Thoughts for Thursday

After having last week off {our company closes all of our offices in the US for a week twice a year}, I thought this week was going to creep by very slowly. To my surprise, it has actually been the complete opposite and I am not complaining one bit because we are off to The Greenbrier Resort with TC's family this weekend!

I am still not ready to admit that 4th of July has already passed and we are half way through the summer. Is anyone else struggling to admit this too? We have hosted a 4th of July party for the past 3 years at our home and it has quickly become an event that TC and I look forward to each summer. This year we had a packed house of friends and 2 new additions - my adorable Goddaughter and another friend of ours also has a 2 month old, little girl. They are precious!
You know that adorable Goddaughter that I just mentioned? I seriously can't handle how cute she is in her red, white and blue to match her sweet mom. I feel like I am the luckiest lady to be able to be such a special part of E's life.  
Even though it poured in the afternoon, the skies cleared as everyone started to arrive {thank goodness} so we could enjoy being outside. The guys spent a lot of time seeing what they could find in the pond - some actually caught a few fish but others only caught sticks and weeds. :)
What's a 4th of July celebration without red, white, and blue, a few festive cocktails and a lot of traditional American food?! I made the Sangria that I mentioned in this post and it was delicious! I had never made Sangria before so I was worried that it wouldn't turn out well but it did and was the perfect cocktail for the afternoon - light and refreshing. 
 
A few weekends ago, we traveled to DC to meet my sister and her husband. We had such a great time catching up and enjoying all the sites of the city together. A few of my favorite stops during the trip...

The Observatory is a rooftop bar located on top of the Graham hotel in Georgetown, it has the most spectacular panoramic views of DC and Virginia. Their hand-crafted cocktails and wine selection were amazing!

We ate dinner at Restaurant Nora which was by far one of the greatest meals that I've had recently. Nora is focused on providing organic, seasonal, local food that is full of flavor so the menu changes daily. I thought it was neat to hear that Restaurant Nora became the nation's first certified organic restaurant, which means that at least 95% of all ingredients must be produced by certified organic farmers, growers and suppliers.  

After we walked up and down the cobble streets in Georgetown, we stopped for a cocktail and a cheese & charcuterie plate at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. Martin's Tavern is one of the few restaurants that has been around since the Great Depression and the tradition of hospitality has brought every President from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush to their tavern. By the way, I hope you are enjoying all the fun {and random} facts that I'm sharing from our travels.
I hope everyone is having an awesome week! I'm linking up with Annie and Natalie for Thoughts on Thursday and I hope you join us.

14 comments

  1. Hey Stephanie,

    I came over on #ThoughtsforThursday today, and I'm glad to find your site. I also followed you on Pinterest and Twitter~

    Looks like you have been getting to travel and try some new places. I love your pictures - the one in front of the White House is really cute.

    Look forward to connecting again~

    Hope you have a blessed day today~
    Melanie

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    1. It is so sweet of you to stop by and say hello! Thank you for following along! Hope you're having a great Monday! Xo, Stephanie

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  2. I am loving your jumpsuit and decorations for your July 4th party! Looks like a great party, too!! So nice you had the whole week off :) Have fun this weekend! My parents LOVED Greenbriar

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    1. Thank you! It was such a relaxing and productive week off, I could use another one! Xo, Stephanie

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  3. Your party for the 4th looks great - super cute food + decor! I'm with you on finding it so hard to believe just how quickly summer is flying by this year :) Crazy that we are basically mid-July now. Have so much fun at The Greenbriar!!

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    1. Thank you, hosting and planning a party is one of my favorite things! I agree, I'm not ready for summer to end yet! Xo, Stephanie

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  4. I'm in complete denial that summer is halfway over!

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    1. Me and you both, I can't believe it! The holidays will be here before we know it! Xo, Stephanie

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  5. I love that jumpsuit you wore for the 4th - where is it from?! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. Thank you, it is so comfortable! It's from LOFT. Xo, Stephanie

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  6. What a perfect weekend! Loving your jumpsuit, too! Hope you had fun at the Greenbriar, I've always wanted to visit!!

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    1. That jumpsuit has become one of my favorite items in my closet this summer! It was a blast, you guys have to go! Xo, Stephanie

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  7. How absolutely adorable are ya'll? The party looks like it was a blast! Did I know you lived in VA? So close! Happy Thursday girl! xo

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    1. You are so sweet! I know another adorable couple :)! We live in NC but I do love VA! Xo, Stephanie

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Thank you for following along! Your comments make me smile. Xo, Stephanie