Garden Party

On the last Sunday that we were home, my mom and I hosted a bridal shower for my brothers fiancé who I am also going to be a bridesmaid for. Since I am moving to Italy in July and won't be able to be apart of the other bridal shower festivities I wanted to make sure I did something special for the bride. There were many people there around 10-15 and I actually loved it this way. It was super intimate and we all got to talk and tell stories and everyone heard each other. It was a lot of fun and my mom made the best cake.

My mom actually used to design wedding cakes in the past and she made my wedding cake and is going to make the cake for my brothers wedding. They actually want a naked cake which is really popular right now and she has never made one before so she wanted to do a little practice one at the shower and also make some flavors for them to try. The cake is amazing and the bride loved it. The flavor that they really like is lemon and my mom made a really good lemon flavored cake. Even though I am not a big fan of lemon it was really yummy! 

Have any of you heard the song Garden Party by Ricky Nelson.? My mom was singing it on the morning we were setting up for the shower and then she explained this story that went along with it and then we listened to it on my phone and I only knew about 6 words that first day "I want to a garden party...." But since then I have had the song stuck in my head and I only know about two lines so those same two lines go around and around in my head haha. Its the worst. But every time I think of this day I will think of that song and now I know who Ricky Nelson is! 

Also, this drop waist dress is amazing. I got it at Ross and it is my first drop waist dress and I love the pattern. 
love, Carlee

Ross: Dress

Sandals: Toms

Winthrop Washington

Winthrop Washington is one of the cutest towns in all of Washington State. I know that is a big statement but it is 100% true. It is an old western town suppose to look like a mining town in the late 1800s. The city put in an ordinance in 1972 when the North Cascades highway was being built to keep the town looking western. So any new building has to be built to look like a 1890 mining town. It is such a pretty town with a river running through it. The town is awesome and we used to driving through it every time we drove to my grandmas house on Whidbey Island Washington. 

My mom and stepdad just opened a nightly rental suite in Winthrop WA. It is super cute and in downtown. It's on the river and like 100 steps from some amazing homemade ice cream. It is called Riverside Retreat and if you are ever looking into staying in Winthrop you should check it out. My mom took Clark and I up to see it which I was very excited to because my mom has been talking about it and the renovations for about two months now so it was awesome to finally see it finished. Memorial Day weekend was the first weekend it could be rented and they got a reservation right away! I am very proud of my mom. She keeps me inspired to start new adventures and projects! She totally rocks.

So while my mom had to meet with some people for the rental, Clark and I strolled around town. We even got western photos taken which was really fun! We of course got ice cream at Sheri's Sweet Shop. I got blackberry and maple nut in a homemade waffle cone and clark got chocolate peanut butter in a cup! It is so yummy. And the shops in Winthrop are so darn cute! I loved the bookstore, the Wine Shed, and the Courtyard Quail! 
Happy Thursday
love, Carlee

Tank: Old Navy

Shorts: Target

Sandals: Teva

Cardigan & Purse: JCPennys

Wild Flowers

Eastern Washington in the spring is my favorite place ever. I think it takes being away for a while to really appreciate the beauty of my home town and the valley where I grew up. I mean just look at these wild flowers! And they are everywhere on the hillsides and plateaus. It is very dreamy. The weather has been in the mid 60s since we have been here and its been really nice. I thought it would be a little warmer but with it being 85+ and super humid in North Carolina. I am 100% enjoying this cooler and milder weather. It is fantastic.

I have been enjoying watching my brothers play baseball games and taking them out to lunch. They are both in middle school so they have school all this week still but Clark and I took them out to lunch which has been fun. Although in our tiny home town there are only like 2 places to go to lunch. We used to have a McDonalds but it burnt down. Sad day. haha, but really. 

We have also been enjoying eating some Eastern Washington specific food. In Chelan, WA there is the best little drive in EVER! It is called Lakeview Drive-In and if you are ever in the area during the spring/summer you HAVE TO go. It is seasonal so it is not open late fall and winter. We have also been enjoying eating at the taco wagon. In other parts of the country these are known as street tacos but here we just call them tacos. We have some hardcore authentic Mexican food here and it is amazing! Anyways, it has been wonderful so far. Now I am off to enjoy these beautiful weather. 
love, Carlee

Plaid Shirt: H&M

Tank: American Eagle

Jeans: Macys

Sandals: Toms