Saturday
Our Saturday began on an active note with his and hers workouts: The gym for Ryan and Burn Bootcamp for me. I know I’ve said it about a million times, but I absolutely LOVE my Burn Bootcamp workouts. I look forward to them SO much and cannot say enough good things about the positive and encouraging environment and the seriously challenging workouts that are somehow still totally fun. It’s the best!
Our Saturday morning workout was a full-body tabata and included six different stations that incorporated both plyometric exercises and strength exercises. I left looking like a sweaty mess. A walk around the neighborhood with Ryan, Sadie and Chase followed breakfast and after a much-needed shower, my mom and I took Chase along on some errands on Saturday afternoon.
Last year, when my mom was in town over the holidays, we stumbled upon an adorable little Christmas shop that was filled with unique and quirky ornaments and wanted to venture in again this year. I’m pretty sure I need to go back and buy the watermelon ornament we saw in the shop since I basically lived on watermelon all summer when I was pregnant!
We left with a small gift for someone special before heading into CVS to stock up on some goodies for two holiday gift baskets I’m putting together for two of the women who regularly watch Chase at Burn Bootcamp’s childcare.
In addition to nail polish, lotion, cozy socks and some other fun finds, I threw in some of my favorite healthy snacks in our basket, too, and tried my best not to eat the entire bag of dark chocolate trail mix I bought for myself before we made it back home.
Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour
Our Saturday night plans were extra special because my mom volunteered to watch Chase so Ryan and I could enjoy a date night out in the city!
On Friday morning, I stumbled upon an article on CharlotteAgenda.com about the 38th Annual Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour, a festive tradition that includes admission into a variety of private homes in Fourth Ward.
I immediately bought two tickets and told Ryan I had a surprise date night planned for Saturday.
(Hat: Tart Collections via Stitch Fix // Scarf: Banana Republic Factory Store – this $25 Etsy find is similar // Jacket: Cole Haan via RueLaLa – this one is similar // Purse: Marc Jacobs // Cinched Plaid Vest: White Plum // Boots: Matisse via RueLaLa)
We arrived uptown as the tour was kicking off and the sun was setting. After checking in at the ticket booth, we were given booklets containing descriptions of the homes on the tour and a map of the walkable route. The older homes along the tour were our favorite to see, especially since many of them were expertly decorated with holiday decor and beautiful antiques.
As you may have seen on Instagram, we are cheeseballs and couldn’t resist a mistletoe kiss!
A bunch of the homes were updated and I loved the built in breakfast nook in one of the townhomes and told Ryan that look is on my list of dreams for a future home if we ever move. As someone who always loves to sit in a booth at restaurants, I just love the idea of a comfy breakfast nook with a cozy booth in our home one day!
Before heading home for the night, our date included one more stop. As a couple who shares an intense love for sweets, we were both craving a dessert at the end of the night and stopped by Amelie’s French Bakery for their salted caramel brownies and a few macarons. A Saturday night date night success!
Sunday
Our Sunday was the perfect combination of active and lazy. Our friends Kevin and Chandra came over in the late morning and the four of us drove up to Lake Norman State Park for a five-mile hike. We had the best time catching up with them!
You know those friends who you never have any trouble pouring everything out to and who make you feel 100 percent at ease? That’s Chandra for me… And that’s saying at lot since we’ve only known each other since we met after we both moved to Charlotte around the same time. She’s seriously the best to talk to about anything and everything.
Once we were done hiking, we drove home and arrived ready to spend the rest of our Sunday hanging out on the couch and playing with our favorite little man. I used our couch time to catch up on blog work before my mom, Ryan, Chase and I settled in to watch Pitch Perfect 2 after dinner.
And that concludes our weekend! Today we are off to the pediatrician for Chase’s four month check up and I’m also hoping to sneak in a Burn Bootcamp first thing this morning.
I hope you guys have a great Monday and I’ll see ya again in the morning!
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What an awesome weekend!! A friend of mine was in town from AZ and we also went to Amelie’s! First time trying the salted caramel brownie and OMG, life changing! We’re actually headed back this am before I take her to the airport lol.
What is that home tour called?! That is something I would love to do with my husband!!
Thanks! Looks like a fantastic weekend!! 🙂
It was the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour –> fofw.org!
Sounds like you had a wonderfully festive weekend Julie! 🙂
That holiday tour looks amazing, I can’t wait until we move to Charlotte next year so my hubby and I can check that out! Those homes are stunning!
Hope you have a wonderful start to your week!
XO Christina
You two are so cute. I love your beanie! Looks like such a fun weekend.
I love house tours! They give me a chance to be nosy and finally admire what everyone has in their home. Such a great date idea!
Hi Julie! Can I ask where you find Sadie’s cute sweaters? We have a vizsla too and I’m always looking for cute sweaters for her during the winter. Thanks! 🙂
I think 99% of Sadie’s apparel comes from HomeGoods, TJMaxx or Marshalls. 🙂 Lots of cute, affordable stuff!
