Let me tell you a little bit about Folly Beach! Folly was our home base for our week in Charleston. It’s about 20-25 minutes from downtown, and definitely has a laid back, surfer vibe. There’s a very small downtown, but for the most part, it’s beaches and houses. Here’s the house we rented:

Cute, no? It was lovely, and right on the beach — about a one minute walk from our door to the ocean’s edge. We took advantage of the proximity, swimming almost every day, and some days, multiple times a day! (We even swam once at night, and once in the rain!)

Have y’all noticed that donuts seem to be everywhere at weddings these days? Part of me is happy about this (because I love donuts) and part of me is sad (because now if I include them in our wedding, maybe I’ll feel like I’m just jumping on the bandwagon). Either way, I thought I’d share some of my favorite donut wedding inspiration for you this fine morning :)

Credits from top: Pink and white donuts from Country Living, flavored donuts via 100 Layer Cake (photos by Max Wanger), donuts with custom coffee cup wraps via Style Me Pretty (photo by Harwell Photography), pink and white striped donuts by Whisk Kid, mini beignets and coffee by Frilly Milly Events (photo by Lauren Blair), donut croquembouche, homestyle donuts via 100 Layer Cake (photo by Kate Harrison), pink donut centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings, next three photos by Greg Blomberg (via 100 Layer Cake), custom donut hole bags via Martha Stewart Weddings (photo by Sara Remington), sparkler donut hole spears by Mrs. Lillien, ricotta donuts from Gale Gand, mini donuts and coffee from Martha Stewart Weddings, custom paper bag donuts by Simplesong (photo by Kate Headley, via Ritzy Bee), next two photos of donut bar from A Beautiful Mess, next three photos by Yan Photography (via Style Me Pretty), next two photos of coconut donuts by Cannelle et Vanille, espresso glazed donuts from Martha Stewart Weddings

We had such a lovely weekend! The weather was perfect, and we spent a lot of time out on our balcony while I primed and sanded our side chairs. Here’s what they look like now — just waiting for the perfect paint color!

Luckily, I had a helper:

We also did what I’m calling a “rock hop” on the Haw River. Basically, we hopped from rock to rock for about an hour and a half (and tried not to fall in). It was actually a really good workout — lots of balancing and leaping! And the weather was so beautiful!

For those of you in the Raleigh area that want to visit (there are trails, too — you don’t have to walk ON the river), the best place to park is off of Route 64 West. Follow 64 past Jordan Lake. After you cross a bridge over the Haw River, take the first left across the road, then another immediate left, and you’ll find parking for canoe access.

How was your weekend? :)

Before this weekend catches up with us, I wanted to share a few photos from last weekend’s adventure! As you know, John and I headed out to Boone, NC for a quick overnight trip. Our camping was a bit ill-fated (sleet, 20-degree temperatures, and 50 MPH winds drove us to a hotel in the middle of the night. Yes, yes they did.), but the hike we went on was magical! A few photos:

Yep, I was definitely singing the HILLS are aliiiiive! as I pranced through that goldenrod field :)

This weekend we have our community garden’s sweet potato harvest to look forward to (here’s last year’s), as well as dinner with friends, chair priming for me, and hopefully several episodes of Friday Night Lights (we’re just starting season two — DYING over here!!). How about y’all?