Another Year has Come and Gone

A lot happened in my 25th year. I learned a lot of things about myself.

Perry got married and I got to be her maid of honor. 

I met my first ever celebrity.

Had a fun time at Mardi Gras again.

I bought a house all by myself! (The shutters are one of my absolute favorite things about it)

Spent a weekend in Nashville for Kylie's Bachelorette and became friends with some amazing girls. (Sorry Kylie just realized you were taking this picture) 

Dad's garden was awesome this year!

Kylie and Bobby got married! Wow what a weekend!

Floated down a river for the first time. 

Hannah got married! 

I went to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida for my birthday. 

So onto the next year! 26, please be good to me!

La Playa | Santa Rosa Beach

 

As soon as we got to Santa Rosa we stopped for a late lunch at La Playa. We were really hungry and we had time to waste until our house was ready for check-in. La Playa is in Gulf Place Towncenter. I ordered the Fish Du Jour - fresh local Gulf fish of the day (Mahi) grilled and topped with chipotle tartar, crisp lettuce, vine ripe tomato and Bermuda onion served on a homemade Kaiser roll  with a side of sweet potato fries. Oh my goodness, this was the best fish sandwich I have ever had. The Kaiser roll was fresh and grilled on the inside. The sweet potato fries tasted like they had cinnamon sugar on them. Trey had the Joe's Famous Blackened Fish Tacos - blackened Mahi, shredded cheese, lettuce, roasted corn, pico de gallo and chipotle tartar sauce  with a side salad with creamy cilantro dressing. The dressing was sweet which I wasn't expecting but it was really good. The service was great and the food was delicious! 

Mellow Mushroom | Tuscaloosa, AL

Unless I am sharing a pizza with someone I always get a calzone from Mellow Mushroom. I get chicken, cheese, tomatoes, onions, broccoli and bell peppers with a side of olive oil and garlic instead of marinara. I always have enough left over for a couple more meals. It is a huge box of goodness.

Hooligan's | Tuscaloosa, AL

Hooligan's opened a second location in the University Mall food court several months or maybe even a year ago not sure when. I had been to their location on University Blvd before and liked it. Since they are close to my office I ran over to the mall and got the Chicken Kabob Wrap to-go one day. The wrap had grilled pieces of chicken, onions and peppers with hummus, lettuce and tomatoes. The grilled chicken was tender and delicious. The wrap came with a side of crinkle cut fries. They were just the right amount of crispy with season all salt on them. 

Ichiban | Tuscaloosa, AL

I would say Ichiban is my go to place for sushi. It is not the traditional American Japanese Steakhouse. They do not have grills and cook in front of you. But they do have a lot of great sushi rolls to choose from. Here are the ones that I have tried so far. All of which I loved minus the Fancher roll. It was okay but wouldn't order it again.

Tuscaloosa - crab, cream cheese, fried shrimp, cucumber and avocado with massago and eel sauce

Kylie - tuna, avocado and cream cheese

Haney - tuna, avocado, cream cheese, crispies and Ichiban sauce

Vegetable - cucumber, pickled radish, avocado and green onions

California - cucumber, avocado and crab

Sun - smoked salmon, avocado and cream cheese

Fancher - tempura chicken, cream cheese, green onions with hot sauce and ranch dressing on top

Good - eel, avocado, cream cheese and crab deep fried with eel sauce on top

Also, the crab rangoons are amazing. 

Hannah + Cody | Part 2

Saturday, September 7th we went to Hannah's for Mimosas, breakfast and to get ready. She had cute monogrammed robes waiting on us. The reception was at Lylas in Mooresville. It was in an open barn with so many cute touches. I loved the half wall made out of stacked wood.  

Congrats Hannah and Cody! 

Hannah + Cody | Part 1

On Friday, September 6th, Trey, Perry and I drove up to Huntsville early in the morning for Hannah and Cody's wedding. Perry and I went straight to the bridal brunch at Canebrake Club in Athens. The food was delicious. After brunch Trey came back and picked us up and we went shopping. We went to an antique shop where I finally got Saltine Cracker tins. Trey has been looking for these forever so when they had a 1969 and 1987 tin I got both. 

The rehearsal was at Hannah's church. Afterwards we went to the Limestone Bay Trading Company in Mooresville for the rehearsal dinner. I had heard that Mooresville was the new "it" place to get married so I was very excited to see it. I can definitely see why everyone wants to have their weddings, receptions, etc. here. Super cute town!

For dinner they had BBQ on sweet cornbread, green beans, broccoli salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, salad on a stick and mini chicken salad sandwiches. I got some of all of it haha. Everything was great. I loved the BBQ on cornbread. Everyone had different antique looking china plates and mason jars. 

Sorry for the terrible iPhone pictures it does not do justice on how adorable everything was.