This past weekend was our annual camping trip with friends to Noontoola Creek. Noontoola Creek is situated along Forest Service roads in the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia (just east of Ellijay, Georgia). The camping sites, which are located just off the road, are in the midst of some of the most gorgeous landscape, waterfalls, and hiking opportunities in North Georgia.  All the camp sites run along the beautiful creek and most have a pad for a tent and a campfire. And...because it's a forest road and not a campground....there is no cost to pop up your tent! 
We love camping at Noontoola. Something about living out in the nature even if it is for only one night is just magical. Noontoola is real camping in that it out in the middle of the woods with no restrooms, power hook-ups, or anything. That's real camping people- complete with bring your own toilet paper and you're going to freeze if you have to relieve yourself in the middle of the night, camping. ;) 


This year we went all out and cooked all our meals at the campsite. For dinner we grilled steaks and mushrooms over the campfire and cooked sweet and baked potatoes in the coals. We forgot to bring sauce for the mushrooms so we made due with apple cider which turned out to be delicious! Of course we made hot cider over the fire as well. For breakfast we grilled eggs, bacon, and sausage and even make pancakes on a camping stove that we could light. 

It was a lot of fun but very cold. 


And of course we had to make a stop by the apple house on our way home because no trip to Ellijay is complete without apples! 


Anyone else have plans to go camping soon? Where do you camp? Do you stay at a campground or go "hard core" like us? 

So I am in that season of life where 90% of my friends and family are either getting married or having babies. In the past month I have been to four weddings, three wedding showers, and four baby showers with two more weddings, one more wedding shower, and three more baby showers to go in the upcoming month. Anyone else in this same stage of life where they feel like once their friends stop getting married and having babies they are going to feel like they have an instant raise? The only problem is by then the friends that are just now getting married will start having babies and on it goes... Other than putting a strain on my wallet and filling up my football weekends (so that I have still yet to go to Athens for a football game this season) it is really a very joyful, fun time! I have had the chance to see so many clever, beautiful ideas displayed at the various weddings and showers and thought I would share with you all some of what I learned/liked. 
1. Espresso Bar at a Wedding This was the neatest idea and very unique! Rather than opting for a bar the bride instead choose to go with an espresso bar complete with all the Starbucks drinks. It was called the Cafe' of Love! The drinks were wonderful and the decor was adorable! I am so bummed the picture I tried to take did not turn out.
2. Homemade Baby Banner at a Shower My niece will be here in a mere six weeks! For my sister-in-law's most recent shower a friend made this adorable banner out of scrapbook paper and dollies to show the baby's name, Lila.
3. Gender Reveal Pistol or Pearls Cake Gender Reveal party's have become all the rage lately! For those of you who haven't heard of a Gender Reveal Party it is a party where you let all your friends and family know the gender of your baby in a fun way! At this party they cut into a cake that said pistols or pearls to see what color the cake was...it was pink! Baby girls everywhere! Whoohoo!

4. Photo Booths at Weddings Photo booths have become all the rage as well! I love them because they are a fun reminder of the personality of your guests and good take home for your guests. Here is a photo of the bride and groom from their photo booth last night.


5. Vintage Elegance Wedding Vintage elegance is also very in for weddings. Last weekend I attended one of the most Pinterest perfect weddings I had ever been too. The wedding was located on a farm and bride made her grand entrance in an old pick up truck. So cute! The chairs for guests to sit in were a mix match of old vintage chairs and couches and the tables were decorated with old books and white milk glass. It was simply beautiful! 


6. Sister-in-law's Wedding I gained a new sister in October as well! Her wedding was also gorgeous! Here is a photo of me with both of my sister-in-law's at the wedding. 
Fun right?  The only problem is I am running out of dresses! Last night as I stood in my closet for a near 30 minutes trying to find a dress that everyone hadn't yet seen me in I realized I am going to need to invest even more money into my wardrobe before the next wedding. :) Anyone else feel my pain I mean share my joy? ; )

If you have been following my blog for a few months you might remember my post back in July when I attended a spa PR event at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta and won a super cute OKAb. tote back and sandals. I recently had the privilege to receive a pair of OKAb.'s newest shoe, the slingback, to review along with an additional pair of OKAb. sandals. 
Just in case you aren't familiar with this brand let me introduce you to my new go to brand for work flats...

I fully plan to sport these adorable slingbacks on my trip to Baltimore next week! And you don't have to worry about them stinking from sweaty feet because all OKAb. shoes are machine washable and will not fade in their color no matter how many times they are washed! 
I also thought I would share with you all a picture of the cute wedge sandals I was sent. 
From here on out OKA.b is my new favorite work shoe brand! I'm obsessed! I have about four more pair I really want that I'm adding to my Christmas list...if I can wait that long. :)


I have some awesome news for you all! OKAb. has graciously agreed to give away one pair of shoes of your choose from their Fall/Winter collection to one of my lucky readers! There are SO many cute shoes in this collection I wish I was eligible to win this giveaway myself! Be sure to preview the collection here. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Disclosure: I received a free product in exchange for a honest review based on personal experience with this product. No monetary compensation was received or will be received between MFJ and the associated company with this product.