thankful Thursday: blogging connections

I started blogging several years ago to share my life events in college with a few friends and family members. I wasn't expecting blogging to lead to meeting new friends, encouraging acquaintances,  and even finding a husband for my friend. 

Y'all, this blogging thing is CrAzY!

In January 2014, I wrote a post about my friend Erin and linked up to Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Life: Singles Day link-up. 

In April 2014, I got an email from Jeremy, who was interested in Erin. 

In April 2015, Erin and Jeremy got engaged!!!

I finally met Jeremy in person on Saturday, after their engagement. 

I am so thankful for the many connections blogging has made for me and my friends! I never, ever expected these things to happen. I started Hand Me Down Style with a lot of prayer, and I had no idea the ways that God would use this blog. I'm so thankful He has done more than I could ask or imagine!  

Show Us Your Life: Erin

I can't resist linking up with Kelly's Korner to introduce my friend, Erin!

(left)

Erin is a great friend. She definitely has the gift of hospitality, and she comes up with creative party ideas. She likes to do FUN things, but she is also a friend that I can count on. Erin has a sweet heart and enjoys serving others. 

She also loves her family and makes trips to SC often to see them and her friends at home. 

(right)

Erin loves Duke basketball. I don't get it, but she looks beautiful in blue!

Erin loves Jesus. She knows everyone at church because she commits to serving and will substitute in any ministry. Not only does she serve at church, but she has traveled to several countries on mission trips. I have learned a lot from Erin as we have been in small groups together, she led two Bible studies I was in, and she blogs. 

(right)

She loves running and has participated in many races, even a half marathon! 

(right)

Erin also loves Chick-fil-a, especially their chocolate chip cookies and small Cokes. 

My dad loves Erin, so I asked him to describe her. He said, "she loves the Lord, she has a bubbly personality, and she is southern and has a southern accent." Ha!

Erin is beautiful inside and out, and we want her to find someone wonderful!

To get in touch with Erin, you can email me at handmedownstyle (at) gmail (dot) com. 

FIVE on Friday

I had a fabulous weekend with my friend Jessica, who visited from out of town last weekend. For this five on Friday, here are a few places we went and loved:

not one of my five, but walking around the Capitol is a must for me

ONE | Sushi Blues. One of my favorite sushi restaurants in town, it was the perfect place for us to enjoy sushi, catch up, and watch basketball.

TWO | Los Tres Vaqueros. I don't care what anyone says, this is my favorite Mexican place. Of course we had certain ones in college we frequented, but I always missed the food at Los Tres.

THREE | Lilly's pizza. The pizza was delicious, and we managed to get a table, thanks to nice ladies who shared with us. My favorite at Lilly's is the Hawaiian Punch, with pineapple, ham, mandarin oranges, cinnamon, and ricotta cheese.

FOUR | Foundation. I had read about this place and how you have to know where you are going to find it. It's true. The staff was friendly and helpful, and a portion of their menu came from a 1939 recipe book, right up my alley. I chose the South Side and was very pleased!

FIVE | Beasley's. I'd been putting this one off for a while, thinking there was no way it'd live up to the Southern Living hype. It was good!!! I prefer collards with vinegar and pepper rather than bechamel (I'm not that fancy), but I recommend the fried chicken and the Ashe County macaroni and cheese.

It looks like we attempted to eat our way through Raleigh last weekend. Thank you, Jessica and Allison, for going on these adventures with me!

What are your favorite places to eat in your hometown? Where would you take a friend who's visiting from out of town?

You can link up for Five on Friday, too, at any of these blogs:

The Good Life Blog

Carolina Charm

A.Liz Adventures

Hello! Happiness

FIVE on Friday

I've got a pretty simple Five on Friday this week--a few new-to-me places around town and favorite things. 

ONE | I've tried my fair share of dry shampoos. My current favorite is this psssst! brand that I picked up at Ulta recently. I hate smelling dry shampoo on myself, but this one's scent is light and pleasant. 

                                                 

TWO | Last weekend, my mom and I stopped by Yellow Dog Bread Company. The chocolate croissant took me back to Paris. My mom's hot chocolate was delicious, too. Plus, their address is perfect.

THREE | I've been following along with the She Reads Truth devotions throughout Advent, and they started a new series this week. Check it out here.

FOUR | I visited Sola Coffee last week and had coconut oolong tea--warm, tasty, and not as earthy as most teas.

FIVE | This week, I went to trivia at Raleigh Brewing Company. It was a great time, there were dogs everywhere, and we even won a little prize.

Have a great weekend!

You can link up for Five on Friday, too, at any of these blogs:

The Good Life Blog

Carolina Charm

A.Liz Adventures

Hello! Happiness

FIVE on Friday

I like the number 13 and welcome this Friday the 13th with open arms. I have had a great week full of surprises!

