Our First Home

Oh hi there ...  Apparently I forgot how to turn my computer on write.  I swear we have been busy!! Between the last time I blogged and now, I got a new job (yes, again!) and we bought a house ... Crazy right?!  We are now homeowners in Charleston, SC!!


Here are some before/after pictures of the house so far:

Our First Home

Walking in .. 

 

Before

After (will be changing that rug soon)

Main Living Area

Before 

Before "Opposite View"

After 1

Dining room (no before picture)

 Kitchen - After

Kitchen After

Living Room

Before

After

And of course Thurman needed to get in on the action ...

We still have work to do, but we absolutely love having our own home! No upstairs pictures yet, all we have done is work in our bedroom/bathroom.  The other rooms are nothing special right now, but we can't wait to share more of our new home with y'all.

xo -

The Bogan's 

p.s. All visitors welcome! 

March Madness

We have been so busy this month that I have forgotten how to even use a computer!  Our poor little Thurman has been battle a cough for almost a month now.  Long story short, it has taken many vets, all different types of medication and LOTS of $$ to get this dog back in good health.

I think he is finally starting to feel better!! He is a video update from Thurman:

He was very afraid of his "chicken" toy for a little bit and now it doesn't have a head.  I guess Thurman won that battle.

In other news, my big brother and his beautiful wife, Christina welcomed their baby boy into the world on March 11th!  I am an Aunt again and it is the best feeling in the world!  He is the cutest little baby with the longest lashes and I cannot wait to meet him!! We are going home in May to meet both our new niece and nephew.  

Currently, I am counting down the days seconds until my sister, brother-in-law and nephew get here next week!! I have literally been waiting for this week since well ... November, the last time I saw my nephew.  Being an Aunt is truly one of the best blessings I have received in my life.  

I promise to blog more in April, March just "marched" right away from me (Sorry, I couldn't resist).  I do have FOUR new Charleston restaurants to talk about in my next post! 

Have a great week! 

Candle Making

I have been itching to make anything and everything that I usually buy!! If it is over-priced and I can make it, I want to! Candles, cleaning products, the possibilities are endless.

Today I want to share how I made my first homemade candles, but first lets talk about how much I am saving by doing this.  I love going to yankee candle and trying to justify spending $50 on 2 candles.  Here is what I spent to make 20 candles!  All ordered on Amazon.com:

10oz bag of soy wax flakes - $9.99
50 Candle Wicks - $8.99
Lavender & Beach Linen Scents - $15.98
Pouring Pot (optional) - 9.79
Mason Jars - FREE, I already owned, but you can get them at Target or Hobby Lobby

Grand Total: $44.72

That is $2.24 a candle, not $25 for a candle.  Yes it is a little more work than walking into the store and buying some candles, but it is a lot less work on your bank account!! 

Now for the tutorial:
(when I made my first two, I didn't receive the pouring pot in the mail yet so I just used a double burning and pyrex measuring cup.)  Also, I realized I didn't have a wooden spoon to use for this, so I used the end of a spatula to stir.

Set up candle jar on a trivet with candle wick in it.
(if it isn't standing up straight, don't worry we will fix it later)

Use double burning or pouring pot to melt the wax flakes

Stir while the wax is melting

Add scent to melted wax

If you used a double burning,  pour the melted wax into the pyrex measuring cup.  If you are using the pouring pot you can just poor the melted wax right into the mason jar.

I was having trouble keeping the wick up, so I used some chop sticks to hold it in place
while the wax dried ( I will be stocking up on chop sticks every time I eat sushi now!).

Once the wax has completely dried, you can decorate your new candle
however you wish!

Once I get all my candles decorated, I will share a picture later this week.  Hope you enjoyed and make some candles of your own!!

Favorite Recipe Friday!

One of the items on our 2013 bucket list was to try a new recipe once a week.  Well... we haven't done that yet, but I do have one of our favorite healthy recipes to share:

Shrimp over Green Beans

sorry the picture isn't great!

