Lately Summer Recap...

 Hey All! Can not believe summer is over. It is still blazing hot in the Carolinas but let's face it summer is over. School has started, it's Labor Day weekend, and the stores have replaced sandals with boots. Here is a summer recap of what I have been up to lately.

Life Changing: The above picture is my daughter's dorm room. Why didn't my dorm room look like that? As much time as we spent in and out of stores and on Pinterest this summer, her room should look like something out of a magazine. I'm so proud and excited for her. It's weird not seeing her bubbly face everyday. Move-in day was exhausting! I was too tired to cry.

Joyful: My dad received a great report from his doctor. There are no signs of lymphoma in his body. God has been so good to us!

Aha: My Aha moment this summer was, start using MyFitnessPal app. I mean it's on my phone, just enter the foods you eat and how much you exercise, and you just might lose some weight! It worked, I'm down 5.6 lbs for the month of August! I'm celebrating all accomplishments big and small!

Stop Being A Procrastinator: I'm sure you all know about Nordstrom's Anniversary sale that happens every July. Being the bargain shopper that I am, I had several cool stuff in my online cart. Went back several days later, and gone! Sold! We no longer have your size available. Ugh! This really cool drape front faux leather jacket was super cute. I guess there were lots of people who thought it was super cute.

Serene: The most serene moment of the summer was going to Kiawah Island with my BFF/sis-n-law. Just the two of us. I just love the beach. We had a great time. Sun, sand, ocean waves, cocktails, food, no kids, no husbands of course we had a great time!

Funniest: I always have a great time with my girlfriends. I must say the funniest was going out dancing for my friend Lydia's birthday. If I didn't laugh at her all night long! She danced with everyone. We laughed until we cried.

I Just Can't: My line sisters and I are reading Go Set A Watchman together, plus it just so happens to be my bookclub's pick for our next meeting. However, before I read it, I want to read To Kill A Mockingbird. I just can't finish that book. Everytime I pick it up I fall asleep.

You Made That: I made the best salad this summer. Arugula, crumbled bleu cheese, watermelon chunks, and a little vinaigrette. Amazing! Tasty!

So, what have you been up to lately?

Ten Hip Ideas For Girls Night Out...

What are your plans for the weekend? Grab your girls and go out! I have a great group of friends here in Greensboro. We live for our monthly Girls Night Out (GNO). It's a great chance to catch up, vent, laugh until we pee, eat great food, and drink delicious cocktails or mocktails. I came up with 10 cool, hip, and fab ideas for your next GNO!





1. Host A Summer Soiree. Every summer my fab friend, Lydia, hosts a Summer Soiree at her house. As shown above. She goes all out! Sparklers, lais, drinks, food, dance offs, etc.

2. Wine and Design. This is a trendy outing that is in most cities. Some places call it Sip and Stroke, Wine and Canvas, or Paint and Sip. You go to a art studio to paint the picture of the day and drink wine. We always find a deal for this on Living Social or Groupon. Here is a picture of when we went.

3. Swap and Sip. Everyone brings at least 5 items that they no longer want. Put it in a pile, pick a number and select a item from your girlfriend that she no longer wants, but you love. Sip some wine.

4. Tour Open Houses. Need decorating ideas or you just want to be nosy about a new development, go tour open houses or Model homes. A cheap Sunday afternoon outing.

5.  Spa Day. When my friend Michelle, the baby of the bunch, turned 40, we went to a local spa for the day. They gave us the party room! We brought our own food and drinks, booked body treatments, and walked around in our robes.

6. Line Dancing. Seriously, there is a line dance for every song out there. If you don't know the Biker Shuffle or the Wobble, go on YouTube and learn it. Invite your girls over and show them the latest line dances.

7. Sleepover. Host a good old childhood favorite sleepover. Rent movies, buy belly aching candy, and popcorn. Vote on who has the cutest PJ's. Take selfies.

8. Vision Board. Buy poster board, glue sticks, and gather up magazines. Have your girls come over and put together their own vision board. Check out Pinterest for cool ideas.

9. Chili Cook-off. Have a friend that swears she makes the best chili. Tell her to bring it on! Create teams, dress in Western attire (a must), play country music, and invite your girls over for a friendly cook-off competition.

10. Give Back. My friend, Lydia, asked all her girlfriends to get a backpack over the summer and fill it with school supplies. Before school starts in August, we all will get together and turn in our backpacks to Lydia for distribution to a child in great need.

What do you and your girlfriends do for Girls Night Out?

To Girlfriends!

Lately...