I hadn't been having the best time of things lately. Last Friday night, in the balmy 70 degree weather, I sat on my front porch, and I spent a while praying and reading my Bible. I asked God to help me be content. You know when a lot of little things aren't going well and it's just tough? When you think that eventually something's got to give? No matter what, I know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He is the source of true joy, and it is always a blessing to slow down and spend more time with Him. He also likes to give his children good gifts, and I've seen Him show me several good gifts this week. Those good gifts are my FIVE on Friday.

ONE | After I went inside, I picked up my phone. I was shocked and ecstatic to find out that Kiel James Patrick had chosen me as his #BetterSweaterer pick of the week! A week or two before, Sarah and Sadie announced that they were hosting an Instagram contest to find the better sweaterer each week until Christmas. I knew that I had plenty of sweatering to do that I was planning to blog about anyway. I've mentioned before how extensive my grandmother's sweater collection is, and I pull out a few of the gems especially for Christmastime. Below is the photo that KJP chose to regram.  

TWO | Last week, Southern Living asked readers to post their Christmas decorations, and The Daily South would choose favorites to post Saturday. I grew up watching my mom read Southern Living, and I borrow her issues now to read. I like catching up on The Daily South from time to time to see what's going on in our region. I checked the site on Saturday, and I was thrilled to see not one, but TWO of my photos on The Daily South! See the post here. 

THREE | On Monday, I received a package of Kiel James Patrick goodies that I ordered during their Black Friday sale. I look forward to styling what's in these boxes!  

FOUR | On Wednesday, I received my Kslademade key fob that I ordered during their Black Friday sale.  I'm so thankful that I could buy great products from both of these companies, made in the USA, on sale!  

FIVE | I found out through Instagram that Loren Hope was having a trunk show at Monkee's on Wednesday, and they would be giving away a Lyra necklace. I have followed and admired the brand for a while, and I made sure to go by the trunk show for a couple of gifts.  Loren was great, and I was so glad to have the opportunity to meet her!!! I couldn't believe that I also WON the necklace!!! 

Sometimes things can lift your spirits a little bit. I am thankful for these "little happies," as my sister in law would call them, this week!

You can link up for Five on Friday, too, at any of these blogs:

The Good Life Blog

Carolina Charm

A.Liz Adventures

Hello! Happiness

thankful FIVE on Friday

ONE | family
I am thankful that I have a loving family who lives close to me (or with me, ha!).

TWO | friends
Post college, it is definitely more difficult to make friends.  However, as time goes by, I learn more about how to be a friend and what kind of friends I need.  I am so thankful for the friends who have stuck by me through everything, especially changes in our life stages over the past few years.  (I'm singing "you find out who your friends are" in my mind.)

THREE | faith
I can't imagine going through life without faith.  Things are rough in this fallen world, but it is not my home.  No matter what's going on, I know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

FOUR | education and career
I'm thankful that I got a great education at ECU which helped me get the best job for me right out of school.

FIVE | weekends
Although I am thankful for my job, it makes me even more thankful for weekends.  Work > graduate school.

What are you thankful for?

P.S. You can link up too for 5 on Friday here:
the good life blog
carolina charm
a. liz adventures
hello! happiness

first five on Friday

In the spirit of expanding my blog horizons (see #1), I am linking up for FIVE on Friday!

ONE | I attended my first blogger meet up a couple of weeks ago.  These ladies got together as the NC portion of Southern Blog Society, and Ryann invited me to join them.  She and I have been in contact for a little while, and I was so excited to finally meet her!  I was thrilled to see Emily again, too!  The rest of the ladies were new to me, and I've enjoyed checking out their blogs since then.

me - Kristyn - Morgan - Nikki - Emily - Bre - Ryann

I purchased my Joie dress from Second Time Around while in NYC, and I made my necklace based on these instructions from Martha Stewart.  My bag is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier hobo.

TWO | I look forward to reuniting with a few of my friends from graduate school this weekend.  We are planning to tailgate then head to the football game.  I'm still thinking about what I want to make for us to eat and drink, but so far I've got sausage balls, fruit, brownies, and maybe a punch in mind.  Any favorite tailgating recipes?

THREE | There is still time left to pack an Operation Christmas Child box!  Check out the Samaritan's Purse website to find a drop off location near you.

FOUR | I have heard about She Reads Truth before, but I never checked out their devotions until I saw Jamie mention their Thanksgiving plan from last year.  They are starting a new Thanksgiving series on Monday, and I'm looking forward to it.  If you need a daily devotion before Advent or wonder what I'm talking about at all, check it out.

FIVE | Speaking of Thanksgiving, maybe you have planned out your menu already (or maybe you're like me and your uncle cooks all of it), but what about breakfast?!  Holidays are great times to have leisurely breakfasts with your family.  And I've got the perfect answer to what to eat for breakfast: my sister in law's cinnamon rolls.  They are THE BEST cinnamon rolls you will ever put in your mouth.  Big T listed them for $10 per pan, and they are worth $100.  She is still taking orders, so hop to it!!!  Find Stellar Sweets Raleigh on Facebook or email her at stellarsweetsraleigh [at] gmail [dot] com.

Have a great weekend!