This recipe replaces pasta with green beans and is so good!  Pasta may sound better, but I promise you that you don't miss it at all in this! 

Ingredients:
1-1 1/2 pounds of uncooked shrimp (peeled, deveined and no tails)
16oz-18oz fresh green beans 
1/3 cup of olive oil
1 bunch of fresh basil (sometimes  I just use dried)
2-3 tomatoes - diced into small pieces 
1 tbs of chopped garlic
1/2-1 cup of freshly grated pecorino romano cheese 

Directions: 
Cook the green beans in about a 1/3 of a cup of water bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer cook until desired firmness or softness.  Add garlic, chopped tomatoes, basil and cleaned shrimp to heated pan of olive oil, cook until shrimp is pink and firm sprinkle with 1/4cup of the cheese, drain the beans and put in a serving bowl pour the shrimp mixture over the beans and sprinkle more cheese. 

We like to enjoy this recipe with a nice bottle of wine.  

Do you have any good recipes for us to try?
Please Share!

Throwback Thursday

I have seen so many people post about #throwbackthursday on facebook, instagram and twitter.  Here are some of our Throwbacks!!

#New Years 2010-2011

#Jamaica2011

#football season 2011

Before I go, here is a "throwback" of Thurman ...

a young 9 weeks old here - can't believe he is 5 months now!

Happy Thursday!

Few and Far

Sorry my post have been few and far in between. It has been a little busy around here, adjusting to the new job and all.  Now that we are getting into a routine, we were finally able to go out for a date night on Saturday!!

We went to Cinebarre!!  Where you Eat.Drink.Watch Movies.   I like to call it cinna-bear even though it is cinna-bar.  Cinna-bear just sounds like so much more fun, right?

It was such a fun experience.  While waiting for the theater to be cleaned up, we ordered a drink at the bar.  Yes, you read that right ... a BAR at the movie theater.  Here is how it works:

- Get there about 30 minutes before the movies starts.  Order a drink while you are waiting for the theater to be cleaned.
- After to sit down, you can look over the menu while watching previews.

- You server will take your order, but if you need anything during the movie (like another drink or some popcorn) you just pop your little piece of paper up and they will come to you.

Being able to eat dinner, have some wine and watch a new movie was so cool!  Trevor even said he could get through a chick flick like this.


Love trying new things in Charleston!!

A Crazy Week

It has been a crazy busy week (and a half).  Remember that exciting news I promised to share?  Well, it is exciting for me at least ... I got a new job!  I am absolutely loving it so far and feel like a normal person again!

Other updates:

1. Thurman:

We put him in day-care on Monday and Tuesday.  To say he loved it is an understatement!  He came home so tired out and the girls at Paws in Paradise say he had a great time.

Didn't even make it out of the parking lot

Wednesday morning we got in the car and he was so excited thinking it was going to be another day of daycare.  Little did he know he would be coming home like this ...

"Not only did they take away my manhood, they put this PINK cone around my head"

2. We have a new niece!

Trevor's brother and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Arianna into the world on February 3rd.  We can't wait to get back to NY to meet her and our soon to be niece or nephew(my brother and sister-in-law are due in March).  Lots of new babies!!

3. Visitors!

My sissy, brother-in-law and this amazing little man have officially booked their flights to come visit!!

4.  Nemo

Don't get me wrong ... I love that is is 67 and sunny today here in Charleston, but I kind of miss all the excitement of a big snow storm.  Of course if I was in NY, I would probably be working and cursing the retail gods while I was driving home in a blizzard.  

pic

To all my New Yorkers: Be Safe out there!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

2013 Bucket List

A lonnngg way back we wrote a ridiculous bucket list for our lives.  Some of the items on that list are fairly doable(I didn't know that was a real word until I just typed it) and others that are just a dream.  While having this conversation the other night, the idea occurred to us to make a bucket list for each year instead:

(setting: on the couch, drinking wine and watching Eat, Pray, Love)

Me: "I am fascinated by other cultures.  Like their traditions, not their foods, but I would like to try new things this year.  I mean ... I did try Oysters, so why not?"