Hey y'all! It's been awhile since I last posted. Let me briefly tell you what's been happening lately. Hope you all have a great week!

Loving: I have girlfriends in all ages! Recently, we all celebrated our friend Linda's 65th birthday! Whenever, we get together there is always lots of laughter.

Listening To:  Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience. Love it! My kids gave me the CD for Mother's Day.

Reading: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis. I can't put this down. It gripped me from the first page, although the first chapter was upsetting to me. Next on my list Life in Spades and Gone Girl.

Thinking About: I am officially the mama of two high schoolers. Wow, where did time go? I now completely understand when my mom would say, "I can't sleep until all of my children are in the house." When my kids go out with their friends, I'm fidgety until they come back in the house.

Looking Forward To: Our family vacation in the mountains this July along with my parents and nieces. It's so peaceful and relaxing. The best part, sitting on the screened in porch/balcony with my mom drinking a glass of wine and talking.

Trying Not To: Break another weight loss program. Yeah, I'm on something new. Weight Watchers didn't work for me, I just can't with the points. I'm doing Dr. Ian Smith's Shred along with boot camp classes. 

So what's been going on with y'all? Thanks to Sheila of It Girl Allure for giving me inspiration for this post! 

Spring Tea Party...

It's Spring!! I'm itching to invite my girlfriends over for a chat session. An afternoon or evening tea party would be nice. It's perfect for a book club meeting, bridal luncheon, baby shower, or Girls Day/Night Out. Finger sandwiches, desserts, champagne (optional), fruit, assorted teas and great conversation is all you need. Sweet cold tea is also a great idea to have on hand. Get out your china, or go to your local Thrift store or estate sale for a hodgepodge of dishes. Put your pinkie up while drinking your tea and have everyone call you "mum."



 

 





 

 



November Recap...

Hey All! Well my favorite month of the year has come and gone. However, I know December will be a fabulous month! I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend and bringing in December with a bang! Take a look at some of my November Instagram pics. Follow me on IG @sydneyaustindesigns.

Started the month off with Hey Fran Hey's Jump Rope challenge! Forgot how fun jumping rope is! This month's challenge is Walking Lunges! Join in!

Trying hard to eat healthy and it's actually fun! This salad I made was freaking yum yo! Arugula (my fave), Roma tomato, almonds, blueberries, gorgonzola cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Month of birthday celebrations. Celebrating Michelle's 40th (baby in the bunch) at a day spa.

New loves: Almond butter and Yogi tea!

Two of my favorite earrings that I designed in November. Spikes and chevron. I love working with brass. Get them here

Out celebrating my birthday at a local wine bar, Riojas. Cheers!

Blessed and happy! Lots of bling! Get them here

Nothing like walking into a store and finding your favorite hair products on sale!  I just love Shea Moisture.

Sip and Stroke...

This past weekend my girlfriends and I used our Living Social voucher for a Sip and Stroke paint class. Sip on some wine and Stroke on a piece of canvas. It was a lot of fun. Between sipping on Moscato and Lime-A-Ritas, snacking on chicken salad, seafood salad, and pepper jack cheese, we all painted a lovely floral piece. Our instructor, Dawn, was very patient will all the laughter, silliness, and questions. Below are some pictures from Sip and Stroke. I hope you all have a Happy Wednesday!

Before paint

After paint.

My girlfriends and I with our masterpieces.

Me with my artwork which now hangs on the wall in our home.

Girls Night Out...

Photo taken with camera phone of Prince on stage.

Purple Leather Earrings I wore to concert. Made by me.

Me and 3 girlfriends went to the Prince concert for our monthly "Girls Night Out." We had a blast! Excellent seats! Prince knows how to give an awesome performance. This is my 3rd time seeing Prince live in concert (Purple Rain Tour, Musicology 2004 Tour, and Welcome 2 America Tour). Although he is in his 50's, he still jams with his high heels. But... he did take them off for his last act and replaced them with some funky flats. His opening act was Chaka Khan. Amazing woman, she looked fab!

If Prince is coming to a city near you, you must get tickets. You will not be disappointed.

40th Birthday...

My client and 3 of her girlfriends are going on a cruise to celebrate their 40th birthday. She wanted to present them all with a commerative gift once they are abroad. This is the design I came up with. All charms, chains, and findings are sterling silver. Very nice detail and gram weight on the cruise ship charm. Three gemstones are faceted genuine cz and one is a salmon coral nugget. She was pleased and I'm sure the girls will be too! Bon Voyage!

If you want something similar, please inquire. I love custom orders!