I am so jealous that you got to go to the holiday tour! I had found out about it via the charlotte agenda too, but my bf and I already had plans… maybe next year! Did you think it was worth attending?
I did! I wasn’t overly enamored with the condos on the tour and wish the home tour just focused on the older homes in Fourth Ward, but I would do it again! They had fun samplings on the tour as well from local restaurants/wine bars which also made it fun!
WOW- those houses are amazing!! so beautiful. And I love that you’re making a little gift for your babysitters! So thoughtful and really cute things you’re giving!
Wow those homes are gorgeous! What a great Christmas date idea!
Sounds like you all had a wonderful weekend! 🙂
I love home tours! I am in the Junior League and we do autumn and spring house tours of lovely old brownstones and apartments in NYC. The spring one is usually on Mother’s Day and lots of mother-daughter pairs come through 🙂 The holidays would also be a great time if the halls are all decked out.
I wish my town had a home tour like that! Looks like so much fun to tour the beautiful homes!
Loving your coordinated date-night ensembles. 🙂
Sounds like you guys had a blast! Both relaxing and active. Exactly how weekends are supposed to be!
Where is Ryan’s jacket from? Love that for my husband 🙂
I got it for him for Christmas from Banana Republic last year! I LOVE it, too!! 🙂
Thank you! Think I tried to buy that one last Black Friday but it was sold out =( They have another similar one this year that I’ll have to get!
That breakfast nook is so cute! I love touring homes. My boyfriend and I are planning to go to open houses on our vacation this winter just for fun. My weekend was amazing! Filled with a formal, big brothers big sisters, and lots of prepping for the week.
Oh my gosh, the home tour sounds fabulous. And you and Ryan are sporting some totally trendy outfits that night. As far as Pitch Perfect 2 — I wasn’t wowed by it at all, although it was still a good movie. Here’s to a great week, Julie! I hope the appointment goes well. 🙂
Sounds like a great weekend! What did you think of Pitch Perfect 2? I was kind of disappointed… I LOVED the first one (and the soundtrack) but felt like the jokes in the second were a bit over done.
I think I am alone in the fact that I loved it! I thought it was hilarious but I definitely liked the musical numbers in the original better.
Those homes are beautiful! Friends like that are the best. I have one like that, and although we don’t live in the same city anymore, whenever we do get together it’s like no time has passed at all. I’m so thankful for our friendship!
That house tour looks like so much fun – what a great and unique date night!
You look so cute in your date night outfit! (And of course, ALWAYS, but just wanted to mention how much I love your outfit – that pop of red just works! So festive!)
I always enjoy these types of activity posts, i.e. date night recaps (gives me ideas for me and my husband), and the fun things you find to do with friends and family. Fun! I know we have home tours here and I always forget about them.
(Also, thanks for the balsam and cedar candle recommendation from anthropologie! LOVE it – I *thought* I had a great pine smelling candle until I remembered your recommendation, it was HEAVEN-SCENT <—har har, yes, cheesy pun intended.)
LOL! Love the pun! And that candle is the BEST!
That sounds like such a nice surprise date night! I am totally with ya on the breakfast nook too! I love them!
That house looks so cozy and dreamy. I’m so glad you guys got out for a date night. The picture of you two is adorable! <3
Where was the Christmas shop? I’m looking for some unique ornaments to give as gifts and I would love to check it out. Thanks.
Off Catawba Ave. in Cornelius in the same shopping plaza as Brooklyn South Pizza. It transforms into a holiday ornament shop at Christmas but is usually the Rivals sporting goods store!
Hey Julie, so fun to see the pics! Are you still using your flat-iron to curl your hair? Trying to figure out what I want to do for my party coming up 😀
Julie- How did you do your hair for your Saturday date?! I’m dying to know!
Love “Ryno’s” outfit. Those red pants are so dapper. Deets please!
Isn’t it so fun to go out on date night when you rarely get to!? We went on our first over Thanksgiving and have one coming up this weekend- I can’t wait!
Our condos were on the tour! 400 N Church 🙂 We love it here! Hope you had fun! Also I <3 Amelies big time (who doesn't lol)
I adore your outfit!! Too cute!!
What an amazing weekend it seems like you had! The mistletoe picture is too cute!
What a fun date night!!! I love holiday decorations and lights! Your red beanie hat is super cute!!!
I love your weekend 🙂 I would really enjoy touring those homes and seeing all of their decor!! Wouldn’t mind a hike and some lazy couch time with your clan, either 🙂 Miss you!!!!!!
looks like so much fun!
random question–I am LOVING your bronzer and am in the market for a new one (Sophora trip this weekend!). who makes yours?
Thanks so much for your help.