from my friends I will post them in the comment section below. 

Here are some pictures from the party! We enjoyed listening to some old school music (Otis Redding radio station is our favorite) on Pandora along with some Boys II Men (recommended by Hollie Hill).          

We had a blast!

                                  I hope you have a wonderful and love filled Valentine's Day.

Publix Flowers. 3 for 12! Count me in!

And this is how he and his mom feel today…

Happy Valentines Day to my handsome Valentine.

XOXO

KACI

Steal of the Week- Dinnerware

I am so excited about my new dinnerware purchase from Target! Over the past year living here in Auburn, my love for Target has skyrocketed and sometimes I am just amazed how the store stays up-to-date with apparel, shoes, swimwear, home decor, etc.. and not to mention it is easier on the wallet!

Andrew and I have been using the same dinnerware collection from Macy's for the past 6 years (that's how long we have been together (6-1/2 to be exact) and he had it before we met) so needless to say our plates and bowls have slowly begun to make their way out of our cabinets due to broken pieces, chipped, and all of the above. They have been wonderful for us during these years and we couldn't say enough about the Cellar collection at Macy's. 

I have had a recent obsession with scalloped style dinnerware. I do not know a lot about dinnerware, sets that are appropriate, and what exactly is a good price for dishes..(? ) but when I came across the Threshold 16 -piece dinnerware set for 59.99 at Target.. I knew this was for us! Sold to me!! (All of the new Threshold items in the store are so cute!)

I have only purchased one set so far, but I wanted to make sure I had made the right decision. So when I came home and googled scalloped dinnerware.. of course, the beauties below popped up (ONE DAY :)).. but I couldn't help but be proud of my Target find of the week! (Do you love that coffee mug or is it just me?- its okay if it's just me)

The dishes below are at Fish's Eddy in NYC. If you have not visited Fish's Eddy in NY or online I would strongly suggest! (http://www.fishseddy.com) I purchased some fun NYC skyline cocktail glasses during a visit in NYC in November and love them! They have so many cute gifts with great character.

Neiman Marcus 20- piece Scallop Dinnerware Set - love button please.

Pillivuyt Queen Anne Porcelain Dinnerware Place Settings - Williams - Sonoma

We are having a dinner party this Thursday at our home with lots of friends for a Valentine's Day celebration and I cannot wait to use our new Target dishes-- on my way now to buy more! 

Next week I will be sharing photos of the dinner, showing off my awesome talented friends and also sharing with you some of their secret recipes.

http://www.target.com/p/threshold-16-piece-scalloped-dinnerware-set-white/-/A-14172084

Stay Tuned… 

Kaci

Weekend At A Glance

Shout out Alert!

I want to thank you Nicole Letts for my awesome header! If you do not follow http://probablypolkadots.blogspot.com you should! Nicole is so talented at detail, style, and all things that girls love…she's also not a bad friend :)

This past weekend was jam packed with friends, family, food, a little antique mall shopping, and of course the Super Bowl…I don't know too much about football but I believe I could have done without the Super Bowl game this year. As a matter of fact, the only thing that caught my attention the entire 4 hours was the halftime show (love Bruno)! And of course being with a large group of amazing friends watching the game is a great way to end the weekend.

Friday night we went to The Hound (http://thehound-auburn.com) here in Auburn. The food is absolutely delish! Some of the crowd favorite entrees are the Bison Burger, The Little Piggy Grilled Cheese and the Drunk Chicken. One of my friends also mentioned that their brunch is wonderful so you should definitely check out this place if you haven't already.

Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite were the drink favorites…

Saturday was spent in Alexander City (my hometown). If you live in Alexander City and you are reading this then come on by to our new booth at the Longleaf Antique Mall!! Our booth is on Erin Avenue (go left when you walk in and its the second row) and we are C-7. Mom put us on a waiting list about 6-8 months ago so when they called to tell us the spot was available we went up there ASAP with car loads full of stuff! Andrew has some things that were awesome in his condo in Birmingham, but just don't fit the decor we have now at our home.  Go check us out! 

Here is Mom working the booth like a pro..

And here is a photo with some of my girlfriends at the Super Bowl party. 

Its always hard to get motivated on Monday so to end this Monday on a positive note I wanted to share the image below with you. As I constantly struggle to improve with my job and get past the stress of day-to-day sales routine, quotas, customers, etc... it's nice to glance up in my office and see this to remind me of what's important. This is one of my favorites and I believe applies to many things in life. 

Happy Monday.

Kaci