Trevor: "Yea ... that is probably a good idea because not every restaurant is going to have a crab cake sandwich."

Who me?! Only ordering the same thing at every restaurant? NEVER!  

Fine ... you caught me.  It has been something I have always done ever since I was little. My parents will tell you I went from only ordering chicken fingers to only ordering lobster tails.  I guess this little trait of mine has continued on in Charleston with Crab Cake Sandwiches, but can you blame me?  The crab is great here!

Anyway ... here is what we have so far for our 2013 Bucket List.  Hopefully we can add more to it as we think of new ideas:

Try a new restaurant every month

Try food from different cultures

Purchase Kayaks

Visit Savannah

Visit Atlanta

Buy a House!!

Take Ballroom Dance Lessons
Take up Tennis
Go to at least 1 concert
Gamecocks Game
Make a new recipe every week
Convince at least 1 person to move to Charleston
Learn the history in Charleston
Get Thurman a brother or sister(in dog form) when he is a year old

Have any other ideas for us?? 

p.s. I was going to let the hubs write this post, but I was afraid our bucket list would look like this:

Hiking in the South

On Sunday afternoon we were all going a little stir-crazy in the apartment and decided it was a great day to go for a hike.  We went to Swamp Fox  Passage of the Palmetto Trail which is about 20 minutes from our apartment.

Hiking in the South -  I don't know if I would call it "hiking" it is more like walking in a very flat wooded area.  When I think of hiking, I think of climbing up a mountain to reach a great view at the top.  That is the best thing about a hike right?  The challenge, the view, the accomplishment.  We got none of that on Sunday.  We only hiked walked for a little over 2 miles because it was boring with no reward at the end.  Maybe these trails need to open up to beautiful marshland or something else southern because I need something to look forward to after walking through tick infested woods(clearly I have tick issues, that is a whole other subject). 

The only great thing about this so called hike was that Thurman had a blast ...

Running like a mad man

Eating every stick and leaf in sight

Here is a quick video .. sorry for the shakiness and sniffles(it was a little chilly out)

I guess it was worth it to see the little man have so much fun.  It seems like it will be a pretty decent bike path, so maybe in a few months we can try it again for a longer journey.  Overall, the trail is 42 miles!!  We need more outdoor places to visit with Thurman that involve some good running time. 

Do you know of outdoor places in or around 

Charleston for us to go explore? 

Our Love Story

I finally updated our 

"About Us" page!

Check it out by clicking on our picture to the left 

or just click here. 

Hope you enjoy :) 

Weekend Recap

Saturday

It was another beautiful day here in Charleston, but got a little chilly at night.  After checking into a few doggie-day care locations, Trevor and I brought Thurman to the dog park to play with some of his "friends."  Look how happy this little guy is ...

Saturday night we went downtown for a much needed date night.  We decided on Pearlz Oyster Bar on East Bay Street because I really wanted to try oysters before all these festivals happen next weekend.  When we walked into Pearlz it was very crowded and the hostess told us it would be over an hour wait for a seat! YIKES!  Luckily, there were two seats at the bar calling our name.  

For an appetizer we had a dozen steamed oysters.  I enjoyed them more with hot sauce, but Trevor said they were great either way.  For dinner we both had the Mixed Seafood Grill special.

It was AMAZING!

(scallops, monkfish, and two other fish I can't remember over goat cheese and asparagus risotto with truffle lobster broth)  

I can't wait to go back for happy hour for great priced apps and $3.00 house wine.

Sunday & Monday

The rest of the 3-day weekend we pretty much just hung out at home and went to the dog park.  It was great to spend some time together and not do to much.  

This is pretty random - but, I can't wait to spring clean.  There are so many things I want to organize/clean/throw-away/make.  After a long chat with my brother the other day, I plan on making all my own cleaning supplies.  Maybe that is what has me in the mood to clean or maybe it is this spring time weather.  Whatever it is, I can't wait!

p.s. I have some exciting news to share this week!  Stay tuned!  

From Shoes to Center Pieces

We shared some of our favorite moments from the wedding a while back, but I wanted to share some of the details today.  We were so excited with how everything turned out and were very happy with all of our vendors.  They were wonderful and deserve a little shout out!

The Ceremony 

Held at The Arts Center on the Hudson in Mechanicville, NY.  

An old church renovated into a beautiful Arts Center.

The Reception 

Held at Longfellows in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Longfellows is a restored dairy barn that was opened in 1996.

The Dress

Purchased from: Lily Saratoga 

(also purchased my veil there)

The staff at Lily is so amazing and attentive.  I couldn't be happier with my experience there

and thank them so much for making the big event of shopping for a wedding dress such a fabulous experience.

The Shoes

Purchased (from left to right): Jill's Wandering Cowboy, Violet's & Stella's of Saratoga, Toms.com

The first two shops are both located on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, NY.  

Wedding Party Attire

Dresses - Purchased from: Nordstrom

Tuxes - Vera Wang Collection at Men's Warehouse

Flowers

Flowers by: Heaven Scent Floral Art in Saratoga Springs, NY

Jordy(the owner and florist) was absolutely wonderful. If you ever need a florist in Upstate NY, you need to use her!

(there was a 2nd arrangement of center pieces I loved, just can't find a picture of it)

 

Cake Topper

Purchased: on Etsy from Betteroffwed 

I was so happy with this cake topper, it is something we can keep forever.  Now, I am

trying to decide what I want to turn it into ... so many possibilities! 

Cake was done by Longfellows, it was a red velvet(our favorite)

Place Cards

Little champagne bottles ...

My wonderful sister wrote all these out for me because let's be real .. I write like my two year old nephew. 

Guest Books 

Saratoga Book

Purchased:  Impressions of Saratoga (one of my favorite little shops in Saratoga)

This book had a lot of great pictures of different places in Saratoga Springs.  We asked our

guest to sign by their favorite picture so we can always remember the great city we got married in.

         

Thumbprint Guest Book

Purchased: on Etsy from Bleudetoi

When I got this in the mail I was so thrilled.  It came out so great, but after all of our guest "signed" it I loved it even more!

Card Box

Saratoga Springs Hat Box

Purchased from: Impressions of Saratoga 

I saw this in my favorite store in Saratoga and had to have it!  I went back and forth about wanted to cut a hole on the top or the side for the card slot.  Ultimately, I decided I wanted to keep this box forever and just propped the lid up. 

Table Numbers

We used the three different types of The Dreaming Tree Wines; Crush, Chardonnay and Cabernet.

I soaked the originally labels off and used Avery wine bottle labels I found at Staples along with a downloadable template to create personalized labels.  

After trying many different approaches to this and ruining my dining table (hot glue gun ... oops!), I found this was the easiest and looked cleanest. 

Other Vendors:

Officiant - Kathleen M.(I'll leave out the rest of her last name for privacy). 

Kathleen was an officiant of a wedding for the first time for close friends of ours.  Once we heard her sermon we knew she was exactly what we were looking for.  The love she has in her marriage and her family is truly inspiring.

Photography - Kathleen Hertel Photography

You have heard me rave on and on about Kathy in the past, but she gave us the best wedding gift we could have ever received.  Beautiful memories to hold onto forever.  We will forever have these amazing photos  at and remember the best day of our lives and we couldn't thank her enough.

Music - Discovery DJs of New York - Chris Wright 

Chris is a long time friend of Trevor's, so it was great that he was able to be our DJ and share the big day with us.  Next to have great photographer, having a great DJ was just as important.  We wanted a lot of old school hip hop and just overall fun music to dance the night away to and Chris definitely pulled through for us.  I don't think Trevor and I stopped dancing the whole night and one of my aunts said "it was the best music she has heard at a wedding." 

Any other details you want to know?